At the Community Center things were in full swing for the big event. Cars filled the parking lot and the city streets. On one side of the gym volunteers collected information about those donating blood, or assisted those who had given blood. Everyone was enjoying the ice cream and chatting pleasantly. On the other side of the gym people were dancing happily as lights flashed and music blared. A video screen displayed music videos and the crowd. Balloons, streamers, spotlights and strobe lights were everywhere. The refreshment table was covered in delicious food. Security was tight but everyone seemed to be having a good time.

Mr. Hawkins was looking for Sharon and Virgil. After leaving his date Trina (the cop) and the Foleys who were counting the money the dancers were earning he went to talk to Adam. He couldn't understand why both kids were missing. "Adam! I need to talk to you for a minute." He yelled over the noise.

Adam left the music station and walked over to him. "Hi Mr. H! What's up? I mean look at this place its one swell party. I can't believe how many people came despite the attacks that have been happening and Richie's disappearance. How are his folks anyways?"

"They're holding up, but just barely. It's taken all my skills as a councilor to keep their hopes up. I'm glad that this dance/drive is such a success but I came over to ask you if you've seen Sharon or Virgil at all. I'm concerned about them." Mr. Hawkins informed the young hero.

"I haven't seen Virgil at tonight here and this has been going on for about an hour and half. Sharon was here earlier but then she got an important call on her cell about half an hour ago. She flew out of here as if she was on fire. Haven't seen her since." Adam told him shrugging in apology. "I have to get back to my job Mr. H. I'll talk to you later. Bye."

Mr. Hawkins sighed in defeat. What was going on? These past two weeks had been nothing but confusing and difficult. He just couldn't make sense of it all. Hopefully things would get better.

Trina was talking to her sister Tracy who was also one of the nurses about the recent attacks. Tracy was a trained RN and her specialty was drawing blood and medical disease concerning blood. She was also Trina younger sister and the only difference between them was skin tone and hair length. "I don't know what to think about these attacks. There not like anything I've ever seen. The only thing the victims have in common is that they're all Bang Babies. Each victim had a small crescent shape scar on their neck and a small amount of blood loss along with the small memory gap of the attack. But that's not the weirdest thing."

"Okay what's weirder than all that?" Tracy asked amused. So far this evening had been weird. All this security for a dance and blood drive, the worrying parents, and Trina's date getting all anxious because his kids weren't around.

"Everyone who was attacked was properly cared for. Each had all their medical needs attend to; they were either brought to their homes or the hospital where there were trained medical professionals. I don't understand it. All that was missing was like a pint of blood nothing else. Now that's a less but still serious crime if you ask me than say the disappearance of Robert's son Virgil best friend Richie Foley." Trina explained.

"I've talked to Mrs. Foley earlier. She's near a breaking point. Its like she's working on automatic. I can't believe that my big sister the big bad cop hasn't found anything yet." Tracy told her patting her hands sympathetically.

"Well there's always hope that things will look up." Trina replied.

For a few more minutes everything went back to normal. People continued to donate blood then eat their ice cream. More money was made as more dancers danced. Everyone was laughing and joking around. Things were absolutely perfect.

Suddenly the lights and all electronics went out all over the gym and everyone was plunged into darkness. People screamed and security got ready incase there was any trouble. Suddenly there was the sound of glass breaking and suddenly the lights flipped back on. Everyone stepped back because in the center of the gym standing in a circle was the vampires who each had some type of blade drawn. And they looked like they meant business.

"Hello citizens of Dakota City. My name is Victor Stone and I am the King of the last of the vampire race. May I have the pleasure in introducing my mate Queen Demetra? I'm sure you know the rest of my clan Cassandra, Kathren, Selena, Arra, Merton, Siba, and Vanez." Victor said pointing to each one as he announced them.

Trina held her hands out in a calming gesture. "Look I don't know what game your playing Mr. Stone but whatever it is it's not funny. Now why don't you and your clan put down your weapons and will talk this over real peace like."

