Salvatore Shan NW presents… Fish Out Of Water.

I don't own any of the characters – they are works of Darren Shan (the author of course). Any extras I own, I'll name at the bottom. The plot is mine, the Lake of Souls is DS' and anything else I forgot to mention most probably belongs to him too.


In the words of Steve Leonard (I just can't call him Leopard, it annoys me). After the events of Sons of Destiny. I know this first chapter is short, but it's meant to be

Dedicated to anyone who enjoys this story, reviews it and loves Darren Shan. Enjoy!


Chapter One

Five years after the War of the Scars

How long am I going to stay here? I asked for the millionth time, feeling the tears intermix with the water sloshing around me. There was nothing I could do to prevent myself from merging and I was sucked into yet another void, surrounded by the souls around me, flowing into this hole where your name or deeds matter. Only your sins.

I tried to talk to the others around me, but my mouth wouldn't open. All I could do was think through what I'd been through. My death flashed before your eyes. They say when you die your life flashes before your eyes, as when you're sleeping the eternal slumber do you dream about how you died. I had to swallow a laugh. I'd risen to the bait. Darren, I mean. He'd tricked me into killing him… so we could save the world. And I was so drunk on rage that I didn't notice. I would've – once upon a time. But those times were over by that stage.

There I went. Falling into the whirlpool. Spinning faster and faster. I lost consciousness.


When I woke up again I was in a colder part of the lake but I couldn't shiver. I hoped that this time I wasn't in the abyss. It was a horrible place down there, all dark and… and freezing. The perfect place for Steve Leonard, Vampaneze Lord, to reside.

I realise now that I never had control of my actions. Even if, in my head, I ever doubted that Darren had betrayed me – a little voice would tell me he did and would get me angry all over again. And now I knew who that voice belonged to. Desmond Tiny. I swelled up with rage and promised that when I got out of this lake I would do whatever I could to make it up to Darren. My brother.

He probably hated me and I wouldn't blame him. After all… I gritted my teeth and tried to clench my fists. Nothing. My palm was stinging. The scar on my hand was burning, and I felt myself slipping away into the arms of sleep again. I refused to go this time because who knew where I'd be when I woke up? It scared me to be alone like this.

Everyone screaming in their own souls but not being able to get out. Like being buried alive. I tried to scream but knew I couldn't. I tried to move, to swim out, but I couldn't. The only thing I could control was my mouth, and that was limited. I didn't want to open my mouth so the contents of the lake could spill in.

I wanted to open my eyes but couldn't. I was paralysed. I felt heat on my face and realised I was floating to the surface again, but never would I be able to break it. Noises… somewhere up ahead… someone calling my name.

Darren?

And there I am, the sunlight pouring down and making the surface shine like gold. Except I can't see it, I can imagine it. I'm so close to the surface… so close that if I could move just a millimetre… I can't.

And then there's that voice again. Steve… Steve… I want to answer. Want to climb out, throw my arms around Darren and give him a noogie. Laugh with him and pretend that the War of the Scars never happened. That he never became a half-vampire and I never became a half-vampaneze. That he wasn't the Prince and me the Lord. That we never went to the Cirque Du Freak.

Something's pulling me upwards, physically. Something - rope. It's burning my skin, snagging it but I don't feel the pain. My head's breaking the water… it's actually doing it! I'm being pulled out of the lake!

My head first. I can imagine by silver hair emerging… then my eyes and… and I can see. I look up, blinking, and wipe the water out of my eyes. My body's out now. Then my legs… and my feet. I'm free! I'm free… and, and – am I truly alive? Or is that a mirage? Is it just another one of Mr Tiny's tricks?

I feel all lightweight and feathery, like a ghost. I look down at my naked body and blush, ashamed. Someone behind me throws a blanket and I catch it midair, wrapping it around my waist.
Then I hear a strangled gasp and turn around sharply. Only to then wish I'd fallen back into the lake.