xviii.

Things fell into an easy rhythm again after that, but things were getting harder for Star and I. Another two months had passed with winter rolling in. The cave was incredibly cold, and the boys had taken to buying heaters for us half-vampires much to Marko's annoyance. He complained that we could just turn full and the problem would be solved, but Star was still wary about it. I could tell she was getting more used to the idea, though.

It had been revealed to me that her mother had been killed by someone. Nobody knew who, but Laddie and Star were now on missing posters around the boardwalk after their grandparents found out. The police weren't investigating that much seeing as how they were most likely dead, but they had to be a bit more careful.

Laddie had grown more onto the boys, and he was often found with Paul or Dwayne. He explained that David was too scary for him, and Marko was always with birds. Laddie didn't like birds.

Rain had started sleeping in our room on the floor. I set up a small area after he started walking in after us. I didn't mind, but the boys complained about the smell. I rolled my eyes and playfully hit them, knowing they would let him sleep in there if I asked. Plus, they got a reward the next night for it when Star took Rain and Laddie out to the boardwalk.

Laddie had complained about not being able to lay with him anymore, but I told him he would get to hang out with him during the night, so it shouldn't matter that much.

The only thing wrong recently was the growing stomach cramps. Of course, I had had them for a bit, but they were getting worse and worse. The boys had taken to letting me drink from them when it got bad, but Star didn't have that advantage. There were many nights where she couldn't even get out of bed from how much it hurt.

Those were nights where I would lay with her and send the boys out with Laddie. Those were nights where we would talk about anything and everything to the point where I practically knew everything about her from the simple things like her favorite color to old childhood memories and aspirations. Some nights, we would just lay there, though, and we'd listen to music that played quietly out of the record player or boombox.

This night was a good night, though. The boys and I had decided to have an off day and just get drunk and high off our asses. Star and Laddie were laying by their beds, and I could hear Laddie explaining his comic books to her. Star had stated that she hadn't wanted to join in and that she would take care of Laddie. I had given her a small smile and hug and let her go on her way.

Marko had disappeared only to come back with a large bag of weed and cases of different kinds of alcohol. He handed me the ones we shared, the fruity kinds that didn't burn as much yet still got the job done. Dwayne shared a bottle of whiskey with David, and Paul clutched a bottle of vodka close to him.

I was currently laying on the fountain with a joint in between my lips and three bottles of alcohol beside me. My eyes were bloodshot and hurting, and I could hear Paul talking animatedly to Marko who was currently drawing David who didn't know.

I made out the sound of someone's boots clunking against the ground, and soon, I was met with the sight of Dwayne standing over me, a lazy smile on his face. He dropped to sit on the ground beside me, and I immediately grabbed a few strands, rolling it through my fingers, thinking about how he needed a trim for his dead ends.

I took a long drag from my blunt before dropping it, knowing it was completely through. I blew out the smoke and lifted myself from the fountain, so I could move and drop into Dwayne's lap, facing him. The silly smile stayed on his face, and it made me smile back. The song changed from 'Without Love' to 'I'd Die For You.' Dwayne's hands slid up my top, pressing his cold hands against my sides as he leaned forward to kiss me. I hummed and placed my hands on his chest, kissing him back languidly. Our movements were slow and sloppy, and I felt peaceful.

I giggled and pulled away as Paul began shouting the lyrics to the song, and I looked behind me to see him dragging Marko up to dance with him. Marko shrieked, and his pencil and paper clattered to the floor. "In a world that don't know Romeo and Juliet. Boy meets girl and promises we can't forget. We are cast from Eden's gate with no regrets. Into the fire we cry!" He yelled the lyrics and made Marko jump with him, laughing when Marko complied a few seconds later. The song was one of his favorites, after all.

David eyed them before his eyes met mine. I sent him a lazy grin, and he smirked, motioning for me to go to him. I nodded and turned back to Dwayne, pecking his lips softly before lifting from his lap. My stance was wobbly, and I giggled as I almost fell over.

I stumbled over to David and fell into his lap, laughing as he pulled me close to him. "Enjoying yourself, sweetheart?"

I nodded and leaned by head onto his shoulder. "I haven't been this out of it in a while," I stated, my words slurring just a bit. "It's great." David chuckled and pressed his lips against the side of my head. "Why aren't you guys all that drunk," I questioned softly and pressed my lips against his throat, smelling him. His scent was a mix of leather from his jacket, the wood from the forest, and a bit of vanilla from the blood he drank the night before. I nipped at his neck lightly, and he chuckled.

