Authors Note

Before we begin, I will state this now, I have a more or less regular schedule up until classes here end. I will probably be updating every Friday, anywhere between 9 am to 2 pm. I should also now note, I've decided this series takes place in an alternate reality. Consider everything in the books up until after ghost town to be the same. after that, for this series, everything is very much different. Considering the strangers powers and the effect it'll have on the main characters of the series.

Chapter 2

The meeting

(No P.O.V.)

As they explained what they had found to the council, which consisted of Amelie, Oliver, Hannah, and Richard, It became clear how concerned they were. It wasn't so clear with Amelie and Oliver, but Hannah and Richard it was. Eventually, Amelie asked "Tell me. What do you think this... strange force is precisely?". I pondered the possibilities, before coming up with one possibility. "It might very well be a vampire that slipped through the cracks so to speak. One that no one knew about. One that's... well ancient. Lived long enough to have the knowledge Myrnin does and that also has a good enough grasp of modern science to update a machine like the one in Morganville to be... portable".

That last word had made them all shift. Even Amelie. She knew that it was also more powerful without her or Myrnin saying anything. Hannah asked very bluntly "So whatever this thing is, it's in Morganville and it's capable of killing vamps in seconds... how do we possibly fight this?". Claire herself was at a loss as to how to go about it. The only reply she could've given was "We need to know more. There's too much unknown to act effectively". Amelie nodded, and added "And until we do... we simply advise everyone to be more careful at night and nothing, and I mean absolutely no details, leave this room. Am I clear?".

Everyone nodded understandingly. When Amelie ordered silence like this, there was no arguing or debating her. You either stayed silent, or ran like hell, and none them, especially Claire, wanted to excercise the latter option. With that Amelie gave another order "Claire and Myrnin, you are tasked with finding this stranger. I expect results by the end of next week, if not sooner. The quicker, the better" and with that Amelie gave a dismissive wave of her hand. They all left, except for Oliver who stayed behind and said "You do realize the unlikeness that it is a vampire behind this correct?". Amelie looked at him and said "Of course. Even if they were looking for a fight, they would've known. And avoided confrontation... no. This is a human action. I don't know by who's hand but rest assured... I won't let this threat go unchecked" and with that Amelie stood and left. Oliver meanwhile was aghast at the thought of a human being able to hold their old against 4 vampires, nevermind kill them.

In a back alley of central Morganville, where all the shops were, the stranger laid there, silent and motionless. The stranger was sleeping, when she suddenly stood awake at the sound of sirens. The stranger looked down the alley in the direction of the sirens. The stranger waited. And waited. However, they simply passed by. The stranger sighed with relief.

That's when the trouble happened, a vampire had used the sirens distraction to grab her from behind in a hold that held her arms to her sides and then lifted her into the air. He said "Scream and I drain you, human. Got it?" in a rather arrogant tone. Unfortunately for him, that was not to be as not only did she scream but he was sent flying... with enough force to rip his arms clean from his body, a terrible fleshy and cracking sound being heard at the same time, along with the vampires screams of pain.

Everyone on the street looked in that direction for a moment, puzzled. Then they screamed and panicked and called the police. The vampire screamed in agony and rolled around, near helpless. Sad day for the vampire, there were a few anti-vampire humans in the crowd that took their chance and destroyed the vampire right there, deciding to not give it a chance to recover and become a menace once again... whether it was possible or not. The stranger simply stood there panting. The stranger moved and rubbed her forehead stressed. The stranger said, in a stressed, feminine voice "Dammit... why can't everyone leave me alone".

That's when she heard someone from the crowd yell "Hey, there's someone strange down this alley!". She cursed under her breath, and in an instant a lot of dirt was kicked up by rapidly moving objects, creating a smokescreen for her to run out to the opposite side of the street. She sighed as she walked down the street nonchalantly. She drowned out the noise of the sirens as they rushed to the site. Soon she was sitting in an Arcade, thinking. She finally took off the hoodie and headed for the garbage, intending to discard it.

(Shane's P.O.V.)

I was intently concentrating on a Terminator 4 game. I would play the most recent House of the Dead game if they had allowed it, but according to the current staff, it was being reviewed by Morganville officials. It was unlikely it'd be allowed. Sadly, I lost my last life and I was out of quarters for this game. I'd made sure to separate the quarters to maximize my gaming fun for today.

As I moved away I noticed the girl. And how... overall dirty she was. She looked like she hadn't had a bath in weeks, and she looked fairly upset. She was even throwing away a pretty dirty hoodie. He couldn't help himself as he walked over. "Hello. You look new around here. What's your-" and he stopped at nasty, alarmed look the girl had. The level of distrust she seemed to have. "Wow girl relax. I'm not here to shank you or anything" He said calmly, raising his hands in surrender.

