A/N: I know that this is a short chapter but I hope you like it all the
same! Please review!
a/n: also note the new spacing technique!
When I awoke Drirletlan had propped himself up on the head board and was reading. Even with his vampire eyes I was quite amazed that he could read in this darkness.
"Having fun?" I sounded groggy so the joke didn't sound the same.
"Yes, actually I am," he was giving me a smart tone; he must have been feeling better.
"So, how'd you sleep?" I was still worried about him.
"After the pain knocked me out, like a baby. Maybe that's the new trend," then he changed his voice to be like a news reporter, "GET TO SLEEP BY PUTTING YOURSELF INTO EXTREME PAIN," then he went back to normal, "it would be a world breakthrough."
I laughed, "I'm sure it would be." I paused. "Tell me, Drirletlan, how'd you get to be the big joker?"
"I don't know, I guess when you're stuck with a bunch of vampires as family..."
"What?" I cut him off yelling.
"Oh, you didn't know? I was raised by vampires, they raised me to be strong and tough, and when I was about eighteen they decided that I was at my peak and transformed me. I ended up being the strongest. I made us a real clan and I gave us the name Nightshifters."
"Why that name?"
"I was always fascinated by those stories of shape shifters and vampires that could become wolves, like Dracula, that and bats. I always loved the way that people never messed with them and they always got their way. I was so fascinated that I decided to open us up to possibilities, and name us after those great and powerful vampires. I went and got every spell book there was on shape shifting, I got all the experts I could find. Most of my clan was never successful, but I was. I can, from time to time, become a white wolf with glowing blue eyes, but only for a short amount of time. Maybe an hour tops, and than I would have to wait for a good ten days before transforming again. It was the only way, but it was worth it, now I can get the upper hands in some battles."
"Show me," I demanded, fascinated by his story.
"What?"
"Show me how, teach me how, make me like you, a shape shifter."
"Are you sure," he was reluctant, it was in his voice, "I don't know if you can handle it."
"I can."
"Fine, another time, when I am fully healed." He finished and stood up. Either the spell was wearing off or Drirletlan was one great human.
I sat in silence as he looked for a change of shirts. He found his old bloody one and put it on.
"What are you doing?" he was making himself a vampire magnet, someone sure to get hunted by other vamps.
"Well if I'm not going to hunt my pray I'm gonna scare them at least," he was determined and starting to scare me.
"Sure, whatever, just don't come crying to me when you get dusted," I was annoyed with him being so optimistic and playful.
"What's your deal, Aubrea?" he sounded offended, and he deserved to be.
"What do you mean 'what's my deal'? Do you really think that playing around is the smart thing for a vampire to do? Sure you were the leader of a clan at one point, but I am sure that if you hadn't been so darn strong from being raised by them they would have thrown you out in an instant. Do you think you're being funny? It's not all fun and games, Drirletlan. That's why Moonbay beat you..." I instantly regretted the last part.
"I'm sorry, it's just..." I started.
"No," he looked at me, "You're right. I'm being too stupid. I need to be more alert. I know that, I just can't help it. I can be dark and you know that, I just need to be that way more often."
"Drirletlan, you know that I'm not mad, right?" I wasn't mad, just frustrated that he wouldn't grow up.
"Yeah, I know, I'm sorry," he was apologizing for nothing.
Just then someone knocked on the door. I really need to get a door bell if I insist on staying here I thought.
I went over and answered the door. It was Moonbay. He was in blue jeans, a blue tee shirt, and nothing on his feet.
"Feeling blue?" I asked.
"Very funny, Aubrea," he replied.
We walked over to the bed and he sat down next to Drirletlan who was reading again.
"Still crippled?" Moonbay asked. Drirletlan stayed silent.
"I was annoyed and made him upset, Moonbay, don't bother trying," I was starting to feel guilty.
"Aw, party pooper," he was directing that at me, "C'mon, Drirletlan, don't let her get you down, just think, this is her on a good day," Moonbay smirked at me. I fake smiled back and turned to the mirror. All I saw was a floating necklace. Still haven't gotten used to that today.
Moonbay's comment did get Drirletlan to drop the book away from his face, but he didn't put it down.
"There's that pale and annoyed face," Moonbay was still joking.
Drirletlan turned to me, "Why don't you scold him for being cheerful too often?"
