I hate being in a rush.

Whenever I'm in a rush, I always forget something, or someone. Something would break, or at least get knocked over, while I'm hurrying. I'm just glad my family practically owns this town, otherwise I'd be rushing around every single day.

The worst thing about being in a rush is that I don't have time to take care of my beloved Princess of the Night. Oh, just saying something so unpleasant in my mind makes me feel sick and ashamed! She should be at the very center of my attention at every waking moment of the day, and night.

This is another reason I find myself punishing myself for.

The only thing worse than being in a hurry is being in a hurry, and having to move slow. Whenever I find myself having to move slowly - be it for physical, rule-abiding of conventional reasons - I get extremely pissed-off.

Unfortunately, the future of my life is going to hold numerous instances in which I'll have to rush, for more than just myself.

Twenty-four hours have passed since I've seen the report on Claire's death. The funeral's going to be held in three days, but I won't be going. I do however wonder if it will be open casket, hm. . .

I'm now sitting in my first period class, and Raven doesn't show up. My day is already ruined.

My teacher walks in looking somber. "Good morning, everyone. I assume you all will attend Claire's funeral coming up?" She says. Most of the people around me nod. "It is indeed a shame to lose someone so young to such a tragic fate."

She allows a few moments of silence to pass by before she moves on to the lesson. I don't listen to anything she says, though. My focus is on one thing, and one thing only; why isn't my Raven here? I drop my head between my folded arms on my desk. 'She could be with that monster,' I think. If he even thinks about holding her up at his hideout just to keep her for himself. . . I don't know if I'd be able to take responsibility for what I might do. . .

'Maybe she's already gaining baby weight,' I think.

. . . No. No, I can't be giving in to that-that stupid, offensive, idiotic rumor! Oh Lord, I can't believe I allowed myself to slip-up like that, I should know better. I should. . .

I rocket myself out of my seat and burst through the door leading out into the hallway. The sound of my first period teacher yelling at me to stop fades as I run down the hall and out the double-doors to the parking lot. I'm so distraught at this point that I can barely remember where I parked my car.

When I finally find my car, I don't enter it. I instead throw my back against the driver-side door and slide myself down onto the pavement. My breaths are heavy and ragged, and I have tears threatening to fall down my cheeks. I place a shaky hand over my wobbling lips as I try to calm myself.

'Face it Trevor, she really did get deflowered by that-that thing. She. . . She was forced! That's what happened, of course! No wonder she got so uncomfortable when I brought it up the other day!. . . But then why would she go to his house afterward. . .? To tell him to back off! Yes! But why did she still go over to his house? Wait, he must not be letting her reject him, that sick bastard! Don't worry my love, I will take care of this! I just need some time. . .'

Feeling a lot better than I did when I came out, I move to get up. I stop and furrow my eyebrows when I hear something. It's like the sound of scotch tape makes when you peel it off a smooth surface, only more moist-like. I turn around and my eyes go wide at the patches of black I see where my back was. I stare at the black patches that are contrasting with the red paint-job of my car,wondering why this just happened.

"Trevor!" I hear coming from behind me. I turn around and see one of the security guards heading my way, looking angry. I scramble to my feet and throw myself into my car. I'd just closed and locked the door when the guard grabbed the handle. The tires screech as I peel out of the parking lot and into the streets.

I nearly speed by a parked police car when I realize I'm blasting 60, and immediately stomp on the breaks. I tell myself to calm down repeatedly for an uncountable amount of time. My hands unconsciously tighten-up around the wheel when I realize where I am.

Police tape lined the steel gates with yellow, patrol cars occupied the extension of the driveway, officers stalk around the porch. My car slugged across the scene, then I hear knocking on my window. I stop the car and roll my window down to speak to the cop that stopped me.

"Don't you have school today, son?" He says.

I clear my throat and rub my neck stiffly. "I wasn't feeling good, so they sent me home." I choke out. The cop nods, but I don't he's convinced.

"So what're you doing driving down this street? Don't you think you should be going home if you're so sick?" He says, obviously growing suspicious.

I quickly say the first that comes to my mind, "I just took a few wrong turns, that's all." Not the best excuse, but it's already been said.

