Chapter 7:

The phone call

The next morning Stephanie woke up, Landon still sleeping silently next to her. She slipped out of his arms and off the bed with incredible ease. She walked into the bathroom and looked into the mirror at her clad figure and moved closer to see the irritated red marks on her neck where Landon had bitten her in the shower.

"Thats gonna cause a commotion at school. I wonder what Meagan would think if she saw this?" She stopped, taking in a deep breath and walked back into the bedroom, throwing on a pair of undies Landon had brought her from her apartment and throwing his white t-shirt he had been wearing onto her body. She crept out into the kitchen, Landon's cellphone sat on the edge of the counter, right by the microwave. Why a vampire needed a microwave was beyond her, but she picked it up, turning to make sure Landon wasnt in site. Snatching it up, she walked to the front door, closing it quietly, then into her own apartment, locking her door behind her. She made her way to her own living room and sat, legs up, on her big blue couch.

"So, lets see who is in here." She said as she opened his contacts list. "Only one number? Thats funny, it doesnt even have a name attatched to it." She pressed "dial" hoping the person on the receiving end might want to talk to her. There was a click and a warm, female voice floated over the line into Steph's ear.

"Landon? Is that you? How is it going with Stephanie, you are bringing her back soon right?" She didnt know what to do. This must be her mother, but what should she say? She paused for a little too long and Yuki Cross became nervous. "Landon? Hello?"

"Mother." Was all she could manage to say. There was silence, and a short breath taken on the other side of the line.

"Stephanie?"

"Yeah, mom, its me."

"Oh, my precious daughter! You are unharmed! When will you and Landon be coming back?"

"Soon, I think."

"Where is Landon, may I speak to him?"

"He is in the other apartment sleeping, I will tell him to call you as soon as he wakes up."

"I look forward to seeing you daughter."

"I know. Me too." There was, once again, a click on the other line, the headmistress had hung up. Steph put Landon's phone on the couch next to her, a smile crossing her face, something not quite right about the situation made the air go cold, and then Landon was at the door.

"Steph? You in here?"

"Yeah, hold on, Ill come unlock the door." The moment it was opened Landon grabbed her shoulders.

"Where is it Steph? I know you have it." She was taken aback and all she could do was stare into his endless blue eyes, which stared at her questioningly. "Give it to me Stephanie! ...Please" He added, with an attempt to make her not look so afraid.

"The phone?" He nodded. "Its on the couch. I wanted to call my mother to verify that you were telling the truth."

"You dont trust my word? After what happened with us, you dont trust me?"

"I have reason, with everything that has happened in my life, to not trust anyone."

"Good, keep it that way, thats what will keep you alive." He turned her around and pushed her in the direction of her room. "Go get changed, we are leaving for the school. Its in Massachusetts and its cold up there right now so bring warm clothes." He turned and walked to his own apartment, apparently to pack his own things.

An hour and a half later they were in a taxi, on their way to the airport, in eight more hours they would be safely insid ethe school with Stephanie's long lost mother, or so they hoped.