(Updated 6/21/2009)

I tossed the dusty blanket from myself, instantly awake and alert. I rose from the dusty floor, threw on my trench-coat and armed myself, preparing for the night ahead. I knew exactly what I would do tonight; after giving it a day’s worth of thought, I realized there wasn’t much of a choice. Harris’s words had taunted me during my torpor, and as much as I hated to admit it, he was right. I strode over to the broken stairwell and untied the string that held the door shut; it swung open above me, on the next level. I stepped back, then noticed the casual green glow to my right.

Peisa glanced over just as I did, and caught my eye. “Oh, why hello!” she sarcastically droned. “So you noticed me for once.”

I raised an eyebrow. “You’re a shining faerie,” I drawled back. “Kinda hard to miss...”

Peisa shrugged, inspecting the room incuriously. “Well I figured you wouldn’t even bother to look, seeing as how you’re on your ‘Top Secret Mission’ again,” she puffed up proudly at the invented title, trying to imitate my cockiness. “Going to do battle with the forces of evil? Pick up some more sexy chicks along the way?”

“No,” I told her, not bothering to hide the truth. “I’m going to join the Vhampir.”

“Yeah yeah, what else is…” Peisa blinked, turning back to me in surprise. “You… you’re going to join them? But didn’t you say your sire was dead?” I nodded stiffly. “Well… who’s going to get you in? You can’t just walk up and expect them to welcome you, they’re vampires for Mother’s Love. They won’t accept you if...”

“I have a friend,” I cut her off. “More of an acquaintance… I think it will work.”

Peisa opened her mouth to argue, but something changed her mind. She studied me for a minute, then nodded. I think she realized how seriously I had considered my decision. “Well, if you say so… still think it’s a stupid idea...”

“I’ll be back before daylight, as usual,” I told her. “Bye.”

I left her floating in midair, stunned at getting even so much as a simple farewell. It had worked; I had been tempering myself during the day, preparing to interact with other vampires. I had to be polite, dignified… calm. That’s how Lennard would have liked me to act. Peisa always pissed me off, without fail; she was the perfect test to see how well it had worked. I had thrown her off completely with my politeness, and thus made it even easier to leave. That tiny victory gave me a small hope that this chance could actually work. If the Vhampir was where I belonged, with a sire who could direct me towards some purpose in my unlife… then I guess that was where I belonged.

I mean, what else was I going to do?

I had spent all day going over it; I had even drowned out the nagging memory of Lennard’s subtle distaste for the Vhampir… and that stranger who had murdered him. It made me feel uncertain about my decision, but could that thing really roam about in the vampire society, like an elder or something? Is that what they were all like? Did that night even… really happen? The memories were so hazy, and I didn’t want to remember them anyways. I had to be completely confident, and those thoughts would just bring back bad sensations. I knew I couldn’t keep my routine up; I wouldn’t survive alone in this forsaken existence much longer. I’d already had so many close calls, and only in the past week; it was only a matter of time before I was crushed like an insect from this world, and no one would know the difference. And, from everything I heard, I knew I had only caught a glimpse of the danger that lied waiting in the shadows.

Besides, as much as I questioned what I had seen, I wouldn’t get any answers going on as I was. If anything, I might learn more about who Lennard was, and why he was of the Moroii clan… part of the Vhampir, yet not at the same time. And the stranger, did he belong to a clan? Hadn’t he mentioned the Vhampir as well? Who was he? Would I find him? If I did, I knew I would have no idea what to do, but… there was no other way to find out.

So, I was heading to find my lead. I had thought about going to Harris… but screw him, seriously. There was too much history with the lieutenant already, and I didn’t feel like seeing him again so soon. No, I needed another guide, one I could better relate to. Our history had occurred long ago, so it was almost like a fresh start… almost.

I traveled far into the city before I reached the club, the one we had visited all those nights ago; I wondered if I would really find Davey here again.

My eyes drifted from the front door to the bouncer; I had the feeling he was a ghoul, and a strong one at that. I braced myself, and approached the dark sunglasses that never looked toward me. When I reached arms length I stopped, coughing to clear my throat. “Um, excuse me… I’m looking for a friend here, Davey. He comes here often… or used to… do you know if he’s in there?”

“Fuck off,” the man replied. “You’re too young to get in.”

“No, it’s not like that, I need to speak to him. Come on, he’s the tall lanky kid with dark hair...”

