Moonlight Denial: Shades of Moonlight Book One

[Tuesday: Five Days]

A vacant classroom door burst open and Nicoli and Amelia scrambled inside.

“Close it! Close it! Close it!” Amelia squealed.

Nicoli wanted to snap at her, say some kind of scathing remark, but he was too busy slamming the door closed.

The two teenagers then leaned their backs against the door, either to rest and catch their breath or to brace the door, it didn’t matter. They then clenched their mouths shut and tried not to breathe at all when multiple footsteps thundered on the other side of their shield and stopped somewhere close.

“Damn it, where the hell did they go?” Trevor’s voice snarled. It was dangerously close and the two hiding teens shared a worried look.

“Those two are fre – freakin’ fast,” one of the lackeys said, panting harshly.

“I’m going to get that little shit,” Trevor grunted, sounding calmer.

“What about Amelia? Since she’s hanging out with that lame-ass jerk are we going to beat her up too?” one of the others asked.

A dull thud sounded followed by a cry of protest.

“Ow! What was that for!?”

“Of course we’re not going to beat up Amelia. She’s a freakin’ girl! Have some morals, dumbass,” Trevor chewed him out. “I admit she’s weird and a total loon for hanging out with that little shit, but let’s not get carried away now.”

“Jeeze, sorry.”

“So what do we do now, Trevor?” a different boy asked.

“Find them, of course. They can’t have gone far. Come on,” Trevor ordered.

The pack’s footsteps thundered once more as they left. Once they couldn’t be heard anymore Nicoli released the breath he had been holding and slid down to the floor.

“Oh dear sweet God that was close,” he said, leaning his head back against the door.

“Man, you’re telling me. I think Trevor’s friends are a bit stupid, but they sure know how to work together,” Amelia said as she joined him on the floor, tucking her legs under her along with her violet skirt. “Ugh and all that running is making me want to say hello to the hotdog and sweetened-anchovies I just ate,” she groaned, placing a hand on her stomach.

“Eeeww, shut up or else I will throw up,” Nicoli gurgled as he flopped over onto his side. His recently filled stomach was also a bit upset from the excursion. “So, what do you think?” he then asked. “Think we can keep this up all school year?”

“Where there’s a will, there’s away,” Amelia replied as she turned and leaned back against Nicoli’s curled up legs. “We’re just gonna have to keep finding different hiding spots so they don’t get wise.”

“Great, well I’ll leave that to you since you know the school better than I do.”

“Aye aye, Captain,” Amelia said, saluting him. “I’ll get the blueprints of the school tonight and map out the best places to hide.”

What unnerved Nicoli was that he didn’t know if she was joking or not.

Silence fell between them as they rested and regained their breath. It was only the second day of being chased, but the two were already getting used to the routine that was being forced upon them: Look out for danger through the morning, avoid visual contact with the enemy during English, eat quickly during lunch, run at the first sight of trouble. Soon it would become as simple as breathing. Nicoli was sure of it.

As Nicoli lay on the floor he wished Amelia would say something. Anything. When it was silent his mind wandered and it would always go to the same place, without fail…

“My only wish, my only desire is to see that the Crystal Hearts are destroyed, before anyone else is hurt, but in order to do that I need to find them and get them without getting killed. That’s why I need your help, Nicoli.

Nicoli had heard Ethan’s voice over a thousand times as he tried to go to sleep last night. They’re whole conversation played itself through his mind like a bad movie. Again he wished Amelia would say something. He didn’t want to think about the decision he had to make. Or what would happen once he made it.

Ethan, you’re such a bastard, Nicoli thought. You were supposed to leave my life forever after you left my house. I could live with knowing that things like vampires and ghosts were real, but now you want me to join you in something that can get me killed…Selfish bastard.

But no matter how hard he cursed Ethan for the audacity of his offer; Nicoli had to curse himself for considering it. Every time he sucked up his resolve and was bound and determined not to show up on Sunday a small, wayward voice would whisper in his ear, like a dark, invisible shadow. It would make doubt grow in his mind and make him rethink his options.

Nicoli hated himself for it. Every time the voice made him waver he would have to remind himself that he was only human. What could he do? It wasn’t for sure that if he found the Hearts that he could get them without being killed and apparently a lot of people wanted the Hearts. If he came against any of them what would he do against vampires and who knows what else? He couldn’t fight. He wasn’t smart. He was human. He was nothing…

“Nicoli?”

Nicoli blinked as Amelia’s voice shattered through his thoughts and pulled him up for air that he desperately needed. He glanced over to see Amelia had turned herself enough to rest her arms on his legs and look at him. He was surprised that she looked…concerned.

“Hmm?” was all he could muster up as a reply.

“What’s wrong?”

It was a simple question, but for some reason it only made Nicoli even more frustrated than his thoughts had made him. He wanted to tell her. He wanted someone to talk to. He wanted help.

Nicoli looked away from her and stared ahead of him, tracing the dusty floor to the wall with his eyes.

“Nothing,” he said and his voice sounded much more hollow and angry than he meant it to be.

Nicoli was on his own. For once in his life he couldn’t depend on the help of others, and for that, it made him want to hate Ethan even more.

Amelia puffed out her cheeks and gave Nicoli’s hip a slap.

“Liar,” she accused. “You’re clearly upset about something. I can read your expressions like a book.”

Nicoli closed his eyes as the familiar, sultry voice of Ethan whispered in his ear,

“But you, on the other hand, Kid, are like an open book. I don’t even have to try and I can read you loud and clear.”

Damn you, shut up!!! Nicoli screamed at the voice in the darkness. I’m so weak even another human knows what I’m feeling just by looking at me. Why do you want me for this, Ethan? What do you see in me that I don’t? Answer me!?! But the voice did not reply, leaving Nicoli wanting to scream to relieve the frustration coiling in his chest so tight it felt like he couldn’t breathe.

Instead, Nicoli calmly opened his eyes and stared into nothing.

“It’s nothing, Amelia, just leave it,” he said, and instead of sounding firm, his voice wavered and turned into a plea. “It’s personal, so please…”

Amelia stared down at the boy, her concern growing. Nicoli had been acting strange all day. He was quieter than usual and when he bantered with her it was half-hearted. And she noticed, whenever he seemed to daydream, he looked angry and conflicted, as if battling with a personal demon within him.

“Are you still fighting with your friends?” she asked softly, grasping at a possible straw for his odd behavior.

“No,” Nicoli replied, glad for the change in subjects. “We made up Saturday.”

Amelia gave a small smile and laid down a bit to rest her head on Nicoli’s leg.

