With our fingers entwined, Michael and I arrive at the Boardwalk. Michael protectively squeezes my hand and increases his pace as we pass the same clique of hormone fuelled teenage boys with their duplicated baggy denim jackets and smarmy haircuts who crudely wolf-whistled at Star and I yesterday night. I keep my attention completely absorbed to finding Laddie or Delilah in this maze of energized humans. David has to be here, this place is like heaven to him. Also, I've witnessed Delilah observing my every move in her disguise that consisted of jet black sunglasses and a hood; that piece of information certified by Star provides me hope that she could still be watching over me, away from David's possessive clutches. Suddenly, there is an uproar of boisterous howls. I know instantly that it could only be three wild boys I like to call my best friends – Jimmy, River and Jude.

"Sup guys?" River hollers, flinging a trusty arm around Michael shoulders. Michael smirks and welcomes him with a greeting only males can express. Jimmy leaps from a hidden area above us, quite possibly the vending machine that contains stale and out of date treats such as candy bars and chips. He immediately picks me up into his arms and places a friendly kiss on my crown of voluminous hair.

"Sorry Mike, but Sierra's mine for the night" Jimmy winks at a laughing Michael to hint the joke "As for you young lady, where were you today?" I'm guessing Michael hadn't explained my brothers' false reasoning behind my absence.

"You know, women stuff" Michael aids, I thank him with an appreciative smile.

Jimmy, River and Jude create a commotion of untamed laughter, resulting in Michael and me participating with them. Our rapturous moment together is interrupted by a lecturing voice infested with irritation. I snap my head around, my thick hair whipping Jimmy as I do so.

"Ugh... Sierra! I don't like the taste of your hair" Jimmy grouches, he softly captures a few long dark strands and brings them to his nose, breathing in its scent "On the other hand it smells nice" he takes another extended inhalation of my hair "Seriously what do you put on it? Damn, what is that? Is that strawberries?" I glance at Michael who is desperately trying to contain his laughter, as am I and the rest of the guys. There is another bellow among the powerful crowd; it is the enraged man who seems to have a constant war going on with Jimmy.

"Fuck! It's the return of the fat man!" Jude gasps in mockery, he yanks River's leather jacket and drags him out of the Boardwalk "Nice seeing you today Sierra!"

"We shall be back!" River calls as his brother tugs him hastily out of the double doors.

"Gotta fly Sierra-Bear" Jimmy has always referred to me as Sierra-Bear, ever since kindergarten when I refused to release a cuddly teddy from my hands "Tell Star I said hey" and with that he exchanges me over to Michael who cradles me in his soothing arms. Jimmy twirls around, his long black hair embracing the air "Come on then Fat Man! Run!" he challenges, daring himself to beckon the security guard over "Oh shit!" he goes onto cackle as he races out of the Boardwalk to escape the wrath of the fuming man. With one look between us, Michael and I burst out into amused chuckles. Those guys never fail to force laughter out of me! Michael collects a handful of my coffee coloured hair, breathing it in like Jimmy did.

"Yup, I can definitely say that's strawberries!" Michael confirms, I begin to giggle manically; a cramp like pain in my abdomen starts to rise and I can't seem to grasp the air that has been taken out of me. I feel so overjoyed that my relationship has restored back to a peaceful state. Its like tomorrow is far away, almost out of this universe.

I catch a glimpse of my father who is stood behind the counter inspecting me, taking sneaky peeps occasionally above the pages of his vampire handout. I smile to myself, a few days ago I wouldn't even have dreamed about my dad fretting at his daughter being in the presence of a man. It's entirely different now though; I've seen an evolution in him I thought I would never see. After all these deserted years without him, I'm finally proud to call him my father. Then I think, Michael has never been introduced to Dad. Since we have reconciled and are as blissful as the sun shimmering on a warm day, it seems almost fitting that they should acquainted.

"Baby, can we go to the comic store please? I want you to meet my dad" I request, a grin rises on Michael's lips as he nods. He positions me so I am on my feet again and laces his fingers around mine.


