Chapter Six

Cloud gazing is one of the most pointless activities ever invented. Although, I'm hardly one to complain when I'm in good company, lying in a field on a warm day, pretending all is well in the world. I'd never noticed before how blue the sky actually was. Rather like Danny's eyes. Lord that sounds drab of me.

The walk out of the tunnel had taken a good half hour, and we're been lying here for God knows how long, lying in the shade of an oak tree. Comfortable, my head rested on Danny's stomach as he played with my hair in his fingers absent-mindedly.

"What's your story?" I piped up suddenly, not aware at first that I was going to ask that question. "I mean, how did you and Gabrielle end up here?"
"Our dad died when we were young. Gabz was only two or three. I was six at the time. He came home one night, told mum to lock down the house, and for her to hide us somewhere. That's all I remember. But I know it was a gruesome end, blood everywhere." Danny spoke, not in the least bit giving away emotion. "Mum sent us away from home a few years ago. She always wanted us to be normal. She's human you see. 50/50 chance of us being human or vampire. She couldn't stand it. Especially when we reached puberty. That's always a tough time."
"Right. Sorry." I felt a little tongue tied to be perfectly honest.

I found it rather disturbing that he showed no outward form of grief when talking about such things. Although, perhaps it's different for different people. Ack, I don't know.
"I knew you smelt familiar." Danny spoke again after a moment of silence. "Your scent. It's similar to Harry's. Feminine obviously, There's definitely a bond there. I can sense it."
I sat up, looking down at him, a frown contorting my face a little. He raised his eyebrows slightly, silently inquiring as to what was wrong.
"How do you- I mean, why can't I do these things? The telepathy, and smelling people." I breathed quickly. "And sensing bonds." This all sounded rather ridiculous all of a sudden.
"I'll show you if you like." Danny suggested. "It takes time, I'll warn you now."
"I don't mind." I smiled faintly.
"You look a little pale." He mused, sitting up himself.
"I've not fed in a few days." I replied, watching as his face filled with concern. "And yesterday was so hectic. I meant to take today, but you came, so…"
"A few days?" he roared, alarming me when he sounded rather angry with me. "Are you stupid?"
"Well.." I began, unable to finish as he pulled me to my feet, finding that my legs failed to support me.

Well, this isn't good.

++++++++

Blood. I can smell blood. It's rather comforting actually. Feeling drained of almost all energy, the sight, the smell of it made me buzz with an electric excitement, anxiety, everything. My eyes flickered open, aware now that I wasn't dreaming about my lifeline. I looked down, past my nose, seeing a glass beaker being moved underneath my nostrils.

"Good you're awake." My gaze travelled up the hand holding the glass. Up. Up. Until I was met with those striking eyes again.
"Hello Danny." I croaked, attempting to sit up. Instead, I found the glass beaker pushed to my lips. Ah, yes. I would rather like to stay alive than do anything else. I really must learn to prioritize.

I take the glass from Danny's hand, wrapping my fingers around it tightly, and without grace, glugging away. I must say, at the time I wasn't too bothered about how I must have looked, gulping down the liquid like there was no tomorrow. And to be perfectly honest, Danny looked too relieved more than anything else to be caring about how lady like I looked.

"Thank you." I gasp as I surface for air, offering him the empty container back. He took it from me, placing it at the table beside the bed I was lying on, which was rather hard and lumpy if truth were to be told. I found the strength to fit up, looking around the room I bore no recognition for. "Where am I?"
"My apartment. This is Gabrielle's room. I would have taken you to mine, but I didn't want you to get the wrong idea about me." I watched his freckled cheeks flush with colour as he spoke. Amusing. "I erm… carried you from the Oak."
"Oh. Right." It seemed I never have all that much to say when I need to. "Thank you… Again."

He went to say something else, distracted by the not so distant sound of a door knock. He sighed, a look of frustration written across his face as he got up.
"I'll just go and answer that." He excused himself from the room.

He thinks I'm going to stay put?
Typical.
Never underestimate me.
Ever.
You'll regret it.

Shakily, I walk to the door, stumbling out to where Danny is allowing Dougie in to the house. Neither looked pleased to see each other.
"I didn't think you'd have called me." Dougie hissed. "Since you told Tom to keep me out of your way. Why, in God's Name-"
"You're meant to be looking after her." I let out a squeal as Danny yelled, pushing Dougie up the wall, holding on to his collar. "I rang so you'd know she's just spent three hours here. Unconscious!"

