In This Age, Would It Really Matter

In This Age, Would It Really Matter?

Prologue:

            The characters in this story are original.  I got the idea for this story when re-reading In the Forests of the Night directly after Risika wondered, "Would I have been as horrified at what I have become, I wonder, if I had not been raised in the church, with the ever-present threat of damnation?"

           

Chapter One: Matthew

           

            I let the boy drop from my arms in the middle of a street in a shabby part of the small town where I chose to pass through.  Licking the still-warm, ruby colored blood off my lips, I took out a knife and slit the boy's throat, placing it in his hand afterward to disguise the kill.  It would not do to alarm the inhabitants of the neighborhood.

            Shaking my head, I stare up toward the night sky, enjoying the sensation of the wind ruffling my jet-black hair.  No, my hair didn't turn black when I died, nor did I set an illusion to make it seem that way.  It was that color when I was alive, and I let it remain that way after I died, thank you.  It suited me well then, and it does so now, contrasting with the frosty white skin that my kind naturally possess. 

            Looking back toward the boy, I recall what his life had been like.  I have a bad habit of looking into the mind of my prey before I kill them. 

            He had been seventeen.  A talent-less, good-for-nothing who took it upon him to upset his relations, and the people around him.  He had no future, no friends, and all in all, was a loser.  I don't often kill innocents, or humans who have a good life ahead of them.  I'm 150 years old (I look much younger, about nineteen since that was the age I was when I was born into the night.) and I still have somewhat of a conscience; a weakness, if you would wish to call it so.  Though unlike many of my own who still feel guilt, I do not let it get in the way of my survival; but rare was the time when I was forced to feed upon an innocent.  There are many humans, such as this boy, that do not bring guilt upon me when I kill them. 

            Vanishing, I soon reappear in Los Angeles, a city which is the home to many like me.  The era which I had lived in never really satisfied me, and I much prefer the modern towns that humans spring up.  I do not live in a house, I usually just stay at a hotel of some sort.  It's so much easier to just get up and leave rather than be tied down to one house.  I do not make reservations, simply find a vacant room then leave the next day.  I have, on the occasion, been discovered, but it is not difficult to ah.. "convince" my finder that I made a reservation and belong in that room.

            The night was still young, and I made my way to a movie theatre to see if anything of interest was playing.  I hid myself from the ticket office agent, about to pass right by her when a girl of fifteen caught my eye. 

            Chapter Two: Katie

            Chewing on my lower lip, I looked around for him.  He isn't coming, I realized.  I blinked hard a few times, trying to hold back the tears which flood my eyes like a pool of rainwater about to overflow, hating myself for it all the while.  Why did I have to be so sensitive all the time?  I should be used to this by now, I thought.  After all the jokes they played on me, I should have seen this one coming...  Should have realized..Stopping my thoughts there, I recalled yesterday… 

            I sat in my desk, sinking lower and lower into it as the teacher once again praised my work.  All the while I could hear snickering and jeering around me and occasionally saw a few pointing fingers at me.  Why did this bother them so much?  It didn't concern them at all…  The bell rang just then, luckily, and I picked up my things hurriedly, rushing out the door when I tripped on a chair leg and flew out of the room, dropping my things all over the hallway floor and generally causing a hold up. 

            I flushed red as I picked up my belongings while people shouting various comments.  "Clutz!" one said.  "Who the- Oh... Katie…"  After the shouting went down, I heard whispered comments such as, "What is the little teacher's pet's problem?  She's such a clutz.  It's no wonder she has no friends."  I bit back tears and dashed off to my next class much like a snowshoe rabbit darting back toward its hole in escape from a vixen fox.

            The rest of the day went pretty well.  No one commented on my fall and I kept a low profile in all of my classes.

            I was at my locker after school when Jaime Lutcan came up to me.  Jaime had been an average kid…until he got into football when he shot up in the social standing.  He was pretty good-looking, I guess, and he had said hello to me a couple of times. 

            That was how the evening started, he asked me out to the movies, and never having been asked out once, said yes right away.  I was elated!  He told me the time and the movie and said he'd meet me there.  I stood there after he left, hefting my backpack up to my shoulder and closing my locker.  A few girls were staring at me with something like envy on their faces!

            I went home to my mother.  My father ran out on us when I was three years old and we'd never heard from him since.  My mom said me it was the pressure.  We do pretty good without him, and I don't really feel bad about not having a father around.  Though sometimes when I watch girls with their fathers I feel like I missed out on something.  The feeling never lasts long, but it's always there, cramped down into a small crevice of my mind.

