Shane awoke to loud clicks. Opening his eyes, he saw Claire on the clunky laptop eve had let her borrow in the past. She got up, and moved to the wall which had been written with pen. She rubbed her neck briefly and kept going. What was she writing?
"Claire?"
She stopped then turned and smiled.
"You're awake." She said "We've been out of it for days."
"How many?"
"About three give or take." She said
Three days? Really? No wonder he felt so good. Sleep like that could rejuvenate anyone. Claire seemed to be going full speed.
"What are you writing all over the wall?" he asked
"The formula. I might have found something key to it. I need to talk to my boss." She said
Dropping the pen she headed for the door.
"You mean Myrnin? The crazy ass vampire who seems to have lost his mind?" Shane said
Claire froze and turned. She didn't know what to say. She was completely screwed.
"How much do you know?" she asked
"You're trying to save vampires from extinction?"
"You don't understand."
"You can get out of it. You don't have to do this now. You have your memories. You know, you don't have to do it anymore."
"I do." She said "I took the job and I can't back out now."
"There are vampires trying to kill you because of it!" he yelled making her jump
"Bishop!" she said coming to a sudden realization
Dismissing their sudden argument, Claire flung the door open and raced down the hall a little till she'd come to the portrait that covered the way up to the secret room. Pressing the button, the door slid open. She heard Shane following after, but didn't have time to tell him to go away. She froze when she saw who was already up there. Shane ran into her from behind.
"Amelie." Claire said "I was just coming to find you."
"I take it you have found out some information." She said calmly
"Yes, the formula is nearly complete, but is missing a key part to it." Claire said
"I see."
Claire felt out of breath all of the sudden.
"Is there anything else?" Amelie asked
"The one…the one who took me and killed Brandon. His name was…" she trailed off
She knew what it was. It hung on the tip of her tongue. What was it? It started with a 'b'. how did she not know? The guy had his pet rip holes into her neck.
"Bill, no." Claire mumbled trying to figure it out.
"Bishop." Amelie said
"That's it!" Claire exclaimed "He said something about waiting for me or something. Then e let his pet who's a skank by the way ripped into my neck."
Claire rubbed her neck right then. Shane couldn't believe she was so calm about it. Amelie stood then and advanced on Claire. Claire just stood there. Shane couldn't believe she would just stand there. She wasn't even scared. She seemed determined.
"I'm glad you're alive Claire." She said "I must also say that you will start living here from now on. I cannot risk leaving you alone."
"Risk? She's been at enough risk!" Shane exclaimed "She needs to get out of the town!"
"No!" Claire exclaimed
Shane looked at her incredulously.
"You can't be serious." He said
"I am. I'm not going anywhere."
"You were nearly killed Claire."
"I don't care." She said
"I hadn't planned on letting her leave anyhow." Amelie said
Then turning, both Shane and Claire saw Amelie walk through a portal. Shane wanted to question it, but just shook his head and looked back at Claire who was leaving.
"You can't stay here." He said
"It's not your house." She informed him
"That's not what I meant. You were nearly killed."
"I'm fine." She insisted
Shane grabbed her by the arm and swung her around.
"No," he started
"There is still importance here for me. I won't go as long as it's here." She said
"Claire-" he tried again
"Enough Shane. I'm not going anywhere. I'm sorry that's a problem for you."
Claire stormed off down the stairs leaving him wanting to slam his head against the wall. Couldn't any of his words come out right for once?
Claire walked into the kitchen and saw Eve sitting at the table with Michael.
"I'm moving back in." she said
"Oh?" Michael said "Says who?"
"Amelie. I didn't have a choice."
Eve sat there for a few more seconds before jumping out of her chair and squealing as she nearly knocked Claire on her butt. She squeezed the air right out of her. As soon as Eve let go of her though, Michael stood a few feet away. Claire couldn't decide if he was angry with her or ready to fall apart. In seconds he was queezing her tight too.
"Oh no," she breathed "Michael vampire human ratio."
"Oh right," he let go "Sorry."
She nodded.
"Shane should be happy." Eve muttered
Where was he? She would've thought that he'd be down here hugging to Claire like freaking bacteria.
"I'd love to have this awkward reunion, but I seriously have to go." Claire said "I have to do…things.
"It's nearly dark." Eve said
"So?"
"Did you forget that you live in a town full of vampires?"
"No…but I also where a special bracelet."
"And the one that got to you and Brandon didn't care." Michael chimed in "So, I'm coming with."
"What?" both girls exclaimed
"Yep, my only conclusion."
"It's a bad conclusion." Claire said
"Agreed."