“Good, friends shouldn’t fight. Friends are very important to have. Losing one is like losing a part of yourself,” she said.

Nicoli glanced at her again, but said nothing. He admitted she was right. If he lost either Zack or Brittany he wouldn’t know what to do. He needed them…

“Oh!” Amelia abruptly sat up and slapped Nicoli’s hip again. “I just remembered something!”

“Ow, good for you, stop taking it out on me,” Nicoli snapped.

“What are you doing on Halloween?”

The question was so out of the blue Nicoli couldn’t do much but stare at Amelia.

“What?” he asked.

“What are you doing on Halloween?” Amelia repeated, looking at him expectantly.

“Uh…I dunno.” Nicoli’s eyes narrowed at Amelia. “I’m not going trick-or-treating with you if that’s what you’re expecting. I haven’t done that since I was thirteen.”

“Ah, seriously!?” Amelia said, looking at Nicoli like he had just killed somebody. “You are one poor, depraved child,” she told him then waved her hand dismissively when Nicoli opened his mouth to argue. “But that’s not why I wanted to know.”

Nicoli stared at her, his mouth still open. Now he was confused.

“Then why?” he asked.

“Every year there’s a Halloween party held at town hall. Most of the people that aren’t trick-or-treating or passing out candy goes and it’s really fun!” she explained. “I went for the first time last year and it was a lot funner than I expected. It’d be awesome if you went with me this year.”

“A Halloween party?” Nicoli repeated as he sat up.

“Yeah, and it’d be a good opportunity for you to meet some of my family,” Amelia added. “Oh! And you can invite yours too so I can meet them!”

Images of Nicoli’s mother gushing over Amelia and devising ways to get them together popped up in his head and the boy had to shake his head to get rid of them.

“That might not be a very good idea,” he murmured as he shuddered.

“Awe, come on, Nicoli. We need to hang out more than just at school. You’ll have fun. I promise. Please?” she begged.

Nicoli stared at her and thought it over. What could it hurt? He hadn’t actually let loose and went to any sort of party since he had moved to Whixton. It would be good for him. He was a teenage boy after all. He needed to have a little fun.

An image of Ethan appeared in his minds eye and reminded him of the predicament he was in. Nicoli quickly shooed the image away. He wasn’t going to let this nonsense control his life.

“Sure,” he said firmly, as if trying to prove something to the vampire. “I think you’re right. We’ll have loads of fun.” The boy then smiled and that coiling frustration loosened, just a little.

“Sweet! I knew you couldn’t refuse!” Amelia exclaimed as she threw her arms around his neck and hugged him.

Nicoli blushed and, after a moment, awkwardly hugged her back.

“And Nicoli?”

“Huh?” Nicoli could only see a mane of red hair as Amelia burrowed her face into Nicoli’s shoulder.

“This is going to sound weird, but I know we haven’t known each other long, but…I already feel like you’re a dear friend to me.” Amelia pulled back a little to smile up at him. “Even if you are annoying and stubborn sometimes. So…please don’t be afraid to talk to me if you need to get something off your chest. I’ll always have an open ear if you need me.”

The two stared at each other. What Amelia didn’t know was that Nicoli’s resolve almost buckled and broke the moment she said those words. He wanted to break down and tell her everything, about Ethan, about Felix, about the Hearts, and, for some reason, he felt she’d believe every word he’d say.

Instead the boy snorted and looked away.

“Do you know how corny you just sounded?” he asked.

“Yeah, but you know you love me for it!” Amelia said and tackle-hugged him, sending them both to the floor.

“Ah! Get off me you crazy woman!!!”

*********************************************

“And then whack! Pow! Boom! I sent them all flying and showed every one of those jerks that no one messes with Nicoli Vurkeshaun!” Nicoli said proudly, doing a few fake karate chops and kicks in the air.

Applause came from his laptop and he took a few bows.

“That’s my boy! Nic is top boss!” Zack cheered through the computer screen and thrusting his fist into the air.

“Yes, very boss like. Now how much of that was true?” a girl sitting beside Zack asked. She had straight, brown hair and chocolate brown eyes were almost hidden behind a pair of glasses. She had a knowing smirk on her face and her arms were crossed.

Nicoli laughed sheepishly as he sat down at the chair.

“I knew that wasn’t going to get by you, Brit. All of it was true until the fighting part. The truth is Amelia and I ran and hid in a vacant classroom.”

“Oh, man, that’s weak,” Zack muttered, visibly deflated.

“Well, what was I supposed to do!? There’s five of them against little ‘ol me! And you guys know what happened last time I tried to stand up to them,” Nicoli defended himself.

“Don’t worry, Nic, any rational person would have done the same,” Brittany assured him with a kind smile.

“Not me! I would have stood my ground and trounced them all!” Zack exclaimed proudly.

“Who said I was talking about you? We all know you’re just about as rational as a cockroach. Though that’d be insulting to the cockroach,” Brittany said, shaking her head.

“Ouch, babe, that hurts!”

Nicoli laughed as Zack looked like a puppy that had just been scolded. Talking with Zack and Brittany was doing wonders for his mood. Ethan and his proposition were the last things on his mind as he watched Brittany smack Zack over the head and chew him out for being such a clod. He wished he could confess to them everything else that had been going on, but he couldn’t. Not just because of the secrecy he was supposed to be keeping, but because he didn’t want to get his friends involved in this in any way, shape, or form.

“So, anyways, Nicoli,” Brittany said, adjusting her glasses once Zack was cowering. “How is this Amelia girl? Are you two getting along? Can you officially call her a friend?” she asked, looking serious. Brittany was ever the mother hen and wanted to know at least someone was looking out for her big mouthed friend.

Nicoli leaned back in his chair and put his hands behind his head. He looked thoughtful as he stared at a spot on the wall.

“An official friend? Well…”

“This is going to sound weird, but I know we haven’t known each other long, but…I already feel like you’re a dear friend to me. Even if you are annoying and stubborn sometimes. So…please don’t be afraid to talk to me if you need to get something off your chest. I’ll always have an open ear if you need me.”

Nicoli smiled and looked back to the screen at his waiting friends.

“Yeah, I can definitely say she’s a friend. She’s a cool chick. I think you guys would really like her,” he said. Saying it out loud, Nicoli felt better, somehow. As if he just realized he had a shred of sanity to cling to in the chaos his life was in right now. He had a friend…maybe even an ally.

“Thanks, Brit,” Nicoli said, his smile widening into a grin.

“Um, for what?” Brittany asked, looking at an equally confused Zack, who only shrugged.