            We lived in an apartment in a not-so-nice neighborhood.  Our rent was due and we were trying to hold off the rent collectors with ill luck.  My mother always did her best to keep cheerful no matter how low things got for us.  How she would be surprised and happy at the invitation to the movies, I thought. 

            "Mom, I'm going to the movies with this boy tonight," I said casually.  I didn't expect the reaction I got from her.  I thought she would be excited about it.

            "A boy?!  You're only fifteen, Katie," she scolded while wiping her hands on the dish towel.  Seeing the crushed expression on my face, she added, "I'm sorry, Katie, but you're just not old enough, and you know how men are.  Remember your fa-," I cut her off.  "I know!  He told you he would always love you and never leave you, and he ran out when things started to get tough!  I've heard this, Mom.  I don't need a reminding of it!" With that, I ran to my room, slamming the door behind me, letting the tears pour out.  Why did I have to be such a crybaby? 

            How could she do this to me?  This was my big chance!  I didn't want to be a loner geek forever.  But what could I possibly do about it? 

I suddenly looked up, my tears slowing as an impossible, yet at the same time intriguing idea entered my head.  I would go that night, whether my mom liked it or not.  I'd sneak out, and with luck, make it to the theatre on time.  Sitting up, I chewed my lip wondering if it really was a good idea.  But I recalled the looks of pure envy on the girls' faces when they witnessed Jaime ask me for the date, and my mind was set. 

            I dressed myself in a pair of black kapris that were fairly new and tossed on some sneakers.  I added a grey tank over the kapris.  I wasn't into bright colors. 

            I looked into the mirror.  My features were somewhat exotic, my father having been Asian.  What he was exactly, I couldn't say.  My mother didn't like to talk about him.  My eyes were a bit slanted and were a dark brown color.  My hair was plain, straight, and black and seemed to just scream, "Blah!" at you.  My skin, however, was a creamy color and I had a pretty nice complexion. 

I decided to let my hair down.  I ran a brush through it a few times then picked up a small silver purse, filling it up with some coins and hastily cramming in a few dollars. 

I glanced at my clock.  I had enough time, I thought, seeing it was half an hour before I was supposed to be there. 

I locked my door and climbed out my window, which was, luckily, on the first floor.  Walking toward the movie theatre, I arrived fifteen minutes before the date was scheduled. 

Chapter Three:  Matthew 

            Being the way I am, I automatically looked into her mind.  Her date had stood her up, it seemed.  It was supposed to be her first date and she was dissapointed.  I paused, marvelling at how cruel humans could be to one another before going in deeper, finding she had snuck out that night in order to get there.  She suddenly snapped her head in my direction as if sensing someone watching her.  I knew she couldn't see me, but I left her thoughts, nevertheless, and she gradually looked away. 

            Continuing to watch the girl, I couldn't help feeling curious and somewhat sorry for her.  She glanced down at the floor again, blinking rapidly.  I didn't know why, but I felt an obligation to help this girl.  Perhaps she reminded me of myself when I was alive.  I wasn't sure then why I did what I did, and I still puzzle over it even now.

I stopped hiding myself, not caring if anyone happened to see me just appear out of nowhere, and walked up to her casually, not wanting to seem as if I'd been watching her for a while. 

            "Hey, what movie did you come to see," I asked her.  She seemed surprised, even somewhat startled when I walked up to her. 

            She hesitated before answering, "A Vampire's Secret".  

            A Vampire's Secret..how quaint, yet that was the the only movie scheduled to start anytime soon. 

            I smiled at her, assuming the friendliest posture I could think of at the time.  "Me too.  Are you waiting for someone?"  I, of course, knew the answer, but I have no doubt she would find it odd of me if I just said something that stated that her date had stood her up. 

            She seemed to relax, seeming to sense that she was in no immediate danger and returned my smile, though she hesitated to answer my question.  "He couldn't make it," the girl answered finally.

            I could have walked away right then, it would have seemed as though I was discouraged because I had assumed she had a boyfriend.  But I didn't walk away, rather, I did just the opposite. 

Chapter Four: Katie

            I must have blinked or my jaw must have dropped, because after he had invited me to go watch the movie with him because he stopped smiling and his friendly expression turned to a questioning one.  Get a grip, Katie, he just asked you if you wanted to go with him, I thought to myself before I nodded my head in acceptance to his offer. 

