I had never felt so awkward and uncomfortable before... and that's no exaggeration. Supper consisted mainly of Roth asking me random questions about my life, interests and blah blah, and then I would shyly reply with one or two words and a few stutters to pretend to be this unconfident girly-girl; ick, this was a tough acting job indeed. And Deven's unwanted little comments every now and then didn't really help my situation. I was so glad that dinner came to an end - Deven finished before Roth and I, so he left a few minutes earlier to go off and do whatever it was he did to pass the time. It wasn't long before I, secondly, asked to be excused to spare myself from anymore awkward silence. Roth courteously let me go.

I paced hurriedly out of the Dining Hall and found myself wandering breathlessly down the corridor which led to the entrance hall. I felt so out of place, so trapped. I needed to do something to escape. Something that would bring comfort to me, or else, I'd just explode soon. I needed to... to... get away from all this.

"Hi, I'd like to book a taxi for as soon as possible please." I eagerly spoke into my cell where I had it trapped between my cheek and shoulder.

I was using my hands to pull out a cool outfit from my wardrobe while using my feet to kick off the jeans that I was already wearing. Amazingly, I managed to find my way back to my room without getting lost more than twice or without the need of guidance from any of the maids or butlers. Now, I knew exactly what I was going to do to save myself for tonight.

"I'm at the Fortesque Manor. The streets is, um..." I almost stumbled over with my last kick, "shit, sorry, it's"-

"Ah, we know the Fortesque's address, madam," The phone operator assured me, "we'll be with you within the next fifteen minutes."

I smiled to myself, "Thanks, see you then."

With that, I snapped my phone shut and threw it onto the bed so I could finally move easily and use my arms properly. For the next quick, ten minutes, I was "sproosing" myself up a bit with some dark eye-shadow, red lipstick and curling my hair a little more with mousse. I chose a pair of black jeans and knee-high riding boots with heels, and a strapped, gold top which hung loose above my chest with gold chains as the neck-lining. I always went out in style - I had been taught to, what with having my job. I had just filled my black hand-bag with my necessities when I saw a vague, yellow light shine past my window. I rushed over to it; it was the taxi, waiting at the gates.

Time to go.

Quietly, I left the secrecy of my bedroom and trotted off down the hall. Left, right, another right, then down the wooden steps and across to the other landing, where I took a right, then carried on to the end until I arrived at the spiralling staircase. I made my way down them wearing an excited smile on my face - finally, I was going to be able to clear my mind of all this unrealistic madness. Vampires. Screaming sheets. Creepy libraries. Binding contracts. Deceitful love. Ugh - I felt like I was in some kind of anime or TV series.

I had just made it to the door when a voice called out and captured me from my chance at freedom. The door was open - the night breeze tickled me - my hopes sank as I turned to face the curious, concerned Imogen. She looked like she was about to cry.

"Hey, Imogen." I smiled innocently.

"Where are you going??" She asked in shock, "at such an hour! The Masters wouldn't see to it!"

My smile turned playful, "Well... what the 'Masters' don't know can't hurt them, right? You never saw me."

I winked and went to walk out, but she stopped me again, "But Miss Whitby!"--

"Imogen," I sighed in exasperation and turned around yet again, "I told you, it's Andy. And look chick, I won't be out for long. I just need to... you know, get away from the fangs, the large spooky house and all this jazz. I need to clear my mind a little - have a boogie n' a drink. I do it all the time, I'll be fine. If the Masters ask - you don't know a thing, k?"

Imogen studied me curiously while fiddling with her feather duster. I could tell that my words were convincing her, though not entirely. But even a little was enough for me - I was out of there.

"Thanks, you're the best - don't wait up!" I waved back to her before rushing out.

Imogen gasped, "Wait!"

But I didn't hear her; I didn't want to hear her. I was too involved with my excitement and relief to be getting the hell away from it all. Even if it was only going to be for a few hours. I scurried down the rocky pathway to where the door beside the iron gates was waiting for me to pass through. I climbed into the back of the taxi, and instantly ordered:

"Take me to the nearest joint around here. I need something fun - something wild - something that could make a man forget his worst crimes. Money's no issue. Just get me there." I desperately huffed upon falling back into my seat.

The driver smirked at me in his mirror, "Tough day, huh."

"You have no idea." I uttered - it was more to myself than him, though.

The man reversed the car at a right-angle so that he was facing the correct direction to drive away in. I watched the shadows of the countryside trees float by. The stars through the mist in the sky. The sound of the wheels on the concrete road. My perfume tickled my smell and reminded me of all the past night's I'd gone out and partied hard. This smell always got me hyped up. And now, I had a reason to be, because I was free for the night. Free...

... Imogen came to a skidding stop in the doorway of the living room. All was quiet in the Mansion, aside from the crackling of the fireplace, Deven's playing upon the paino and the slight sound of paper pages turning every few minutes. There, on the sofa, sat Roth, who seemed deeply engaged in his foreign book. Imogen didn't know whether to speak or to just stay silent for her own sake.