He stares at me for a good ten seconds, ten silent, tense seconds, then says, "Alright then. Go ahead, and go straight home." He turns to leave.

"Wait!" I yell, my voice cracking slightly, "The guy that was put in holding for this, was he the only person you guys found in the house?"

"Yeah," He says carefully, "Why?"

"It's just that, well. . . Wasn't there a whole family that moved there? I mean, that's what I heard at least." I try my best to sound concerned.

"Yeah, at first. But the two adults went back to where they'd come from and left their son and their butler here. Nobody's seen the boy, though."

"Do you think he might have done it? Could he be hiding inside the mansion?"

"At this point, it's anyone's guess. Some people say he caught a plane back to Europe, others say he's hiding out at his girlfriend's house. We haven't actually looked through the inside of the house yet. We're gonna start looking inside the house tomorrow afternoon and for the next few days, though."

I nod slowly. "Well, I guess I'll go home now." I say. He pats my shoulder and waddles over to his patrol car. I keep my eyes on the mansion as I cruise down the street until I turn the corner and it's out of my sight.

It's 9 pm. The sun has just officially disappeared from the horizon. My now black car sits parked on a street around the corner from that monster's mansion, but not for long. The last two police officers are chatting beside their patrol car, rather slowly, I might add. This mindless chatter is really gnawing at my nerves.

At last, after I-don't-know-how-many minutes of inaudible conversation, they finally get in their cars and leave. Neither of them notice me in the switched-off car as they drive by. I wait until they turn the corner to turn on my car and peel off the curve and onto the intended street. I whip into the pathway to my secret space and speed through the curves. As soon as I get to my spot, I turn my car off and scramble out.

I walk slowly and cautiously through the bundle of trees, running my gloved hands through my black wig and blinking from the discomfort of my red contacts. The mansion grows larger and larger with each step I take. The stillness of the night is overwhelming, it's like I'm drowning on air. My lungs continue to fill with imaginary water as I draw nearer and near until I'm standing on the porch, barely three feet away from the door. I wrap my hands around the handle, and with one shaky push, I'm staring into darkness.

I breath heavily in anticipation and it takes all of my willpower to move my legs through the dark, empty room. I should've brought a damn flashlight! Ugh, it's too late now, and if I turn on the lights, I'll risk alerting someone to my presense. I guess I'll just have to navigate blindly like the idiot I am.

I stumble a few times through the dark hallway before my hand grazes atop a recognizable surface; and kitchen counter. I run my fingers across the top as I sidle slowly along the side of what's proven to be the kitchen. After a short while, the side of my hand connects with a large, cold object, perhaps the fridge. My hand smooths all over the face of the refrigerator door until I find the handle and pull it.

I stare in amazement.

Sitting ominously on the top shelf are four round, dark, red, dripping containers obviously filled with blood - blood, and opportunity. If the cops get hold of this and Sterling, he'd be taken in without a though. He'd maybe even be found during the day turn to ash in an instant. The problem with that is, it's my mission to destroy that monster.

I stack the containers in my arms and leave the fridge open so I can find my way out of the room. I hastily jog out through the front and to my car and throw the containers into my trunk. I let out a shaky sigh and wipe my hands on my shirt, but then I catch a glance of my watch; 9:30.

Damn, I was moving way too slow. Need to speed up when I get back in.

I step inside and I can immediately tell that the refrigerator had closed on its own. I groan in irritation and begrudgingly put my hands out in front of me to better navigate myself through the darkness. I shuffle slowly in the opposite direction that I went before. I'm not moving very fast, but I'm moving faster than I did before. Out of nowhere, my foot taps something and I hear it slide across the old wooden floor. I get down on my hands and knees and wave my arms around the floor to find it. Suddenly, my wrist swats the object across the floor again, and this time I hear it tap against something, then go quiet. After a few seconds, I hear a quieter, further-away tap and I know that it has fallen down somewhere.

I sigh angrily, knowing I'd just knocked whatever-that-was into the basement. I stand up stiffly and walk in the direction that the little object went in until chest connects with a wall. No, not a wall; a door. I grab the dusty-feeling knob and twist it harshly and throw the door open. My left hand lays flat against the wall, and I take my first careful step. The step groans loudly and painfully resulting in me pulling my foot back. I take a deep, deep breath and retake the step. It groans just as loud as before, maybe even louder. I quickly take the second step which makes a small cracking noise, then the third step that makes a loud cracking noise.