            He paid for both of our tickets, which I thought was rather nice of him, considering we had just met.  He was several years older than I, I realized; eighteen, nineteen maybe.  But what was one date?  I'd probably never see him again in my life.  Besides, I thought, he was rather good looking.  Deep black eyes, hair the color of the night sky,  and light, perfect, skin.  He was tall, but not too tall, and had a nice, muscle-toned body.  He wasn't bulky, I didn't like buff guys, but he wasn't skinny, either.  Why he would waste his time with me, I didn't know.   I still don't know now, and I don't think I ever will. 

           

I handed our tickets to a woman beside the hanging ropes, who let us in.  Normally, I would have bought something else; a soda or something, but it would seem rather forward of me to go ahead and do just that.  She already seemed quiet and nervous.  We both walked past the crimson ropes, our feet sinking into the matching blood-red carpet.  I suddenly noticed my thirst and realized I hadn't fed that night.  Glancing back toward the girl, my eyes fell on her fair, tender-looking throat.  I turned my head, amusing myself by lecturing myself on how you should never feed on someone on the first date.

            Sitting down at the back of the theatre, I noticed it was rather empty.  I always prefer being in the rear of a movie, rather than in the front, looking up at the picture and blinking in the light.  Sneaking a look at Katie, (I had acquired her name while I was probing around in her mind.) I noticed that she didn't mind being in the back, in fact, she seemed to prefer it as well. 

            The previews weren't on yet, so I tried to break the silence by asking her name.  I didn't want to risk the chance of addressing her by her name when I hadn't even asked her for it.

            She said, "Katie," in a quiet, almost timid voice, and I grew even more curious about the girl when she didn't imply for mine.  Nevertheless, I would be polite and inform her so she wouldn't be ignorant of the fact. 

            "Katie," I repeated her name, "My name's Matthew."  At that point, the previews started, so I cut whatever conversation I had started short. 

Chapter Five: Matthew 

           

            The movie failed to catch my interest for two reasons, though Katie was apparently into it.  I found it stereotyped the myth of the vampire and felt insulted that it portrayed all of us as hungry, mindless, bloodthirsty animals.  I can't speak for the rest of my kind, but I certainly wasn't, or at least tried not to be.  And, of course, they used the old wives' tale of how crosses, sunlight, and churches bothered us.  Indeed, though I was damned, I had come from a rather religious family when I was alive, and always made it a point to attend mass on Easter; though I saw no reason to, as I knew very well by now that I could not save my damned soul. 

            The other, and perhaps the stronger of the two reasons why I couldn't pay attention, was because by the middle of the movie, my thirst had grown stronger.  I found myself staring at Katie's throat more and more often. 

            Not now, I thought.  If I fed on her now, I'd probably kill her, hungry as I was.  Tearing my eyes away from the girl, I smiled to myself.  No, not now.  My grin faded to a smirk.  Not today, at least.  

Chapter Six: Katie 

            I dragged myself over the side of the bed the following morning.  I had made it to the theatre and back all right.  My mom never knew I was out.  Yawning, I turned my thoughts away from the movie and situated them on Matthew.  He seemed nice.  Polite, well dressed; but there was something about him that would make you hesitate to walk past him on the street.  He wore a calm, cool expression, but his eyes…  When they turned on you, it sent a shiver through your body; like black pools of darkness just waiting to reach out and drag you down into the icy black waters of evil. 

I started, suddenly aware of my own thoughts.Get a grip!, I thought to myself as I got dressed for school.  It was Friday, luckily, and I'd see Matthew again tomorrow. 

            The day wasn't bad.  It was rather good as far as my school days go.  I saw Jaime who told me that he couldn't make it as his friends snickered behind him.  "Don't worry about it.  I had a great time with a guy named Matthew yesterday!  Thanks for inviting me, if it hadn't been for you, I never would have met him!"  I gave him a hug just to spite him and increase the shock and surprise on  his face before striding on to my next class leaving the jock and his friends open-mouthed behind me. 

Chapter Seven: Matthew

            I stalked my prey through the shadows of the street, following him stealthily as he stalked his victim.  A seventeen year old girl.

 It was about eight o'clock.  The sun was down, and the street lights weren't all on yet.  The girl came to a dead end and started turning when she saw the man who started walking toward her.  Stepping out of the shadows, I took this moment to come in and break up this little scenario. 

