Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Disclaimer: I don't own Monopoly and none of its special editions either. Oh, and D&G.

Author’s Note: Reviews are appreciated. They help me write an awesome chapter.

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It took a few nights work to fix up the mansion. There were even extra measurements on safety. A fire was immediately started once it became dark. All windows were enforced with metal bars and so were the doors. The mansion was feeling more and more like jail.

The vampires were getting more desperate. They tried anything to get in and the unexplainable murders in Ruby Hills were still increasing by a steady rate. The schools were in talks about closing again and it horrified Dayne. He loved school now that Mr. Sterling was there.

Besides my really rare Tahoe trip, I was starting to get bummed from being inside all day and night. I missed coffee and chatting.

“Tomorrow night let’s play Monopoly. I brought the Pirates of the Caribbean version from home. Watching Vincent play will amuse me.” Dayne said from the stool next to me.

I used my fork and pushed my string beans around.

“That sounds like fun. Doesn’t it Vincent?” Ruiza said charmingly.

“What makes you think I will even consider playing?” Vincent said. He glared over at Dayne, who's smile faded. He looked over at me for help.

"You haven't been talking much." He said to me. He leaned closer to keep it hushed.

I shrugged. Dayne's eyes lit up.

“Zoe’s sad!” Dayne said loudly looking around at everyone.

I jumped in surprise.

“What?” I asked him confused.

“What’s wrong Zoe?” Ruiza asked me.

“I need coffee... or something.” I cried out and put my head in my arm on the counter. “Maybe outside? You know... take me out and walk me around the corner a few times. Maybe even let me sniff some hydrants here and there.”

“What do you mean?” Leon asked.

“I’ve been stuck inside for months!” I moaned. Then I regained my composure. Acting like a child wasn't going to get me anywhere. “I mean…pass the salt.”

“You’re allowed to leave Zoe.” Leon said. He was rummaging through the fridge.

“I am not. Don’t tease.” I grumbled.

“You are. At any time. At night though…you’ll need one of us with you.” Leon explained further.

“You must feel the itch to leave.” Ruiza said kindly.

“You have been inside almost every night. Stressing about this matter or that. You deserve a night out. On me.” Jade said with a smile. He held his hand out to me like a prince in a fairytale.

I looked around the room slowly.

“What about Dayne?” I asked.

“I know!” Dayne exclaimed. “Let’s all go!”

Vincent grumbled, but stood up. Leon and Ruiza both smiled.

“We all need to get out, I say.” Leon commented with a nod.

Jade’s face fell slightly, but his hand was still outstretched. I slowly laid my hand in his. I didn’t really want too, but he wanted too was the real point. I didn't want to hurt his feeling or make him embarrassed in front of his comrades.

I forced his hand away and linked our arms instead. Leon led the way out.

“Can I drive? I really like driving.” Ruiza asked jumping on the balls of his feet.

“Next time Ruiza. Besides… Zoe really enjoys my style of driving.” Leon said while smirking to himself. It was like he was hiding something.

I looked around outside, while I clung to Jade’s arm. I saw the bats watching from the trees and even three human form vampires chilling by a random tree. One was even smoking.

“Wait. No I don’t! Don’t lie!” I exclaimed. “You drive horribly and I had the bump to prove it.”

“I’ll drive.” Vincent said and hopped into the driver’s seat of a black Hearst that I hadn’t seen before. The inside had red leather seats, but by my observation the leather was fake.

Ruiza climbed in shotgun and everyone else scrambled for a seat.

“This car is absolutely morbid and thrashed. All the other cars are way nicer. Why can't we take them?” Dayne complained.

“I like it.” I said with a grin. I glanced back over my shoulder at the large bed of the car. Where coffins would be placed, if this was a real funeral hearse. It was covered in red fuzzy carpet. “Oh!”

I climbed over Leon to lay in it. He grunted annoyed as I used him as a ladder to hop in the back.

“You are an outrage!” Leon cried.

“She’s fun.” Ruiza said, correcting Leon.

