Chapter 7

            That night, was the worst night in my life as well as the best. I can't sleep at night and I'm terrified of walking in the dark. Just in case. I always keep a flashlight with me, because you never know what's going to leap around the corner.

            I must be crazy. Sometimes, I want to be caught again. Just to see his face again. I didn't even know his name, and I didn't even get a chance to thank him. I still remember the way he looked at me…he looked so sad. I want to help him if he needs any. I don't want him to be sad anymore.

I'm obsessed.

            But can you blame me? He saved my life. He didn't have to but he did anyway. I wish I could see him again, and tell him that I'm grateful. I didn't even get the chance to say anything to him. Instead, I sat there like a lump. I wonder if he got hurt because of me?

            Is he dead?

            Is he alive?

            I don't know. Is that why I'm so worried? Is that why I want to see him again? To make sure he didn't hurt himself in order to save me? Because the way I'm thinking right now is that a man who is willing to sacrifice his life for others is a man that deserves to live.

            I wish I were that little bit stronger. I wish I had enough sense to stand up for myself. I wish I could just say no.

            He looked like the type who'd say no. Does he?

            There's so much to know about him. I want to know everything I can. I want to see him again.

            My friend is asking again for me to go out. I'm wondering whether I should try and be strong and say no. But now I'm thinking that unless I go out, I might miss a chance of seeing him.

            He seemed so lost. I looked into his eyes that night, and I saw such sadness. Was it for me? I think not. I think it was for something else, someone else perhaps…or maybe even for himself? I have so much to ask, so much to say. Maybe I'll see him tonight?

            Stephanie grabbed for her jacket and made sure that she was dressed sensibly. A corduroy brown skirt, a khaki sleeveless top and a tan jacket made up her attire. She smiled. At least this time she wasn't dressed as though she was a hooker standing on the side of the highway late at night. If she dared to say it, she looked smart but casual.

            Grabbing her house-keys, she quickly made her way outdoors, pausing at the front door. She had moved recently, feeling that it was about time she got a place of her own and received the solitude she so wanted. Now she wasn't so sure that meeting her friend in town was a good idea. She turned around and opened the door. The warmth was so inviting, and now the bookshelf was also looking particularly appealing. But what if she missed that chance she'd been waiting for?

            She pulled herself together and closed the door, locking it behind her and took a deep breath, walking into the street. She paused again as she felt fear forming a lump in her throat. This was madness. Pure madness. What the hell was she doing?

            She felt in her jacket pocket for her flashlight and frowned as she realised that she'd forgotten it. She turned around, preparing to go back to her house but then realised that she was a lot further than what she had imagined. She turned again, towards her destination but then blinked as she saw the corner of a black coat whisk into a nearby alley.

            A flutter of excitement rose in her stomach and she ran towards it eagerly, her happiness pushing all caution out of her mind. She paused as she heard trashcans fall with a clatter and then slowly stepped forwards, as memories of that night in the alley came flooding back. She could hear someone whispering something.

            'H-hello?' The whisperings stopped. She heard some movement and froze, trembling slightly. Slowly, she took another step forward, so then she was in the lamplight. As she stood in the circle of light, it seemed to grow suddenly brighter, so then darkness was flushed out of every corner. Amongst the trashcans, near the wall was a pile of black clothes. She sighed and then turned to walk away. Behind her, the pile of clothes moved.

            Reiko stood up somewhat unsteadily and turned so then he was facing the wall at the end of the alley. Putting one ear to the wall he blinked, and then answered the whispering voice on the other side.

            'Reiko? You there?'

            'Remy. Just go.'

            'But-'

            'Just go. I'm fine. I'll catch up with you soon.'

            '…Okay then…whatever you say, Reiko…' Remy's voice sounded unconvinced. Reiko listened to his footsteps as they faded and turned around, his eyes widening slightly as he heard a gasp from behind him. Steph was still there, her eyes wide. Reiko backed up so then his back was flat against the wall and tensed.

