Returning to Steve Leonard

Chapter Seven

Recap

"Is there anywhere we could sit down again? Like your story, mine will indeed take a long while. Trust me." As Darren waited for an answer, he didn't the smirk that tugged on the corners of Belles lips. "What?" . Belles smirk had now fully appeared on her lips. "Nothing, indeed." The pair fell silent as two vampanezes came out from the bushes. "Oh, don't stop chatting just because of me. I'll have a pleasure at hearing you joking." Steve snarled.

Present

"What do you want, Steve?" Darren asked in what Belle would have described a polite manner, had it not been for his deadly sharp undertone. Belle looked back and forth between the boys, trying to figure out what really was going on. She had enough brains to realize that this was more than a normal fight between friends. It was something much deeper than that.

It was like a deep hatred that had been allowed to grow for quite some time. Her gaze stopped at Darren after a while, while her subconscious worked on something she couldn't place. It was something about Darrens appearance, something that was different, or not right. She looked back at Steve, but kept her face expressionless. Whatever was going on between them, she didn't want to give Darren some disadvantages. The hate she felt between them was utterly odd. It was so strong, considering how young they were. After all, they were just eighteen.

That's when it hit her. They didn't really look eighteen. They didn't look really young, but younger than they should have. Not by much, only a year. Belle kept her face emotionless by a struggle now, but with all her practice after her kidnapping, she succeeded. She decided to leave the subject of the boys alone for a bit, and let her gaze swipe over the person that had showed up with Steve. He looked a whole lot older than any of the teenagers around him. He looked a bit misplaced, but he didn't look the slightest confused about the feud between Darren and Steve. He knew what was going on.

"Can't I check up on my childhood friends?" Steve asked innocently. Belle didn't miss out on the sarcastic tone that drowned out most of the politeness of the question. Belle shuddered a bit. Steve had never been an open person, but this was really bad. He sounded like he really hated everyone. Steve must have seen her shudder though, since he looked at her for a second. "Are you cold?" There wasn't any concern in his voice though; it had to be a scheme. "Maybe you should come with me and Gannen here" he gestured to the older guy that was with them "for a visit?" As he completed the question, Darren answered before Belle could even think about it. "Leave her alone, Steve! She doesn't know anything! Leave her out of it!" Darrens voice was transformed from it's usual calmness and politeness, to a voice filled with anger. But there was another emotion laying underneath it. Belle believed it to be sorrow or remorse. He sounded a bit sad. "I believe that's up to her, don't you think?" Steve smirked evilly as he spoke, and each word was filled with his venom for Darren. Darren looked angrier, and that sad look in his eyes disappeared. Belle got a bit afraid, and a bit amused. She had never seen Darren really angry before. This could be interesting. "STOP IT, STEVE!" Steve only chuckled. "It's up to Annabelle. You can't force her to stay." Thereafter both boys quickly faced her. Darren shook his head, his eyes begging her to say no. Steve just smirked at her. She obviously hadn't seen him in while, but the message in his eyes was clear enough; Are you scared?

Belle looked at both boys, one at a time. Then she faced Steve. "Where would you take me, should I say yes?"