"Wait, how'd you become a vampire anyway?" Claire asked
Feet padded down the stairs and Shane just passed them on his way into the living room. Eve followed with a massive glare. Michael and Claire could hear them arguing and then Shane yelled loudly as if in pain after a loud smacking sound. Claire shook her head and turned back to Michael.
"Anyways…I thought you were all ghosty or whatever." She continued
"What?"
Both Eve and Shane barreled in with looks of surprise.
"Oh," Claire winced "They didn't know…"
Michael's lips pursed and he quickly grabbed a hold of Claire's wrist and headed for the door with her dragging along.
"Time to go." He said quickly
"Michael Glass get back here!" Eve shouted
"Uhhhh…" Claire stammered
"We're not finished here!" she continued
The two were gone though and neither Eve nor Shane could follow.
"Coward." Shane muttered as he slammed the door shut
The two dragged into the living room and plopped down onto the couch.
"So, he was some ghost thing?" Eve asked
"I have no clue."
"Should we be worried?" she asked
"It's Morganville."
"Right." She said in agreement
"So… kill some zombies while we await the cowards?" Shane offered
"Sure." She shrugged as she grabbed the second controller
Neither of them could comprehend much at the moment, but both of their minds were working at a hundred miles an hour.
Claire and Michael on the other hand were speeding down the street and not even wanting to look behind them. To say that Claire was scared was an understatement. She was beyond terrified.
"Michael…" she said
"It'll be okay."
"Ummm…let's just go to the university." She said
Michael couldn't be happier about that statement. The two swerved off at the next block and passed through the gates. A sigh of relief rushed out of him, not that he had to breathe much. The physics lab was lit up. Both of them rushed in there and saw Jake at the white board. He turned abruptly.
"Claire! You're awake. Is there something I can do? You look like you're about to bust."
"Kind of. I thought you might be able to help. I have to get my boss here first."
"How?" Michael whispered to her ear "Amelie shoved him through some weird doorway thing."
"I know. I think I know where he is too. maybe." She said "Ada!"
There was nothing. Claire huffed.
"Ada! Don't you ignore me. You're making me look weird."
"You don't need help with that." Michael murmured
Claire looked back at him appalled. She'd expect that from Eve.
"Shut up!" she said giving plenty of attitude
Michael just wiggled his eyebrows at her and held back his laughter.
"Ada!" she called out again
"What!" she snapped
Her two dimensional form that was all static like appeared in front of Claire. She could hear her voice from the speaker in the room. Both Jake and Michael's eye were wide.
"Where is Myrnin?" she asked
"Why would I tell you?" she sneered
"Because, he's in danger just like all the other vampires. I don't have time to explain. You need to bring him here now."
"You aren't my boss. You don't command me." She snarled
Claire rolled her eyes. She wasn't in the mood for this.
"Now! Ada!" she yelled
Both Jake and Michael jumped at her fury. Ada stuck her tongue out at her and disappeared. Claire huffed and pushed her hair out of her face.
"Claire I'm confused." Michael said
"I-" she took a deep breath "Vampires here are dying. I'm trying to find a cure and Myrnin is the one teaching me to so. His mind isn't safe, but he's trying. I know you two don't get it, but I need your help. Please."
"I don't know about this, but I'll help in any way I can." Jake said
Michael pulled her aside.
"Are you sure?" he asked
"Yes, they can't even change vampires. From what Amelie has told me, she's nearly died from changing you. Of course that was only after I asked and anyways what is wrong with you?" she said going off topic
"Claire, I know your mind is moving fast, but stay on topic." He said chuckling
"Myrnin is really sick. I don't know how much longer he'll last, but he can help. He's been searching for the cure for a long time." She said
"Okay, is there anything else?" he asked
"What do you mean?" she asked
"I…heard you and Shane upstairs. Why stay? Is this it? Claire, this is a death wish."
"It will save my friends." She protested "It'll save you."
There was silence in between them.
"I…couldn't leave him again though." she said quietly "I care too much."
"It's a horrible weakness." He said as he pulled her into a hug
A few moments later Myrnin came flying through and hit the linoleum hard. He grumbled a little then looked up.
"Myrnin? You in there?" Claire asked
"Of course I am. Why would you ask such a thing!" he snapped as he stood and brushed himself off
He seemed to be in his usual attire except for his shoes. They weren't flip flops. They were bunny slippers. Weird.
"I've found everything. I just don't know what's missing." She said quickly
He huffed and looked at the other two.
"You will suffer from this you know." He said
"I don't care. This is more important. I want it done before bishop comes after me again. I don't want him to have a chance." She said
"Bishop? Amelie's father..." Myrnin trailed off
All three of them looked and Myrnin now.
"Oh child, you are already dead if he has already found you." Myrnin said