Too Rare to Die. [R]

[Syd]

Too Rare to Die

Rating: R - Language, suggestive themes
Author: Trousers
Fantasy type: Vampires, some supernatural powers

Summary: After a fight with his only friend Aiden goes to Paris. He meets a girl, and a clan of other vampires. Will learning their ways be what he needs to get over his curse? In progress.





Part One

Something resembling a shadow crept though the woods. Aiden smirked as it drew nearer. He was leaning against a tree; he’d been waiting for a while.
The shadow came closer; it’s pace quickening when it caught sight of Aiden. Before reaching the edge of the woods the specter paused. Aiden shuffled his feet and looked up. The autumn leaves rustled as the creature stepped into the clearing.
It was dusk and a breeze had been weaving through the woods. The night air was cool, making Aiden grateful for his jacket.
The specter padded toward Aiden then looked around. Its ears were forward and eyes alert, taking in it’s surrounding.
The wolf was tall; he had intelligent golden eyes and a muscular figure. His jet-black coat shined in the last bit of sunlight that still shown. He moved closer still and stopped in front of Aiden.
The animal put his ears back.
“What?” Aiden asked shifting his weight, “Rhett?”
Rhett moved his ears forward, “Never mind.”
“Do you know anything new?”
“The suns are getting shorter… I didn’t have the time.”
Aiden sighed and spoke harshly, “What have you been doing?”
The wolf’s ears went flat against his skull once again, “I have a life Aiden. I have a pack, and territory.” Rhett growled.
“Nothing?” Aiden went back to speaking calmly.
Rhett shook his muzzle.
“All right.”
The wolf retreated back into the woods and Aiden left the woods, hands shoved into his pockets. He walked to his home, a quaint lodge hidden in the woodland. It was very secluded and very few people knew it existed.

Aiden was youthful; he looked to be about eighteen. His dark hair hung in his dark smoky brown eyes. He was tall, slender, and not to mention very attractive.
This was all very precarious because Aiden was not an eighteen-year-old boy; he was in fact a vampire.

His mother and father had lived in Bristol, England. A time before Aiden was born, his mother had secretly involved herself in witchcraft. After Aiden arrived, May 9th 1877, his father started to suspect something. Aiden’s father had been a bible black tyrant who tried to control everything, but when he found out her secret he left them. Divorce was not kindly looked upon, and in return his father was cursed. He was doomed to the rest of his days mute so that he could never speak of the witchcraft his mother studied.
As Aiden grew his mother kept her secret hidden will. Until he was 16 years old. He had been taking care of the horses when he saw his mother reading an old book. Aiden had thought nothing of it, but that night he went to where he saw her reading it. He went there because he thought it weird to see her reading behind the barn. Aiden had moved a stack of boards and found the book hidden there. On the cover was an inverted pentagram, but inside was much more. There were spells, curses, and potions inscribed in the yellowed pages.
Horrified, he ran away. He went to London and tried to find a page to find a place to apply his apprenticeship. Finally after about a week in the city on his own, and old blacksmith took him in.
One October night when he was eighteen, Aiden was kidnapped by two men who brought him to an old cottage.
They tied him to a chair and beat him senseless. Aiden asked them ‘why?’ and one of the men punched him square in the jaw. He went unconscious.
When he came to he was in a terrible state of pain. One man told him that they had killed his mother. Aiden repeated the question he asked earlier and the men laughed. Aiden knew instantly, he knew it was because of her witchcraft. He was sure they would kill him as well.
Instead they did something worse. They damned him to an eternity walking the earth thirsty for the crimson liquid the flowed beneath living flesh.

Aiden went back to Bristol around 1910. He found land there, actually, a lot of land. It was 500 acres worth. He made sure it was off limits to the rest of the human population as well—or he tried. Since then he has remained one of the few people to ever set foot on the territory.
After buying the land he stayed out of human contact, and the authorities deemed him a missing person. Aiden never received a search party though.
Aiden now lived in this territory for over 120 years. He fed on the animals there and simply existed.

Rhett had been Aiden’s only friend since he had gone back to Bristol. Aiden had been walking through the woods when he saw the wolf. They watched each other, and somehow Aiden realized he was reading it’s thoughts, and the wolf his. They started to talk, Aiden through either voice or thought, the wolf only through thought. The wolf had then told him his story.
A woman had seen Rhett one day as he was lurking around her village. She was a gypsy, and a spell caster. Her tribe was known for its love of the wolf and their mysterious powers. She had thought so highly of Rhett, thinking he was watching over her tribe as a protector, that she put a spell on him—or rather a curse in the eyes of the wolf.
Since then the wolf had been in a way like Aiden. He was immortal. The wolf never aged one day after his cursing. He came into power over his pack, and watched many generations pass before his eyes. Rhett was well over 600 years old, but you would never find a grey hair on his body.
Aiden guessed Rhett’s curse was the reason they could communicate, although he was never sure.

While Aiden was at home he couldn’t do much. He had no electricity, no running water, and no heat. His ways of living had been reduced back to the ways of the Indians. But he had no choice; he had to stay unknown and unseen to the world.
Although he sounded very old fashioned, Aiden himself looked modern. His clothed for the most part were good fashion. He wore faded jeans, polo’s, striped dress shirts, and even the occasional band shirt, though he rarely got to listen to music. His feet were adorned in boots when he was in the woods, but he would wear skate shoes in the city. He had to look modern, at least when he went into Bristol. It wasn’t often, but when Aiden would crave human contact he couldn’t deny it too long.
Traveling into Bristol only took about one night’s time. Aiden had more strength in the dark, so therefore he traveled at night. While he was in the city he didn’t have to worry about much, his powers were weakened by the sunlight, but he wouldn’t need them for shopping. No, what he was most worried about was smiling. Once long ago someone had seen his fangs and started shouting “DEVIL!” Aiden wouldn’t let that happen again. He didn’t think his teeth were very noticeable, to him they looked very subtle, but he was never going to take another chance.
Money was never a problem for him. He was a skilled pickpocket. Aiden could stash a couple hundred euros in under an hour. He also had a very old savings account that he managed to keep alive through fake ancestry to himself.

[Syd]

Part Two

Aiden now lit a fire, warding off the cool night air that found it’s way into the log cabin. He got a sweatshirt on and sat on his couch. He started to doze off but was shaken out of it when he heard a howl. Aiden stood and walked outside.
“Aiden!” Rhett growled bounding up to him, “Aiden, they’ve come. The Hunters.”
Aiden ran back inside and grabbed his already packed backpack, then went to his dresser. Rhett had followed him inside and sat in front of the fire Aiden made.
“Aiden, you must put this fire out.” Rhett said as Aiden put a revolver in the waistband of his jeans.
“I know.” Aiden replied, rushing for a bucket of water after grabbing his jacket. He doused the flames and the left the house. Aiden locked the door and have the cabin one final look before dashing into the forest.
They ran through the woods until they came to a cave. Rhett led Aiden into it; the stonewalls went about a quarter of a mile back in the hill outside. In the cave was a cot, a table, and a chair. Aiden set his pack down and walked to the table. Just where he’d left it last autumn, there was a kerosene lantern with a can of oil sitting on the table. Aiden lit it with some matches from the drawer in the table and then sat his chair.
“Where did you see them?” Aiden asked.
“North.” The wolf sat next to the cot, “Near the Rowan Fox Den.”
“Which way were they headed?”
“West… But I’m positive they will turn south in the morning.”
“How many were there?”
“Five. I can’t be sure though. Last year there were more.”

Aiden hated them, they always came, unwelcome, and killed any animals they saw. They were the type of hunters that hunted for fun and nothing more. They simply shot and killed animals in Aiden’s property then left them there. Unless of course the animal had a worthy enough pelt to be skinned. It was sickening.
He felt as though he was just the same when he fed though. Aiden hated killing people; he hated killing animals as well. And hated himself for it even more because of his friendship with Rhett. Even though the wolf killed animals himself and thought nothing less of Aiden, Aiden could never shake the guilt.
“Are you going to stay?” Aiden asked looking over to Rhett.
“No.” He looked to the mouth of the cave then back to Aiden.
Aiden scratched his head and sighed. This time of year was tense, Aiden would have liked to been able to go in the city while they were there, but he knew he had to stay. He had to make sure the Hunters didn’t break into his house, or do anything unspeakable.
“I’ll go when the moon is directly above us.”
“To watch them?”
The wolf nodded and trotted away to the opening of the cave.

