Chapter .4.
Michael couldn't sleep. Thoughts drifted through his head like an old horror movie. Pictures of David, alive and bloodthirsty, roaming the streets of Santa Carla. Pictures of Star, Sam and his mother being drained of life and blood. David's bloody fangs pulling away from Star's lifeless body. David's sarcastic smirk.
Michael sat up, the bedclothes sticking to his sweaty body. He looked over at Star, sleeping peacefully beside him. He gently kissed her hair. He had to find out more. He got up and put on his baggy jeans and a T-shirt.
****
Gabriel. He had to find Gabriel. He didn't understand why this guy was involved with the likes of David, but he was the only guy Michael knew had information. He turned down a side alley and headed for the midnight star.
The air was crisp and cool, whipping Michael's hair away from his face. He pulled his jacket firmly around him with a shiver and walked on. He rounded yet another corner and looked around.
The midnight star looked run down, unwanted. The windows were murky and the moulding sign above the door swung lightly in the breeze. Michael peered inside at the lonely tables with their empty chairs. He tried the door, but it was locked. A sign up the window said 'closed'. Michael swore and beat his fist lightly, but sharply, on the door. That's when he heard the groan from across the street.
Michael turned. At first he thought it was someone from the club a couple of blocks away, making their way awkwardly home. But it came from the alley way across the street. Suddenly, two figures came out of the alley, a boy and a girl. The girl looked drunk and sleepy and was being supported by the boy. She was a young girl of about 16, wearing a turtle neck jumper and tight fitting jeans. Her red hair hung loosely around her shoulders. The boy was about the same height as her, maybe smaller, with jet-black hair that hung around his neck and jaw-line. He was wearing a dark red, old-fashioned jacket with long sleeves and black leather trousers. He looked rather anxious and yet familiar…
'Gabriel!' thought Michael, his heart giving a terrifying thud. He watched as Gabriel laid the now sleeping red head on a bench and looked around nervously. He turned to leave and Michael started to panic.
"Wait!" He shouted after Gabriel, "Gabriel!"
Gabriel stopped but didn't turn around or do anything. Michael ran up to him.
"I'm glad I found you." Breathed Michael, bending over and trying to get his breath back. "I need to talk to you, about what you said.
Gabriel nodded but didn't turn to face Michael. He seemed to be rubbing his mouth with the sleeve of his jacket. His wavy hair kept his face hidden.
Michael looked over at the girl, sleeping heavily on the bench.
"Been busy huh?" He smirked, nodding towards her.
"What?" asked Gabriel distantly. He turned to face Michael and frowned slightly. Then he realised what he meant and smiled. "Yeah, whatever…" he rubbed his mouth and turned absently away again.
"I didn't see you as that type of guy."
"I'm not…" Gabriel seemed dreamy, pushing the shoulder - length hair from his eyes. He reminded Michael of a small child, innocent expression, the sleeves that covered his hands, the pale skin like porcelain…
"So…what did you want to talk about?"
Michael blinked; suddenly realising he had been staring at Gabriel, lost in his own world. Gabriel was watching him questioningly, head tilted slightly to the side.
"Oh, I just wanted to ask which David you were referring to earlier." Michael studied Gabriel face on. He definitely looked in-human. He didn't have expression lines or creases that other people had. No wrinkles around the eyes when he frowned. No ripples in the skin when he smiled. None. And that pasty complexion of his was haunting, especially against the pitch-black colour of his hair.
"Why? Who were you thinking of?" Gabriel's eyes seemed a brighter orange, like fire, as he smiled. Not an innocent smile that he usually had, but a devilish smirk. Michael shivered inside. It was something about that smile that made him feel nervous…but also curious.