Star had been watching him from a distance for a while, stalking him even, as he made his way through the busy pier with restless eyes – no doubt looking for her in return. But she was careful to keep out of his eye line, for now. She liked the way he moved, seemingly confident, though ever so slightly hesitant, as if he were half afraid that someone might notice he didn't quite fit in. He had the air of a tourist, distracted easily by the brightly coloured side stalls and vendors with their goods.

He had spent a while trying on various leather jackets, studiously contemplating his reflection in the full-length mirror, as the bored sales-girl with a mass of permed blonde hair snapped her gum and nodded like a demented parrot repeating the same phrase with each different style he tried.

'Looks great, ya, uh-huh.' Star could tell he didn't have the same cool self-assurance that David possessed. The third glance in the mirror confirmed that as he handed over the cash and began to walk away, but there was something so openly honest and sweet in his lovely face that she couldn't help but smile and walk with him, keeping out of sight. His dark blue eyes raked the crowd again as he twitched at the sleeve of his new jacket. Was he hoping she would be there? He stopped as a girl climbed up into a chair beneath a hand painted sign that read 'Ear piercing'. Star almost laughed as he seemed to contemplate this. First the jacket, now the earring… Her thoughts flickered back to David – was he reinventing himself based on one quick glance at David the other night? Had she had such an impact already? If only he knew what kind of monster David really was… what she was… His eyes now transfixed on the terror on the girl's face, as her friend coached her from the side lines.

'It won't hurt, it won't!' The guy beside the chair picked up a needle and Michael turned away as Star appeared suddenly at his elbow and muttered in his ear.

'It's a rip off,' and it was! Tozier's place pierced for much less than that guy was charging, and his needles were probably cleaner to. A thought suddenly came to her as she drew her thin rose-patterned shawl closer around her shoulders. 'If you want your ear pierced, I'll do it,' she ventured further, without looking to see if he was following her. She knew he was. His eyes were darker than she had thought, a softer, gentler blue, and his smooth, chiselled features were more handsome than she had remembered, now she was closer.

'What's your name?' he asked, his eyes never leaving her as they wound through the bustle of people around them.

'Star.'

'Your folks too, huh?' Star's features suddenly darkened as she turned suspiciously on him, a flicker of panic in her eyes.

'What do you mean?' she demanded, a little more sharply than she had intended. An easy grin came to his lips as he flung his hand out, holding his forefinger and thumb close.

'Ex-hippies,' he explained. 'I came this close to being called 'Moonbeam' or 'Moonshine' or something.' Star laughed with relief, having thought for a moment that he had some kind of inkling about her childhood. 'But Star's great, I like Star.'

'Me too,' she said.

'I'm Michael.'

'Michael's great, I like Michael,' Star grinned. He had such a smooth, warm voice that she felt so at ease around him. This would make David's plan harder than she thought. How could she lead him back for David to turn him? Maybe there was a way out. Maybe she could avoid David and the others long enough to put this off for at least another night or two. They walked a little further on and Michael paused at a red motorcycle. Though it was older than David's, it looked shiny and well cared for.

Michael gestured to his pride and joy, swinging a leg over as he looked up hopefully at Star.

'Wanna go get something to eat?' he asked, a little shyly. Star couldn't keep the smile of relief from her lips. If they left the Boardwalk, David might not be able to find them and she might just be able to stall a bit longer.

'Okay.'

Her heart sank before she had a chance to move towards the bike, because the rumble of four familiar engines rent the otherwise quiet evening air. David pulled up in front with an eyebrow raised at Star, Marko and Paul flanking him either side as Dwayne stopped an inch from the front of Michael's bike and blocked him in.

'Where you going, Star?' David asked.

Shit, Star thought, all hopes of sneaking off the pier with Michael to lure him out of David's way were now fast disappearing. She knew how this would end.

'For a ride,' she said quietly, not wanting to look up into David's icy eyes. She turned towards Michael's bike, the smallest part of her thinking they might still be able to slip away despite Michael being barricaded in on all sides by the boys.