He saw at me and started taking out a knife, but I was there in a flash and managed to knock it out of his hand.  Smiling sadistically, I parted my mouth, letting my fangs slide down my lips.  The girl, meanwhile, went running past the corner.  She had learned her lesson. 

Not bothering to lessen the pain on the wide-eyed felon, I grabbed him by the shoulders while he was still in surprise and sunk my fangs into his throat rather roughly and drank, the screams slowly subsiding into groans, and those into silence. 

I dropped him, leaving him to die on the ground, giving him a hard kick that sent him sprawling into a wall before vanishing.  It was, after all, the time scheduled for my date with Katie, and I didn't want to get thirsty again at an inconvenient time.

The night went smoothly.  We watched another flick about vampires.  It was almost Halloween and there were a lot of horror movies coming out.  She seemed to have had a good time, though by reading her thoughts, I knew she had snuck out again and was worried that her mother would find out.

The movie wasn't so bad.  Instead of it being focused directly on feeding, it was more of a conflict between two vampires.  Something like a struggle for power.  Far more realistic than creatures humans portray who thrive on pain, death, and destruction. 

As we were leaving the theatre, I offered to buy her a meal, but she said no.  "I really ought to be going back.  It's rather late and I don't like being on the streets by myself after dark."  "Want me to walk you home, then?", I offered.  She seemed to hesitate, but she finally nodded her head in acceptance to my offer. 

Chapter Eight: Katie 

            I wasn't sure about whether or not to let Matthew walk me home.  I had only seen the guy twice, but it was late, and I didn't want to walk home by myself. 

            We talked a little on the way to my house.  Mostly about me, my family, my classes.  I didn't tell him how, despite my grades, I was miserable, but I think he sensed it by the way his charcoal black eyes seemed to pierce right through my brown ones  and see into my mind.  It didn't occur to me to ask him about himself until we arrived at my house.  It felt awkward, having him there on the stoop and I asked him in, dreading the answer.  What would my mother say if she caught me up?  Worse, what would she do if she saw me with Matthew? 

            In all my thoughts and fears, I didn't notice the sadistic way he smiled right after I invited him in. 

            He gave me a quick, light kiss on the cheek, bid me goodnight and walked off, his form seeming to dissapear in the shadows while I stood there, staring after him.  Coming to my senses, I shut the door quietly, creeping upstairs to my room.

            Perhaps if I hadn't invited him…..no.  He would have found another way. 

Poor girl, I thought to myself as I walked into a motel, collected a key and walked into a vacant room.  She had no clue about the doors she had opened to me when she invited me into her house. 

Collapsing onto the bed, I thought about what exactly I planned to do with her.  It seemed a shame to simply use her as a meal, and I didn't think she'd be happy as a vampire.  Not that many of us had gotten a choice.

            I couldn't just abandon her.  I had grown somewhat fond of the girl who seemed to cling to me for happiness, and besides, I had made her my problem the day I asked her if she wanted to watch "A Vampire's Secret" with me.  I could simply kill her and be done with her, if I chose to.  With these thoughts, I lay back onto the bed and drifted off into a dreamless sleep. 

           

            Tossing and turning, I sat up in bed and looked at my clock.  1:48 a.m.  Closing my eyes to go back to sleep, I snapped my eyes open when I heard something at my window.  Squeezing my eyes tightly, something told me not to turn around and look to see what it was.

My window was actually two panes of glass that open outwards, and there's a nice window seat under it.  This was why I heard both windows swing open and felt something enter the room, though I heard no sound.  I felt it..wait..what exactly was it?! 

It came closer and I realized I was holding my breath, but I didn't let it out.  Finally unable to stand it, I turned around and screamed as I saw the outline of a figure dressed in black.  Coming closer, the black figure turned into the figure of Matthew; but it wasn't the Matthew I knew.  The darkness of his eyes seemed to spread through his entire expression and he took a step closer to me, lowering his head to my neck…

I woke up for real, gasping, my body glistening in cold sweat.  Rolling over, I went back to sleep and had no recollection of the dream the next morning. 

Chapter Nine: Matthew

            Looking across the table in the hamburger place we were in, I noticed she was nervous.  "Is something wrong, Katie?"  She looked up at me and smiled, shaking her head no.  "Nothing..just had a strange dream, is all.."  Curious as to what it might be, I implied to her about it.  "What was it about…that is, if you don't mind telling me."  I smiled reassuringly at her. 