I curled up in the red faux fur. It felt amazing and I loved this car. It felt like I was lying on a giant teddy bear. Then the car sped backwards. My eyes widened in shock.

“Whoa!” Cried Dayne upset.

“You all drive like this, don’t you?” I groaned.

All I heard was Leon’s laugh.

………………………………………………………………………………………………

“You three just sit. We’ll go get your drinks.” Leon said. He was holding a little piece of paper that Dayne and my drinks were written on. I nodded and took a seat in a wrought iron chair with no hand rests. Maybe the only negative to a Starbucks was the uncomfortable chairs. Unless you lucked out and got one of the rare couches.

Ruiza sat on one side of me while Dayne sat in the other. I sat silently and looked around. There were three groups of sweater lovers sitting around. All strangely groups of six, like my own.

“Alright. I’ll baby sit.” Ruiza said confidently. He smiled at me.

“I’m not a baby.” Dayne said.

I scoffed and nodded at Leon, Jade and Vincent. They walked into the coffee place, leaving Dayne and Ruiza with me. Their personalities were almost similar. Ruiza came off more dazed and dreamy than Dayne though. Even know, as I watched them, the similarities were there but, the differences were immense.

Both were staring off. Ruiza stared to the right and Dayne to the left. Dayne was zoned out staring at one table with four guys from the football team and two cheerleaders. His eyes didn’t give off any hint of emotion; maybe he looked a bit sad. His hazel eyes focused slightly on the group, but not by much.

Ruiza on the other hand, had a small smile on his face. His pupils were always on the move and he kept a small smile on his face. Most of the sweater lovers were looking at him though.

He did look odd in comparison to Dayne or me. Even though I was probably the most pale person in Ruby Hills, I was nothing compared to Ruiza or the other guys even. His skin was too white. The skin under his eyes looked bruised. Just a little hint of purple. It was the most color on Ruiza’s face. His eyes were barely colored like the others, save for Vincent but, the off yellow almost made him look just a little bit sick.

“Can they ever stop staring?” Whispered Dayne.

“Guess not. Even now…” I said back.

“Why are they looking? They look sick.” Ruiza asked us. His voice not even close to a whisper. He must have been accustomed to staring. People must have looked at him all the time in his kabuki days. Maybe not like this, but same feeling. His need to not be secretive with talking was amazing.

“Well, they always look disgusted in our general direction.” I said to him. I patted his wrist.

“I don’t understand.” Ruiza said turning his eyes to look at me. I smiled at him sadly.

“It’s hard to explain.” I told him.

“Here you two go.”

I grinned up at Jade as he set my drink down in front of me, same with Dayne. Steam was escaping the tiny hole in the cup.

“There aren’t any seats inside? My feet are freezing.” Dayne complained.

“Afraid not.” Leon said, sitting down with his own cup in his hands. I noticed they were all holding coffee cups.

“You’re drinking coffee?” I asked confused.

“Trying to blend in.” Leon told me.

Vincent hadn’t sat down yet. He was looking around and the black ponytail on his head was whipping around. The only seat available was the one across from me.

“Have a seat Vincent.” Ruiza said and swept his arm across the table.

Vincent turned and sat down quickly. His eyes were troubled.

“Everything alright Vincent?” Dayne asked. If he noticed, then it was something to pay attention too.

He just shook his head, but didn’t say anything.

“So, this is what the youth does nowadays? Sit around a table and chat? Drinking elegant drinks, that are just a little bit overpriced?” Leon asked.

“Everyday.” Dayne answered simply and proudly.

“How stimulating.” Leon said.

I glanced at Vincent. He was motioning me closer with his index finger. I leaned over the table closer to him. Thankfully the rest of the guys had started up a conversation and ignored us. Ruiza was even leaning over my back to get closer to it.

“Is this how your town’s people treat you, everyday?” Vincent asked me.

I nodded.

“Maybe a bit…more so tonight. You guys are pretty extraordinary looking.” I said.