"Trust me, I tried, and it does not work!" I made myself sound exasperated.
Moonbay turned his head to me and smiled. I shook my head and laughed, ruffling his hair a bit.
Drirletlan, still not amused, got up and left.
That's not good I thought. I jumped up and ran after him.
I finally caught up at the bottom of the stairs. "What's up? You know we have guests and we wouldn't want to disappoint them. Put on your mean face and let's get back there."
"You're not the boss here, Aubrea."
"I know I'm not but either are you. I can't take care of you of you run off. Until you're better I am keeping an eye on you, two if possible. I'm not letting you leave and that's final. After you heal you're free to go, but not until then. Okay?" I sounded annoyed.
"I'm not going to leave, Aubrea, I just need to be left alone sometimes."
"Look, I'm sorry for what I said earlier, I'm a grouch when I wake up; just ask Moonbay, he'll vouch for that. I didn't mean what I said, I really just prefer your dark side better."
"I understand that, Aubrea, I do. I just don't like to show it all that much."
"Well, we'll work this out later. Let's get back upstairs though, I'm hungry," I whined the last part.
"Stop whining you baby," he was just joking, but he sounded serious.
"Sorry," I sounded like a little kid that was scolded by their parents.
"That's alright, you know what though?"
"What?"
"I'm hungry too," he answered. With that we went up stairs and went into the room where Moonbay was waiting, watching TV.
"Lounging around, lounging around, lounging around, lounging around, lounging around and around and around! Oh, how I love lounging around! YEAH! I'm lounging around, lounging around, lounging around, lounging around..."
"Shut UP Aubrea," Drirletlan hissed at me.
"But I'm bored and I used to always sing that when I could get the chance at my house, even when I wasn't lounging around I used to sing it!" It was true. I was bored. Also I did love to sing that song! It always put me in a sort of drugged mood, when I would do anything if I really wanted to.
It was about nine at night and they still weren't there. I was so bored.
"Lounging around..." I started.
"Don't you even dare Aubrea, that's all you've said for the last hour!" Drirletlan hissed.
"Hate to agree with him, but I do, just shut up Aubrea," even Moonbay was annoyed by the song.
"I was just going to say that lounging around is boring, I was just trying to liven it up," I was serious.
"Yes, but singing the most annoying song on earth for an hour straight is not that fun. It won't liven my mood Aubrea," Moonbay sighed out.
"Yes, but if it livens my mood then I can work on your mood later," I attacked.
"Oh give it UP you two!" Drirletlan yelled, "You're getting no where!"
"Sure!" I yelled.
"Fine," stated Moonbay.
Drirletlan turned to me, "I'm getting a lecture on being childish." He sneered.
"If you weren't already hurt you'd be in a hospital because of me!"
"Oh come now, Aubrea. You wouldn't do that would you?" he wasn't very convincing.
"Why I ought to...!" I lunged at him, but Moonbay grabbed me, putting me in a headlock.
I was ready to kill the idiot. I could have ripped him limb from limb right there. I was unfortunately interrupted by a knock at the door.
When I opened there was an instant flood of words.
"I'm so sorry we're late," one yelled.
"We really are!" one yelled.
"Please don't be mad!" another one pleaded.
"I hope we didn't interrupt anything," the guy from the night before finished.
"Come on in," is all I could think of replying.
"Oh thank God," the guy whispered, he must not have known about vampire hearing, or maybe he did.
Drirletlan was now sitting on the bed, cross legged, impatient. He was bouncing up and down on the bed in anticipation.
"What did I just get through telling you," I scolded.
"That I was an idiot," he pulled a few laughs out of the crowd.
"I'm warning you," I growled, everyone fell silent.
"Yeah, yeah, sheesh, you are a Nazi!" he was still joking.
"You choose first," I was praying a change of subject would shut him up.
"Aww, no way, you first," he insisted. "It's always ladies first."
"Exactly why you should go," I hissed, "But if you insist."
He had given up his comedy routine. He jumped up and pinned me to the wall.
"Thas id..." I choked out.
He pulled away, "What was that?"
"That's it!" I declared. He went and sat back down.
After examining the crowd a few seconds he made his decision. "Her," he demanded pointing out his pray.
It was another weak first timer. Why do you insist on taking first timers and really full ones? I directed my thought to him.
More food, or more fun, either one works for me, he responded, grinning at me.