“You just made me realize that Amelia may be able to help me more than I thought.”

*********************************

[Wednesday: Four Days]

“Wait, so let me get this straight. This guy is being offered to do something no one else has ever done, but it doesn’t really benefit him in anyway and could possibly get him killed, right?”

“Right.”

“…what movie was this again?” Amelia asked with a raised brow and a tilt of her head.

“Umm…I don’t remember the title. It’s just a movie I caught last night while doing homework,” Nicoli lied through his teeth.

It was hard to gauge Amelia’s reaction to his tale of the made-up movie since there was hardly any light seeping in through the bottom of the janitor’s closet. Nicoli had been dumbfounded when the red head had met him that morning with blueprints to the school, just like she promised. What really floored him was that they were the originals and no matter how many times he asked where she got them Amelia would just giggle and say it was a secret.

The closet they were in now was an old janitor closet that was never used anymore except for storage, the perfect place to hide as the teenagers ate their lunch.

The reason Nicoli was discussing this with her was because he had finally broken down and, with the brilliant idea he had had last night, decided to ask Amelia for her advice on the situation. She didn’t have to know that the circumstances were real and not in some movie.

“Huh, weird,” Amelia mumbled before taking a bite of her hamburger that had a layer of homemade strawberry jam in it. “Sounds like an interesting movie though. So, what exactly was your question about it?” she asked with her mouth full of meat, buns, and jam.

“You’re so lady-like,” Nicoli muttered and his own tray of nachos nearly toppled out of his lap as Amelia kicked him. “Ow, Jesus, woman, is your shoe made out of lead?” he asked as the girl just snickered. “Anyways,” Nicoli said as he shifted on his overturned bucket. “I just want to know what would drive someone to even consider something like that. I mean, he’s basically getting nothing out of it, some other asshole will be getting all the credit and profit, and, on top of it all, the guy could get killed! What reason would stop this guy from saying ‘Screw you’ and kicking the other guy in the nuts?” he asked.

It drove Nicoli crazy that he couldn’t decipher his own feelings and motives on the subject, but he hoped Amelia would be able to give him even the slightest insight on his own thinking.

“Well, I would think its obvious what he’s getting out of it,” Amelia said with a shrug and continued eating.

The answer was so matter-of-fact Nicoli was stunned for several moments. Was it really so simple that she could say it so flippantly?

“W-what is it then?” Nicoli asked as he felt his heart beat a little faster. Amelia broke it down to a single word.

“Glory.”

The boy blinked at Amelia. Glory? Was that all there was to it?

“Glory?” Nicoli echoed. “What do you mean?” he asked.

“Come on now, glory! Sure the guy isn’t getting anything material or valuable for his trouble, but he’d be getting glory. You said yourself what he was being asked to do was something that hardly any people have done.” Amelia decided to expand on her theory when she felt Nicoli was still doubtful.

“Men always are going on about their pride and honor, right?” she asked and the boy nodded. “Well, glory fits right in there, too. The glory of doing something incredible is something most people want, even if they don’t know it.”

“So that’s all I – he wants?” Nicoli quickly corrected himself and hoped Amelia didn’t catch his slip-up. “He just wants glory? That’s why he was considering it?”

“It may sound simple, but it’s really not,” Amelia added as she set her burger down. “I see it this way,” she said as she leaned back on a pile of boxes and closed her eyes. “Nowadays people are all very much the same. We are all born, we grow up, we go to school, we work for the rest of our lives, and then we die. It’s a cycle that’s hard to escape from. One person goes through the same routine day after day just like any other person.”

Amelia opened her eyes to look at Nicoli and the two stared at each other as she continued.

“People want…people need to feel special sometimes, to get out of those routines and break away from everyone else and scream at the top of their lungs “Look at me! I’m special and different from everyone else!” So I can really see why it would be hard for the man in that movie to decide what to do,” Amelia told the boy. “I know that if someone came up to me and gave me a once in a life-time opportunity, even if it was dangerous and I could die…I’d most likely end up accepting.”

Amelia finished her explanation and grinned at Nicoli.

“So, does that answer your question?” she asked.

Nicoli looked at her for a moment before staring off into a random spot of the dark closet. He mulled over every work Amelia had said and tried to put it into his own feelings. Finally he smiled and nodded as he looked back at her.

“Yeah, it actually does,” he answered then laughed and scratched the back of his head. “Man, Amelia, I didn’t know you could be so philosophical.”

Amelia chuckled and smirked.

“Hey, I can have my moments. I’m not a complete whacked out spaz just yet,” she told him then leaned forward with a look of interest. “So, what did the guy end up deciding to do in the movie?” she asked him eagerly.

“Huh?” Nicoli mumbled in confusion, having chosen that time to stick a cheesy chip in his mouth. “Oh, um, I have no idea,” he told her after swallowing. “I ended up having to take a shower so I completely missed the rest of it.”

“Lame! Now I’m really curious,” Amelia exclaimed dramatically. “We’re going to have to try and find it so I can see it. It’s probably going to drive me crazy now!”

Nicoli simply laughed and he was able to enjoy the rest of his time idly chatting with Amelia in their hiding spot. Her answer hadn’t helped Nicoli with his decision in the least, but it felt like a weight had been lifted off his chest and he could breathe again. He was finally able to give a reason for his doubt and hesitance in his decision and in just doing that, somehow, it felt like he had won half the battle.

****************************

[Friday: Two Days]

Loud, excited barking echoed through Twilight Forest and Banshee Cliffs as Beethoven darted from the trees and began chasing birds that were perched on the rocks of the cliff. In a flurry of feathers the birds took off and squawked as Beethoven jumped into the air and snapped at them with his teeth.

“Hey there, big guy, don’t get too close to the edge,” Nicoli chided as he emerged from the woods. He chuckled and shook his head as he watched the canine continue to bark and do odd little hops after the birds that were already specks in the sky.

Nicoli stopped at the edge of the forest and looked out at the rocky cliff and where it abruptly veered off into nothing. From where he was he could see the unusually vacant space where a chunk of the cliff used to be, before Felix had made it collapse to save Nicoli.

The boy didn’t know what drove him into going to Banshee Cliffs. To the place that had single-handedly changed his life forever. It just seemed that, with everything on his mind, going to the place it all started was the thing to do. As soon as school was over he had gone home then made some excuse to his mother about taking Beethoven for a walk and ended up at the cliffs.

What was supposed to happen though? What would coming to the cliffs accomplish? Would he have some sudden epiphany and know what to do with such clarity it’d be overly outstanding? Nicoli doubted it.