Aiden grabbed his backpack and opened. Viewable were two changes of clothes, a blanket and a notebook. He rifled around inside it and found what he was looking for resting at the bottom. The cool metal slipped into his fingertips and he withdrew the object from the pack. The knife was silver plated with an intricate design on the handle. He turned it about in his hand as it glinted in the light. Aiden’s eyes swept up and to the wolf that sat guard in front of the cave. He went back to looking at the knife and flipped the blade out. He absently slid his fingers over the edge of it, checking the sharpness.
A crack of a twig made him look up again. He tensed but saw Rhett peering down at a stick he stepped on, on his way back into the cave. Aiden closed the blade into the handle and shoved it in his pocket.
“I saw a light.” Rhett said stopping halfway between the front of the cave and him.
Aiden stood and walked toward the edge of the cave. He was careful not to make any noises like Rhett had done and peered out into the darkness. His eyes could define everything though as they adjusted to his night vision. He scanned the distance and he heard rustling not 200 feet away. He tensed, yet he knew he was unseen, and the light further inside the cave would not be seen either. A flashlight beamed in his direction and Aiden pressed himself against the wall still watching. Voices floated on the wind toward him. Aiden decided there were only two of them. Rhett stalked close to the wall and halted behind Aiden his features alert.
“You think they’re Hunters?” Aiden glanced down.
Rhett didn’t reply.

“Tell my why were out here again Danny?” A soft voice said frustrated.
“Someone probably lives out here.”
“Danny? What if there’s a bear!”
“Quit whining Sara! Nothing is going to attack us.” Danny replied, annoyed.
“Let’s just go back to the car.” She grabbed his shirt, tugging on it.
“Shut up!” He stalked further into the woods, unknowingly toward the cave.

Aiden smirked, only rarely there someone got lost here. “Aw, they’re just a couple of fucktards.” He looked down at Rhett.
“What?” The wolf questioned.
“They’re lost.” Aiden cleared the air bluntly. “Scare them away will you.” He turned knowing he would stay unseen and walked back to his cot.
Rhett’s ears went back as he jumped down from the ledge he stood upon. The wolf caught sight of the two humans and threw back his head. He let out a long howl and then looked back to see the two people standing still as possible.

“Danny! Was that a wolf?”
“Shh!”
“Danny! It was really close! I don’t want to be here anymore.”
“Shut up Sara!” Danny spoke quietly but still harsh.
“Danny!” She whispered tugging harder on his shirt.
A growl made them tense even more as Danny’s flashlight revealed a snarling black wolf. They stood stock still, Rhett wasn’t even sure they were breathing. The wolf took a step closer and acted as though he was about to lunge at them.
Danny grabbed Sara’s hand slowly and he gulped, his mind racing trying to decide between fight and flight. No, he didn’t have to think about it. Their only option was to run. Suddenly he dashed right, pulling Sara with him and they took off running.
Rhett composed himself with a sneeze and followed them slowly until he was sure they wouldn’t come back that way again. He then trotted back to the cave.

Aiden was sitting next to the table with his notebook open. He could tell Rhett had re-entered the cave and didn’t bother looking up.
“What are you doing?” The wolf questioned.
“Drawing.”
Rhett was silent. Drawing was not a word in a wolf’s vocabulary. Though he knew what the word meant. It was marking. The simplest way to put it. But the humans did it with a stick and paper.
Aiden turned the notebook around and showed him the picture.
“The brook?” He questioned.
Aiden smiled and returned the notebook to its original place, his backpack.
Rhett sat; he was awaiting midnight to go back to his pack.
“You can go.” Aiden stood.
The wolf looked up at him and turned. He bounded outside and stopped, giving a final look to Aiden for the night.

Aiden looked around inside the cave, it was more of an adventure than sitting in his cabin. He decided to try to sleep. Though for him that was always a bit complicated. He didn’t like sleep. He saw it as a waste of time, but still knew that he had nothing to do but waste time. He pulled the blanket from his pack and spread it over the other blanket already on the cot. After getting his jacket and sweater off he put the light out and tried his best to get some sleep.

[Syd]

Part Three

As Aiden woke he took note of the quietness, nothing seemed to make a sound, except when he moved the cot creaked. He sat up and stretched then walked to look outside. It was still slightly dark, but the dawn was coming. He walked back into the cave and grabbed a shirt out of his backpack then put his jacket on followed by once again shoving the pistol in his waistband that he'd set on the table the night before. It was a precautionary issue.
He returned to the mouth of the cave, peering into the distance for any movement but found none. He jumped off the ledge and landed on the ground with a sullen look on his face. This morning was going to be most likely uneventful. He walked into the woods careful to keep an eye out for any human forms in the distance, and made his way to where he thought their camp would be. They usually started out in the same place, then headed south. Aiden always ended up at the cave because his cabin was the direction they went, and he couldn't chance them breaking in and him being there. Granted, they probably wouldn't know what to do but apologize, but Aiden couldn't guarantee anyone or anything that he wouldn't attack them. He never trusted himself fully in the city, and he would defiantly not trust himself when out in the middle of no-where. It was too tempting to just kill them all, but if one lived to tell the story, well that might as well be the end of his living peacefully in the woods.
When Aiden was in the city he always felt the urge to just take someone, even if they were right in the open, he always found himself fighting with his conscious. Out in the woods, when they came, he would watch them, but somehow he was always able to control himself. It was a constant battle.
Aiden's black boots trudged heavily through the dirt, sticks, and leaves. He looked up into the trees, still everything was quiet. It wasn't anything odd to Aiden though. All the animals in the forest could sense his presence, and they could sense the evil that was in his core. They feared him.
Aiden mumbled to himself about finding Rhett, he had a blank look on his face, his eyes almost glazed over as he walked. He shoved his hands in his pockets and looked down for any sign of footprints. It would be complicated to find any with all the leaves littering the ground, but he might as well watch for them as well. The hair on the back of his neck suddenly gave him a tingling sensation and he froze, he turned slowly and saw two wolves standing behind him. One he recognized as Rhett immediately, the other he knew was one from Rhett's pack, he wasn't sure of its name though.
"Rhett." Aiden said in a low voice.
"They've gone from the camp already." He looked from Aiden to the other wolf.
"I might have known."
"This is Pollux. The pack was hunting, he and his sister, Versca, had split away from the group to corner a roebuck, but instead they ran straight into The Hunters." Aiden watched Rhett but his gaze flicked to Pollux. The grey wolf was nervous in Aiden's presence, and only stayed as close as he was because of Rhett. The wolf was light colored, grey on most of him, but his under side and legs were white. He looked to be almost as large and Rhett in stature. Rhett continued, "We caught up to them, and found that a human had Versca in his sights. When we appeared the human panicked and..." Rhett looked at Pollux, "He shot Versca. He killed her."
Aiden sighed, "I'm sorry."
"We want them gone Aiden." Rhett said firmly.
"So do I."
"No Aiden, this is the third year in a row that they've managed to kill a member of my pack. Last year it was Wyler, and they almost got Khiri too." He growled looking at Aiden angrily. Wyler Rhett’s former beta, and Khiri, Aiden knew was Rhett’s mate.
"What do you want then Rhett?"
"I want to drive them out." He replied sternly and the wolf beside him looked over, almost as if it was surprised.
Aiden knelt down and held a hand out to the new wolf. Pollux took a step back and put his ears back. "Tell him it's okay." Aiden looked at Rhett.
Rhett just let out a low growl, but the other wolf stayed where he was.
Aiden stood and flipped his gaze between the two wolves. "To drive them out? And how do you expect we do that? It would compromise my identity."
"You could tell them to go. What could they do?"
"Rhett, you don't know what it's like when I'm around them. Other humans."
"The bloodlust becomes you. The wolves know what it is like Aiden."
"Yes, but you don't speak to your prey." Aiden turned away from them.
"Aiden. This will happen, with your help or without."
"You?" Aiden turned to Rhett with a smirk of disbelief, "Your pack would be slaughtered."
Rhett put his auds back, "We will drive them out."
"You can't be serious?" Aiden scoffed.
"On death I swear." Rhett looked at him.
"Death? You can't die Rhett."
"Then the death of my pack! Aiden I swear, this needs to happen. We can't be ignored."
Aiden walked past them, "I will not help you friend."