“I said fuck off,” the bouncer rumbled over me.

“Do you even realize who… what I am?” my voice sank to a harsh whisper, as I started to get annoyed. I had to tell this guy something to tip him off. “This is important, it’s… I need to tell him something, to relay to his sire… I’m not kidding around, I’m just trying to do my job.” I tried my best to look truthful. “Give me a break, come on. Or at least tell me the names some other places he might be at, anything. I… I have to find him.”

The bouncer heaved his shoulders in annoyance. “Try Larry’s Lives downtown. If he’s the kinda guy to come here, he might be there. Who knows?”

“Alright, but what if he’s here?” I pressed on. “Can’t you check inside or...”

“Listen kid,” the bouncer leaned in on me, making me back up a step. “You better fuck off like I said, or I’ll rip your throat out. We ain’t got no customers tonight, not like you, so don’t ask me again. Got it?”

I nodded, turning away as he returned to his stoic stance, his face red with anger. Continuing here was pointless… I guess Larry’s Lives it is, then.

I continued on to the next sleazy club, but once again had no luck. This bouncer was even less helpful, and I ended up wandering the red light district aimlessly, hoping to find any hints of another vampire-friendly area. Friendly… that was an oxymoron.

It was useless. I wandered for several hours trying to find Davey, and in the end I had found nothing but trash. I ignored everyone around me, all the mortals laughing and teasing me with their stupid promises of pleasure; they had nothing to offer me. Even their blood was disease-ridden. I grimaced; this was pointless. It would take forever to find Davey in this rats’ nest; I ended up back at Larry’s Lives, and took a seat opposite the club. I figured I would camp here a while before it got too late, then head back to the haven and call it a night.

I kept an eye on the door as people went in and out; the bouncer never looked my way, but behind those glasses he might have been eyeing me the whole time. I wasn’t afraid; he wouldn’t leave his post for me.

After two more hours I was beginning to give up hope. Maybe Davey wasn’t even here anymore; maybe he had been fully killed by now. Well, I could always fall back to Harris… that old fart seemed eager enough to get me to join them as it was. Perhaps I should bottle my pride and deal with it… suddenly, the door opened, and there he was.

I leapt to my feet, unable to believe my change of luck. It was Davey; he hadn’t changed a bit.

He was with three other friends; they all wore expensive clothes and jewelry on their ears and neck. They looked like playboys, completely out of place in this trashy area, but they moved as if they owned the place. Davey was in the middle of all of them, laughing loudly- forcefully- as he joked with his comrades. I braced myself, putting one foot in front of the other as I made my approach. I couldn’t back down now, I had to do this.

“Davey!” I called out, and his eyes turned to me. It took him a moment to realize who I was, but I saw recognition slowly lift his features.

“No way... Alex? Is that really you Al?”

“Yeah,” I replied, not bothering to correct my name. “Long time no see.”

Davey slapped his leg in disbelief. “You gotta be shitting me! Oh man… you guys, this is Al, a friend. I met him during one of the first nights I had turned. Oh man, that was a time to remember, wasn’t it?” I had gotten close enough for him to slap me on the back, as if trying to jolt my memories of it. I smiled and nodded… how could I forget? That child’s terror-stricken face still plagued my mind.

“Al, huh?” one of his friends looked me up and down; he had the most jewelry on, and his spiked hair was dyed blonde at the tips. “Haven’t seen ya around. You a newbie, too?”

“A what?” I asked.

“A fledgling, he means,” Davey cleared for me. “Yeah, he turned around the same time I did.”

“Looks like he wasn’t as fortunate as us,” another joked. “What’s your sire do for a living? Garbage man? Farmer?” They laughed, as if they found it funny. I didn’t get the joke.

“What do you mean?” I asked. Davey didn’t look at me, as if he didn’t want to explain. I glanced between his friends, suddenly feeling out of place… and a little hostile.

“He means, ‘what’s up with your clothes dude?’” the third snorted. “They’re covered in shit. Have you been sleeping in a basement or something?”

I winced involuntarily. “Well… no...”

“More like a dumpster,” the one with all the jewelry replied. “Must be hard for you on trash day, haha!” His friends slapped him five as they laughed again; it still sounded forced, and I wondered why they were pretending to feel emotions still. They were all vampires, like myself… but they still wanted to be human.

Still, I hadn’t realized how bad my clothes had gotten. I felt a little ashamed that I had tried so much to perfect my manners while I let my physical appearance go to hell.