Then there's a snap.

I fall backwards and break the two steps behind me in half, making me go straight down. But I never make it to the ground below me. I'm hanging less than five feet above the floor, slowly swinging back and forth.

"Fucking shoelaces!" I yell, then cover my mouth with my hand. I try to reach up to my feet, then I fall back into my previous dangling position.

This is great, this is just great. Fan-fucking-tastic. How in the hell am I going to get out of this? Ugh! Why do I have to be so fucking impractical with my decisions?

Just as I finish my self-scolding, I hear a snap. The floor smacks into my face and I feel myself go out.

I come-to after what had to be only a few seconds. My head is throbbing like you wouldn't believe. I try to sit up, but instantly fall back down. My body is nearly empty of all it's energy. I notice a green light dimly lighting up the stairs above me and remembered my digital watch. I turn my wrist towards my face: 11:40.

The air in my lungs escape from my body. "O-Over two hours?!" I say with a breathless voice. My body suddenly gains a burst of energy and I pull myself up to a sitting position. Despite the terrible pain I'm feeling, I wave my hands all around the cold cement floor in search of the item I was previously pursuing. My right hand suddenly taps something that in turn slides across the floor and against my knees. I immediately grab it a smirk in triumph.

The item emits a familiar jingle when I tighten my grip on it. I know now that the "item" is a set of keys - keys to a black Mercedes, the front door to a mansion and a few others things that I'm sure will contain quite the amount of secrets waiting to be unearthed. . . Worth it!

I sigh greatfully. "And now, another session of blind walking. . . Ugh!"

I keep my hand on the railing and circle around to the bottom of the staircase. Ignoring the pain in my head that's increasing by each step, I bolt up the stairs and catapult over the giant hole caused by my fall. I barely make it. My left foot hardly catches the edge and causes a few wood chips to fly down into the hole. I let out a shaky, relieved breath and get into the position I've used to navigate myself through the mansion thus far.

I shuffle slowly and try my very best to stay in one distinct path. Just a few moments later, my feet bump against the very first stair the staircase leading to the second floor. I lean forward and place my hands on the stairs in front of me to ensure a safe way up. It takes a while, but I eventually manage to reach the top of the staircase without harm. But then I fall to my knees after an intense pain pulses through the constant throbbing in my head. I'm overwhelmed with the terrible feeling; I can feel it in the back of my neck, in the bridge of my nose, in the backs of my eyes, in my teeth.

I feel myself black out again, then come back. Fearing that I was out longer than I thought just like before, I check my watch again: 11:55.

Damn! Okay, screw being careful, I need to hurry up before I go out again! I take off running in the direction of the next staircase, trying my best to evade any random objects lying around and push back the pain in my head at the same time. My foot suddenly catches the first step of the next staircase and I land painfully on the stairs. I hear a handful of cracks just under the loud groaning of the wooden steps.

The center of my face goes insanely numb, and I can tell nose is broken. The very next second, my ribs scream - I don't know if it was in pain from the impact, or in anger for me being so stupid - but they were screaming. I hold back the wretch of agony I have stirring in my throat as much as a can, yet a small shriek still manages to get out. The hot liquid dripping on my arm suggests that I'm bleeding - rather heavily, in fact.

With a grunt, I force my body to carry on to its destination. Clutching my nose, I palm the nearest wall as I walk down the final stretch. My hand glazes over cold knob. I don't hesitate to yank the door open.

Unlike the rest of the house, this room is dimly lit. I see that the source of light is coming from a crack in the wall on the other side of the room. I stalk quietly towards the light, ready for anything to burst through. Kneeling on both my knees, I curl my finger into the crack and push it aside.

There it is. . . That monster's resting place.

A simple black coffin in the dead center of the little room with a circle of dirt surrounding it, and ellipse of candles, flickering luminescent glory. The previously secret room stinks with it's wretched evil odor, he's still here. I'm quite surprised to find him remaining inside his "bed" while he's supposed to be walking the streets, stalking the streets, feeding in the streets. That. . . or harassing my beloved Raven. I was just expecting to accomplish finding where it slept, but to actually find him, and he's sleeping. . . Well, you can't pay me to pass this up.

