A/N: Oh my gosh I am so stoked for the rest of this story cos now we're getting to the juicy bits, so I've put something of a preview at the bottom of the chapter. I have it all worked out and I would LOVE to update like every day and type 24/7.
Uuuuuuunfortunately I can't do that cos it's nearing my uni exams now so I'll be preparing for those, but don't worry there shall not be a week that goes by without an update. My word on it.
Thanks to everyone who followed and favourited, I love you all!
Disclaimer: Not all wishes come true as I still don't own the Lost Boys.
Enjoy lovelies!
XI.
Well, I was shocked.
Those guys gave Laddie the best night of his life.
Eventually I didn't even need to be a part of his enjoyment and just followed behind him as he walked with Paul and Marko.
The three went on all the rides and David shelled out money for all the sweet stuff he asked for. Star then decided we had to see the concert and dragged us over.
What surprised me the most was how Dwayne was acting all of a sudden. He didn't let me out of his sight for more than five minutes, and he kept a hold of me the whole time as well, whether it was holding my hand or walking with his arm around my waist. While I loved the attention and definitely liked this new Dwayne, it worried me to no end as to why he was being like this all of a sudden. And I had a sneaky suspicion that whatever was going on with him and what was going on with David were linked. I was definitely going to have to tackle them about it later.
Another hour later Laddie's eyes were practically closed as he walked in between Star and I.
As we reached the boys Dwayne smirked at the sight of little Laddie walking along yawning his head off.
He ruffled his hair and Laddie didn't even protest. Man he was really tired.
"You don't look so good, there, little man."
Laddie looked up at Dwayne and held his arms out to him. For a second I thought he wouldn't, but Dwayne smiled again as he bent down and picked the little boy up and strode over to the bikes.
Star elbowed me in the ribs as we all walked to the bikes, about ready to go home.
"He could be Laddie's dad."
Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. My face was lit up as I gazed at them walking just ahead of us.
I mean, I had no idea what kind of dad Dwayne would be, or would have been had he had the chance, but he certainly looked like he was enjoying himself as he carried a dozing Laddie over to the bikes.
In that moment there was nothing I wanted more than for the picture in front of me to be real. It kind of made me sad to think that me having a family one day was officially over. I hadn't even really thought about it before, thinking that there'd be time in the future to decide if that was something I wanted for myself, and now I wouldn't ever have that choice.
Having come to that grim truth, I realised that motherhood, while terrifying, was something I was looking forward to when the right time, and guy, came around.
Then I realised that Laddie was my best chance at still having that.
Hell, I already had someone I was going to spend the rest of my life with and contrary to what I would have believed, he seemed to like the role of father-figure, so what was stopping me?
"Star?"
The girl was walking next to me humming quietly and when I said her name she looked over to me and mumbled an answer.
"Do you think I'd be a good mom?"
"What are you talking about, Sarah?"
"I mean, if I were to say… take Laddie in and raise him, do you think I could do it?"
She gave an overjoyed squeal, "Sarah you'd be the best mother ever! I mean, just look how great you took care of me when I needed help."
"You're a teenager that's different."
"My point is, is that you were made to be responsible for another life."
I smiled warmly at her compliment, thinking that she was right. Even though I had issues and a past, recently the biggest issue being almost immortality, I really did enjoy taking care of someone, and I loved the feeling of being needed.
"But if you do take him in, how are you going to take care of him?"
When I gave her a confused look she elaborated, "How will you look after him when you sleep during the day?"
I let out a disappointed groan.
Of course, how could I have been so stupid?!
No matter how much I wanted to, I couldn't be a mother to Laddie. It wasn't possible. Unless the kid learned to sleep during the day, we were toast.
Then there was school and stuff like that.
Did Laddie even go to school?
"You're right. I guess that idea is pretty much bust."
But then Laddie's words echoed in my head again, making me want to cry.
I don't have anyone else.
