When consciousness returned, I was still in the cave they'd left me in. The candles had melted to mere puddles, leaving the room dim. Shadows climbed the walls like demons in the dark.

I pulled myself up onto shaky legs. I tried to take a step and almost fell back onto the ground. My limbs were weak, my mind foggy, and my eyes blind to the darkness. I turned toward the tunnel that they had gone through; barely lit by the dim candles. I wanted to find them but I wouldn't be able to help them any more than I could help myself.

I had to get out and warn Star. Forewarned was forearmed. I looked toward the tunnel with guilt before turning back to the tunnel Michael and I had stepped through. I stumbled to the entrance and made my way through the tunnel, using the walls as support. The further I went the darker it became.

As I walked, I tried to stay against the wall, praying I was headed back the way we came. If I got lost in these tunnels with no light or sustenance, I was doomed. I would not die like this.

I continued my trek until I saw a faint light. I picked up my pace or as fast as my wobbly legs would carry me. I found the light to be the hole we jumped through to enter the tunnel system.

I jumped and hung from the edge of the jagged hole. I pulled myself up, balancing my feet off the dirt walls. It was shaky and I almost slipped twice, but I got myself out through the hole and lay on the floor, staring up at the ceiling with a sigh. It had taken a lot out of me to get out of the tunnel and I had no idea how long I'd been down there.

After a few moments' rest, I pulled myself together and got to my feet. I shuffled out of the storage room and headed for the back door. I opened it as a sliver of sunlight shot through the crack and hit the hand at my side.

The instant pain made me slam the door shut, shaking my hand frantically. I looked down and saw the burn across the back of my fingers. It wasn't healing which was no surprise due to my weak state.

"What do I do now?" I muttered to myself.

I had no idea how long the sun had been out but I had to get to Star. I had to warn her of what was coming. They'd come for her tonight if not the next. I would not leave her not knowing.

Her and Laddie lived in Michael's new home across town. I didn't have the strength to fly, which meant walking was my only option. I searched the building for anything to cover myself with. There was an old tablecloth that had a layer of dust over the surface. It was thick tarp-like material and would block the sun's rays … hopefully.

I knew it was dumb and suicidal to even try what I was about to attempt. But I had to try. I was not going to wait until sundown and fail to save her. I wouldn't fail her like I failed the others.

I pulled down my sleeves, tightened my hood, and pulled the tarp over my body. On the count of three, I grabbed the handle and pulled the door open. The sun hit the tarp and protected my skin from direct contact. I could still feel the heat of it as I stumbled into the parking lot. I just hoped I'd make it in time or survive the journey at all.

Michael found himself in a room similar to the one Sam had been in but much much smaller. He was laying on a bed just like that one and as he sat up to take in his surroundings he realized he wasn't alone. Candles lit up the corners of the room as his gaze locked on the figure leaning against the carved-out doorway; David.

"Where am I?" Michael asked.

David looked up from his feet as his gaze met Michael's. "In the tunnels. These girls have been here a lot longer than you thought. They prepared these tunnels to confuse and hide their resting place. It's honestly genius."

"You won't succeed, David. You'll lose just like last time," Michael sneered.

David laughed to himself. He disappeared from the doorway and appeared on the bed with Michael, his hand around his throat. He wasn't squeezing hard enough to cause damage but it would keep Michael from escaping.

"Michael, I made you into one of us to torment Star and force her to make her first kill. But that wasn't the only reason behind that decision. Do you know what that was?" David asked.

"No, enlighten me," Michael gasped, sarcasm lining his tone.

David smiled at his bravery, biting his lip before returning his gaze to him. "It's because I liked you, Michael, and in return you destroyed everything."

"If you weren't such a monster, I wouldn't have had to," Michael admitted.

"I'm not a monster, I embrace my nature and what comes with it. I don't treat it as a curse like Dawn does. I love the thrill of the kill and the taste of blood on my tongue," David explained.

Michael leaned forward as far as David's hand would allow. "That's the definition of a monster."

David's amused expression turned dark. He pushed Michael back onto the bed with the hand around his throat and then with a swift motion straddled his waist, pining both his hands beside his head.

"Get off of me!" Michael screamed, struggling to break free.

"When I turned you, I gave you the blood as Max asked but I never got a taste for myself. I think it's only right I get one now," David admitted, his face transforming as he leaned into the crook of Michael's neck. "Don't worry, I won't be too rough. I want this to last."

"You're sick," Michael muttered.

"Maybe so, but at least I know what I am and how to use it."

David smiled against Michael's throat just before his teeth were embedded in his skin. Michael's body tensed as his back bent up into the shape of a bridge. The pain was unbearable but as that pain numbed something else came after. Something Michael was disgusted to enjoy; pleasure.

A knock sounded on the door, causing Star to jump. She had been pacing for the last few hours in wait for Michael's return. She feared the worst when the sun had risen and he was still gone. The knock scared her but brought relief as well.

When she opened it, she hoped to see Michael on the other side but what she got was me. I was downright sickly, the tarp around my body barely covering me as burns etched their way across the skin on my hands and face.

Her eyes went wide. "Dawn, what happened?"

"Can I come in?" I asked, swallowing against my sandpaper throat. "Please."

"Yeah, of course. Come in."

She stepped aside as I stumbled through the door. I got a few steps in before I collapsed onto my knees. My whole body felt like I had been thrown off a cliff into a vat of acid. Honestly, that might've been better, a faster death in the long run.

Star quickly closed the door and ran to my side, helping me onto my feet as the tarp fell to the floor. She maneuvered me into the kitchen and sat me down at the table in the darkest corner of the room. She pulled the blinds closed so no stray sunlight could get into the room and sat down across from me, looking me over with increasing anxiety.

"What happened Dawn?" Star asked.

"That girl group that came to town a few weeks ago," I said, meeting her gaze. "Me and the Frog Brothers believed they were the culprits for the recent vampire attacks, but Sam didn't believe us. He thought we were overreacting and we fought. The next thing we knew Sam was missing."

"And you called Michael to help you find him," Star said.

"Yeah, we did. We found an underground tunnel system and went down to explore. We found Sam and the others but they had a leader behind the scenes that was calling the shots," I explained.

"And you saw this leader?" Star asked.

I moved the hair from my neck to reveal the bite on my throat. "First hand."

The look on my face worried Star so she asked the question my eyes already answered. "Who was it? The leader?"

"It was David, Star. David's back."

The color drained from her face like a cup with a crack down the side. Her heart began pounding in her chest as her fists clenched tightly. Her expression was a mix of fear and anger.

I sighed as I continued. "He got the jump on me and attacked, leaving me weak. I watched him and the others take Michael, Sam, and the Frog Brothers. When I woke up, they were long gone and I wanted to follow but I just didn't have the strength. I had to warn you first."

"Why?" Star asked.

"Because he's coming after you and Laddie next."