The crowd watched on, as usual, in silence.
We watched as the crowd dwindled down until two were left. Drirletlan and I decided to have a treat the next night and have the last two then. They were top notch from the looks of things.
The last tow left with Moonbay's assistance. Drirletlan and I watched as they left and we waved as the last one turned to have one last peak, he ran after that.
"Finally!" I declared.
"It took the last two an hour at least to leave!" Drirletlan continued.
"One more second and it would have been a scary sight in there!" I finished.
We both sighed and dropped back on the bed in unison. It was finally over. The second night had come and gone. Drirletlan and I were wiped out.
I sighed a second time and sat up. I pushed off the bed, forcing myself to find a night shirt and some good pants. When I did I shuffled into the bathroom and got changed. I heard the TV go on. It was the morning news. There was something about a murder on, and from the sounds of things Drirletlan was intense on listening.
When I finished I walked out, "Hey..."
"Sh," he scolded and pointed to the TV.
There was a close up of a scene. There was a person lying dead in a ditch and the camera was zooming in. When it finally got as far as it could go I saw them. There were fang marks in the victim's neck. They zoomed back out and showed (next to a news reporter) a picture of the victim and a phone line for anyone with information.
When the news went to the next story I started the conversation, "Who do you think it was?"
"You missed the part of the broadcast that I was set on. Even you would have recognized it. Here," he started looking for more news.
When he found it I stopped moving, I froze. I couldn't do anything else. There had been a mark left on the chest. The mark was that of the Nightshifter's clan.
"But how? Why?" I was stuttering.
"I don't know, though I wish I did. That symbol. It means that there are more bodies. There are two symbols that we would leave. One when there was one vic, and one when there was more than one. They're almost identical, you need to be part of the clan to tell the difference. I came up with the symbols. For every new leader, there are new symbols, but they always keep their favorites the same. They loved mine."
"I see," I couldn't think of what to say.
"Let's get to sleep. I'll go on top of the covers today, you had to the past two days.
I nodded and headed over. I got into bed, but I never slept.
The Nightshifters were here. In this town! I was in too much shock to sleep!
a/n: what did you think? Please review!!!!!!! The only thing that I really, REALLY enjoy about this chapter is that I could finally use my Lounging Around song!
When I awoke Drirletlan had propped himself up on the head board and was reading. Even with his vampire eyes I was quite amazed that he could read in this darkness.
"Having fun?" I sounded groggy so the joke didn't sound the same.
"Yes, actually I am," he was giving me a smart tone; he must have been feeling better.
"So, how'd you sleep?" I was still worried about him.
"After the pain knocked me out, like a baby. Maybe that's the new trend," then he changed his voice to be like a news reporter, "GET TO SLEEP BY PUTTING YOURSELF INTO EXTREME PAIN," then he went back to normal, "it would be a world breakthrough."
I laughed, "I'm sure it would be." I paused. "Tell me, Drirletlan, how'd you get to be the big joker?"
"I don't know, I guess when you're stuck with a bunch of vampires as family..."
"What?" I cut him off yelling.
"Oh, you didn't know? I was raised by vampires, they raised me to be strong and tough, and when I was about eighteen they decided that I was at my peak and transformed me. I ended up being the strongest. I made us a real clan and I gave us the name Nightshifters."
"Why that name?"
"I was always fascinated by those stories of shape shifters and vampires that could become wolves, like Dracula, that and bats. I always loved the way that people never messed with them and they always got their way. I was so fascinated that I decided to open us up to possibilities, and name us after those great and powerful vampires. I went and got every spell book there was on shape shifting, I got all the experts I could find. Most of my clan was never successful, but I was. I can, from time to time, become a white wolf with glowing blue eyes, but only for a short amount of time. Maybe an hour tops, and than I would have to wait for a good ten days before transforming again. It was the only way, but it was worth it, now I can get the upper hands in some battles."
"Show me," I demanded, fascinated by his story.
"What?"
"Show me how, teach me how, make me like you, a shape shifter."
"Are you sure," he was reluctant, it was in his voice, "I don't know if you can handle it."
"I can."
"Fine, another time, when I am fully healed." He finished and stood up. Either the spell was wearing off or Drirletlan was one great human.
I sat in silence as he looked for a change of shirts. He found his old bloody one and put it on.
"What are you doing?" he was making himself a vampire magnet, someone sure to get hunted by other vamps.
