The boardwalk was littered with people as custom for a Friday night. The boys were anxious but walked together with a relaxed pace. David could smell their excitement rising in the air. He had planned for them to feed together. But even he needed little alone time. He sighed, he guessed they had all the time in the world to hunt together. "Okay boys, tonight, we are all going to do our own thing. See you at the cave." David must have surprised them all because they didn't respond at first. But within a moment Paul gave David a wave then throwing his arm around Marko and dragging him off to the nearest amusement ride.

David and Dwayne walked together for a moments in complete silence. Dwayne sensed that something was different with his long time friend. "What's her name?"

David allowed his lips to curl into a smile. Like always Dwayne had a gift for sensing anything out of ordinary. It was true. A certain dark haired mystery women had in fact been on his brain. He did hope he'd run into her again.

He had been resting against the wood railing that overlooked a large portion of the boardwalk. It was one of the boy's favorite place to kick back. The boys had been taunting a group of local surf nazi's. Then there she was. Beautiful, silent and an aurora of mystery David couldn't put his finger on. He sensed something different about this mortal. A feeling he hadn't sensed for almost a hundred years. She could serve more to him then a meal. A women in her late forties had just exited the shop across from them.

She was in a hurry and jammed her wallet in her oversized bag hastily. She came to a halt to look at her watch. The younger female took this as an opportune time to collect the ladies wallet. She had obviously done this before, and the timing was perfect. It was most unlucky that one of the useless security had also perfect timing and caught the young girl by the wrist.

A chase had ensured and David had signaled the boys to wait for him as he trailed the fleeing women and her assailant. The women had cleverly hid herself behind a dumpster in the ally. The guard was already wheezing from running. David came down from the clouds in front of the guard before he could pursue the girl into the alley. The man was stunned by David's disfigured face, glowing red eyes and fangs jagged to the tip. David sprung on the man and yanked his head to the side and plunged his fangs into the man's artery. Sheer pleasure filled him as the blood coursed through his body. He tossed the man's limp body with little effort into the dumpster nearest him. He smiled into the dark oblivion the girl had darted into. Wiping his face he rounded the corner almost knocking the wind out of the smaller form in front of him. He smiled. "What were you hiding from back there?"

She stared into his piercing blue eyes for a moment. "I was, a man was chasing me." She seemed to only try and play innocent. David was quicker.

"Perhaps it had something to do with that pocket book that you are clutching so tightly under your coat." David laughed, his laughter was more teasing then unkind.

She blushed pushing part of her tangled brown hair behind her ears. She dropped her eyes on the coat she held in her arms, ashamed. "I'm new and I have been trying. It's just hard to find a job."

David smiled, " I'm David."

"Star?" a small voice from behind her emerged from the shadows.

"It's okay Laddie . You can come out." A small boy no older then ten made his way to Star clutching a well-worn teddy bear.

"Laddie and Star." David noted. "Two runaways looking for a home."

"We're not runaways. I wanted to live here and I just met Laddie a few days ago."

"So then he isn't your brother?"

"No."

"Come with me Star, you'll like it." David extended his gloved hands towards here.

"Come where?"

"Just trust me, I can help you Star. No more running, sleeping on a street, or stealing to survive."

Star backed away unsure of whether to trust him or run. "Why would you help us?"

"I know what it's like Star." David shook his head in sympathy. "I was lost too once. I have a family now Star, you can too."

Star's brown eyes filled with emotions that only David's senses could detect. Was he a here to save her? Or was he just another psycho madman going to try and kill her. He was indeed attractive, though his demeanor was intimidating. He bent down to Laddie's level and smiled. "You hungry kid?" Laddie didn't reframe and nodded. "How about we go get something to eat?" Laddie took David's extended hand and Star couldn't help but follow.

David couldn't convince Star to come with him that night and knew he had better try again later. He had only briefly consider her as a meal. But as that night drew on, he sensed something strange about her that she wasn't letting on about. He gave her enough money to last for a month's board and food hoping to win over some trust.

"Star come with me."

"I can't David, you have already done so much for me and Laddie. I just don't want you to feel I am taking advantage of you." She was so sincere it was almost sickening.

"I offered." He gave her a timeless mischief smile. He knew eventually she'd give in.

"Star."

"Star." Dwayne repeated her name allowing it to settle in his brain. "Does she have thick brown hair and dark eyes?"

"How did you know that?"

"She has been watching you since we stopped." Dwayne nodded to the right of them.

David turned locking eyes with her, the mysterious women. He was amused to find she did not advert her eyes. She smiled, it was small, but a smile just the same. She turned her head realizing that Laddie wasn't beside her and darted off towards a food stand.

David found her arguing with none other then Paul. Paul sat casually on a picnic table his legs propped on the table. He was swinging around a ball and paddle. The ball which was secured by a thin robe flung dangerously around Marko. Laddie was tugging at Star. "Laddie we have to go." She seemed stern.

'Please Star he said I could play with it." Laddie pointed at Paul's laughing figure.

"Laddie-" Star tried.

"Star, I see you already meant Paul and Marko." David's dark figure was lightened as he stepped under the fluorescent lights of the food stand. "There good friends of mine. They won't bite." David smirked glancing at the two blondes who also exchanged amused looks. "This is Dwayne. Star trust us, how about we go for a ride?"

Star was unsure of what possessed her, her mind said one thing but her words flew from her mouth, " Okay, only if Laddie can come to."

"Of course, he can ride with Dwayne." David smiled pointing out the bikes that rested only twenty feet from .