“It reminds me…” He said and shook his head again.

“Of…your hometown.” I added softly.

“Yes.” He said, equally as soft.

He relaxed back into his chair and so did I, after shooing Ruiza back.

“Since we’re allowed out and all…can I go shopping one day?” Dayne asked. “I think our downtown’s shops are all up and running again. My mom called me the other day to tell me about these new Dolce&Gabbana sunglasses. I seriously would love to check them out if we could.”

“You can always go after school.” Jade said. He looked like he definitely did not want to go shopping. At all.

“Do you all mind?” Hissed Vincent spinning around.

We all shut up and looked at Vincent.

A group of sweater lovers looked shocked. Dayne and I knew better. A sweater lover never went down without a fight.

The two girls at the table, the tougher gender in Ruby Hills were the females, looked like they were glued to their seats. Their eyes looked horribly scared. It was a new emotion in their eyes. I've never seen them scared.

“Yes, please kindly turn your mugs elsewhere.” Said Leon nodding over at the group. "We are not a television."

The other two tables of sweater lovers quieted down and watched.

I looked at Dayne worried and he gave me the same look.

“Leave u-us alone.” One girl said as bravely as she possibly could.

“Then leave us alone.” I said to her. "We haven't done a thing."

“We would if you’d leave.” One guy said. I recognized him as the football team’s quarterback. The big deal and every girl’s dream prom date.

Dayne scoffed uncomfortable.

“Are we just supposed to stay in all night to please you all or something?” I said irritated.

“You’re all pale enough. You freaks are like vampires or something.” The quarterback said, continuing his argument.

Ruiza laughed at that.

“Hey! I go to tanning salons all the time.” Cried Dayne. Leon put his hand on Dayne's shoulder.

“We’re freaks? We are? How can you say that? Have you given Dayne the time of day? No. You know he’s gay and he’s immediately shunned. You’re all so insecure about your own sexuality. You dress in the bathroom stalls in the locker rooms afraid he might brush up against you by accident. When the truth is, he could care less about you all.” I said getting worked up.

“Not my type.” Added Dayne. Leon squeezed his shoulder.

“Have you given me the time of day? The new girl? I wasn’t even at school for a minute and you already pressed your judgment on me. I was ignored and labeled as the outsider…why? I still have no clue. Was it my car? Was it my clothes? What? Please tell me!” I yelled getting out of my chair.

Everyone was looking at me now.

“Just sit and calm down.” A girl said turning towards me. She talked down to me like a child.

“I’m calm. Just frustrated to why all your minds are so alike. Every single one of you.” I said standing fully now. "None of you stand out. All of you guys are jerks."

“Zoe…” Dayne whispered.

“You want to know why, New Girl?” A girl sneered. She was in the quarterback’s varsity jacket. A look of smugness went along with it.

“Yes, enlighten me.” I said. I walked around Ruiza and stood beside Vincent.

“Do it, babe.” The quarterback murmured to the girl. The girl stood up and I felt worried that she was going to start an unnecessary girl fight, just for kicks and giggles.

The girl walked up to me with a smile. She was a few inches shorter than me.

She swung her hand back with all her fingers spread.

I closed my eyes in surprise, expecting her hand to slap my cheek. Maybe even draw a bit of blood with those fake nails.

Nothing came and I opened my eyes relieved. I was expecting her to rethink her actions and back down.

That wasn’t the case at all.

Vincent’s hand was straight up in the air, above his head. His long fingers wrapped tightly around the girl’s tiny wrist. She gasped scared.

Vincent was still seated, but he slowly twisted around to glare at the popular cheerleader.

“You’re so col-” She whispered scared.

“Don’t lay a hand on her.” Vincent said icily.

The quarterback stood up to defend his lady, but not without hesitation. He looked a little bit nervous.

“Let go off me, you freak!” She screamed, trying to shake off Vincent’s hold on her. She finally got a hold of herself. Her eyes looked watery and still frightened.

