Chapter 6

The house was quiet when Michael got back. 'Everyone must still be asleep'thought Michael. He retrieved the key from under the flowerpot and let himself in. It was dark, faint rays of morning sunshine hardly able to seep through the murky windows.

Michael creeped past the creaking floorboard on the fourth stair and slipped in beside Star. She hadn't moved in her sleep. Michael smiled, putting his worries aside, and kissed her on the cheek.

Michael jerked awake from another nightmare and felt around beside him for Star. She wasn't there. Heart beating slightly faster, Michael raced down the stairs and into the kitchen. His family was sitting around the table, comforting his mum. She had been crying, tearstains ran down her cheeks and she was holding a soggy tissue. Michael frowned.

"What's going on?" He asked. Star looked up and smiled at him sadly. Michael studied the group and finally said, "Where's Sam?"

His mother burst into tears again and Star hugged her. His granddad got up and walked over to Michael.

"We don't know." Explained Granddad, leading Michael away from the girls, "Your mother found his bed empty early this morning. We've looked around here all morning…no sign of him…"

Michael felt a shiver up his spine. He had an idea where his little brother might be, and it was no where safe.

The Midnight Star was near enough empty. A few bored and sullen teenagers huddled around two tables, an elderly woman sat up the bar downing small alcoholic shots and a young couple sat in a corner, holding hands and whispering to each other. Gentle music drifted off the stage, providing light background sound. The bartender looked up as Michael came in but seemed to look right through him and carried on cleaning a dusty pint glass. Michael ignored him and looked up at the stage, at the young lead singer in particular. The boy noticed him, but carried on singing. Michael gestured for the singer to come to him and received nothing but a frown in response. He made his gesture bolder and the singer got the idea. The boy brushed his black hair out of his eyes and pointed to the backstage door and held up two fingers. Michael nodded and sneaked through the door to the side of the stage.

The singing died down and a few people clapped unenthusiastically. Gabriel and the rest of the band appeared in the doorway, resting their instrumental props to the side and sat down near Michael.

"What's wrong?" Gabriel frowned and looked concerned.

"It's my brother…" Michael trailed off, looking around at the rest of the band. He leaned closer to Gabriel. "Look, can we talk, you know…alone?"

Gabriel nodded solemnly and waved his hand to the other men. They smiled sadly at Michael before moving away.

"What's wrong?" Repeated Gabriel.

"I think David's taken Sam. Don't ask me why, that's just the kind of thing he's capable of doing… I need you to tell me where he's hiding – "

Gabriel shook his head frantically. "No. I can't tell you. I wish I could, but…"

"Please, Gabriel please!"

"I'm sorry, I can't…"

"Gabriel!" He stared at the young man hard, his eyes pleading with him. "This is really important. It's no time for games."

"If it's a game, I'm not playing." Gabriel whispered coldly, "You're human, you don't understand us vampires. You know if I told you where David was I would be committing treason…"

Gabriel paused and sighed. His face twisted with guilt. "Are you sure David took him?"

Michael glared at him over steepled hands. "Where else would he go in the middle of the night?"

Gabriel sat in thought for a while; drumming his pale fingers on the crate he was sitting on and bit his lip. "He could have had a nightmare or something and went for a walk…" He looked up hopefully, "Or maybe he planned to meet up with friends…"

Michael considered these options. Sam could have had a nightmare, but would he have gone for a walk? …It didn't seem likely. He may have gotten up to meet up with the Frogg brothers. It was worth keeping in mind.

"Come on." Said Michael, getting up and heading for the door.

Gabriel's brow furrowed and his golden eyes followed Michael's movement with curiosity. "Where are we going?"

"To have a word with the Frogg brothers."