With small, hesitant steps Nicoli ventured away from the safety of the trees. He could hear and feel the rocks crunch under him, much like they had that night. A cool, light breeze came from the lake and caressed Nicoli’s face and played with his hair. The cliffs seemed much more welcoming and less foreboding in the daylight, though with each step Nicoli could feel his body shaking more and more.

Finally Nicoli reached the very edge. He looked out at the sparkling, clear blue water of Lucid Lake. It shimmered with gems created by the sunlight and the waves danced and swayed, as if to some music Nicoli couldn’t hear. The boy struggled to swallow a lump in his throat as he then slowly looked down. The face of the cliff plummeted so drastically into the water below that Nicoli found himself taking a step back and his very bones quaked.

“Damn it, come on,” he cursed himself and went back to the edge and looked down once more. He studied all of the pointed rocks that peered out from the glossy water and how the waves crashed into the base of the cliff, as if trying to claw up the rocky wall and get to the boy. It was almost surreal to Nicoli to think he had fallen from such a height and survived. The rocks should have crushed him, should have snapped and broken every bone and smashed every organ in his body. The waves should have engulfed him and dragged him into its greedy depths to make his watery grave. But he was in one piece, he was alive, Nicoli had cheated death.

Staring for so long Nicoli began to wonder if this was how Omen had seen it; watched without care from the tops of the cliffs as a helpless teenager fell to his death. For a brief, terrifying moment, Nicoli could see it. He could see himself as he fell, the look of pure horror and fear etched into his face as he reached out for someone, anyone to save him as gravity took him down and down until…

Nicoli let out a sharp cry as he hurriedly retreated from the edge of the cliff and covered his head with his arms. No, he didn’t want to see it. It was too horrendous and terrible to think of right now, to ever think of.

Nicoli yelped and gave a start when something touched his leg. He looked down to see Beethoven by his side pawing his leg. The dog whined and tilted his head at the boy. Nicoli gave a shaky laugh as he knelt down and scratched the dog’s neck, burying his fingers in the thick fur.

“Sorry, Buddy, I’m just thinking about things I shouldn’t think of,” he said. The fall didn’t kill him, it was over and done with, and he didn’t need to ponder on it any longer. He had more pressing issues to deal with.

*************

“Go get it, Beethoven!” Nicoli cried as he threw a stick off in the distance. His pitching arm was still strong, even though he hadn’t played baseball in years. He smiled around the long piece of grass he was chewing on as he watched his dog run off after the stick. The smile then disappeared and he sighed as he plopped down on a large rock.

No matter how hard he tried to distract himself the decision was still looming over his head. What was he to do? After so many days of mulling it over he still wasn’t any closer to the answer.

Amelia had given him a clue as to why it was being so hard to make a decision, but it didn’t help him in making it. What to do? What to do? On one hand he could not show up on Sunday and go back to his normal life where his only hardship would be avoiding Trevor and his friends all school year. On the other hand he could show up and…but what would happen? Maybe that’s what scared Nicoli the most. He knew that if he accepted the offer a portion of risk and danger were going to come with it, but he didn’t know exactly what was going to happen.

“Fear of the unknown. The greatest fear in the world,” Nicoli muttered to no one. “And here I thought all of this was just a crock. Maybe that’s why this is all happening to me,” he said as he lowered his head into his hand. “It’s someone’s way of telling me I was the ignorant moron all along.”

Nicoli sat there for a long time, staring off over the lake. It seemed nothing could move him from his revere. Not even when Beethoven came back, wanting to play more. When the boy showed no signs of continuing the game the canine simply sat beside his master, stick in mouth as he waited.

But no matter how long Nicoli was there on Banshee Cliffs he never noticed that he and Beethoven were not alone. High up in a tree a figure watched the boy through the remaining leaves clinging to the branches.

“You’re really fucking that boy over, you know that, right?” Felix asked as he appeared on a branch above the vampire’s.

“I know,” Ethan replied curtly, leaning against the trunk of the tree as he watched Nicoli over the rim of his sunglasses.

Felix rested his cheek in his hand as he also looked. He then sighed as he leaned over to look down at the other.

“What the hell is the point of all this? We don’t need him. For some reason, that I can’t seem to understand, you’ve disillusioned yourself into thinking the brat is going to be the key in getting the Hearts.” The ghost then phased through the branch so he was upside down and was face to face with the vampire.

“Well, news flash, Ethan. He’s not. He’s a no one. A nothing. He’d only get in the way and you know it. So get your head out of your ass and wake up and smell the bloodbath because that’s what its going to be if you go through with this,” Felix snapped. “If Nicoli doesn’t get killed by our enemies then you know very well who’ll do it. Big daddy, Conrad, which is something else you should consider. When Conrad hears about this –”

“Conrad will have no say in it,” Ethan cut the ghost off, his voice held an edge of ice that matched the cold stare he fixed on the ghost. “He told me before I left that I had free reign to do what I very well pleased if it meant getting closer to the Hearts. This is my decision and my decision alone. If Conrad has a problem with it I’ll deal with him when the time comes.”

Felix blinked at the vampire. He then made a disgusted sound as he pulled himself back up onto his branch.

“You are so infuriating! Well, don’t come crying to me when Conrad spanks and scolds you for being a pig-headed, disobedient little child,” Felix said then crossed his arms and hmphed.

Silence descended down on them as they continued to watch the boy. Nicoli was back to playing with Beethoven, apparently he was done contemplating for the time being.

“What do you think he will decide?” Ethan asked.

Felix arched an eyebrow as he looked from the boy down to the vampire under him. He then scowled as he went through his branch and landed on Ethan’s.

“I don’t care what he decides. He could decide to jump off the cliff right now for what its worth,” the ghost snarled as he looked back over to said cliffs. “I just hope he makes the choice that’ll piss me off less.”

“Do you still think I’ll be hurt by him?”

Felix’s eyes widened and he whipped his head around to look at the vampire. The soul-searing, prodding stare Ethan gave him was enough to make even Felix’s non-existent skin prickle. The ghost then hmphed again and turned his back on the other. He put his hands behind his head as he strolled down the branch.

“I’m not even going to dignify that with a response. I said my piece and it hasn’t, and won’t ever, change,” Felix answered.

The ghost was surprised when he heard a chuckle behind him and was even more surprised when Ethan was beside him and planted a kiss on his cheek, though Ethan’s lips didn’t press against anything solid.

Felix turned enough to stare up at the vampire in confusion.

“You’ve always been such a sweet worrywart, Felix. It makes my cold, dead heart warm knowing that you care so much about me,” Ethan said with a smile that radiated affection.

