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Unexpected Meeting

It was two nights since the warning had come from Tony, and me and my brothers were down at the Boardwalk. But this trip was different. Usually when we came here it was to party and have a good time, maybe stalk a victim or two…well, not for me, I'm not into human blood and I never have been. I've never even tried it before, just like Star and Laddie.

On this trip, we were patrolling the whole length of the Boardwalk for any sign of other vampires or wolves, ones that might be plotting against us with Damien. Star and Laddie had stayed behind in case we would run into a dangerous vamp. And for me this trip was extra strange, because ever since I'd told the Frog brothers I'd had to leave them, I'd been very good at staying away from the comic book store. But tonight, David had sent me to patrol the eastern perimeter, which included the comic store. Eventually, I would have to come to terms with my avoiding that place and see if I was strong enough to face the pain.

When that time came, I found that I was more prepared than I thought I could ever be. My heart felt as though it was encased in steel, unable to break or melt or shatter. My whole body was tense, as if coiled to spring, but it didn't show on the outside. On the outside, I was composed. I was calm. And I was right outside the front door of the comic book store when I saw them.

Edgar and Allan were inside, talking with some lanky, blonde-haired kid their age. I stiffened slightly, but held onto the cool, collected feeling I had gathered inside of me. I strained my ears to catch their words.

"Listen, buddy, if you're lookin' for the diet frozen yogurt bar it went out of business last summer," Edgar was muttering, slightly sarcastic. "Actually I was looking for a Batman #14," the kid replied. "That's a very serious book, man," Edgar growled. "Only five in existence," Allan added. "Four, actually. I'm always lookin out for the other three," the boy corrected seriously.

Hearing the voices of the boys I'd grown so close to, I felt as though I wanted to die, but I clung desperately to my calmness and strode away to finish the patrol. My heart made of steel stayed in place and didn't break this time, and the tears I usually felt didn't come. They threatened, but I wouldn't give into them.

At about one in the morning, when the shops started to close, I headed back toward my brothers and our usual meeting place. But just when I was about twelve feet away, a voice called my name. A familiar voice. "Megan, you're here!" I turned around slowly to face Allan.

"Hey, Allan," I replied reluctantly and almost choked as he hugged me tightly. He quickly stepped away a second later, looking ashamed. "Uh, sorry, I forgot…" he murmured quickly, but I cut him off. "No, don't worry, I'm not thirsty anymore," I assured him and he peered at me closely. "You've fed?" "Not on humans. I don't have the stomach for that. I usually just hunt deer and such that live around here," I told him, feeling my heart flutter anxiously in my chest. What if he saw me as a threat, an enemy, now that I had fed?

But my fears seemed to be in vain as his eyes shone relief. "Oh, well that's better…uh, I hate to bug you, but I've been looking for you for about three hours now…Edgar and I met a boy tonight," he began but hesitated.

"And you two had a little spat over the boy, right? Wanted a little one on one with him?" I asked teasingly, trying to lighten the tense mood. "No! What the hell? No, he was new in town and we warned him about the vampires…"

"Did you warn him about me?" I inquired, my voice growing serious. "No, we don't worry about you…you're not the enemy. But the boy's older brother seemed to be hanging out with a biker gang…uh, the one that me and Edgar pulled you away from the night you and Marko got in a fight," Allan continued uncomfortably. I blinked slowly, in surprise. What did my brothers want with this boy's older brother? Were they picking out a snack?

"And? I assume you're telling me this for a good reason," I prompted and Allan nodded. "Yeah…we were wondering if you could get his brother away from that gang…are they your friends now?" I nodded. "And we were wondering if…if you would help us if we needed it. There's been a bunch of murders lately, and we think that vampires are behind them," he asked.

I thought for a moment. Could it possibly be Damien's new coven, hunting in new territory? Another thought racked my brain…could I possibly be around Edgar and Allan to help them when I knew in my heart I could never truly be in their family again?

"We can't do it alone, Megan, and…Edgar's been depressed lately. He needs you. I need you. We miss you," Allan pleaded quietly. Something in me fluttered, and some of the steel I'd surrounded my heart with cracked. So much for being stronger…

"I'll think about it…" I decided after a moment and Allan smiled slightly. "Thanks…call us when you decide, okay?" With that he handed me a small slip of paper with a phone number on it.

"You've gotten professional…have you handed these out to other people?" I asked, teasing once more, although this time it sounded all wrong. There was something between me and Allan now that could either disappear if I decided to help them, or grow bigger if I decided otherwise. I knew it. He knew it. And probably Edgar knew it too, even though he wasn't there.

Allan smiled wryly. "Only one…the boy we met tonight," he explained as he started backing away. "I'll maybe see you later," he called uncertainly. I sighed and nodded.

"No promises…don't get you're hopes up, okay?" I told him, not wanting to sound mean but not wanting him and Edgar to get their hopes up only to have them shatter either. Allan nodded, his mouth set in a grim, sad line. And then he walked off and I was left alone, with nothing but a phone number in my hand and a bad feeling in my stomach.

R+R (but no flames please!)