I woke up to the familiar sight of the comic book store, but the doors were closed, and the windows were covered with thick sheets. I tried to move my arms but found them tied behind my back to the wooden chair I was sitting in. My legs were in a similar fashion, the stake Edgar had stabbed me with still sticking out of my side.

My eyes adjusted as I found someone sitting about five feet in front of me. When the blurriness faded, Allan emerged. He sat across from me with a stake in one hand and holy water in the other.

"Where's your brother?" I asked, trying to get more comfortable and gasping at the pain.

He leaned forward. "Getting the guest of honor."

Before I could ask, the door slid open, and two figures walked in. The figure at the back reclosed the door, locking it. Then led the other figure into the light where Allan and I were, revealing Edgar and Sam.

Sam was confused, and when he saw me stabbed and tied up his eyes went wide. He tried to run to help me, but Edgar grabbed his shoulder and pulled him back a step, shaking his head.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," Edgar said.

"Why is Dawn tied up? And why does she … have a stake in her stomach?" Sam asked, looking back from Edgar to me with immense concern.

"You called us an hour or so ago about Michael, right? What did you say on the phone?" Edgar asked, ignoring his question.

"That I thought he was becoming a vampire," Sam mumbled.

"And why did you think that?" Allan asked.

"Because he tried to attack me while I was taking a bath. My dog knocked him dog the stairs and bit him. When I came down to check, his reflection wasn't all there. Then he…" Sam began.

"Then he what?" Edgar asked.

"He flew out the window, holding onto a phone cord for dear life," Sam admitted.

"Well, to answer your questions. Dawn is like this because she's a vampire. She's part of the same group that damned your brother," Edgar said, peering over Sam's shoulder to me. "Isn't that right?"

"You don't know what you're talking about," I sneered.

"Oh, I think I do. Maybe you just need a little jog to your memory," Edgar said, motioning to Allan.

Allan nodded, rising from his chair. He walked over to me with a glowing smile, grabbing the stake with his right hand. His eyes met mine as he wrenched it from my side, a scream escaping my lips as pain erupted in my body.

Sam shook his head and came to stand between Allan and me. "Leave her alone."

"She's a bloodsucker, Sam. If you let her in, she'll destroy you," Edgar warned.

"I would never hurt Sam," I insisted.

"Should we test that theory?"

Allan appeared behind Sam, wrapping his arm around his neck. Sam tried to fight him off, but Allan was stronger than he looked. Edgar pulled out a wicked-looking pocket knife and grabbed Sam's hand, cutting into his palm. Sam gasped against the pain, trying to struggle, but to no avail.

The second the scent of his blood wafted into the air, I wanted it more than I ever wanted anything else, but I wasn't going to lose control. I closed my eyes and firmly shut my mouth, trying to ignore the inviting aroma. Edgar noticed this and moved Sam's hand beside my mouth just below my nose.

"Don't fight your urges, Dawn. Show him what you really are," Edgar demanded.

I gritted my teeth and squeezed my eyes shut even harder. "No."

"Guys, this isn't funny. Just stop it, alright," Sam whined, still struggling against their grasp.

"Not until Vampirella shows her true colors," Allan said.

"Dawn, open your eyes and have a taste," Edgar taunted.

He moved Sam's hand closer, to the point of my lips almost touching his torn flesh, but I tilted my head away. "I said no."

"Come on, Dawn, you know you want it."

The last taunt broke something within me, but it wasn't the need to feed on Sam, it was the need to get as far away from him as possible. I balled my hands into fists and pushed against the ropes, the pressure causing them to snap. This made all three back away from me, even if Sam was basically dragged by Allan.

I rose up from the chair that was broken at my feet. I knew if I opened my eyes they'd be different, but at this point, there was no going back. I opened them as my face transformed, fangs in full view. The sight of me made Sam's face lose all its color as the other two grew more angry and determined.

"See, Sam, that's who Dawn truly is. She's a bloodthirsty killer," Edgar said.

"No," I muttered.

Edgar turned from Sam to me. "Huh?"

"I may be a vampire," I muttered, forcing my face to return to normal, my fangs disappearing and the discoloration of my eyes with it. "But I'm not a killer."

Pain surged up my side as my hand rose to my wound, and I collapsed onto my knees, breathing deeply. Sam broke from Allan's grasp and stole a washcloth from the counter, wrapping it around his hand. Once secure, he kneeled down in front of me.

"I think you know what you must do, Sam," Edgar said.

He leaned forward and offered a stake to Sam. He looked from it to me. There was fear in his eyes, but something else, something stronger … worry. He turned back toward the stake and pushed it away with his hand.

"I'm not going to kill her," Sam admitted.