Felix stared at him before abruptly looking away and the skin of his face became a concentrated whitish gray, a ghost’s version of a blush.

“Idiot,” was all Felix said. He made himself tangible on instinct when Ethan’s arm came around his waist and the vampire’s mouth brushed against the shell of Felix’s ear, caressing it with a cold breath.

“Maybe I am. Maybe I’m doing this for all the wrong reasons, but I believe, to my very core, that Nicoli can help us. Then, once we get what we want, Nicoli will disappear from our lives forever, I’ll make sure of it.”

Felix kept quiet the disbelieving sigh that tried to claw out of his throat and simply let the vampire press a kiss to his ear. He didn’t feel like arguing anymore. He knew that once Ethan made a decision not even the devil could persuade him otherwise. It was a lost cause. He would never be able to make the vampire see that he was blowing nothing but hot air. Ethan couldn’t use people without care. It just wasn’t in him.

“Come, I think it’s time for us to go,” Ethan said and pulled away from the ghost.

Felix looked back at him in surprise, but then noticed he was looking out towards the cliffs again. The ghost glanced in the same direction and saw Nicoli seemed to be preparing to leave as well.

“Truth be told,” Ethan said, making Felix look to him. “I think come Sunday…we won’t be seeing our little human friend. He may be tormenting over the decision now, but, in the end, he’s going to want to stay in his normal, safe life. Cause, really, isn’t that what we all want in the end? Security and normalcy?” Ethan asked, glancing at the ghost out of the corner of his eye. “But until then, we’ll leave him to his thinking. We owe him at least that much.”

Before Felix could open his mouth the vampire was gone. Vanished in the blink of an eye. The ghost slowly closed his mouth and turned in the direction Ethan had gone, flitting through the trees like an ominous wind.

“Come on, Beethoven!”

Felix looked down just in time to see Nicoli pass by his tree with his canine companion in tow. The ghost’s brows furrowed into a knot and he released an aggravated sigh through his nose.

“You may owe him his time to think, Ethan, but maybe its time I step in and give him a little helpful shove in the right direction,” Felix muttered. If Ethan believed Nicoli was going to refuse the offer, then Felix wanted to make sure that refusal would be concrete.

“Human’s should never meddle in the affairs of vampires. The consequences are too tremendous to bear…as you’re about to find out, Little one.”

Felix clasped the sides of his head with his hands as that voice whispered its deadly poison in his ears once more. He wanted to scream just to drown it out, but grounded his teeth together to keep himself silent. His hands slowly slipped from his skull and he watched through half-lidded eyes as Nicoli left his range of vision.

“I will not let those consequences come to pass again. Not if I have anything to say about it.”

A gentle breeze rose from the lake again and the translucent ghosts body dissolved and let the wind carry him away.

********************************************

[Saturday: One Day]

“Honey, are you sure you don’t want any breakfast?” Laura asked through Nicoli’s dented door.

Nicoli sighed from where he was seated on the edge of his bed.

“No, Mom, I’m sure. I’ll eat later. I’m not hungry just yet,” he answered.

He heard an equally exasperated sigh come from the other side of the door.

“All right, just don’t come downstairs later whining that you’re starving.”

“I won’t,” Nicoli said as he chuckled and shook his head. He listened to his mother’s footsteps fade as she went back down the stairs. Once he was sure she was gone he heaved a sigh and looked down at the strip of paper in his hands. He had read the address over a million times, but he couldn’t stop himself from reading it again and again.

After awhile of staring at it the boy groaned and let himself fall back on the bed. He stared at the ceiling before lifting the paper up into the air and reading over every carefully written letter.

“I don’t believe this,” he grumbled as he let his hands fall to the bed. “I’ve had six days. Six days to figure out what the hell I’m going to do and…I’m not anywhere closer to a decision. It’s hopeless.” Nicoli covered his eyes with his free hand and he released a sigh that turned into a growl half-way. “I’m running out of time.”

Nicoli lay on his bed, letting the seconds tick by into minutes. The boy then abruptly sat up and crumbled the paper in his hands.

“You know what, no. Just no. I’m not going to be an idiot and agree to this psychotic offer and get myself killed,” he told himself as he stood up and stormed over to his wastebasket. “Screw you and the damn Hearts, Ethan, you’re not getting me roped into this,” Nicoli said as he threw the paper with all his might into the basket. After a big, sigh of determination and relief, Nicoli wrenched open his door and left the room, changing his mind about food.

Not a minute later footsteps hurriedly came back to the room and Nicoli entered swiftly and descended on the small trashcan. He dug through it until he found the small, crumbled up ball. Nicoli stared at it in the palm of his hand before leaning back as far as he could and covering his head with his arms and letting out a guttural cry.

“I’m weak! I know I’m weak and I hate myself for it,” he said as he got up and went to his nightstand. He smoothed out the paper as best as he could before setting it down on the table’s surface. Nicoli stared at it before sitting down on his bed. Now he was back to square one.

“I’m not gonna have to worry about Sunday because I’m going to end up killing myself over this,” the boy grumbled as he stared at the paper through narrowed eyes. Every time he thought he had the answer he’d go back on it and it was starting to drive him crazy.

After an eternity of staring Nicoli stood up and worried his lip with his teeth. There was no use in staring at a piece of paper. It wouldn’t help him decide any.

“Fine, I’m just going to go take a shower,” he told himself. “Maybe I can think in there.” He kept back his inner voice that told him he hadn’t been able to think any better the last hundred times he had retreated to the shower. Maybe this time would be different.

**********************

Nicoli let out a contented sigh as the water pulsed out of the shower head and berated his skin with droplets. The boy put his hands on the shower wall and leaned over enough so the water ran down his back. He watched as the water fell from his soaked hair and the water that was sliding down his nude form and heading for the drain.

Showers always were able to calm and relax Nicoli. But not even the spray of warm water could ease the knot of frustration that had been building in Nicoli’s forehead for the past six days.

He stayed leaned over, hands against the wall for what seemed like hours as he mulled over every possible thought he could think of. But no matter what, nothing was made clear to him and he could feel himself falling into a void of hopelessness and indecision.

“Gah! Why did I even care!?” he finally cried out. It was a thought that had kept recurring whenever he tried to decide what to do. “Why did I care enough to go after Ethan when Omen was chasing him?” he asked out loud, as if it’d help him answer it easier. “If I hadn’t I wouldn’t be in this mess. What the hell was I thinking?” Nicoli folded his arms against the tiled wall and rested his head on them.