[Syd]

Part Four

"Then you are no different than them!" Rhett growled.
Aiden continued to walk.
"You kill the animals in the forest. You and they are the same. We will drive you out as well."
Aiden turned abruptly, "Try."
Rhett turned and trotted off into the woods followed by the grey wolf.
Aiden went back to the cave and got his knife, if they were going to come for him he was going to fight back. Though the only way the wolves could kill him would be a steak to the heart, or a silver bullet, which they could never do, he could still feel pain. As could Rhett. In every sense of the word Aiden was angry. His only friend for over 100 years was now going to turn on him. So the other humans had killed a few members of his pack, Aiden knew Rhett had seen hundreds of his pack members perish before him in the decades he has been their leader. But because Aiden would not give up his secret, Rhett was going to drive him away. It was a foolish plan. What could they do but maul Aiden? He would still live. And what could Aiden do but kill Rhett's pack and family? Rhett would live.
Aiden was pacing the cave and suddenly paused. Was there a way he could break the gypsies curse? A way he could kill Rhett? Aiden left the cave and ran south, he wanted to catch up with the other humans and watch. He wanted to see the tactics that the pack would use against them. He wanted to know Rhett's weak points, but mostly, he wanted to be there when Rhett would be defeated, when he would plead Aiden for help.
He slowed down when he smelled campfire smoke. There was a tent set up in the distance, and Aiden carefully stalked toward it, staying behind trees. He stopped about 50 yards away from the tent furthest from the fire and stood behind a tree. There were three men sitting around the fire, laughing. Aiden looked around and saw a wolf carcass hanging from a branch not too far away. He kept and eye out for two more though, as Rhett had said before there were supposed to be five people or more. He looked up into the tree he stood behind and grabbed the branch above him. Quietly he climbed the tree, completely un-noticed by the humans. Aiden looked out at a different tent as the zipper door opened. A man stepped out followed by a woman. The other men around the fire laughed and gave him approving looks. It was obvious what had gone on inside. Aiden thought Rhett would either move in on them tonight, or tomorrow. But he also wondered if Rhett had planned on going for him first. He shook out of his thoughts and focused on watching The Hunters.

"Hey Chris, grab me a beer would ya?" A grey haired man called.
"Sure Tony." A younger man, Chris, got up and walked over to a cooler. "You want one Jerry?"
"Nah. Still got half a mine left!" Another older guy held up his beer, this was Jerry.
"Okay." Chris walked back to the fire with two beer bottles in hand and gave one to Tony.
"So you two... Gettin rowdy?" Tony jeered at the couple that had emerged from the tent.
"I was just trying to get some bug spray. Janie attacked me." The guy looked at them with a smile.
"Whatever George!" She laughed and sat in a chair near the fire. "He was the one lookin' for some lovin'." She smirked.
"Well keep it down next time!" Chris yelled in a fun manor, and all of them laughed.

[Syd]

Part Five

Aiden looked away from them and saw Rhett in the distance; he was watching them as well. Aiden moved higher into the tree as to not be discovered. Suddenly Aiden saw two other wolves not too far from Rhett. The one to his left he recognized as Khiri, her coat was a crème color, and on the right was Pollux. The way the wolves were focused and the way they stood, Aiden could tell this would happen soon. He watched as Rhett crept closer, the other wolves watching him. Aiden looked at them carefully, there had to be more of them somewhere. Another appeared, it was leading four others to where Rhett was. With eight wolves they stood a slight chance, if they had planned out how they would attack, but animals rarely plan. They thrive on spontaneity. The only animal Aiden knew to think were humans. Rhett could speak to him through thought, sure, but the wolf never planned. Aiden watched as they all circled around the camp, one wolf was actually quite close to his tree, but it wasn't a wolf that had ever met him; it therefore didn't recognize his scent.
Rhett jumped forward with a bark and a snarl into the camp. The other seven wolves closed in as well. Janie screamed, and all the men stood. They were stuck; all their weapons were left in their cases right now. Chris was standing, his eyes dodging from a four-wheeler to the wolf getting closer to him. Aiden watched Rhett closely, growling and showing his teeth, he was making his way toward the couple, they stood close to each other, wide-eyed in fear. Chris ran to the four-wheeler and got on, but his movement sent the whole pack into attack mode. Khiri, the crème colored wolf, jumped up at him and latched onto his arm. She then pulled him off from the quad and pulled him to the ground. He tried pushing her off but didn't succeed as she then went for his throat. Her strong jaws grasped his neck, her teeth puncturing his windpipe along with his jugular. The poor guy couldn't even scream.
As that went on, Rhett had managed to split apart the couple, letting a different grey wolf go after Janie. George ran toward a tree but then halted and turned around, he pulled a knife from his belt, it wasn't very big, but it was still a weapon. George waved it at Rhett, but the wolf didn't care, and lunged forward at him. George managed to stab Rhett in the side, when he withdrew the knife it was red with blood. Rhett had staggered back, but then looked up at George with blind fury, he jumped up at his throat before George could even think of what to do.
Three people were now dead, George, Janie, and Chris. That just left the two older men, one of who was pinned down by Pollux; it was only a matter of time before Tony was dead.
The wolves that had not had a chance to kill yet were closing in on Jerry, but he had found his pistol. The four wolves got closer and he fired at one of them, he hit it in the chest and it yelped. Another wolf jumped and bit his hand with the gun making him release it, the three wolves then took their revenge for the wolf the humans killed and strung up in the tree, and for the one he had just shot and for the wolves lost in the previous years. The wolf with the gunshot wound lay down whimpering, it wasn't going to live.
Khiri was walking past Aiden's tree when she suddenly stopped and looked up. She growled and put her paws up on the trunk. Aiden looked out at the murderous scene before me, and noticed all the other wolves were now looking into the tree. The smell of the blood was overwhelming. It was an assault to his senses, but now he had to try to stay focused. Rhett made his way over to the tree now.
"Come down Aiden." He growled.
"Why should I? You said you were going to drive them out. Not slaughter them." Aiden looked down at Rhett.
"Change of plans. We wanted revenge." He looked back to the other wolves that had surrounded the fatally wounded one, but Khiri stayed where she was.
"Revenge? Good job, because now, more humans will come. They look for their dead. And when they see what happened, they'll come looking for wolves."
"Humans look for their dead? That's silly."
"They'll hunt you. More than five. They will hunt you and make sure there isn't a wolf left in these woods."
"Come down Aiden. Face us!"
Aiden looked out at the six wolves huddled together, offering the dying one comfort. He glanced at Khiri and got an idea. Quickly and swiftly he jumped down next to the crème colored wolf, he grabbed her by the neck and threw her to the ground. She struggled and kicked, but Aiden managed to keep her down, he then withdrew his knife. "Tell her to stop moving or I'll kill her now!"
Rhett obliged, "Khiri, don't move or he will stab you."
The wolf beneath Aiden stopped moving and looked up at Aiden, petrified. She hardly even breathed.
"Don't kill her Aiden."
"And what's in it for me?"
"We will leave you alone."
Aiden smiled, "Leave me alone... Hm, well seeing as more humans will be coming here because of you... I don't think that will work. You see, I'm going to have to leave here now."
"Then there's no reason to be killing her."
"Yes, dear friend, there is. Because you were going to attack me."
"We'll leave you alone! We won't attack you, as long as you don't kill her."
"And how am I supposed to believe the word of a wolf?"
"If you kill Khiri, we will attack Aiden. But that is only if you kill her."
"And then what? I kill the rest of your pack? I can't die Rhett. It would be just me and you."
Rhett stopped; he didn't know what to do.
"Bring me that rope." Aiden pointed to a rope lying near a tent. Rhett trotted off toward it and grasped it between his teeth. Aiden took it, one arm still holding the knife in a striking position above the she-wolf. He slowly set the knife down and made a slipknot around her neck, then grabbed his knife again. "Tell her that if she try's to get away, I'll kill her." He switched the knife for the gun in his pants, and now pointed it at the she-wolf who was still pinned down and helpless. The other wolves were now standing, all except the one who had been shot. It was dead. Aiden slowly stood up and Khiri stayed lying down.
"What are you going to do with her?" Rhett was on edge with the gun in Aiden's possession.
"I'm going to keep her with me, until you agree to go. Go as far away from here as you can."
"Never! These are our pack lands! I know this area better than you ever will Aiden."
"It's for your own good Rhett. The humans that come to find the others, they will kill your pack if they see you. And perhaps put you in a zoo." Aiden held tightly to the rope, still his gun aimed at the she-wolf. He didn't want to see that happen.
Rhett turned away after giving Khiri one last look and went to the five other living members of his pack. He led them away. Aiden watched Khiri, whining, as they grew smaller in the distance.
Aiden tugged on his makeshift leash, but she just huddled closer to the ground. "Come on you!" He finally got her up but she stayed as far away from him as possible, and lacked behind, reminding him of a puppy just learning to walk on the leash, only she was about 12 times larger. He pulled her to his cabin, as there now weren't any humans left, he might as well go there.
The wolves had been stupid enough to kill the humans. They never thought of the possibilities. The very real possibility that more would come here because the others had gone missing. They didn't know how to reason. The only animals that could reason were humans, in Aiden's mind at least.
He opened the door to the cabin and pulled the very large wolf inside. She was starting to get the hang of the leash, but was weary of going inside the cabin. Aiden looked around for something sturdy he could tie her to. His eyes rested upon a ring that was bolted to his fireplace. The ring was actually meant to be on a post for hitching a horse, but he had mounted it in his home to hang a lantern on, or whatever he wished really. The rope was long, so Aiden cut it down with his knife. He then tied the rope to the ring and went to sit in his chair across the room.
"You better not chew through that." He warned, pointlessly.
The she wolf was lying down in front of the fireplace. Aiden realized he wanted it to be lit to warm up the cabin, but he had to take heed to the most likely pissed off she-wolf right in front of it. Aiden sighed and placed his two weapons on the table next to him. Aiden looked her over, his eyes locked to the blood around her muzzle. It stained her creamy white coat. There was blood that had gone down her neck as well. Aiden gulped and looked away, he hadn't fed in two days. He usually could hold himself over for three or four, but now the slaughter from not long ago blurred his thoughts.

