"Come with me, I'll show you how to dance"
"Bela Lugosi's Dead" by Bauhaus
SEVYN BUZZED WITH excitement as the ragtag group descended the rickety stairs into the cave. The infamous David speech, the "maggots," the drunken party – it was all about to unfold, and she couldn't wait. The highlight, of course, was the jump from the bridge. She hadn't been lying to David when she'd said she was going whether he liked it or not.
Everyone found their rhythm. Dwayne lit the burn barrels, Paul dispatched Laddie to retrieve his rock box before strolling towards the fountain, Marko vanished to tend to his pigeons, and David, pacing the cave, began his oration.
"Not bad, huh? This was the hottest resort in Santa Carla about eighty-five years ago. Too bad they built it on the fault. In 1906, when the big one hit San Francisco, the ground opened up and this place took a header," he declared, clapping his hands, "right into the crack."
He returned to stand before Michael, a cruel smile playing on his lips. "So, now it's ours."
"So, check it out, Mikey," Paul mocked, lighting a joint. The others chuckled, Sevyn rolling her eyes before snatching it from him. He growled playfully, lunging at her. She shrieked, dodging his playful assault.
"Marko, food," David commanded before Marko dutifully ran out of the cave. "That's what I love about this place. You ask, and then you get." Sevyn took a long draw before handing the joint to David. "Thank you, kitten," he purred, tracing a gloved finger along her jaw.
He offered the joint to Michael, a tempting invitation to succumb to their influence and lower his inhibitions.
Michael hesitated, sizing up David and his intentions before taking the drug.
David patted him encouragingly. "You'll like it here, Michael."
Meanwhile, Sevyn handed her Switch to Laddie, eliciting a cheer and a bear hug from the boy. She froze for a moment, unsure how to react. She was still slightly uncomfortable around him, but he was growing on her.
Dwayne, noticing her hesitation, strode over and scooped her up, slinging her over his shoulder. Sevyn erupted in laughter. He spun her around a few times before setting her down on the fountain, his hands on her hips as she regained her balance.
She playfully smacked his shoulder. "Don't do that," she complained, though her voice was laced with amusement.
Dwayne winked, his hand lingering on her backside, giving it a squeeze. "Sure thing, pretty girl," he rumbled, his voice a low growl. She blushed crimson. He chuckled and returned to his book.
On one of the chairs, Michael observed the scene, his confusion deepening as Paul snared the pink-haired girl, kissing her deeply. She protested weakly before melting into the embrace.
Michael leaned closer to David. "Is that girl dating one of you?"
David glanced at the couple, now entwined on the couch. Paul sitting on the back cushions while Sevyn nestled between his legs. A smirk curled his lips. "You could say that."
Michael was about to inquire further when Marko returned.
"Feeding time! Come and get it, boys," he announced. Catching Sevyn's raised eyebrow, he grinned. "And girls." He blew her a kiss.
"Chinese. Good choice," David remarked.
Marko began tossing containers, pausing at Sevyn. He pulled the container back, a finger tapping his cheek.
Sevyn rolled her eyes playfully, leaning up to kiss his cheek. He turned his head, catching her lips in a brief, unexpected kiss. She rolled her eyes at herself for falling for it, but instead of complaining, she returned the kiss before snatching the food from his distracted grasp. Behind her, Paul cackled, nudging Marko's shoulder.
Michael gaped, utterly bewildered. Before he could voice his confusion, David was speaking again.
"Guests first," he said, offering Michael a container of rice. Michael politely declined. "You don't like rice? Tell me, Michael, how could a billion Chinese people be wrong?"
The others, including Sevyn, chuckled.
Predictably, Michael relented and accepted the rice. They began to eat, and David resumed his performance.
"How are those maggots?" he inquired, his voice dripping with amusement. Everyone laughed. "Maggots, Michael. You're eating maggots. How do they taste?"
Above her, Paul choked on his food, spraying laughter. Sevyn scowled and lightly smacked the bottom of his chin. He yelped, retaliating by tugging on a strand of her hair. She decided against further engagement and turned her attention back to the scene unfolding in front of her.
She understood now what it was like to be on the receiving end of their mind games. It felt so real, it was unsettling. A small part of her felt sorry for Michael, but she remained silent. Star, of course, made her displeasure known.
Michael looked down into his food, then spat it out, the rest of the rice scattering across the floor. While everyone around him laughed, he saw that the rice on the floor was just that – rice. Confusion etched itself across his face.
"Sorry about that," David said, unrepentantly. "No hard feelings, huh?" Michael waved him off before David pressed on. "Why don't you try some noodles?"
Of course, when he looked, he saw bugs again. Disgust contorted his handsome features. "They're worms," he said, sounding nauseous.
"What do you mean they're worms? Sevyn, come here," David called out.
Paul grumbled, but let her go. Sevyn was confused, but she made her way over to the leader anyway. To her surprise, he pulled her onto his lap, handing her the box. She shrugged and accepted, digging her chopsticks into the noodles and popping a few into her mouth.
"Don't…!" Michael tried to warn her, but it was too late.
David flashed Michael a mocking grin, taking the container back from Sevyn and helping her off his lap. As soon as she was standing, he slapped her on the ass, making her yelp. She glared at him over her shoulder as he winked.
"They're only noodles, Michael."
Huffing, Sevyn returned to Paul and Marko, the former leaning down to kiss her temple. She was puzzled by David's sudden surge of affection. Was it just another ploy to unnerve Michael? That seemed more likely than genuine affection.
She was partly right. David told himself it was mostly about keeping Michael off balance, but a part of him craved the touch, the passionate emotions that always flickered across her features. She wore her emotions openly, a stark contrast to his own carefully constructed facade. It was, admittedly, refreshing.
Michael grabbed the box from David and inspected it closely, seeing only noodles. The thoughts churning within him were evident on his face. Was he going insane? Had the pot he'd smoked been laced with something? He was thoroughly freaked out.
The rest of the gang, minus Star, were laughing. None of them were particularly thrilled about this turn of events. They didn't want to add another member to their fold, especially not when they were perfectly content with their current dynamic. The only addition they truly desired was Sevyn, and even then, they needed to deal with the dead weight of Star first.
"That's enough," Star called out, exasperated by their tormenting of Michael. She glared at Sevyn, seemingly disappointed. Sevyn shrugged nonchalantly.
"Chill out, girl," Paul chuckled.
David beckoned Marko over and whispered in his ear, catching Sevyn's attention. This was the moment when things were about to get wild. The smaller vampire returned with the bejeweled bottle containing blood, handing it to David.
The cave fell silent, anticipation crackling in the air. Star, growing increasingly nervous, moved to stand beside Michael.
David uncorked the bottle and took a long, slow pull, his eyes closed as he savored the rich flavor. He shivered slightly, then opened his eyes, fixing Michael with an intense gaze as he offered the bottle.
"Drink some of this, Michael. Be one of us," he crooned, his voice a seductive siren's call. Sevyn felt a shiver run down her spine. Witnessing him offer immortality firsthand was far more potent than any screen could ever portray.
Michael scoffed, taking the bottle from the Lost Boy leader. The rest of the pack, including Sevyn, began chanting his name, urging him on.
"Don't. You don't have to, Michael," Star pleaded softly, the angel on his shoulder. The chanting intensified, growing more insistent. "It's blood," she whispered, hoping the truth would penetrate his denial.
"Yeah, sure, blood," he replied sarcastically, determined not to fall for the trick a third time.
And with that, he tipped the bottle back and took a sip.