“I hardly knew Ethan at that time. Why did I care?” he muttered miserably.

“Don’t feel bad, Ethan has that affect on people.”

Nicoli gasped and spun around, almost slipping on the wet floor in the process. Back against the wall, he stared with wide eyes at the last person he expected to see.

“Felix!” he exclaimed in shock.

“Yo,” Felix greeted with a wave and a devilish smirk. That reaction alone was worth the trip to the boy’s house.

Nicoli continued to stare at the ghost until it dawned on him where they were and exactly what state he was in.

“Dude! Get out of my freaking shower!” Nicoli yelled as his whole face turned red and he covered himself with his hands.

Felix just rolled his eyes and crossed his arms.

“What are you, a woman? I’ve told you before that you don’t have anything I haven’t seen so stop freaking out,” the ghost said nonchalantly.

“I don’t care if you’ve seen a hundred penises that doesn’t mean I want you to see mine. Now get the hell out!” Nicoli snapped and tried pushing the ghost out of the shower. Unfortunately Nicoli forgot that he couldn’t touch the ghost and his arm went right through him.

Nicoli gasped and quickly pulled his arm back as it felt like thousands of tiny icicles were puncturing his skin. He held the arm to himself and, to his horror, realized he had no feeling in his arm. It had gone completely numb and lifeless.

“That’s your own fault,” Felix sneered, but then sighed when Nicoli looked at him in extreme panic. “Stop getting your panties in a twist. You’ll be fine. Just think of it like you kept your arm in a snow bank a little too long.”

Nicoli looked from Felix to his arm and noticed he was already getting some feeling back. The uncomfortable feeling of droplets of hot water hitting his frozen arm was hard to miss. When he was comforted in the fact that he wasn’t going to lose his arm he glared at the ghost.

“Okay, good, now get the hell out until I’m done,” he growled.

“Whatever you say,” Felix replied and blew a raspberry before disappearing through the shower stall door.

Nicoli scowled after him before turning toward the water and holding his arm underneath it. He winced as the warm water fought to take the chill from his skin. He was surprised he didn’t have frostbite. From just being around the ghost Nicoli knew he was cold, but he never would believe Felix felt like a raging blizzard. He would have to remember never to do that again.

Once Nicoli was sure his arm was fully functional and unharmed he turned off the water and opened the shower door enough to reach around and grab a towel from the rack attached to it.

“So what the hell are you doing here, Felix?” Nicoli asked as he stepped out of the shower after wrapping the towel around his waist. “I still have a day to decide what I’m going to do,” he said as he began ringing out his hair and letting the excess water fall into the bathtub. “If Ethan is making you try and force my hand then –”

“Ethan doesn’t know I’m here,” Felix interrupted. He leaned back against the wall from where he was sitting on the counter and watched as Nicoli froze and stared at him in surprise.

“He…doesn’t?” Nicoli asked slowly as he stood up straight. “Then why are you –”

“I have my reasons,” the ghost cut him off again. “I just want to talk to you and make sure you know the gravity of the situation before you do something completely stupid.”

Nicoli stared at him before huffing and raking his fingers through his damp hair.

“I would think from all the snide little comments you made on Monday that you had said all that you wanted to say. I already know how dangerous and life altering this is going to be so I don’t see what else you can say to help me any,” Nicoli said with a shrug of his shoulders.

“Nicoli, you hardly know anything,” Felix said, and the boy was surprised to hear him sounding so serious. He would never get used to it. “Sit,” the ghost then directed pointing at the countertop on the other side of the sink.

Nicoli thought of making a rude comment, but Felix had intrigued him so he did as he was told and hopped up on the counter.

“Okay, so what do you want to tell me?” Nicoli asked, thinking it best to hear the ghost out.

“Well, we’ll start off with what I said before you had your hissy fit,” Felix began. “You really shouldn’t hold it against yourself for following Ethan into the woods. You were wondering why you cared enough to do something dumb like following after us and I’ll tell you that Ethan is just that kind of person.”

“…what kind of person?” Nicoli asked in confusion.

Felix scowled, but not at Nicoli. It was like the ghost was trying to arrange his thoughts and how best to describe them.

“Well, charismatic would be the best way to put it, I guess,” Felix finally answered and scratched around his scarf to get to his neck. “Ethan has charisma pouring out of his ears. Even people who just meet him for the briefest of seconds want to know more about him and are drawn to him like moths to a flame.”

“And you’re saying that’s why I followed him into the woods?” Nicoli questioned. “Because I was…charmed by him?”

Felix clapped his hands together and grinned at the boy.

“Yes, that’s exactly it. That was the word I was looking for. You were charmed by him, or at least curious, and that could explain why you and that little friend of yours felt the need to stalk us in town.” Felix smiled when Nicoli’s face turned read. “Don’t think we didn’t know.”

“Er, yeah…that was Amelia’s idea, just to clarify,” Nicoli pointed out as he rubbed the back of his neck. “Okay, so I’ve been “charmed” by Ethan into following him in town and that night in the woods. What does that have to do with anything?”

“I just want to make sure you won’t have that charm cloud your judgment is all,” Felix answered. “I don’t want you getting wrapped up in all of Ethan’s sugary sweet words because, believe me, it’s hard to resist. But to tell you the truth, and I’m sure you’re feeling this way too, I have no idea why Ethan is trying to drag you into this mess,” the ghost said softly. “It boggles my mind is what it does.”

“…yeah,” Nicoli agreed. “I had been wondering the same thing. I’m just a city kid that got caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. So…you really don’t know why he’s doing this?” he asked.

“Nope, the thing about Ethan is, well, no one really ever knows why he does anything. I don’t think he knows half the time,” Felix admitted as he leaned forward and rested his hands on the edge of the counter. “He’s a mystery wrapped up in an annoying enigma, but, Nicoli, you really have to think about this.”

Nicoli glared at the ghost as he swept a stray hair behind his ear.

“What the hell do you think I’ve been pulling my hair out over? I’ve been thinking for the past six days to the point I just want to blow my own brains out,” he grumbled.

“Yeah, yeah, I know, but I want you to really think. I know you probably realize by now that this is hardly a game. If you agree to help you will be faced with things you can’t even imagine in your worst nightmares, and I’m not exaggerating that either,” Felix said with an imploring stare. “Not only that, but if you agree to help Ethan than there’s more than just your life at stake.”

Nicoli blinked at him in bewilderment.

“More than just mine? Who else could be at risk if I agree?” he asked.

“Ethan.”

The boy couldn’t help but stare at the somber look Felix had; telling him the ghost was being completely serious.

“Ethan?”

