2

"I look awful."

I groaned as I stared at my reflection in the mirror, even the night after my attack; I still looked like a mess. My arms were covered in scratches and bruises. I had a large bruise on my left cheek, as well as a large cut on my right one; not to mention all the littles cuts and the bruising around my eye.

I sighed in defeat as I exited the bathroom, closing the lights and shutting the door behind me. I was very well aware that my father was downstairs in our living room, with two other vampires that I had yet to meet.

Quietly, I walked down the stairs, and when I reached the bottom, listened carefully to hear what they were talking about. Of course, I was an idiot to think that that would work.

"Hollie," My father called me, "You can come out now."

Damn it.

Hesitantly, I stepped out from behind the wall, forcing a smile as I walked into the living room. My father was standing up, leaning his back against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest. I didn't miss the flicker of sadness in his eyes as he once again took in all my injuries.

There was a beautiful woman, with her black hair tied into a tight bun, sitting down on the couch, and standing up next to her was the young man from the woods last night. Both were, obviously, vampires.

"Stop staring at me like that," I frowned.

My father blinked in surprised. "Like what?"

"Like I'm...broken," I shifted uncomfortably, "I'm fine; it's just a few cuts and bruises."

Although; it would have been much worse had they arrived any later.

"You're imagining things," He dismissed my worries, but was suddenly in front of me in an instant, "How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine, honestly," I said, but winced when he placed his hand on my shoulder. Ouch.

I took a step back. "Aren't you going to introduce me to your friends?"

His eyes searched through mine for a few seconds before he let out a small sigh, he moved to the side, allowing me to view once again our visitors.

"Hollie, these are my very good friends; Isabel, and Sheriff of area nine, Godric."

I couldn't help it, my eyes immediately glanced over at the young man, Godric. He was Sheriff? That didn't seem right; he seemed so...young.

"I-It's very nice to meet you both," I cleared my throat, snapping out of my thoughts.

"The pleasure is ours," Isabel smiled softly, her voice surprisingly warm.

I smiled in return, though something was still bothering me. My father had introduced me to most of his good friends, the ones he trusted completely, and I wondered why only now I was being introduced to them.

"Hollie, we need to talk."

I turned to look back at my father. "I know this is bad timing, but I'm going to be leaving tomorrow," He explained, "...Vampire business."

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.

Whenever he had to go away, which was quite often, and he didn't want me to know why or what for, he would simply say it was vampire business.

"For how long this time?" I asked.

"I'm not sure," He answered, "But during my absence, Godric and Isabel have agreed to let you stay with them."

I blinked in confusion at this. "What?" I glanced over at the other two vampires, "That's not necessary, I can stay home alone-."

"After what happened last night," He cut me off, "I'd feel much better knowing you weren't alone while I was gone."

"What are the chances of me being attacked again, though?" I challenged, "Last time, I was just a random target, right?"

His gaze hardened.

When I had asked my father why I had been attacked, he told me that it was a random attack; that I had been unlucky. I didn't believe a word of it. Something was going on, and it killed me that I didn't know what it was.

"Miss Grey," Godric spoke softly, "We are simply concerned for your safety. Isabel and I have no problem with you staying with us."

"You don't even know me," I raised an eyebrow, "Why would you care about my safety?"

"Hollie," My father began in a warning tone.

I let out a small sigh. "Right, I'm sorry, that was rude," I apologized.

"If you don't want to stay with them," My father continued, "You could always stay with Ryan."

Ryan? No freaking way; he hated me!

I sighed in defeat. I really had no choice in the matter, did I?

"Done!"

I sighed in relief as I finished unpacking the last of my stuff before allowing myself to fall backwards onto my bed, bouncing slightly at the impact. I had just moved into the guestroom of Godric's house, and the room was huge by the way; so was the entire house actually.

I hadn't spoken to either Godric or Isabel since last night, the sun hadn't set yet so they were still sleeping, and I had the entire house to myself.

I snapped out of my thoughts when my phone, which was lying on the night table next to my bed, began vibrating. "Hello?"

"Hollie? Oh my God! Are you okay? Jerry told us what happened!"

Jerry would be my boss; I worked as a waitress at a restaurant. I had called him to tell him what had happened, and that I wouldn't be able to come to work for a few days until my injuries got better.

"Hello Bridget," I chuckled, "Yeah I'm fine."

"God! This is all my fault! I was suppose to give you a ride home! But then I made you walk home!"

"You didn't make me walk home," I reminded her, "I told you I'd walk home because you were already late for your date. Honestly, it's not your fault."