[Syd]

Part Six

Aiden stood; he glanced at the wolf across the room and went to the door. He reached a hand out but paused before turning the knob and then turned around swiftly. He leaned against the wood and glared back at the wolf. She watched him, unsure of his motives. He took a deep breath and let it out shakily, trying to clear his head. He didn't want to go out now. It was barely past two in the afternoon, a vampire didn't belong in the sun, he knew that. After more labored breathing he stalked off to his room and slammed the door. The she-wolf jumped at the noise, but settled back down realizing that she could relax when she wasn't in his presence. Aiden paced in his room thinking.....
....
Rhett said, if I don't kill her, they'll leave me alone. They'll leave me alone, but what about the other people that come for the ones they killed. I have to leave now.....

Fuck.....
....

Why do I even have this wolf with me? Because otherwise they would attack me. But Rhett said he'd leave me alone right away. Why did I keep her?....
....
You told Rhett that he needed to leave as well.....
Oh yeah.....
You said that the humans would hunt them, for killing the Hunters.....
So I kept Khiri as leverage?....
In a way. But now you have to give her back.....
Give her back?....
Do you want them to go peacefully?....
Yes. I want them to live.....
Then you very well can't keep the wolf.....
I know that.....
So what are you going to do?....
I'll... give her back, when Rhett says he'll leave here.....
But will he leave?....
He has to.....
Aiden.......

....
Fuck.....
....

Aiden struck out hitting a lantern, and sending it to the floor in a crash. He scared himself when he talked to himself like that. At first he always started talking, thinking to himself normally... but then, someone else started to ask or answer the questions. They didn't have a name, so he always just considered it as himself, it just freaked him out from time to time.....
He still wasn't sure what he would do about convincing Rhett to leave, but he had to try. Where was he going to go? Into the city?

What about the cabin.....
....
Burn it.....
....
....

....
Fuck.....

[Syd]

Part Seven

Aiden went back out and into the room with the wolf. She stared at him uneasily as he walked to the chair. He stopped and looked at her, unsure whether to just let her go now, or wait till Rhett came around. But he wouldn't have to wait long.

There was a howl, as had always done, at the front door. Aiden took four quick steps to the door and opened it to the black wolf. Rhett was standing before him with his ears back and his eyes cold.

"Come to negotiate?"
"No. I've come to get Khiri back."
"Rhett, you have to go. They'll kill you all. Except you'll be able to watch."
"We can't leave our home." Rhett sat down and his ears came forward.
"You don't get it do you?"
"There is nothing to 'get' Aiden. We will not leave."
"Fine."
Khiri whined and Rhett tried peering past Aiden to see her.
"I guess you want your bitch back eh?" Aiden smirked.

Rhett stood and took a step closer and Aiden let him go inside. The wolves reunited, tails wagging. Aiden walked to them and went to slip the rope from Khiri's neck but she snapped. She turned to him and in a flash latched her strong teeth onto his arm.

"Fuck!" He yelled but she didn't let go.
"Khiri! Don't!" Rhett snarled at her and she let loose of her grip, but crouched down in an attacking position.

Aiden clutched his arm and looked down at the blood seeping from the multiple puncture wounds. Before his eyes the wound began to heal. The pain subsided almost immediately while Aiden glared down at the she-wolf. She growled quietly, obviously barely heeding Rhett's warning. Aiden went to his table and grabbed the knife then returned to the wolves. He wasn't going to get his hands near her head again. Aiden cut the rope quickly and set the knife down on a different table.

"Goodbye." Rhett and Khiri retreated to the door.
"You'll regret this Rhett." Aiden called standing back by the fireplace.

The wolves broke into a run, disappearing in the woods. Aiden walked out of the cabin and turned to face the wooden structure. He surveyed his home. It wasn't very large; therefore it would be easy to destroy. He looked at the surrounding woodland to make sure it wouldn't catch fire. He went back inside the cabin, there wasn't a lot of things he really cared about inside, but the sooner that it was done, he would be in the clear. Aiden grabbed his two trusty weapons, then found an extra backpack that he had. It would be pointless having two backpacks, so he would have to stuff one with the contents of the other when he went back to the cave. After shoving whatever he felt a need to keep inside the pack, he then set it down next to the door. After making his way to a closet and retrieving gasoline and a book of matches he went to the door. Aiden swung the pack over his shoulder as he poured the gasoline over the furniture and made his way out of the cabin then made a flammable perimeter around it outside as well. He set the canister down, fished the matches out of his pocket, lit it, and threw it inside. He watched the home he'd known for so many years go up in flames before him. Aiden watched in a trance, mesmerized by the flames until a window shattered from the heat. The cabin was completely engulfed, but it didn't matter anymore.

Aiden left the flaming cabin and when to the cave. He grabbed his other backpack and put its contents into the one he'd just brought. He spent very little time there; he didn't care about anything inside. He stood in front of the cave for a moment, giving it one last look, and turned away. The afternoon sun was finally starting to heat the forest. Aiden walked slowly, he didn't want to leave, but this trip would bring him much needed adventure. That was an exciting aspect of the whole ordeal. He got to leave. Aiden would finally be able to go somewhere, but his thoughts went back to the reason he stayed secluded in the first place. He could find himself in some overwhelming problematic situations. People in general were part of his problem. He didn't see them as food, no; he saw them as he saw himself, just more pure. But none of that mattered when he was in bloodlust. He couldn't control himself. It was one of the reasons why he always fed before going into the city.

He kept walking, slowly, until dusk. He then started to use his lightning fast ways of moving, where he was one place, and then suddenly another, one perk of being a vampire, fast travel. Aiden knew it wouldn't be long until he was in the city, but he really wanted to take his time, he was beating himself up about it.

I need to leave the forest. The faster the better.
But what if I get there... and...

