Stan Chapter 4
I own Stan the rest belongs to the excellent Darren Shan. This is for Mrs Old Gregg and Vampires assistant…thanks for the reviews!
'What do you think about becoming a vampire Stan' asked a very concerned Mr Crepsley after pulling Stan gently to the floor. 'Ok I guess, it just hasn't sunk in, can we get something to eat' with that Stan leant on Mr Crepsley to push himself up off the ground.
Larten couldn't believe that Stan was so casual about it; before he could question the boy further Larten noticed Stan's wound coming open and pulled him into his lap.
'Mr Crepsley I am starving' said Stan whilst trying to get up. Mr Crepsley held Stan firmly and growled 'Sit still Stan, why have you taken your bandage off. I told you not to touch it did I not? Do not move, I will apply more spit and when we return to the cave I will put on a dressing'. 'Oh Mr Crepsley it ll be alright, can we get a takeaway tonight I m bleedin fed up of cookin' grumbled Stan. Larten looked down at Stan and thought how unusual it was for the boy to answer back. Was he just tired and in a state of shock or was it something more, either way Larten would not tolerate it and clipped Stan round the head. 'Stan do not use that language and do as your told, let me apply this spit and we will return to the cave where you, being my assistant, will cook for me' said a frowning Larten. Stan sat with his cheeks as red as his hair and folded his arms whilst glaring at Mr Crepsley.
Stan had to stay hungry for a while as it took time to make and light the fire, then prepare and cook the fish, which Mr Crepsley caught. Stan felt better having eaten but he did feel really tired again. Whilst Stan lay back down on his blanket he noticed Mr Crepsley looking down at him with a look of concern on his face. Stan just realised how rude he had been to Mr Crepsley when all he had done was save his life. Stan just wanted to cry, but held the tears in and said 'Mr Crepsley I have been rude to you I m really sorry I didn't mean it, do you forgive me' Stan slowly looked up into Mr Crepsley's eyes. Mr Crepsley hugged Stan and asked 'you have been through a lot, tell me what is worrying you'. 'M M Mr Crepsley, it didn't w w work properly I am not a half v v vampire there is something wrong with me' stuttered Stan quietly. Larten's eyebrows shot up in surprise 'why do you think that you are not a half vampire' enquired Larten. 'Because I tried putting spit on my cut to heal it and it didn't work and although I can see and hear better I just feel tired and hungry all the time'. Larten scratched his scar which Stan knew meant he was thinking 'you need blood; we will go hunting as soon as the sun sets tomorrow. Then you will feel stronger and all your senses will be stronger as well. The reason why your spit didn't heel is because you are a half vampire not a full vampire, there is much I need to tell you so listen carefully'.
Larten spent many hours telling Stan how being a half vampire would affect him and how he would eventually be a full vampire. Whilst telling Stan all he needed to know he watched his face and was easily able to tell what Stan was thinking. Stan had a very readable face. He seemed to take it all in his stride though Larten noticed a worried frown when he was told that he would have to drink blood and that he would age so slowly. 'Mr Crepsley I am nine now, so how many years will it take to reach eighteen', 'Well your body will take 45 years for it to look eighteen' Larten knew it would cause Stan many, many problems and wasn't sure he realised this. 'Good' said Stan 'I don't want to get old, but I don't think I want to drink blood'. 'You will find aging so slowly a burden Stan, but believe me I had no choice as I could not let you die. I hope you will find a way to cope, as you grow up with people always treating you far younger than you are. As for not wanting to drink blood, you have no choice you will drink tomorrow and that is an order'. Mr Crepsley was staring at Stan and it was obvious he wanted a response 'I promise I ll try Mr Crepsley'. With that Larten smiled at him and started to bandage up his wound. 'Now do not take this bandage off Stan, if you do the wound could re-open and get infected do you understand?' 'Yes Mr Crepsley I promise' with that Stan let out a huge yawn. Larten watched as Stan lay down on his blanket, and then he stuck his legs out and rested his feet on Larten's legs. Larten lay down and threw his cape over them both as he settled down to rest.
