Chapter 7

Mello, as Mihael now chose to be called, walked casually along the sidewalk. It was dark, so the side walk was slightly less crowded than it would be during the day. That was New York for you, always on the move. He was grateful though. With the large population and all, he blended in nicely. That, and because of the wide variety of people, getting a quick bite to eat was never a problem for him. Even if the population was smaller...well, to put it simply, he was gorgeous. Why lie? He could charm his way into an unsuspecting woman's pants, AND have lunch too. There were a few men too, but everyone experimented from time to time. What was the point of being immortal if you had to do the same thing over, and over, and over again? It would get really boring, really quick.

A wide grin spread across his pale lips as he noticed all the people he passed would turn their heads in his direction. He really was a sight. His golden blond hair was still kept long up to his shoulders, the same way it was through out his mortal life. There were somethings he just didn't want to let go of, the way he looked being one of them, the other being a red beaded rosary he had found hanging in his parents bedroom. He had gone back to the old mansion one last time before fleeing the country.

It had been hanging on a rusty old nail against the door. His mother probably thought it would protect them somehow. The whole 'Vampires hating crucifixes' was total bull. It had to be, or else he wouldn't be able to wear the thing around his neck 24/7 without bursting into flames...or whatever it was that happened. He chuckled to himself at remembering an old movie he had seen. A long time ago, when the film was still in black and white. It had been about a vampire named Dracula. He had laughed through most of the thing, getting odd looks from the rest of the people in the small theater, but he didn't care. He did enjoy it though. Not as horror, it was more of a morbid comedy to him.

Mello sighed in annoyance as he stopped at one of the traffic lights. He pressed the small button beside him and waited. He hated waiting. He could easily run across the street before anyone even had a chance to blink, but...That would attract unwanted attention if there were any other vampires in the vicinity, and he was damn sure there were. So, with another tortured sigh, he stuffed his hands deep into the pockets of his leather jacket to wait for the little man on the stoplight to turn green, making it safe for him to cross. Act the human for a while. Joy.

'Damn traffic...' he thought to himself as he watched the cars speed on by. He could feel the cool air as they whooshed by through his clothes. Leather didn't do much to keep him warm. But what did he care? He was dead. And he loved leather, he wasn't about to change his wardrobe because he was a little chilly. He was a vicious blood sucking, cold blooded creature god damn it! He was rudely interrupted from his mental pep talk when he felt someone came to stand beside him.

Mello looked at the person out of the corner of his eye. It was a girl. A young blond, one of those typical cheerleader, dumber than a sack of potato's type. He took in a deep breath through his nose, and licked his lips. He could smell her blood, and it was very tempting. He had been in a bit of a depressed state for the past week and so it was his first time out of the house. Meaning he was running on empty. She looked like an easy fuck. Dinner and a show. Perfect.

The little guy turned green, making it safe to cross, but he stayed put, rooted to the spot, eyes still on the blond girl standing beside him. He knew she was wanting to get his attention, so he would wait. Mello saw the girl look at him, then across the street as the people quickly jogging to get to the other side, then back at him. He smirked.
One...Two...Three...

"Um..Hey," The girl said finally. "I really like your pants. Aren't you cold though? Leather can't be that warm"

Mello finally turned his head to get a better look at the young girl. "I'm fine in that department, I appreciate your concern though" He replied in the smooth, almost seductive tone he always used when he wanted to really dazzle someone. He heard the girl suck in a surprised breath, and he resisted the urge to smirk at how easy this was.

"I'm Candy!" she said with a big glossy smile. She reached up and twirled a lock of her hair with one finger, and a pang of guilt stabbed at Mello's chest for a second.
She was just a child, to him anyways. She was probably 15 or 16, but still. He looked away from her clear blue eyes, instead resting his gaze on a nearby billboard.
'This girl is just asking to be raped, if she goes around spouting her name at random' He thought to himself. Oh well, He was hungry, and even if he didn't get sex he'd still get blood. That's all he wanted for now. Besides, it wasn't as if he ever killed anyone.

"Whats yours?" Candy asked quickly, afraid that he might leave.

Mello turned back to her and gave her smile. "Mello," he held out a leather clad hand to the blond girl, and the girl without hesitation shook it. "I was wondering, if you weren't busy, would you like to have some hot chocolate with me? I was just on my way there you see, and I would enjoy the company of a beautiful young lady like yourself" He almost gagged. Mello hated being all polite and civil and kiss assy. The gentlemen side of him had died along with his mortal self. His heart had stopped beating and he now considered himself a monster, and monsters were never civil. Why bother? But it was necessary sometimes.

