"Are we human because we gaze at the stars, or do we gaze at them because we are human?" (Quote from stardust which got me thinking!!)

"Shut up! I'm not listening" I yelled

"Well, that makes a lovely change, does it not?" He spat back, sarcastically.

"Fuck you! Its non of your bloody business."

"How dare you speak to me like that!"

"Oh, I fucking dare!" I snarled, wrenching the van door open.

"Brilliant, disappear again. That makes everything better doesn't it Darren?"

"You have no idea you stupid prick!" At this, I quickly sprinted out into the night, slamming the door loudly behind me.

I ran for what seemed like forever, not caring about where I was going. My muscles began to ache, but I refused to stop. Eventually, when I did, I found myself in familiar surroundings.

My secret retreat. A sanctuary, where I could indeed disappear.

In reality, it was a heavily wooded area in the middle of nowhere.

However, the small forest offered concealment. It allowed me to relax and be alone, to vent out my anger on something other than a red haired vampire. But more importantly, If I chose to lay down in the secluded clearing, in the middle of the collection of spindly trees, I could gaze at the most beautiful nights sky I had ever seen.

Kicking the little pile of burnt charcoal from my fire two nights previous, I continued a leisurely stroll into the finger like branches. They clutched at my clothing, cotton threads were plucked from my jacket, and my shoe laces snagged in the overgrown brambles. Never the less, I pushed further into the woods.

Why couldn't the bastard understand that I needed me time?!

That it was possible that sometimes, just sometimes, I wanted to be alone.

"Stupid fucking idiot" I vented, not knowing if the insult was intended for my mentor or myself.

Normal people are allowed out. Normal people don't have ridiculous curfews.

"Normal people don't drink fucking blood!" I growled.

I let out a frustrated sigh as I plonked myself down in the clearing. I laid on my back, placing my arms behind my head as a pillow.

I had been coming here for more than week, it was an accidental find, I had stumbled across the area when I was out looking for food for the little people. I would come little and often, mostly when the sun was up for obvious reasons. Then again, if the chance came to go at night, I didn't let it surpass me.

It was then, in the late hours of the evening, that I discovered the stars.

I hadn't been paying attention my footing and my trainer caught in a large root of a pine tree. My heightened reactions could not save me, and I fell face first onto the carpet of pine needles. Chuckling slightly, I freed my foot and rolled onto my back.

Then, as I moved to stand up, I saw them.

The nights sky was of purest black, yet thousands of tiny, flickering lights illuminated the harsh colour. I sat there fascinated, making out the different constellations. Never as a human had I seen anything like this, of course I had seen the nights sky before but never as beautiful.

I had never appreciated how truly amazing and stunning it was.

So I led there, and just forgot about everything. I ignored the world around me. I let time fly by.

And that's how I wound up in trouble.

I scoffed, I was definitely not returning anytime soon.

I would camp out tonight and enjoy the peace and quiet whilst I still had the chance.

So I did as I had done on the first night, I relaxed and began to reflect. As expected, my thoughts began to dwindle; too tired to light a fire, I let myself doze and slowly drift in and out of sleep.

Suddenly, I awakened by the distinct sound of a twig snapping somewhere around me. I sat bolt upright, my eyes scouring for a explanation.

Within a second I angrily flopped back against the forest floor, listening to the sound of footsteps and the snapping of various other twigs and sticks.

"How long did it take you to find me?" I asked into the surrounding darkness.

"Not long" A familiar voice answered.

"Pfft"

"What am I going to do with you Darren?" he asked, seating himself behind my head.

"Dunno" I replied, trying to ignore his fingers which conveniently began playing with my hair.

"This is nice" He smiled

"Yeah, it is" I murmured, maneuvring myself so that my head now rested in his lap.

"I was talking about the view" he smirked, fondling my ears.

"So was I"

So sorry for not updating in ages!!

LS xxx