Chapter 6

I had to wait a few more hours before I could go out in the sun again, just them few minutes in the day were enough to give me a headache. When it was dark I waited outside Darrens' house. There was no car yet, they must be waiting for news at the hospital…I stood in the shadows incase the car came back when around ten it did so…

The young boy looked a mess. It was obvious he was closed to tears, the little girl I presumed was his sister held his hand in comfort. I did not feel sorry for him. He stole my poisonous spider, he had to face the consequences of his actions, if he liked them or not!

I waited. It was a hard thing to do when you know that the boy was vulnerable and you could twist him to your control. When suddenly a cage flew from a window--I smiled as a put out a hand and caught it easily, a boy was looking out from the window--the boy--Darren.

I shook the cage to make sure my spider was all right and she actually looked ok…an unexpected surprise. Then I, still smiling, turned around and walked away….

I got back to my basement in the old theatre and was now glad for some company even if it was just my spider. It would not take long before the boy would come begging for me to help who ever had been bitten. I did many tricks with Madam Octa as I waited but even my spider I adore could not make my patience level any higher, I was not sure when he would arrive--it could be tonight--or even tomorrow--but I knew that he would come...I don't know how…I just knew…

He did not come that night but instead came just after my days sleep. As I have said before and I will probably keep repeating I detest waiting and even before my blooding was never my strong point. I could act patient and calm but inside I could feel my heart pounding--the idea of blooding Darren kept bugging me. When my prayers to the vampire gods were answered. Darren Shan's shadow stepped infront of my only light source in the dark basement.

"Good morning Master Shan" I said stated, wondering what his reaction would be.

"It's not the morning, it's the middle of the night." I heard him answer and I looked up at him with an eyebrow raised. "To me that is morning, "I replied sarcastically.

This was the first time I had had a good look at the eleven-year-old up close. I was quite surprised. He looked very mature for his age--but I suppose who ever Madam Octa had bitten, especially if they were close to you would make you look on the maturer side of things, no matter how old you were. He had wide curious eyes, I knew straight away he was going to be one with many questions…I could almost sense the wolfish sense of adventure which shone through his eyes though they looked stern…he was by far perfect vampire material…

"You've been waiting for me haven't you?" he asked, I heard fear in every word announced and I replied my honest answer of "Yes,"

"How long have you know where she was?" he asked, again not wanting to lie to the boy I told him the truth. "The night you stole her."

"Then why didn't you take her then?" He asked me. It was a fair question, I shrugged and scratched at my scar on my face, I wanted to tell him the truth--but just not the whole truth.

"I was going to." I admitted earnestly. "But I got to thinking about the sort of boy who would dare steal a spider from a vampire and I decided you might be worth further study."

Darren looked at me confused. "Why?" he asked and I smirked.

"Why indeed…" I said and then used my super flit speed to put the laying deck I had been playing with away and then I started slowly cracking my knuckles. I considered my next words, wanting to get to the point--not sure how long it might take…"Tell me Darren Shan. Why have you come? Is it to steal from me again? Do you desire Madam Octa?"

I watched the young boy's eyes glow with anger--flames alit with rage blazing inside him--forcing to explode at the slightest mention of my spider. "I NEVER WANT TO SEE THAT MONSTER AGAIN!"

I was not surprised at all. In fact I was expecting her to be dead--Darren he just proved was a fiery boy even though he was not fully grown I could tell when the pressure was high he could defeat the odds. Without meaning too he was showing me his special traits worthy of him to become my assistant…who ever Madam Octa had bit had definitely been close to him…

I laughed to hide my curious-ness of his abilities. "She will be oh so sad to hear that…" I mocked.

He was insulted and I knew it…his look of rage he gave me that insight straight away. "Don't make fun out of me! I don't like being teased!" He warned which to my honesty made me want to tease him even more.

"No?" I asked, "And what will you do if I continue?"

To my surprise and delight the boy pulled out two items from his pocket, one a bottle of old looking water--I assume it was holy water…the other was a silver cross…"I'LL STRIKE YOU WITH THESE!"

With the click of my fingers the items were now in my hands…I drank the water though it was disgusting and crushed the cross before laughing to myself, the pale complexion on his face was more delightful than most things I have ever seen!

"You know what I love?" I said with a wicked grin. "I love those people who watch horror films and read horror books. Because they believe what they read and hear, and come packing with silly little things like crosses and holy water instead of weapons which could do REAL damage like guns or hand grenades!" I announced.

The boy took this in and seemed torn in half between what he believed and what he had heard. "You mean…crosses don't…hurt you?" he stammered.

"Why should they?" I asked, I felt like a teacher who had just been comforted by a student about an answer to a question. What I heard next was not unexpected.

"Because your evil." He stated, I was insulted but I let him continue, he would soon understand what is like to be called something you hate…

"Am I evil?" I asked, I expected his answer, humans all the time from every age I have been alive for said the words…and I was right--that's exactly what he said.

"You must be!" he whined. "You are a vampire--vampires are evil…"

"You should not believe everything you are told. It is true that our appetites are exotic…but just because we drink blood does not mean that we are evil…are vampire bats evil when they drink from cows and horses?"

He knew what I was leading at but he didn't want to see it…in his eyes I saw the determination…he did not want to admit defeat. "That's different! They're animals!" he proclaimed and I sighed, running a hand through my hair.

"Humans are animals too" I told him, "If a vampire kills a human then yes he is evil. One who drinks a little to fill his rumbling belly... Where is the harm in that?"

He couldn't answer me this time because he did not know what to believe…there was truth in fiction…but there is always fiction in truth…

"I see you are in no mood to debate, very well, I will save the speeches for another time. So tell me Darren Shan, what is it that you want if it is not my spider?" I asked, though I knew the answer, but it was what he said next which surprised me.

"She bit Steve Leonard…"