Author's Note: This is one of those chapters that I couldn't wait to do! But now at long last! By the way, the next couple of chapters will be flashbacks as Elizabeth talks with Ashley. I hope that you all enjoy and keep up the reviews!
Disclaimer: I do not own The Lost Boys, only my OCs.
Chapter 7- Love Ain't No Stranger
The sun gently set across the horizon, allowing nightfall to come in. In mid-July the intense heat cooled down a bit as night came. It also brought the lights of the Boardwalk into life, along with all the people that came to visit. It was just another good time to spend on the Boardwalk. Like always, all sorts of people came bustling about, as they moved from different rides to food stands and then stores. It was simply perfect for anyone who was bored out of their mind, especially teenagers wanting to enjoy their summer vacation.
A sudden hysterical giggle could be heard in the distance. In the center of the Boardwalk lay a souvenir store that everyone knew about and never really bought from, the stuff was really lame. But now it was different. Business was now rising for them. There was now new people working for it as well. A teenage boy with short brown hair was working there, and lingered outside of the store, making sure that no one stole the new merchandise that they displayed to sell. He heard the annoying giggle, and turned seeing where it came from. At a distance, he could see that it was a girl alright. Or should he say four girls?
The four girls wore revealing clothing that was also fashionable at the time, and their hair was teased out like those new celebrities that everyone saw now in the 80s. Two of them were pretty drunk, while the other two were flirting like crazy with the four boys they were hanging out with. The boy instantly knew who the four boys were. The Lost Boys were famous around there, yet at the same time they were also not known. It was as if they were ghosts lingering about when the people were too busy having fun to really recognize them until it was too late. A lot of girls were attracted to them, while a lot a guys, though never admit it, wanted to be them. Among the teenagers, they were known as a fierce gang to not mess with, while the adults thought that they were nothing but delinquents. Either way, no one messed with them, unless they were really brave or stupid.
The boy leaned closer to the store, hoping that they would not turn and walk in the direction of the store. Fortunately, they turned the other way heading towards a ride that was on the other side. The boy let out a sigh of relief. He, like so many others, always get tensed up and worried when they came along. Those boys were nothing but trouble.
"Are you ladies enjoying the view?"
The Lost Boys were walking towards a new ride that was installed onto the Boardwalk. One of them had long wild blonde hair, making him look like he had a lion's mane. He wore a nice dark vintage leather jacket, a fishnet wife-beater underneath, and had white pants on, along with some chains to the side that would slightly jingle each time his dark boots made another step. In each arm he held a girl, the ones that were not so drunk. He was always the most flirtatious one of the group.
"We sure are Paul!" Said the girl to his left. She was greedily pulling him towards her, as if she wanted to get rid of the other girl.
"Where are we going now?" The girl he held in his right arm, slightly turned her head to the others boys, mostly to the leader, David.
Most of his dark clothing was concealed into the vintage black trench coat that he wore. He even wore black gloves. The guy was like a moving shadow, lingering at every moment, but his presence was still as noticeable as a king passing by. His face was in clear view, allowing his bleach-blonde hair to be seen, as well as his icy blue eyes. He gave the girl a smirk, as he spoke to her.
"Paul wants to check this new ride, next to the Round Up." David's voice was smooth yet defining. He was gently dragging the really drunk girl in his arms. The other drunk chick was in the arms of Dwayne. His long wild black hair gently moved with the gentle breeze that passed by.
Under the Boardwalk light, his black leather jacket revealed the fierce looking Jaguar on one of the sleeves. He too had dark pants and boots, but had no shirt underneath. Luckily his jacket was big enough to cover most of his defined chest, or else the other girls would have drooled over him. He had an annoyed look as he too had to drag the other drunk girl. Every once and awhile, The Lost Boys would be accompanied by desperate girls wanting their attention. Sometimes they got their wish and were able to get laid with them. But there were times when the poor unfortunate souls did not know that if they were too annoying, they would end up as their next meal.
David, Paul, and Marko would be the ones to enjoy the girls as meals, but Dwayne could never bring himself to do so, since he was the one who silently still held to what was left of his humanity. He would instead, leave the girl on a safe corner near the Boardwalk and leave to find a decent meal, usually a thug or one of the Surf Nazis. Tonight it seems like he would be doing that again. He sensed what David had in mind as he smirked holding the drunk girl in his arms. Rolling his eyes, Dwayne glance over to Marko, who had his favorite jacket that displayed random interesting intricate patterns that were stitched up together rather nicely. It had a slight gypsy style to it.
His golden curly blonde hair glistened under the Boardwalk lights. Usually Marko would be walking with them, holding a girl in his arms and sporting his trademark Cheshire grin. But tonight was different. He had no interest in the girls they were with, and his hands were in his pockets as he looked into the distance of the dark beach they were near. Marko sensed Dwayne looking at him, and quickly looked back at him to give him a reassuring small smile. But his eyes still did not hold that mischievous glint that they usually have.
