Well hello there. I'd like to take this moment to thank everyone who reviewed. A very special thanks to ferretgirlsz and E.J. Dulore for reviewing every chapter :) Luv ya'll

Anywhoo, hope you like this chapter and I apologize if this seems rushed. I'm sure it does if the writer even thinks it but whatever haha.

Review si'l vous plait :)

CHAPTER 8 (am I right?)

Everyone looked at me confusedly. Now I knew!

"His name isn't Eli," I said ecstatically. "It's Steve. Steve Leonard. We used to be best friends until I got turned into a vampire. The last time I saw him…" I trailed off, remembering the night in the cemetery. Steve had vowed he would get his revenge on me, one day. And now here he was.

"What are you talking about?" asked Jenn. "Why would he come here and lie about who he is?"

"To kill me!" I blurted.

Desperate, I turned to Marisa. She looked thoughtful, and I knew she would believe me. Meeting my gaze, she said, "It would make sense…"

Yes!

She faced Steve. "Is your real name Steve Leonard?"

He shook his head, just as confused as everyone else. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Marisa studied him for a few moments then turned to me. "You must be mistaken, Darren."

I gaped at her and started to protest, but she gave me a look like "now is not the time" then spoke to Jenn.

"Would you please show Eli to a good room?"

Jenn grinned and beckoned for Steve to follow her. He put his hand on Marisa's shoulder, giving her a kind smile, and for the tiniest second I saw her cold exterior break. He thanked her before heading off after Jenn.

"Why don't you go to bed, Tommy," she sighed. He was about to refuse but she gave him a stern look, and he sulked all the way down the stairs.

She opened her mouth to speak again but I put a finger to my lips and whispered, "He's probably still listening."

Much to my surprise, she nodded. Grasping my arm she pulled me down the hall and back up the stairs to the roof. As soon as the door opened, we were blasted full-force with the elements. A storm was raging; the wind blew the pouring rain sideways, and thunder shook the whole building as lightning lit up the air around us. It had just been a gorgeously clear night, but it had taken an ominous turn for the worse. A forewarning?

"He won't be able to hear us out here!" she grinned.

We stepped out, and almost immediately we were soaked.

"You like this?" I exclaimed.

She smiled and twirled around until she stood in the middle of the roof. I ran after her, marveling how young she seemed now. She was laughing and smiling and spinning like a little kid. I clutched her arm to stop her. Apparently it wasn't a big deal now that her dress was ruined. Her hair dripped into her eyes but she didn't mind. A smile lit up her face and she looked truly beautiful. Without thinking, I brought my hand up and moved the hair from her eyes, smiling softly. Realizing what was happening, we both pulled away, and I was positive my face was as red as a strawberry.

"So…Steve," I said nervously.

After a minute Marisa said, "I believe you. I don't know why but I do. Why would he come though?"

I explained to her how Steve had wanted to become a vampire but Mr. Crepsley said he had "evil blood." I had had to become Mr. Crepsley's assistant if I wanted to save Steve's life, and he never believed that I had simply done it out of the goodness in my heart. He had thought that Mr. Crepsley and I had banded together just to be mean, just to torture him. The night I had been buried (I had faked my death) Steve stuck around and attacked me once I had been dug about by Mr. Crepsley. He wasn't strong enough to kill me yet though, so he ran away, but not before promising to kill me when he was ready.

Tears had formed in my eyes but I refused to let them fall, hoping Marisa thought it was just the rain.

She was silent for a long time. At last, she said, "You don't need to worry. I'll let Jenn know and some of the others so they can keep an eye on him. Is he the kind of person who would attack you in front of other people?"

I thought about it for a minute. My first instinct was that he would, but I also knew he could be incredibly sneaky.

"He might, but he wouldn't make it obvious. He'd make it seem like a freak-accident or even blame it on someone else."

"Alright. We'll just have to be careful." She smiled at me.

All of a sudden the corner of the building exploded. We dropped to the floor and I covered Marisa's body with my own. Once the shower of rubble subsided, we looked up. A small section of the roof had been blasted away.

"The lightning must have struck!" Marisa cried.

"Let's get inside!" I yelled.

Clutching her hand, I helped her to her feet and we dashed to safety. I slammed the door behind us, and we stood there for a moment, catching our breath. Once my heart had returned to normal, I looked at Marisa. She had a wild look in her eyes and her hair was a tangled mess.

"You alright?" I asked.

"Yes," she said, taking a deep breath.

We stood in silence for a few more minutes, listening to the storm rage just beyond the door.

"Wanna go back down?" I asked.

She nodded and we gradually strolled down the stairs. When we approached the staircase, she didn't head down like I expected, but brushed aside the curtain into the theatre. I stayed behind and observed her. She had a slight slouch—opposite from her usual perfect posture—and she dragged her legs sluggishly. She seemed distracted as she trailed her fingers delicately on the seats.

She turned to me. Tears pooled in the corners of her blue eyes and my heart ached for her.

"Hey," I said softly, hustling over and wrapping my arms around her. "What's the matter?"

She sniffled and to my astonishment buried her head in my shoulder. "I'm j-just not used t-t-to all th-this," she sobbed. "I don't want my friends g-getting hurt."

Holding her tighter, I murmured, "I'll protect you."

"Y-you will?"

"Yes."

"Promise?"

Again I was reminded of a little kid, but I said, "I promise."

My head snapped up.

"What?" Marisa asked, lifting her head as well.

"I thought I heard something. Stay here," I warned her, edging back toward the entrance.

I peeked through the curtains, my hand resting on my knife hilt, but I didn't see anything.

Suddenly I heard a scuffle behind me, and a cry that was cut short.

Whipping around, I saw a picture that made my blood run cold.

Muahaha cliffhanger. Aren't I so evil? I just can't help myself :)

Review :D