Edgar and Allan shared a look before Allan stepped forward. "Then we will."

Sam rose to his feet and turned his back to me, placing his arms out at his sides. "If you want her, you're going to have to go through me first."

I looked up at him with surprise as the brothers did the same. They expected Sam to be scared and angry, to join them in their cause and slay the beast. Yet, that wasn't the case.

"Are you serious, Sam?" Edgar asked as if he was crazy. "She's a monster."

"No, she isn't," Sam said, looking back at me.

Allan tried to lunge at Sam, but Edgar held him back. With a sigh, he shook his head. "Fine, but it's your funeral. We'll be back in an hour, and if she's still here, I'm shoving a stake through her heart."

"Edgar, what are you…"

"She's his problem now."

Edgar grabbed Allan's arm and pulled him out of the room, slamming the door behind them. Their muffled bickering slowly faded until silence followed. Once Sam knew he and I were alone, he turned around and crouched down in front of me. I sat up against the counter, my hand over my wound.

I looked into his eyes with surprise. "Why'd you save me?"

"Because I don't think you're a monster. A monster wouldn't do what you just did," Sam said.

"Thank you … mhm …" I gasped, another bought of pain surging up my spine.

Sam slowly removed my hand from the wound and noticed it wasn't healing. He looked down at his hand as his face lit up with an idea. He removed the washcloth and offered his hand to me.

I knew what he was offering and shook my head, pushing his hand away. "No."

"You're not healing, which means you need blood. I have it coursing through my veins, and I could live without a pint or two. Just be gentle, okay?" Sam said, moving his hand even closer.

I looked down at the blood and felt my fangs trying to extend. One sip and the pain would be gone. I would be strong again, but then I'd be a full vampire, and I promised myself I would never let that happen, not now or ever.

So, even though my body screamed at me, I pushed his hand away once more. "I'll be fine."

"No, you won't. Just let me…"

"I said, I'll be fine!" I yelled, causing Sam to jump. I regretted raising my voice instantly as I lowered it. "I'm sorry, but you don't get it. I'm only a half-vampire, and if I drink blood, I become a full one."

"Like Michael …" Sam muttered.

"Yes, but each day it gets harder to resist. Eventually, I'm afraid I'll crack. Once that happens, I'll lose whatever's still making me human," I admitted.

"How long have you been like this?" Sam asked.

I avoided his gaze. "A year. I was turned the same night my friend was killed."

"I'm sorry."

"So am I. If I had just stayed by her side, I may have saved her or at least joined her. It'd be better than living in this hell," I muttered.

Sam's hand rose to my face and moved my head so I would look at him. "Don't ever say that."

"You don't get it, Sam. Every day is torture. I have this unbearable hunger inside of me that urges me to feed. I just want it to be over," I said, tears coming to my eyes. "I just want my suffering to end."

I looked over at the clock and realized what time it was. I knew the others had probably already gone back to the cave, and If I didn't return by sunrise, I'd be stuck out here. So, I used the counter as my support and rose to my wobbly feet.

Sam rose with me, his hands outstretched in case I fell. "Dawn, I don't think moving is the best idea right now."

"I have to go home. If I don't, the others will worry and come looking for me tomorrow night. If they find me with you, they'll kill you, Sam," I said. "I will not let that happen."

"What are you going to tell them when you come home like this?" Sam asked, motioning to my weak state.

"Most of them will be asleep, and my wound should be healed by tomorrow night. I may not be a full vampire, but I do have some healing capabilities. If they ask, I'll lie," I explained.

"You'd protect Edgar and Allan? Even after they did this to you?" Sam asked.

I nodded. "If I don't, the others will kill them. I will not be the reason innocent people die."

"You consider them innocent?" Sam asked.

"They're just scared. Who wouldn't be when you're up against something like us," I said, looking at the clock once more. "I have to go."

"When will I see you again?" Sam asked.

"You won't."

Sam's face filled with confusion. "What?"

"Do you know why I came here tonight?" I asked, Sam, shaking his head. "David said I had to cut things off with you or he'd … hurt you."

"I'm not afraid of whoever this David is," Sam said.

"You should be, and that's why this is goodbye. Thank you for saving me, honestly, but I will not risk your life for my happiness. You deserve better, I'm sorry it had to be this way," I sighed, wiping away the tear that had rolled down my cheek.

Another surge of pain filled my body as I collapsed once more. This time I didn't have the strength to get back up, and Sam knew it too.

"Looks like you don't have a choice."

Sam placed a hand behind my back and under my legs, picking me up. I tried to push him away, but I couldn't. "Sam, if they find me with you, they'll kill you."

"I don't care. Shut up and let me save your life."