"Bella, wake up. It's 4:15pm." I heard Renee's voice calling to from the other side of the sheets.
"I'm nocturnal." I muttered, pulling the covers tighter over my head. I wanted to go back to sleep for at least five more hours. But I can't. "Sara's Pet Shop" closes at 8:30 and I wouldn't be able to get the rabbit if I waited that long. I forced my body up in a sitting position, keeping the covers over my head.
"Come on Bella. Why are you so tired anyway?" she asked.
"I can't sleep at night." It was the truth. I had to be with Marcus then and sleep during the day.
"That explains it. You're teachers called and said you've been falling asleep in class." Renee said concerned. "Still, it's not normal for a six year old girl to have this bad of a sleeping problem. Maybe I should take you to the doctor and he can give you something for it."
"No, no." I said. That was the last thing I wanted.
"Yes, yes." Renee said. "It's not good for someone your size to have sleeping problems." Renee pulled the covers off my head.
I jumped back, shoving my face into my pillow. "Ow! That's too bright!"
Renee sighed. "Come on Bella. Get dress and let's get to the doctor." Renee turned and walked out my room to make the appointment.
-x-
"Now stick out your tongue." Dr. Stine instructed.
I stuck my tongue out at him, just not the way he wanted me too. Dr. Stine chuckled, shaking his head in amusement.
"Bella. Don't you want me to help you?" he asked.
"I don't need help." I told him. "I just haven't been getting enough sleep."
"But a child your size shouldn't be having these problems." Mr. Stine replied, writing something down. "Someday we can change that."
"Huh? What do you mean?" I asked, obviously confused.
"Someday we'll make it so no one will need sleep." Dr. Stine said, handing me a piece of paper. "That will be enough to help you sleep for a week."
"But how are you going to make it so no one will need to sleep?" I wanted to know more. If there was a way to make it so I wouldn't need sleep then I'll be able to go see Marcus more.
"If you take the medicine to help you sleep then I'll tell you." Dr. Stine said, leading me to the waiting room where Renee was waiting for me.
Like I'm really going to take the medicine!
-x-
8:27! I won't make it in time!
I ran down the street, trying to force my little six year old legs to go faster. If I didn't get to the pet shop before it closes I won't be able to get the rabbit and Marcus won't get the blood he needs.
I turned the corner, three blocks down from the pet store, and felt myself bounce back. I looked up to see Mr. Meyer starring down at me.
"Mr…. Mr. Meyer." I stuttered.
"Oh, I'm sorry Bella. I didn't see you." He said, helping me up from the ground. "Where are you going in such a hurry?"
"S- Sara's Pet Store." I answered him.
Mr. Meyer looked at his watch. "It's 8:30." He said.
"Oh no!" I gasped. What am I going to do? Marcus isn't going to get the blood he needs now.
"Come with me." Mr. Meyer said, pulling me in the direction of the pet store. We ran up to it as soon as Sara was putting the closed sign up.
"Sara!' I yelled to her.
Sara turned around startled. "Oh, Bella. I was wondering where you were today when you didn't come for the rabbit."
"Sorry. I had to go to the doctor." I explained.
"Nothing serious I hope." She turned her attention to Mr. Meyer. "Who's this?" she asked.
"My name is Mr. Meyer. I'm Bella's teacher. I ran into and brought her here to see if it was okay for her to get what she needed even though you are closing down for the day. Is it okay?" Mr. Meyer asked.
"Actually when Bella didn't come here for the rabbit I just put it in a box and was going to bring it to her house." She said, gesturing to the box by her feet. She opened the box and pulled out an albino rabbit. I was white with red eyes. "Do you think you can find a place for this one?" she asked.
"Don't worry. I know just what to do with it." I handed her the money and took the rabbit.
"This one? Have had others Bella?" Mr. Meyer asked.
"Yes." Sara answered for me. "She's been finding them adoptive homes outside of town."
"Oh, that's very nice." Mr. Meyer said.
"Yes it is." Sara said, turning to me. "Would you like me to give you a ride home Bella?"
"No thank you. I'd like to walk. I need the exercise." I answered. If Sara took me home with the rabbit I would have to explain the rabbit to my mom then Sara would start wondering and everything would turn into a big mess.
"Thank you anyway." I turned around, with the rabbit in my arms and took off.
-x-
I walked into the room. "I brought food!" I called to Marcus.
Marcus looked up at me, his expression panicked. "Shh! Bella; leave! They're still here!" It took me a minute for it to sink in. the scientist are still in the manor. I started to turn to leave but then remembered the rabbit in my arms and turned back around.
"This will only take a minute." I said running up to him with the rabbit.
"No. Bella. You have to leave." Marcus hissed.
"And you need to take this strange looking rabbit's blood." I said, holding it out to him.
Marcus looked at the rabbit, then me, then the rabbit again. Marcus sighed. "Alright. But we have to hurry." And with that he bit into the rabbit's stomach. The rabbit bend in squirm in my hands trying to break free when I heard something.
I looked in the direction of the door and listened carefully at the sound. Footsteps. Coming this way.
The rabbit suddenly jerked backwards and flew out my hands. Blood dripped from its stomach as it started to hop away.
"Catch it!" Marcus yelled. I chased after the rabbit but it kept dodging me. The rabbit suddenly turned around and hopped out the door. The footsteps stopped.
"Oh, no." I gasped, starring at the door.
"A rabbit?" I heard Leader voice say.
"I've seen this rabbit before." A voice I recognized as Mr. Meyer said.
The footsteps suddenly quickened and got louder. I turned to Marcus, who was starring at me in horror. Blood was still dripping from his chin. I reached over with a tissue to wipe the blood off.
"There is no time for that!" Marcus hissed. "You have to hide! Now!"
I picked up the box I had carried the rabbit in and crawled under the table that I hid under when I first saw Marcus.
The sound of footsteps entered the room and walked over towards Marcus.
"Now vampire." Mr. Meyer growled at him in anger. "Where is Bella?"