A/N Hope you all enjoy! And thanks for the reviews! (: And Nalani: yes, I have no intention of making her like this super fighting machine! Lol, as I mentioned in the last chapter, they all make mistakes. I'm not sure if I like how this turned out, I had problems getting this right and I may change it. Hopefully Edgar and Alan are not OOC. And I'm not sure if I should include Star and/or Laddie - what do you think?

Chapter 4: Influx

Blending and being nondescript was a very important part of my job description, so when I arrived in Santa Carla, I immediately headed to, what I was told, the most socialising point in the town - the boardwalk.

After checking out the fashion code here, I headed for the nearest shop, intending to find some clothes suitable for this area. Thing was, I had no clue when it came to dress sense.

So, I was walking along, wondering how on earth I was going to fit in here, when I passed a comic book shop. I am not partial to comics, however one entitled, "Vampires Everywhere," had pride of place in the centre of the display, and my eye was drawn to it.

Smiling wryly to myself, I decided to check the shop out, after all, it was only four; the sun wouldn't be setting for another hour or so.

I strode in, pretending to be oblivious to the sharp glances two young boys were throwing my way.

They watched as I scoured the shelves, simulating interest in the stock. In truth, I was much more interested in this comic. Not because it contained any knowledge I had yet to learn, but because I was wondering what these boys were doing in possession of it. The comic was based off of truth; it wasn't fabled, although some of its information was completely fallacious. Why was it so clearly favoured?

I watched from the corner of my eye, as one boy approached. I smirked away to myself at his appearance, I may not care for fashion, but honestly his dress sense was way off the mark.

He reached out to touch my arm, and I jerked away from his contact.

He frowned; then his brother also advanced, "what're you looking for?"

I smiled, "Only browsing...unless, do you have any suggestions?" They'd most likely become suspicious if I brought the comic up, straight off the bat.

The two boys eyed one another, and then looked me up and down, seizing me up.

I waited impatiently, as two pairs of eyes strayed to my hand. I had forgotten about the damn tattoo.

"What are you really doing here?" Edgar leant back, narrowing his eyes at me.

I sighed theatrically, "I don't think it concerns you."

Alan's eyes never moved from my hand, and I knew then that they somehow had an involvement in my world.

Edgar waited for a moment, before asking the inevitable question, "you're one of them?"

I laughed, feigning bewilderment, "I have no idea as to what you mean."

They ignored my response, "I'm Edgar Frog; and he's my brother, Alan. Who are you and what are you doing here?"

"Name's Sasha. I am here for my own reasons. Mainly reasons that don't concern you." Hopefully they'd get the hint.

The one named Edgar shook his head, "there is something off about you." He reached behind the counter, before removing a comic, one identical to that which was in the window.

His counterpart watched my reaction.

I worked to keep a neutral expression, "what? What's the big deal here?"

Edgar scowled, "does this mean anything to you?"

I smiled, "nope, sorry."

Alan grimaced, "you're lying."

I hesitated for a moment; Pyro had never mentioned kids whom knew about the existence of us!

"All right. Fine, I'm lying. But the truth is way worse. So just keep out of my way, we clear?"

Edgar laughed brazenly, "more like we'll have to keep an eye on you. You might blow our cover."

I raised an eyebrow, "your cover?"

Alan waited for a moment, and he and Edgar eyed one another.

"You are a hunter, right? Otherwise, why have you got that mark?"

I raised my hands in mock surrender, "okay, okay. Maybe I didn't give you enough credit. But listen; just don't cross me, all right?" These kids probably couldn't tell one stake from another.

Edgar laughed again, "like I said, no can do. We have to ascertain you won't blow our cover."

I scoffed at his words, "I think you've got it round the wrong way. You're just little kids. Tell me, how many vampires have you killed?"

"A few dozen." Edgar answered instantly.

I turned my gaze on him, raising an eyebrow, "you and I both know you are lying. Why don't we try this again? How many have you two killed?"

Alan looked away, "none-"

"But we do know where to find them!" Edgar interjected smugly.

I raised my eyebrow, "I'm pretty certain that I'll manage on my own, thanks."

Alan and Edgar stood shoulder to shoulder, "your loss then! Don't come crying to us when they kick your butt! The vampires here are tough!"

I rolled my eyes, although their words did make me wonder; twice now I'd been told that the vampires here were much more difficult to eradicate. Why?

Edgar looked down at the comic, which was still in his hands, "I guess you won't need this." He threw it back down on the counter, before nodding at Alan, and moving away.

He brushed past me, taking care to whisper in my ear, "don't die or anything like that."

They were gone from my sight, before I had the opportunity to respond. I examined my clothes once again, and came to the conclusion that I could most likely get away with this get up for tonight, at least. I was wearing all black, so I'd unify with the darkness.

I cast another glance at the comic. It seemed to be mocking me.

Shaking my head incredulously, I began to move back towards the entrance. I'd been here only five minutes, and already Santa Carla was making a lasting impression.

Night had fallen swiftly. It was winter, and I'd forgotten about how quickly the darkness could take over. This was not good. I'd already broken the number one rule: have a safe place to retreat to.

If the vampires caught me now, I'd be a goner.

So, I deliberated, I'd find them first.

Vampires don't usually mingle with the humans so closely; however, Pyro had made it clear that these vamps were nothing like the norm. It seemed reasonable to assume that I'd find them out here.

The boardwalk was already heaving from the throngs of bodies. I simply blended with them, taking care to move with the larger groups of people. I wanted to perceive the vampires before they noticed me.

I didn't know how smart these vamps were – but some were intelligent enough to sniff people like me out, almost instantaneously.

I'd just have to hope that it was the former.

I found them, only moments after these thoughts. I could tell they were vampires; purely from their stance. Vampires have a certain gracefulness and ferociousness, which is undetectable to the unpractised human eye, but it smacked me in the face, as soon as I laid eyes on them.

Dang it. I silently cursed to myself; there were three of them. It's hard enough to bring down a solitary vamp; it's considered basically impossible to take down more than two. And I was alone.

No wonder Pyro had wanted me to bring a partner.

But I couldn't back down now.

I took a closer look at the three of them. Each was different, yet they all had a similar audacity to them.

I wondered how to best go about this...of course; usually I would never have spoken to the vampires; that is, more often than not, a terrible idea.

I've heard so many stories about hunters taking pity on the vamps, and losing their will to kill; that it's not something I would have ever considered.

Until now.

It didn't look like I had an alternative, unless I was going to ask the Frogs. But no, I would not be doing that.

I thought it over, it wasn't like I was incapable of handling myself – surely I could contend with a few vampires?

How hard could it be?

Swallowing any trepidation I might have felt, I begun to walk purposely in the direction of the vamps.

This had to be subtle, but in spite of this, attracting their interest was also a necessity. I had to find out where their nest was. And there was only one way to do this.

Go straight to the source.