And I thought the last chapter was long! This one is nearly 4000 words!

I've been dying to write it all week but knew I couldn't. So instead I re-read "Let the Right One in". I got a lot of plot ideas but also focused on how the author's writing style. I didn't notice before how beautiful his writing is. It's so pretty and vivid. And I love the way he handles dialogue. It's really realistic!

'I'm not interested.' Oskar scuffled away from the girl who had just wobbled up to him. She scrunched her face up, gave him a disappointed and wobbled back into the crowd.

Come on Eli. Where are you? He scanned the crowd, hoping to see a small, white figure making its way towards him. But no luck. He ran his fingers through his hair, and cupped a hand on the back of his neck. Eli had been away far too long. He grabbed a handful of his hair. He should have gone with him. That boy had seemed to have wanted Eli to follow him. And Eli was weak and could have been easily over powered. The things that boy could he be doing to Eli just now…

Oskar raced forwards, throwing people aside as he ran in the direction Eli had fled. He sped down deserted streets, his head turning so quickly that his bones creaked and his muscles began to ache. But the streets were black. He couldn't see Eli anywhere.

He stopped for breath. Puffed out, and then kicked the trash can beside. It banned to the floor, and the stench of rotten fruit blasted itself over Oskar…just as he heard someone giggle.

Eli.

The giggling continued. It was coming from the alleyway near by him. He blinked as he stared down into the darkness. Even though the laugh was happy, it unnerved Oskar. Because he couldn't remember a time when Eli had sounded so happy.

'Eli…?' he stepped a foot into the shadows.

Another laugh joined Eli's. A mad, deep chuckle. The alleyway suddenly seem very ominous.

'ELI!'

'Oskar?'

'Eli where are you?'

'Mmmm…near you I think.'

Oskar rummaged around in his coat pocket. Took out a small torch, and switched it into life. At first, he only saw a wall. Dull and grey. Then he slid the light downwards. And found Eli lying against the wall. His skin was also dull and grey looking.

He smiled up at Oskar. His was hand completely covered in blood and clasped to his neck. Crouched next to him was the boy Eli had followed. He also smiled at the sight of Oskar. But when his lips crept up he revealed a set of blood strained teeth. His eyes flashed with the orange glow of the torchlight.

Oskar looked from the boy to Eli. 'What the hell is going on?'

'This is Alex.' Eli indicated his head to the boy. 'He's like me. You know…infected.'

The boy touched his ear to his shoulder. 'Infected…mmm I prefer the name vampire.' In a second he stood up. In another second his face was an inch away from Oskar's. Oskar stepped back as the boy's nostrils flared.

'He is not our kind,' Alex said, and ran his tongue along his teeth, which stopped at one of his pointed fangs.

Oskar took out his knife and pointed it at Alex's heart.

Alex chuckled. He raised his hands in defeat. 'Not going to hurt you'. He bent his head closer to Oskar, the torch lit his face from below. 'I don't bite.'

Oskar jabbed the knife in the air, daring Alex to come closer. But even with the knife between them he felt so…vulnerable. Something he hadn't felt for a very long time. Not since he had left for his new life with Eli. And now that he felt it again his old memories were suddenly a lot clearer…the way his bullies had also grinned like Alex was now. They way they laughed, almost madly when they'd hurt him…

Oskar moved his arm back and swung the knife forwards, aiming to sink it into Alex's heart. But moments later he found himself lying on the floor, the torch spinning around near his head so that the scene in front of him went in and of focus.

There was Alex. Standing with his hands still raised.. Eli. Standing. Lowering his hands to his side.

Oskar bit his lip. Eli had defended this person…this vampire who he'd only known for a couple of minutes. Chosen him over Oskar. But no…Oskar had been unfair to attack. Alex had done nothing wrong. No…Oskar had been right. The blood on Alex's face and Eli's wound. Alex had hurt Eli.

'Why did you defend him?' Oskar glared at Eli.

Eli blinked. 'You were going to kill him.'

'So?'

'Well…I've only met one…two other people like me. And he never did anything wrong.'

'He hurt you.'

Eli clutched his neck again. 'He only mistook me for a human.'