Both boys, obviously now aware of my presence, released each other. Still trying to injure each other with filthy looks.
"What's that got to do with me?" Dougie's demand came out as nothing more than a nervous shrill. Could he actually be concerned?
"You're meant to be looking after her!" Danny repeated himself.
"It was my own fault." I interrupted.
"No, Claire."
"Yes, Danny. It's my fault." I stated, making my voice known, louder, confident. "I am my own responsibility"

"I told you to feed yesterday." Dougie grumbled as we walked slowly down the road, coming away from Danny's apartment block.
"Sorry." My tone overwhelmed with reluctance. Why should I be apologizing to him? He's the one that barged in and just… "Why drag me out of there?" I demanded, stopping dead, remaining still in the middle of the pavement. "You really do pick and choose your moments, don't you?"
"I don't know what you're talking about." He raised his eyebrows at me, folding his arms.
"You're a twt." I stated, walking past him.
"Is that it? You're not going to give me the reason for calling me that?" he grabbed hold of my wrist tightly.
"I do have a reason." I smiled. "He's currently hurting my arm."
"So, you're saying I am the reason that I'm a twt?" he snorted. "That's not possible."
"Yes." I replied. "It is. And I'm sorry Dougie, but if you don't at least try and change the annoying habit, then the condition is permanent."

He was silent. About bloody time. Letting out a sigh, he released my wrist. Allowing us to walk in complete silence. Now, all we had to do was stay that way until we got… home. I really must get used to saying that. It sounds so strange. So alien to me.
Home.

"You know," Dougie began as we stepped inside an empty house. Patricia and Jessi had ventured out on the shopping spree I'd been pardoned from. "Aggression from females can be seen as a sign of sexual attraction."

Oh Puhlease.
Can you believe this guy?
What a-

My hand connected sharply with one side of his face.

"I dread to think what you'd do if you actually hated me." He smirked, touching his cheek, examining the blood on his fingertips. My nails had scraped across his skin whilst slapping him. Served the cheeky bstard right! "Yes, I really do." He licked at his blood covered fingers, before lifting his gaze to mine. He began to walk forward. Uh Oh. I walked backwards, hitting the wall. Unless I suddenly gained the ability to walk through solid objects, I could go no further.

How could he possibly think that I-

My eyes shot open as his lips slammed hard against my own, hands moving roughly up and down my waist. I slowly closed my eyes again, allowing my lips to part, granting him the further access he wanted as his tongue grazed effortlessly against lips. Hands locked behind his head, fingers combing through his hair as an unrecognizable feeling flushed throughout my being.

Six gropes, and three gasps for air late, I feel him tugging at my top, pulling it upwards. I pull away, spluttering, choking, pushing him away from me.

"Claire." He grins at me." I didn't respond, trying to calm my breathing, I brought my hand to my face, placing two fingers to my lips. Sore and swollen.
"Claire." Dougie reaches out for my hand. I glance at him momentarily before moving away again.
"Don't ever do that to me again." I whisper, backing up against the wall, shaking like a leaf, my gaze now fixed firmly to the floor.
"But."
"Just don't." I scorn, pushing past him quickly, bolting up the stairs.

It turns out that Dougie was not in the slightest bit pleased when he found that I had barricaded myself in to his bedroom. Nor was he too happy that Patricia set up the sofa for him to sleep on. Thus resulting in him kipping in the living room for three nights. Whereas I, didn't sleep. Nor had I removed myself from the room I'd locked myself in to.

"I'm curious." I heard Jessi say to her brother, who'd taken it upon himself to try and coax me from the bedroom. All attempts having failed so far. "What did you do to her?"
"Nothing!" Came his strangled reply. Oh come on. That was a blatant lie! Even Jessi could easily detect that! "She's the one that freaked."
"Oh, Please. What do you expect when you back me up in to a corner and force yourself on me." I said, not exactly meaning to speak to him in particular.
"I did not!" He began to protest.
"Doug, that's low. Even for someone like yourself." Jessi commented.

The two siblings continued their argument. One obviously taking it far more seriously than the other. To me, they were both a dull noise in the background. I sighed, letting my head loll against the headboard of the bed, my eyes flickering across, and scanning the room.

Paper.
There was paper in my jacket pocket.
Why hadn't I noticed that before?

Yoink.

I carefully unfolded the creases in the paper, and squinted, trying to decipher what the scrawled handwriting was trying to tell me.

I'm always here if you need anything. Dan x

Underneath was a mobile number.
Intriguing, to say the least.

I looked to the door again, still hearing the brawl outside it. I glanced back down at the note, reaching out for my phone, fingers clumsily entering the number, dialling.

"Danny?" I whispered, hearing him answer, biting my lip as I waited for him to respond.
"I wondered when you'd call." He said. "And you're whispering because…?"
"Get me out of here." My voice was raspy as I tried to keep myself at my lowest volume. "Please."
"What's wrong?" he asked, now seemingly aware that something was obviously amiss.
"Danny, please." I was about to resort to begging tactics.
"Fine." He sighed uneasily. "But you tell me what's going on when you're out."
"Good." I sigh with relief, momentarily forgetting I was suppose to be quiet.

"Where do you want to escape to?"
"Show me where Harry lives?"