"We don't really get drunk. We get a buzz, but it takes a lot to get us as drunk as you are."

I whined quietly and huffed. "That's not fair," I mumbled.

"It is quite funny seeing you in this state, though," David said quietly, laughing as I bit his neck again.

I chuckled as Paul began screaming lyrics out again, singing the chorus as loud as he could. "Hey, David," I questioned, pressing my hand against his chest and pulling back to meet his eyes. "Would you die for me?"

David smiled a bit and nodded. "Is that even a question? I'm pretty sure all of us would die for you if it meant you would at least have a chance of being safe." I nodded at that and closed my eyes for a second, just listening to Marko's giggles. David curled one of his hands around my waist, and I opened my eyes to look into his. "Would you die for us?"

"Yeah," I said easily, moving my eyes away from David and to a wall. "I think I'd die for you without even thinking about it, but I also think that I'd live for you guys. Like, it's easy saying you'd lay down your life for someone because death is inevitable in every sense of the word, but living is hard. Living is something that hurts a lot more than death because death is over after a while, but living just keeps going and going and going. Death is painful, but then you feel nothing. When you're living, it never stops, and you're dealing with a completely different kind of pain that hurts so much more." I paused for a second, losing my train of thought. "What was I saying? Oh, yeah. Living sucks. Sometimes I think that I'd like to die, but then I think of you guys, and I guess you guys just make life worth living." I met David's eyes again, and he gave me a reassuring grin.

"You sure are something else, Evangeline," he mused and pressed his lips against mine. My eyes fluttered shut, and I relaxed into him, falling into his hold as my eyes shut completely and sleep overtook me.

The next night, I woke up before the others, surprisingly. I was laid in the middle of the bed in between Paul and Marko. Dwayne was sleeping next to David with the older boy in his arms. I wanted to chuckle at the scene, but I had to stay quiet. I pulled myself from Paul and Marko's grasp slowly, trying to make sure they wouldn't wake up. I grabbed one of their shirts from the ground, a black t-shirt that I assumed was David's and pulled it on, ignoring my need for pants.

I slipped out of the bed and stood next to Rain who looked up at me with a soft whine. I shushed him and watched as he lifted himself and followed me out of the bedroom quietly. I walked down the halls almost silently, my hand against the wall as I navigated my way out of the pitch-black place. I could make out a bit of sunlight, though it wasn't much, so I assumed the sun was setting, and I frowned, questioning why I was up.

The answer was made clear when I entered the cave to see Laddie standing near one of the couches with wide eyes, his eyes were wide, and I followed his gaze to see the jeweled bottle of blood on the ground with most of its contents spilled out. Thankfully, it wasn't cracked or shattered, but Laddie sent me a terrified look when he saw me walking in.

I stepped forward, and he pulled his arms over his face. "Please don't hurt me," he cried out, and I stopped walking, my eyes widening at the words.

"What," I questioned, my voice wavering. "Why would I do that?"

Laddie uncovered his face, and I could see tears in his eyes. "When dad used to get mad, he would hit me. Please don't tell Star, though! He said he'd hurt her if I told!"

I quietly dropped to my knees and held my arms out for the boy. He seemed to think for a second before he ran forward and crashed into me, his arms wrapping around my neck. "Laddie, we're never going to hurt you, okay? You don't deserve that, and I'll make sure you're always safe." Laddie nodded against my neck, and I felt tears hit my shoulder.

"Eva, can you be my new mom?" I smiled a bit and kissed the side of his head.

"If that's what you want, Laddie. I promise to protect you."

Laddie sniffled and nodded. "Does that mean I can call you mom?"

"Whatever you want, baby." I moved into a sitting position, and Laddie sat in my lap, his head on my shoulder as I rubbed his back. "Now, can you tell me what you were doing?" Laddie stiffened, and I sighed softly. "Come on. Just tell me the truth, and I'll try to make sure you won't get in trouble."

Laddie gulped, and his small hands tightened around my neck. "I drank some of it." I stiffened noticeably, and my arms tightened a bit. Laddie whimpered loudly, and I felt him start crying again. "I'm sorry! I just watched you and Star drink it, and I wanted to do it, too! I didn't mean to be bad! I'm sorry!"

