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**Claire**
I wake up in the morning, well rested for once, and I stretch lazily. Myrnin is gone; I wonder how long he'd stayed?
Wait-what was that smell? I sniff the air and wrinkle my noise, something was totally burning. What the heck?
I hop out of bed and cautiously open the doorway and I'm met with a thick wall of black smoke. I can't see anything else, but the strangest thing is that I don't feel heat, as if it were a fire. I immediately begin to cough and my eyes burn and water. You were supposed to get as low to the ground as you could right? Yeah, that was where the clearest air was, I remembered now. I drop to my hands and knees and I begin to crawl, which might be even more hazardous. Who knew what Myrnin had on the floor?
"Myrnin!" I manage to croak out, beginning to panic after I've crawled a bit and I seemed to be going nowhere, all I could see was smoke. I was suffocating, I couldn't breathe. I was probably going in circles. Simply put, I was screwed.
"Claire!" I distantly hear Myrnin shout in panic. I see a pair of feet clad in— ragged bunny slippers come into my vision and a second later, a pair of strong arms scoops me up and I'm zipping away at an incredible speed, before I'm deposited outside. Gasping, I gulp in the cool, clean, precious air.
"What…the…hell...Myrnin!" I shout in between breaths through my sore, raw throat.
"I am so very sorry Claire! Are you all right?" Myrnin asks anxiously crouching down to look at me through wide worried eyes.
"No! What was all of that smoke from? Is the lab on fire?"
"I was… well I was making you breakfast." Myrnin says looking extremely embarrassed.
"You. Were. Making. Breakfast," I say slowly, staring at him in disbelief. "What the hell were you making that caused all of that smoke?"
"Well I attempted to make you bacon and eggs, several times actually, on a Bunsen burner. It went horribly wrong."
"You tried to make bacon and eggs on a Bunsen burner? And what, they caught on fire?" I say still completely shocked. I mean it was a really sweet thought, but…yeah fire so not good.
"Yes, five times I believe. I kept trying and trying, and I just couldn't get it right!" He says sounding completely frustrated. "And the smoke kept coming, and there were no windows to open. I really am sorry my dear. Are you going to be alright?"
"Oh Myrnin…" I say trailing off, unsure of how to continue. "That was really sweet of you—but just so you know in the future, I'm fine with doughnuts or cereal. But thanks, really I appreciate it. And I'll be fine. Now, how in the world are we going to get all of this smoke out of here? You did turn off the Bunsen burner right?"
"I knew I forgot something!" He says snapping his fingers and leaping up. "I'll be right back!" And he zips down the stairs, but he's only gone a second. "Now, as to the smoke, I suppose we can leave the door open and turn some fans on inside to get it all out."
"Okay, well then while you're doing that, can I go back to the dorms to shower? I'm covered in smoke."
"I do not know I think that is a good idea Claire." Myrnin says frowning.
"I'll be gone thirty-forty minute tops Myrnin, I'll be fine. I just have to get back down there somehow for clothes…" I say trailing off.
"Fine," Myrnin says sighing in defeat. "One moment please." And, before I can protest he's gone again and back in less than a minute holding my battered backpack.
"You put clothes and other things in here yes?" He asks, holding it out to me.
"Yeah, thanks," I say, relieved that I'd thought to pack stuff in there. I had been afraid he would come up holding my bra and underwear. "I'll be right back. Oh, and get some air freshener while you're out too please, it's going to smell awful.
"Yes alright," Myrnin says sounding distracted. "Please be careful."
I make it to the dorm without any incidents, although I do get some pretty strange looks. I must look awful. Sighing, I go to the old dorm showers, it's completely empty, everyone was either sleeping or in class.
I brace myself and look into the mirror. Yep, I totally looked like some horror movie creature. My brown hair was all frizzy, sticking up all over the place, and my eyes were red and bloodshot, I was also wearing only short pajama shorts and a huge oversized T-shirt that basically covered them.
I could almost hear Monica Morelle's snarky comment now, "Well, it looks like someone decided to pay a trip to zombie Hookerville." Or something like that, she was much better at those things then me, about the only thing that she beat me at was being evil bitch queen of Morganville. Actually, I hadn't seen much of her lately. Maybe she'd left the town, now that her brother was gone. Or she had gotten eaten. The thought makes me shiver, no matter how high up you were, your safety was never ensured in Morganville.
