CHAPTER ONE

People began a boarding and leaving the train station from Europe. Three boys; Fletcher, Codeth, and Cyrus were on their way to New York to go visit their friend Alice to congratulate her on her success on becoming a dancer.

"Alice actually gave us the money to go and visit her in New York just to see her dance!" Cyrus said sitting in his seat on the airplane excited to leave.

"Chill Cyrus, it is not like it will be night-time by then," Codeth told him settling himself into his seat right behind him.

"New York is on the other side of the world, it will be night time by the time we arrive.” Fletcher stated.

"That is right," Cyrus agreed not really knowing what Fletcher meant.

"Well, we should take a nap on our way, it is just about five hours until our stop," Codeth closed his eyes he was already comfortable.

†‡†‡†

Felicity, a vampire stood on a city's skyscraper rooftop with the midnight blue clouded sky, and the bright moon shining on her dark, swaying gown, her mixed coloured hair blew back with the wind. It was getting quite cold as the night grew. She watched the people get on their way to go home from work, or on their way to a late night party.

"It is getting dark and it is almost time for me to feed," said Felicity standing very straight at the edge of the skyscraper.

Felicity then shifted her form to find someone to feed on. She soared through the dark night sky until she could smell a certain scent.

‘I need rich blood,’ Felicity thought to herself. ‘Blood of a victor, like me…’

Felicity thought to herself.

Felicity moved towards the location of where she felt Soterios' energy pulsate, the perfect person to pick a fight. She thought a challenge would be better for finding blood.

†‡†‡†

There was an abrupt stop, which had awoken Codeth. Cyrus was too anxious to go to sleep; he had stayed awake all night and day wondering how perfect everything would be once he arrived.

“Wake up Codeth! We are here,” Fletcher shook Codeth to awaken him.

“I am Fletcher! You do not need to be so rough on me!” Said Codeth and shoved Fletcher aside.

“Uh, guys, you might want to hurry up so we can see Alice,” Cyrus was becoming more anxious and excited to see his friend.

“We are coming...” The both said dawdling along as they went off the airplane exiting the airport and on their way to Alice's apartment.

Alice sat at her coffee table near the door. The room was so quiet, it was unusual to her at first but she began grow used to it. She remembered the first time she had entered the apartment it was dirty and filled with rats and pesticides. How she first dreaded to live in such a place.

“Where are those guys? They were supposed to be here about a couple of...!” Alice gasped and collapsed lifeless on the ground, not knowing what had just happened.

The three boys had finally found Alice's apartment after getting lost several times and then deciding to ask for directions. They knocked at the door a few times and then decided to enter.

“Alice we are here…“ There was a pause. “Alice?” Codeth looked around, he could hear his own echo in the room.

“I wonder where she is,” Cyrus said looking around the apartment as well.

“Look, it is a blood trail...” Fletcher said and followed it.

As they followed along the chunky and strange blood trail, they had found Alice. Her body did not seem mangled in anyway. They thought that perhaps she was unconscious.

“Alice! Wake up!” Cyrus cried and screamed repeatedly.

“Cyrus, she is unconscious, we cannot help her. We do not have first aid experience....” Codeth said touching his shoulder.

“I will call the ambulance,” Fletcher stood up quickly and reached for the phone.

“Why would any one want to do this to Alice, Codeth?” Cyrus questioned with tears welding up in his eyes.

“Cyrus, do not cry. You are not helping Alice.” Codeth said, with his hand still on Cyrus’ shoulder.

While everyone was out leaving the body unattended, a figure with dark blond and black Bengal tiger stripes in her hair dragged Alice away. When everyone returned to where Alice’s body was they were quite confused.

“Hey, where is Alice?” Codeth questioned looking around hoping she was standing somewhere.

“Someone took her!” Cyrus gasped with his hands over his face, scared.

“There is a second trail too,” Codeth said.

“The ambulance said...hey, where is Alice?” Fletcher said standing stiff as ice surprised.

“She went through this trail,” Cyrus said clasping onto Codeth.

“I don’t understand. Alice is...” Fletcher asked himself.

“I know who took her,” said a young man entering mysteriously into the room with red eyes, dark hair, and clothing. He wore an upside-down cross as a pendant on his neck.

“How did you get in here?” Codeth stood up and yelled at the figure.

“I come and I go as I please. No one ever complained about it," He said shrugging, "If you are just going to ask me questions, then I guess all that I should do is answer. Unless you want to know who took your friend, Alice. You have to say so in a properly manner. By the way, my name is Soterios...”

Cyrus yelled, “Soterios, who took Alice!”

“The short one speaks,” He snickered, “Alright. My blood sister, Felicity took her. She is looking for me as well. She accomplished unsuccessfully, so she took your friend,”

“Monster,” Codeth whispered.

“Not at all, Felicity and I are vampires; I must say I am so glad that you all are here.”

“Why is that?” Fletcher asked in an irate voice.

“I am going to play a game with you!” Soterios said quickly aiming his knife towards Fletcher and the others.

“Soterios...” Felicity whispered harshly.

Soterios quickly stopped moving.

“This is Felicity,” Soterios introduced smiled wickedly.