Demetra glanced over at her. "Officer I'm afraid you don't understand. All we want is half of the blood you've collected from tonight's little affair. Give us what we want and we'll be out of your city within the hour." She tried to explain to her patiently.

"I'm sorry I can't allow that. This blood belongs to the people of Dakota not you. Further more I have to arrest you for all the attacks that have been happening lately because I'm willing to bet you're behind that as well. Boys cuff." Trina ordered as her fellow officers and her started to close in on them. Guns were cocked ready to fire.

Faster than the eye could see all the guns had been slashed or broken apart. The security detail found themselves tied up by steel coils and tossed to one side of the room. Trina had a small cut to her face were someone's nail had scratched her. Mr. Hawkins rushed over to check on her. "How dare you! Why you monsters!" He got up and started to charge them when a zap cap tied him to a chair. "Sorry Mr. H but I can't let you do that." A voice called out.

Everyone stiffened at the sound of that voice. Mr. and Mrs. Foley looked up hopefully. Mr. Hawkins face went into one of disbelief as the circle of vampires parted to reveal Richie. He looked a little different but other wise unharmed. "Hi Mr. H. Long time no see."

"Richie is that you?" Mr. Hawkins whispered in awe. He nodded his head and walked towards him and his parents who were rushing over to hug him. They were crying so much. They were just overwhelmed to see him.

"Oh Richie baby where have you been? I've been so worried about you." His mom cried as she kissed him.

"Did those filthy creatures hurt you son?" his dad asked.

Richie let them both fondle him a bit more before he broke away. His parents were shocked by his behavior. He was acting so different. "Sorry I couldn't have called sooner but I didn't know how you would react."

"React to what? Richie what the heck is going on?" His mom demanded. Richie only smiled sadly at them. Then he parted his lips showing his fangs and held up one scared hand. "I'm not exactly human anymore. I've joined a new group of people."

Everyone gasped in shock. They were stunned. Richie Foley, one of the smartest, funniest, coolest kids around was a creature of the night? It just couldn't be true!

"What is the meaning of this? What did you people do to our son!" both Foleys screamed.

"We did nothing to your son. He is now a member of our clan on his own free will. Why don't you explain it to them Richie?" Victor told him. Richie nodded his head. He glanced around the room. Everyone was still in shock so they were all stuck in place. All eyes were on him.

"I've been trying to decide what to tell you two for the longest time so I guess the truth will be the best thing. I was coming home last Thursday when Selena over there grabbed me and brought me to her home. Before you say I was kidnapped I wasn't! I was allowed to leave anytime and tell the police what I saw after I listened to them. Arra my mate over there had discovered I was one super smart kid. She figured that maybe I was smart enough to figure out a cure to their affliction. They showed me their house and I began to understand that they weren't monsters but people who just needed blood in order to survive. I offered to help them and joined them for two reasons. If I was going to find a cure I was going to test it out on myself first. Second is Arra. Arra come over here," Richie gestured. Arra took her place next to him. "She's my mate. My other half. I loved her and if I left I never see her again. I couldn't bear that. So those are my reasons. We've been collecting Bang Baby blood so that I could experiment on it and compare it to vampire blood to see if I could find a cure. I'm way smarter than I look. I'm very close to one to. I don't know if you'll ever understand my choices but that's the truth."

"Mr. and Mrs. Foley I would gladly give my life for your son. I truly love him. That's why were doing what were doing now." Arra said. She turned to face the entire crowd and spoke loudly. "We need blood in order to live. We don't want to hurt anyone. One of our most sacred codes is that we can't harm an innocent to get blood. You all fall under that category. Please let us have the blood and no one shall have to get hurt."

"I'm sorry, but even if we wanted to we don't have the authority to do so." Tracy told them.

"Then I guess we have no choice." Arra said. She and Richie backed up till they were with their group again. They got into position and pointed their weapons at the crowd and nurses. "We won't ask again. Give us the blood." Demetra ordered.