Alex lowered his hands, and crossed them at his chest.'And I don't recommend drinking another vampire's blood. Vile, disgusting…' he spat sideways.

Eli nodded at Alex, even though he'd never drunk another vampire's blood and then turned back to Oskar. 'He says there are others like us in this city. Loads more. What was it you called them?'

'A coven.'

'See Oskar. I thought I was alone but I'm…' Eli stopped speaking as he saw anger flash in Oskar's eyes. Oskar's arms shook with rage as he pushed himself upwards.

Alone…Eli had said he was alone. But Oskar had stayed by his side this entire time so that Eli would never have to feel alone! Guess that all for nothing.

'Fine,' Oskar said. 'Go meet these vampires so you won't be alone any longer. Goodbye Eli.' And with that he turned and walked away.

Eli didn't call after him.

Oskar lay on his bed, tired yet unable to sleep. He put his arm across his eyes, shielding the world away from sight.

Why did he always have to get like that? Get angry when he really felt sad. Shout when he wanted to cry instead. Walk away when he really wanted Eli to comfort him…to hold him…

A knock came from the window. Oskar felt his breath catch in his throat.

Eli had come back.

He heard the sound of wood grinding against wood; the window was being opened. Oskar cursed inside his mind. He'd gotten into the habit of leaving his window slightly ajar, so that Eli could easily crawl into his bed after a midnight stroll.

He removed his arm from his eyes and stared at the ghostly figure climbing into his bedroom. The curtains danced around Eli's body. He stared at Oskar, his hair looking very black hair against his smooth, white skin. He was Beautiful. Perfect. But Eli hadn't looked like that back in the alleyway. Which meant he had fed by himself. Or maybe…Alex had helped him.

'So…didn't want to spend the night partying with your precious vampire friends?'

Eli shook his head. 'No. I didn't go meet them.'

'Bu-but why?'

Eli sat down on the edge of the bed, brought his knees up to his chest and rested his head upon them. His hair fell across his face, but only for a second as the breeze blew it back again. Oskar saw Eli's dark eyes flicker towards him.

'Because I…I wanted you there when I did.'

Silence.

'Why?'

Eli shrugged.

Oskar groaned. 'Don't give me that.'

'Give you what?'

'Doesn't matter. Leave me alone.' He turned over. But he couldn't escape Eli as found himself staring his crouched shadow on the wall.

'Oskar…why don't you love me anymore?'

'I do love you.'

'No you don't.'

'Yes I do.'

'No. You don't. Why don't you?'

More silence.

'Eli. How old am I?' Oskar watched Eli's shadow shudder. At first Oskar thought he'd begun to cry. But then he heard the giggling. Anger rushed through him.

'Seventeen years, eleven months, 21 days, 4 hours, 2 minute and…45 seconds.'

His anger drifted away. 'And you are?'

'Two hundred and-'

'But that's not the age you look or how you feel inside your mind.'

Oskar saw Eli's shadow move, become larger as it crawled over to him. Oskar flinched and retreated further away. The shadow stopped moving.

'Your cruel Oskar. Why can't I sleep beside you anymore?'

'You don't sleep.'

'You know what I mean.'

'Eli…an eighteen year old can't be in love with a twelve you old.'

'Why?'

'Because it's sick.'

'Why?'

'Because someone so old shouldn't be in love with someone so young.'

'But I'm not young. I'm old. Very old. And I don't think those rules apply to someone who isn't…isn't even human.' Eli's shadow shuddered again. But this time no laughter came. This time Oskar heard Eli drawing in sharp breaths and knew he was trying to stop himself form crying.

'You really hurt me…'

'I'm sorry about pulling your hair the other-'

'I don't mean physically. I mean emotionally.' Oskar watched Eli's shadow place a hand on his chest.

Oskar turned to Eli. And wanted so badly to hug the shivering figure. But he couldn't bring himself to even touch him.

'Eli…I do love you. Now please leave me alone. I need to sleep.'

Eli left. But Oskar did not go to sleep. He tossed and turned that soon his room turned orange with the sunset. And the white walls were very bright with sun. And when he did finally fall asleep, he didn't realize he'd done so.

Nightmares plagued his dreams.