You need to get there. Remember, the Hunters have been slaughtered. You burned your cabin. Chances are some plane is going to see the smoke and call it in.
But I don't want to kill people.
People are monsters. They're worse than the helpless animals you have been killing.
But they're like me. I can't kill them. I can't kill something I can talk to and learn about its feelings.
Weren't you just trying to think of a way to kill Rhett?
Out of defense.
I don't think so.
Shut up.
Face yourself Aiden.

He arrived on the outskirts of the city about 6 hours later. It was dark, about midnight. Aiden didn't know what he should do first. Find a place to stay? Go further? Leave England completely? He liked the sound of that. England was diverse, with its many surrounding countries; it wasn't odd for the people to travel. Aiden actually knew some Spanish though he was far from fluent; he still got the gist of what others who spoke it fluently were saying. French on the other hand Aiden knew well, the blacksmith he spent his apprenticeship with spoke the language, and was hell bent on getting Aiden to as well.

Aiden made it into the main part of the city. Not many people were walking around, just the shady characters; Aiden guessed that he fit in pretty well. He casually bumped into a man, excusing himself and apologizing, but it was part of his ploy since he first entered the city. He needed more cash. Once around the corner from the run-in he checked the man's wallet. There was only about 50 euros inside. Aiden had no desire for credit cards though, and he disposed of the wallet in a garbage bin on the sidewalk, of course after pocketing the money. Added to the amount he had with him before he now had 168 euros. It was good enough for a two-night hotel stay, as long as the place was cheap. Aiden continued walking, but no one else seemed to be out at this time let alone anyone he would want to run into. He always ran a slight risk of being stabbed when he ran into people this late at night.

Sleep wasn't much of a necessity to him. It was something to waste the time. He surpassed restaurants and closed stores, laying his eyes on the equivalent of a Motel 6.

[Syd]

Part Eight

Aiden woke to the sound of a semi screeching to a halt outside. The noise made him bolt upright, also causing him to wonder where he was. Once composed Aiden took a shower, something that was very complicated and required the river when he was back at his home, but not when he was in the city. He loved the new technology. TV’s were great. He barely knew how to work them, but whatever came on usually satisfied his curiosity. The coffee maker in the room was new though; he wasn't exactly sure what the hell it was, so he therefore decided to leave it alone.

Aiden dressed, he wore a red long-sleeved sweater, with buttons on the collar/sleeve area, along with blue jeans, but he decided not to change his footwear, the boots were too comfy. Once checked out, and £65 poorer, Aiden left the motel, reminding himself to not smile at the nice lady across the desk. He then hailed a cab outside of the motel.

"Where to?"
"Uh.. the train station."
"Train station eh? Where you off to?"
Aiden was fidgeting rather badly, "Uhm," His eyes dodged the cab drivers, who was looking back though his mirror, "France."
"Very nice there. You've been there before?"
"No..." Aiden was starting to talk quieter and quieter. He didn't like questions.
"I'd say the South is the nicest. You'll probably be goin' to Paris right?"
"I.. I'm not sure yet."
"Well, make sure you at least check it out in a stop over."
"I'll do that." Aiden collected himself; he didn't really have conversations with people much. Occasionally some one would say hi, or a girl would ask him his name, saying he looked familiar. Usually the most talking he did was with clerks, whether it is motel, or store clerks, they always asked, ‘Did you have a nice stay?’ or ‘Will that be all?’ and that was about as much talking as Aiden liked. More talking made him kinda jumpy. They rode in silence the rest of the way to the station, the cabbie finally catching on to Aiden's uncomfortable ness. Aiden paid, now he had £92 left.

Only one strap of his backpack was actually being put to use, Aiden made his way around the train station. Casually running into the business looking types. Pick pocketing was something Aiden was very good at. Actually, with his powers he could, if he really wanted to, he could not even run into them, he could just wisp by them. Leaving a bewildered look on their face and having them wonder why they felt a slight brush. He looked like a typical teenage boy, not someone suspicious, but he still was a little out of place. It was fall, and pretty much every other normal teenager was in school. Even the ones that looked his age, they were in college. It made Aiden think about his schooling.
He'd gone to school through grade eight; he was only 14 when that was done with. Leaving him nothing to do but work at his mother’s home.

Aiden threw out multiple wallets he stole, careful to take all the money out, and then found a seat inside the station to count it. He gad gained £426. One wallet of which Aiden was sure had at least 2/3rds of that total. Added to his beginning amount he now had £518. Guessing about 300 to 350 of that was going to be subtracted from buying a ticket; Aiden felt he wouldn't need to 'collect' again until he arrived in France. Aiden made his way up to the teller.

"I need one ticket to... Paris."
"One way?"
"Yes."
"Your name?"
"Aiden..." He blanked for an instant on his own last name, "Aiden Rainey."
"Okay, I'm going to need to see some ID."
Aiden blinked, he had an ID... he just hoped he didn't burn it. "Give me a moment?" He knelt down, noticing about three people waiting behind him. After checking numerous pockets in his pack he finally found it. Sure the thing was fake, he couldn't actually go and get a genuine one, then he'd be in the system. Aiden presented it to her, almost smiling, but he caught himself and bit his lip. She looked at the picture and looked at him, then smiled, and handed it back.
"Okay, your ticket will be £285 today, unless you would like to move into first class."
"Oh, no, that sounds fine to me." Aiden pulled out his stash of money and paid her. It wasn't a huge wad of money though, mostly large bills.
She printed out his ticket, stamped it, and then gave it to him, "Your train leaves at noon. The information is on the ticket. Have a nice trip."
"Thanks." He couldn't be helped, and smiled. A wave of dread washed over him as he locked eyes with her, but she was smiling kindly, and apparently hadn't noticed anything. He took a deep breath, grabbed his backpack and walked away.

It was only 10:40 in the morning. Leaving him about an hour and 20 minutes to meander. Aiden walked to where the 'docking' station where his train would be so he could get there promptly when it came. He was now back outside, there were benches for people waiting, but most waited inside with the cool fall weather. He sat down on a bench plopping his pack on the ground in front of him. Not much was going on, but he could hear a train off in the distance. He watched attentively, oblivious of the person who sat down next to him.

"Bonjour."
Aiden looked over, apparently startled, "Hi."
"Est-ce que je vous ai effraye?" She smiled at him kindly. She had long dark wavy hair, and a pair of grey aqua eyes. Her frame was delicate, and skin pale, just about the perfect image of a French girl. She wore a grey pea coat with the collar turned up, and had a long red skirt on, high fashion.
"No." Aiden shook his head; she had asked if she scared him. Her eyes pierced into his and he felt slightly un-nerved.
"Bon. You do not speak French, oui? But you know the language?"
"It's been a while since I've spoken it is all."
She laughed, "Mon nom est Rie."
"I'm Aiden."
"Where are you going?"
"Paris."
She smiled widely, "Bon, je aussi!" Good me too!
"It looks as if we have something in common then." Aiden smirked. "But I can guess you're going back there, home."
"Oui. And you are leaving home."
"I'd like to think of it as finding a new one."
"You will not be returning?"
"No."
"Pourquoi?" Why?
"Just... because."
"I see. You are traveling alone?"
"Yeah.."
"Je aussi." Me too.

Aiden sat there, silent. He wasn't one to speak unless spoken to, or with a valid reason to keep speaking. The conversation seemed over enough to him. He didn't like questions. And he certainly wasn't going to tell her why he was leaving Bristol. He wondered if he would ever be able to tell anyone.

[Syd]

Part Nine

The train arrived at the exact time it was scheduled. Aiden and Rie had talked on and off the whole time it took for the train to get there as well. She had asked him if they could sit together, as so to keep each other company. He didn't object, rather just shrugged and gave her a look to say ‘I guess’. Aiden was solitary, and he would never ask to have someone keep him company, ever. After a man checked their tickets and ripped off the stamped part, they found a seat on the left side of the train.

"What is in Paris for you?"
"I don't know yet." Aiden sat on the inside next to the window, he shoved his backpack under the seat.
"You do not plan ahead?" She questioned, at this point Aiden noticed she had no luggage with her, and it must have been stowed away in a different car.
"I try to be spontaneous." He replied flatly.