I reach for the small pocket knife I'd stored in my back pocket and -

"I told the kid we'd start looking inside in the afternoon, then the next few days."

My eyes widen in shock. "The cop," I think, "That fucking cop lied to me!" My eyes dart to the window on the other side of the room and I see blue and red lights flashing through the glass.

"I got my suspicions about him, that's why I lied to the kid. But I still kinda think he's just shook up about the victim. I hear they were going out right before this." They're getting closer.

Doing the first thing that comes to my mind, I crawl into the little room and close the hidden door. I scramble to blow out all of the little candles before the two cops can enter the room. I barely manage to blow out the last candle and press myself silently up against a wall when I hear someone's foot tap against the bedroom door. Out of habit, I glance at my watch; 12:15.

They haven't been gone for four hours, and they're already back?! What the fuck?!

I let out a silent growl and press my ear up against the wall.

"This bed looks like it ain't been used since it was bought."

"Who would use it? It ain't even got a box-spring under it! Heheh."

"Yeah. . . Alright, you check the closet first, I'll go through the dressers."

Their chatting and searching goes on for an excruciatingly long time. Sleep's beckoning of my name grows louder and louder as time slugs on. I check my watch again some time later; 1:00.

I pull my head up quickly and hit my head on the wall lightly. I doesn't hurt, but it surprises me and I nearly make a noise. My eyes begin to shut, I snap them open. All of my subtle efforts to stay awake fail to work.

Then last thing I hear before I give in is, "Hey, look at this!"

My eyes crack open only to be met with darkness. It takes me a few moments to remember where I am. "I guess the cops didn't find me." I say to myself. I let a few moments of silence pass by before I move.

I head directly towards where I believe the coffin is. When I reach it, I place my hands firmly on the top. I see the time on my digital watch; 2:10. I just hope the cops are gone by now so I can get out easily.

I carefully lift up the lid of the coffin and shine my glowing watch into the case. . .

Thankfully, he's still sleeping.

I keep my watch shining on his face as my other hand reaches for my pocket-knife. I bring it up to his face, blocking my view of his left eye. I press the button and a sharp "ding!" rings throughout the small space as the knife shoots out of its compartment.

But then, his eyes snap open.

I jump slightly and let out a surprised gasp. We stare at each other blankly for what feels like hours. At last, he blinks and pushes me off of him. My back smashes into the opposite wall resulting in a couple of little cracks coming from my spine. I cringe in pain and grunt loudly and tighten my eyes until the hurt as bad as my bruising back. When the pain dies down enough to be tolerable, I open my eyes to see all the candles lit again and that monster cracking open the secret door.

He looks around for a few seconds, then shrinks back. "Still out there." He whispers. He looks back at me, then closes the small door. "I hope you don't have any plans, we're gonna be here for a. . ." He freezes mid-sentence. A wild look forms in his eyes, then they actually change color - a deep, dangerous red. Then I realize; I'm still bleeding. A flicker of panic and realization briefly consumes me as I realize I'm in no condition to properly defend myself. With my head cracked, my mind buzzing and my tender, beaten-up muscles, I might as well not even try.

He lunges at me ferociously. I throw my arms up just in time to provide some cushion for the impact. I feel my shoulder crack against the wall and break harshly and my arm tenses up. Sterling lets out low, barely audible growls with every claw he manages to sink into my skin in his attempts to bite me. My hands suddenly go limp, and in the next moment I'm feeling a white-hot pain like I never felt before. A tear slips from my eye from the intense fear overwhelming me and the searing pain in my neck. I let out a choked sob at the feeling of my blood draining my body.

Then I feel the weight of his body come off of me. I breath heavily in relief and from the critical condition I'm in. I bunch a handful of my shirt in my hand and press it up against the gaping holes in my neck.

"I-I'm so sorry!" He yell-whispers. I glare at him. "Oh, man." He continues, "This is. . . I-I can't believe I just. . . Oh god, I'm just so fucking sorry! Y-You're not gonna die, b-because I stopped! B-Because you won't die if I don't drink all of your blo-. . . I'm so sorry I put this on you!" He's smacking his own head as he goes through his fit of hysteria. Then he lets out a sigh and looks away in shame.