Vincent let go and let his hand drop to his lap. I felt my blood boil. I didn't want anyone to call him a freak. Not with me around...never again.

“You don’t know what he’s been through.” I hissed.

“Looking like that? I can imagine.” The quarterback said to me. He put his arm around his girlfriend.

I wanted to punch his face in.

“If you’ll excuse us, freak, we’ll be going now.” The girl said. She turned her nose upwards and hid further into her boyfriend. She started to turn, but her boyfriend looked at me a bit longer.

I just stood there, hoping I wouldn’t cry. I wasn’t though. His eyes looked pitying and nice, but too nice. He looked at me with some indescribable look.

“Ciao, goths.” The girl sang and the group left.

I turned around.

“Quite stimulating indeed.” Leon said.

“I’m glad you enjoyed that.” Dayne said.

“Their thoughts were quite marvelous…interesting.” Leon said.

“Like what?” Jade asked interested.

“The girl had a lot of colorful words just going off in her mind. Nothing too spicy though. The guy on the other hand. Quite…intriguing.” Leon went on amused.

“Go on!” Exclaimed Dayne, who went crazy over any kind of gossip.

“He fancies Zoe a bit. Like a forbidden fantasy.” Leon said looking at me with a grin.

“That’s disgusting.” Vincent growled.

“That’s a surprise. He treats me like…well, awful.” I said with a shrug.

Vincent shook his head.

“Is that why he lingered for a bit before they left? You know, when he gave her the look up and down?” Ruiza asked.

“Sort of. Something about ‘tapping that’ and such.” Leon said with a shrug.

“I don’t want to hear all this.” Vincent mumbled.

I felt warmed by Vincent’s jealousy.

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“School’s ending again!” Yelled Dayne. He was listening to my voicemail. “Today is the final day again!”

“How comforting and secure…” I murmured and slung my bag over my shoulder.

I hurried to the door feeling late.

“Leaving already? They’re just doing a rally today to talk about the school closing. An hour tops. Do you even think it’s worth it?” Dayne said from the couch.

“Wait. You mean… you are passing up a last time opportunity to see Mr. Sterling? So unlike you!” I scolded from the door.

Dayne’s eyes widened and realized the situation. He flew off the couch and followed me out.

We got to school and were immediately escorted to the gym for the ‘rally’. It was the Vice Principal talking to us about why they had decided another school shut down was in order. The Head Principal was killed as one of the murders two months ago.

The gym felt empty. From the original eight hundred students going here… I guesstimated that there were maybe three hundred students remaining. Not saying that all five hundred were killed, but most were flown out to safety. It was crazy to see, but it was for the best.

No matter how horrible the students were, they all deserved to get out.

The rally ended after forty minutes and we were free to go home after that. Not that I really wanted too.

“I didn’t see him.” Dayne pouted. He was scanning the gymnasium with desperation.

“He probably wasn’t required to come in today. I’m sorry Dayne.” I said rubbing his back. “Let’s go home.”

Dayne nodded and led the way out of the gym. Dayne looked around as we headed to the parking lot, hoping Mr. Sterling would pop out. He didn’t though. I unlocked my car and Dayne was frowning.

"This sucks..." He said sadly.

"Sorry." I said. I really meant it.

“Hey!”

Dayne’s frowned perked up into a grin. I looked over Dayne’s shoulder at a figure jogging our way.

“Mr. Sterling?” I asked confused.

It was him and he finally came up to us and bent over, to catch his breath. I thought physical education teachers were fit?

“I’m glad I caught you two.” Mr. Sterling said.

“Is there something wrong?” I asked.

Mr. Sterling stood up straight.

“No, not at all.” He said. “I just wanted to say goodbye. If that isn’t too weird.”

“Oh course it isn’t!” Dayne said. He looked so happy that his eyes looked watery.

“It was such a pleasure to teach you both over this small course of almost two months. It really has.” Mr. Sterling said.

“It was our pleasure to have you teach us, Mr. Sterling.” I said nodding.

“I will miss you!” Dayne cried upset. His hands flew out, but he quickly crossed them.