That's when a jolt of static electricity forced them back. Everyone looked up as the two electrifying hero's entered the scene. "Why don't you ask nicely and maybe you'll get what you want! Seems that you guys don't how to quit while you're ahead." Static yelled flying down to join the party.

"Your getting a double dose of electric shock from Dakota's two funkiest and coolest hero's around. Static Shock and Sparkles Dazzles! You didn't count on us did you?" Sparkles added as she joined her partner on the dance floor.

"King Victor, Queen Demetra on behalf of the people of the city of Dakota I am asking you to cease and desist what your doing. You are the rulers of a proud and honorable race of beings. We know that you are not thinking rationally. It's the blood craving. Please don't do this. Let us help you." Static pleaded.

"You a mere mortal help me? That's rich! I'll have you know that I am thinking quite rationally for a man who's been asleep for six hundred years!" Victor snapped at him.

"Besides what help could your doctors offer us? Humans have always persecuted our kind. You would lock us up and treat us as lab specimens. No we refuse to be treated like that." Demetra told him coldly.

"Not everyone is like that. There are genuine caring people. Look around you. This is a community center. The community came together for this project to help people. Cassandra, Merton, all of you don't you see? It doesn't have to go down like this!" Sparkles tried reasoning with them. She could see the teenagers were uncomfortable by what was happening. Maybe she could purse them to stop this before someone got hurt.

"I don't want to fight you guys. None of us do. But it is our duty to obey the will of our King and Queen." Vanez told them.

"There comes a time when right and wrong are more important than duty. If your going to get that blood your going to have go through me." Rubberband Man interjected as he joined the two on the floor.

"Enough! The time for talk has ended. Let us settle this by a demonstration of force. My children the time has come to attack. Merton, Cassandra go after Static! Kathren you and Siba take Rubberband Man. Selena and Vanez tackle Sparkles. Arra, Richie I want you two to assist were your need. Demetra and I shall get the blood." Victor commanded and with a snap of his fingers the battle was on.

Cassandra took to the air and Merton rushed Static. Static took to the air and magnetized the area of the gym floor that Merton was flirting on. Merton found himself and his weapons stuck to the floor. "Cassandra I can't move!"

"Try using your own static electricity to cancel his! You Static take this!" Cassandra shouted as she kicked him in the stomach sending him toppling to the ground. She zoomed towards him and caught the back of his coat before he hit the gym floor. "How many times are we going to play this game Static? I don't want to hurt you."

"I know Cass, but a hero's got to do what a hero's got to do." Static yelled before electrifying himself and forcing her to the ground. "Hope that's the last of those two."

Meanwhile Kathren and Siba were playing catch with Rubberband Man. He had made the mistake of turning into a ball and their sharp nails had punctured him. "What do you say I give him an extra bounce?" Kathren asked bouncing him towards Siba.

"He swings and hits a homerun! Oh no he's heading for the TV! Kathren catch him!" Siba yelled as he watched horrified as our hero headed to the large TV. Kathren nodded before zooming off and saving him. She brought him right back.

"You okay? I hope we didn't hurt you to badly. Hey!" Kathren yelled as Rubberband Man wrapped her and Siba up tightly. "Got you your little vampires."

Sparkles glanced to her left and then to her right. Each vampire was walking stealth like towards her. Their weapons were drawn ready and their body language indicated they were ready for anything. "Back off vampire babies. I have a move that can take you out in a flash."

"Yeah right. Vanez hit her hard and hit her fast!" Selena ordered attacking. Vanez followed suit. When both were two feet from Sparkles she hit them with her dazzler blinding them. "That wasn't so hard."

"Yeah almost like they weren't even trying." Static added. Suddenly all the vampire teenagers were free and facing them again. And this time they didn't like they were fooling around.

"We weren't trying before. We didn't want to have to fight you." Cassandra told all three superheros.

"To attack you would mean breaking one of our most sacred vows. The punishment for this is death. It is not a decision we make lightly." Arra told them gravely.

"Then don't fight us. We both don't want to fight each other." Rubberband Man replied.

