I've been above ground for not 30 minutes and already I thought I was going to die, but this time for real. I was too busy worrying about the freaking stake aimed at my heart that I didn't notice the person wielding it. Familiar light blonde hair and blue eyes that stared wildly at me as he held the hunk of sharp wood to my chest, I knew him anywher:.

my ex-boyfriend, Steve. I didn't expect to see him here; let alone, be trying to kill me. He quickly covered my mouth with his hand to shut me up. The poison was still active so I wasn't strong enough to push him off of me.

"How was your wake-up call…" he grinned, sickly, "…vampire?" I thrashed around, wildly; trying to wriggle free from his grasp. I failed, miserably. "What a strange turn of events," he mused, "I've been watching you. I saw everything; I saw Crepsley going to your house. I saw him toss you out the window." I clawed at the hand that was on my mouth, I called him every name under the sun but it was muffled. I even tried screaming for Mr. Crepsley, hoping that some way he could hear me. I knew he couldn't though.

"Very interesting," Steve marveled while looking at my hand, "These must be the marks on your fingertips! I read about these in an old book!" I didn't stop thrashing. "I never thought you'd want to be a vampire," he continued, "I'm disappointed in myself for never noticing." I stopped moving and looked into his eyes, tears started brimming. Then, his features grew cold and angry. "I was the one who wanted to be a vampire!" Steve shouted, "You told Crepsley I was evil! You made him reject me! How long were you planning this?" I tried telling him the truth but his hand was still covering my mouth. He couldn't hear anything I said. Then, he removed his hand.

"You're talking nonsense!" I spat, "I only agreed to join him in order to save your life!"

"Oh, so you think you're being a hero, do you?" he screamed, "You've got everything, Layla! A nice mom, dad, and sister! Friends and family!"

"Steve," I whispered; openly crying now, "I…"

"What do I have?" he interrupted, "Nothing! Only you! Why aren't I good enough?" He cried harder than I've ever seen him cry before. Then, he grabbed my shoulders and shook me, violently. "You betrayed me…" he sobbed, "You took everything from me, Layla! My entire life!" He was silent for a long time; neither of us spoke. His bloodshot, blue eyes met with mine.

"And to think I loved you…" he sniffed. Those six words broke my heart worse than when he said he wanted to be a vampire more than he cared about me. He brought the stake up over his head; preparing to strike. His arms rushed down toward my chest.

The sharp wood connected with my flesh, enough to draw blood but it didn't go any deeper. Suddenly, the stake cracked in his hand and he raised it. He climbed off of me and backed away. I scrambled to my feet before he could try anything else. "I thought I'd be able to kill you tonight, but I was wrong," he smirked, "It's too soon for me. I need to train and prepare." He brought the splintered wood up to his hand and carved something into it. "This is a legendary monster I'm up against, after all…" he continued.

He held up his hand toward me; there was a cross sliced into his palm.

"On this blood, I swear," he announced, "I'm going to be the world's best vampire hunter! Heed this, Layla Shan and Larten Crepsley! There won't be a single hole you can find that I won't be able to find you! I'll track you down to the ends of the earth if I have to! I'll put an end to the both of you, forever! I swear it! I SWEAR IT!" He ran away, laughing manically.

I glared off in the direction that Steve ran off in.

"Yeah?" I growled under my breath, "Let's see who kills who first." I came out from behind the bushes to find Mr. Crepsley still standing in front of my grave. I chuckled as I walked toward him, there was no way he didn't hear any of that.

"You should not go too far," the vampire advised, "You cannot afford to be seen. You are officially dead now. It would not do to have you spotted walking around." I would've laughed but when he said I was officially dead, it hit me like a ton of bricks. I can't believe that I was actually dead! "Why are there leaves in your hair?" he asked as he picked one out. I felt my head and, sure enough, my long, auburn hair was filled with leaves. I picked them out one by one.

"I tripped," I lied. It was a bad lie but I didn't care. Though, I could tell he wasn't buying it.

"Are you sure you are all right?" he asked; sincerely concerned, "You seem rather pale to me." I didn't know whether to tell Mr. Crepsley about Steve or not. It'd be better to deal with him now but I just don't know.

"Yeah, I'm okay," I lied, "I just…" I looked away, trying to think of a good excuse but I wasn't able to think clearly. "It's nothing," I shrugged, "I'm fine." It wasn't enough for him, though; he broke the shovel in frustration.

"Time we should be going," he said, breaking the rest of the shovel.

"Already?" I asked. It felt like I just got out of my grave.

"Vampires are always saying goodbye," he explained with a flourish of his cape, "We never stop anywhere very long. We are forever picking up our roots and moving on to new pastures. It is our way!"

"Okay," I sighed," …can I have a moment?" His expression softened and he nodded. I walked toward the edge of the hill and looked over my hometown. It actually looked beautiful from above; but I think it was just because I was saying goodbye. I felt tears well up and I couldn't help but laugh a little; I was crying over a town. Sure, I've lived there my entire life and there were so many memories; but it was just a location. After a while, I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"Is the first time the hardest?" I asked the vampire.

"Yes," he answered, honestly, "But it never gets easy."

"All alone in the world of darkness," I sighed to myself. I looked up into his golden brown eyes. "Does it get lonely?" I asked. He gazed back at me for a while and then looked out into to distance.

"Terribly so," he said with a slight smile; but I couldn't tell what he was thinking.

Suddenly, my stomach growled loudly and the blood rushed to my face.

"Come now," he chuckled; rubbing his hands together and licking his lips, "Let us go eat." He held a hand down to me and smiled. I looked back and forth between his hand and his face. I, wearily, took it; it was large and cold. He squeezed my hand and I felt a lot better; almost safer. Then, the vampire and his assistant, walked hand-in-hand into the night.