4

"Good job today, Hollie. You're great with the customers."

I smiled at Adam's mom, Anne; she truly was the best boss I ever had. "Thanks," I told her sincerely.

"Listen, I know you're suppose to meet Gwen soon," She glanced down at her watch, "But I'm suppose to be meeting my husband soon for dinner; would you mind closing up the cafe before you leave? I know technically you're done by now..."

"Oh," I waved a dismissive hand, "Sure, I'll take care of it."

While initially Gwen and I were suppose to get manicures earlier today, those plans were cancelled when Gwen angrily realized that the coupons she had were expired. So, instead, I was suppose to meet both her and Bridget at a restaurant not too far from here.

Anne smiled gratefully before grabbing her coat and leaving. I cleaned each table before setting the chairs on top of them, and finally I only had to take the trash out before leaving. I made my way outside, dragging the large bag of garbage behind me.

"Okay; one, two, three," I used all my strength to lift the bag into the garbage bin.

I dusted my hands off before turning around, heading back inside. As I was about to reach the door, I felt myself being roughly pushed forward, my head colliding against the brick wall, and then a hand tighly wrapped around my mouth, and an arm wrapped around my body; pulling me against someone's chest.

"Don't make a sound," A male voice hissed into my ear, "Or I swear you'll regret it."

My mind was blank for the first few seconds, unable to register what was happening; if it was real or a nightmare. But when I felt a sharp pair of fangs against my neck, a wave of terror took over me and I knew that this wasn't a nightmare. It was real.

"You smell just as good as the first time I met you," He said, rubbing his nose against my neck, "I'd taste you; but I don't think I'd be able to stop. And he wouldn't be very pleased with me if I killed you."

I knew that voice.

"Ugh, pathetic human," The male voice grunted in disgust.

"You think that idiot Nicholas would have learned not to leave you alone after what happened that night," He chuckled, "Maybe you're not that important to him."

I ignored the wave of nausea I felt as he continued rubbing his nose against my neck, and slowly reached into my pocket. I pulled out a small, but sharp brooch that was in the shape of a sword; made entirely out of silver.

"Now, let's go before more of your vampires friends show up," He said.

Suddenly, I pressed the silver brooch against his hand. He hissed in pain, momentarily releasing me. In that second, I spun around and jammed the brooch right into his eye. I ignored his howl of pain, immediately spinning around and making a run for it.

I didn't dare look behind me, I ran out of the alleyway and right onto the street, into oncoming traffic. I winced at the loud honks and angry swearing as I ran forward, adjusting my speed to avoid getting hit by any cars, and somehow miraculously making it on the other side.

"Taxi!"

"C-Can you wait here? I'll go get the money from inside."

The taxi driver nodded, eyeing me strangely as I got out of his car. He had asked me a few times if I needed a ride to the hospital, due to the large cut on my forehead, but I insisted on coming straight home.

I shakily pulled the keys out of my purse, unlocking the door and stepping inside, immediately shutting the door behind me. I had only been in the house for a few seconds before Godric suddenly appeared before me.

"What happened?" He asked, looking concerned as he placed his hands on my shoulder, "Hollie?"

"I..." I couldn't think, "The taxi man, I have to pay the taxi man."

It was then that Isabel suddenly appeared, her brown eyes widening in concern as she took in my condition.

"Isabel," Godric began, his tone serious, "Go pay the taxi driver outside."

Isabel nodded her head before disappearing. I blinked in confusion when Godric took a step forward, wrapping his arms around me, and the next thing I knew we were in the living room, and he was sitting me down on the couch.

"Tell me what happened," He requested softly.

"The...The trash," I began slowly, "I was taking out the trash, and I was going to go back inside when..."

I brought a hand up to my forehead, wincing at the pain.

"It was the same vampire from last time," I continued, "Not the girl, the guy."

Had I been paying attention, I would have noticed Godric's gaze harden. Isabel reappeared in the room at that moment.

"Isabel, take Hollie upstairs and help her with her wound," Godric spoke softly, but there was a certain hardness in his tone.

Isabel nodded, helping me up and guiding me upstairs.

I remained quiet the entire time, as Isabel cleaned the cut on my forehead, and then suggested I take a shower. The warm shower did calm me down, and I breathed a loud sigh as I realized that I had once again narrowly avoided death.

How many times would I be able to cheat death?

