Chapter 10

Flames. There were flames everywhere. The room was full of a thick, black smoke which made my lungs feel heavy. I coughed and wanted to find a way out, but there was smoke everywhere I looked. In fact, I couldn't see anything through the smoke, not even my hands or feet. I was scared; I was trapped in the smoke. I could hear screams around me and the heat emitted by the flames was surrounding me, becoming more intense and unpleasant. I felt the flames burning my skin, so I started groaning and twisting, trying to escape the flames that caught me like claws…

But there was no escape.

"Lara, wake up, darling." I familiar and concerned voice came from distance. "Wake up, please."

I opened my eyes. The smoke, flames, heat- vanished. I was in Eliot's house cold basement. But the fear, the panic, was still there, making my heart beat fast. The sweat stuck the t-shirt to my body and my feet tangled in the blanket, but the rest of my body was uncovered- probably, while sleeping, I moved till the blanket got to my feet.

My parents and Steve were bent over me, staring at me worried.

"Vampires." I gasped. "They are going to set this house on fire." I said desperately.

"No, Lara, they won't." Steve calmed me down with a soft voice. "We're safe for the moment."

No, he wasn't right, but there was no point in arguing with him- anyway, he was trying to be nice to me. I glanced at my parents and saw their look full of understanding- they knew what I was talking about.

"Steve, would you please bring me a glass of water?" I asked.

"Sure." He answered.

As he went after water, I turned at my parents.

"It was a vision." I whispered. "I don't want to involve them in this. And if the vampires destroy this house, we won't have where to hide."

"But do you know when it is going to happen?" dad asked.

"I don't know. If not tonight, surely tomorrow night or any time soon. After all, they are vampires- they have a good sense of smell. Why would they wait too long?"

"Well, we must find a way to…" mom began but stopped, not knowing how to continue. "I don't know what we should do, but we can't let them take you."

"We could stay and wait to see what happens." I muttered. "Or run- all of us. But what if…"

I had another idea, but I didn't like it, and I knew my parents wouldn't like it. But Steve was back with the glass of water. I thanked him, sat up and took the glass. A thought hit me- did Eliot have enough food and water for everybody? And for how much time? If we were going to run, how were we supposed to take with us enough food and water for all?

So many problems, so many troubles and risks, that is why my other idea was to… go with the vampires to keep my dear ones safe.

Of course my parents wouldn't agree with this; I didn't want to do it, so I hoped we would find a way to survive.

After Steve ensured I was fine and that I felt better- and mom watched us stealthily, probably suspecting that Steve likes me more than a friend- I went upstairs to take a short shower and change in my t-shirt and jeans. The clothes gave me a slight feeling of familiarity, and I remembered that my house, my home, had been burnt down last night. I remembered the flames covering it, but it was just a blur- I couldn't take a better look at my house last night because I was busy running and trying to save my life, but know the thought of my home destroyed made me feel strange. I had no home. All our things- burned. At least, we were alive. But it was painful to think how many things have changed so fast and that the town I was born and raised- New York- was gradually… falling apart.

I left the bathroom after I gave myself an encouraging smile in the mirror.

When I went back in the basement, everybody was eating, staying at the table or on the couch. I was the last that used the bathroom, so everybody was washed and dressed. I approached the table.

"What do we have for breakfast?" I asked.

Mrs Walter smiled to me.

"Some cereal bars, bread and some butter, and also some bananas." She told me.

I nodded, took two cereal bars- they weren't very big- and sat on a mattress next to Mely and then I realized that on one hand she had a cereal bar too, and with the other hand she was holding close to her… the duck.

"How did it…" I wondered.

"Mommy took it last night before we ran, it's it wonderful?" Mely exclaimed happy.

"It's wonderful, indeed." I said smiling.

"Oh, I have something for you too, Lara." Mom said and made a sign with her hand to me to wait. She searched her backpack. "Here's your ipod."

She handed me my little, light-green ipod. I immediately felt better- at least I had one thing.

"How did you…?" I asked surprised.

"Both the duck and your ipod were in the living room before running and I thought you would like to have them." Mom explained.

"Thanks, thanks!" I said.

Best way to spend time if I don't want to be bothered- listen to music.

After I ate the two cereal bars and two bananas, I settled with Mely on my mattress. The adults stood around the table, beginning to discuss the issues. Eliot remained on the couch, but Steve joined me and Mely on my mattress. We listened while the adults considered possible ways of getting food. After a while, Phil- Steve's dad- changed the theme:

"Why were the vampires running after you last night? Have you done anything, is there a particular reason?"

My parents didn't respond, they looked like they were carefully thinking of a response.

"They probably were hungry and wanted to get out of house." Dad lied. "Would you be surprised to see more houses burnt down just to make people get out? It's the best way and soon they'll burn a lot of houses from all New York. This house could be next. I really don't think it was a particular reason."

Steve leaned to me to whisper:

"Those vampires were quite determined to suck your blood, then."

I shrugged. "I guess." I muttered absently.

"And what should we do?" mr Walter asked. "Run? And if yes, where?"

"I don't know." Dad answered. "But we have to be careful, they can attack us anytime."

"Why would they attack us?" Steve's mom said. "I mean, there are a lot of houses around."

"Yes, but after finishing with them, we could be next." Dad explained.

"And again" Phil said "where are we going to hide if we run? And what if they catch us while we are running?"

The fear and the concern could be read on everyone's faces. Only Mely had an innocent expression, playing with her duck.

Maybe we should tell the truth.

"The vampires want me." I said.

Everybody turned at me.

"Why would they want you?" Steve asked.

My parents looked at me with surprise, not expecting me to say this.

"I'm different and they need me." I continued. "That's why the burnt down our house, and I think they'll come here soon."

Nobody said anything for a while, then Phil asked:

"What power?"

"She's different, that's it." Dad answered before I could say anything.

"What is it?" Steve whispered to me.

"I see the future." I said.

Well, everybody reacted in a different way to my words.