Minutes pass by quietly with only the sound of my heavy breathing and distant voices from the police. He spends the time of awkward silence running his hands through his hair, and every now and then, glancing back at me, then turning away when I look back at him. After a while, he suddenly lifts his head up and looks at me. "Alright look," He starts, "I'll explain later, but right now. . . Okay, I know I have no right to ask you a favor after what I just did, but hear me out."

All I can do is stare at him.

"You are. . . going to. . . turn into a vampire, okay. . .? Not immediately, though, it takes time for it to happen. Like, over a span of a few days, although it might take longer since you more 'attacked' than just bitten. . . Anyway, that, at the moment, isn't very important, sort of, okay? Whoever you are, whatever it is you came here for, we're both in danger of getting caught by the police. So, I have an idea that would require us to cooperate. Wait, you can drive, can't you?" I nod. "Good. Listen, while I was in my coffin earlier, I was texting my girlfriend. We have this plan to move my coffin to the graveyard. I'm sure you'd be able to imagine how heavy a coffin is and how long it would take to move it across town. Like I said before, I know I have no right to ask you a favor, but if you drive my coffin to the graveyard - you won't need your car, we'll just use my butler's Mercedes - not only will I help you out with your turning, but I'll give you an extra favor in return." He extends his hand out to me.

I don't respond. We sit staring at each other in tense silence. With this silence, I take the time to think about this "plan." I'd be assisting my enemy if I go through with this, and Raven would probably, and Raven would probably see my face if she's really going to be here. In fact, she'd more than likely see my face. I know you think that this wouldn't be a big deal, but it is! If she sees me here, she'd think I was consorting with her captor; it would break her heart/ She might even consider not speaking to me, maybe flat-out ignoring me! I wouldn't be able to go on knowing my lover holds such scorn for me! That would be a punishment worse than death, worse than purgatory! And think about how hurt my dearest would be! She'd likely be worse off than me! I can't allow her to go through such a thing. . .

But, I'd be able to see her again. It's been well over twenty-four hours since I've last seen her, and I'm reaching my peak. . . And if I do help this monster, I could probably some up with a better way to get rid of him. I'm well enough to kill him now, my half-empty veins are sure of this. And he's way more powerful than he seems, I'll admit that much. Plus, if I don't go through with it, that monster will rat me out for sure - I might even end up in prison. No prison rat is good enough for my Raven. I refuse to put Raven through such. . .

Wait a minute, he bit me. . . That monster bit me and I survived! How could I have taken so long to attune to this? I may not have turned yet, but I will soon, then I can destroy him. But until then, I'll have to play it safe. I'm going to accept his offer. I think I'll be able to keep Raven from seeing my face; I'll just hide behind my wig. And with all the blood seeping from my face, she'll never recognize me.

I extend my blood drenched hand and shake his awaiting one. "Good," He says, "Let's just hope we're not discovered before then." He gives me a friendly smile.

I just look away and lean against the wall.

I take the long time we have until the next evening to think, maybe plan out my course of action. I think about the containers of blood I have stashed in my car. Hm. . . He's definitely going to want the blood, and he's definitely going to be wondering what the hell happened to them. He's definitely gonna know I took them. . . I guess I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

You know what; how do I even know the cops didn't find my car? I mean, I know that my car hides well in the dark, but they're doing an investigation, they're going to look everywhere in and around the house. I'm gonna be so boned if they did. Ugh, I guess the best thing I can do about that, is hope.

I glance at my watch some time later: 8:50 pm. The dreadfully relieving time has finally come. I crawl over to Sterling's coffin and bang my fist loudly and clearly until he opens the top forcefully, making me fall backwards. We take a few moments to glare at each other.

I break away from the eye contact and make my way over to the "secret" room door. I crack it open slowly to be sure no one is around. Seeing nothing, I pull the door all the way open and quietly crawl through. I immediately look out the window and see one cop car left in the driveway. A quick glance to the right, and I see a certain gothic princess creeping in the trees close to the house. I sigh longingly.

