I was a teensy bit disappointed with the lack of reviews last chapter - c'mon, guys, don't make me crack open my chest of empty threats! reviewreviewreviewreview! now i'm gonna be really annoying and put a note at the bottom too - you brought it on yourselves! shame on you! :) xxxxx


'Take Five'

Amelie's POV

I walked into the lab, motioning for my guards to leave. A horrendous sight met my eyes.

The room looked like a murder scene. Tables were overturned, books ripped to shreds, beakers smashed. And everything was covered in splashes and smears of bright red. Myrnin stood in the middle, in a pool of blood that was slowly running out from the centre, following the cracks in the floor. His clothes were ruined, shirt torn open and hanging off his body, jean slashed in several different places.

I thought for a moment that he had simply taken his 'insane' act too far, but then I realised with horror that the blood covering the room was his. I could smell it, and it made me sick. Myrnin was standing with his back to me, but I could see the flash of a blade in his hands as he slashed madly at his arms. He opened a vein in his wrist, and blood spurted out, then slowly stopped as the wound healed. Myrnin growled and tore at his face with his nails.

I couldn't watch it anymore; I had to help him. Before I could move, he seemed to finally realise I was there. Myrnin whirled around, dropping the dagger he'd been holding. His fangs were extended, and he snarled ferociously. I stood there in shock, unable to say anything. He looked like a true madman, standing there dripping with his own blood. The look in his eyes actually frightened me. He looked so desperate.

"Myrnin. What are you doing?" I whispered in horror. His expression changed as he seemed to recognise me, and the maniacal light in his eyes faded. He staggered forwards and fell, clutching the couch for support.

"Amelie." Myrnin whispered, sounding strangled. "I-It's not how it looks."

He sat down heavily on the couch.

"Myrnin?" I asked, worried for his life. He collapsed. "Jesu. Myrnin, how much blood did you lose?"

Gerard ran into the room, staring round in horror. I glanced up as he started to speak.

"Don't ask. Just get Theo. Tell him to bring blood. Lots of it." I snapped, then turned back to Myrnin.

What could cause him to do such a thing to himself?


Claire's POV

Claire walked through the front door, and dumped her keys in the tray.

"Honey, I'm home!" She yelled, forgetting that it was still early for Shane and Michael. A thump followed by a giggle came from Michael's room. Well, he and Eve were obviously awake. Claire sighed, and went upstairs to read up on some stuff Myrnin had given her.

Claire pulled the heavy book open, but she couldn't concentrate on any of the words. She gave up after half an hour.

Getting up, she crossed the room and grabbed her iPod and a blanket before tiptoeing down the hall to the secret door. She pushed the button and it slid open soundlessly. Claire stepped inside and hurried up the stairs in the dark, flicking the lights on. The room was empty. She lay down on the couch, turned on her music, and fell asleep.

Claire woke up when someone came up the stairs. She was immediately alert, and stood up, clutching her blanket around herself defensively, even though she was fully clothed. A moment later, Shane appeared at the top of the stairs. She relaxed.

"Claire, there you are!" He said, looking all cute boyfriend worried. Claire yawned and stretched.

"Yeah I came up here to listen to some music and I guess I fell asleep. What time is it?"

Shane checked an imaginary watch on his wrist. "Damn. Need to get new batteries for this thing!" Claire rolled her eyes, sitting down on the couch again. Shane grinned and came to sit next to her, wrapping an arm around her waist. He was warm, and smelt like tacos. She leant her head on his chest, snuggling into him.

She tried to ignore the guilty feeling in her gut. What did she have to be guilty of? Apart from the fact that she'd kissed her boss. On multiple occasions. Claire pulled away when he leant in for a kiss, shrugging awkwardly. Shane looked a bit upset. Her tried to put his arm round her waist again, but she scooted away.

Claire felt as though she'd been cheating on him, and didn't know if she could be close to him just then. Not without thinking of Myrnin.

"Sorry." She mumbled. "I'm just...not in the mood."

To her surprise, Shane looked angry. He stood up.

"It's Myrnin, isn't it?" He said loudly.

"What?"

"You're going to let that bloodsucker get in the way of our relationship?"

Claire was shocked. Why was he acting like this? She'd only said that she wasn't in the mood.

"What are you talking about, Shane?" She asked, confused, "I just said I'm not in the mood right now. I didn't realize you were that kind of guy."

Shane immediately looked ashamed, and calmed down a bit. "Sorry. It's-it's just, ever since Myrnin kissed you, you've been acting kind of weird. I guess I'm just being paranoid, but..." He paused, and Claire smiled encouragingly. "...you'd tell me if something was wrong, right?". He said quietly. Claire was surprised. He thinks I'm cheating on him with Myrnin? I would never do that. She couldn't deny that something was going on though. Because it was, in a way. She just wasn't sure what kind of something it was.

"Shane? Where did this come from? I'm not cheating on you." She said reassuiringly. Shane glance up, looking annoyed.

"I wasn't asking if you were cheating, Claire. I didn't think that was something I needed to worry about. Although maybe it is?" He snapped. Claire frowned.

"There's no need for that Shane!" She said, going a bit red.

"I don't know anymore!" Shane yelled suddenly, throwing his hands up in the air. "You spend all your extra time with Myrnin at the lab. He probably knows you better than I do! I used to think he was just hitting on you temporarily or something, but I've seen him when he's with you, and when you were in hospital he was there the whole time, and the nurse even thought he was your- you know. And then I saw you making out with him - and-" He shot her a dirty look. "-and I know he was with you in your room the other day, Claire. I saw his slipper on the floor, and you were wearing the same clothes you had on at dinner. You didn't get changed. You lied." Claire gasped. She didn't think he'd noticed.

"Why didn't you say anything?"

He shrugged. "I figured you'd tell me what happened. But then you didn't, so I started thinking, what if you weren't just - talking."

Claire didn't say anything, and Shane's eyes widened.

"It's true, isn't it. Your weren't just talking. You were in there making out with your boss."

Claire out her hands to her mouth. "Oh God, Shane, -"

"Where were you this morning?"

"What?"

"This morning. I came into your room early, and you weren't there. Where did you go?" Shane said, accusation evident in his voice.

"I-I-" Claire hung her head. "At the lab." She whispered. The words hung in the air like poison gas. She glanced up. Shane's face showed betrayal and hurt, quickly covered over with anger.

"I knew it." Shane spat.

"Shane, I - there's nothing going on. I only went over there to tell him I don't have feelings for him!" She said desperately, before realising she hadn't actually told Myrnin that. Dang. Shane sighed, sitting on the couch with his head in his hands, suddenly gentle again.

"I just don't want to lose you, Claire. I love you." Claire felt a jolt in her stomach at his words.

"I-" She started to say 'I love you too', but Shane cut her off. He took her hand in his, a sad smile on his face.

"That's why I think...that we should take a break."

Claire's breath got stuck in her throat, and her heart stopped beating.

"You're breaking up with me?" She choked out.

Shane shook his head. "No! I just - think this is a good idea. So you can get things sorted with...Myrnin."

Or just make out with him without feeling guilty. She heard his unspoken words at the end.

"Are - are you sure about this?" Claire asked, trying to keep herself from crying. Shane nodded, and kissed her forehead, brushing her hair out of her eyes.

"It's not forever, Claire."

Then he stood up and left the room, leaving Claire alone.


So, whaddya thinks? Hmmmm? Review, and you shall make me very very happy. It will make it worthwhile, doing this instead of studying for my exams! :D xxx