"There has to be a way. I can't just abandon him, I promised."
I sounded so desperate and defeated.
Star put her arm around my shoulders and hugged me as we walked.
"It's okay, Sarah. We'll figure it out. Until then you can just let him stay with us for a few days. Everyone really likes him."
I snorted at the still amusing thought of the boys having so much fun with the little guy.
He definitely brought out a new side to them.
When Paul was the charismatic and smooth lady's man and Marko was the cheeky troublemaker, Laddie turned them both into little kids that really contradicted the monsters I knew them to be.
And Dwayne liked him too, that much was clear. I'd never seen him be warm before. Around the boys and people in general he was stoic and quiet, he was overprotective and doting when he was near me, and when we were alone… well that was a fun side to him as well.
But Laddie had unintentionally uncovered a whole new side of my guy that frankly scared the shit out of me. It kind of made me wonder what secret dreams Dwayne had for his life, or old life maybe. Maybe he saw Laddie in the same way I did, a chance to have something this life didn't allow.
I never would have pictured Dwayne as a family guy.
Then again I never would have pictured him as a vampire either and look how that turned out!
By now we had reached the spot where the boys parked the bikes and Dwayne turned to me, still holding Laddie.
"Yours?"
"Uh huh."
Star decided she would stay with the boys that night, since Laddie was going to be needing the couch, so after saying goodnight to everyone, Dwayne and I started walking home.
A thousand questions burned in my head as I strolled along the sidewalk. I was desperate to know what was up with Dwayne and David. I wasn't sure, but I suspected it was to do with me, otherwise they'd have told me.
Eventually, to temporarily calm my nerves, I dismissed it as them just being mad that I wouldn't turn. They gave me a hard enough time about it, so it made sense.
I stepped into the apartment and walked behind Dwayne as he went to put Laddie on the couch, telling him to rather put him on the bed. As he lowered him, the little guy's eyes cracked open and he moaned, trying to look around to see where he was, but with his eyes still half closed.
I smiled slightly as I sat down next to him and put my hands on his shoulders.
"It's alright Laddie, you're safe." His lips curled into a smile as he settled again, but his funky little military style jacket suddenly looked really uncomfortable. Lifting Laddie up, despite his protests, I slid the jacket off him and pulled his shoes off.
Once he was settled again I slowly got up and looked over at the third person in the room. I started at the look on Dwayne's face as he blatantly stared at me soothing Laddie. He looked so… pained. I would have thought it was cute how I was mothering Laddie, I certainly thought it was cute. But it seemed to upset Dwayne to the point of physical pain.
"What's the matter?" I whispered, standing there in the middle of my bedroom, more confused than I had been in my entire life.
Dwayne shook his head after a moment and took my hand, going into the main room and sitting down on the couch. I sat down next to him and grinned as he pulled me into his lap, wrapping his arms around my waist.
I decided then and there that the time for secrets was over. I wasn't having it anymore.
"What's going on, Dwayne?"
He frowned at my forwardness but I didn't give a damn. Even if the sun rose if he wasn't leaving until he told me the truth.
"With?"
"You, David. The both of you have been acting weird all night. And that's saying something." I let out a sigh as I realised how frantic my voice had become, "Please tell me what's wrong."
He seemed to have a mental debate as to whether he'd tell me, which only served to piss me off.
"Dwayne."
I didn't use a forceful tone with him often, because for some reason it only seemed to amuse him, but I left little room for him to argue now.
With a huge sigh he said tiredly, "I need you to feed, Sarah."
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. So it was this that was bothering everyone, again.
"Dwayne we've been over this."
"And nothing has changed. You're not going to feed are you?"
I opened my mouth to argue, but it would have taken a lie for me to do so.
My silence was answer enough for him. In a tantrum he moved out from under me and paced the room twice before turning to me.
"Why is it such a huge deal for you?"
Instead of answering, I fired a question of my own at him.