“Seriously, what’s with this kid? He seems off...” the taller kid leaned in, inspecting me arrogantly. I glanced between them all cautiously, wondering if they were going to start a fight. “Huh,” the kid grunted. “Can’t even keep eye contact. You a bushahen or somethin?”

I furrowed my brows at the strange word. “A what?”

“Aw, come on,” Davey tried to stop his friend, apparently not liking where the conversation was going.

“Clanless,” another of his friends replied. “You got a clan, kid?”

“Yes,” I shot back, looking him straight in the eye. “Moroii.” If they wanted a show, I’d give them one. I could be tough like them, too…

“What’s your sire’s name?” another asked me. I opened my mouth to respond, when suddenly I realized what I was doing. I was giving away all my information… just like Lennard had taught me not to do. I closed my mouth, realizing how easily they had gotten the better of me. I really was pathetic.

The kid leaned back, chuckling. “Whatever you say, Al. I don’t know a single Moroii who would take your sorry ass in, though.”

“Give him a break,” Davey waved his friends down. He turned back to me, looking somewhat concerned. “Al, you do look different… not just your clothes, I mean you look like you went through hell. Did somethin happen?”

I looked between Davey and his friends, then said, “Yes. I need to speak to you, it’s important.” Davey looked at his friends, and realized what I was getting at. So did they.

“Davey, you serious?” the one with the jewelry asked. After a slight nod from Davey, they all snorted and sighed; also faked, since they didn’t breathe. “Whatever, man. We’ll see ya tomorrow or somethin.”

“Definitely,” Davey replied as his crew headed off. “See ya guys then.” He waited until they were out of earshot, then turned back to me. “Sorry ‘bout that, Al. They’re not bad guys, really.”

I grimaced. “Yeah, I guess so.”

“They just want to fit their part; they only recently turned, too. They didn’t know what a bushahen was either until just a few days ago. You know how it is, being new and all.”

I nodded. “Yeah… I guess.” I didn’t care, honestly. I wanted to get to the important stuff. “Davey, listen… they were right, still.”

“What?”

“I don’t have a clan… I don’t have a sire, anymore. He… he died.”

Davey stood speechless, looking lost on what to say. “Shit, Al… he died? Your sire? What happened?”
I shrugged. “I’m not completely sure myself… one night, this man came- a monster, really- and murdered him. I had to run, and I’ve been running since. I don’t know where else to go… I was hoping you could help me.”

I had said it. Davey looked me up and down for a while, and I thought he might refuse. Suddenly, he nodded. “Alright, Alex. I’ll see what I can do; my sire might be able to find a Moroii who’s willing to hear your story out. You gotta understand, though, there aren’t too many vampires willing to take in a clanless. You’ll have to prove to them you’re not just full of shit.”

I nodded, simply relieved to hear him agree to help. “Absolutely,” I answered. “I’m not lying, believe me. I can recount the whole story for them.”

“I believe you,” Davey agreed. “But I’m not the one you gotta worry about. If I find you a sire I’ll let you know. Wanna meet back here tomorrow night, and I’ll tell you what I’ve found?”

“Sure thing,” I said, giving him a well-practiced smile. He smiled back, his looking quite well faked too, and patted my shoulder again.

“Well I need to get back and start asking around, if I’m gonna find you a sire in one night. Make sure to meet here tomorrow, same time. Oh, and Al,” he added. “You might wanna bring some nicer clothes...”

I nodded, giving him an easier grin this time. “Yeah, definitely. Thanks, Davey.”

We parted ways with a final handshake, and I raced back to my haven in excitement. I couldn’t believe it had been that easy… wait, don’t get ahead of yourself, Alec. He still has to find you a sire; this might all go to waste if no one will accept me. What will I do then? Where will I go?

I shook my head. There was no reason to worry about it now; I had my haven, and I had time. Tomorrow night I would have my answer, and then I could decide where to go from there. Besides… there was always Harris. Good old Lt. Harris… I’d like to see what Davey found first before I fell back to that geezer, though.

I felt a little spark ignite in the darkness; I suddenly realized my existence had a purpose again. I was going somewhere. I had no idea where, but it would be better than where I was now. It just had to be… I’d have a sire, and a haven, and actual vampires that I could relate to. I’d be with my own kind, like I was supposed to be. It was where I belonged.

Wasn’t it?