'Star?' David's tone was firm and demanding, but still she hesitated for a split second. Glancing up she caught sight of Laddie clinging to the back of Dwayne's jacket, his little face expectant and anxious. Star knew when to give up. She turned back to David's bike and climbed obediently up behind him, pulling on a tasselled jacket. David's lips turned up wickedly as he turned to Michael.

'D'you know where Hudson's Bluff is, overlooking the Point?'

Michael's features were frozen in a helpless mask of frustration at the exchange. One against four he didn't stand a chance at voicing his opinion.

'I can't beat your bike,' Michael retorted, eyeing the obviously much newer and faster machine David possessed. David chuckled.

'You don't have to beat me, Michael, you just have to keep up.' Paul hooted with glee.

'We're going for a ride!' Dwayne murmured to Laddie, pulling the little boys arms a little tighter around his own waist to make sure he had a good grip.

'Alright!' Marko cried, revving his engine in readiness. Even Star managed a smile when she saw the sudden determination set in Michael's face, despite the fury that was boiling inside her. David knew his name! He must have been following Star the whole time, stalking her as she had stalked him, like a lion stalks a deer and waiting for the perfect time to strike. How could he have deceived her like that? The plan had been for the others to wait back at the cave and for Star to lead him back. There was little time to think much further about it as David's bike lurched forward and she was forced to grab at his jacket to stop from falling backwards.

Star's long hair whipped her face as she turned to see if Michael was following, streaming out behind her like a black ribbon in the dark. Bumping down the steps of the pier and onto the smooth sand of the beach sent the bike skidding sideways, but David controlled it expertly and whooped with laughter along with the other boys. Blurred faces, snatches of light and strands of music passed them by as David urged the bike on faster and faster, dodging night time revellers and couples twined in the sand as they headed further and further away from the comforting sights and sounds of the Boardwalk and up towards Hudson's Bluff.

Feeling as though he had passed some kind of initiation, not wanting to lose face with Star, Michael had followed the others back down the crumbling rock face despite his initial misgivings. The twisted, rusting stairway had opened up into a dank, cobwebbed covered cave that looked comfortably lived in and was bathed in a warm glow as Paul and Marko lit some candles and thrust a burning torch into a barrel. Star had hesitated at the foot of the stairs, carefully searching Michael's face for a hint of disgust at their way of life. But he was captivated by the tale David was weaving, describing the history of the old hotel.

Laddie heaved Dwayne's boombox up to the older boy and watched carefully as Dwayne tuned it in to his favourite rock station and set it to play low. Paul lit a joint, the warm spiced scent of the weed drifting over to Star, who eyed David with great caution. How would he work this? Would he feed on Michael first? The candlelight allowed her to catch the playful, scheming light in David's sharp blue eyes and she knew that he was going to enjoy this, whatever it was that he planned to do.

'Appetizer?' David offered, holding the joint out to Michael. He winked at Star as Michael took a few tokes. It wasn't normally his thing, and the effects hit him like a freight car, but how could he say no in front of her?

Star shook her head slightly at David, her eyes pleading with him not to go through with this. Michael was too good for this life, she knew that already. He was too gentle. And below his seemingly confident exterior, Star knew he was self-conscious to the point of just wanting to be accepted. He was just a regular teenage boy who Star thought could never hurt anyone. The trouble was, David knew this too, and clearly planned to exploit that.

'Feeding time! Come and get it boys,' Marko suddenly chimed, appearing with a carton full of takeaway containers.

'Alright!' cried Paul, hopping down from the fountain edge he'd been stalking around with a precise dancers step.

'Chinese,' David said approvingly, sitting back in his throne-like chair as Marko handed him a carton. 'Good choice.' Michael sat a few feet away, looking as though his head were swimming as he tried to focus on what was going on around him.

Star could only watch from behind David, her tasselled shawl pulled tight around her as she could do nothing but witness Michael slip further and further under David's spell. This wasn't supposed to happen. Her wide brown eyes were sad as Marko tossed some more containers to Paul and Dwayne. David leant forwards and offered his box to Michael.