            I was so drawn to him…as if I was a trout in a freshwater lake and he was the fisherman, using a sure-fire bait slowly luring me in.  He's so sweet and polite.  How did I ever get such a great guy?  "Oh, it was.."  Realizing that he might get offended by the dream, I just said, "It's nothing really..I'm probably just being paranoid and overreacting."  He nodded and the fact that he wasn't eating anything suddenly struck me.  "..Matthew,"  I smattered out. "….aren't you hungry?"  He looked back up at me and smiled again.  But..the smile…it wasn't like the one before…it was almost…sadistic.  "No…I think I'll eat later, thank you."  His words and tone made a shiver creep up my spine, but I took another bite of my burger and didn't press him further. 

            It was only past seven, so we took a walk through the park after we left the place.  It wasn't quite light, so there weren't many children around, and it wasn't quite dark, so the couples weren't out yet.  All in all, the place was all but deserted.  

            The park was large, larger than most around here.  It began at the edge of the forest where there were swings, slides, a small track for runners…  As you got nearer to the forest, you found less benches and the cement pathways faded into dirt roads.  This was where me and Matthew walked.  We got away from the laughing cries of the few children in the park and took the path into the forest.  It was getting dark, so we stopped at some part of the forest that was still light. 

            We sat down on an upright root of a tree, the benches having dissapeared a small way back.  We had talked on the way here, so when we arrived, we didn't really have anything to say. 

            I looked at him a moment, taking him in again.  He was wearing all black and was just visible in the shadows of the forest, but I could see he was smiling at me, a warm, comforting smile that made me smile back and sort of lean in toward him.  He slid his arm around my waist gently and sort of held me there, not like the couples I saw in school, where the boys basically grabbed the girls and yanked them over to them. 

            This didn't make me uncomfortable, nor did it seem forward of him.  This was actually the fifth time I'd been out with him, and he never so much as kissed me on the cheek except for that one time on the doorstep; rather, I was very comfortable with this, and the feeling didn't go away as he gently drew me toward him.  No, he didn't pull me; he drew me.  He would have let me stop if I had been awkward with this, but I wasn't, and I let myself be drawn in.  Then gently, very gently, he kissed me..he leaned back a bit, then kissed me again.

Being this close to him, I took in his smell.  He smelled so, I can't find any other word for it, appealing.  Like a clean smell, almost like cologne, though I could tell he wasn't wearing any.  The smell enveloped me, and I let  the feeling wash over me as he gently moved down to my neck, nuzzling it a bit as I closed my eyes.  I felt I should do something, but I could only sit there…comfortable..feeling safe in his embrace. 

            My eyes were shut, but I suddenly opened them as I felt a stinging in my neck, but it soon faded in a soothing, seductive feeling that I quickly succumbed to, shutting my eyes to and welcoming… 

            I wonder now why it hadn't occurred to me to wonder what exactly the feeling was, but I suppose that's the vampires' gift: The ability to manipulate people into doing and thinking exactly what he wants them to do.

Chapter Ten: Matthew

            I let off after a few moments, savoring the remaining taste in my mouth before licking the remainder of blood off her neck, not wanting to leave any over.  She was in a daze, her eyes clouded over, a look of tranquility on her face.  I let go of her waist, standing up in front of her and offering her my hand.  "You look tired, Katie.  Want to go  home?"  She blinked once and it was a moment or two before my question registered.  "Yes..if you don't mind dropping me off this early."  "No, not at all," I anwered as she took my hand.  Pulling her up gently, I noticed she leaned on me for support the entire way home. 

            I left her at her doorstep where she nodded a good-bye and closed the door, probably going to sleep.  After waiting a minute to make sure she was in her room, I vanished, reappearing in a room that I was currently staying in. 

           

            Waking up a few hours before daybreak, I briefly wondered how Katie was doing.  Why don't I see for myself, I thought smirking, remembering her invitation.  With that, I vanished, reappearing on a tree branch in front of her window.  The windows were locked, but they opened easily enough under my influence.  I dropped in, or tried to, and landed sooner than I expected on some sort of cushion.  Realizing it was a window seat, I dropped noiselessly off of it and took a look around. 

            There was a small vanity, with a mirror and several drawers underneath, opposite her small bed made of dark brown wood with deep purple sheets and comforter.  The pillows were an even darker plum so they looked black at first. 