I came face to face with Dougie when I opened the bedroom door once I was sure Danny had arrived at the house. He smiled a little, nervous and apologetic tugs at the corners of his mouth, bottom lip quivering a little when I tried to look away.

"You… You're going out then." Dougie stated. "With Danny."
"Just to see Harry." I mumbled, rubbing the back of my neck absent-mindedly.
"Right. Of course." He stepped aside, allowing me to walk down the stairs. "Claire." He called after me. I stopped, reaching the bottom step. I turned, watching Dougie carefully. "I'm sorry." He sighed, and walked away in to his room.

Ouch.
Well that bites.
No pun intended in the slightest. Why do I suddenly feel so guilty?
It's not my fault. It's really not.
Is it?

"You ready to go?" Danny asked, stood in the hallway, Patricia behind him in the kitchen. Don't you just love that? When adults try to act uninterested in what you're doing, yet they'll hover by, eavesdrop, and ask all of the wrong questions.
"Will you be out with Danny for long?" Patricia spoke before I could answer Danny. She walked out in to the hallway, untying her apron, revealing her work suit.

Bizarre.

"Harry's cooking us dinner, Mrs. Poynter." Danny smiled, shoving his hands in to his pockets. Is he? Does that mean he knows I'm coming? "And then, if it's okay with you, we'll be out with my sister."
"No problem." Patricia returned the smile, beaming rather too much. "Just not too late home."
"Don't worry, patty. I'll have her home for ten." Danny promised. "I swear."
"Well, I know I can count on you." She turned her gaze to me. "Have a nice time on your date, Claire." With that she wandered in to the kitchen, leaving me to gawp after her. Date? She can't possibly think that-

"Come on." Danny opened the front door for me. "Harry's waiting. And the longer he waits, the more time he has to panic and stress about this."
"He's not the only one." I sighed, a small chuckle escaping without effort.
"You're nervous?" Danny asked, the two of us stepping out of the house. For the beginning of May, it's pretty damn hot out here. I took off my jacket immediately, casually slinging it behind me so it hung off my shoulder.
"Incredibly." I replied. "This is huge, you know? One minute I'm an orphan with no family. The next, I'm part of this clan of vampires and I have an older brother. Ironic really."
"Speaking of which," Danny grinned. "What are your first impressions? Of everyone?"
"Everyone?" I mused. "Name me someone."
"Sheena." He laughed.
"Typical." I murmered, whilst thinking of something suitable to reply with.

"Come on. Answer me." Danny squealed. I'd been silent for a little while now, still very much musing. "Honestly."
"Honestly, she seems to have a lot of frustration." I replied thoughtfully. "Do you guys get on her tits a lot?"
"Yeah. It's fun. She does cool off though. Believe me." He looked down at his feet, as if calculating each step he made. "So, what about… My lovely little sister?"
"Kind. Sweet. And yet somewhat creepy in the way she appeared out of no where." I laughed. "But Dougie does that too…"
"Yeah. We're good at being quiet. But yeah… Mr. Poynter… I'm interested in your thoughts." Danny slung his arm around my shoulders, still walking, the pace a little quicker now.
"He has got to be the most confusing person I've ever met." I stated.
"Explain." Danny urged for me to continue.
"I wish I could." I grumbled, suddenly aware of a presence behind us. I don't know how I knew. How peculiar. "He's following us."

"I wondered how long it would be before your senses kicked in." Dougie spoke. I was right. How utterly irritating.
"Go home." I sighed. "Why are you following us anyway?"
"Because he," he pointed to Danny. "Isn't even taking you to Harry's."
"Did you really have to tell her that?" Danny wined. "Since when did I give you permission to route around in my thoughts?"
"Why aren't you taking me to Harry's?" I asked, my voice quiet and soft, as if wanting to remain barely audible. "I don't understand."
"I am taking you there." He smiled. "Just not straight away."
"So where were we going to go first?" I found my voice, now a little stronger.
"Bed." Dougie snarled, fists clenched, knuckles white with a distinct anger, eyes seeming to glow with the desire to hit something.

I heard Danny groan. I looked up at him, mouth agape. My mind still trying to process what that one word that had tumbled from Dougie's mouth had actually meant. Danny's hand reached for mine. I pulled away instantly.

"Is that true?" I whispered, my gaze meeting his. He nodded, looking to the floor, almost looking a little ashamed of himself. "Seriously now, are you all that hungry for sex? I'm the new girl, so you have to get in my pants?" I exclaimed. "I'm the 'fresh meat' that you can play and try your luck with?"
"Is wasn't like that." Dougie hissed as Danny cocked his head to one side, glancing between Dougie and myself. "I didn't… I didn't set out to mess with your head."
"No, of course not. You just happened to fall on me, didn't you. And then your hands were up my top. Perhaps you lost control of them." I sighed bitterly.
"I can just imagine what Harry will say when he finds out." Danny chuckle. I'm glad he finds this amusing.
"Like he'd give a sht anyway." I muttered.