I clutched Laddie tighter to me and rubbed his back, trying to think properly. When did he see us drink? Why did David have it in sight of the boy or in his reach? How could we have been so dumb? "You're not in trouble, Laddie. You didn't know what you were doing."

Laddie sniffled and nodded. I looked over to see the sun almost set. Laddie quieted his cries to only sniffles, and I listened as I heard the boys bumbling down the hall, though they all stopped when they saw me. Dwayne was immediately looking over the two of us for injuries, Paul was looking around the room for danger, Marko was staring at me with a questioning look, and David was staring directly at the spilled bottle. David moved first, walking over to me in a few easy steps and dropping down to a crouch beside me. Laddie immediately squirmed and pushed himself more toward me, and I held him tighter.

"What happened," David questioned, his voice quiet but firm.

I paused for a second and rubbed my hand up and down Laddie's back as the young boy shuddered. "He drank from the bottle." David stiffened like I had, and he stared down at the boy with no emotion. I slowly lifted myself before he could speak, and I stepped over to Dwayne, handing Laddie over. Laddie clung to Dwayne and widened his eyes, looking over to me. "Gimme a second."

"Okay, mom," he mumbled. The boys snapped their eyes to him and then me at the statement, but I ignored them and moved back to David, grabbing his hand and leading him up the slippery stairs of the cave.

David helped me up the stairs, and I led him to where I had planted a few flowers though they weren't growing due to the cold water. David stared at me as I ran my hand through my hair, gripping my head tightly. "David, what the fuck," I stated simply, staring at him. "What the absolute fuck!" David raised his eyebrows and I let out a cry, tears gathering in my eyes. He looked like he didn't know what to do. "He's just a fucking kid. He doesn't deserve to be a vampire. I mean, maybe when he was older, but he's ten years old, goddammit!"

"Hey," David said in a hushed tone, and he pulled me into his chest. "Take a breath. It's going to be okay. Just tell me what happened."

I grabbed his back and held him to me. "I woke up before you guys, obviously, and I walked out to see Laddie staring at the spilled bottle. He said he wanted to try it because Star and I drank it. He was so terrified to see me, said he used to get hit. Jesus Christ, David. What has that kid been through? Now, he's gonna be a vampire!" My words were as jumbled as my thoughts, and I was surprised I could say anything coherently.

I shook my head, and David shushed me quietly. "It's okay. We're going to figure it out. Maybe we can just keep him half until he's old enough. We'll figure something out. I promise."

I nodded, and relaxed into his hold, trying not to cry. David held me tightly for a few minutes, just the two of us standing there in the moonlight, when we decided to go back in. "You can tell the boys, but I'm going to have to tell Star." David looked like he wanted to protest, but I gave him a look that made him stay quiet.

We reentered the cave, and I silently took in how everyone was sitting. Dwayne was sitting on one of the chairs with a book in his hands, though he immediately looked up when he heard us enter. I sent him a small smile and nod to let him know that everything was okay. Paul and Marko were on the other couch, heavily making out as soft music played beside them. Laddie was sitting near Dwayne, but he immediately jumped and launched himself onto me when he saw me enter. I chuckled a bit and picked him up, letting him wrap his arms around me.

David let go of my hand and made his way over to the boys, and I walked over to where Star was sitting on the bed. She had a few sheets of paper in front of her that I recognized as sheet music and lyrics. I raised an eyebrow as she took notice of me and immediately bunched them together and placed them on the ground.

She patted the spot next to her, and I let Laddie climb on before I followed. "I have some news."

Star looked at me, her face laced with worry. "What happened?"

"Laddie drank from the bottle."

Her face quickly went through a variety of emotions. Anger, confusion, and worry were the most prominent ones. "What?" That was the only word she let out, and I bit my lip, explaining the story to her. Her eyes slowly filled with tears as did mine when I saw the look on her face.

Star leaped forward and wrapped her arms around me, crying into my shoulder. "No, no, no, no," she cried out, clutching me tightly. Sobs racked her body, and I let a few tears slip. Laddie looked at us from the end of the bed, and his lip jutted out in a pout at our tears. I held her to me and comforted her, listening to the boys' hushed whispers on what we should do. "No, he can't be one, too. He's just a kid, Eva!"

"I know," I murmured. "I know. David said we'll figure something out."

"And what if we don't?"

I froze at her words and ran my hands through her hair. "Then, we're going to have to deal with a tiny vampire."