This strange behavior has been going on for about two months now. For a vampire that was nothing but a phase, but in Marko it was really strange, especially since he already spend ten years as a vampire and enjoyed it. He also still enjoyed hanging out with his 'brothers', but every once in a while he seemed empty, lost in his thoughts, as if searching for something. They could not read each other's minds, but they could sense each other, and it has been affecting them as well. The boys thought that having some nice looking snacks over would lighten his mood, but it seems like it did not work. Knowing that for once he was the one spoiling the fun, Marko looked over to the rest of the boys as he spoke.
"You guys go ahead, I'll meet with you later."
"Aw! Are you sure? It's a new ride, man!" Paul exclaimed, along with the girls who began to protest along with him. The girl in his right arm released herself from his grip and went over to Marko, grabbing him greedily.
"How about I join you?" she said seductively and with a suggestive look in her eyes. Marko tried not to roll his eyes at how he really didn't want to be with her.
"Why don't you give Paul some company on the ride, instead?" Marko said as he practically slide her over to Paul, who grabbed her again.
"Alright, see you later, man!" Paul said as he quickly took the girl away from him, before she could complain.
They knew that Marko needed some time alone, so they continued on their path. Once they were out of his sight, Marko kept walking towards nowhere in particular. He kept contemplating on either this strange feeling he kept getting was probably hunger. But he realized that it could not be, since he clearly remembered the first time he was turned into a vampire. When he woke up, the guys had to restrain him from going on a killing spree. Plus, if he were hungry, he would have devoured the drunk girls that David and Dwayne had by now. So what the heck was wrong with him?
He decided that giving Max, their sire, a visit might help. As he walked, he could see, hear, and smell everything that surrounded him. The people were as random as they came, all different from each other and back when he was human. It has been a decade since he was turned, and he was convinced that he lost his humanity. Like his 'brothers', he enjoyed playing with his victims before consuming them. He tried to think about how much he enjoys tormenting his victims, hoping to bring a smile to his face, but to no avail, it actually made him feel worse. Suddenly a couple in their 30's passed by in front of him. It seems like they were from Brooklyn, New York, thanks to their heavy accents. The woman had a painting in her hands that captured Marko's interest. It was a painting of a scene going on the Boardwalk, during the night.
The painting was actually more vivid than what anyone saw on the Boardwalk in real life. It was actually quite surreal, allowing the artificial lights to look like something mystical, illuminating the faces of the people who roamed about. They all had such different emotions, nothing like the ones you see in real life, unless you were alone with them. People usually tend to have a poker face as they got to the Boardwalk, hiding their real feelings under a mask that falsely showed happiness. But this painting broke that boundary. It was so intimate, yet welcoming at the same time.
From their conversation, it seems like the couple bought it from the biggest souvenir store on the Boardwalk. How can that be? That store had pretty lame stuff, how can they sell such a nice work of art? Marko immediately headed towards the store. By the time he got there, he was amazed. The store actually looked nice, with dark designs that made it stand out. It seems like there was now good new stuff to buy from the inside, but he could not stop staring at the multiple paintings that decorating the outside front area of the store.
There were now many paintings, some portraying the Boardwalk, others about the weirdest yet beautiful things you would ever see. There was a good crowd of people around them, just as amazed as Marko. Most of them were deciding on which one to buy. There was a teenage boy with short brown hair, making sure that none of the paintings were stolen and gesturing people to come in once they selected which painting they wanted, and proceed to the checkout. As Marko got closer to take a good look at all of the paintings, the boy noticed him, and although he tried to hide it, he tensed up. He looked around, believing the rest of The Lost Boys to be nearby, but tonight, it seems that Marko was on his own.
Marko knew the boy saw him, but he was too busy taking in the sights before him. He could actually feel all the emotions that each painting displayed. For once, he felt so…so human. He saw that each painting was signed beautifully at the lower left side corner with the name, Elizabeth Bacory. So a girl did all these paintings. He did not know why, but Marko needed to know her. Finally getting closer to where the boy was, Marko decided to ask him if he knew the artist. Marko smirked at the sight of the boy, who obviously was scared of him, and answered his question meekly.
It turns out that the artist works at the store, and does these paintings in her free time. Unfortunately, the boy did not know where she goes to do these paintings. Marko surprisingly thank the boy, and set out to find this girl. As he walked he scanned the area, in search for a girl painting something amazing. It took him a while, since people do not tend to go to the Boardwalk to paint, especially the girls. He ignored the seductive glance each girl he passed gave him, he needed to find only one girl. He did not know why, it was as if she was calling him without her even knowing it.
