"Vlad?" Cassie's beautiful voice called out.

It had been days since the horrid dream had occurred. I couldn't get the images of my nightmare out of my head. Otis had had no input on the dream. He just shrugged it off and said that it was probably nothing. What if it meant everything? How would Cassie react if she knew I dreamt of killing her?

A fearful shiver ran up my spine. I couldn't even picture life without my Cassie. My blood thirst needed to be fixed. I would find my fangs slipping from my gums in the middle of class more often than they should. I needed help. Otis wasn't providing it.

"Vlad!?" Cassie was yelling now, shaking my shoulder to get my attention.

I stared at the wall, not daring to look at her, "Yes, love?"

"I have been trying to get your attention for nearly ten minutes now. I was seconds away from getting a bullhorn or something."

Ten minutes? Had I really been in thought that long?

"I'm sorry, babe," I finally got up the courage to look at her. She looked tired, deep circles forming under her eyes. This was my fault. I had put so much stress on her life.

Cassie gestured towards the box that still held its place on her floor, "Are we ever going to get rid of that thing?"

That box had to of been cursed. The secret of what was inside drove me crazy, but there was no way of getting inside. I couldn't just throw it out. However, I'd never let Cassie open it if I were not there. In fact, I don't think she should be there once it is opened. Whatever was inside, it had to be dangerous.

"Don't worry, Cassie. We're working on it," I just didn't know what to say to her anymore. There was so much stress on my brain. I got up and made my way toward the door, shouting my goodbyes over my shoulder. Maybe all I needed was a night out. It was time to go to the Crypt.

The Crypt is this gothic club in Stokerton. I always feel 'at home' whenever I go there. The people there accepted me; the atmosphere was calming.

As I walked down the narrow hallway to the actual club, the smell of blood and adrenaline filled my nostrils. My fangs shot from my gums in response. I needed to relax, not worry about wanting to kill someone.

I just need to sit down, I thought to myself.

I noticed my friend October sitting on a sofa in the corner. She gestured for me to sit with her, a smile planted on her face.

"Look who finally broke away from the girlfriend," October laughed, flipping her black hair over her shoulder. She was accompanied by Sprat, but the rest of her friends missing somewhere on the dance floor.

Sprat leaned in, his breath reeking of chocolate, "Dude, that girl is whack!"

My goth friends never really liked Cassie. I can't imagine why. In my eyes, she was perfect, an angel sent from above. There was absolutely nothing to hate about her.

"She's not 'whack'. Cassie's just been through a lot." I tried not getting angry with him. Sprat always blurted out what he thought, not caring if it hurt your feelings or not. I'm not sure if this was because he didn't care, or if he was just really stupid.

I was leaning more towards the second option.

October threw her arm around my shoulder, "Don't listen to him, Vlad. I think she's nice; you just act different around her."

"How so?"

"Well," she picked up a drink from the table and sipped it, "you make 'googly' eyes at her."

Sprat laughed so loud that half the people in the club looked at us. He was definitely on some sort of sugar high.

I rolled my eyes and picked up a drink as well, "Whatever, let's just have some fun, alright?"

We spent the night drinking sugary drinks and dancing on the dance floor. Surprisingly, my hunger stayed under control. Maybe it wasn't so bad after all.

It was around 11:00 when I finally left the club. Nelly was not going to be happy about me getting home so late. At this point, I didn't really care. Tonight took my mind off the trouble with Cassie and Elysia. Now, however, it was time to get back to reality.

The city was eerily quiet. My footsteps echoed on the pavement as I made my way to the car. I stopped dead in my tracks.

Someone was standing near my car.

The black figure was twirling what looked like a keychain. As a crept closer, I could hear his casual whistling.

"Can I help you?" I almost punched myself in the face. Okay, dumbass. Let's just talk to a random stranger.

The figure stopped whistling and chuckled. He moved into the light; my heart stopping almost immediately.

D'Ablo.

It was impossible. I had killed D'Ablo. There was no possible way he was alive. Yet here he was, standing just feet away from me, a sadistic smile on his demonic face.

*Flashback*

"Give up yet, Master Pravus?" D'Ablo's words cut through the air. I was pinned to the ground. D'Ablo was suffocating me with his weight. I couldn't let him win. If he won, he would kill Cassie.

I made one last attempt to move, kicking my legs into his groin. D'Ablo fell to the floor, a groan escaping his mouth.

Using my vampiric speed, I grabbed the knife he had tossed across the room and made my move. Stabbing him the neck, D'ablo made choking noises, blood spurring from his lips.

"You asked for it," I whispered, enjoying the moment.

Then something came from behind, slashing my leg. I cried out before turning to see Garder. He looked at his master, his eyes wide open.

"What have you done!?" he shouted, leaping for me.

I grabbed him by the neck, snapping it within seconds.

*End of Flashback*

"Well Vladimir, I have to say, I am impressed. You do know how to fight. However, I did sense a bit of bitterness when you slaughtered Garder," D'Ablo's voice sent a shiver up my spine. I was still in shock. I was so sure I had killed him.

I shook my head, hoping this was some twisted image my head had created.

"How?" was all I could muster.

D'Ablo leaned against the car once again, "Well Vlad, it's crazy. I was just as shocked as you are now. I had woken up, the wound completely healed. Maybe it's a miracle, but I promised myself something."

"And what's that?"

"That I would make you pay," D'Ablo said casually. "Don't worry though, it won't be now. I need time."

I crouched down in fighting position, my fangs now fully exposed.

"Well, why don't I just finish your sorry ass now!?"

D'Ablo clucked his tongue, "Listen, my dear boy, there are slayers everywhere. You better be careful. The society is on high alert. I refuse to fight you right here, right now. There are slayers in that club. I can smell them." A growl erupted from his throat. This was new information to me. How had I not noticed the slayers within the club?

Looking back towards The Crypt, I tried to sense the slayers.

Nothing.

Turning back to the car, I was surprised to see D'Ablo gone.

"This oughta be fun," I said to myself, slipping into the car. Rolling all the windows down and cranking up the radio, I tried to forget about the conversation I had just endured.

D'Ablo was alive, and he wanted revenge.