They woke up at the same time, almost like something had awakened them but the house was silent. Claire wiggled free from Shane's arms and started to get dressed. "I'm going to Myrnin's. It's important." He mumbled something and she left him in her bed. Downstairs the coffee pot was boiling and there were three cups left on the side. Eve must have gone to TPU on one of her early morning shifts.

She made herself some coffee and buttered some toast and sank down onto the sofa. Once she had finished she decided to take the portal because she wanted this to be quick. It would take too long to walk. She dumped her plate in the sink and walked into the living room and faced the wall. She focused on Myrnin's lab. The granite tables, the piles of books, the lamps that were constantly burning. The portal shimmered and she got a clear image of his lab. She stepped through, the portal slamming behind her.

Myrnin was hunched in the corner reading a volume that he probably had about five copies of. He put the book down saying, "Hello Claire. What brings you on this unexpected visit?"

She got straight to the point."What's happening with the vampires? They all went to see Amelie, well Oliver and Michael did anyway. Did you go?"

Myrnin seemed shocked but quickly recovered. "No, I didn't. I will speak to Amelie about it." He was obviously not lying, even Claire could tell. She was surprised at his eagerness to take her side. She turned to leave, saying thanks but Myrnin blocked the portals access from her. "Not yet little Claire. I have a job for you."

"Let the kid go." Frank Collins - Shane's drunk loser of a father - said. Claire had actually come to like him a bit. He had really changed since Myrnin had wired his brain to the machine. Well, since he saved her life really. They would never be close friends but the were... comfortable.

"You are under my control. I say what Claire does..."

"You don't own me!" Claire yelled the phrase she used quite often. Myrnin hesitated and she took that valuable second to escape.

She stepped through the portal into the Glass House. Myrnin could easily follow her but she didn't think he would. She was feeling angry now. They had the same conversation (if you could call it that) all the time. Claire was ready to take her anger on the first person she saw and that happened to be Michael. He came out the kitchen, a black sports bottle in hand. He was guzzling red stuff out of it which Claire often pretended was tomato juice. She wasn't in the mood for pretending today.

"Do you have to drink that in front of me all the time? We already know your a bloodsucker, you don't need to advertise the fact that your one of them." He paused and set it down on the table.

"What's got into you today?" He asked, his eyes full of hurt. He was trying hide it though.

"The truth." She muttered and gathered up her backpack. Studying in the University Bar would calm her. And Eve. She hadn't seen her since yesterday.

When she arrived Eve was pulling shots behind the bar. She smiled and called out a hello as she couldn't come over. The place was packed. Claire recognized lots of people. There was Monica and her back-ups bullying people out of their chairs. There was Alex, the boy who had lost his memory but was now as good as new. She new a couple of the people behind the coffee bar through Eve.

She grabbed a table and ordered plain coffee. A young man called Barney brought it over for her. She thanked him and payed the bill. She was flicking through her Chem lab book when she heard a clomping of heels. Eve. She saw her walking over towards her table. "I have a five minute break."

She flopped down beside her. "What's up? You look full of doom and gloom."

"Nothing." She sighed then said "Actually, everything!" She poured everything out. How the vampire's were acting strangely, her relationships with Shane, her losing her temper with Michael and how Myrnin always thought that he owned her.

"Leave the vampire's to do their vampire things. Apologize to Michael, he'll understand. Myrnin doesn't own you an you know that. And Shane. Shane really does love you Claire. How can you not realize that?"

I blush. "That's what Shane said, about the vampire's I mean. I'll go and see Michael now. I don't know why I said it. I just felt so angry."

"Ok you do that CB. Oh, and pick up stuff for taco's and some coke. We've run out and your on dinner duty tonight." I laughed and told her I would. She returned to go back behind the counter.