Silence ensued and the train-attendant brought them each some crackers and a glass of soda. Rie had hers gone in what seemed like four seconds.
Aiden rolled his head back and sighed, trying to relax he looked out the window.
"You are very odd." She nudged him.
"What?"
"You are a boy, oui? And yet you do not.. Engulf food?"
"Not hungry." He looked over at her. "You can have it."
"Non."
Aiden shrugged it off and returned to looking out the window. He was annoyed by the constant noise of the train, but fortunately the people inside the car were fairly quiet. There were only about 15 other people inside, but that was enough for him. As the day rolled on, and the train along with it, the attendant came back asking for dinner orders. Aiden was brought back to attention when the woman came to them.

"I'll have a Cesar salad." Rie replied when asked what she would like.
"And for the young man?" She looked to Aiden.
"Nothing, thanks." He glanced from her to Rie.
"Okay." She smiled at them and walked away.

"You should eat." Rie looked at him.
"I'm not hungry."
"You are very odd."
"Good to know." Aiden was slightly irritated by her now. He just wanted to look out the window.

Rie pulled something out of her coat pocket, her hand revealed an iPod. She put the ear buds and finally began to mind her own business. Aiden watched the landscape outside rush past him until dusk, when he felt the need to move. He excused himself to the restroom, because of his restlessness. If someone had been watching him they would have noticed that he didn't stop at the restroom though, he walked right past it. Once in the next car he looked around to see that there were even less people in this one than the one he was occupying. Aiden walked on, contemplating just staying in this car by himself. He wouldn't have to put up with the French girl's questions... But that wasn't an option; he would need to get his pack. Aiden returned to find Rie absent; her coat kept her seat company though.

He settled back into his spot, deciding that looking out the window had lost it's fun. He pulled his pack from underneath the seat and got out his sketchbook and coal pencil. Aiden had started a few lines on the page, but was still unsure what he was really going to draw when Rie returned.
"You draw?"
He nodded, "Yeah.. A bit."
"May I see?"
Aiden's eyes dashed between her face and his book. He ran a hand through his hair, "Uhm... okay."

She reached out for the sketchpad and Aiden let it slip slowly from his hands, the pencil remained in his grasp. As she flipped through the pages the paused on the first one of a wolf. "This one is really good." She ran a hand across the page. It had been drawn from memory of a time that Aiden had spotted Rhett hunting; he was standing on top of a ledge that overlooked a meadow. She lingered on the page for a few more moments and then flipped it. The drawings consisted of either landscape or Rhett mostly. A couple of them might have been an acquaintance from the city. One of which was an old couple sitting on a park bench. Aiden found drawing people to be complicated when they weren't right in front of you, so he didn't do it often. "You liked this wolf?"
"Huh?" He was brought out of his thoughts.
"This wolf. It is the same one, oui?"
"Yeah."
"You have talent." She continued turning through the pages and stopped when she reached one of a man and a little girl with balloons. "Vous attrapez le moment." You catch the moment.

Aiden looked down at the page remembering the time he saw them on a pier from a trip he took to London. The guy was the ideal image of what a dad should be, and the girl was just living it up, she was happy.. He loved things that were like that; perfect.
"You should sell your work. You could probably make some good money."
Aiden looked at Rie, slightly thrown off, "Sell my art? I don't draw for other people."
"If you wanted to though, Aiden, you are very good at this."

He shrugged and she handed the book back to him. Aiden opened it back the page he'd started drawing on, still unsure what he could do with it. He decided to leave it alone until he got some actual inspiration. It was now dark out, and the half the lights in the car were dimmed, the other half turned off. Aiden guessed it to be close to 8 at night. Rie yawned and made herself comfortable, looking over at Aiden, she smiled at him and nonchalantly rested her head on his shoulder. It startled him, making him tense; the only physical contact Aiden was willing to make was when he purposely ran into people to take their money. He moved slightly, to make himself a little more comfortable as well, and then tried to rest. They would be arriving in Paris at about 3 in the morning. This would be a long night if Rie planned on sleeping on his shoulder like this.

"You okay?" She asked looking up at him.
"Mhm."
"Estes ne. You are uncomfortable." Are not. She smiled denying his answer.
He looked down at her, his gaze locked with hers.
"Faites comme je pour dire." Do as I say. She stood up, "Put your feet on the seats, lay back, feel comfortable. Bon. Now I will do this."
"Uh.." Aiden wasn't sure about this position either, but amazingly he did feel content. He was pretty much laying back on the seats and she was pretty much on top of him, but it somehow worked.
"I'll try not to move too much. You feel comfortable now, oui?"
"Oui." He smiled at her as she put her head on his chest and yawned once again.
Aiden yawned in return and she giggled, but that was the last noise her heard from her. After only about 10 minutes they were both asleep.

"BONJOUR! We have reached Paris." There was a voice over a intercom as the train came to a halt.
"Uhhh." Aiden stirred and opened his eyes.
Rie woke as well, pushing herself up and smiled at him. "You slept well?"
"Ye-" He paused and cleared his throat, "Yeah."
"Je aussi." Me too. She smiled sweetly.

Aiden gathered his sketch book and put it back in his pack then followed Rie off of the train.
"This is where we depart I suppose. Mon ami." My friend. She spoke to him outside the station after she got her luggage.
Aiden nodded looking at her intently. The only light cast on them from a street lamp. It was late, she was obviously pretty tired, but he would manage fine.
She stepped up to him, her aqua grey eyes burning into his, he pulled her to him. She immediatly responded, kissing him, way differently than how a friend would. Actually, it was quite an appropriate kiss for being in France.
Aiden went along with it, incapable of forcing himself to stop. He was helpless now, but was glad it wasn't the same as being helpless to the bloodlust. This was different, and it was something that made him feel mortal again.
"Venez avec moi." She pulled away from him breathless. Come with me.
"I can't."
"Aiden..." She smiled at him, her aqua grey eyes enticing him.



Fuck.

[Syd]

Part Ten

He woke up in just about the same position as he had on the train, except now they were on a bed. Her apartment was nice, from what Aiden actually got to see of it. The whole way there they were pretty much attached to each other (at the face), so Aiden wasn't too interested in where he was going. Aiden moved slowly away from her and got up from the bed, Rie stayed sleeping. He pulled on his pants swiftly, then his sweater. He had to do a little hunting for his boots, not caring about his socks; he just wanted to leave before Rie woke up. Aiden found his backpack in the corner of the room and opened it to get his jacket. He looked back at her, then let his gaze slip to the bedside nightstand that held an alarm clock. It read 6:16 a.m. He slid into his jacket and walked to the door of her room. With one last look, he opened the door hoping that it didn't squeak, and stepped into a living area. Immediately he saw a girl sitting at a small kitchen table eating cereal or something. She stopped her spoon from entering her mouth at the same moment. She was wearing a sweatshirt and in pajama pants. Her sandy hair was flowy and her eyes seemed almost golden.

"Why does Rie always get the good looking ones?" She asked putting down her spoon. She had an American accent.
Aiden gulped.
"I'm Caroline, Rie's roommate."
"Hi.." He stayed exactly where he was.
"You may be pretty, but you're the classic guy you know that? Leaving before she wakes up." She gave him a disappointed look.
Aiden shuffled his feet.
"Actually, you might want to get your ass in gear, her alarm goes off at six twenty-five." She nodded to a wall-clock which read 6:21.
"Yeah.." Aiden walked to the door, "Bye." He went to the door and hurried to the elevator.

---

Rie woke up as her alarm buzzed obnoxiously. She slapped the snooze button and sat up, then leaned over to turn it off. The snooze button was just a faster way of getting it to shut up. After rubbing her face she looked over, remembering the night before, but there was no British boy in her bed anymore. She sighed and walked across the room, put a robe on, then went out to the kitchen.
"Bonjour Rie." Caroline smiled.
"Bonjou- Caro.. Did you see...?" She put a hand to her forehead and stopped talking.
"Your toy? Oh yeah. He's quite the looker."
Rie laughed and walked to the kitchen cupboard, she got out a bowl and then found a box of cereal. "He is not my toy."
"You meet him in Bristol?"
"We rode the train together." She said as she poured milk in the bowl.
"Oh.. damn. So he probably won't be back?"
Rie shook her head and laughed then sat down next to her friend.

