I woke up in a room I didn't recognize. There were posters of random celebrities and a giant red watch on the wall. It looked like an average bedroom; definitely lived in.

I tried to sit up as pain filled my side and the feeling of something else, something tight against my skin. I lifted my shirt and found gauze wrapped around my torso, pinned in place by tape. I lowered my shirt as the door to the room opened. I tensed up in preparation for a fight, but it was just Sam.

He slid into the room, holding a tray with a bowl of soup. When he saw I was awake, he quickly hurried to the bed. He set the tray on the nightstand, sitting down beside me.

"Glad to see you're awake," Sam said.

"Did you do this?" I asked, motioning to the gauze.

Sam nodded. "Yea, I hope you don't mind."

"No, not at all," I said, looking away. "I'm just not used to people caring for me."

"Well, get used to it." Sam smiled, grabbing the tray in his hands. "Can you eat soup?"

"Yes, thank you."

I repositioned myself against the headboard as he placed the tray over my lap. I took a spoonful of soup, drinking a small sip. As I continued to eat, I looked up to find Sam staring at me.

"What?" I asked with a raised brow.

"Nothing. It's just … I didn't think vampires could eat," Sam admitted.

"Full vampires can't, but half vampires can. It doesn't really taste like anything and doesn't truly fill us up, but it helps," I explained.

"Will it help you heal?" Sam asked.

I shrugged. "I don't know. This is the first time I've been seriously injured. With my luck, blood is the only thing that'll help."

"If it comes to that, I can…"

"No." I stopped him before he could even start. "Don't ever say something like that."

Sam nodded, looking down at his feet. I continued eating as he awkwardly sat there in silence. That is until another question came to mind.

"What does it feel like?" Sam asked, meeting my gaze. "The hunger?"

I put the spoon back on the tray as I sighed. "It feels like my stomach is on fire, drying up my throat. No amount of water or food could put out the flames. Some days it's worse than others, but it's always there; a constant pain."

"It sounds awful," Sam muttered.

"It is."

Sam met my gaze intensely. "What if I could make you human again?"

"I'd say that'd be a miracle that's too good to be true," I muttered.

"But what if it wasn't?" Sam asked. "The Frog brothers may be crazy, but their knowledge is immense. In one of the comics they gave me, it said if you kill the head vampire, all half vampires turn back to normal. If you tell me who it is, I can end your pain. I can end my brother's pain."

"Sam, no," I said, shaking my head.

"You're protecting them?" Sam asked.

"No, I'm protecting you," I said, gritting my teeth. "If you go up against them, you will lose. If you bring Edgar and Allan, you will still lose. You're playing with fire, and I will not watch you get burned."

"Dawn, let me help you," Sam pleaded.

"I'm past saving, Sam."

Sam scooted closer to me on the bed. He looked my face up and down, shaking his head slowly.

"No, you're not. I can save you," Sam said. "You just have to let me."

"You barely know me, Sam. I'm not worth risking your life for."

"I know you, Dawn. It's only been a week, maybe two, but I see you. You love comics, fruit on your ice cream, and hate being the center of attention," He said, both of us giggling. "You push your feelings down within yourself because you don't want to be a burden on others, but I assure you, you are not a burden to me. You aren't evil or a monster or a freak. You're still you."

His eyes locked on mine, and I saw the truth behind them. He looked at me now like I was perfect; a goddess among men. I had never had anyone look at me like that before, and it scared me, especially when he leaned forward and kissed me.

After the shock wore off, I smiled under his lips before kissing him back. I loved the feeling of his lips against mine, my heart beating fast in my chest. As we kissed, his hands traveled to my waist, and his lips went from mine, down my cheek, and onto my neck.

As he did, my gaze locked in on his throat, the pulse beneath his skin speeding up. I could hear it loud in my ears, the blood rushing quickly. I felt the tip of my fangs pricking my tongue.

The moment of pain was like being doused in cold water. I quickly pushed Sam away, moving the tray off my lap before getting to my feet. I turned my back to him, covering my mouth with one of my hands. He was confused at first, and then he noticed my tense posture.

"Dawn, what's wrong?" Sam asked.

"Nothing … I'm … f-fine."

Sam came up behind me and placed his hands on my shoulders. The touch made another pang of hunger shoot through me. I shrugged his hands away and tried to leave the room. He went for my hand, and when he grabbed me, I turned around.

"I said I'm fine!" I yelled.

I bared my fangs with a wicked hiss. His eyes widened with fear as he stumbled back a step. When I saw the fear, I quickly ran from the room and made my way outside. I found my way to the driveway, noticing that the sun was just setting below the horizon; I'd been asleep for hours.

As I took in the fresh air, the hunger slowly died down as I felt my fangs retract. I dug my nails into my palm so hard I broke the skin, blood pooling to the surface. When I loosened them, I heard footsteps behind me. I turned to find Sam standing there, worry reflected in his gaze.

"Are you okay?" Sam asked out of breath.

"I need to go. The others will be looking for me, and they cannot find me here. Thank you, and I will lie as to my whereabouts to keep you safe. Goodbye Sam."

"Dawn, wait-"

Without another word, I flew up into the sky, hiding within the clouds. It took a lot of energy to stay aflight, but I kept a steady pace. I arrived at the cave shortly after sunset.

As I neared the entrance, loud crying could be heard. I quickened my walk and ran into the main area of the cave. I noticed Star with her head in her hands, Laddie trying to comfort her.

I made my way over and crouched down. "What's wrong?"

"They took Michael to the far end of the beach," Star cried, looking over at me with tear-filled eyes. "They're going to show him how to feed."

My stomach fell to the floor. "Do you think … he'll do it? Feed?"

