A woman stood beside a rack of leather jackets. David and the others pickpocketed the humans they fed on and had recently killed a rich woman from out of town. I hated the idea that the money I held in my hand came from the deceased, but there was nothing I could do, so I tried my best not to think about it.

I searched the rack and found a red leather jacket near the end. It was a little big, but not large enough to look out of place. I pulled the jacket from the hanger it hung on and walked over to the blonde woman. She looked me up and down, with a look that said she didn't believe I had the money to pay for it. I was 17, but my baby face and the wonders of my half-vampire healing process, allowed for no acne, making me look even younger than I already did.

I pulled a wad of cash from my pocket and placed it in her hand. I smiled smugly as her face lit up and she counted the bills. It was obvious I had overpaid for the thing, but in honesty, I didn't really care. She rang it up and I slid the cool leather over my shoulders.

I began toward the beach when I heard footsteps coming up behind me. I recognized the out-of-breath sigh and turned to find Sam, his face red from running. The blood rushed through his veins rapidly, causing my stomach to growl. I turned away as he righted himself.

"Are you hungry?" Sam asked, motioning to my stomach as he caught his breath. "I could buy you something … if you want."

My animalistic hunger subsided as I smiled. "I'd love that."

Sam's eyes widened with excitement as he led the way to an ice cream shop. I had been here before I met the others, but not since I … changed. Sam ordered a chocolate fudge sundae while I ordered vanilla with fresh strawberries. I knew my stomach could handle fruit in some doses but I hadn't tried ice cream yet and I didn't want to overdo it.

Once we got our treats, we sat down at a table near the stairs that led onto the beach. It was a full moon and a cool breeze filled the air. It was a nice night and sitting outside was worth it. Sam took a large spoonful of ice cream and talked with his mouth full.

"How have you been?" he mumbled.

I watched as chocolate fudge rolled down his chin. "I've been good, but you do know talking with your mouth full is rude, right?"

Sam went to put another scoop in his mouth, but as I spoke he quickly put his spoon down. He pulled a napkin from the dispenser on the table's edge and wiped his mouth clean.

"Sorry, my bad," Sam said.

"I don't mind," I said, leaning forward on the table. "I don't mind at all."

His smile returned as he picked up his spoon. "So where do you and your crew live?"

"This is only the second time we've met and you're already trying to get my address?" I joked with a sarcastic smile.

"I was just curious is all. I've noticed you guys always ride in from under the boardwalk and hang out at the far end," Sam pointed out.

I met his gaze with a raised brow. "Have you been stalking me, Samuel?"

Sam's face turned bright red once more as he frantically shook his head. "No … what … of course not. I was … I was just making an observation. It's just something I noticed."

"Well, I can't tell you or I'd have to kill you," I said in a serious tone, noticing his face turn white as my smile returned. "I'm just kidding. We live on the outskirts of town."

Deep down I knew I wasn't kidding. If he knew where we lived and discovered what we were he may try to kill us. That or the others would kill him first. Keeping things vague was the best thing for everybody.

"So, are you all related or…" Sam began.

"No." I finished quickly. "We're just bunking together. We were … abandoned by our parents and we're all we have."

Sam's face saddened. "I'm sorry to hear that."

"Don't worry, it doesn't bother me anymore. I found a new family and I'm happy with it," I said.

I wanted to tell him the truth but lying was the best alternative. I wanted to say that I was turned into a half-vampire against my will and forced to leave my parents. That I have to live in a cave with four vampires that get on my nerves and two half vampires that I actually like. But that mess of a conversation would lead to tragic consequences.

I could tell what I said had dampened the mood, so I tried to change the subject. "Enough about me, what about you? I noticed you took my advice."

Sam and I looked down at his attire at the same time. It was still a little flashy but more subdued than the first time I had seen him. He wouldn't stick out as much if he wore clothes like that.

"Yeah, my mother … I went shopping and got myself a few things," Sam said, trying to play it off cool. "I didn't want to stick out like a sore thumb."

"Well, I think your mother chose well," I said, bursting into laughter.

Sam was embarrassed but soon that look transformed back into a humorous one. "Yeah, she did."

"Do you like Santa Carla?" I asked, sliding a strawberry into my mouth. It didn't taste as sweet as it used to but the flavor was still there.

"It's growing on me, especially since I met you," Sam said, looking from his ice cream into my eyes.