            'You!'

            'Look, I didn't mean to hurt you if I did. I was going for that demon that attacked you!' said Reiko, his voice harsh. Steph blinked and looked confused.

            'Wait…you thought you hurt me?' she squeaked. Reiko looked as confused as her.

            'Well…' his voice started to soften.

            'I was worried you had died afterwards!' Reiko looked up quickly.

            'Huh?'

            'That demon. It looked so strong. I thought that you might have got hurt and died somewhere…and I would have never known.' Reiko frowned at the one who stood before him. He didn't understand what the big deal was. He didn't see why she would be so concerned for his welfare. He shrugged.

            'I won't die that easily.'

            'What makes you say that?' Reiko blinked and looked at Steph in surprise. This girl was obviously not thinking of going anytime soon. He had to get out of here.

            'Erm…' Steph was moving closer to him, her eyes wide.

            'Your teeth…' Reiko clamped his mouth shut and tried to back away but cursed inwardly as he remembered that his back was already against the wall. Steph hesitantly put out a hand towards the vampire and blinked as she felt how cold her skin was.

            'My God…you're freezing! You don't have a place to live, do you? It was all down to luck that you were at the right place at the right time!' she gasped. Reiko blinked but then yelped as Steph took a hold of his arm. 'I don't understand why a person like you would be out on the streets. Don't you have a job? You must be hungry.'

            'Uh…no…not really…' Steph caught the nervousness in his voice and smiled at him, slowing down.

            'I'm sorry…it's just that you're so cold…and I want to do anything I can to repay you for saving my life.' She smiled and lowered her eyes. 'You didn't have to, but you did. And I didn't even get a chance to say thank you.' Reiko was silent but watched her expressionlessly. Steph looked up at him and met his gaze with her own, soon finding that she was looking deep into his eyes. She could see the confusion and she could sense something akin to fear. She stopped walking and frowned at him.

            'My name is Stephanie.' The man in front of her nodded once, blinked, but said nothing. 'I'd like to know the name of the man who saved my life.' He simply lowered his eyes. An awkward silence hung in the air.

            'I am Reiko,' he murmured softly. Stephanie smiled at him, and Reiko slowly raised his eyes. 'I should get going.'

            'But where will you go?' Reiko shrugged. Steph frowned as she suddenly noticed the way Reiko was speaking. He was mumbling, barely opening his mouth to speak.

            'You should go to a doctor,' she said helpfully. 'Your jaw wouldn't be in so much pain.' Reiko said nothing but inwardly, he was laughing. God this girl was presumptuous. She had absolutely no idea. His heart suddenly went out to her. She was so innocent, and she was willing to help a complete stranger. She thought he was cold, and she would have invited him into her house. Luckily for her, he was not like the others.

            'Thanks…' he said simply. The girl's face brightened, causing Reiko to smile. 'I should be going,' he said again. Steph frowned again. 'Thank you for offering to help, but I'm fine.' Another smile on his part. 'Really I am.' Another awkward silence. For some odd reason, Reiko wasn't sure he wanted to go. It was different, being talked to as if he were normal. It was different, actually having someone want to talk to him. But she wouldn't once she found out, would she? No. He was crazy for even thinking it. Reiko nodded once, politely in her direction and then turned back the way they had come.

            He paused and blinked as he heard Steph running behind him, overtaking him so then she was standing in his way. She stood on tiptoe and reached up to his face, planting a peck on his cheek. Reiko's eyes widened and his mouth fell open. Steph smiled, blushing, lowered her eyes but then quickly brought them up and gasped.

            'What on earth?' Her voice sounded shocked, and awed at the same time.

            'W-what is it?' Reiko stepped back, nervously.

            'Your teeth!' Reiko groaned and placed a hand over his eyes. Steph backed away and Reiko hung his head. 'You're a …you're a …'

            'A vampire. I know.' Steph instinctively felt for a chain on her neck but realised she wasn't wearing her cross. Reiko had raised his head and was watching her listlessly. Steph stopped as she noted the pain and sadness in his eyes. Reiko slowly shook his head and turned around.