The girl, Candy, giggled as a light blush spread across her cheeks. "You think I'm beautiful?" she said, still twirling her hair.

Mello resisted the urge to growl. He was fuckin' hungry damn it. "Of course, why wouldn't I?" he asked, a look of fake surprise flashed across his pale face, a little trick he had picked up in a magazine. 'Always tell the ladies what they want to hear, they'll be putty in your hands' was what it had said. He didn't want putty though, he wanted something a little more rich in color, and flavor for that matter.

Candy's smile stretched across her face, and she finally nodded, making her long hair bounce slightly. "I would love to have hot chocolate with you, Mello"

Mello inwardly smirked, but he gave the girl one of his breathtaking smiles, careful to keep his fangs hidden. He held his arm out to her. "Shall we?" Candy quickly linked her arm in his, and he led the way across the street, they made it in time. "Which cafe are we going to?" Candy asked happily.

Mello had no intentions of finding a cafe. He was looking for a dark alley. "Not sure yet, the closest one I suppose, is that ok?" he replied, looking down and giving her a small smile.

The girl smiled back and nodded. Mello was pretty sure she would do just about anything he said. Teenage girls were so gullible. Up ahead there was a small coffee shop, he recognized it quickly as the one his friend owned. Perfect. He could put on a show without a struggle, and not feel guilty after wards about leaving the girl behind.

"This one here, Candy, is this fine?" He whispered to her as if they were long term lovers. Candy nodded, it seemed as if the smile had been permanently carved onto her face. Mello led her up the sidewalk, he held the door of the coffee shop open for her, still holding onto her.

His friend was behind the counter, he had looked up at the sound of the bell ringing signaling their arrival. He caught Mello's eyes and he grinned shaking his head before going back to what he had been doing.

Mello grinned as well, and led the girl to a small table set up in a corner. "I'll order for us, be right back" He left her there and made his way to the counter.

"Marco, do you think you could lend me your storage room for a few minutes? I'm starving" Mello said tilting his head in the direction of Candy.

Marco gave the blond vampire a smirk. "Its not like you to aim so young Mello, older woman not satisfying your sweet tooth anymore?" he asked in a low whisper.

Mello chuckled. It never ceased to amaze him how easy it was for Marco to talk about his eating habits. "I like sweet things, is that so wrong?" The younger the person the sweeter their blood tasted. He didn't quite know why, that's just how it was.

Marco brushed his dark brown hair out of his eyes. "I suppose not, so long as you're gentle. Should I be prepared?"

The blond nodded. "I'll be leaving her here, that way she won't have to stay in some cold alley. " Marco nodded in understanding. "Right, leave her in the storage room then, I'll look after her"

Mello smirked and nodded. "Thanks," With that he turned and went back to Candy, who was looking at her reflection in a small mirror.

"Candy," he said quietly against her ear. He felt her shiver, and resisted the urge to smirk. Again, teenagers were so easy to deal with. Not that he was complaining.
It came in handy when he was looking for food.

The blond girl blinked and turned to face him. "What is it?"

"Would you like to go somewhere a little more...private? While we wait for our drinks?" he replied in the same silky smooth tone he had used earlier.

Candy quickly got to her feet, nodding. Mello put his fake smile on and took her hand, leading her to the back of the small shop.

Mello closed the door behind himself, and switched on the light. Not that it did much good either way. The room was still dim. Boxes lined high against the walls. Smaller ones were kept on shelves. It wasn't dusty, nor did it have that old musty smell you usually get with old storage rooms. Marco was a total neat freak.

Candy had her arms wrapped around herself as if she were cold. "Did you...want to talk, or...s-something?" she asked anxiously. Mello knew what she was expecting.
Normally he wouldn't refuse an offer to have sex, he loved it, but she was only a kid. Probably still a virgin, he didn't want to mess with that. His soul was damned enough as it was.

He stepped forward and pulled her into a hug. "Cold?" he whispered into her blond hair. It smelled faintly of strawberries. Very pleasant.

"Mhm..." he felt her shiver. Mello didn't blame her. He was cold, always. It was probably like hugging a block of ice to her. Mello stepped back a little and lifted her chin up with a single finger. "Allow me to warm you up" he smirked, and pressed his cold lips lightly to hers. Ugh, lip gloss, he hated the stuff.

Candy wrapped her arms around Mello's neck, deepening the kiss. She was trying to show him she was experienced, Mello guessed. He ran his hands down her sides and backed her up against a wall.

