Darren Shan

I don't remember much, but all I can recall…

was the colour of blood…

***

"I'm sorry Vinnie. I can't help you any longer!" Aunt Patricia pushed me forward, out the door with my bags. The taxi driver was smoking his cigarette, filling the air with poisonous nicotine. Once again, Aunt Pat calls me Vinnie. For 15 years of living with her, she never calls me by the name that I was given. She tried to make me her so-called 'child', but I would always rebel to such silly thoughts of hers.

"It's Vixy" I mumbled, dragging my feet to the cab, pulling the luggage bag, that was a present from my dear Uncle Windel.

"Yes, yes. Whatever" she wheezed. Her face was redder than Satan's skin, but who could blame her? I was a misery bringer, a master of bad luck. I can't blame her for shoving me out the door, to some uncle's house. I never heard of him before, but it was my late mother's husband's brother. Not my dad, if that's what you're thinking.

Apparently, my dad had an affair with my mum, they're far from married! And, according to Aunt Pat, my mum gave me to my dad and left in disappointment, and my dad was killed shortly afterwards. She wouldn't tell me by who, but I'm guessing it was my fault, seeing as how all my relatives would never want to look at me, or invite me to their little house parties. Aunt Pat and Uncle Win would always go, but they'd never bring me, and I heard, from my snobby cousin Jackie, that they're all scared of me. Jackie was my only friend, for even the ones at school feared me.

Why you ask? If I knew, I'd do something to improve it long before.

"Go go…" Aunt Pat pushed my in the cab while Uncle Win stuffed my luggage in the cab's boot. "Bye dear" Uncle Win came and wanted to give me a hug but Aunt Pat pulled him away. "Bye" she harshly stated, closing slamming the car door and waving just once as the cab drove off.

"Don't do anything to me! I'm just being paid to send you. Please have mercy on me!" the cab driver cried out all of a sudden.

"What…?" I was thoroughly confused. "Excuse me?" just as I said that, the cab driver started to reach out his hands to the air-con switch, his hands shaking like a new born giraffe. But then he took it back, wiping his sweat. "I'm sorry! Please forgive me!"

"Uhh…" I looked to the carpeted floor of the yellow cab. "Yeah yeah… sure" I was too confused to do anything else, so why not play along.

It was a three hour journey to wherever I was going. But as soon as I reached there, I was shoved out of the cab as the cab driver grabbed my baggage and threw it to the ground, driving off hastily after that.

I grabbed my bags in fatigue, but was woken up in total shock. It was a mansion, not forgetting to mention… an extremely huge one. Looked like a castle to me! I gasped for air as I walked to the door, knocking it softly. But then no one answered, so I knocked a little harder and someone opened.

"Yes?" the man, who was bald at the top, said calmly.

"Uhh…" I scratched my head, giving a bow, out of courtesy. "Name's Vixy! Aunt Pattie sent me" I reached out my hands to shake hands, hoping to start a new life, maybe one filled with kindness. The man shook my hand, but continued to stare at me curiously.

"Aunt… Pattie?" one of his eyebrow raised.

"Aunt Patricia, my aunt!" I joyfully said, wondering why he was playing dumb.

"And… I'm supposed to know her?"

I get everything now… Aunt Pattie sent me away, as far as possible. God knows who this guy is, maybe he takes in children? Maybe he's just some criminal… Or maybe he's really my uncle, only thing he didn't know I was coming? I'll give a shot at one of my brighter hopes.

"I suppose so. My dad had an affair with my mum, who was married to another man, who was your brother apparently" I crossed my fingers, hoping my hopes wouldn't be damaged. It was a long silence, one filled with confusion, until his eyes widen and he dragged me in with my luggage.

"Grubs is not back from…" he paused, then shook his head, "so follow me" he said, looking dazed. I went to get my luggage, but he pulled me, "forget the bags and just follow me up to my study".

"Who's Grubs?" I panted out as he dragged me up the stairs. "I'm guessing he's your half brother"

I was entirely shocked to hear that. I have a brother? At least half of him! "What?!" I shouted. "I have a brother?" My voice echoed the empty halls. "Your dad was my brother. But I would have never guessed that Sharon would cheat on Cal.

That name rang in my ears. It has been more than ten years since I heard that name, but this time, it stung me hard. "You… you know my mother?" I said, still walking up the stairs. "Is she alive?" this time my tone was harder. I have never seen my mother before, this was my only chance.

We finally reached wherever we were going. It was a room, wall made of leather and weapons on the wall. The man stopped in front the door and closed his eys for a second. But I couldn't wait, "Is my mother alive?" I asked constantly.

"Shhh"

I was getting annoyed, but for a second, I waited restlessly. Then the man pushed me into the room. "Sit" he point to a chair near the desk

-----

Comments would be appreciated! ^_^

I'd like Vixy to be Grub's half sister. The book doesn't have enough girls with abilities! Check out the next one for part two!