"Well if I'm not going to hunt my pray I'm gonna scare them at least," he was determined and starting to scare me.
"Sure, whatever, just don't come crying to me when you get dusted," I was annoyed with him being so optimistic and playful.
"What's your deal, Aubrea?" he sounded offended, and he deserved to be.
"What do you mean 'what's my deal'? Do you really think that playing around is the smart thing for a vampire to do? Sure you were the leader of a clan at one point, but I am sure that if you hadn't been so darn strong from being raised by them they would have thrown you out in an instant. Do you think you're being funny? It's not all fun and games, Drirletlan. That's why Moonbay beat you..." I instantly regretted the last part.
"I'm sorry, it's just..." I started.
"No," he looked at me, "You're right. I'm being too stupid. I need to be more alert. I know that, I just can't help it. I can be dark and you know that, I just need to be that way more often."
"Drirletlan, you know that I'm not mad, right?" I wasn't mad, just frustrated that he wouldn't grow up.
"Yeah, I know, I'm sorry," he was apologizing for nothing.
Just then someone knocked on the door. I really need to get a door bell if I insist on staying here I thought.
I went over and answered the door. It was Moonbay. He was in blue jeans, a blue tee shirt, and nothing on his feet.
"Feeling blue?" I asked.
"Very funny, Aubrea," he replied.
We walked over to the bed and he sat down next to Drirletlan who was reading again.
"Still crippled?" Moonbay asked. Drirletlan stayed silent.
"I was annoyed and made him upset, Moonbay, don't bother trying," I was starting to feel guilty.
"Aw, party pooper," he was directing that at me, "C'mon, Drirletlan, don't let her get you down, just think, this is her on a good day," Moonbay smirked at me. I fake smiled back and turned to the mirror. All I saw was a floating necklace. Still haven't gotten used to that today.
Moonbay's comment did get Drirletlan to drop the book away from his face, but he didn't put it down.
"There's that pale and annoyed face," Moonbay was still joking.
Drirletlan turned to me, "Why don't you scold him for being cheerful too often?"
"Trust me, I tried, and it does not work!" I made myself sound exasperated.
Moonbay turned his head to me and smiled. I shook my head and laughed, ruffling his hair a bit.
Drirletlan, still not amused, got up and left.
That's not good I thought. I jumped up and ran after him.
I finally caught up at the bottom of the stairs. "What's up? You know we have guests and we wouldn't want to disappoint them. Put on your mean face and let's get back there."
"You're not the boss here, Aubrea."
"I know I'm not but either are you. I can't take care of you of you run off. Until you're better I am keeping an eye on you, two if possible. I'm not letting you leave and that's final. After you heal you're free to go, but not until then. Okay?" I sounded annoyed.
"I'm not going to leave, Aubrea, I just need to be left alone sometimes."
"Look, I'm sorry for what I said earlier, I'm a grouch when I wake up; just ask Moonbay, he'll vouch for that. I didn't mean what I said, I really just prefer your dark side better."
"I understand that, Aubrea, I do. I just don't like to show it all that much."
"Well, we'll work this out later. Let's get back upstairs though, I'm hungry," I whined the last part.
"Stop whining you baby," he was just joking, but he sounded serious.
"Sorry," I sounded like a little kid that was scolded by their parents.
"That's alright, you know what though?"
"What?"
"I'm hungry too," he answered. With that we went up stairs and went into the room where Moonbay was waiting, watching TV.
"Lounging around, lounging around, lounging around, lounging around, lounging around and around and around! Oh, how I love lounging around! YEAH! I'm lounging around, lounging around, lounging around, lounging around..."
"Shut UP Aubrea," Drirletlan hissed at me.
"But I'm bored and I used to always sing that when I could get the chance at my house, even when I wasn't lounging around I used to sing it!" It was true. I was bored. Also I did love to sing that song! It always put me in a sort of drugged mood, when I would do anything if I really wanted to.
It was about nine at night and they still weren't there. I was so bored.
"Lounging around..." I started.
"Don't you even dare Aubrea, that's all you've said for the last hour!" Drirletlan hissed.
"Hate to agree with him, but I do, just shut up Aubrea," even Moonbay was annoyed by the song.
"I was just going to say that lounging around is boring, I was just trying to liven it up," I was serious.