---

The doors dinged open and Aiden went outside. He paused looking around, realizing he knew nothing about this city, or where anything was. Cars and taxi's buzzed by along with the occasional trolley, the buildings were impressive, yet they still didn’t help him gain his bearings. He walked down the sidewalk paying attention to only the ground in front of him.

What to do, what to do?!
Shut it.
Where are you going to go?
I don't know.
You plan on carrying that backpack everywhere?
For now.
I think this was a stupid idea.
You think everything I do is stupid.
You didn't think this through.
I try to be spontaneous.

He ran into an old woman, and apologized profusely to her. From that point on he decided to pay a little more attention to the objects and people in front of him. As he walked he thought- thought about what to do next. Where to go mostly.

I should've stayed with Rie.
No.
Why not?
You can't have relationships.
...
No matter how badly you want them.
You're right. Out of the question.

Aiden continued on, only stopping when he had to wait to cross the street. As he looked at the cars, more and more he thought about how he would love to drive. It was something that was 'out of the question' but he could always wish- could always want. He came to a bridge and stopped to gaze at the river. He contemplated jumping off; he wouldn't die, it be more like... going for a swim. He shook the thoughts away and sighed.
After standing there for what seemed like too long, Aiden got out a couple pence and threw them over the bridge then turned and went on his way. His way to nowhere really...

What are you going to do? Kill homeless people? Break into a blood bank?
Fuck off!
You need to figure this shit out Aiden.
I don't want to.
You'll become delirious. You'll attack some random person out in the open if you don't... satisfy your needs.

Aiden turned abruptly, walking down an ally. There wasn't much down there besides the occasional piece of litter. He stalked on, genuinely pissed off with himself.

"You have a secret."
Aiden spun around coming face to face with a tall blonde woman. "What? Who are you?"
"Je suis qui vous voulez gue je soit." She smiled.
He was perplexed, "You are... who I want you to be? That makes no sense! What do you want?"
"I do not want anything."
"Who are you?” Aiden wasn't sure of this woman.
"I know who you are."
Aiden turned away from her.
"You do not walk away from me." She suddenly appeared directly in front of him.
He gasped, and his eyes grew wide. "Who are you?" This time he said it slower.
She just smiled at him.

"Where are we?" He asked as the descended down a flight of stone stairs.
"You will see."
"Are there more?"
She laughed, "Foolish questions you ask. Of course."
"Tell me your name."
"Scarlett." She reached out and trailed a finger along his jaw line.
They came into a room that was dark; the only light came from candles. He noticed three others in the room. "Why did you bring me here?"
Scarlett smirked and the other three came forward, two were guys and the other a girl. "Fiver." She looked over at a guy with platinum blonde hair as she addressed him.

"Good work." Fiver said and stepped closer to Aiden, making him step back. "Aiden." He held out a hand for him to shake, but Aiden stood where he was, motionless.
"What is this about?” Aiden asked eyeing them.
"You've met Scarlett. I am Fiver. This is Caulden," He motioned to the other guy, he had vibrant red hair. "And she is Emery." The girl had short black hair.

Aiden didn't know what to make of them. Were they all vampires? Scarlett had implied as much. As far as Aiden was concerned Fiver was the one in charge, and he didn't really care to see what would happen if he crossed him. They all looked to be between 17 and 21, Fiver appearing the oldest of the group. Caulden looked the most harmless of the band. Emery looked like a killer if he ever saw one, her eyes were almost as dark as her hair, and he guessed, probably her heart. Fiver and Scarlett seemed to give off the same vibe, a do-not-cross-me-or-it-will-be-hell-to-pay kinda vibe. Come to think of it, Aiden decided they all looked like killers, just Caulden seemed perhaps a ‘kill-you-softly’ type.

[Syd]

Part Eleven

Aiden finished his scanning over all the people he was introduced to and thought back on what Fiver had first said. Fiver had known his name. And Scarlett had told him she knew who he was as well. How? How would they know that, I’ve stayed away from people… “How do you know my name?” Aiden faced Fiver, his tone serious. If Aiden had been found out that easily, how many others would know who he was?
“Aiden, Aiden…” Fiver smirked, “We found out who you were easily enough.” Fiver nodded to Scarlett who then started speaking.
“You don’t recognize the person who sold you your ticket here?” A light laugh escaped her as she took a step closer to Aiden.
Aiden took a step back, it was her. He’d smiled at her. He’d told her his name… So, she had noticed his teeth? Or did she know he was a vampire before that?
She continued to get closer, “Your ID was a fake.” She raised her brows at him with a smirk. Scarlett was the all-knowing one now.
“But you still sold me a ticket.” Aiden said, feeling slightly un-nerved at how close she was now.
Scarlett smiled, “Of course I did. We need you. And when you smiled at me, well, that was just the information I needed.” She was standing so close to him that they were almost touching, her eyes were staring into his.
“Need me?” He was confused, and trying not to make eye contact with her but to no avail. Her eyes were the color of blood. They were true to her name.. which scared Aiden.
She turned and walked over to Fiver, signaling that he was now going to talk once again. What were they doing? Some really bad version of good cop bad cop?
Fiver looked around the room, “You see four people besides yourself here. Well, we want you to become a part of out clan…”
“Why?” Aiden looked over at Emery, who was just standing there staring him down. Why did they all want to look at him like some. piece of meat?
“Because Aiden, we’ve been looking for someone like you for some time now.” Fiver was talking very seriously. He took a couple steps up to Aiden, “Show me your mark.”
Aiden’s brows furrowed, “What the hell are you talking about?”

Suddenly Fiver had taken hold of Aiden’s left arm and Emery had the other. Aiden was in shock, not even panicking until they slammed him into a wall. Scarlett stood in front of him with a devilish smile on her face. Aiden started to panic, “What the hell are you doing? GET AWAY FROM ME!” Scarlett simply moved closer, her eyes scanning over his red sweater that he was wearing since the day before.
“We need to see your mark. Your scar Aiden. The mark the ones who turned you made.” She spoke slowly; her hand was now pressed on his chest. Fiver and Emery remained holding him against the wall.
Aiden tried twisting free one last time, but then settled down. “Well I can save you the trouble, it probably looks the same as yours!” He yelled at her, looking down at her hand and back into her mesmerizing orbs.
She snaked her hand up and to the collar of his sweater and to the buttons that went from the collar to the shoulder. “I have to say, great choice of shirt.” She unbuttoned them methodically then Fiver let go of Aiden’s arm while Scarlett pulled the sleeve down a little way, “Oh Aiden. You’re perfect.”

[Syd]

Comments copied from my myspace:

Izzi: ooooh i love this Syd! it's amazing! your an awesome writer! keep going on want to know more! lol

Patrick: yeah this was a really good start i want to read more. You should keep up the writeing thing your really good. I would have a title for you but there isnt enough story for me to think of a good one.

Izzi: that was a very intresting twist! i liked it. man if i was those people i would probably passed out! lol and i like that you added fucktards! that was funny

Fissle: I really enjoyed this too! i think its funny that you're writing a story about a talking wolf. ...
its good though... (by the way, Aiden seems like your kinda guy: dark shaggy hair, skate shoes, "faded jeans, polo shirts, striped dress shirts, and even the occasional band shirt" =] silly syd )

Joe: OMG! I love it! It's amazing!
You should keep going.
And that Aiden guy? He sounds almost familiar.
Someone I know...hm...other than the "attractive" part, that is. haha.

Diane: you cant jus cut it off like that!!
fuck this is interesting!! all you need is chevelle and some kick ass cars and you got all my favourite stuff in here!!

Fissle: woah, aiden is kind of a complex character man, at first i liked him but honestly, he's kinda being a jackass to Rhett. i get the whole "im a vampire so i wanna eat those people" mentality, but seriously, rhett is his FRIEND! he's not real great at the friendship/loyalty thing, is he? i'm excited to read more... but at this point i'm with the wolves, hardcore!

