I would have loved to write more about Cutler but, according to the timeline, he and Hal didn't cross paths once Hal ran off. Not until the events of season 4, that is. Talk about sad. Anyway, just wanted to say that I appreciate all the views this story has been getting lately. A big thank you for anyone who decided to check it out!

"I don't know, what do you think of this one?" William took a step back from the man that had been his supper and regarded the flat they were in. "Too posh?"

Henry looked around. "It's really beautiful. Do vampires usually live like this?"

"Vampires live where they please. Castles, palaces, simple homes. You can live in a shack in Hawaii if that's what you want. Though the sun might sting a bit."

"Really? We can live in a place like this?"

William sighed. "Oh, you have so much to learn about us. The ins and outs and the politics of it all." He let himself fall on the sofa. "Speaking of politics, you know that Hal's been the one to orchestrate everything about the dog fights, right? The one running the shots and all that."

Henry nodded.

"But that's mostly because he's an Old One and everyone sees him as the Lord and blah blah blah. Everyone lets him have the power because they're intimidated by his title. So they let him walk all over them. But, if something were to happen to dear old Hal unexpectedly during, say, our attempt to bring him back..." William winked at Henry. But the other vampire's face had a blank look. "You don't get it, do you?"

Henry shook his head.

"God, I can't believe Cutler didn't teach you anything about this." He pressed his palms together. "Okay, here's how things work around here: if one vampire disappears unexpectedly, then the one next in rank takes his place. That's why Cutler is now running the show. But he's awful at it. I mean let's be serious, he's nothing without Hal around. You understand what I'm trying to say?"

"You don't want Mr. York back with us."

"Now you're getting it. Because without him, Cutler will just crumble to the ground. And guess who's up in line to receive the power?"

"I'm guessing that's you" Henry said.

"Exactly. And here's where you come in. Once I'm in charge, you won't be kept in the dark anymore." William smiled. "All those other vamps think you're just too new around here. Too unpredictable. But me? I see your value."

"But what about Mr. Cutler?"

William waved him off. "Forget him. Look, he told us to track down Hal, and we did, right? We saw him walking around the city yesterday. So we're doing what Cutler wants. All we're doing is stretching his plan to accommodate ours." He paused to look at Henry, who looked a little doubtful. "Look, you can become my right hand man in this. In time you'll become just as powerful as the rest of them. You could even take Hal's place, you know. You share his name and everything."

Henry's eyes lit up. "No fooling?"

"Just stick with me, kid. Our life will be stuff of legends. All you have to do is listen to me and do what I say. Even if what I tell you to do might border on the, umm, let's say... extreme."

"You're being such a child."

Leo frowned. "Being wise and keeping away for a while is a perfectly acceptable courting tactic."

"You can't be serious."

"Hal, there's a full moon tonight. Believe me when I tell you that I'd never joke about this."

The vampire sat back on the sofa and wondered what it would be like to spend the entire night without being supervised by Leo. He was surprised to feel somewhat anxious.

"I don't understand why you're pushing this issue" Leo went on, "I didn't think you liked Pearl all that much."

Hal shrugged. "I don't. I think she's incredibly verbose and quite crass and when it comes down to it, the least lady-like woman I've met."

Leo looked at him and waited. "This is the part where you say 'however'..."

"No ''however'. I simply think that you could use some companionship."

What Hal didn't mention was the fact that he hoped Leo would quickly fall in love with this woman and stop keeping such a close eye on him. It had only been three days since he and Leo had run off, but Hal was already feeling uncomfortable. He was used to being free and wrecking as much havoc as he desired, and being constantly watched by a werewolf was just demeaning.

Leo soon left for his job at the small barber shop. He mentioned once or twice that he was scared that the shop would close one day soon, because the owners were old and wanted to retire. Luckily, they were incredibly kind to Leo, even going as far as giving him a key to the shop. Leo was grateful that the barber shop had a sturdy looking cellar. He felt a bit bad for planning to use during his transformation, but he had little choice in the matter. Southend didn't have many open areas devoid of people, and risking harming someone wasn't something he wanted to do.

Hal was left to follow his rota. He was actually surprised by how well everything was going for him. He had gone three days with no blood and he was feeling only slightly homicidal. Though part in keeping him so calm was probably because he had partaken in quite the feast the day before leaving with Leo. Perhaps there was still a bit of blood in his system.

Not that it mattered because, at the moment, Hal felt at peace just sitting in the flat by himself.