"What kind of person makes her friend walk home in the dark? And because I didn't want to be late for my date? Ugh! I'm such a terrible person!"

"Stop being so hard on yourself," I told her, "How'd your date go, anyways?"

She snorted. "You want to talk about my date? It went awful. Ugh! I ditched you for an awful date! I'm such a terrible person!"

I rolled my eyes. "Bridget-."

"Are you really okay?"

"I'm fine," I reassured her, "Honestly. I'm talking to you, aren't I?"

"...Okay. Well, I'm glad you're okay."

"Thank you," I chuckled, "Listen, I got to go. I'll see you in a couple of days, okay?"

I pressed the 'end' button after we said our goodbyes before getting off the bed, deciding to get something to eat. I realized I'd have the house to myself most of the time; with Godric and Isabel sleeping during the day.

The house was rather big, and when I made my way into the kitchen, I noticed with disappointment that the fridge was empty; besides for a few bottles of True Blood. Well, I guess I shouldn't have been surprised.

"I'm sorry, we should have had the house better prepared for you."

I let out a small gasp, turning around suddenly, with my hands placed over my chest. Godric was standing directly in front of me, but immediately took a step back at my reaction.

"I apologize," He said, "I did not mean to frighten you."

"I-It's okay..." My hands fell back down to my sides, "I've just been a little...jumpy lately."

He nodded in understanding.

"So, um," I nervously tucked a strand of black hair behind my ear, "I should be the one apologizing; I was rather rude to you last night."

"It's fine."

"No, it's not fine," I shook my head, "I'm not a mean person, I swear. I just...okay I know my dad is hiding something from me, I've known that for a while, and I just got a little frustrated and I took it out on you and...I'm sorry. I'm actually very grateful that you're letting me stay here."

"I assure you, you have nothing to be sorry for," He said, a small but comforting smile at his lips.

I smiled back, secretely wondering how this guy was sheriff; he didn't look like he could hurt a fly. Then again, I also remember the painful scream that Peter let out right before he was killed, by Godric I'm guessing.

"Isabel has gone to do some grocery shopping for you," Godric continued, "She will return shortly."

"Oh, she didn't have too," I quickly objected, "I could have gone myself. In fact, I should have gone myself because-."

"Nonsense, you are a guest in this house."

I wanted to argue, but decided against it. If there was one thing I had learned growing up with a vampire, it was that most of the time it was pointless to argue with one.

"Alrighty."

There was a moment of awkward silence, and I just realized that I was currently in the presence of a powerful vampire; he must have been if he was sheriff.

"Well, well, what do we have here?"

I looked up to find an older man enter the kitchen, he certainly had an arrogance about him as he tipped his cowboy hat, his eyes staring directly into mine.

"Stan, this is Miss Grey," Godric introduced, "She is the guest I told you about."

There was something in the back of his tone, almost like a warning. Stan nodded in understanding, though his smirk never disappeared. "A pleasure to meet you, Miss Grey."

"You too," I answered politely.

"Miss Grey," Godric spoke, and I turned to look at him, "Would you like a tour of the house?"

I nodded my head. I followed him out of the kitchen, shooting Stan an uncertain smile on the way. Godric's home certainly was very big; I couldn't believe only three people lived here.

"You have a lovely home," I told him.

"Thank you, Miss Grey."

I wrinkled my nose. "You don't have to call me that, you know. It makes me feel old. Call me Hollie."

"As you wish."

He looked way too young to be so serious.

"Godric," I began, and he glanced at me from the corner of his eye, seeming a little surprised that I had spoken his name, "Can I ask you a question?"

"Of course."

"Do you know where my father went?"

"...I do," He admitted after a brief moment of hesitation.

"Can you tell me where?"

He smiled faintly. "I'm afraid I cannot."

"I didn't think so," I sighed in defeat, "Can you...Can you just tell me if you think he is going to be alright?"

"I know that he is quite capable of taking care of himself; you needn't worry."

That was a bit of a comfort, I supposed. After all, if Godric really was good friends with my father; he wouldn't let him do anything he couldn't handle, right? And...

Why was he staring at me like that?

"What?" I asked him defensively.

"Nothing," He looked away, "I've just never seen a human worrying about a vampire before."

I immediately loosened up. "Oh," Was that all? "Well of course, he's my father."

"I see."

There was still some uncertainty from his part, but he didn't bring it up and so I didn't push it. He came to a stop, glancing over his shoulder. "Isabel has just arrived with some food. Come, you must be hungry."

"Oh, I'm not that-."

And that's when my stomach growled loudly, and I turned as red as a tomato.

Stupid stomach.