After some time he noticed that there were less people on the Boardwalk. He looked into a nearby store that had a clock in full display. It was 11: 45 pm. The Boardwalk closes at midnight. He silently cursed to himself, forgetting that the Boardwalk actually has its limits. Marko had really hoped to see this mystery artist tonight, but it seems like he would have to continue his search tomorrow. But when he was about to turn around to look for the guys, the scent of the most delicious blood he had ever smelt, came around as a gentle breeze went by. He realized that the scent came from the beach.
He quickly walked over to the beach, finally tracking the sweet scent. Well at least he would have a great meal before he left. There were barely any people on the beach, except for one or two groups in the distance around a bonfire. The sweet smell of this blood slightly got mixed with the enjoyable salty air that surrounded the beach, only anticipating Marko's new found hunger. He tracked the smell and saw that the person with this delicious blood had a small bonfire of their own. There was also a small radio playing Whitesnake's Love Ain't No Stranger at a low volume. Their back was to Marko, so he did not see their face, but as he got closer, he realized that it was a girl with beautiful long black hair that was not teased up at all, like today's hairstyles.
If he was going to eat, he wanted to have some fun with her. So he got closer and turned around to see her face. He instantly froze. She was simply beautiful. She wore a plain black t-shirt and light ripped up shorts, but he could not see most her, since she was covered in a thin blanket. Her lips were lovely, with the upper lip being slightly larger, and her dark eyes were framed perfectly along with her thick dark eyebrows. But it was what she was doing that made Marko altogether halt. She was in deep concentration as she painted yet another amazing painting. He finally found the girl and fought to control his hunger.
"So you're the artist?"
The girl instantly looked up to the voice that spoke to her. He caught her dark eyes, and could have sworn that his undead heart actually took a beat. She stared at him for a moment, with an unreadable look in her eyes. The song kept playing, actually fitting the scene.
I was alone an' I needed love
So much I sacrificed all I was dreaming of,
I heard no warning, but, a heart can tell
I'd feel the emptiness of love I know so well
"I suppose that you saw my paintings at the Boardwalk." Her voice was smooth as silk. "Are you here for me to make something in specific?"
"No, I just wanted to meet the amazing artist." Marko admitted, sitting next to her and rather closely.
She looked at him skeptically, but she didn't move from where she was. Instead, she went back to her painting, as if she were not bothered that he was there. It looks like she was painting the sight before her, only this time the bonfire in front of her morphed into beautiful beach that reflected the moonlight among the sea's waves. Marko stared amazed at the ease that she was in making the painting. It was as if her hands possessed a sort of magical gift. Despite her calm demeanor, Marko knew she was nervous. He could hear her heart beating quickly, and smiled to himself. But he too was nervous and surprised that he could actually control himself, since her blood still smelled delicious. Yet, no matter how delicious it smelled, now that he was next to her, he could not bring himself to harm her.
"You like it?" The girl asked, snapping him out of his thoughts. She gently motioned the painting closer to him to get a better look.
"Yeah. You really have a gift." Marko said with awe.
She placed the painting a bit farther away from them so it could dry. As she stretched over the blanket gently fell off her, exposing her bottom half completely. The ripped shorts that she wore allowed her strong, yet lovely legs to be exposed, slightly glowing with the bonfire's light. She was also wearing comfy sandals, and her large t-shirt lowered down exposing a shoulder. It appears that she was wearing a swim suit underneath, thus she must have went swimming earlier. Looking at her this close, Marko had to control yet another type of hunger: sexual desire.
"So, your name's Elizabeth?" Marko tried to make conversation, so that he wouldn't take her out in a second.
"Yeah, you saw my signature on my paintings, right?" She gave him a small smile, but her eyes kept saying 'caution'.
"That's right. Sorry if I'm creeping you out. My name's Marko." He extended his hand for her to shake, wanting to really get to know her.
Her smile turned into a knowing smirk, and decided to take his hand. "Nice to meet you, Marko." His name sounded really good when she said it. When she touched his hand, he actually felt a nice shock from her touch, which is smooth and soft.
"I've never seen the souvenir store look that impressive before. Did you have anything to do about that?" Marko asked with a smile.
"Well, my friend and I recently moved here, and the store belonged to her grandmother, who passed away. She left it in her name, so we decided to change some things to improve the business. It was not going well at first." Elizabeth explained.
"Yeah, I thought that store was doomed to close down for good. But now no one has to worry about that anymore! So you're new to Santa Carla?" Marko said with interest.
"We moved in about two months ago, but I still haven't seen most of it. I've only been to the store and this beach from the Boardwalk. I guess we were too busy setting our new business." She smiled a bit nervously. Should she be telling this stranger this kind of information? He sure is handsome and has a nice trusting smile, but a lot of wackos do, and she knew that from tough experience. But he was somehow different.
