Chapter 4

It's been another couple months since I met Athena and Damien. Despite my annoyance of her on first meeting, I've grown to really like her. She enjoys books just as much as I do and we occasionally sit and talk while I'm on my break. Although as my fifth month in the hotel came to an end, I started to get really stressed. I did save up a lot of money these past few months; but after doing some research, I realized that my plan to hop from cheap hotels would only last me two months with all the money I have saved up. To make matter even more depressing, Nick has cut back his working hours because he got accepted into the local art school. So here I was, walking alone in the closing down mall.

"Chloe!" I jumped when someone shouted my name and turned to see Athena waving at me from across the street. She quickly crossed over and came to me with a worried expression on her face.

"Dear what on Earth are you doing walking our here alone?" she asked, "it's dangerous at night."

"Oh," I muttered, not used to having an adult care about me, "well Nick was at school today and I was just looking for a place to eat before I went home."

"You mean back to the hotel?" she asked and I completely froze as my heart picked up in pace.

"How did you?" I asked and she gave a warm smile.

"Damien and I saw you," she admitted then patted my shoulder, "I'll treat you to dinner and how about you tell me all about it?" I bit my lip and looked up into her brown eyes that held so much worry it took me by surprise.

"Alright." I muttered and she led me to a small restaurant where we sat outside in the warm summer evening. The best part about the patio, was that we were able to sit in a secluded area so no one could hear us talk. Her husband was already there waiting for us and I felt physically nauseous at the thought of telling them my story of how I came here. So, to calm my nerves, I just ordered a soup and salad because I wasn't sure I could stomach anything heavier. It also didn't escape my notice that the two didn't get anything to eat or drink. And then after I ordered, I started to tell them. I told them that my parents died, and my uncle was in jail and I've been in and out of foster homes and I ran away from my last foster home. I kept my story brief, not wanting to talk about anything I've been through. The two listened quietly as I talked, and I only stopped when the waiter came over every once and a while. I also told them about the man on the bus and how he gave me all that money and prepaid for the hotel suite. Once I was done, I stared at my half-eaten soup and salad and waited for them to speak.

"The man that helped you," Damien finally said, "do you remember his name?"

"I never got it actually." I replied and he nodded thoughtfully.

"Well you've been through so much dear," Athena finally said, "if you'd like, Damien and I would be more than happy to welcome you into our home if you'd like." I quickly looked up in shock at her warm smile.

"Why?" I asked stunned.

"Well I really do enjoy your company," she said, "and it pains me to think of you being all alone with no home. Why don't you think about it dear and you can give us your answer in a few days? It sounds like you still have a few days left in the hotel." After Damien paid the two walked me to the car and Athena gave me a small hug with her freezing cold arms.

"I do hope you'll come live with us Chloe," she said, "I'm sure you haven't had many good homes, but I promise you that you will always be welcome in ours." I bit my lip while getting into the cab. I didn't sleep at all that night. My head kept swirling with thoughts about tonight. The two seem very nice, but deep down I just can't believe that they would actually want me to live with them. No one has ever wanted that before. But, I also didn't have anywhere to go once I had to check out of this hotel. I groaned into my pillow, not sure of what I should do. I looked at the picture of me and my parents that I kept by the bed that was now in a frame I was able to buy.

"What should I do mom and dad?" I asked the smiling couple who was holding a younger, happier version of me. I pressed my lips together and flopped back down onto the bed. No one has ever offered a home to me and even though I was sure I wouldn't be able to stay with them for very long, I decided it might be ok to accept their offer. And so, the next day, when Athena came to store, I pulled her aside and accepted her offer. She responded with a tight hug and a 'I'll go get a room ready for you,' before leaving the store with a bright smile.

Athena and Damien's house was on the outside of the city and my jaw dropped at the size. It wasn't a huge mansion, but it was still a freaking huge white house with two high end cars parked in the garage. The room Athena set up for me was big too. It had a huge closet and bathroom along with a big desk and book shelf. Athena helped me unpack while Damien disappeared into his office saying he needed to work. Eventually, Athena left me behind to get settled in and take a shower. By the time I was done unpacked and setting up my new room, it was already evening. I went down stairs to see the two sitting on the couch and they looked at me when I came down.

"Hay Chloe we have something to talk to you about before you get fully settled." Athena said and I bit my lip knowing they were going to tell me that I could only stay for a little while. I sat down on the couch opposite of them.

"Ok." I said, preparing myself for the set move-out deadline.

"Well dear what we are going to tell you has to be a secret," she said, "and you can't tell anyone no matter what. Also, once we tell you it will be up to you if you want to stay."

"Um ok," I said a little confused. Athena took a huge breath and smiled a little.

"Well I'm sure you've realized how unusual we are," she started, "and we want to tell you why before you decide to live here."

"Alright," I said a little hesitantly watching as the two shared a look.

"Well dear it's because we're vampires." Athena finally said and I just stared at them with my jaw hanging open. This had to be a joke, right?