Next, I creep over to the bedroom door. I slowly pull the door open enough to peak my head through and look out into the hallway. I see a the beam of a flashlight retreating down the hall, then down the stairs. I withdraw from the doorway and go back over the window. Just a few minutes pass by before I see two cops walk away from the mansion and toward their car. They quickly enter and peel out into the street. My Raven runs toward the front door, flashlight in hand. Oh, I'm so proud to have such a prepared lady in my life. So smart, so beautiful. . .

"Are the cops gone? Is my girlfriend here?"

I scowl at the sound of his voice. What an annoyance. "Yeah," I say as curtly as possible.

Quick, light footsteps fade into the silence. I brace myself for the impending beauty that's closing in. Just a few seconds and my little Princess of the Night is standing in the doorway. She shines her flashlight all over the room, then eventually, the light lands on me. I immediately shield my face with my hand. Her smile shines through the space between my fingers and in the next moment, I'm encircled by her warmth. "Oh Alexander!" She says, "I'm so glad you're alright!"

My heart flutters from her touch. But like all great things, it doesn't last.

"Raven." says the monster. My darling releases me and twirls around and shines the flashlight on Sterling. She lets out a squeak of embarrassment and shuffles over to him. They hug tighter than the one that took place just a moment ago. I glare at the scene before me, the disgusting little scene.

They let go of each other after a time. "Raven," He starts, "This guy's going to help us move my coffin to the graveyard."

Raven moves the light in the direction of my face again and I duck behind my arm, again. I hear her say hello, but I don't respond for previously explained reasons. "Well, I guess since you're so shy, we should just move of to the coffin." I allow myself to smile at her comment. How sweet of her to consider the circumstance that I was shy. . . even though I'm not.

Sterling crawls back into the "secret" room and drags the coffin out. He hoists up the narrower end to be on the same level as his chest. Then a thought pops into my mind; isn't this monster supposed to have superhuman strength? Shouldn't he be able to lift this thing on his own? I hear him clear his throat and I snap out of my thoughts to see both of them staring at me, expectantly. I look down at the end of the coffin that's still lying on the floor.

"Can you get the other end, please?" The monster says - in a rather impatient tone, if I do say so myself.

I slam my hands on either sides of the wooden box harshly and lift my end of it up to my chest - which, mind you, is a lot high than Sterling's. My movement is so sudden that he nearly drops the end he's holding. He gives me a look; I'm not sure what emotion it's trying to convey, but I know it's not a positive one.

"I-I guess I'll get some of your clothes." Raven says to Sterling.

"Thanks Raven." He says as he watches her pull clothing out of his drawers and stuff them into a random bag that was lying around somewhere.

"Alright boys," She says, smiling, "Follow your queen!"

I chuckle lightly, which earns me a glare from the other end of the coffin. Raven walks slowly in front of us so that we can stay together. We take an extra long time trying to get down the first set of stairs - mainly because he wouldn't let go of the fucking wooden box so we could just let it slide down. Eventually, though, we do manage to get outside; and it only took us twenty fucking minutes. Damn.

"You two wait here, I'll go find the keys." Sterling says.

"Wait!" I blurt out before I can think. They both look at me expectantly, but I don't say anything else.

"What is it?" Raven asks.

I bite my lip anxiously. My hands rub against each other and I dig my left heel into the dirt. "It's just," I begin, speaking in a voice that's what you could say is a slightly warped version of my real voice, "Well, I think the cops might have already found them and taken them as evidence, or something. I can just hot wire it while you guys put the coffin in the car."

They both continue to stare at me. "I guess we could do that." Sterling finally says, "But how are we going to unlock the door?" He crosses his arms and looks at me quizzically.

Alright you monster, you just keep pushing me and see what happens.

I nod, more to my own thoughts than to his question. I stroll over to the car leisurely. When I get to the driver-side door, I run my hand across the window, then successively add pressure. I try to do it slowly because I'm nervous about bleeding out, again. The glass finally gives in and my hand goes straight through. The little shards tear through my skin mercilessly. The hole my hand is reaching through is just big enough to encircle my fore-arm. My arm forces its way lower down the frame, slowly chipping through the glass until my hand touches the lock on the inside. I quickly unlock the door and yank my hand out the hole and open it.