“Hmm... I see you brought some snacks...for me...” Felicity said heading towards Soterios to attack.

“What is going on?” Fletcher said confused.

“Now, how about you just give up and lose like you usually do,” Felicity said wrestling Soterios down.

“I am more powerful than before Felicity, trust me on this,” Soterios growled and pushed her over, trying to bite her.

“Guys get out before it is...t-..." Some one whispered hoarsely.

“I hear Alice! Alice, where are you?” Cyrus yelled out looking all around.

“Hush it Cy!” Codeth said putting his hand on top Cyrus’ mouth.

Cyrus sighed and thought, 'I am sure I heard Alice’s voice, I know...'

Then the person let out a loud gasping scream.

“That sounded like Alice!” Codeth yelled.

“That is what I was trying to explain, Codeth!” Cyrus exclaimed.

“Well we better catch her before the vampires do,” Fletcher suggested.

“Not so fast, you delicious morsels,” Felicity said licking her lips.

“I get to chow down on them first!” Soterios fought samurai style with his dagger and managed to cut Felicity’s face and wrists deep, “That will give me time to get their blood before you do...”

“Cyrus move!” Codeth said pushing him aside. Instead of Cyrus being bitten Codeth was the one caught.

“No, Codeth!” Cyrus and Fletcher said aloud.

“No one beats on Codeth but me!” Fletcher said and went to go out and punch them.

“No!” Cyrus screamed.

However, it was too late. Fletcher went for the punch. Instead of punching his opponent, he froze.

Fletcher mumbled and cursed something through his clenched teeth, since he could not move his mouth to talk normally.

Then, in front of Cyrus, Fletcher had collapsed.

“What did you do to Fletcher?” Cyrus stood as still as possible pretending to be brave.

“I used my powers. It is interesting, yes. Those are one of the reasons why you should love science,” Soterios said and laughed.

“That is not funny.” Cyrus scowled.

“Who said it was funny? Maybe not to you, but I happen to know the weakness of all humans. I was one once, you know. You have something I have foreseen. I want it.”

“What are you talking about?” Cyrus’ eyes widened.

“Big words from a short kid, huh Soterios? He speaks of friendship and everything.” Felicity said standing against the wall, “Humph, do you really think we should waste our time with him? We have had enough to feed on. Leave him be for one more day,”

Then Felicity left.

“You are safe this time, kid. Never worry though, I know where you will be at, at all times...so do not be surprised if we meet again, “Soterios bellowed, and vanished.

“Alice, Codeth, Fletcher? “ Cyrus was alone, with only his friends near by on the ground weak in Alice’s apartment. Then there was a knock on the apartment door.

“Did you call us? We are coming in!” It was the Ambulance here to take Alice.

“Yes, but now more of my friends have been hurt. Please can you find away to awaken them? Or can I just watch over them, they must have something left.” Cyrus pleaded.

He had tears in his eyes a few fell on his friends, while looking at the man who checked over for Codeth’s’ pulse. It seemed like he was about to fill up with tears as well. Nevertheless, the man only tried to concentrate on the pulse. Cyrus’ words only got stronger in his mind though. It took a long while to have him decide what was right.

“We will keep them and see what we can do. It will take a miracle for them to be okay again, I am sure. We will keep watch over your friends. It will be a promise,” He said and carried them away.

Cyrus tried settling on Alice’s couch in her apartment searching for comfort in some way. Trying to rid all the horrible thoughts and all that had happened. He closed his eyes for a while, and then he dozed off…

‘Cyrus.’ Someone said to him in concern touching his face lightly.

Cyrus opened his eyes and saw a figure in front him with silver coloured eyes that once were azure. He seemed to have a look of resemblance to Cyrus. His attire seemed to be from a fantasy novel he had read once.

‘Who are you?’ Cyrus answered sitting on the dark ground looking at the strange person.

‘I am a part of you, Cyrus. I want to help you, but as long as you keep trying to stop me, by keep yourself from believing, you are never going to rid these horrible memories. Do you not agree?’ Patting at Cyrus’ shoulder to give him some comfort.

‘Is there something wrong with me? You cannot be real, I will not believe,’ He stood up looking at the window trying to keep from becoming interested.

‘I learned that being afraid is normal. There is not anything wrong with that.’

‘No...I am sorry. You have me wrong. I am not afraid.’

Cyrus had awoken after the strange conversation. He began to wonder if it was really something. After awhile he just pushed the topic off.

Cyrus went outside to smell the New York air. It was not like the scent of his home, back to where everything seemed fine. Cyrus once again closed his eyes.

‘Everything was fine.’ He thought.

‘Not quite. Not everything is fine with everyone.’

“So it is true! Why do I hear you in my mind? I am going insane, am I not?” Cyrus cried out

‘I want everything to become okay with everyone. However, I am afraid. Everything would feel perfect at one point, but at another point, it is a thing with many left out spaces. Cyrus, you are not crazy. I am here to help you and guide you. Talk to me anytime. I will always be in your thoughts. Do you remember my last words? Think hard, Cy. ’

“No, no…I do not want to believe this!” Cyrus screamed and fell to the ground. “Get out of my mind!”