            I walked over to her softly and as her face was turned towards me, I could tell how she was easily enough.  Her fair skin was lighter than usual, but nothing to be alarmed about. 

I stopped about three feet from her and continued looking her over.  Her breathing was deep, and I unconsciously mimicked her breathing, feeling the sensation of air passing into and from my lungs.  I, of course, stopped abruptly, realizing what I was doing. 

            I took several steps closer to her and bent down on one knee when I could go no further.  She was kind of pretty, I thought.  I never really noticed it before, but as I was this close to her, I suddenly realized it..  Lowering my eyes to her throat, I could see two small puncture marks on it.  Nothing big, she'll probably think some bug bit her.  I stood up and drew back a little as I saw her shift, but she only rolled over a bit so that a strand of hair fell down over her eyes.  I drew back in and unconsciously brushed it out of her face and stood there looking at her for a moment…promising I'd leave in a bit, but staying there a while more..then a bit more.. 

Blinking, I suddenly stood up,  realizing that I had been there for over an hour and it would almost be time for the sun to rise.  Finally tearing my eyes away from Katie, I leapt over the seat cushion and out the windows, which closed soundlessly after me. 

I was turning the corner about to reach the motel, when two acquaintences of mine caught up with me. 
            The one on the right smirked at me and said, "Hello again, Matthew."

Chapter Eleven:  Matthew

            Remus…and Lyre.  Two enemies of mine.  Lyre has held a grudge on me ever since I let one of his prey escape by intercepting him when I was still young.  The boy I let escape had been a friend of mine, and I didn't appreciate Lyre feeding upon him.  Naturally, Lyre didn't appreciate me interrupting his dinner.  He dissapeared to find another, but since then, we've never exactly been fond of each other.  Other than that, he had no reason to be there.  He probably just went along with Remus for the ride. 

            Lyre had light brown hair that was always ruffled, blue eyes(An illusion, though I heard they were that color when he was alive) that seemed to bore into your very soul, and he wore an arrogant smirk all the time.  Tonight he was wearing a black T-shirt, the sleeves ripped off to show off his muscular arms.  He also wore dark blue jeans, ripped at the cuffs.  He basically was just a punk, but his companion was far more dangerous. 

            Remus had dark brown hair that was cut in a sort of bowl-cut, cropped at the back and he let a few strand of hair in the front hang down over his forehead.

He had kept his eyes black.  When looking at them, one was reminded of black holes.  Deep black holes that seemed to suck the cheerfulness, energy, and the very life of whatever and whoever they cast upon.  Remus had far more class than his partner and now was wearing black boots with navy blue, almost black jeans that came down just below his ankles and a dark brown shirt that was tight enough to show off his muscles.  He rarely ever smiled, and when he did, that was a signal for his enemies to either run as fast as they can in the opposite direction or to bring their guard up and prepare for a dangerous fight that could possibly result in death.  He smiled now.

            Why Remus didn't like me, I can't be sure.  Perhaps it was because because I had killed his first fledgling when she tried to draw a knife on me for "giving her a funny look".  Or maybe because when I was first changed, he tried to influence my ways, but failed miserably.  Yet the reason I think he loathed me the most was because shortly after I had killed Alexis, his fledgling, he had tried to attack me, but had gotten a scar on his chest when I used the knife that Alexis had tried to attack me with on him.  Maybe he just didn't like me, or maybe it was all those reasons put together.  Whatever the reason, it didn't matter, as I could see he would try to kill me either way. 

            Remus took a step toward me, still wearing that evil, despicable, smile.  Lyre, meanwhile, stayed behind.  Remus tilted his head toward me inquisitively and asked, "Who was that girl in the bedroom, Matt…?"  His smile grew, "I would love to know what her name was.." 

            My insides screamed as if they were on fire, but I  made a point of it not to show it in my face.  Two hundred years of learning the skills for survival didn't betray me now. 

I shrugged.  "Some girl I picked up at the movies..why is it you ask, Remus?" 