"We have to weigh the pros and cons Adam. If we don't get that blood will die and if we don't obey our King and Queen we will be severely punished. As much as we like to hold back we can't. I'm sorry but please forgive us. We must do this." Richie said sadly.

"And this time you will fight more deadly then ever. We got a little sidetrack from our task watching you children fight. I know it is difficult breaking a vow but in times of great need it must be done." Demetra calmly explained. She turned to her mate and waved her hand at their clan. "Victor darling, you know what you must do."

Victor took her hand and kissed it gently before replying. "Yes my dear. I know exactly what to do." He placed a hand on the Bloodstone and concentrated really hard. "Mighty Bloodstone grant me your powers. Give my clan the power they need to vanquish this foe."

Suddenly a Bloodstone glowed a dark crimson and shot out a light at every vampire. They screamed in pain as the Bloodstone mystical effect took place. The crowd of onlookers shrank further back frightened by all of these strange events. The trio of superhero's gulped. What was going on?

Cassandra and Merton were the first to stop glowing. They locked their sights on Static. Communicating telepathically with each other they organized a plan of attack and executed it within a matter of seconds.

Cassandra was on him in the blink of an eye. She picked him up and with her inhuman strength began to spin him around her head letting her sharp nails cut his costume to pieces. She then threw him straight into the air. Right before he crashed into the ground she stuck out a hand and stopped him in mid air. "Like my new power Static?"

"But that's that's Madelyn Spalding's power your using!" Static stuttered, "I thought that you couldn't absorb the powers of Metahumans from their blood."

"Normally your right. We would have to drink extensive amounts to gain their powers. But thanks to the power of the Bloodstone we don't have to. Hiyah!" Cassandra sent him into the refreshment table where a bowl of coleslaw landed on his head. "Ugh, note to self don't question your enemy about their powers."

"Good idea Static. My turn to play with you. How about I make some more teammates?" Merton asked snidely. Snapping his fingers he used Replay's power to make clones of himself. Each one shot their nails at him and Static created a force field for them to bounce off of. "Time for Plan B."

Meanwhile Kathren was dancing circles around Rubberband Man. She would jab at him with her dagger again and again. She would nick him but never cause serious damage. "Why don't we take things up a notch?" she suggested innocently.

"What ever power you use against me I can send it right back at you. So come on give me your best shot!" Rubberband Man challenged her.

"Okay but only because you insisted. I like to dance so why don't we try a new step? But you should know I'm going to try to step on your feet!" Kathren joked as her feet grew. She was obviously going to use Kangor's power. (Luckily her shoes grew to match.)

Kathren spun on the heels of her new sized feet without missing a single dance step. She lashed out and tried to squish Adam but he would stretch and slide around her. It looked like they were performing some weird combo of the electric slide and tap dance. "Miss me, miss me." Rubberband Man taunted. He drew back an inflated fist and punch the gym floor sending her tumbling towards the loudspeakers. Only her natural vampire grace stopped her from crashing into them. She glared hatefully at him trying to hypnotize him, but he was to far away.

That's when Siba decided to help out. He used his superior senses to guess where Rubberband Man would appear next and nailed him with a head butt. "No one treats my mate like that. I think its time to give you a taste of your own medicine!" Suddenly a whirl of lights went over him changing him into an exact duplicate of Adam!

The two twins lashed out with their stretchy limbs and started to try to twist each other into elaborate knots. It was impossible to tell who was the real Adam. Suddenly one of the Rubberband Man's twisted the other into a pretzel knot and tossed him into the crowd. Daisy and Frieda ran over to check on him as Siba turned back into himself. "Well looks like he's all tied up for the moment."

Sparkles backed up as Selena launched herself into a graceful gymnastic routine consisting of cartwheels, somersaults and two flips before she delivered a backhand slash with her knife that cut off several strands of Sparkles hair. "Hmm seems my backhand has improved."