It was sometime around 6PM when Hal began to grow restless. He had spent the entire day exercising, washing dishes, mopping floors, and reorganizing everything he could get his hands on. But now there was nothing else to do. Even the matches and paperclips he'd found in the house were all lined up to perfection. But now he was feeling lost.

Hal felt like the walls were closing in around him and, before he knew it, he was out the door. He didn't plan to run off this time. All Hal wanted was to silence the thoughts that were swirling in his head and taunting him.

He even surprised himself when he ended up at the café that Leo seemed to love so much. He sat in the back as he always did and enjoyed the quiet. Which he knew wouldn't last for long when he saw Pearl walk over. She stopped in front of him with her writing pad.

"Where's Leo?"

"Work" Hal said, trying to keep his hands from shaking.

Pearl looked at Hal, and cocked her head. "Look at the state of you... what's wrong?"

Hal paused to think. "I'm quitting... smoking. It's proving to be rather difficult."

"Oh, don't I know that... Took me years till I gathered enough willpower to quit. But I did it all by myself. Did it cold turkey, too."

Hal just shut his eyes and willed the noise away. Almost miraculously, her voice ceased, and when he opened his eyes, he saw that Pearl was going into the kitchen. He thought he heard her mumble something about getting him some coffee, but he wasn't sure. He was just glad to be the only customer in the café.

Pearl had said that she quit smoking cold turkey, something Hal was doing with his other addiction. But was it the wisest thing to do? He had agreed with Leo that he should stop drinking blood, but Hal never said he could do it right away. Maybe it would be better if he just eased into it. This way he wouldn't risk snapping or falling off the wagon altogether. Yes, this was the better approach. There was only one problem. Where could he acquire some blood without hurting anyone? That was tricky.

Hal rose from his seat and instinctively left some money on the table before leaving. He wasn't sure where he was going, but he needed some fresh air and time to think. Despite the thoughts that were prodding him, Hal promised himself that he wouldn't hurt anyone. So he stuffed his hands in the pockets of his coat and walked.

He had probably walked for hours, but still, no ideas came to Hal. He had heard stories of human donors, but during those times he had been too busy going on his own hunts to pay attention. Hal kicked himself for being so easily manipulated by this addiction.

He was heading back to Leo's flat when a pedestrian elbowed him. Hal stopped and turned. And he went bug-eyed.

"Hal!" William said, grabbing his shoulder. "God, where've you been all this time? Things are getting really crazy back home without you."

Hal had to dig deep to keep his composure. "I—I had to leave because of Leo."

William frowned. "Who's Leo? Oh, wait, is he that dog that escaped?"

"I had to run after him and get him back. You remember how good a fighter he was, don't you?"

"Yes, of course. You didn't happen to find him, did you?"

Hal was almost tempted to reply truthfully. It was weird trying to ignore years and years of trusting the same vampires.

"No" he said "that's why I didn't come back yet. It's really frustrating trying to track him down."

"Well you could've left us a note or something, you tosser" William laughed and gave a punch to his shoulder. "Cutler was ready to tear the whole building apart looking for you."

"Yes, well, that didn't occur to me at the time. Why are you in Southend anyway?"

"Cutler sent me after you. It's a real stroke of luck that I found you at all. It's like you just fell off the face of the earth or something." William paused. "You seem a little under the weather, actually. A bit paler than usual. You know, a couple of us are planning to dine tonight in this magnificent house not far from here. How about you join us?"

Hal had no idea what to say. A part of him was yelling that he had to accept because it meant he could erase the last trail that led him back to Cutler and the other vampires. And another part of him said this was the perfect opportunity to get hold of some blood.

"I'll be there" Hal said, and almost immediately regretted it.

"Of course you will. We'll catch up, maybe discuss how we can capture that dog together, all that wonderful stuff. Just pop over to that building over there" William pointed, "after sun down, and the fun will start. Where are you staying at these days by the way?"

Hal shrugged. "Everywhere. Nowhere."

"Going on an old fashioned rampage, are we?" William smiled. "I always love it when that happens."

"Can I just ask you one thing?" Hal said, "Don't sent Cutler any letters. I don't want him to know that I haven't captured that werewolf yet. It could tarnish my reputation."

"Whatever you say, Hal."

The two said their goodbyes and then parted ways, each thinking that they would find a way to outsmart the other. Hal was left feeling nervous and lost. Tonight he'd have to show face at a potential carnage, and there was no way to stop it without making William suspicious. He needed to talk to Leo, and quick.