"Yes, but singing the most annoying song on earth for an hour straight is not that fun. It won't liven my mood Aubrea," Moonbay sighed out.
"Yes, but if it livens my mood then I can work on your mood later," I attacked.
"Oh give it UP you two!" Drirletlan yelled, "You're getting no where!"
"Sure!" I yelled.
"Fine," stated Moonbay.
Drirletlan turned to me, "I'm getting a lecture on being childish." He sneered.
"If you weren't already hurt you'd be in a hospital because of me!"
"Oh come now, Aubrea. You wouldn't do that would you?" he wasn't very convincing.
"Why I ought to...!" I lunged at him, but Moonbay grabbed me, putting me in a headlock.
I was ready to kill the idiot. I could have ripped him limb from limb right there. I was unfortunately interrupted by a knock at the door.
When I opened there was an instant flood of words.
"I'm so sorry we're late," one yelled.
"We really are!" one yelled.
"Please don't be mad!" another one pleaded.
"I hope we didn't interrupt anything," the guy from the night before finished.
"Come on in," is all I could think of replying.
"Oh thank God," the guy whispered, he must not have known about vampire hearing, or maybe he did.
Drirletlan was now sitting on the bed, cross legged, impatient. He was bouncing up and down on the bed in anticipation.
"What did I just get through telling you," I scolded.
"That I was an idiot," he pulled a few laughs out of the crowd.
"I'm warning you," I growled, everyone fell silent.
"Yeah, yeah, sheesh, you are a Nazi!" he was still joking.
"You choose first," I was praying a change of subject would shut him up.
"Aww, no way, you first," he insisted. "It's always ladies first."
"Exactly why you should go," I hissed, "But if you insist."
He had given up his comedy routine. He jumped up and pinned me to the wall.
"Thas id..." I choked out.
He pulled away, "What was that?"
"That's it!" I declared. He went and sat back down.
After examining the crowd a few seconds he made his decision. "Her," he demanded pointing out his pray.
It was another weak first timer. Why do you insist on taking first timers and really full ones? I directed my thought to him.
More food, or more fun, either one works for me, he responded, grinning at me.
The crowd watched on, as usual, in silence.
We watched as the crowd dwindled down until two were left. Drirletlan and I decided to have a treat the next night and have the last two then. They were top notch from the looks of things.
The last tow left with Moonbay's assistance. Drirletlan and I watched as they left and we waved as the last one turned to have one last peak, he ran after that.
"Finally!" I declared.
"It took the last two an hour at least to leave!" Drirletlan continued.
"One more second and it would have been a scary sight in there!" I finished.
We both sighed and dropped back on the bed in unison. It was finally over. The second night had come and gone. Drirletlan and I were wiped out.
I sighed a second time and sat up. I pushed off the bed, forcing myself to find a night shirt and some good pants. When I did I shuffled into the bathroom and got changed. I heard the TV go on. It was the morning news. There was something about a murder on, and from the sounds of things Drirletlan was intense on listening.
When I finished I walked out, "Hey..."
"Sh," he scolded and pointed to the TV.
There was a close up of a scene. There was a person lying dead in a ditch and the camera was zooming in. When it finally got as far as it could go I saw them. There were fang marks in the victim's neck. They zoomed back out and showed (next to a news reporter) a picture of the victim and a phone line for anyone with information.
When the news went to the next story I started the conversation, "Who do you think it was?"
"You missed the part of the broadcast that I was set on. Even you would have recognized it. Here," he started looking for more news.
When he found it I stopped moving, I froze. I couldn't do anything else. There had been a mark left on the chest. The mark was that of the Nightshifter's clan.
"But how? Why?" I was stuttering.
"I don't know, though I wish I did. That symbol. It means that there are more bodies. There are two symbols that we would leave. One when there was one vic, and one when there was more than one. They're almost identical, you need to be part of the clan to tell the difference. I came up with the symbols. For every new leader, there are new symbols, but they always keep their favorites the same. They loved mine."
"I see," I couldn't think of what to say.
"Let's get to sleep. I'll go on top of the covers today, you had to the past two days.
I nodded and headed over. I got into bed, but I never slept.
The Nightshifters were here. In this town! I was in too much shock to sleep!
a/n: what did you think? Please review!!!!!!! The only thing that I really, REALLY enjoy about this chapter is that I could finally use my Lounging Around song!