The two of us saunter into the store that is glowing with colourful heroes and heroines on every front cover of a dramatic comic. My stomach churns with nerves; what if he didn't like Michael? After unintentionally exposing that night with Michael where we became one, I fear that he might have grown to dislike him. Dad instantly heightens his eyes to look at Michael and me entering, and abandons the guidebook on the counter with urgency.

"Hey Dad, I'd like you to meet someone" Dad raises an eyebrow and examines Michael carefully to make sure that he is suitable for me "This is Michael, my boyfriend" Even though we have been dating some time, my heart still flutters when I apply the title of boyfriend to Michael. I don't know why, it just does. Michael outstretches his arm across the tobacco camouflaged desk as a formal welcome; thankfully, my father accepts his polite gesture and shakes his hand.

"It's good to meet you Michael, I'm Judd. Sierra's father" he smiles in satisfaction that his work is done, Michael has graduated from his approval.

"It's good to meet you as well!" Michael beams with relief, as do I. Dad loosens his grasp on Michael's hand as Michael withdraws his arm and puts it back to his side.

"Is that Sierra I hear?" my face slacks with alarm – it's my mom. Though mine and my father's relationship has healed, my other parent has remained her uncaring and embarrassing self.

"You're hearing things again Petal!" Dad yells, in one fast movement he leans over the desk to get closer to Michael and me "If I were you guys I'd leave while you have the chance. That woman's higher than a kite this evening" Dad then warns us, I wouldn't want Michael to meet my mother, especially if the description of her element is true. We take my dad's suggestion and say our farewells before parting ways. "Michael!" Dad shouts, we abruptly stop and turn around to face him "Remember to put something on the end of it! I'm too young to have grandkids!" my cheeks burn with humiliation and I scowl at him to show him just how embarrassed I am, I can see now where Edgar gets his personality from.

My mom appears from the staff room, my father was right – she is definitely high. Sunglasses veil her puffy eyes and her hair frizzes madly. Dad and I trade the same look of panic.

"That is Sierra! Who's the guy? Judd tell me who he is! I wanna know!" Mom exclaims, thrusting her hands on her hips and pouting.

"Run! Now!" he screams, ushering my mother back into her hideaway where she is better off instead of revealing herself to the world.

"Oh my God, is that Sierra's beau? Judd I wanna meet him! Let me meet him!" she protests childishly, those complaints soon dissolve into wails "My baby girl is growing up Judd, look at how gorgeous she is! And she's got a man!" the harassing woman who I have the so called pleasure of calling my mother, trails off on a rant that is incoherent due to bawls. My dad shoves her into the staff room, hastily locking the door before using himself as a human shield to barricade it as my mom attempts to escape by banging on the door repeatedly.

"Sierra! I can't hold her in there for much longer without her going ballistic! And trust me – you do not wanna see your mother go crazy! It's like watching two lions fight over a scrap of meat. Anyway, run! Now!" the crashing on the door intensifies in noise and my mom's drowned pleas for discharge from the room that confines her insanity from public become louder. Michael and I flee from the scene of madness, into the masses of life.


We both struggle to keep our hilarities in as we splutter out laughs. I collapse on him in a heap of hysterics, that ache in my stomach is rupturing again. It symbolises complete euphoria though, no matter how unpleasant its pain may be, I know that it's happiness.

"I wanna take you somewhere" Michael whispers in my ear, caressing it with his lips as he does so. Before I have the chance to reply, he sweeps me off my feet and secures me in his steady ropes that I can rely on with every last bit of trust in my heart.

"Where are we going?" I quiz playfully flicking some of his charming ringlets. Michael teasingly puts a finger to his lips, informing me that he will never reveal the anonymous location.


As he races out the sturdy double doors that act as both an entrance and exit of the Boardwalk, my once spritely face hibernates for a rush of sadness to invade over. Those remarkable eyes inked with black stare at me and the full name of 'Delilah Marelle Frog' in a crucial bold font strikes out as sharply as a fist colliding with an unfortunates jaw. My big sister, she is still missing. I was so lassoed in all the fun, the reason I accessed the Boardwalk vanished from my mind. I need to search for Laddie and Delilah; I don't think I can undergo another day without them. I have to find them. What if Delilah is here right now and I leave with Michael? What if Laddie somehow extradited himself from David's illegal custody and found his way back to me? He wouldn't have a chance to save himself if I wasn't here. What would happen if he couldn't find Star? Laddie is like a son to me, and a child will always come first my eyes. Delilah had nurtured and looked out for me for all these years; even with her existence from my view lost, she looked out for me. Its time for me to do the same.

