The pounding bass of the music reverberated throughout the Stokely Grammar School gymnasium as students packed the dance floor. Robin hovered near the refreshments table wishing the school had hired a DJ with better taste in music. He hadn't seen Vlad around, though he was supposed to be there. Without anyone to talk to Robin contented himself with sipping punch and watching the other students dance. He sighed and wondered why he didn't just stay home.

Just as he was contemplating leaving the dance the lights flickered, and when they returned to normal something near the gym door caught his eye. Vlad stood in the doorway, wearing a black shirt and suit, and flanked by not one, not two, but four girls. Robin wasn't the only one staring.

To Vlad's right was Lauren, the tall blonde who had formerly been the rugby captain's date. Maisha, a new student from Kenya stood to his left. Just behind them were Anna, a fair redhead with green eyes; and Tanya, the girl Robin had admired from a distance for such a long time. All four had beauty worthy of legend. Vlad's keen eyes searched the gym until they came to rest on Robin. As he walked over the crowd of students seemed to part down the middle to let him and his dates pass. "Having a good time?" he asked casually, pretending not to notice Robin staring at the girls.

Robin couldn't think of anything to say except, "Do you know you've got four dates?"

Vlad shrugged, slipping his arms around Lauren and Maisha's waists. "I couldn't decide on only one so I took them all. Actually, they're not all my dates. Have you met Tanya? Tanya, won't you say hello to Robin?"

Tanya glided forward obligingly. "Hello Robin."

"Pleasure to meet you," Robin stammered. Vlad snapped his fingers and the music slowed, changing to a slow, haunting song by one of Robin's favorite bands. Tanya smiled at Robin, so he held out his hand and asked, "Would you like to dance?"

She nodded and slipped her delicate hand into his, allowing Robin to lead her to the dance floor. Robin felt as though he was living a dream. For once in his life he wasn't the 'weirdo goth' alone at the ball, and as they danced to the song playing just for them he couldn't imagine anything better. When the song ended they took one of the tables set up along the edges of the gym. They started talking and before long they were absorbed in a conversation about their favorite vampire films. From where they sat Robin could see Vlad dance with each of his dates in turn. He would have to thank Vlad later for introducing them.

Robin had gone to the refreshments table for more punch when he caught sight of Vlad escorting Anna out of the gymnasium. He couldn't say for sure if it was the look in Vlad's eyes or the breakfast table conversation from the day before that compelled Robin to see where they were going. He brought the two drinks back to the table and left them with Tanya, telling her he would be back in a minute. He reached the door and looked around. People milled about near the gym and in the corridor leading to the lobby. Beyond the doors to his left the corridor was dark, the lights turned off for the evening. On a gut feeling he turned left.

The door shut behind him with a loud click, muffling the sounds from the gym. He suddenly felt very alone. "Vlad?" he called quietly. He didn't hear a response. As Robin walked down the hall the only sounds came from his shoes on the tile floor, each step echoing off the bare walls. He passed one empty classroom after another without seeing or hearing a thing. He was about to turn back when he heard a soft moan not far away. It sounded like it came from the woodwork room. He noticed a faint light coming through the open door. Someone was definitely in there.

Peering inside the woodwork room, he saw Anna leaning back against Mr. Van Helsing's desk, clutching at Vlad as he buried his face in her hair. Robin couldn't see very well in the light cast by small lamp on Van Helsing's desk, but he could have sworn he glimpsed fangs before Vlad pressed his mouth against the base of her neck. The sight made Robin gasp involuntarily and Vlad's head whipped around at the sound, his eyes flashing red for a split second. Robin stood frozen in the doorway for a moment as both boys stared at each other. Vlad shifted away from Anna and Robin snapped out of his trance. He turned and bolted for the safety of the gym, not slowing down even when he heard Vlad's voice behind him, calling for him to stop.


"Robin, stop! It's not what you think!" Vlad called after Robin as the other boy ran as fast as he could away from the woodwork room. Robin always had to show up at the most inconvenient times. Vlad had been moments away from finally tasting Anna's blood when he arrived. It wasn't like he was going to kill her, he only wanted a little bit. He growled in frustration and stalked back into the room where Anna waited for him.

"What was that about?" she asked, opening her arms to Vlad as he approached and beckoning him back to her.

"Nothing. Let's go."

"But we were having such a good time," she whined as he held out his hand for her to take.

"Not anymore."

She reluctantly let him lead her to the door. "So that's it? Your little friend shows up and suddenly you're not interested in me? You know, this isn't how I wanted to remember tonight."