I lean down toward the pedals and press the trunk button. I can feel Raven and that monster staring at me like I'm crazy. "Go ahead," I say, "Put it in the trunk." I turn around to look back at them, then I turn toward the pedals. I tear open the panel under the frame of the wheel and dig my hands into the bundle of wires. You may already know this, but I have no idea what I'm doing here. Am I supposed to connect wires, of pull them apart? I can't decide, so I just start doing random things.

The car's engine suddenly roars to life and I let out a brief victorious laugh. I pull myself up to the driver's seat and wait for my Raven and the other one. They both climb into the backseat a few moments later.

"We can't thank you enough for this." My darling says as I back us out of the driveway. My lips curl into a warm smile and my face burns with a blush.

I drive as quick as I possibly can without causing an alarm. Those two begin talking to each other a few minutes in. I just tune them out until I hear, "So why is your face all bloody?" come from Raven's mouth. I glance back at her, startled by her question; I really hadn't expected her to ask about the blood after so long.

My hands tighten around the steering wheel. "I just had a couple of accidents on the stairs when I went over to the mansion." I say.

"But I thought vampire could see in the dark."

I glare into the rear-view mirror at Sterling, the little shit. If he's gonna make something up about the situation, the least he can do is tell me about it.

"We can," I begin, "I just have bad eye-sight in general."

"But I thought-"

"We're here." I say curtly as I stomp on the breaks, then press the trunk button.

We all exit the car - I, rather quickly. Sterling and I pick up the coffin while Raven gets his clothes from the backseat. Raven leads us with her flashlight through the foggy graveyard. We eventually come up to a statue with a 4-foot hole dug a few yards away from it. We ease the coffin into the hole.

"Alright!" He says with a relieved sigh, "It's done. I'm safe, for now."

My dearest wraps her arms around him and lets out a shriek of happiness. She turns her head and looks directly at me. "And don't think I forgot about you!" She squeals. Before I can say or do anything, I'm engulfed with her warmth once again. I melt into her embrace and press my face into the crook of her shoulder. My arms slide around her waist and press her body harder against mine.

But then I notice something, something that I hadn't taken notice of in our previous hug. . . I feel a small bump pressing against me where Raven's stomach is touching me.

I flinch. I try not to, but I do. I'm can feel myself going into full panic mode. Raven lets go of me, oblivious to my disdain. "I have to go." I nearly yell with a shaky voice.

"What? Why?" Raven gasps.

"I just. . . I just need to get out of here!" I turn to leave. But Raven catches my arm.

"Wait. Before you go, I need to tell you both something." I'm hesitant, but I plant myself in place to hear her out. "Good. Guys, I want you both to listen out for as much information about this as possible, then come to my house Sunday so we can try to work this out. My parents will be gone between 8 and ten, but my brother will still be there, so you have to come in through the back door."

Both the monster and I nod.

"And you," She continues, looking at me, "Do you have a place to stay that's. . . inconspicuous?"

"I-I guess so."

"Then you'll need to take the Mercedes and hide it there, the police will be looking for it."

I nod. "C-Can I go now?"

"Go ahead."

I instantly take off toward the car. It takes no time for me to reach the car and I waste no time jumping in through the broken window frame. I use the keys to start up the car. The tires screech when I speed away from the curve.

I open my eyes, then shut them tightly from the burning rays of the sun shining through the window. I guess I forgot to close the curtains last night.

"Trevor, you're going to be late for soccer practice." I hear my mother say from the other side of my bedroom door.

I spring up from my bed. "Practice?! It's Saturday already?"

"Yes, honey! Hurry, or you'll be late!"

I jump out of my bed and go directly to my bathroom. I take a quick shower and throw on some random clothes that's lying around. I snatch my bag up from my closet and make a run for the garage, stumbling a few times on the way. The garage door nearly flies off its hinges when I kick it open.

But then I stop.

There, in the middle of the garage, are two red cars - one of which, has a broken window and I don't believe belongs to me, nor my parents.

I take a closer look at the new car and see the it's a Mercedes. What is a Mercedes doing in my garage? Nobody in my family even likes this model! Could a drunk partier have broken in and parked it here? No, not likely. Maybe we have a guest over? But who would be over this early?

"Go Trevor! It's almost nine!" My mother yells.

I groan in annoyance and hop into my Kia.

I hate being in a rush.