He pulled back enough to let her breath, instead trailing warm kisses across her cheek, and jawline, gradually going lower to her neck. Mello almost moaned, he wanted to just sink his teeth into her already, but he had to be patient. The scent of blood beneath her skin wasn't making it easy though. Candy gasped out his name, and Mello decided she was distracted enough.

He nuzzled his face against her neck before tracing small circles against the smooth skin with his tongue. Mello always wondered why he was always so cold, but his tongue, and saliva were always warm, hot even. Maybe it was a vampire thing, whatever, but it numbed the pain apparently, instead making it feel good. At least, from what he had heard it felt good. Everyone he bit would always moan and groan. Hm...weird. He thought idly to himself.

Once he had marked a spot he lifted a hand up and covered the girls mouth before biting down gently. As expected Candy let out a low moan, most of it muffled out against Mello's hand. She reached up and ran her hands through his hair, almost pulling him closer against her. Mello didn't argue, he sunk his fangs deeper into the skin until the blood started to spill into his waiting mouth. This time he really did groan in pure bliss. It had been a whole week since the last time he had blood, and Candy's had to be some of the sweetest he had tasted yet.

Candy's arms now lay limp over his shoulders, her breathing shallow. Mello pulled away, licking away the blood that remained. Maybe he had take a bit too much.
Oh well, she was fine. He could hear her heartbeat, and it was still at a good steady rhythm. He moved her down into a sitting position against the wall. Mello stared down at the girl, tongue running slowly over his bottom lip to lick up any blood that may have stuck to it. "Candy, how sweet..." he chuckled lightly, and turned to walk out of the small storage room.

After a quick wave to Marco, Mello was outside on the sidewalk again. He felt full, so he would just go home to get some work done. He stuffed his hands into the pockets of his leather jacket. Winter and Leather never went unnoticed by passer-bys, and that annoyed Mello to some extent. But not really, he loved the attention.

He could still taste Candy's blood and it made his mouth water, he wanted more. Oh well. Mello sighed a quiet content sigh. He could hear everything around him perfectly. The chatter of people, the wind as it moved through the trees, even the faint chirping of crickets, a sound no human would have ever picked up on in this noisy city. He found some comfort in that.

There was another sound in the air. Mello continued to walk, brow furrowed as he listened closely to the sound. It was faint, but it grew more clear as he got closer. 'What is that?' he thought to himself. The sound was more distinct now, and he quickly recognized it as heart beats. Very faint irregular heart beats. He came to a stop in front of the opening of a narrow alley, and peered in. His eyes quickly adjusted to the thick darkness, and he saw the outline of someone laying on their side. Was it a hobo?

Whoever it was wasn't doing too good. The beating of their heart was weak, like it was about ready to stop at any second. He sighed, and walked in, navigating himself quickly and easily through the alley.

He stopped in front of the lump on the ground. Mello's eyes widened at the sight of the person. It was a boy. A teenage boy by the looks of it. He knelt by the boy and placed his cold hand over him. 'What the hell is this kid doing here?' The smell of blood was so thick. Pulling his hand back, Mello saw the thin layer of red covering his leather glove. Blood. The boy was beat up bad.

His dark red hair clung to his blood covered face. His hair, it was red, a beautiful shade of red. Mello was in awe at the boys beauty, and briefly wondered if he was a vampire. Though it was a stupid thought. The boy's heart was still beating, so he wasn't a vampire.

Mello couldn't just leave him there to die. He slipped his arms under the boy, and lifted him up bridal style. He really is beautiful, Mello thought. He had never seen anyone with such a unique color hair. Maybe it was just dye, but whatever, he loved it. He growled, and set him back down. 'Stupid Mello, you can't just walk out of an alley with someone bleeding in your arms!'

He took off his jacket, and quickly got the boy into it before picking him back up again. 'Wait...I'm a fuckin' vampire...'he rolled his eyes at his own stupidity.

"I can risk this, just this once. It's an emergency..." he muttered to himself as he made his way to the end of the alley, breaking into a run halfway, and jumping up the side the wall, disappearing into the night.

A/N: I hope this makes up for chapter 6's crappiness...Sigh...sorry again. It was a bit rushed because the file was totally messed up and I had to redo it. Ugh, well, hopefully this is better.

So, yay!, Mello is back, and he's found Matty. In an alley...half dead...and bleeding...But on the bright side, he found him. Ha and thats what counts!

Review...please? I update faster with reviews, cause they make me happy. I'm looking for someone to beta my work...So, if anyone is interested send me a message plz. It would be much appreciated. I'm looking for a Mello too, so with that out in the open, I'll leave you guys to reading.

Matt.