"Baby, can we go another night? I wanna look for my sister and Laddie" I exhale severely, waiting for Michael's confrontation.

"Yeah sure princess, we'll go back in now" Michael smiles earnestly, allocating a delicate kiss on my forehead. He turns around to go back inside; Star however darts out the doors and greets us with a joyful grin. I attempt at my best to smile back at her, I'm so used to Laddie being permanently glued to her side that when his presence is removed, I can't help but to realise that he's gone and the way David is keeping up his charades – he will stay that way.

"Hey guys! Edgar and Alan were just gonna show me how to play pinball then we're gonna look for Laddie. You guys need some time together though, so we thought you could hang around here or go out for a bite to eat, you know whatever's cool with you two lovebirds!" Star chirps contently, appearing like a romance inflamed child. Something tells me Jimmy ran straight from the person who he gives the title of 'Fat Man', to Star who he has been seemingly spending more time with each growing day.

"Um, yeah that's cool, only if you're fine with it though!" I want to be reassured, as much as I desire to go out with Michael, just us two and the moon, I wouldn't mind hunting down Laddie; and of course my other main priority, Delilah.

"I wouldn't suggest it if I wasn't fine with it would I Sierra?" Star daintily taps my nose as she giggles away happily. It's so uplifting to see her in good spirits; it seems like forever since I last saw her like this.

"Oh yeah Star?" I smirk to myself, Star stops giggling instantly and quips her head up to face me "Jimmy said hey" Her cheeks blaze up into a blushing ruby colour and a gleaming broad smile crawls onto her lips. I knew there was chemistry between Jimmy and Star ever since the night of the concert where they gazed lovingly into each other's eyes as if their attractive for each other had caused a seductive trance. Star tucks a lock of her corkscrew curls behind her ear where a single pearl earring is situated and peers down at the floor with that beautiful grin still radiating.

"Sierra!" Edgar barks, steaming through the doors like an overcharged train on crooked trail, along with Alan at his side.

"Shit, we thought we'd missed you by like twenty seconds!" Alan pants, converting all of his weight onto Edgar.

"Guys! I said wait up!" Sam zooms out next, breathing recklessly. He also does the same as Alan, except he heaves himself onto Edgar's other shoulder "How many... how many times... are you gonna do that?" Edgar shares disapproving looks with the two boys who aren't threatened by his glares as they maintain him as their leaning post.

"I think we need to get him in for some slaying lessons, it'll boost his athletic skills!" Edgar mutters into Alan's ear. Alan nods in agreement but quickly transfers his view back onto the ground.

"Are you guys' nuts? That'll kill me!" Sam argues; soon enough, he begins to feel his upper biceps to discover some hidden muscle.

"Vampires will kill you quicker!" Alan rasps. Because of his mild exhaustion, he collapses onto the floor followed by a dramatic groan "Screw this man, I need a soda! Edgar get me a soda!" he limply elevates his arm in order to retrieve the invisible soda can that he seems to be hopeless without.

"Get your own goddamn soda! This is payback time for not saving me any cocoa" Edgar snaps, Alan lets out another groan of despair and falls flat on his back. I cough a little, its enough to coax all the boys' attention. Edgar, Alan and Sam twist their heads around to look at me in unison; Edgar's eyes review my outfit of white lace, criticizing the length of the skirt. "Wanna pull that skirt of yours down Sierra?" Edgar advises, still scrutinizing my attire.

"I'm good thanks" I sarcastically reply, flashing a bitter yet sweet smile. His response to my answer is a crabby glower as he tries to restrain himself from marching over and dragging my skirt down to my ankles.