His old bullies pointed at him. 'Murderer, murderer, murderer…'. But how did they know…

Then he heard someone whisper into his ear.

'Sequel like a pig.'

Oskar turned. He found himself staring not at Jonny but at Alex. Blood was running down his mouth. He licked his lips. And then threw back his head and laughed.

Oskar found himself being shaken awake. When he opened his eyes he found his room was no longer lit by the sun, but instead a thin streak of moonlight ran across the wall. He turned over and saw Eli sitting beside him.

'I can't believe I woke up before you.' He bounced up and down. 'I made breakfast! Scrambled egg! Though I think I put too much milk in. Again,' Eli laughed.

Oskar rubbed his stinging eyes, and yawned. Eli yawned too, and patted his hand against his wide open mouth. Oskar rolled his eyes as he sat up. But found his muscles could hardly hold him up. He felt so weak. He hadn't eaten in almost a day. And he also felt emotionally drained. He remembered his nightmare and a shudder ran through his body.

'What's the matter?' Eli's smile disappeared.

'Nothing. It's nothing.' Oskar shook his head from side to side, as if this would make the nightmare go away.

The springs groaned as Eli soared off the bed and scurried out the room. Oskar leant back against the wall and closed his eyes. He let a sigh escape his throat and tried to concentrate just on the darkness behind his eyelids. But he felt a weight being dropped in his lap, and the clatter of metal vibrated through his ear.

He opened his eyes and found himself looking at a bowl of pale yellow scrambled eggs. He also noticed that black was mingled in with the yellow. Eli had burnt it too.

'You're such a bad cook.'

While Oskar ate he found his strength slowly returning. His mind felt more awake and he found it easier to fend off the memories of the nightmare. Eli sat at the end of the bed watching him. His skin was no longer a smooth white but tinged grey. His cheeks bones were prominent, not round and childlike like they normally were.

He gets like that so quickly nowadays…it must have been less than twenty four hours since he last ate too…

Eli noticed Oskar looking at him.

'What is it?'

Oskar shook his head and went back to eating.

'Oskar..'

'Mmmm?'

'I was thinking…about going to see the other vampires tonight.'

The spoon froze at Oskar's mouth.

Eli looked at his bare feet. 'Please, please come with me.'

'No.'

'Oskar please.'

'I'm human Eli. I can't go with you into a place filled with vampires.'

'I'll protect you.'

'Ha. Protect me? You couldn't even protect yourself.'

Eli stared down at his hands. The surface was slightly wrinkled. He clenched them together and hid them underneath his legs. 'I'll feed before we go. It's just…I told Alex we'd meet him tonight.'

Oskar remembered his dream. 'I don't trust him.'

'You don't trust anyone.'

'Mmm…but…I don't know. I just don't like him.'

'Oskar, please. Please will you come with me?'

Oskar sighed. 'Well…I'm not letting you go by yourself.'

Eli flung his arms around his neck before he could protest, sending the bowl of scrambled egg toppling to the floor.

'Oh thank you, thank you, thank you.'

Oskar packed all his weapons. Which wasn't many; his trusted knife, and a small pocket knife. He hoped that there'd only be a few vampires. Five at the most. Then perhaps…perhaps he could win a fight against them.

He complained the whole way. Especially after Eli had to stop to kill a frail, old women. It had taken a minute to find her. And for all Oskar knew, she could have a large family waiting for her at home. So when they finally arrived at the same alleyway from last night, he was in a very bad mood.

He wanted badly to go home. But knew that he couldn't let Eli go alone. What was the worst thing the vampires could do anyway? Kill him yes. But really…that wasn't a bad thing. It was what Oskar deserved for everything he'd done. Or…maybe they'd change him into a vampire. That would be worse than dying.

Oskar paced up and down the alleyway, muttering underneath his breath. 'This is mad. Totally mad…we're going to die…'

He saw a bulge of shadow skipping towards him.

Oskar looked up at the sky. Spotted a star and whispered to it; 'Let Eli be safe tonight.'

'Good to see you both here,' Alex said rubbing his hands together. He winked at Oskar. 'Everyone's so excited to meet you guys.'

'We're excited too.' Eli beamed up at Alex.