Mr. Sterling looked surprised at his outburst.

“Oh, I’m sure we’ll run into each other in town…” He said. He looked at me worried.

“Sure!” Said Dayne upset. “Probably never see you again…”

Dayne slipped into my beetle and shut the door. I smiled at Mr. Sterling apologetically.

“He gets…emotional.” I said.

“I understand.” He said with a nod.

I bit my lip.

“Well, stop by some afternoon. I’m sure Dayne will love that. We’ll do lunch or something.” I offered. I wanted Dayne happy after all. I’m sure he’d do the same for me. As long as Mr. Sterling didn’t show up after hours, all was good.

“Sounds nice. I’ll be sure to drop by. Before dark right? Dayne mentioned something about that…” Mr. Sterling said. He scratched the back of his neck.

“Yeah. I get cranky, because I have to clean and all that. Dayne never does dishes and you know…we got to lay down the rules.” I said with fake cheer. I opened my car door.

“Of course. Well, see you soon Ms. Stokes.” He said with a small wave and turned.

I slipped into my car and closed the door as Mr. Sterling walked off. Dayne’s bottom lip was quivering.

“He’ll visit.” I said to him and squeezed his knee.

“Thanks.” He cried and hiccupped.

“Are you really crying?” I said in shock.

“Duh!” He yelled and hid his face.

“Oh Dayne…” I said with a little smile. I leaned over and wrapped my arms around him. He laughed pitifully and reached around to hug my middle. “Don’t cry.”

“I’m sorry… It’s just been so crazy…” He said. “This whole vampire shindig. No parents for months now…do they even care?”

“They care Dayne; they just think we’re okay with each other. We don’t let them know otherwise. We both make them believe that it’s all sunshine and daises here.” I said rubbing his back.

“I know. It’s just…I miss the security of a mom and dad…” He moaned. “I feel so pathetic. I’ve been trying real hard to keep upbeat and all.”

“Don’t do that! It’s too hard to do that. Cry on my shoulder every once in a while. I’m always here for you Dayne. I’m not asking you to stick with me in all this. Not at all. I won’t be mad or hold it against you if you decide to go see your parents. Stay with them.” I said gently.

He looked at me like I was crazy.

“I can’t do that and leave you alone. I mean, yeah you’re okay at night, but during the days you’d get so lonely…” He said. His eyes were fighting back tears again.

“I’ll be okay.” I said smiling.

“You’re a big liar. I’m staying. Besides you did invite Mr. Sterling to visit. I can’t miss that at all!” Dayne said.

“Are you sure?” I asked.

“Definitely. I’m just emotional, like always.” He said to me.

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“Another nail please, Zoe.” Leon asked me bored. He held his hand out to me without looking.

He and I were fixing the window in the kitchen that was broken a few days ago. We were nailing up thick planks of wood to cover it up for now.

I reached in the nail box and dropped another nail into his hand.

“Let’s see Vincent get through this!” I teased and looked over my shoulder to stick my tongue out at him.

He scoffed and looked away.

“I did not get heavy load wood for nothing.” Jade said sipping from a blood filled water bottle. It strangely didn’t disturb me one bit. As for Dayne he saw it and decided to hit the hay early.

“Done.” Said Leon getting up and dusting his pants off.

“Handsome job Leon.” Ruiza commented.

“Oh yes. Very handsome job indeed.” I added.

Leon’s eyes landed on me.

“You are…” He started, but stopped.

“Yes?” I asked sweetly.

Leon brushed past me. Vincent looked amused.

“Oh, anyone who irritates me is a friend of yours Vincent? I see how it is.” Leon said briskly.

Vincent just smiled smugly.

“It really is handsome. It takes the cake.” I murmured with a smile.

Leon grabbed me around the waist and spun me around in circles more than few times. Very quickly I might add. Then he set me down on my feet.

I stood awkwardly while the room spun.

“Not…fair…” I said slowly. I was trying to make sense of the room and I took a step forward and fell.