Stan woke in the early afternoon and quietly slipped out from under Mr Crepsley's cape and into the sunlight. Stan just started to walk, as he needed to think about drinking blood. He definitely didn't fancy doing that, it sounded really disgusting. Knowing Mr Crepsley there would be no avoiding it. Sooner than Stan wanted, the sunset and Stan handed Mr Crepsley his meal. Larten could tell that Stan was on edge, knowing he shortly had to drink blood was making him anxious. 'Mr Crepsley I have been out today and feel a lot better than yesterday' Stan hoped Mr Crepsley would decide there was no need to hunt tonight, and that drinking blood could wait a while. Larten knew Stan was trying to put off the inevitable and he would not allow it. 'I am glad you are feeling better Stan. Leave the clearing up until we return, now jump on my back so we can flit into town to hunt'. Stan reluctantly jumped onto Mr Crepsley's back and within what seemed minutes they were stood outside a window down a very dark, quiet street. 'Wait here till I say' whispered Mr Crepsley. The street was creepy. Stan started to imagine running away so he didn't have to blood but he knew Mr Crepsley could catch him and would be furious. 'Stan come here now and stop daydreaming' Stan looked up and saw an angry Mr Crepsley leaning out of the window and slowly walked over to him. As soon as he was close enough Mr Crepsley grabbed him and pulled him roughly through the window. 'Oww Mr Crepsley that hurt' before Stan could say anymore Mr Crepsley was leaning over an unconscious man and cutting into his arm. After Mr Crepsley drank he turned to Stan and said 'your turn, get over here now'. Although Stan wanted to move he just couldn't and stared at the man on the floor. Mr Crepsley stood up, grabbed Stan and pushed him down next to the mans arm. 'Drink now Stan, you must do as I say' Larten snapped in an angry whisper. With his hands shaking he picked up the bloody arm and then turned his head to stare pleadingly at Mr Crepsley. 'Get on with it, I don't have time to waste'. Stan started to drink the blood and was prepared to hate it and throw up. But he need not of worried the taste was so refreshing he just couldn't get enough. 'That's enough now Stan' whispered Larten, but Stan wasn't listening and didn't want to stop. 'I said stop, NOW' shouted Larten. Stan was so intent on drinking the blood that nothing was going to stop him. He grabbed the man with both hands then suddenly he felt an arm trying to pull him away on his shoulder. On instinct Stan lashed out and elbowed Mr Crepsley in the face as he tried to stop him. A gas like smell hit Stan's nose. He breathed in and felt arms around his waist pulling him away and lifting him up. Stan was thrown over Mr Crepsley's shoulder having been knocked unconscious from his breath.
Mr Crepsley wasn't flitting now he was out of town, and he felt Stan stirring on his shoulder. 'D d did I h h hit you Mr Crepsley? Are y you ok?' sobbed Stan as tears flowed down his cheeks. Larten turned Stan round and carried him with his right arm as Stan wrapped his arms round him and cried into his shoulder. 'To answer your questions, yes you did hit me and as you can see I am perfectly fine. Do not blame yourself; I should have made you drink blood immediately. Because I waited to give you blood it made you take too much'. 'Will the man die?' said a horrified Stan. 'No, he will feel very weak but he will recover' reassured Larten. 'I am very sorry Mr Crepsley, for hitting you and taking too much blood'.
'Please do not worry Stan, you acted as any other new half vampire would. I should of taken more care. I was also rather strict with you tonight because I didn't want you to put off drinking blood and getting weaker. I care about you very much'. 'I care about you too Mr Crepsley' said Stan with a smile on his face. He enjoyed being carried and he was tired from the night's events. Stan couldn't keep his eyes open any longer and started to fall asleep on Mr Crepsley's shoulder. Mr Crepsley gently placed Stan on his blanket and cleared away the dishes as quietly as he could. After scouting round the area to make sure they would be safe through out the day Larten lay down to sleep next to Stan. Larten looked down at Stan as his eyes fluttered open. 'Go back to sleep Stan' whispered Larten. 'H m m mm Mr Crepsley' mumbled Stan 'you know I have your blood and you're my mentor and that well can I ummm, maybe I could, well I was thinkin if you don't mind…..' Stan get to the point laughed Larten. 'Can I be called Stan Crepsley please?'