Star shook her head and sobbed louder. I winced at the sound and shushed her quietly. "It's going to be okay. It's going to be okay." I repeated the phrase over and over until she had quieted down to almost nothing. I let out a quiet sigh of relief and pulled her away from me. "Now, go get ready. We're going to head to the boardwalk to talk to someone David knows. You can take Laddie around on some of the rides to clear your minds, okay? We'll figure something out."

She nodded slowly, and I gave her a small smile, lifting myself from the bed. Laddie jumped down as well and moved to his area where he stored all his clothes, though he didn't have many. I walked over to where the boys were and wrapped my arms around Paul from behind, placing my head on his back. Paul took one of my hands in his, and I let a small smile slip.

David was talking quietly to Dwayne, but I could tell the conversation was coming to an end, and they were prepared to leave soon. I pulled away from Paul but still held his hand, dragging him behind me and further into the cave. I pulled him into our bedroom, and I took note of the fact that we seriously needed more candles.

Paul sat down on the bed, and I quickly went through my clothes. I picked up a black mid-thigh skirt and slid it up my legs followed by red thigh-high socks. I pulled off David's shirt and replaced it with a plain red tank top, and I shoved my feet into black boots. I brushed through my hair gingerly and threw it around to give it a bit more volume and finished with a bunch of rings and bracelets.

I huffed and walked over to Paul, maneuvering so I could sit in his lap, my legs wrapped around his waist. He chuckled a bit and stood up with me still wrapped around him and brought us to the main part of the cave where everyone was waiting. I sent Star a reassuring smile, and then, we were off, up the stairs, onto the bikes, and speeding down to the boardwalk.

I stood in Video Max's with a small smile on my face as I browsed through the many different titles. Marko was behind me, his hands on my waist and his face pressed against my neck as I looked around. He'd press small kisses to my neck at points, and I knew it was a distraction from the fact that David was in Max's office talking about Laddie, but I enjoyed the thought.

Paul was chatting the ear off of Dwayne across the store who was watching one of the TVs with mild interest. Paul was talking about a movie he had seen about twenty years ago that was about aliens taking over the earth and eating everyone. It was strange, to say the least.

Marko pressed his lips against my neck, and I hummed softly, grabbing a movie called 'The Breakfast Club.' Marko nipped at my neck lightly, and I could feel his fangs coming out. "Marko," I chided, reading over the cover of the movie. "We're in public."

Marko huffed quietly and pulled away from my neck only to move near my ear. "Nobody's going to see."

I rolled my eyes and turned so I could capture his lips in a short kiss. "Not right now, baby." Marko huffed again but nodded. He knew to stop when I wanted him to. "Maybe when we get back to the cave." He perked up a bit at that and kissed me again only to pull away as we heard the door to the office open.

I turned to see David stepping out, his hands in his pockets and an angry look on his face. I pulled myself from Marko's hold and walked over to him. He immediately pulled me close to him and began leading me to the exit. The boys followed, and David led us to the bikes. I pulled myself onto the railing of the boardwalk and stared at him as he stood between my legs, facing the boys. I silently ran my hands through his hair where there wasn't hairspray.

"Max isn't sure what to do. He said there isn't a way to reverse it, so we're just going to have to keep him a half-vampire until he's eighteen or close enough to that." The boys nodded, and I let out a quiet huff but nodded as well even though he couldn't see.

"Star's not going to be happy," I grumbled. "And she was finally getting used to everything, but this is going to push her away." I winced as a sharp cramp hit my stomach as a particularly good-smelling woman walked by. I breathed through my mouth and leaned down so my head was on David's.

David rubbed his hand against my knee, trying to comfort me in some way. My attention was brought away by that when Paul spoke up, though. "Hey, so, why did Laddie call you mom earlier?"

"Yeah," Marko chimed in, "what's that about?"

I shrugged my shoulder and lifted myself a bit so I could look at them. "He said he wanted me to be his new mom, so I said yes." Dwayne smiled at that, and the other two raised their eyebrows. "I mean, I don't see the harm in it. I've always wanted a kid." I looked out into the crowd, thinking of all the times I dreamed of either having kids or adopting them.

"I didn't know that," David stated, a smile evident in his voice.

"Well, now you do."

The boys laughed, and David pulled away from me. I huffed as he helped me down onto the ground. "Come on, let's go find Star and Laddie."