'Well, I'm glad to see you're not in boy's clothes anymore. They were really unflattering on such a pretty girl.' This time Alex winked at Eli. 'The dress suits you much better.'

Eli giggled and twirled around, the skirt of the pink dress floated around him. Alex clapped. Eli held the ends of the dress and gave as small curtsy.

Oskar grinded his teeth together. He opened his mouth to speak. Then closed it.

Alex's eyes flicked back at Oskar. 'Come now.' He curled his finger, still looking at Oskar. 'Follow me.' He walked backwards, curving, and uncurving the finger. Oskar wanted to walk over and slice it off. But knew he shouldn't. So he outstretched his hands to the side, so he wouldn't be tempted to reach for his knife.

He felt fingers slide themselves into his hand. His whole body shuddered and he pulled his hand away. He clutched it in his other hand and turned to see Eli staring up at him with sad eyes. Oskar just shook his head and walked forwards. There was a tingling sensation on his palm; on the place where Eli's small hand had just been.

Eli skipped in front, talking enthusiastically with Alex. Oskar listened at one point, but found himself listening to tales about their lives as vampires. A conversation he couldn't join in. So he did his best block out their voices. But they kept seeping through his barrier; 'Yes it was painful…I've had that happen too…this one women screamed so loudly…'

Oskar hands went to fists, and he dug his fingernails into the skin, trying to distract himself with the pain. He kept his hands like that all the way there…to a dead-end at the end of another alleyway.

'Why'd you bring us here?' Oskar said through gritted teeth.

Alex chuckled. 'Watch human.' He crouched down. And Oskar watched his hand fumble in the darkness before there was a clatter of metal. Alex smiled up at Oskar.

'Welcome to our home.'

But Oskar stared blankly at the dark patch. 'I don't get it.'

'He can't see in the dark,' Eli told Alex.

Alex nodded. 'Ahh forgot about that. Hmm pity. You shouldn't come with us then. You could trip. Die. And that be very—'

Oskar quickly snatched his torch out his pocket. He shone it down onto the ground. And what he saw was a large hole. A metal drain was discarded beside it.

'Excellent,' Alex said looking at the torch. 'Good thing you brought that cylinder candle.' Eli giggled.

'Time to meet the family then,' Alex took a step backwards. He bowed and indicated a hand towards the hole. 'Ladies first.'

Eli giggled again and pranced forwards. He peered over into the hole, and then looked at Oskar. 'It's a short jump. Even you can manage.' And with that he sprang into the air, and disappeared down it.

Oskar stepped forwards, his free hand grabbed at the air where Eli had just been. He lowered his hand as he heard Alex laugh. He glared at him. And before he could think rationally anger took over. He snatched Alex's shirt and pulled him forwards. They met eye to eye. They were almost the same height. Oskar was just a little taller.

'If you hurt Eli..I'll make sure you burn in hell. Because that's where you'll be going after I kill you.'

Alex showed no trace of fear. His smile curved into a large grin. Without saying a word, he gripped Oskar's wrist. Twisted it. Pain shot through Oskar's arm and he had no choice but to release Alex. Then Alex sprung backwards, and leapt downwards into the hole. Oskar darted forwards and followed him, not wanting Eli to be left alone with Alex.

His feet landed against a hard floor. His bones shook with the force and he steadied himself against a wall. Someone laid a hand on his shoulder, and he whirled the torch around to make sure it wasn't Alex. It wasn't.

'You alright?' Eli asked him.

Oskar nodded.

'Come now, come now,' Alex said, looking back at them as he stood at the end of the tunnel. 'We don't live in here. This is just our courtyard.' He laughed again.

The laugh was really starting to bother Oskar. While they followed him, he imagined cutting off Alex's tongue and watching him writhe in pain.

Oskar shook his head, and suddenly felt very cold. He had to stop thinking like that. Imagining and enjoying the thought of hurting people. It wasn't right. Wasn't human.

The tunnel was completely black, that without Oskar's torch he defiantly wouldn't have been able to see anything. But Eli didn't need the light, and Oskar watched his eyes wander around places that were just a great mass of darkness to him. It was times like these he really did wish he was a vampire.