Sparkles stared in horror at the locks of raven hair that littered the floor. Her eyes blazed with anger. She drew down her sunglasses and raised her fist at Selena. "You're going to have hell to pay! No one and I mean NOONE touches my hair!" she shouted sending a huge burst of electricity towards her.

Selena grinned evilly at her. From her fingertips dark matter poured. It literally engulfed the pink electricity and destroyed it. "Is that the best you can do? Because if it is your going to have to do much better than that. Vanez you want a turn with our friend here?"

"Don't mind if I do. Here girly try to catch me!" Vanez taunted her. Sparkles spun around and sent a round of sparklers at him but he just let them phase right through him. He leaped at her throwing ion blast at her but she used her starboard to protect herself.

Richie and Arra were making a run for the blood. The only thing that stood in their way was bunch of nurses. Richie levitate over Tracy and Arra rolled under her. They were right next the blood when it happened.

During the coarse of the battle a few of the police officers had managed to break free from their restraints and had reached for their backup weapon. The Foleys who had been helping untie Mr. Hawkins watched in horror as one of the officers shot at their son! "NO! Don't do it!" the three adults screamed. Static and Sparkles were to far away to stop the bullet.

Arra who was bent over about to grab the blood shoot straight up. Her hawk like eyes saw the danger heading straight for Richie's heart. She had lost a mate once already she wasn't going to lose a second. "Richie! Move!" she shouted and faster than the eye could see she ran over and pushed him out of the bullets path before sending one of her nails after it to destroy it. "You okay?"

"Yeah I'm fine. Lets forget the blood and take out the rest of the weapons." Richie suggested getting up from the floor.

Trina was angry. "No firing any weapons. You could hurt and innocent bystander!" She ordered. She saw her sister signaling her but she would have to wait. Right now Static and Sparkles were tag teaming against Richie and Arra.

Richie and Static were locked into hand to hand combat. Neither one was backing down. Richie couldn't use any of his normal tricks for fear of exposure. So instead he was using Hotstreak's power to heat things up. "Give up yet V-man? I got your goose cooked." He whispered.

"Come on Rich stop this. Were best bro's. You're my partner. I don't want to fight you. Let us help you. You know what their doing is wrong. All of you know it. Why don't you say something to Victor and Demetra? Why not question them?" Static asked as he battled his best friend.

"I can't go against a Royal and Elder. It just isn't done." Richie tried to explain to him. He lobbed a small fire ball at him but Static just pushed him back.

Arra was using Shiv's power to her advantage. She was an expert on bladed weapons. "Why must you torment us? Can't you see that we mean you no harm? We aren't evil!"

"Well what do you consider this? You got a lot of potential Arra. You have to chose what you want to do." Sparkles told her as she sent her flying.

Victor and Demetra grew impatient. Their children seem to be losing the fight. It was time to take things into their own hands. Drawing their swords they began to battle the two teens. Back and forth blows were exchanged as the four warriors fought. Finally even they were pushed back.

"I will not tolerate failure! We have not survived for seven hundred years to be defeat by a bunch of super power teens! The Bloodstone will give us what we want." Victor growled clutching the blood red stone.

"Stop! My King this has gone on far enough. Are we not vampires or are we vampanzees? We can't fight them anymore. They are friends of the clan. We don't fight friends." Merton stated. One by one the others refused to fight. Even Demetra seemed to be coming around.

"My love perhaps the young ones are right. It is merely because of the craving for blood that we act in such dishonorable and evil manner. We must stop. Why not ask politely for assistance? I'm sure that we could come up with some agreement with the humans."

"Demetra! I am doing this to insure the survival of our race. Humans would kill all of us for just being what we are! I can sense the truth to your words, but these people only believe in money and power. I may like those things but they don't dominate me. The bottom line is we need that blood in order to survive and that's what I'm going to do." Victor told her. The Bloodstone began to glow again renewing the vampires and weakening their foes.

"Static I'm exhausted and almost out of power. I can't go another round. We have to stop them once and for all now!" Sparkles panted

"I know but how? With that Bloodstone they have all the power." Static replied.