"Why don't you pester Star like this, huh? You, David, even Paul and Marko, none of you hound her to feed the way you do me."
"Because she's not like you. She wasn't supposed to be a lost girl in the first place, we will look after her anyway because she is one of us now, but she's not you."
I hated the way he just confirmed that Star meant so little to them, "If you guys hadn't tried to force me to feed in the first place that wouldn't have happened."
"Damn it Sarah, this is not about her!"
We both paused as his shout echoed through the apartment, mindful of waking Laddie up.
After making sure that he hadn't been woken up by the argument, I turned back to Dwayne.
Underneath his anger, he looked so hurt and sad that I felt my temper quickly fade and I stood up from the couch. I swayed a little on my feet as I straightened up, but before I could determine what was wrong it was gone, so I returned my concentration to Dwayne.
He seemed to have calmed some too, because when he spoke again his voice was quiet and defeated, "Do you know what happens when a half vampire waits too long to feed, Sarah?"
"Yes, you guys told me that you die."
He shook his head and I frowned. They'd lied?
"No, eventually the thirst becomes so great that it consumes you. You will rip apart any and everything in sight that has a pulse. It turns you into a true monster."
I can't say I wasn't a little shocked and relieved to hear that. It sounded gruesome and horrifying to become like that, but at least I wouldn't die.
"But that's not going to happen to you, Sarah."
Now I was downright confused. He was talking in riddles I had no idea what he was getting at.
"Dwayne what are you-"
I stopped as black spots appeared in front of my eyes and the most horrid pain spread from the base of my skull to behind my eyes.
Unable to hold myself up I stepped towards him with a scared whimper escaping my lips. Dwayne muttered a very colourful curse and grabbed me as I was about to hit the floor.
He lowered me the rest of the way and took hold of my face, telling me to keep my eyes open.
But they were so heavy all of a sudden.
The pressure of his hands on my face left and I wanted to call out to him, but I could seem to breathe. I lay there gasping and clawing at my throat, feeling panic well up as my mind threatened to switch, all the while wondering where Dwayne had gone.
Then the pressure returned and my head was lifted slightly. My eyes had seemed to glaze over and everything was blurred to the point where the already dark apartment had gone black.
Something wet touched my lips and I instinctively opened my mouth, welcoming the sweet taste of water to drip down my throat.
You would think that water was useless to a creature that survived on blood, but as I felt the cool liquid make its way down to my stomach, I let out a long sigh of relief. More was given and eventually I felt the haze on my mind lift and my vision cleared.
Now I was just tired.
"Dwayne, what the hell was that?"
I looked up at him as he crouched behind me, half of my upper body being held against his chest.
"Your body is telling you what it needs, Sarah. You should listen."
"Ugh, don't start that again. Just let me sleep."
I felt myself being lifted and soon I was placed on a gloriously soft and comfy couch. Lips pressed to my cheek and I smiled at Dwayne, despite still being a little mad about our argument.
Laddie was kind enough to let me sleep till four o'clock the next afternoon.
I was still blissfully enshrouded in darkness when I felt myself being shaken gently. Then his little voice broke through the black and I forced my eyes open. He was kneeling next to the couch and staring at me, saying my name every few seconds to get me to wake up. As my eyes opened my eyes, I took stock of how crap I felt. It felt like a thousand firecrackers had gone off in my skull, my eyes were all bleary and my stomach was cramping something un-fun. But I pushed all of that aside as I smiled at the boy.
"Hey, kiddo. Sleep well?"
He nodded his head eagerly, a big grin on his face.
"I woke up a little while ago, so I figured I'd make breakfast." He jerked his head to the kitchen that looked like a bomb had hit it. "But I couldn't find anything good. You don't eat much do you?"
I laughed a little, trying to ignore how accurate that question actually was.
Then he lifted my sweets jar and laid it on the couch in front of me, "I did find these, though. But I think you need to buy more, I kind of went a little nutso."