I was caught.

“No fun.” Whispered Leon. "It would have taught her a little lesson."

“Let’s not break her.” Vincent scolded Leon and set me on my feet. He kept one hand on the small of my back. I swayed and grinned.

“Bad Leon!” I said. I wagged my finger at him.

Leon rolled his eyes.

“You’re really lucky I actually like you.” Leon said.

“I am.” I said pleased. I glanced at the island counter. “So, what’s with the paint?”

“I plan to paint the wood. It’s too…un-home like being left like that.” Leon said thoughtfully.

“Can I help?” I asked. “I love painting.”

“You can do it all.” Leon said with a grin and then left the kitchen without another word.

“Oh!” I said upset.

Jade started laughing.

I grabbed the handle of the paint can and went over to the boarded up window.

“Here’s a tarp. There, I helped out.”

I jumped. I turned around and looked up at Vincent.

“Stop doing that!” I exclaimed grabbing the plastic tarp from Leon.

“I enjoy it.” Leon shrugged.

"Your hair matches this room quite handsomely." I spat to myself.

I grumbled and laid the tarp out. I tucked it tight against the wall.

“I’ll help you Zoe.” Ruiza said, kneeling beside me.

“Thanks Ruiza.” I said smiling.

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“Watch out!” Ruiza exclaimed.

He tried to make a grab at the white paint can before it toppled over the ladder.

I looked up from painting the bottom wood piece in confusion.

I felt the can fall on my head.

“Ow…” I whispered and bent down to pick up the paint can. My body felt weighed down by something and I observed my body. My head, shoulders and arms were covered in white paint. Not only that but, I was starting to feel a slight headache.

“Sorry. You’re definitely going to have a bump on your head.” Ruiza said ashamed.

“I figured as much.” I said rubbing my paint covered hair.

“I’ll clean up.” Ruiza offered. “You should probably shower.”

I nodded.

I wiped off the excess white paint onto the tarp.

“I’ll be back later.” I said and hurried to the bathroom upstairs.I exitted the kitchen with haste.

“Nice look.” Leon whistled.

I ignored him for once and raced up the stairs. I didn’t want any of the white paint to touch the expensive looking hardwood floors.

I ran into the bathroom and turned on the shower first. Then I locked the door to keep it anti-peeping tom.

It was abnormally chillier in the bathroom for than usual. Even with heat rising from the hot water. I didn’t think much of it though.

I quickly stripped down and stepped into the shower, shivering when the warm water hit my chilled skin. I made fast work on getting the paint off my skin and out of my hair.

There was a breeze coming from somewhere. I could feel it on my elbows when I raised my arms to scrub my hair. I still ignored it though.

My mind had filled with thoughts of the current problems. The vampires were getting more aggressive. We haven’t lost anyone yet and hopefully it wouldn’t have to come to that. With how things were going though…maybe we will?

That one Ancient…Joseph. If Jade hadn’t come to my rescue, I was almost positive I would have seen my end that night. He was strong and I felt that when he squeezed my neck.

I was only so lucky that four Ancients happened to be on my side. Joseph was just one. There were more somewhere. Including Jade’s older brother, Orion. No one knew his power or where he was. This was a frightening fact and I didn’t like it much. There was a lot that Jade and company didn’t know. Even though Leon was a walking newspaper of all current and past events, he didn’t know much about the remaining Ancients.

Vincent and Ruiza were just along for the ride. Both enjoyable in their own ways of course. After a stressful night, Ruiza was always a fresh breath of air. He was so happy and forgetful of the past. He only looked forward to tomorrow. I liked that a lot about him.

Vincent was just fun to be around. I liked his witty comments, rare as they were. He was opened up a bit, just letting me get a whiff of who he really was. Around the guys it was a different story. He wasn’t horrible to me anymore unless I did something stupid, but even still he was now more forgiving of me.

I looked down at my chest where the pendent lay that he gave me that night in Tahoe.

