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The very second the sun dipped all the way below the horizon, Constance was on her way. Slipping out the door to Maggie's apartment, she had gone to the main lobby to wait out the rest of the day. Now that night had fallen, the vampire was ready to get busy.

Retracing her steps to the beach would be the wisest first choice, occasionally stopping to check out back allies and other hiding places on her path, Constance arrived at the beach after a solid hour of fruitless searching had already passed. When she went back to the last place she remembered before she blacked out, the vampire was only met with disappointment. Not even a speck of ash or a footprint to suggest someone had ever been there. It definitely didn't support Constance's stance that it hadn't been a dream.

Afterwards, Constance began scouring the beach. Checking the bluffs where she had seen Serena run, the foliage they had both walked through, and even digging around in the sand all turned up nothing. After two hours, Constance gave up, moving onto the next place to search.

This next place, of course, was everywhere but the beach. The girl rechecked the alleyways she had searched earlier, searched the tops of buildings, and at one point considered going into the sewers to look. After firmly denying the last idea, Constance realized she had found her way to a small park. Hidden around park benches and under tree shade were dozens of homeless people. Deciding to tread lightly, Constance began searching the park.

While most would think homeless people would be seen as a free meal for a vampire, Constance had never considered the notion. If she thought back, she could remember a young boy in her first days at the union. He was an immortal, just like her. Born in the 1800's, the boy had lost a relative to none other than Jack the Ripper. The vampire had never gotten to know much more about the boy's relationship with this relative, only that her homelessness was a major factor in her death. After telling Constance, the young boy had died in pain, a recent experiment too much for his body to handle.

Dancing around one homeless man, Constance began her search of the park. The results were utter failure. Deciding to take a break, Constance sat down on a swing set, sighing softly to herself. It would be morning soon. If she didn't find her backpack in the next two hours, she could kiss it goodbye. Gazing at the park, she admired the lake that seemed to glow in the moonlight. As she distracted herself, a shadowy, cold wind blew by her back.

Immediately on high alert, the vampire jumped off the swing and began following the black mass. Whatever it was, it most likely knew where her backpack was, considering it was most likely a follower of the stupid Atrox responsible for this mess. After running around for another good hour, Constance finally tracked the shadow down to an old nightclub.

Neon letters pronounced that it was called The Dungeon. Somehow, there was still a short line at the front. This place is open late even for a nightclub, Constance thought to herself as she stepped in line. She ignored the baffled stares as the people in line looked at her plain clothes. Constance glared in annoyance. She didn't need a revealing dress to fetch her backpack. Besides, she didn't need anyone trying to get in her way because she looked like one of them.

When she got to the front of the line, she waited patiently for the security guard for entrance fare, or to check her he did neither, she looked more closely at him. The buff, bald man seemed to be in a trance like state. Sighing in frustration, Constance quietly walked past the man. The only thing he did was lift the red velvet line to let her pass. The vampire couldn't help but smirk when she heard the complaints of the crowd.

"Why does she get to go in without paying?" one girl asked, stamping her foot childishly.

"She's a special guest," the guard replied, his hazy eyes and drawling voice making Constance stop in suspicion.

I'm walking right into a trap, aren't I? Constance thought rhetorically to herself. Still, she decided to continue on. Her curiosity too high to go back now.


Her backpack was waiting on a table in the far corner of the room. The strobe lights and packed dance floor made it difficult for the vampire to make it across. The vampire bumped into several people, stepped on at least three people's feet. The strobe lights left her disoriented and tired. This was not a good combination for somebody who needed to get home in an hour or risk being burned to death. However, the effort seemed to be worth it.

Finally rushing towards the table, Constance grabbed the backpack. Pausing to do a short victory dance, she didn't notice the person behind her at first. He approached cautiously, his sandy blonde hair almost glowing as he reached out to tap her shoulder. Constance caught his scent first.

That blood… It's the boy from last night! The vampire quickly turned around and slammed him onto the table. The only reaction he gave her was a smirk. Hissing at him, Constance considered draining him right then and there, but quickly thought better of it.

"You're the one who stole my backpack, aren't you?" Constance began her interrogation.

Below her, the boy continued to smile. He tilted his head to the side, revealing fang marks on his neck. "You gave it to me, highness." Constance didn't know if he was just trying to mock her, but the bite marks gave her more questions.

"If I bit you, you should be dead. How are you not dead?" Her fangs lowered and she went closer to his neck. "I'd answer honestly too. I'll kill you if you don't."

He merely laughed. "Sadly, you can't do that. I'm immortal. Just like you, The name is Stanton, by the way.I'm here to help you."

Constance laughed in return. "Help? Now that you've said your name, I know exactly who you are. You're a member of the Atrox, my apparent sworn enemy." Letting go of him, the vampire swung her backpack over her shoulder and began heading for the exit.

"Where are you going?" Stanton asked, baffled that she could resist his charms.

"The Sun's about to rise, dumbass. I need to get home, and away from you," Constance paused as she noticed teenagers, each more emo than the last, blocking her path to the exit. Sighing, the vampire lowered her fangs and began trying to push her way through the crowd. Multiple hands reached for her, causing her to jerk out of the way.

The strobe lights were suddenly much harsher, and Constance found she was having more and more difficulty getting through the crowd. She began to start running, only to trip as one of the teens stuck their foot out. Fine, I'll crawl.


Constance took deep breaths of air as soon as she got outside. She hugged her backpack in self satisfaction, not noticing the brightening horizon. Shadows lurked around her, waiting to strike.

I hope you all liked the chapter. Please read, review, and I'll see you next time!