I had just finished straightening my hair when I heard a knock at my bedroom door. "Come in," I said, knowing that whoever it was would be able to hear me.

I wasn't surprised when Godric entered the room, eyeing me carefully from afar before making his way towards me. "I understand if you do not wish to talk right away; but I'd like to know what happened."

"I alread told you," I said quietly, "It was the vampire from last time. One of the ones who randomly attacked me."

He ignored my sarcastic tone towards the end. "How did you escape?"

"I jammed a silver brooch into his eye," I answered tonelessly.

Strangely enough, I had bought that brooch just yesterday, when I realized it was made out of silver I thought it could be useful.

He was quiet for a brief moment, and I went over to sit down on my bed, anxious to get under the blankets and go to bed.

"How are you feeling?" He asked me.

"Angry," I replied immediately, and he looked the slightest bit surprised, "Angry because I'm tired of being kept in the dark. I know very well that that these attacks aren't random, and I know that the reason my dad is gone has something to do with it. And so I'm angry, angry because my life is obviously in danger and no one wants to tell me why."

He didn't say anything.

"I'm not a child," I argued, "I can handle it!"

"I never said you couldn't," He replied softly, "But unfortunately, it is not my place to tell you. You will have to wait for your father's return."

I should have expected as much. Godric had nothing to do with this, he was only looking after me while my father was gone. My father was the one who had some explaining to do.

"Right," I sighed in defeat, "Sorry for snapping at you."

"It's understandable, considering the circumstances."

I eyed him suspiciously. "Why are you always so nice?" I asked him, it's hard to be angry at someone who's always so nice and patient.

"I am not, trust me," He smiled faintly, sitting down next to me. "Your feelings towards vampires must be taking a turn for the worst, I imagine."

I gave him a strange look. "Why would you say that?"

"Well, my kind is the reason for all the pain you have suffered this past week," He pointed out, "It would be understandable for you to have a change of heart concerning them."

I let out a humourless chuckle. " You know, two years ago, when vampires announced their presence to the world; I was happy. I was happy because finally I could be honest about my family."

He didn't say anything, but I knew he was listening.

"Before I had the chance to do so, however, I noticed that most people's reactions were negative to vampires, and I guess it was normal for them to be afraid. I had known about the existence of vampires for a long time, but to them it was new."

"One day, in class, the subject of vampires came up. People were saying the most awful and hateful things; and the entire time all I could think about was that they were talking about my father. I snapped; I announced to the entire classroom right then that the man who had raised me was a vampire, and that I had absolutely nothing against them."

I paused. I couldn't help but think that I was surprisingly brave back then, and also kind of stupid.

"That same day, while I was walking home from school, a bunch of teenagers were waiting, and they beat the crap out of me," I frowned at the memory, "I got home, all bloodied up and bruised. The moment the sun set my father was by my side, and I had no choice but to tell him what happened."

"He was so angry; I swear he wanted to kill each one of those teenagers, and also the principal of the school when he refused to do anything about it," I continued, "We moved here shortly after that so I could attend a new school and leave all of that behind, make some new friends; which I did."

I glanced at him from the corner of my eye. He hadn't said anything yet. I wondered if he was listening, or if he fallen asleep with his eyes open in boredom.

"Anyways," I decided to wrap the story up, "If I were to turn against an entire group because of the actions of a few, not only would I be against vampires, I'd be against humans as well. Then I'd have no one to hang out with; except animals. And even then, only the herbivores, cause the carnivores would eat me..."

I stopped myself in the middle of my sentence.

...Was I just talking about animals?

I groaned in embarassement.

"Never mind that last part," I grumbled, and despite my embarassement I glanced at him. "Did I totally bore you with my life story?"

He turned to look at me, smiling faintly though I could detect the sadness behind his eyes. "Not at all," He said kindly, "I am sorry you went through that."

I shrugged my shoulders, not knowing what to say in response.

Silence took over after that. I wondered what he was thinking, and at the same time wondered if it was a good idea to have told him that in the first place. Godric was only letting me stay here as a favour to my father, he hadn't signed up to be my shrink.

"There is something I must discuss with you," He said, breaking the silence.

"Yeah?"

"I realize that you have become somewhat...frustrated with Isabel and I," He began.

That was true. Every time I wanted to go somewhere, one of the two insisted on going with me, I honestly felt like a child being babysat constantly. Not only did it make me frustrated, but it also made me feel bad and embarassed that Isabel and Godric had to go through all the trouble.