            'You're not going to kill me?' squeaked Steph. Reiko's shoulders slumped as though he had been stung.

            'No I'm not going to kill you!' he snapped. 'I saved your life, didn't I? So what would be the point of me killing you now?' Years worth of anger and misery flooded out of him. 'You think that just because I'm a vampire it means I can't feel anything a human can feel. You think I don't feel love, sorrow, hurt, pain? You think I don't feel all that? You think the only thing I can feel for this world is hate? Because I'm different?' His voice was rising in pitch and volume, but he no longer cared.  'Just because I am what I am it doesn't mean I can't understand and feel what you feel. I once was a human, and in many ways I still am!' He paused, for breath and found to his utter shame that he was trembling slightly with pent in rage.

            Steph looked shocked and confused by his sudden outburst. Her eyes had widened, and her lips were slightly parted, as though she had words to say. All she could do was squeak at odd intervals as she tried to form sentences.

            'B-blood…' she choked out. Reiko frowned at her but then grew aware of the hot sticky feeling on his cheeks. He brushed past her roughly and walked off into the dark. 'W-wait.' Reiko, against his better judgement, stopped.

            'What now? Want to drive a stake through my heart?' he said bitterly. Steph shook her head and swallowed hard.

            'I'm sorry…I didn't know. But can you blame me? Everything is so stereotyped. I always thought a vampire was a being of legend. I never thought they existed. So when I finally find out they do, of curse I'd get scared. It stands to reason doesn't it? All these stories about how they're evil beings, drink your blood, suck you dry…the list goes on.' Reiko laughed bitterly.

            'And to think you were about to invite me into your house.' Steph smiled sheepishly.

            'I got carried away. I was just afraid you were going to get sick. I wanted to help you. But…you wouldn't have hurt me, would you?' Reiko shook his head.

            'I don't take the blood from a human.' Steph blinked.

            'So what do you take?' Reiko shook his head.

            'Doesn't matter either way. You should go home. It's late.' Reiko suddenly paused and gasped. 'What's the time?'

            'It's about five o' clock.' She blinked. 'Jeez…I didn't realise how late it was!' Reiko's face had turned pale. He quickly turned and ran, suddenly falling as he stepped into a patch of weak sunlight. Stephanie gasped and helped him up to his feet and quickly went to her house with him. Reiko gasped in pain again as a fresh large burn appeared on his chest.

            'Oh God,' he moaned. 'Oh God…'

            'Just hang on. Let me get my keys.' The sun seemed to be rising faster than usual as Steph fumbled for her house-keys. Reiko leant against the porch, groaning first but then later screaming as the weak light fell across them both. Just at that moment, Steph opened the door and dragged him in, quickly closing the blinds so then the room was left in darkness.

            Reiko lay on the ground, shaking with pain.

            'Oh God…' he moaned again. Steph found her first aid kit and tried her best to bandage the burns that had appeared, looking sympathetic towards him.

            'Just rest, you'll be fine.' She smiled. Darkness was beginning to creep up on Reiko's vision. He swallowed hard, panting slightly. Slowly, he tried to raise his head, but then fell back, unable to move. Steph caressed his cheek gently, trying to soothe him.

            'It'll be all right. Honest.' Reiko closed his eyes as Steph's lips found his own. He blinked slightly but then fell into darkness.

            Thank you all so much for reviewing what I've written so far. It's such a pleasure to read all the reviews. What makes it even better is the fact that Videl keeps reviewing as well, I know she hates to. ^_^ You make me feel so honoured by reviewing! Vampy, you're such a loyal fwend. An Shani and Bachus you two are being so great with the support. Ah, and of course Chasm. You've been reviewing my stuff even from Darkness Falling which now that I look back on it is a pile of dung mixed with poo mixed with crap.

            Ahem…Do me a favour and review again? ^_^ That's goes for all of ye!