“Yes, see? I knew you didn’t think over every crucial detail,” the ghost said. “Let’s face it, you’re a pampered human, there’s not much of anything you could do in a fight against monsters like us. You couldn’t even do much of anything against Omen and he’s human…more or less. If you’re put in a situation like that Ethan is going to have to worry about you and protect you. That makes him vulnerable, Nicoli. If his enemies catch that vulnerability, even for a second, it could get him killed and I am not about to let that happen.”

Silence fell once Felix was done. Nicoli had to swallow a lump in his throat. Hand it to Felix to make him feel like complete shit. It wasn’t like those thoughts hadn’t crossed his mind before. It was his main thought. He was human. What could he do? But it was exactly for that reason that Ethan said he wanted him to join them. Because he was human.

“It’s not just that either, Nicoli,” Felix said, his voice breaking the silence and drawing the boy out of his thoughts. “Like you already know, there are many people trying to find the Hearts. Most of them are vampires, other are humans etc. etc. But some of those people are our enemies. Heartless, ruthless enemies that would kill their own mother just to get the Hearts for themselves.” The ghost turned his head to look at the boy. “Given that, what do you think they’d do to you? A little human that just happened to stumble into this?” he asked.

“Uh – I,” truth was Nicoli had no idea what to say about that.

“Don’t answer, it was a rhetorical question,” Felix told him. “But, hopefully that’ll put some things into perspective for you. It’s a dangerous world out there, Nicoli, and what you’re being led into is the most dangerous part of all.” Felix’s face became solemn once more and he looked up to where the wall met the ceiling. “It’s a cruel, dangerous world for people like us, Nicoli, people who don’t know better, who care too much, and can hardly protect the ones they love, let alone themselves.”

Nicoli stared at the ghost and he began to worry his bottom lip again. The question that had been nagging at the back of his mind since he met the ghost came up again, demanding he voiced it. After some thinking he decided to bite the bullet and ask. If Felix was so bent on warning him of the dangers of the situation the answer could be helpful.

“Is that what happened to you, Felix?” he asked and watched as the ghost blinked then looked at him in confusion.

“Huh?”

“Is that the reason you died? Did you get caught up in all this and died because of it? Because of the Hearts?” Nicoli asked and he could feel his own heart beating faster. He hoped the ghost wouldn’t get pissed at him for asking.

But Felix didn’t get angry, not right away at least. He seemed stunned by the question, the neutral. It was hard for Nicoli to gauge his reaction.

“That’s…a very personal question,” Felix finally said and the living boy could feel the hairs on the back of his neck prickle.

“I-I know. Sorry, that was out of line.”

“Yeah, it was.”

An awkward silence followed and Nicoli wanted to punch himself for asking something so stupid.

“…yes and no.”

Nicoli blinked and turned to the ghost. That did come from him, didn’t it?”

“What?” the boy asked.

“Yes and no…though I guess it’d be mostly no,” Felix said softly, running his fingers through his short hair. “Yes, it’s a very large no with about five percent of it being yes,” he mumbled, mostly to himself before turning to a very bewildered Nicoli. “No, the Hearts aren’t the reason I died. My death was due to something totally unrelated. I had heard about the Hearts while I was alive, sure, but I only got involved with them after I was dead and had become what you see now,” the ghost explained.

“…really?” Nicoli asked, as if he didn’t believe him.

“Yes, really.”

“Then…why did you say it was yes and no?” the boy questioned, not totally understanding.

Felix was quiet as he thought. He then scratched his head and shrugged.

“I guess you can say in some small, very indirect way, that I died because of the Hearts, but that would only be for someone who was looking too much into it,” he answered. “That’s why I said its yes and no, but I see it as purely no.”

So…Felix wasn’t one of the close friends Ethan said had died because of the Hearts, Nicoli thought. It was odd, that news relieved him somewhat and he wasn’t sure why.

“So, then how did you –”

“I’m not answering that,” Felix cut him off harshly and fixed Nicoli with a cold glare that made the boy’s eyes go wide. “Ghosts are very temperamental when it comes to their deaths. Asking one about how they died, especially one you hardly know, is highly offensive,” the ghost snapped. “You asked if my death had anything to do with Hearts and I told you, but if you think you’ll be getting anymore out of me you’re sorely mistaken.”

Nicoli stared at Felix in disbelief, but then felt ashamed at himself for trying to go further into the subject. It was true, Felix and he hardly knew each other and Nicoli had no right in asking something like that.

“Uh – I – I’m sorry,” was all he could say.

After a few minutes Nicoli felt that he should say something, anything to lift the tension, but what finally broke the silence almost made him fall of the counter. Felix laughed. The ghost abruptly started laughing and the grin he had on his face as he put his hands behind his head made Nicoli even more confused.

“Though, maybe I don’t have to worry about any of this. Maybe I’m jumping the gun a little,” Felix said.

“Um…what do you mean?” Nicoli asked in bewilderment.

“What I mean is, even if you agree you may not even have a chance of starting to work with us,” Felix elaborated with that devilish little smirk again. “Because once Conrad finds out about this he just may make Ethan cut off all ties with you, no matter what the big-headed twit says.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, wait just one second here,” Nicoli said, sliding off the counter and stepping in front of Felix. “Just who the hell is Conrad?” he demanded.

Felix’s smirk only widened.

“Conrad, my dear Nicoli,” he said, lightly brushing the tip of the boy’s nose with his finger, “is Ethan’s father.”

Nicoli stopped rubbing his cold nose and stared at Felix in a state of shock and disbelief.

“Wh-what?” he stuttered. “Ethan’s father is a vampire too?” he asked incredulously.

“Not his biological father,” Felix said with a dismissive wave of his hand. “Conrad is his Blood Father.” When Nicoli continued to stare at him in confusion Felix sighed and rolled his eyes. “He’s Ethan’s sire, dumbass. Is that really so hard to understand?”

Nicoli’s face reddened and he hmphed as he crossed his arms.

“Of course I understand what a sire is. I just never heard them called Blood Father’s, or whatever, before. So, wait…can this guy really make Ethan go back on all of this?” Nicoli asked.

“Of course,” Felix said as he leaned back. “Conrad is his sire, his master, no matter how big Ethan thinks his fangs are, he’ll roll over and show his belly the second Conrad raises his voice,” the ghost explained. “And once Conrad finds out about Ethan trying to bring you, a human, into his business, I’m more than certain Conrad will have more than a few things to say about it.”

“So…Conrad will disapprove?” Nicoli asked.

“Without a doubt.”