I pushed myself up onto my elbow and peered into the jar. My eyes nearly popped out of my head.
"Damn, dude! Are you trying to make your teeth fall out of your skull?"
He laughed loudly, the sound making my ears ring a bit.
Laddie leant forward then and kissed my cheek, "Thanks for letting me stay last night, Sarah. It was the best night of my life, getting to hang out with you and the boys."
I wanted to cry, really I did.
This kid was too precious!
I ruffled his hair and said, "I promised I'd stick around Laddie. I intend to keep that promise."
"You mean…?"
His voice was so hopeful I let out a laugh.
"That's right, bud. You're staying with me."
I grunted as the force of his hug sent me falling back onto the couch, resisting the urge to wince as my body was still experiencing the aftershock of whatever happened last night.
Still, I had felt worse. Quite recently in fact.
A little while later I managed to get up off the couch, despite it still being day time, and put the TV on for Laddie. I told him I needed some private time for a shower and he halfheartedly replied, his gaze fixed on the screen.
I shut the bedroom door behind me and ran my fingers through my tangled hair, remembering what had happened last night.
I remembered everything, the boardwalk, bringing Laddie home, arguing with Dwayne and then basically passing out.
I shuddered at the memory of that feeling. It wasn't as bad as when I had turned, thankfully, but it was still pretty crap.
After an exceptionally long hot shower, to hell with the water bill, I took Laddie out to get something to eat. He wanted burgers, so we made our way to the place down near the amusement park.
Passing a gas station I let out a yelp as a kid bumped into me.
I turned and nearly had to do a double take.
He was definitely an out of towner, his strange sense of style sticking out even here. He seemed about fourteen or fifteen, his messy blonde hair and tanned skin could only have been from like Arizona or some other desert state, but his clothes screamed thrift shop.
"Sorry, didn't see ya there!" his dog, a beautiful husky, was eyeing me as if I'd just skimped on his chew toy or something.
"No worries."
A woman called to him then, standing by a car that was packed full. Definitely from out of town, and lucky them, they were moving here.
"You new here?" I don't why I was engaging in conversation with this kid, but I guess I was just trying to be friendly, feeling sorry for him. He had just moved to the murder capital of the world. Puberty was the least of his worries.
"Yeah, I just moved from Phoenix."
Damn I was good!
"You live here?"
I nodded, "Born and bred."
"I used to come here a lot when I was a kid, but I never figured I'd live here."
I frowned at his tone, "You don't like it?"
"I don't like the idea of living with my crazy grandpa."
I laughed and leaned forward a bit, as if I were about to tell him a secret.
"Inside information, kid, everyone here is crazy."
"Especially you right?" he said sarcastically.
"You got it." I laughed again. I liked this kid.
"So will I be seeing you around?"
Um, okay I didn't mean to be that nice. I was like four years older than him!
"Who knows, if you're ever on the boardwalk, you can look me up."
Mmmm, that didn't come out right.
"Sarah, let's go I'm hungry!" Laddie whined, pulling on my hand.
I smiled at the kid one last time and started walking backwards.
"Well, I wish you luck on your travels, and with your crazy grandpa."
As I turned around he shouted after me, "My name's Sam, by the way."
"Nice to meet you Sam." I threw over my shoulder.
Good luck, Sam.
Oh, I mean… welcome Sam.
A/N: And cue the Emersons! See I told you it would get juicy from here on in. Did I not, huh… huh?!
Anywho preview for the next few chapters:
We find out exactly what the heck happened to make Sarah so reluctant to kill people.
Laddie becomes a little lost boy (I mean duh we've all seen the movie) but we find why they give him the bottle and how he reacts to finding out what he is and what Sarah and the lost boys are. Dun dun dun.
And the biggest question of all shall be answered: Will Sarah actually feed?
If you want you can review (Hint hint) and make me a very happy bunny!