            His smile dropped to a smirk and he chose not to acknowledge my response.  Instead, he looked up at the sky, the wind ruffling his dark hair, his ashen hands in his pockets.  "Beautiful night," he said.  Turning back to me, he asked, "But it isn't your world, is it Matt?"  Why must he insist on calling me Matt?!  I remained quiet, inviting him to go on, which, as I expected, he did.  "Yes…you are one of us.." He took a step closer to me while Lyre's smirk grew.  "Even I cannot deny that.  But you aren't happy, are you?"  He stopped, seeing the warning in my eyes.  I'm not entirely sure he was stopping in precaution, but nevertheless, he stopped.  "What's that supposed to mean, Remus..?  Now you asked me about the girl….what do you want from her, anyway?  Some..distant cousin from the last person you killed?"  Remus was sort of like a vampiric serial killer.  Stories of him say that he goes after the ancestor's of those who once plagued or abused his family.  Although no connection has been made with the story, it's obvious that he goes for victims who have some blood connection with each other. 

            He laughed softly, an amused, lazy, sort of sound.  "I assume you've been audience to some of those rumours flying around…  But no…I have no interest in her blood relations.."  Once again, I kept my silence as he slowly circled around me.  He was toying with me, taunting me..mocking, even.  But I did not turn around to face him when he was at my back.  That wasn't Remus' style.  He didn't make cheap shots, he preferred an all-out, "fair", fight.  That way, no one could doubt the fact that he didn't win his fights with pure skill.  When he came back around in front of me, he stopped, still facing me.  "I have no interest in her blood relations," he repeated, taking another step towards me.  "But you apparently have some interest in her."  He tilted his head in mock innocence.  "Are you attached to this girl, Matty, old boy..?"  He smiled again.  "Because you know that would be an advantage to certain people who don't like you."  Lyre behind him, grinned.  Remus, as though sensing the grin, turned around.  "Lyre…leave us."  Lyre's grin dropped and was replaced by a look of protest.  He was opening his mouth to say something, but I think Remus must have hidden a threat in his glance because Lyre at once, dissapeared without a word.

            Remus looked at the sun, which was now about to rise.  I also, glanced at it, knowing I should really go back to my room, but I wouldn't leave without knowing or at least acquiring a hint of what Remus wanted with Katie.  Turning back to me, various layers of watercolor red, orange, and yellow over his head, he made a remark.  "I'll speak with you again, Matt..Take care of your mortal friend."  He dropped his smile, a suddenly cold, almost menacing look on his face that he left me with, dissapearing, as I did also, as the sun was just peeking over the side of the building, illuminating the ground we stood on a few moments after we left.

Chapter Twelve:  Katie 

            Groaning, I banged the alarm clock quiet ferociously with my fist until it let up.  I sat up, feeling a wave of nausea pass over me and I quickly collapsed back onto the bed.  I felt simply dreadfull.   "What happened last night..?" I mused aloud.  All I could remember Matthew, draping an arm around me..a soft kiss and sweet, sweet pain….pain?!   I sat up again, winced and fell back down.  "Pain?" 

            Lyre was dead. 

            I licked a small drop of blood from my wrist, looking at it in satisfaction as it healed.  Lyre was upset when Remus told him to back off.  Most likely sore about missing out on the fun and decided he'd have his own fun with me.  Smirking, I looked up into the night sky.  He wasn't too hard.  He, however, was very good with the particular knife he was using.  It was stolen from somewhere, the place I can't be sure of, and it should have been of good use to him.  That is, "should have".  I simply directed a bolt of some of my power at the blade and sent it with perfect aim, across the room and out the window.  He was foolish to have attacked me in my room, however.  After the knife incident, he jumped out to retrieve it, though I was there at an instant, attacking him with a ferocious kick that sent him back into the wall, a bolt of energy flying after.  He relatiated, however, and I got my shoulder broken temporarily against a tree, and my vision blurred by a whip of his energy.  The knife was no where to be seen, so we fought power with power, body with body.  There wasn't much to tell, but in the end, I had found the knife accidentally when I fell into a bush and nearly cut my hand open on it.  The knife hit full force in his chest and I was left with a small scratch with the knife from when I found it.

Remus would be annoyed, no doubt, but I hardly suspect he'd be upset.  He didn't exactly like Lyre all that much. 

I looked away from the sky.  Tonight, I thought to myself.  Katie needed a new life, I thought.  Sure, she wouldn't be strong, no way, but with a little progress and work, she could become average strength.  I still wasn't sure what Remus wanted.  His attitude and lack of action plainly showed he didn't want anything with me.  But Katie…what did he want with her? 

Alright.  This is the first part of the story.  I'm not exactly sure on how long a story I'm going to make this, and I want to know what you think of it so I'll know how long to bother with it.