The girls glare lessened slightly as she dropped the hoodie into the garbage. She watched him and finally said "Sorry. I... let's just say I'm not too keen to strangers right now". Shane almost chuckled. He shook his head and asked, perhaps dumbly "I'd be too, considering where we are". He quickly realized his mistake, and said "Which is just a small, Texas country town. Everyone knows everyone to some level so a strange stands out" to try and cover his tracks.

However the look he saw in the girls eyes was one of an unamused and unconvinced girl. She sighed. "Yeah, well, with any luck I won't be here long. can't be..." and she stopped for a few seconds and then said "My name is Diana. Diana... Wiz". She had hesitated. He wasn't sure if she was lying or wasn't keen on giving her full name to a stranger. Either way he smiled and held his hand out. "Nice to meet you. Shane Collins. Resident tough guy. That goth chick over there is Eve Rosser, my friend. Welcome to Morganville" I said, welcoming her to town. I figured I might as well be nice.

(Eve's P.O.V.)

I had just finished a game of , and I noticed Shane talking to a girl who was... unfamiliar. While that wasn't entirely uncommon, I did find her odd. Morganville homeless population wasn't that large. And the girl certainly fit the bill in terms of looks. She was going to move on when she noticed Shane gesture to her. She smiled and wave and noticed she didn't wave back. She in fact glared. Not a fan of strangers I'm guessing.

I ended up walking over and introducing myself and offering to shake hands. Didn't take. right. remind me to not invite her for parties. That's when she asked something that caught us both off guard. "So tell me, what kind of place is this?". Me and Shane both stopped and stared. I don't know about Shane but I thought she was asking about Morganville... which wasn't safe. I played it off and said "An Arcade. You know. Place you play video games?".

The look she gave could've made vampires falter for a second. She wasn't buying it. Not for a second. Shane saw it too. "You mean Morganville?" He asked, then chuckled "Having brain problems there? I al-" that's when we both were shocked as the stranger said quite angrily "Of all people in the world, I do not have brain problems. I'm not dumb, I know what lurks the streets. I'm just seeing if they're a secret to the public or if it's common knowledge to the natives" in a matter-of-factly fashion. I applauded inside for this girl being like Claire bear.

That's when I said something I never thought I would in a million years, "Look. let's talk about that over dinner. Maybe get you a shower and some clothes". I blinked inside. Why had I said that? Sadly for me, she responded, with a starring Shane watching, "Sure. Couldn't hurt" I replied. The she added "And... I need a place to sleep until I move on. Mind if I stay?". I hesitated. I finally said "I'm okay with it but you really have to talk to Michael". She nodded "Alright. Thanks... guess I can trust you a bit then. Sorry for the cold reception. Like I told Shane. Not the trusting type".

I was baffled. Why had I said those things? I was a bit of a nice person, probably Claire rubbing off, and I didn't mind giving homeless people a meal and clothes, but to invite them into our home and let them stay when I only know their name. I finally said "Well it's late... we should be going". I started to leave, pulling Shane with me... and the girl followed. Great. I had almost forgotten in my puzzlement that I had promised her dinner and clothes. I asked Shane under my breath "What's her name?".

He responded "Diana Wiz. She's moving through here". That explained how she ended up here. Probably moving through towards Mexico. I decided not to ask questions. Questions would get us in trouble. So I simply smiled, led her to the car, got into the driver's seat, turned the car on, waited for Shane and Diana to get into the car, and drove towards Glass House.

It was late though. When we got home, sunset was nearly finished. I parked the car, turned it off, and made a dash with my things towards the door with Shane, and apparently Diana who followed, like she... knew. Once we got on the porch and to the door, I tested it. It was unlocked. I opened the door and hurried in, with Shane and Diana following. Shane closed the door and then sighed in relief. I did too. We both saw Claire sitting there on the couch with some old-looking books around her studying. Probably that Alchemy stuff Myrnin was teaching her. She said "Welcome back. Who's the stranger?".

"Diana Wiz. your friend invited me to dinner and a change of clothes... and if this Michael she spoke of okays it, a bed until I move on to Mexico". Bam. Right on the dot. I couldn't believe I was right. They all seemed to reach the same conclusion of questions were bad and Claire said "Right. Well he should be home soon. Shane's on dinner duty". Diana looked at him and he sighed and said "Alright, alright. I'm on it. See you ladies when dinners done" and with that he went to make dinner. That's when the door was heard opening and closing and my vamp boyfriend was locking the door.

He turned around and she instantly recognize the puzzled look he had. He was wondering who the stranger was. She started "Hey. This is Diana. I invited her for dinner and a change of clothes... and if you're alright with it, a bed until she goes to Mexico" which I knew Michael would NOT be okay with. However... you never know.

End Notes

There it is. Chapter 3 and holy shit is it long. I admit, I may have went overboard. I may not have represented some of the characters well but it'll work for now. So yeah. we now know more about the stranger. She's a girl, young, about Claire's age if not younger, and even her age. However, her powers will remain a mystery... and her reasons for being in Morganville. All i'll say is, this is where things ramp up. Read, Review, and most of all enjoy!