Joe: I agree with Katie about the complexity of Aiden, but I have to side with him. There are some things in life that you just can't help a friend do, whatever be the reason.
But I really enjoy this story, I can actually immerse myself into the main character and feel his struggles so far. WRITE MORE, please? Pretty, pretty please?

Diane: *gasp* OH MAH GOD! oh mah god, this is good. i cant wait to see whats goin down next!

Fissle: my oh my, this is exciting i'm still with the wolves though... =]

Diane: so, youre sitting next to me here, but you dont know what im saying, and i totally threatened to kick bitches in the hip if they didnt comment. lets see what good comes fromt hat. and if my typos are super fucked-up, its because i cant see worth shit. you are an amazing writer. you shold definately take classes for this in high school and college if youre gonna end up going. well, i hope you like the soda. i thought it was pretty good. i know this isnt acbout your story, but i never guarenteed that it would be. my mother and i WILL make you EAT when you come next...mark my words. ily!

Izzi: oh my oh my oh my! i was very behind on this story. what one week away will do. anyways, this is completely amazing! you must keep writing pretty please!!!!!!
you know i keep forgetting that this is wrote by a 15 year old. this is amazing! it beats some books that i read! you should really think about sending this in to a publisher or something and yeah definitely take classes in high school!!!!
keep up the AMAZING work! ily!
ahhh i forgot to say what i really was gonna say!
anyways....
i was gonna say Aiden really took me by surprise! he got to be a real jerk now especially towards his best and only friends! but i think it adds to the story greatly! i love it! hahah
oh yeah and the whole talking with himself soooooo reminds me of Mort!
keep going!!!!!! i'm loving where this is going!!!

Fissle: eee! i sense romantic tension in our future!
Comment excitant ! Je ne peux pas attendre pour lire plus!

Fissle: *dances* first one first one!
aaanyways! this is super, and i totally called it!
hm, i wonder what'll happen next?
her apartment? or right there on the street??
lmao, fun fun fun.
aller de subsistance!

Diane: WOOHOO!! this part TOTALLY kicks ass!!!1 i love the ending of it--very nice. i cant fuckin wait to see what happens nexxt!!!!

Izzi: DON'T BE SAD AND EMO AND WRITE EMO POEMS!!!!! LMAO
this part is very exciting and OMG i want to know what happens next!!!!!
would you leave me hanging? would you do that to your biggest fan?
come on now! that wouldn't be far!
hehe keep going!!!! i love it all!!!
lots of lurve!

Diane: sYdNiE i LovE tHiS dAmN STorY!!!]
[[WROITE MORE!!!]]
i love youuu!

Izzi: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!
I LOVE THE LAST PART! very sexy! haha
please write more!!!! PLEASE!!!!
lots of love!

Fissle: well! scandalous!

[Syd]

Part Twelve

“What?” Aiden asked, still slightly on edge, but now thoroughly confused. “What’s perfect? Why is my scar any different than yours?”

She stepped away from him and Emery finally let go of his other arm. The three stood in front of him, smiles on their faces. Caulden remained sitting off in the corner, a smile too on his face. “The vampire who turned you… he was one of the first vampires, his blood was more pure than others who were turned. You see, this vampire, Dragomir, he is supposedly the brother of the first vampire, making his blood so close to the original that it’s practically sacred.” Scarlett paused.

Aiden was listening as he was trying to button his shirt, it was story time, and he decided that listening would probably be a very good idea.

She looked at Fiver and then continued, “He was the one who turned you. He made the mark you have…, which makes you special. Dragomir didn’t turn very many, he usually just murdered others, but for some reason he picked you. Aiden, since that day, others have been looking for you.”

“Looking for me? What can I do? So what if I have some guys mark.”

She looked disappointed, “You don’t understand Aiden. Dragomir is dead. His brother, the first vampire, Vladimir, is also dead. You and perhaps two others that were turned by them are still living. Do you see now? You are as close to the beginning of our kind as we can get. You are more important than you could have ever imagined.”

Aiden was leaning against the wall now, taking this all in. It was confusing. Was she saying that he is practically one of the only pure vampires left? “I’m like… the equivalent of one of the first vampires now? I’m like… as close to pure in the vampire world as it gets? Is that what you mean?”

“Exactly.”

He shook his head, “So why do you want me to be… in with you or whatever? Why? What use am I to you?”

She sighed, “Caulden, get him the books.”

Aiden watched as Caulden made his first action of the whole meeting, he walked over to a shelf and pulled out a few dusty old hard covers. They were rather large. Caulden made his way up to them and then held out the books to Aiden.

“These have information that you might be very interested in. I suggest you read them… and if you have any questions you know where to find us.” Scarlett was leading Aiden to the stairway they had used upon their entrance.

He was looking down at the books, one of them held the inverted pentagram the same inverted star that was on his mother’s witchcraft book. Aiden made his way up the stairs, he looked at the door when he reached the top, then glanced back down but Scarlett was no longer there. He pushed the door open and emerged back in an alleyway. What now?

Where to go? He had nowhere to go. He was on his own. And now he had a couple of books.. that could go in his back pack... It was at that point he realized somewhere along the lines of his meeting he had taken the thing off. It was back… down there… with them… Aiden blinked for a moment, contemplating his options. Go back and get it, or leave it. He couldn’t leave it. It held everything and anything that he had left. Aiden turned back, slowly and quietly going down the steps. He could hear voices, but they were off somewhere else, not in the room he was previously in. His pack was near the wall and he walked swiftly to get it, hoping not to call attention to himself. That very moment he heard his name being spoken.

‘He doesn’t know a thing Fiver.’ It was Scarlett.
‘Yes, but you gave him the books.’ Fiver said irritated.
‘The witchcraft ones! Weren’t you watching? He’s just going to think he can do a bunch of spells. He wont know a thing.’
‘And when are we going to tell him?’
‘When he’s ready. When he’s on our side.’
‘I love the way you think.’

Aiden heard suddenly the noise of a door handle turning; he quickly sprinted to and up the stairs then out the door.

__________________________

Caulden had walked out and only saw a flash, followed by the click of the door to the alleyway above. He knew who it was, and he was sure Aiden hadn’t realized that he was the one to catch him, not Fiver, or Scarlett. Caulden shrugged it off and walked off to find Emery.

__________________________

Once out on the street again Aiden quickly hailed a cab. He wanted to get as far away from them as possible.

“À où n'êtes-vous pas en ligne?” Where are you off to? The cab driver asked peering back in his mirror at Aiden.

“Uhh, juste… disparaissent cette manière… au-dessus du pont” Just… go that way… over the bridge.

“Ok.” He drove, not very far but as far as Aiden wanted. Over the bridge, and a little way further. He paid the man and got out, he was in front of her apartment building.

What are you doing here?
I need to stay somewhere…
So you decide to go see if Rie can take your sorry ass in? You’re a vampire!
I know! But she doesn’t. I need somewhere to stay…
You’re a dumbass. You haven’t fed in almost four days! You’re going to lash out.
I… I’ll-

“Aiden?” A soft voice spoke behind him.

His head snapped in the direction, it was her, “Uhh, hi…”

“Bonjour!” She nodded, “Why are you here?”

Aiden looked down, “I really don’t know.” He shuffled his feet.

She noted his shyness, “You want to come up?”

He looked at her, noticing now that she had a bag of groceries in her arms. “Uh… yeah. I’d like that. Here, let me take that.” He gestured toward the bag, almost amazed that she somehow was able to carry it. She was so tiny.

She handed the bag over with a sigh and a quiet thanks. She opened the doors to the building and led the way to the elevator. As Aiden followed he realized that it was still morning, he was pretty sure she was in college… but why would she be grocery shopping?

The doors dinged open and they stepped inside, the aura surrounding them was awkward, Aiden didn’t know what to say, so he remained silent. A minute or so later they were freed from the confined space and Rie once again led the way, this time to her apartment door.

“Just.. Put them on the counter oui?”

“Sure.” Aiden made his way to the kitchen and set the brown paper bag down then turned to find Rie. She was making her way toward him, her intentions set on one thing only.

[Ichabod]

nice Syd, I'm diggin' it! keep it up

Is Rie a vampire?

[izzilizzie]

ahahaha i love the ending! this is getting very good. (not that it wasn't before but you get my point) i love it!