"The Bloodstone of course! It's the source of their powers according to all our research. If we can somehow shattered it we can stop them." Sparkles said exited.

"But what will that do to them? It could kill them! But then again we have no choice. We'll do this together partner." Static told her clasping one of her hands in his. Sparkles nodded and both turned to face their foe's who turned to face them.

"Were giving you one last chance to surrender and get yourself help. Better take our offer." Sparkles told them. They ignored her and started to approach her. "Guess their not interest. On the count of three little brother?"

Static nodded. Both started glowing. A purple pillar of light joined with a pink pillar. They started twisting around each other. Both held their hands out. "One, two, three!" he yelled. They both poured all their power into the attack. They lifted Victor into the air. He screamed and the Bloodstone started emitting sparks. Meanwhile the others began to moan in pain. They collapsed onto the floor withering around. With one last burst of energy they shattered the Bloodstone into ten pieces. Each vampire emit one last shriek before they fell unconscious.

Tracy and her staff raced over to the fallen people with Static and Sparkles on their heels. The police force weren't far behind. Onlookers gazed at the fallen people anxious to know what was going on. "Back off if you don't have a medical degree. Can't you see these people are in need of help? Peter get the ambulance in here, Dana, Louisa get the blood these people are practically out of it. We need to get them to Dakota Memorial stat!" Tracy yelled. Turning to her sister "Look go to the hospital because right now these people need help. If they're criminally responsible for their actions you'll find out there."

Five hours later Static and Sparkles were talking with Doctor Harris, Tracy, Trina, the Foleys and Mr. Hawkins, and Mrs. Croft. She was Edwin Alva Jrs. lawyer and she spoke for all the victims who had been attacked. Everyone was gathered to try to decide what should happen to the clan.

"Its plain and simple. They broke into a blood bank and stole blood, attacked people, kidnapped a minor and assaulted police officers. They belong in jail for life." Trina said arms folded.

"Before you do that would you listen to what we have to say? Maybe you'll change your opinion sister." Tracy said. She had just spent the last three hours transfusing blood and fixing up the clan. She was tired but determined that they get the right treatment.

"Alright I'm listening. But I doubt you'll change my mind." Trina said. "Dr. Harris you are the head doctor of these vampires why don't you explain their medical condition to me. Does it effect them in any way to distinguish right from wrong."

Dr. Harris shook his head. "No, but I can understand why the adults acted so irrationally. If what I found is true it would apply to all of them making them excusable for their actions. According to their blood test they have a unique DNA strand. I've only seen it once before and that was on another patient Sharon Hawkins. The DNA strands show that they have great power but their bodies burn iron to quickly. They can't get enough from food sources or pills of iron so they have to get it from human blood. Their digestive system is designed for it. They need so much that no hospital could possibly transfuse enough and still have enough for other patients. Their condition also makes them sensitive to extreme light. Headlights shining on them would leave them in agony. I was able to question them after surgery for their injuries and here's my medical report. Everything they told me in medically true. In good conciuess they are seven hundred year old teens who were just trying to survive. But now that stone is gone they're changing. Whatever radiation or mystical energy it produced its reverse their DNA, turning them too human. By tomorrow they'll be able to tolerate sunlight and so much more. I'll give you the copies of these medical charts but I'm keeping the originals." Dr. Harris told them.

"Alright so they have a medical condition. But they still attacked all those Bang Babies. I have to punish them for that. Most of them will be charging them." Trina said evenly.

"No they don't want that. I'm Alva Jr. attorney and I represent every teenager and adult who was attacked. After talking to the victims they each had the same thing to say. Although they had been attacked rather then charging these people they want them to get the help they need. They know what its like to have powers and just want to be normal and survive. Also Mr. Alva and the blood bank would be satisfied if the clan paid for damages and maybe a month worth of community service." Mrs. Croft informed Trina holding out documents.