"But you have seen what happens when you are left unprotected," He continued.

"But," I immediately cut in, "You can't watch me all the time! I have a life to live you know!"

"I...am aware," He said patiently, "And so I must ask you to do something to make this process much easier."

Um, I don't think I like where this is headed.

"You must drink some of my blood."

I stared at him blankly. Then I let out a laugh. Then I realized that he wasn't joking. "Oh, you're serious."

He nodded. "It will allow me to sense your emotions, if you are in danger, I will know and be able to find you."

Wow; that's a little intrusive.

I had never taken a vampire's blood before, and my father hadn't told me much about it, except that vampires don't often offer their blood to a human. The blood of older vampires was especially valuable, and they particularly didn't offer any. Now, Godric was sheriff, which meant he was powerful, which also meant that he had to be quite old.

"Is this something you do often, offering your blood to humans?" I asked curiously.

He shook his head. "You will be the first."

My eyes widened at this and my mouth fell slightly open. "W-What? Then I can't take it," I shook my head, "Look, I know vampires don't just give their blood to anyone. I mean, obviously since you've never given yours to anyone at all!"

"It is the only way I can be sure that you are safe at all times," He explained calmly.

"Y-Yeah but," I began, "Listen, you barely know me. You can't just give your blood, which I imagine is very valuable, to some clumsy teenage girl-."

"Hollie," He cut me off, "Nicholas is a very good and close friend to me. I owe him more than you know. He has entrusted me with your safety, and so I will do everything in my power to keep you safe."

"...Are you going to force me?" I stared at me wearily.

"No," He shook his head, "I would never make you do anything against your will."

I bit my lower lip as I thought this over. Like I previously said, I had narrowly escaped death at least twice now. I didn't know if I would be so lucky next time. If taking Godric's blood could save my life; I'd be a fool to refuse.

"Alright," I agreed, but decided to give him a chance to back out. "If you're sure."

He responded by extending his fangs, and biting into his wrist.

"I'm sorry!"

I had been apologizing to Gwen for the past fifteen minutes. I had completely forgotten to call her until it was too late, to tell her that I wouldn't be able to meet her and Bridget at the restaurant.

"Do you know how long we were waiting for you?" She glared at me, "I was worried sick! I thought maybe some crazy vampires attacked you, and that this time they finished the job!"

I winced.

"I'm so sorry," I apologized again, "I just, I got really sick and by the time I got home I felt even worse; I completely forgot to call you until afterwards."

She angrily blew a strand of hair out of her face, leaning back into her chair and crossing her arms over her chest. Obviously, I hadn't told her the real reason I hadn't shown up. I didn't want her to worry again.

"But I'm here now," I smiled hesitantly, "And I'm buying you a cup of coffee."

She snorted. "Yeah, that makes up for it."

"...And a muffin?"

While I tried to act normal on the outside, there were several things that were on my mind. First of all, last night I had taken some of Godric's blood; not only did my cut heal incredibly fast, but I felt completely energized and my senses had improved imensely. Apparently, this was normal.

The other thing that was on my mind was the conversation I had with Godric afterwards. He had told me that he didn't think it was a coincidence that the two times I had been alone, were the two times I was attacked.

"They know in advance when you're going to be alone," He said, "Someone is telling them. Someone who is close enough to you to know themselves."

He had suspected someone in my immediate environment; someone was betraying me.

But who?

"Who knew that you would be alone, both nights?" He asked me.

Well, the first night I had been at the restaurant that I worked at, but as a customer for Ed's birthday. Therefore obviously, all of my friends knew that I would be walking home alone that night. My friends were also present the day that I told Gwen that I'd be walking to alone to join her; except for Ed and Bridget-so they were cleared.

Godric didn't seem pleased when I told him that.

"No way," I quickly dismissed the idea, "My friends would never betray me like that."

He didn't seem convinced.

"Hollie?" Gwen snapped her fingers in front of my face, "Are you listening?"

"Huh? Oh, sorry, what did you say?"

As she continued talking, I couldn't help but wonder; would Gwen ever betray me? I then pushed those thoughts immediately out of my head. Godric was wrong; none of my friends would ever betray me.

I was sure of it.

A/N Chapter four! Please review and let me know if you like it, and if you have any suggestions :)