“Then why is Ethan even trying this then? I don’t get it. If his sire would disapprove of this so strongly why would Ethan even try?”

“Like I said before no one really ever knows why Ethan does what he does, even if it is against his father’s wishes. It’s just what makes Ethan, Ethan,” Felix said with a shrug.

Nicoli opened his mouth to reply when a knock came from the door. Both boy’s quickly looked to the door and quieted immediately.

“Yes?” Nicoli called out.

“Did you fall in the toilet, Son? You’ve been in there forever,” Lance’s voice carried from the other side of the door.

Nicoli and Felix glanced at each other before the living boy fell into the role of his normal self.

“Har, har, Dad, very funny. Why do you care how long I’m in here for? You have your own bathroom,” Nicoli said.

“Well, your mother sent me, actually. Lunch is ready and she wants you to come eat. Something about you not eating breakfast and you know how she gets if she thinks you’re not eating enough,” Lance replied.

“Right, I’ll be out in a second then and tell Mom I’ll eat two servings to make up for breakfast.”

“Will do, Son. I’m sure that’ll appease her. Just hurry it up though, she says I can’t eat until you’re at the table.”

Nicoli waited until he was certain his father was gone before looking at Felix.

“I guess we’ll have to cut our talk short,” he said.

“Yeah, no kidding,” Felix agreed. “I have to be going anyways. There’s only so long Ethan will believe I’m actually at the cemetery.” The ghost floated up from the counter and stood directly in front of the boy. “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t tell him I was here. I’d rather not get an earful from him, but if anything good comes out of this, I hope I was at least able to help you really think about this and to not take it lightly. Mortals should stay in the world of mortals. The dark world of the occult is no place for mortals such as yourself.”

Before Nicoli even had a chance to respond, Felix was gone. It took a second for the boy to register that he was alone. When it set in he sighed and leaned against the counter. Now he was really confused. He wasn’t sure whether what Felix told him had helped him or just made his decision harder.

Nicoli was sure of one thing though, even though there was danger, even if it got him killed, even if it pissed off Ethan’s father, the decision was his to make and one way or another, he’d make it.

************************************

[Sunday: Zero]

“Nicoli? Are you going somewhere?” Laura asked, looking away from the Food Network playing on the television just in time to see her son go by, dressed and zipping his jacket up.

“Oh, uh, yeah, Mom,” Nicoli said, backtracking into the living room. “I thought I’d go for a walk and get some fresh air.”

“Ooooh you’re not sneaking off to meet up with a certain girl are you?” his mother asked teasingly.

Nicoli rolled his eyes and shook his head.

“Mom, you really need to stop insinuating me and Amelia have a thing going on. It’s getting really creepy,” he told her. “And no, I’m not meeting up with her. I just felt like going for a walk.”

“Oh, fine, just crush your mother’s hopes and dreams,” Laura sniffled dramatically. “Just don’t be out too late,” she said, changing gears at the speed of light. “You have school tomorrow and I don’t want you complaining that you’re tired in the morning just because you decided to go and be a wild and crazy teenager.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll be home at a reasonable hour,” Nicoli said with another roll of his eyes as he made his way to the door.

“Love you, Sweetie!” Laura called.

“Love you, too.”

Nicoli sighed as he walked along the road that led into town. He quickly tugged his hood over his head and stuffed all of his loose hair into it. Nicoli hadn’t seen hide nor hair of Omen since the night the psycho chased him through the woods, but he was sure that if Ethan was still in Whixton, Omen would be too and if the boy happened to bump into him Nicoli didn’t want to give Omen the chance to recognize him easily. Though, at the moment, Omen was the least of his worries.

It was Sunday, the fateful day he had been dreading all week. What was worse is that he still hadn’t a clue on what he was going to do. He was sure he’d need a few years to think everything out carefully, but he didn’t have years.

Nicoli wasn’t even sure what he was doing walking around at the moment. He thought maybe it’d help him think in the limited time he had left. It wasn’t working.

The boy stopped in his tracks and looked up at the sunny, clear sky.

“I can’t do this,” he muttered. “No matter what I think or what I’m told I can’t decide between the obvious choice and the suicidal one. Yeah…I’m not fucked up in the head, not at all.”

With another heavy sigh Nicoli forced his feet to continue onward. One thing was clear though. He needed to make a decision before he reached town.

***************************

“Son of a fucking bitch,” Nicoli snarled as he stared at the wooden door with worn numbers hammered into it.

Nicoli had walked aimlessly for over an hour and, before he knew it, his feet had taken him to the last place he wanted to go. Ethan’s hotel room.

He had no clue what he wanted to do, so what was he doing here? He was only supposed to show up if he knew, for certain, that he wanted to help. So much for that.

Nicoli stood outside the door for several minutes, just staring at it. He must have looked very suspicious: A teenage boy standing outside a hotel room, wearing a hooded jacket and, to top it all off, looking jittery and nervous. He wasn’t sure if he looked like a druggy looking for a fix or a male prostitute showing up for a client.

“Shit, I’m here, what the hell am I going to do?” Nicoli muttered under his breath as he began pacing in front of the door. After doing that for awhile Nicoli stopped in front of the door. His mind was a frantic jumble of thoughts and he watched as his fist rose, as if to knock on the door. He wasn’t telling it to, in fact he was against it. But he made no move to stop himself as his fist descended.

But before it could strike the wood the door opened. The boy blinked, his hand still in mid air, as Ethan appeared in the door way. His hair was a wavy, ruffled mess, as if he had just got out of bed. A white, button up shirt was left hanging open, revealing Ethan’s muscled stomach and smooth, peach skin. Then black, crinkled jeans clothed his legs all the way down to his bare feet.

The vampire squinted against the light and rubbed at one of his eyes before looking out toward his visitor.

“Nicoli?” he said, sounding surprised. The man then yawned and stretched one of his arms over his head, making the shirt move and reveal more of his taunt skin. “I thought those were your thoughts I was hearing. You’re kinda loud for this early in the morning.”

“Uh – I –” Nicoli stuttered. He couldn’t speak. It was as if his throat had closed up and kept down his voice.

Ethan smiled as he leaned against the opened door.

“It’s all right, you don't have to say anything,” the vampire opened the door wider. “Come on in, no need for you to stand out there in that blasted light.”

Nicoli looked past the vampire into the room. His heart was thudding in his throat and he felt like he was going to vomit. His body then acted on its own again and he stepped past the threshold and into the room.

Ethan watched him intently with that smile still in place. He chuckled once Nicoli was in the room and he shut the door that closed with a finalizing click.

===============================Ch. 10 End