"If you want I can show you around the Boardwalk tomorrow." Marko asked, hoping she'd say yes.
"You would? Don't get flattered, but you seem like the type to be busy keeping large groups of swooning girls off of you." Elizabeth said with a mischievous smirk, reminding him of his own.
"Oh, you think I'm good looking?" It was Marko's turn to give a mischievous look. She actually looked down, a bit flushed, making him lightly chuckle.
"Well, I'm free tomorrow night, so if you want…" Elizabeth began.
"It's a date, then!" Marko said as he got up. He extended his hand to help her get up too. Once she stood up, he noticed that she was a couple of inches shorter than him, but that did not bother him. He was enjoying holding her hand, before they let go and got her painting along with the rest of her stuff. They made it to the store, back at the Boardwalk. The boy was no longer in sight, and all the paintings were safely put inside.
They went inside the store to settle her stuff down at the checkout. There was no one in the store, since it was closing, except for a girl with wild short blonde hair who was hiding watching them. Elizabeth looked around to see if anyone was there, but saw no one. She turned to face Marko, who now displayed is Cheshire grin. She started to feel nervous again, but kept her cool.
"So, when and where will I see you again?"
"Wait for me at the back of the store." Marko said as he reached for her hand and gently brought the back of it to his lips to kiss it. "I'll see you then."
He left with a smile of a conquistador. Elizabeth was left stunned and recovering from the goosebumps his kiss gave her. Once he was out of the store, a girl with wild pixie cut blonde hair came in front of her. She was grinning like the mad woman that she is. Elizabeth suddenly realized that she was hiding the entire time and dreaded what she would be saying now at the scene of Marko and her.
"So Miss Hot Stuff's got a date already?!"
"Kim, please don't start! He's just a fan of my artwork. He'll be showing me around the Boardwalk tomorrow." Elizabeth said as she walked away from her and began organizing her things.
"By the way he looked at you and kissed your hand, I'd say he a fan of something else!" Kim said wiggling her eyebrows up and down with a suggestive tone and look in her eyes.
"Oh, Kim. I don't think I made such an impression on him. He's probably just being polite-"
"Liz, a guy does not kiss a girl's hand because he's 'polite'. Hell, boys don't do that anymore! He's hooked on you! And you got yourself a good looking one, too! I always knew you were scandalous." Kim stated with a huge smile that showed her pearly white teeth.
Elizabeth just rolled her eyes, but she was honestly split in two. She wanted to keep her distance from this guy. Something about him told her to stay away from him. But she also wanted to be with him, so far he was comfortable to be around with. She decided that she would be seeing him tomorrow, but will keep her guard up at all times. Thank goodness Shadow Dancer taught her how to defend herself! Elizabeth hoped that Marko, with his dreamy pale green eyes, didn't turn out to be another slick asshole.
"Hey, you're finally smiling again!' Paul said excitingly as he saw Marko walking up to them.
It was close to dawn and The Lost Boys had to go back to their lair before the sun came out. The rest of the boys were no longer at the Boardwalk, but in a secluded park somewhere around. Marko came around just in time as they began to get on their bikes to leave. He noticed that the four girls from earlier weren't there with them. Before he could ask, he saw a small blood mark around David's lips that he was wiping away. Never mind, he now knew what had become of the random four girls. David looked over to Marko who was now getting on his own bike.
Paul got off his bike quickly to lightly hit Marko at the back of his head, which Marko dodged, and playfully shoved Paul off him. He was laughing like his old self again. Dwayne noticed too and smiled to himself, also sensing Marko's new happiness. Paul was thrilled and proceeded to play fight with Marko.
"Finally, I thought that you died again, or something!" Paul stated as Marko kept trying to 'choke' him.
"Yeah, we all sick of seeing you mop all the time. Did you see Max?" David asked. Paul and Marko were done pestering each other, as Marko answered.
"Nope. I met someone."
"Oh! A chick right? Was she hot?" Paul asked mischievously.
"You have no idea!" Marko said with a wicked smile.
"Is she someone to pass some time with, or just a meal? Or is she both?" David asked with a smirk.
"I'm not so sure yet, I'll be seeing her tomorrow." Marko stated with a strange look in his eyes. He definitely wanted to sleep with her, but for some reason, he wanted to get to know her first. Her blood smelled like the most delicious thing ever, but he didn't want to hurt her either. She was different and he had a completely new feeling for her that he just didn't understand yet. Maybe he should see Max either way.
Dwayne could sense something strange about Marko, as well. He could tell that he didn't want to harm this girl that he met. There was definitely a sense of sexual desire there as well, but there was also something new. Before the others could sense his concerns, he finally spoke.
"We should get going."
"Right." David agreed as he saw that the sun would soon be in sight.
Their engines quickly came to life, running towards the safety of the last shadows that would soon vanish with the rise of the sun.