Vlad rolled his eyes at Anna's complaint. "You won't."


The next day Robin made his way to the Van Helsing's caravan just as the sun was setting. He wished he had been able to escape his mother's spring cleaning ritual sooner, but she had been intent on cleaning every corner the house and expected the whole family to help. If only he could have left an hour earlier – the growing darkness was making him jumpy. He knocked loudly on the caravan door, glancing nervously over his shoulder. "Who is it?" Mr. Van Helsing's voice asked from inside.

"It's Robin Branagh. Please, I need your help."

The door cracked open and Mr. Van Helsing peered out through the gap. "What do you need my help for? Go to your vampires for help," he hissed in a low voice. "Or is this a trick? Are they here with you now, waiting for you to give the signal to attack?" He looked past Robin, searching for the undead assassins using the teenager as bait.

"No, I came alone… Vlad can't find out… he… he's…."

Mr. Van Helsing frowned at Robin, seeming to think for a moment before opening the door fully. "Come in."

Robin climbed into the caravan. Mina was sitting at the table filling out paperwork and looked up when Robin entered. "Who's this?" she asked.

"It's one of the students from the chess club," he replied, nodding to Jonathan who sat listening to his iPod with his eyes closed. "Jonno? Jonno!" He raised his voice to get Jonathon's attention.

When Jonathan saw Robin he removed his headphones and asked rather unkindly, "What are you doing here?"

Mr. Van Helsing cleared his throat. "Robin is here from the chess club."

Jonathan quickly caught on and nodded. "Oh, right, the chess club."

"Uh, Mina, Robin was just telling me he needs assistance with a, uh, woodwork project for the club. They're making their own chess boards," Mr. Van Helsing said, grabbing his coat and hat from a hook. "I need to go over to the school to supervise their work."

"I thought the chess club met on Tuesdays."

"Yes, well, this is a special occasion. Weekend woodwork meeting."

"All right, but don't stay out too late," Mina said, not looking up from her papers.


It wasn't until they all were in the woodwork room with the door closed that either of the Van Helsings spoke. "All right, what's this about?" Mr. Van Helsing asked, crossing his arms and looking down at Robin. Mr. Van Helsing last stared at him that way years ago when he thought Robin was the vampire instead of Vlad. 'Intimidating' didn't exactly cover it.

"It's Vlad. I think he's been…" Robin trailed off, not sure if he could say the words that would betray his friend. Maybe this was a terrible mistake. Maybe he only imagined seeing Vlad bite Anna. Even if he did bite her, Robin knew Vlad would never sell him out to slayers if their roles were reversed. Robin may as well have staked him when his back was turned.

"Go on," Mr. Van Helsing prompted him. "He's been what?"

Robin thought of the innocent people who had gone missing. What else could he do? "I think he's been biting people."

"Biting people? What did you expect from a bloodsucker?" Jonathan spat. "They're all evil freaks."

"He's not a freak. He's my friend."

Mr. Van Helsing said, "I know you think he's your friend, but once he turned sixteen he ceased to be a friend to any living person. He's a cold-blooded killer now."

Jonathan nodded. "Now we'll slay him."

Robin always knew the Van Helsings hated vampires, but he had hoped they would know some way to help Vlad. Clearly all they wanted was to reduce his friend to a pile of dust. "Right, that's it. I knew this was a mistake. I shouldn't have told you anything."

"You've done the right thing by telling us this. You may have saved countless innocent lives."

"No, I shouldn't have come here," Robin said angrily, turning and reaching for the doorknob, but Mr. Van Helsing put a hand on his shoulder to stop him.

"Just hear us out, Branagh."

He shrugged off Mr. Van Helsing's hand. "Forget it."

"Here, at least take these with you," Mr. Van Helsing said, striding over to a cabinet and removing a cardboard box. He brought the box to Robin and pressed it into his hands. Robin lifted one of the flaps to peer inside and could see stakes and garlic bulbs near the top. "They're for your own safety." Against his better judgment Robin muttered a word of thanks and took the box with him as he left.


Jonathan and Mr. Van Helsing watched Robin hurry away with the supplies they had given him. "I'm glad to see Branagh's finally coming to his senses," Mr. Van Helsing said. "Who knows? One day he might be a fine slayer."

"Robin Branagh?" Jonathan snorted. "I still say he'd rather be a vampire than slay one."

"That is why it's up to us to eliminate Vlad."