"You're in my way." Deven's voice snapped from behind.

Imogen gasped and stumbled aside to let him pass, bowing deeply, and most loyally.

"Are you spying on me, Imogen?" Roth smirked evilly, "I thought your infatuation with me had ended long ago..."

"Ah, quite - it takes the female heart only days to heal after a charming man should break it, cousin." Deven teased him sarcastically upon wandering over to the Piano.

Imogen kept her hurt eyes to the floor, "F-forgive my intruding, Masters, but it's urgent... It's about Miss Whitby."

Deven began to play a soft melody, "Let me guess - she became lost and has already locked herself into some mischief of the Mansion."

"N-no, Master," Imogen gulped, "she's... gone."

Deven's fingers slammed down upon random keys of the piano in his reaction of anger and confusion, while Roth snapped his book shut, and shot up to his full height. He charged at Imogen who released a breathless little shriek when he backed her into the wall threateningly.

"Gone?" Roth repeated venomously, "gone where?"

Imogen was trying not to tremble, "Sh-sh-sh-she said she was going to-to-to h-h-have a 'boogey', and a-a-a-a drink. A taxi picked her up just m-minutes ago!!"

Deven rolled his eyes tiresomely while turning on the stool, "You let her get away? Honestly, I wonder why my step-mother continues to keep you here."

"Why didn't you try to stop her??" Roth snarled at her and clutched her wrist so suddenly.

Imogen yelled out, "I couldn't, Master! She left before I could get a word in! I didn't get the chance to warn her about this time of the season! Please, forgive me!..."

"Oh, let her go, Roth," Deven sighed upon standing, "you know how my step-mother gets if we bruise her employees. Let's just get in the car and go and find her."

Roth sneered. He eyes Imogen up and down as though she really was the scum of the earth before throwing her away by her wrist; she knocked into the table but managed to catch the vase of flowers before it fell. He stroked his hair back, then followed behind his calm cousin, out towards the entrance hall.

"Do you know how many clubs there are around here? It could take us till early morning to find her - the sunlight, Deven." Roth explained anxiously.

"We'll just have to look quickly then, won't we," Deven grabbed his coat and the car keys, "besides, how hard can it be to find her? She'll stick out like a ripe apple amongst the autumn leaves."

Roth gave a grumble of disagreement after the door slammed shut behind him in his temper. He hoped that his cousins words became real... but he was doubtful. He had a feeling this was going to be a very long night...

... The atmosphere was buzzing with life, seduction, freedom and passion. Lights flashed, voices screamed and whistled, hands clapped, drinks spilt, smoke emitted from the machines, decorations sparkled and glowed, and feet tapped and thudded. Bodies rubbed, swayed, sweated, trembled, and eyes stalked, studies, scanned and smiled at the sight of half-naked bodies and attractive clothing. It was a wild night.

At the end of the colourful, busy bar, there was a smaller seating area which people didn't seem to care for in their elements of wild dancing and partying. The seats were shaped like eggs, cut in half, and painted vibrant colours which glowed in the dark. Filled in three of them, around the glow-in-the-dark table, was myself and two other gentleman who I'd only just become acquainted with in the past 10 minutes. I hadn't even asked for their names yet... I think I'd had more to drink than I'd realised.

"So the woman was all like - 'you signed the contract, so you've really got no choice' - and I made it perfectly clear to the woman that I wanted nothing to do with it, ya' know?? I mean, it's not like I knew I was signing up to live with hungry, fangy vampires, right? It's not my fault!" I shouted over the music.

I stopped using my hands to help explain the story and used my left one to swipe up my glass of alcohol and down the last of it. The two men watched me quietly and carefully; I knew they were checking me out. I knew they had one thing on their minds, and that was to get into my underwear. Well, by the way my life had suddenly turned for the worst, I was up for anything that would get my mind back into a sane state. Even a shocking one night stand at that rate! And... I don't think I was joking, either. That's what was so scary.

One of the men leant towards me and placed his hand on my knee tenderly, "Would you like another drink, Andy?"

I locked with his eyes and smiled very flirtatiously, "If you're buying..."

Just then, the song that was playing stopped thudding, and a new tune blasted out all around the lively room that sent a seductive wave through my body. Music was amazing, and especially this track. I suddenly jumped up out of my seat and threw my arms in the air to express my excitement.

"Oh, I love this song!" I laughed loudly.

I grabbed the two guys by their hands and pulled them up with me. From there, I led them down the steps and towards the dance floor where everyone was crowding due to the amazing, well-known song which had just started. I left the two handsome guys on the floor, then turned and climbed up onto the mini-stage where there were poles and flashing lights. Other girls were dancing up there already, but I wanted to shine too for once. To the music, I swayed, touched my hips, my thighs, swayed hypnotically while keeping my eyes on the two men below me. The two of them smiled - I teasingly turned away without reacting.

I needed this attention - this slice of my normal, girly life.

But things were about to get a little risky.