I still didn’t fully understand why I had it. Or the real meaning he meant by giving it to me. Either way, I smelt trouble brewing in the future from it.

I heard a weird clicking sound. I looked around the bathtub for the source. It sounded odd in the bathroom. The clicking turned into hurried chirping. I looked behind me and saw two bats hanging on the frame of the shower, just looking at me. I quickly looked to their eyes to see if they were my Ancients.

They weren’t.

I gasped and took a step backwards. Three more bats flew in and joined the others. I didn’t know what to do.

I slowly rolled the shower open. I didn’t make any sudden movements.

The bats watched me closely.

Now if only Leon listened in on my thoughts, he would know that I might be in big trouble. I groped around the wall for a towel to wrap my body in.

I found one and pulled it off the towel rack and wrapped myself in it.

“Get out.” I said in a steady voice to them.

They only clicked their mouths in speed that I didn’t think was possible. They got louder to the point where I threw my hands up to cover my ears.

The shower was still wide open. I could maybe make a break for it and get help. Vincent could get in here within an eye’s blink.

“I said get out.” I said, even though my hands were clamped over my ears.

Then they took flight and dive bombed into my toweled body. I was in so much shock that my feet tried to get out of the shower, but they tangled over themselves. I felt my neck hit the edge of the shower door. It felt sharp and a stinging pain immediately coursed through my neck and through my whole body.

I hit the bathroom floor hard. My legs, below my knees, were still in the bathtub. I was disoriented for a few seconds and reached up to touch my neck.

It stung.

I held my hand up and looked at my fingers. They were covered in blood.

“Dang…” I whispered. I felt the color in my face drain. “Help!”

I saw the bats fly around until they landed on my stomach and chest. They were slowly creeping forward to my neck. I reached for one with my non-bloody hand. I threw it off me.

It sailed through the air and hit the wall.

It still had some life in it and came back to me. I slapped it with the back of my hand.

“Get off!” I yelled angrily.

The chirping started up again. It was a creepy sound. It reminded me of death.

“Zoe!”

The bathroom door started shaking.

“I can’t get up!” I yelled.

I looked at the bats that had swarmed onto my chest.

“You’re dead now.” I hissed to them.

They seemed to understand what was happening and took off. I watched them as they sailed through the small window above the shower.

I immediately knew Dayne had left it open when he took a shower earlier. I cursed him in my mind.

I sighed and relaxed my head on the tile.

The door burst open.

I looked up from the floor.

Vincent looked down at me and my half exposed body.

My face flushed with embarrassment, but Vincent didn't seemed fazed by my lack of clothing.

He bent down beside me.

"You're bleeding." He said.

"Yeah... I hit my neck when I fell out of the shower." I told him.

I struggled to sit up while holding the hem of my towel down. I sat up on my knees, with my back to Vincent.

"What happened?" He asked me.

"Bats were in here. Five of them. They flew out the window when you came." I said brushing the wet strands of my hair out of my face.

"They're getting persistent." Vincent murmured.

I looked at my shoulder. My blood was flowing down my collar bone and downwards into my towel. I guessed my back was the same way.

"Does it look bad? It hurt when it happened..." I asked him.

He didn't say anything. I heard him move behind me a little.

"Vincent?" I asked confused. I moved my knees around a bit. I looked over my shoulder at him, but he was a blur.

His blurred image moved towards me. I gasped in shock.

His lips were on the tip of my shoulder.

"What are you..." I said feeling odd.

His lips and the tip of his tongue moved upwards to the long length of my neck.

He was tasting my blood.

My heartbeat skyrocketed.

"No." I tried to say firmly. "No Vincent."

He surprisingly stopped.

Vincent leaned backwards and wiped his mouth.

"Zoe." He said shakily. His eyes looked ravenous. His eyes were directly looking into mine.

I felt exposed and vulnerable, but I wasn't afraid of him. He reached for a hand towel on the porcelain sink. He held it aganst my neck for me.

"What?" I asked softly.

"You... are not the Sweet Scent." He whispered.