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**Claire**
I listen to the doctors and rest up for three days, basically, all I can do is sleep. But after that, I make posters for Shane with his picture on them, offering a small reward for any information. There's a lot of false leads, people who just want the cash and nothing really concrete appears. Days pass, weeks, but I don't give up, I can't because if Amelie finds him first, I'm not sure that she'll let him live.
Eve says that it's almost better to hear nothing rather than something. Meaning that it's better that we haven't heard of him killing anyone then to hear that and know we've lost him for good. I can't believe that, I have to know that there's a possibility to get him back. Because that's all that's keeping me going, Shane was my rock, without him, I'd be left adrift in an endless sea. I know that probably seemed like melodramatic, teen drama but it was true. He was the one good thing I had in this town and without him; I'd be here almost completely alone, trapped forever. Because I knew by now that Amelie would never let me leave.
Eve and Michael try to make me rest get me to sit down and eat, but I can't. I have to follow every lead, no matter how ridiculous, because I'm his only hope. I know everyone else has given up on him.
Eventually though, I have to return somewhat to normal life. Classes can't wait forever and neither can work. I've received countless texts and calls from Myrnin and I know that it's only a matter of time before Amelie calls too.
I see Eve and Michael exchange relieved looks as I sit down and eat breakfast for the first time since…well I can't remember actually. Had it really been that long?
"So, Claire," Eve asks sounding nervous as she fidgets with her ring. "Where are you going today?"
"I have class and then work." I say, swallowing a mouthful of coffee, the one thing that had really kept me going these last few weeks.
"Really?" She asks, dark rimmed eyes widening in shock.
"Yes really," I reply slightly annoyed. "Have I been acting that weird?"
"Claire, you've practically been a zombie." Michael says his mouth a tight line of worry.
"That's a bit of an exaggeration Michael." I scoff.
"No it's not; you just shuffle around the house, staring at nothing when you aren't looking for Shane. You don't eat, you don't sleep. You've been worrying us sick Claire." Michael says sounding angry now.
"Sorry," I say softly staring into my coffee, wishing it held all the answers. "I didn't even realize what I was doing really."
"I know and that's what really worries me." Eve says looking concerned.
"Well I'm fine now," I say firmly standing up and slinging my backpack over my shoulders. They give each other identical looks of doubt. "Honestly guys, I am. I'll see you tonight." And with that, I walk out the door.
After class, I walk to Myrnin's past the Day house to see Gramma Day sitting on the porch. I wave, hoping to get away with just that, as I hurry off towards the alley.
"I haven't seen you 'round here in a while Claire." Gramma day asks walking up to the railing. "Lord girl!" She exclaims when she can see better. "What happened to you? You're bonier than a skeleton! You look half dead!"
"I was sick," I mumble looking at the ground and trying not to blush under her scrutinizing stare. Did I really look that bad? "I'm fine now."
"Yes, I heard about your "sickness"," Gramma says her face and voice as cold as stone. "But that was weeks ago!"
"Yeah, I just got the flu. Really I'm fine. Have a good day." I say as I turn to go, desperate to escape her seemingly endless barrage of questions.
"You should be resting Claire!" She calls after me. "Not going to see that ol' trap door spider!" I ignore her and head to the shack in the alley. I unlock the rickety, rotting door and head down the stairs.
"Myrnin?" I call into the dimly lit lab.
"Claire!" Myrnin says sounding delighted right behind me. I shriek and jump about a foot. "Oh, sorry my dear, I didn't mean to scare you." I turn around and glare.
"Well you did, I don't have vampire hearing Myrnin, you have to give me a little warning."
"Yes, yes," He says distractedly, and then he looks at me and his eyes go wide with shock and horror. "Claire, what on earth happened to you?"
"Why does everyone keep saying that?" I ask with a sigh. "I'm fine, honestly."
"You look anything but fine Claire," Myrnin says still sounding completely shocked. "Are you sure you don't wish to go home and rest?"
"No Myrnin, I said I'm fine and I am. Really. Don't you have some work or something for me to do?"
"Where's my boy?" A voice asks crackling out of all the nearby speakers as Frank Collins fuzzy, black and white biker image appears right in front of me, making me jump again.
"Frank," Myrnin says coldly. "Now is not the time. Leave. Now."