Our looks lingered as I went for another strawberry, getting strawberry sauce on my lip. I went to wipe it off as his hand slid forward and cupped my cheek, wiping my lip clean; our gazes never leaving one another.

"You look so pretty when you blush," Sam muttered, looking down at my lips before meeting my gaze once more.

"Thank … thank you."

He smiled at the effect he had, pulling his hand away and licking his finger with his tongue. I shook the feeling off and wiped the residue that was left behind with my napkin. Sam cleaned the entirety of his cardboard bowl, throwing it in the trash. I had only finished about a quarter of mine but I threw it away along with him.

Once our ice cream was gone, Sam grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the games. We played for almost two hours, from squirting water into a plastic head's mouth to popping balloons. I downplayed my skill on all of them, knowing if I used my full strength I may break someone or something.

We even went to the dunk tank. Sam threw his ball and hit the target but the platform didn't budge. The person on the seat smugly laughed. This angered me a little more than It probably should've as this time around I didn't hold back. I threw with everything I had and the target flew backward, falling off its hinge as the person submerged. I awkwardly smiled and mumbled about it being old and how odd it was that it just fall off like that; Sam thought it was the coolest thing since sliced bread.

Our last game was knocking over milk bottles. I missed on purpose as I wasn't going to show my strength and raise any more suspicion. Sam, on the other hand, hit all three winning a stuffed monkey half my size. He smiled and then handed it to me.

"I can't take your prize," I denied, shaking my head. "You won that."

"I did and now it's yours. Besides, I want you to have it," Sam insisted.

He pushed the monkey into my arms. We started walking toward the other end as I smiled to myself. No one had ever given me a gift before, aside from my parents on my birthday and Christmas. It meant more than Sam could ever imagine. We made our way onto the beach and strode toward the lapping waves.

"One thing I do love about this place is the ocean," Sam said, picking up a stone from the sand. "It's quite beautiful, especially at night."

"I completely agree,"

Sam took the stone and flung it across the water's surface, bouncing a few times before it sunk beath the dark waves. He went to grab another when he gasped, pulling his hand away and bringing it to his mouth.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

"Yeah, I just cut myself on a sharp rock,"

Sam pulled his hand away from his mouth to show me. There was a small cut between his thumb and pointer finger on his right hand. The scent of his blood carried on the wind and entered my nose. I could tell when I first met him he smelled good, but his blood was even more … intoxicating when it wasn't below the skin.

My eyes locked on his hand as I felt my fangs aching to extend. I took a step forward and grabbed his hand. He looked at me with confusion as my gaze stayed on his bleeding flesh.

My mouth hovered over his wound as he spoke. "What are you doing?"

His voice was like ice water to my senses. I quickly let go and turned away from him, my fangs sliding out of my gums. I didn't have to look to know my eyes had also changed. If I didn't get out of here fast, I'd do something I regret.

"I'm sorry … I … I have to go," I mumbled through my hand that was now covering my mouth.

I ran from the beach and into the crowd. I could hear Sam start to follow but as I slid into the massive group of people he lost sight of me. I slid between two buildings and squeezed my eyes shut, trying to control my breathing.

I painfully forced my fangs back into my gums as my eyes returned to their original color. I was pale and shaky and knew staying on the boardwalk would make things worse. I slid into an area where no one was and flew into the sky, luckily a storm was coming in and the clouds hid me from view. I flew over our regular spot and found the crew was already gone, so I flew back to the cave myself.

When I landed on the top of the cliff, I noticed an extra bike that wasn't one of the others. I made my way down the steps and through the cave entrance, hearing the crew talking loudly. When I entered the main space, I found Laddie and Star sitting off to the side with the four sitting in a circle, another boy with them. He had brown curly hair and a jacket similar to mine but black.

When I entered, David turned to notice. "Ah, look who's home."

Everyone turned to look at me. Star and Laddie looked concerned while the four, especially David, looked annoyed, and then there was the boy. Once I had a clear look at his face, I realized he looked familiar, but I couldn't figure out why.

"Sorry, I was … busy," I muttered.

I quickly walked past the group to sit with Laddie and Star. David's annoyance disappeared as he forced a smile back onto his face.

"As long as you made it home safe; that's what matters," David said, motioning to the new boy. "Dawn, this is Michael Emerson. He's come to eat dinner with us."

Any color my already pale face had was gone. Now I realized why he looked so familiar. He was Sam's brother and he was in a den full of vampires.