"I … I don't know." Star shrugged. "I don't think so. He seemed just as scared as I was when I found out I'd been turned. He's strong, but so are they."

"Where exactly did they take him?"

I found the others in a tree, looking down at a party just a few feet in front of them. I kept at a distance where I could see them, but hopefully, they wouldn't see me. It was too late to pull Michael away now, I just had to wait until the others left.

The other four flew up into the sky and toward the partygoers. A goth with a mohawk looked up and screamed. The other partygoers followed suit as David, Marco, Dwayne, and Paul descended upon them.

There was blood everywhere. I wanted to stop them, but I knew it was no use. Michael and I watched on in horror, but there was more to it. It was clear both of us were holding ourselves back. Holding ourselves back from joining them.

They tore the partygoers to shreds, David biting into the skull of one of them. They fed, but it wasn't just that. The four were playing with their food and loving every second. After the humans were dead, they threw them into the bonfire, screaming with joy.

Michael screamed no, throwing himself off the tree and backward into the sand. When he looked up, the four came over the hill covered in blood. They stopped just a few feet in front of Michael, sadistic smiles on all of them.

"So, now you know what we are, and now you know what you are. You'll never grow old, Michael. You'll never die," David explained, wiping his lips clean. "But you must feed."

The four begin to laugh, a cackle of sorts. Once they'd had their fun, they took their bikes and drove off, leaving Michael in the sand. I flew down from my hiding place to appear beside him. He didn't realize I was there until I offered my hand. He looked up and realized it was me, taking my hand in his and rising to his feet.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

"Far from it. Did you see what they just did?" Michael asked, trying to keep himself from crying.

"Yes, sadly I did," I said, disgusted. "They're monsters."

"I'm going to end up just like them, aren't I?" Michael asked, meeting my gaze.

I shook my head. "Even if you fed, you would never be like them, Michael. They're a whole another level of evil."

"But you don't understand, I wanted to join them. It took everything I had not to partake," Michael sighed.

"I know, and I get it. I've been like this for a year, and I've reigned myself in on many occasions. You may feel guilty, but you didn't act upon it, and that's what matters," I admitted.

Michael nodded, looking down at his feet. "I have to go."

Michael turned toward his bike as I appeared in front of him. He tried to walk past me, but I moved the same way he did. I shook my head, crossing my arms.

"You can't go back home in this state, Michael. If you do, you may hurt your family. You may kill them. You can't go home," I insisted.

"I have to,"

Michael pushed past me and got on his bike. I watched as it roared to life, and he sped down the beach. I watched on as he vanished into the darkness of night. I knew the smart thing to do would be to go back to the cave, but my worry for Sam's safety won, and I followed.

I arrived at the house and landed in a tree. I watched as Michael flew into one of the second-floor windows. I flew closer and peeked inside to find Michael and Sam. Sam jumped at Michael's sudden appearance and tried to act tough.

"Michael, how did you…" Sam began.

"I know what I am now, Sam," Michael said.

"Michael, I can fix this. Just tell me who the head vampire is," Sam said, stepping forward with raised hands. "I thought it was Max, but I was wrong. Just work with me, and I can help you. You're going to be okay."

I heard the swish of wind and looked down to find Star standing below the windowsill that Michael had flown through. She yelled his name as he opened the window, peering down at her with Sam by his side.

"I have to talk to you. Can I come up?" Star yelled.

"No," Michael said, pulling Sam away from the opening. "Close your window and lock your door."

Before Sam could move to do so, Star flew through the window, landing just inside the room. Her sudden appearance caused Sam to jump, backing away as far as the room allowed.

Michael turned toward her with an angry glare. "You know where David took tonight, don't you, Star?"

"Yes, it's my fault. If I hadn't met you. If I hadn't liked you … I tried to warn you," Star admitted.

"It was that night in the cave, wasn't it? That wasn't wine they gave me to drink. It was blood. That was David's blood," Michael spat, gritting his teeth. "I'm just like David now, Star."

Star frantically shook her head. "No, you're not. You're like Dawn, Laddie, and me. We're not one of them …"

"Until you make your first kill," Sam interjected.

Star looked toward him before looking back at Michael with a silent nod. Michael moved his head into Star's line of view so she would look at him.

"Why didn't you kill me last night?" Michael asked.

"You were supposed to me first. That's what David wanted," Star mumbled, her gaze meeting his. "But I couldn't, Michael."

"Why? Because you care so much about me?" Michael asked.

"Yes, I do," Star said, placing her hand on his cheek.

His face softened for only a moment before he swatted her hand away. "What are you doing here? What do you want from me?"

"I wanted to tell you that it's not too late for you, but for me, it gets harder and harder to resist," Star said, looking away as a tear rolled down her cheek. "I'm weak."

"Why did you come here tonight, Star?" Michael asked, grabbing her arms.

"I was hoping you could help Dawn, Laddie, and me," Star mumbled.

Michael laughed before pushing her away, Star disappearing from the room. Michael ran to the window yelling her name, but she was already gone. I watched as Michael ran a hand through his hair before running out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

Sam sighed in relief when he realized he was alone. I knew I should've just left, but I decided I couldn't. So, I flew into the room. Sam turned around and almost looked relieved at my presence.

"Dawn…" he muttered.

"I had to make sure you were okay. I didn't know what Michael may do when he got back, so I followed him," I said, looking down at my feet.

"I'm still breathing. Besides, I think I could've handled him," Sam said, flexing his biceps.

We both burst into laughter as he lowered his arms. After everything that had happened tonight, I realized Sam was right. I couldn't deal with this torment any longer, and I knew it was risky, but I was willing to try.

"There's another reason I came back. Other than saving you from Michael," I admitted.

"What is it?" Sam asked.

"I know who the head vampire is, and I can help you kill him."