"No, I want her to tell me where my boy is," He looms over me and although I know that he's little more than a ghost, I flinch away backing right into Myrnin. "I can't see him on any of the cameras. What have you done to him? Where is he?"
"I—I don't know," I say, fighting back tears. "If I knew I would tell you. But I don't, no one's seen him in weeks."
"I don't believe you," He says leaning even closer, his face an inch from mine. Myrnin places a cold hand on my shoulder and gently moves me to the side so he can step up to Frank.
"Would you like to know the truth Frank?" Myrnin asks voice deathly quiet and freezing cold. "You're son has nearly killed Claire twice now. The second time, he left and no one has heard from since. I say good riddance. He's not your son anymore Frank. Now shut up before I unplug you." Frank stares back him, looking shocked before he flickers away in a wave of static.
"I—I'm sorry." I whisper, gulping back tears.
"Whatever for Claire?" Myrnin asks hard face softening. "How was any of that your fault?"
"I don't know," I say miserably. "I guess—I guess I should probably go." I begin to head to the stairs, feeling even worse, but before I can even blink, Myrnin is right in front of me, and I mean there's like an inch between us.
"No Claire, you'll stay. You're going to listen to me." He says quietly, dark eyes unreadable as he steps closer, forcing me backwards.
"Myrnin, what are you doing?" I ask nervous and confused at how he's acting. This was so unlike Myrnin. What was going on? "Myrnin I need to go home." He continues coming towards me and I have no choice but to keep scrambling backwards, until finally, I'm backed into a wall and he stands there looming over me, putting a hand on either side of the wall, trapping me.
"Myrnin, I want to go." I say trying to keep my voice from shaking.
"Do you not care for me at all Claire?" He asks quietly, dark eyes boring into mine, and I'm unable to look away.
"Sure Myrnin, you're my friend. "I say firmly.
"Could you never feel something more for me? Shane is gone Claire, he will not come back." I stare at him, bewildered, was Myrnin saying he liked me? As in like liked me? When had this happened?
"Myrnin…" I start gently, not sure what to say. And then, he does the most surprising thing of all, he kisses me. I stand there a second, completely taken aback, and then, I try to push him away, but of course, I can't. So, I kiss him back. It's completely different from kissing Shane, Myrnin kisses me as if he'll never let me go, as if he can't believe that I'm there, like he's desperate for me to kiss him back, h e wraps me in his arms as if he'll never let go. It's not bad, just different. It's just so hard to believe that I'm kissing Myrnin. And that I kind of like it.
Finally, finally he pulls away, looking just as stunned as I feel. "Claire." He breathes, sounding amazed.
"Yes?" I ask, completely confused as to what just happened.
"You—you just kissed me did you not? I hope that that was not a dream?"
"A dream—? No, not at all."
"Thank God," Myrnin says sounding relieved, and then, he kisses me again, my lips, my cheeks, working his way down until his mouth hovers above my neck. "Claire, I know you do not love me now, but it could become that eventually, couldn't it?"
"Myrnin…" I say, unsure of where he is going with this.
"Claire, Shane is gone," He says bluntly and I flinch a little, even though he holds me tight in his arms. "No, listen, he is. I know it will take you time to—to get over him. But couldn't you be with me? Could you not love me Claire? I can give you forever to make up your mind; all you have to do is say the word."
"Myrnin…" I say again, helplessly, shivering as his cool breath continues to hit my neck. He bends down further and kisses me there and I feel the sharp pinpricks of his fangs. "No Myrnin," I say gently pushing him away. "I can't—I can't do this right now. I need to go." He steps back, releasing me, and I mentally sigh in relief.
"Alright Claire," He says quietly back to me. "You know where I'll be waiting." I almost, almost go back to him, wanting to comfort him. But I know now is not the time, so I pick up my backpack which had fallen somehow and I head up the stairs and into the bright day.
I almost don't believe that any of that happened, he was right, it seemed like a dream. I had never pictured myself being with Myrnin, and I had never fathomed that he felt anything for me. And I know that it was partially Shane keeping me from this. And now, now I think that maybe-maybe I could care for Myrnin more than a friend. And that caused a whole new set of possibilities and obstacles.
Yay, finally I wrote some Clyrnin! :D Sorry for the bad kissing scene, feel free to insert whatever you like there. And if you're a Claine fan, there might be more later. Maybe.