Bad Guys Always Give Me the Shivers

Humanity

Disclaimer: I'm not Darren Shan.

Author's Note: Well… I definitely enjoyed writing this. It wasn't very drama-ish, but we're so close to the final encounter! I'm so excited! Oh, and has anyone seen The Vampire's Assistant movie yet? I've been so busy I haven't had the time :(

Thanks for the reviews, guys! Maybe the next chapter'll come out faster if you keep it up… *wink wink*

*~*

It's funny how seconds turn into minutes. And how hours turn into days. It's funny how all of the moments that happened in our lives lead up to this one big deal, boiling down into just a few parts of your life flashing before your eyes. Those memories are supposed to be special, delicate in their own deviant way. All it took to break them was just the flick of a knife.

Just one slice. That's all it took to break us forever.

*~*

A whole scene was playing out in the irrevocable reality that Alex called her life. The sky turning from a pale peach to the darkest of flames, the stars coming out to dance with the moon, the trees swaying in the soft wind… it seemed almost romantic on a single level, but definitely not when you're being pulled around like a rag doll.

"Addison," she started, pulling backwards. "Do me a favor and let go."

Her voice was frenzied with eloquent gasps and her eyes were pricking from the anger she felt. Her body felt like it was breaking down, deteriorating deep down into the mud.

"Sorry, but there's no way in hell that's going to happen."

He turned his head to look at the female vampire. His dark blue eyes were glinting with an unknown emotion, but it seemed malicious… unusual. It scared Alex to the point that her own gaze was flying around the whole outdoor area.

When her eyes finally landed on her twisted arm, she frowned. She could see the visible, embellished lines in her skin from Addison holding onto her too tightly. Instantly, his hand gripped her harder. Alex bit her lip to suppress a yelp.

The one thing that she found strange about that whole situation was the fact that about two or three weeks ago, Addison told her she had a choice. She could go out with the plan or not, it didn't matter to him. Alex had promised that she would do it, maybe she even swore, but she had grown scared by the time the one day came by.

She wanted to back out, to just watch from the sidelines, but it was too late for that now.

"Alexandria."

It was only her full name, but it still sent chills down Alex's spine. They multiplied and shot through her arms and legs, giving her numb bones and jolt of electricity. Addison's stone like back stayed still, not even moving from the haggard breaths he was taking. He seemed inhuman.

He was that way ever since the burning of the Cirque. Maybe that was because that was the only home he ever had… maybe that's why he was being so brutal with Alex. Maybe it was because he wanted revenge.

Sweet, vile revenge.

Slowly, he turned around, revealing his solid face. It seemed to be marked with lines that deserved to be on an elderly man's face. Harsh wrinkles intertwined with his small nose, his tiny lips, and his huge, beautiful blue eyes. It made him look older, wiser.

"Don't ruin this for me."

His voice was quiet, shaking in an almost scared like way. Addison seemed like he was about to cry, but not exactly… he looked determined but in a depressed manner. Alex swallowed the poisonous saliva that had stayed in her mouth and opened her mouth to say something, but stopped when the magician – her friend – let go of her.

The red lines that danced across Alex's hand seemed to disappear when she took a step forward. Her eyes were brimming over the edge with angry and sad tears. She was about to reach for Addison's hand, to give him comfort, but he turned around swiftly in one fluid motion.

His whole body straightened and any ounce of humanity that was in him was gone.

"What are you two doing?" Vancha called, his voice vibrating off of the trees.

Alex automatically went to answer, but was beat when Addison replied with, "Nothing. We're coming."

He started to walk briskly away with a deep integrity, but the female vampire stayed frozen. She felt the need to go last… the need to realize that she would probably not make it out alive. Slowly, she whispered, "Goodbye… Cirque du Freak." And went after her friends into a harsh, dream-like world.

*~*

"Maybe I'm dreaming…"

Maria's words drifted into the wind, playing with the cream filled clouds and talking with the bright stars. She was stuck in the hotel room, babysitting Tiffany, who oddly enough, was snoozing on one of the dense twin beds. Originally, the half-vampanze was going to go with Gannen and Steve, but the former had weirdly remembered Tiffany as soon as Maria was out of the door and into the hallway.

He had instantly told her to make sure nothing bad happened to the mundane. Of course, Maria argued with him, but stopped when she realized that he was just protecting her in a way. He was keeping her from the fight, something she resented but found oddly sweet of him.

A light frown tingled at her lips as her bright, flaming hair flew out of her ponytail. It raced into the wind, surrounding her with thick embers. Maria kept her eyes open and found herself in an almost non-realistic place. The sky looked like it had been infiltrated with peach filled colors, twisting and turning into something darker, while the tall, British like towers hung in the sky like candles.

She blinked a few times and grimaced when she looked down towards the deserted street and saw Gannen and Steve. Maria automatically remembered how she used to feel about the latter… and how she now felt about the former. Her affection was deeper for Gannen than it ever was for Steve, but she still couldn't say she was in love.

Sighing, the vampanze stepped away from the black railing and went back into the hotel room. Her eyes lay set on Tiffany, who looked so damn peaceful. Maria wanted to do something mean to the girl, but decided that it was in her best interest not to since it would mess up her plan to leave.

"Damn humans…" she muttered, looking away from the sprawled out mundane and towards the dark, closed door. What was behind that door was just like the future, unknown and scary. Maria took a step toward it and placed her hand on the handle. Quickly, she jerked it open and ran towards destiny.