They walked and walked. Until they came to an archway. Almost identical to one at the entrance of the town above.

'Home sweet home,' Alex said, and kissed the archway. When he broke away Oskar noticed dust tinged on his lips. But Alex didn't brush it off.

'You can come in. Most welcome here. Yes come in, come in.' Alex didn't look back at either one of them, but wrapped his arms around the archway so that his head disappeared to the other side.

He's gone mad, Oskar thought as he stepped with Eli through the archway.

Something hissed. Oskar swung the light in front of him but saw nothing. Then he heard scraping coming from above. He moved the light upwards. There, clinging to the wall was a boy. But not a boy at all. His chest was bare, and something black dangled from his arms. Wings. Black wings like a bat's. His fingernails dug into the wall, allowing him to be suspended above. His eyes were very, very wide. And he stared unfocused in the general direction of Oskar.

'Blood, blood, blood, blood, blood, blood-' The boy crawled close to them. 'Blood, blood, blood, blood…'

Oskar heard Eli sniff. 'Oskar!'

He could hardly speak. 'W-w-at?

'Your hands are bleeding!'

Oskar looked down at them. On each hand were five small cuts. And each hand was almost completely red with blood. He swore. How had he not noticed!

He rubbed his hands quickly on his jacket. But then realized that was no good. He stared back up at the vampire. His heart hammered against his ribcage. And he felt it pound in his hands and hoped that more blood wasn't being pumped out the wounds.

He'd never seen anything that looked so much like a monster. This vampire wasn't like Eli or Alex. Scars defaced its body. Pink lines and shrivelled bits of skin were everywhere. It only had patches of black hair on its head. And its wings…Oskar had rarely seen Eli's. And when he had, they were magical. But somehow this boy's just seem frightening. Oskar was so terrified that his entire body shook with fear.

He heard humming. It took him a moment to realize it was Alex. But anger couldn't conquer Oskar's fear for once. He watched Alex crawl across the ground, and fold his legs underneath him. Just below the vampire on the wall.

'Good boy, good boy. Human not food. Friend yes. You feed soon. Feed soon…' He began to hum again.

He really has gone mad, Oskar thought.

Alex pointed a finger into the darkness.

'Master is in there. He'll protect you…yes…protect you...'

Oskar followed Alex's finger but saw nothing. Just darkness. He turned to Eli to see if he could see anything. But found Eli's lips were pinched together and looked just as confused as Oskar felt.

Eli turned to Oskar. 'Should we go see this master then?'

Oskar glanced back up at the boy. He was completely still, apart from his clawed fingers which tapped quietly against the wall.

'Well personally, I wanted to go back. But do what you want. I won't leave you'

Eli took a deep breath. 'I want to see him. Alex called him a master so perhaps he's very old. I need some answers. Yes. I want to see him.'

Oskar nodded, and placed his hand inside it coat. It rested upon the hilt of his knife.

Eli and Oskar edged into the darkness. Staying side by side. The torch lighting a path through the darkness.

'Oskar…'

Oskar couldn't answer.

'Vampires are all around us.'

Oskar moved his torch to the side and found himself staring at a line of people. They flinched at the sudden light and shielded their eyes. Some whimpered and fell to the ground. Others took their arms immediately away from their eyes and bared their fangs at Oskar.

We've made a huge mistake coming here. I am going to die.

He kept his eyes focused on the line of vampires. There was so many of them; about thirty. And Oskar noticed they were all male. Boys in fact. None looked older than eighteen.

Eli's footsteps faltered. And suddenly Oskar felt Eli's hand clutch onto his, trembling violently

Oskar didn't have the courage to break the silence. To ask what was wrong. But when he turned to Eli he saw him staring ahead. So he turned the torch light in front of him.

He saw someone standing in the path of light. The torch fell from his grip. It clattered to the floor. It rolled, and rolled, stopping at the figure's feet, keeping his gaunt face illuminated. Oskar wrapped his fingers around Eli's hand.

He stared into the eyes that he had never forgotten. They were burned clearly into his memory. But it wasn't really his memory. It was Eli's.

Those blue eyes like distant forest pools.

The eyes of the vampire who had tortured Eli. And turned him into a monster.