After what happened that night I decided Sarah needed a bit of a confidence boost. I want her to understand that even when she's all alone or when things go wrong that there are still people out there who care for her and will do anything to keep her safe. She's just a kid so I don't think simply telling her that will make it clear. She needs to see it. Also, it would be a good idea if she wasn't so dependent me or Mr tall for company. That's when the idea hit me.

I offered to take Shancus and Urcha off Merla's hands for a while. I can't believe I never thought of this sooner. It's exactly what Sarah needs, friends her age. I wonder why they've never played together before now? Merla seemed more than happy to let me take the boys away, something to do with Shancus and a bottle of expensive snake oil.

We started walking to a near by park that looked it had been abandoned quite a while ago but still looked in tact and already the atmosphere felt tense. I don't think I've ever seen Shancus this quiet for so long. Why do they look so nervous? The silence broke as soon as Shancus saw the tire swing. He dashed straight for it and leaped right into it. He looked like a green donut filling. Urcha was close behind and was climbing on top of the tire trying to shake Shancus out. Sarah was still by my side clutching my hand. She looked so small. Her other arm hung limp in a sling and her skin looked pale with dark circles rimming her eyes. It reminds of those kids I would see on the news who got addicted to drugs at the age of twelve.

"Don't you want to go play with them?" I asked.

"They don't like me" her voice makes her sound even smaller.

"How do you know that?"

"They scared of me. I heard them talking once and they said when I scream at night it wakes them up and scares them.

"Oh" Was all I could think to say. It seemed kind of unfair that they would ignore her but then, I did the exact same thing didn't I? I tugged Sarah over to the swing, maybe if they just see how much like them she really is they'll ease up a little. It went quiet again until I gave Shancus a firm push on the swing. There was a loud "Whoa!" that went high in the air and came back down again. Urcha wanted a go too and kept pestering Shancus to get off. When it came to Sarah's turn there was a faint smile across her face. I helped her in and she finally started laughing again, getting louder whenever she got higher. I'll give her a great big push. That'll get her smiling, I thought proudly. And…push!

There are times when I forget my own strength. This was definitely one of those times. It didn't help that Sarah wasn't even holding on. Thank the Vampire gods for Vampire super speed. I just caught her. Shancus and Urcha came running up behind us.

"You're supposed to hold on you dafty," said Shancus in between fits of laughter. Just as I was about to give him a scolding…

"Do it again!" She squealed.

Things went smoother after that; the park had a huge set of monkey bars and a roundabout but all they kept asking was to go 'flying'. Eventually Shancus was getting bored and started to tease Sarah a bit. Nothing to nasty just kiddie teasing but it's not really fair on Sarah. He kept making of her pale skin, saying she looked like a ghost and how slow she was at running compared to him. I kept telling him off for it but it didn't do anything. Note to self: next time, bring the wolf man. Suddenly I could hear music: loud, ringing bells playing the tune, 'Mary had a little lamb'. I looked around, a bright yellow van with a giant ice cream cone on the top was just stopping at the road close to us. Hopefully, that'll shut Shancus up for a bit. I ran to it and bought one for each of us. When I gave Sarah hers she looked confused. We all sat up against an old wall and dove into the cones happily except for Sarah and wouldn't you know it, Shancus sees the opportunity.

"What's up with you? Don't you know how to eat ice cream?" She looked closer at it and a tiny bit touched the tip of her nose.

"Is that what this is?" Jeez, she really didn't' have a life before now.

"Your kinda dumb you are"

"Shancus" I said warningly.

"Well she is" he wined "I mean, who doesn't know how to eat an ice cream. No wonder you get hurt so much. You must be so daft that you keep-"Splat!

Out of the blue Urcha smashed his cone right into Shancus' nose. Shancus: half snake boy, half bird!

This will be the girliest thing I've ever said but, awww. Urcha just stood up for Sarah. If that's not cute then call me Murlough. We all stared at Shancus and his 'nose' for a moment then Shancus pulled the cone off and tossed it back at Urcha. Shancus ducked when it thrown back again and this time it landed on Sarah's head. Urcha jumped to his feet and shouted: "Ice Cream Fight!"

The horror…the horror…and the stickiness. I don't think Merla was too pleased either about me bringing home her two sons covered in ice cream. It could have been the evil glare or the growl or how she threatened to whack my head with her ears every time I turn around, who knows for sure really. Mr Tall didn't seem to bothered by it though. Maybe he's just happy Sarah had a good time. He picked her up and took her away to get cleaned up. As I watched tem leave I felt myself smiling as heard Sarah talk about how much fun she had then I felt really uncomfortable as I tried to pull an ice cream out of my backside. I hope next time Sarah will go up to Shancus and Urcha on her own. I want her to become good friends with them. It's not healthy for a kid her age to be all alone but I don't think I have to worry anymore. And who knows, maybe Shancus will even ask Sarah to come and play.

Sorry for the long overdue update. I lost my mojo for this story and i don't like forcing myself to write. But a few days ago i felt like writing and here we are. Thanks and remember to review