'Guests first,' he said. Star watched as Michael shook his head. His breathing was shallow, his skin pale and sweaty in the soft glow of the candles and for a moment she thought he might throw up.

'No, I'm fine,' Michael said.

'You don't like rice?' David snorted. 'Tell me, Michael, how could a billion Chinese people be wrong? Come on!' Paul laughed, digging into his food. It wasn't often they ate, not real food anyway. It seemed like a waste of time and money, but Paul had always loved Chinese food, and he was savouring the flavour. Michael, casting a look up at Star and not wanting to seem weak in front of her, reached a fumbling hand out for the carton and almost dropped it. David laughed again and sat back with his eyes twinkling, contemplating Michael for a while as he scooped the white rice into his mouth.

'How are those maggots?' he asked, innocently. Michael frowned, his brain delayed in processing what David had said. He raised his eyebrows and leant forward a little more, wondering if he had misheard. The buzzing sound in his brain had been building up for a little while now, it was so hard to focus on anything else.

'Maggots, Michael. You're eating maggots. How do they taste?' David's grin was wicked. Paul shook his head in disbelief as the rice sprayed forcefully from Michael's mouth and onto the floor, wondering how anyone could be so easily open to suggestion. Laddie joined in with the others as they all laughed, though he wasn't sure he knew what he was laughing at. Why would Marko have put maggots in Michael's food? He looked up at Dwayne's face to see the amused expression there, which made him feel okay about laughing, even though Star wasn't. She wrung her hands beneath her shawl and looked on a little desperately.

'Leave him alone,' she begged quietly. Surely he wasn't going to drag this out like this? How could David be so cruel? But her pleas only stoked the fire of jealousy within him, his eyes hardened as he stopped laughing.

'Sorry about that.' Star knew he wasn't sorry at all. 'No hard feelings, huh?' Michael grinned good-naturedly, cursing himself when he saw the flecks on the floor were only rice and hoping Star didn't think he was a douche.

'Why don't you try some noodles?' David suggested, holding out the carton Marko passed him. The others laughed again as Michael turned his face away, sickened by what he thought he saw wriggling and squirming between the chopsticks poking out.

'They're worms,' he said.

'What do you mean they're worms?' David asked, lifting a load of the slimy things into his mouth. Michael thought he would actually lose the contents of his stomach at that point.

'Don't eat-' David grinned and showed him the container again.

'They're only noodles, Michael.'

'That's enough!' Star cried, suddenly realising David's wicked plan as he gestured to Marko to bring the ornate silver bottle to him and taking a long, deep drink. He shuddered with pleasure as the liquid slipped down his throat, causing it to burn with need.

'Chill out, girl,' Paul muttered, eager to see what would happen next.

'Drink some of this Michael, be one of us,' David said, offering him the bottle. Michael smirked. Really? After everything that had happened so far, the one thing he had left to do to be accepted fully by them was to drink some fusty old wine? He'd smoked half a joint already, so a sip of wine seemed like nothing in comparison. He reached out for the bottle as the others began to chant his name softly.

'Michael, Michael, Michael…' their mantra mixed with the buzzing in his head, setting his nerve endings tingling as he lost control of his mouth and began to grin manically. They wanted him to join them.

'Don't,' Star whispered forcefully, coming up behind him to press her lips close to his ear. 'You don't have to, Michael.' You have a choice, she wanted to scream, don't make the wrong one like I did!

'Michael, Michael, Michael…'

'Michael,' David urged, insistent, as he could sense Star was losing her nerve. Laddie could feel the change in atmosphere and jumped up from Dwayne's side to run to Star. The laughter had died in his eyes and this wasn't funny anymore.

'It's blood,' Star asserted, trying to convey as much meaning into those two words as she could. But the damage had already been done. She could tell he didn't believe her.

Maggots, worms, blood. Michael rolled his eyes and grinned. He might be gullible, but he wasn't a sucker.

'Yeah, sure,' he grinned, raising the bottle in a toast before drinking deep. 'Blood!'