"We talked to our son. They didn't kidnap him and they took care of him. He was just trying to help. They had read all these articles in the paper on how smart he was and figured he could help them. Now that we have our son back maybe we can help them find where they stand in this world." Mrs. Foley said. Mr. Foley nodded.

"They are good people Officer Trina. I gave my blood willingly to help them. They've been through so much and now to finally be human. Do you really want to throw them in jail?" Static asked.

"I'm sure that we could find another alternative. I mean look at how they tried to make right all the things they've done bad." Sparkles commented on.

Last to speak was Mr. Hawkins. "Trina, these are good kids and they've been trying to act like adults for so long. Although we only saw a dark side to Demetra and Victor I know they could make good parents. I could talk to social services. Help them start their new human lives."

"Well considering all the facts I guess I won't through them in jail. But they will have to pay for damages and do a month worth of community service. Also the kids will have to attend high school. I wouldn't be surprised if they tested right into their own grade." Trina told everyone. Smiling everyone got up and left.

The two superheroes changed in the bathroom and met up in the hall just outside of Richie's room. The rest of the boys were together same as the girls. Victor and Demetra had a private room. Virgil as Static had personally asked for the vampire blood samples to be destroyed so no more would exist. Dr. Harris assured him he would see to it personally. "So I guess Sparkles is officially retired."

"Yeah I'm all out of power. I'm just plain Sharon Hawkins again. It was nice while it lasted. I use to think you were a flake Virgil but after everything that's happen. I know your one of the bravest people I've met. I'm proud of you." Sharon told him.

"Thanks Sharon. You know for an annoying older sister you don't make such a bad superhero your self. If you ever get your powers back or want to help me out in another way you're my first choice. I love you Sharon." Virgil told his sister as he hugged her.

Richie was awake when Virgil entered. He was wearing a hospital gown and his glasses. Although it had only been five hours his teeth had already returned to normal and he wasn't quite as muscular. "Hey V. Before you say anything I know. I was an idiot for accepting their offer. I should've tried to solve their problem another way or asked for help. Then attacking you I." Virgil silenced him with a hand.

"You don't have to explain anything to me. It's your life and your choice. Sometime you make bad ones other times you make good ones. I'm just glad that you're safe. So Arra and you? She seems nice." Virgil told him as he sat down.

"She's amazing Virgil. I've never met someone like her before. She understands me so completely and V you got to get me to her room now. I can still feel her in my mind she's panicking!" Richie said hurriedly.

Not questioning him Virgil put Richie into his wheelchair and wheeled him to the girl's room where Arra was thrashing around in the bed. The nurses were trying to hold her down to sedate her, but were only making things worse. Richie's parents were at the door after seeing their son enter the girl's room. They watched in amazement as their son took the flailing girl's hand and calmed her down. They were seriously considering letting these two continue dating.

"Arra, shu relax everything okay. I'm here. You're in a hospital. Everything will be alright." Richie whispered to her gently.

"Richie I couldn't feel you in my mind. Our bond is broken. I thought your were dead." Arra cried as she sat up and hugged him.

"I know but I'm okay. There's a reason you can't feel me in your mind. The Bloodstone shattered and now where turning back into humans. Me the fastest because I was one the least amount of time." Richie explained to her.

"Is that why I feel so strange? My senses are all mixed up and I'm not as strong as before. My eyes no longer give off hypnotic signals. My nails and teeth are changing to. It's been so long since I was a human girl. What will happen to me?" Arra wondered

"I don't know honestly. But I do know that everything will be just fine. I have a gift for you. Here put this on." He said as he slid a thin silver ring with the word promise engraved on it, onto her finger. "It's a promise ring. I promise no matter what we'll always be together."

"Thank you Richie Foley. I think I can go back to sleep now. I'll see you tomorrow." Arra said. She laid back down and fell asleep and Richie went to his room. Things were looking up for everyone.

"Virgil there you are. Where have you been all night?" Mr. Hawkins asked

"Oh you know Pops. I've been around." Virgil said smiling. Yep things definitely were back to normal and looking up.