Chapter Three: Damon

As I watched the city-folk going about their daily business on the street, I listened to Samuel.

"Go on," he told me, "Who looks the tastiest down there?"

I sighed, "If you really want to know, look for yourself. I've already spotted my human."

I started to walk away but he grabbed my shirt and pulled me back to the window of our small apartment.

"We hunt together." Samuel informed me.

"What happened to the free will of this partnership?"

"Our free will is still here, no worries." He smiled at me, "But it is a partnership which means we work together, Damon."

I growled under my breath.

His eyes grew wide, "Unless you want to end this?"

Now it was my turn to be surprised, "Of course not!"

Samuel's smile came back and he patted me on the shoulder, "That's good buddy, that's good."

He returned to staring out the window, and was quiet for a few minutes until he finally exclaimed, "I found the perfect one!"

Then a frown appeared on his face, "Yours was sitting still right?"

I nodded, "She's currently sitting on the bench right below our apartment."

When we reached the bottom of the apartment building a few seconds later, the redhead looked up at me.

"Hello, do you guys live in the apartment building? Because I just moved here and was hoping to meet someone." She looked away, embarrassed.

I exchanged an amused glance with Samuel and then answered her,

"Yes we do live in the apartment building, and I'm someone."

I winked at her. Why not has a little fun with the hunt?

"Why indeed you are someone." She shot an interested glance at my brooding blond friend, "Who's he?"

"Samuel." I growled, annoyed.

"Hey Samuel." She fluttered her eyelashes.

"Okay," I snarled, my patience wearing out. "How about we just kill her already?"

A frightened expression crossed the redhead's face, "Ki-l-l me?" she stumbled, "surely you are joking?"

I stroked my hand across her cheek, "Oh I am very serious."

Samuel moved forward, "My human moved on, want to share this one?"

"Sure buddy."

The redhead screamed.

Samuel and I both grabbed her by the arms and dragged her into the nearest alleyway, covering her mouth.

Flames licked my vision as my hunger flared up inside of me. I moved forward.

Eagerly, I ripped into her neck, and I could feel Samuel moving to her other side.

As I stood there feeding, millions of thoughts surrounded me.

What if another vampire found us? What if the humans in New York City discovered us? I didn't really care; these were all just precautions of my no humanity state. I was acting on pure hunger now, just doing what had to be done.

Maybe I should feel guilty for the girl's screams as she thrashed against the brick wall. She only had seconds left, but I didn't care. I didn't care about Samuel either; I was only with him for convenience.

In the back of my mind I wondered if I should also care where Stefan was. But to be honest, I didn't give a flying shit about my brother. I mean, who would?

I pulled back from the now dead girl and grinned wickedly at Samuel, "Well, that was fun."

"I am satisfied." He glanced up at the sky, "The sun will be setting soon, what about we head over to the bar?"

I shrugged, "Whatever, dude."

Samuel braced himself, then sped off in his fast vampire speed, and I followed him.

A few seconds later we had arrived at Rhino's bar and dance club.

We entered through the double doors with the sign saying "Must be 21 or older to enter."

After walking through a darkly lit hallway we entered the main dusky area with bar stools and cushioned couches.

The owner, Rhino of course, greeted us by name because we came here so often. Sometimes he let us eat a few humans but only if we did it in private.

Rhino was a tall, but chubby man with a thick black beard and a suit.

He walked towards us, his arms spread wide.

"Ah, Damon and Samuel, welcome back. Bit early today, huh?"

I took in the smoky air; this meant he didn't want us here. Oh well.

"Yes, Rhino. We decided to come early today, could we get some drinks?"

Drinking helped ease the hunger, and I figured I would do our dear old friend a favor and not eat too many humans tonight. He would kick us out if we did, and plus, we just ate.

"Sure thing."

He called over his shoulder, "Hannah, dear?"

A brunette bartender glanced up.

"Serve these kind men some beers please?" He knew we always ordered them; it was the strongest for vamps like us.

While Hannah was preparing our drinks, Rhino whispered under his breath, "No more than one for each of you tonight, and none of my employees."

Rhino quickly disappeared after that.

A few hours later Samuel and I were happily high and flirting with Hannah.

"So you like it here, Hanny?" Samuel said, and then cracked up.

I laughed wildly along with him.

Hannah just smiled at us, "Boys, I am not doing anything besides talking with you tonight. So don't get your hopes up."

"Well, I liked the drinks. And that was something." I mumbled.

"Thank you." She said curtly and went to get another costumer's order.

Samuel groaned, "This is boring, damn. Let's go to the dance floor."

We both sped over to the flashing colors of lights through a doorway to the right.

As we walked through a couple of girls (and guys) eyed us for a few seconds, then looked away.

There were huge crowds of people dancing on bright square colors while a current 1980's song boomed in the background. People were making out in the corners of the room.

"Dang!" Samuel ran to the center of the room and started rocking out, "This is my jam!"

"Woo!" I whistled, "Nice, Samuel!"

While he started dancing with a random girl, I started to notice the beating hearts again. The rush of blood flowing through their veins, the frantic twitching of their bodies.

Need more beer, I thought groggily, before I kill someone Rhino doesn't want me to.

I found my way back to the bar and spotted Hannah in the back filling up some drinks.

"Hannah!" I called, "More beer!"

She took a quick glance back at me, "You're going to have to pay and wait your turn."

Anger and hunger swelled up in me all at once.

"I need it!" I hissed at her as I leapt over the counter and bit into her neck.

She screamed, but just like the redhead, her screams slowly faded away.