Number five: Innocence.
Pairing: None.
Quick note: This word was hard! It took me ages to actually come up with something worth-while, and even now, I don't think I've managed to accomplish that. Ah well! I hope you like it all the same!
Also, thank you to Amela333 for the song suggestion: there would be no chapter had you not introduced me to that song! : )
One more thing. For some reason, I can't seem to add lines to separate this note at the top and the story. So, the story begins after the song lyrics, which are in italic. Just thought I'd let you know why this chapter isn't presented as the others are.
Song: The End of the Innocence - Don Henley.
Disclaimer: See chapter one.
'But I know a place where we can go, that's still untouched by men. We'll sit and watch the clouds roll by, and the tall grass wave in the wind . . . . '
Mentor and assistant sat side by side on the rocky cliff face, looking down silently at the grassy valley below. The moonlight shone through the clouds, casting an occasional white glow on the grass and trees, on the mountain-side and the two vampires.
A year had gone by since Kurda's betrayal, since the consequent deaths, and since Darren Shan had been made a Prince. A year full of new jobs for the young half-vampire and his tired mentor, a year full of hectic meetings and orders, a year of no breaks; no time to mourn, no time to think at length about what had transpired during that fateful council.
But now, much overdue, a break had been given to mentor and assistant, and all they could think to do was sit and dwell on the past.
Larten Crepsley looked down at his young assistant and sighed sadly: the poor child's innocence had been shattered a year ago, and he would never be the same again.
The young boy had before been a care-free, trusting child: and Kurda Smahlt had managed to turn him into a closed, alert young man. A young man who acted and thought as someone much older then he actually was.
Though Larten mourned grievously for the death of his best friend and the death of his mate, he also mourned for his assistant's lost innocence. And he blamed himself.
If he had never blooded him, then Darren's innocence would still be there: he would still be the care-free, trusting person he once was.
Larten opened his mouth to apologise for everything that he had put the young half-vampire through, when Darren let out a long breath and leaned against his mentor's shoulder. Larten looked down at the boy curiously and sadly, "Darren?"
"I miss them," the young boy muttered and sniffed, wiping at his eyes.
The vampire sighed and put an arm around his assistant's shoulders, "I know. I do too." He looked to the sky, and, for the briefest of seconds, the clouds parted revealing the stars and the full moon.
And for those briefest of seconds, Larten fixed his eyes on the stars and imagined life where his friends were alive and Darren was still the innocent child he once was.
And he smiled.