"Don't blame us if vampires try to get their hands on you then" he grumbles, desperately needing assistance for backup. His two sidekicks just stay as they are, lying on the floor in a drained bundle. I wouldn't blame them if they were exhausted; Edgar does like to haul them along with him on his wild adventures that involve plenty of hazardous antics that I'm sure even the most agile person on earth would find extremely fatiguing "So you and Michael going out?" he then questions, I nod once. I'm avid to know the whereabouts of this oracular secret that Michael is keeping concealed from me "Awesome. Oh yeah Mikey, my dad told me to give you this" Edgar propels a small and packaged object at Michael who speedily catches it in his hands. A corner of his pink-hued lips begins to curl into a famous smirk, what had Edgar thrown at him? Before I can peek at the puzzling gift, Michael stuffs it into his jean pocket.

"Thanks Edgar" he chuckles, Edgar doesn't seem as humoured though, a stern expression is carved on his face and his arms are crossed to show just how serious he is being.

"See you guys later, and Michael – don't forget to use it" Edgar cautions, his eyes flick up at me after he accomplishes scowling at Michael "Pull your skirt down Sierra" and with that, the three boys whisk away into the nightlife of complete exhilaration.


After rolling my eyes at my younger brother, I give Star a goodbye hug before she skips merrily after the adventurous boys. Michael chaperons me over to his midnight motorbike where he assists me to climb on the back; he subsequently follow, setting himself in front of me. I encompass my arms around his waist for safety on our journey to the place Michael is harbouring from me.

"So what's that thing my brother threw at you?" I ask, I'm intrigued to find out what is buried in Michael's front pocket. He smirks once again and turns his head to face me.

"Lets just say, if we get caught up in a moment, our parents won't be grandparents in nine months" Michael winks at me. The colour of rosy scarlet leaks into my cheeks and my eyes widen in dread, Edgar had given him contraceptive. I'm not even planning on using it for anything! Then again, that night where I fully gave myself to Michael was totally unexpected. Anything could happen tonight, at least if that one moment in time where love truly takes over occurs, I'll be safe from presenting my father with unwanted grandchildren. Michael revs the engine, preparing the bike to start our expedition.

"Ready princess?"

"Ready!" Michael guns the engine once more, we are off! The wind entangles with my hair as we succeed into the night skies. If only Laddie and Delilah could be with us and we could all be rid of David once and for all, everything would be perfect. I'm determined to get them back. And once they are back, they will never be gone again.


Ahhhh heres the update! Sorry its been a little longer than usual guys, exams have been going on and I have been drained.. so drained! This is dedicated to SkittleMachine who has been a great friend to me! Thank you, you AWESOME PERSON! Anyway, hope you guys enjoyed and heres the replies to the reviews on the previous chapter:

LovingTLB- Yeah.. I was in need of a hot cocoa after that chapter- weird thing is I don't even like it! Hehee, I had to have Sam say that bit! I was thinking of 'Wait until Mom finds out buddy! and it was like, 'yeah he's gonna say that' :3. OMG DO IT, PLEASE SAY THAT. IT WOULD BE HILARIOUS! I know I wouldn't see you do it but I can imagine it! Oh no, Michael wouldn't hit her. He was just angry at Sam. PANIC NOT! I don't think anyone likes assy Michael.. but he's cool now! Ahahaa, the cocoa controls all :') and yeah, Alans a little kid at heart:3 Once again- PLEASE DO THAT FOR HALLOWEEN! I WILL LOVE YOU FOR AN ETERNITY IF YOU DO THAT XD anyway, heres your update and hope you enjoy!

booklover457- Sorry hun, no blood lust in this chapter! Love the idea though!

Sarah-Frog-Brothers-Fan: Did I ever mention that I love your user name? Sorry random little thing.. but I do! AND YUSSH! WHOOP MICHAELS NOT AN ASS ANYMORE! But is David gonna? Or is he not? Is anyone gonna find out that Dwayne is alive, or shall it remain Star and Sierras little thing? Hmmm.. keep on reading to find out! heres your update and hope you also enjoy!

Skittle Machine: Why thank you :3 Hahahaa, glad you like Sierra and Dwayne! Hope you enjoy the chapter! :D