On that delightful note, I hop into the shower, letting the warm water rush over me and relax my muscles until it begins to run cold before I was out my hair. That was pretty much the best shower ever. I really don't want to deal with any more drama right now. Really, I just want to curl back under the covers with a cup of hot cocoa and a good book. But there was too much to do.
Sighing, I dry off and dress in jeans and a T-shirt. I probably needed to get back to Myrnin's in case he decided to light something else on fire. I open the door and run right into somebody.
"Sorry," I mumble, wanting to hurry on my way, and then I do a double take. "Wait, Eve? What are you doing here?" There in front of me was Eve, dressed pretty much the same as me, the only Goth part was her pale face, and that was no longer makeup. She looked awful, like she hadn't been sleeping or something. Instantly, I feel awful for just up and leaving her and Michael.
"Hey, Claire," Eve says giving me a tentative smile and a tiny wave. "It's nice to see you."
"Yeah, it's nice to see you too Eve," I say giving a small smile back. "How are you? How's Michael?"
"We're pretty good. Michael says I'm adjusting pretty well." Adjusting to being a vampire she meant. I had run out of things to say, and after an awkward minute of silence, I decide to go.
"Well…I'd better get going. See you later." I turn to leave and an instant later, I feel a cold hand on my shoulder, stopping me.
"Wait!" Eve says desperately as I slowly turn around, preparing myself for anything. "Claire, you've got to come back! I know I should have told you and I'm really sorry, I was only trying to protect you, and well…everyone! Please come back, Michael and I miss you so much; besides, it's not safe for you here!" Her eyes are filled with tears that threaten to spill over.
"I'm not staying here Eve," I say as calmly as I can. "Not anymore."
"What?" Eve asks looking completely confused. "Then where are you staying?"
"That's not any of your business." I say, feeling myself begin to blush. That was so not helpful.
"Oh," I see a light bulb go off in her head. "Oh! Claire are you freaking kidding me? Please tell me you're not staying where I think you're staying."
"Like I just said, not any of your business." I say firmly.
"You just totally gave me the answer! Claire, you're crazy! You know how dangerous he can be!"
"It's not like that," I say, knowing it's no use trying to deny it. "The lab is much safer, unless someone knows how to use the portals, there's only one way in. Besides, I sleep in the bed, and he's on the couch." Although technically that wasn't true really… A little voice in my heads reminds me. I tell it to shut up.
"Claire…" Eve starts and then trails off. "Fine, I know I can't stop you. I just wanted you to know how much we both miss you and that you're welcome back at any time. Sorry I wasted your time." She finishes stiffly, before brushing past me.
"Eve wait!" I call, as a wave of regret instantly rushes at me. She turns around slowly, her face cool and blank. "Maybe-maybe I will come back okay? I just need a few days to sort everything out."
"Oh C.B!" Eve squeals rushing at me vamp speed and enveloping me in a bone crushing hug. "This is great! I really did miss you!"
"Yeah, missed you too Eve," I gasp out. "Now, can you please let me go? I can't breathe."
"Oh, oops," Eve says sounding embarrassed as she releases me and I wait for the world to stop spinning. "Sorry, I'm still getting used to this whole, vamp strength thing."
"It's okay," I say managing a small smile. "How are things going with that? You don't feel ah weird or anything do you?"
"Weird?" Eve asks and gives a laugh. "This whole thing is weird Claire! I feel so much stronger, and faster, like I could do anything!"
"That's not what I meant." I say uncomfortably, averting my eyes.
"Then wha-? Oh," Eve says woodenly as she understands. "You mean like Shane? No, no not at all like that. Michael says I'm doing very well. I think—well I think that Shane was a special case what with how it happened, and his dad, his past, the beliefs engraved into him."
"Yeah." I mumble, that had pretty much what Amelie had said.
"It'll be alright Claire," Eve says after a minute, wrapping her arms around my shoulders and squeezing me tight. "We'll—we'll get him back somehow."
I tell her I agree and hug her back, glad for the comfort. I really had missed them. But suddenly, I'm not so sure if I want Shane back after all.
Sorry that this is a bit of another filler chapter, I promise more action is on the way!