Dangers of the Dark

Chapter 2: Beginning of the Diary

Alex awoke the next morning feeling oddly refreshed. For a second, he thought it all an odd dream, until his eyes came upon Clara’s book. He took a shower and dressed in his school uniform and fixed his hair in the customary ponytail, before he began the task of packing his bag. He was tempted to put it in his book bag and take it to school to read in his spare time, for a reason he couldn’t comprehend. But holding it in his hand made him realize how fragile and old it was, and a sudden image of Clara’s chubby face in a frown at a damaged book was enough for him to put it back on his night stand.

He put another of his old books in his sack, along with his school supplies and current English book, and threw it on his back to head downstairs. The house as always was empty, as his mother and father went to work before he left for school. It had often made him uneasy to be alone in his large house, but over time he began to accept it and even come to like it. His life with his friends was so noisy and frantic; it was nice to be able to be by himself once in a while. He ate a bowl of cereal and rinsed it out before leaving for school.

He was normally oblivious to his surroundings on his walks to and from school, but after yesterday, he was curious to what new things he would notice. So far he had learned that there were several antique shops, an ice cream parlor, and a new age store between his house and the bookstore. Also, that the majority of them had the a small sign claiming them to be owned by N. Phillips, who, if he remembered correctly from local news, was a young wealthy man in his mid to late twenties that owned over half of downtown. And, who he guessed, was Clara’s brother.

Finally, he came upon the bookstore, which he was saddened to see hadn’t yet opened. He had wanted to go in and greet Henry, though the thought of seeing Clara again didn’t really agree with him. He had the feeling that Clara didn’t have many friends and was too eager to please others. Maybe he would ask Josh about it later. Clara had said they knew each other.

His thoughts of Henry, Clara, Josh, and the bookstore kept him occupied all the way to school and into his first period. It was a good thing that he was occupied, or else the surprised looks and murmured whispers would have reached him. As they hadn’t, he sat down in his desk and took out his supplies.

The next thing he noticed was a disheveled Amy rushing to his desk. Amy normally took very good care of her appearance at school, keeping her hair brushed, her make-up neat, and her clothing smooth and tidy after spending her customary half hour in front of one of the bathroom mirrors, but today she had forgone it to find Alex. Looking half-wild running through the hallways, she had shocked many a persons and caused more rumors to be spread.

“Alex,” she said very upset. “Tell me it isn’t true!”

“What isn’t true,” asked Alex, confused about his friend’s question and startled at her looks.

“That you and Kyle Richards are now an item,” she said. “That is all the school is talking about.” Alex gave a look like a deer caught in headlights.

“No,” said Alex. “He assaulted me yesterday Amy. It wasn’t consensual at all. Ask Josh if you are curious.”

“I don’t know whether or not I am glad to hear that,” said Amy, sucking on her bottom lip. “Kyle seems to have convinced the near entirety of the school that you two are a hot item. And you know how everyone is going to believe him. I am worried about you.” Alex was too startled to reply. After his odd meetings with the bookstore people and the reunion with his books, he hadn’t even thought about Kyle. Now everyone thought they were a couple. The bell rung and Amy regretfully took her seat on the other side of the room. Alex was in too much of a daze to even return her farewell. The other students stormed in, nearly all of them looking or pointing at Alex, whose greatest desire was that he hadn’t woken up that morning. Several of them gave him sneers, especially the cheerleaders who had interest in Kyle.

First period Algebra Two didn’t even sink into Alex. He was too distressed to take any notes, so it was a very good thing that the rest of the class wouldn’t stop whispering, making it impossible for Mr. Rockwell to teach a lesson. Finally he threw up his hands in exacerbation and gave up on his class. Alex tried to then lose himself in one of his books, but the murmuring was getting to him. Amy attempted to come over and try to calm him down, but Mr. Rockwell wouldn’t allow it.

“Amy, please remain seated,” he said, glaring at her from his glasses. “You may talk quietly to your neighbor or do work from another class, but do not move around.”

“But Mr. Rockwell,” began Amy, trying to come up with a lie she could quickly tell. She had a feeling that Mr. Rockwell could care less about the rumor.

“No if, ands, or buts,” he said. “Move and you will have a two-hour detention.” Though that still made Amy sorely tempted to move, a look at Alex told her he wouldn’t appreciate her company at the moment. So she had to remain in her seat shooting concerned glances at the nearly crying Alex.

The moment the bell rung, Alex left the class, not bothering to talk to the worrying Amy, which just made her fear for him more. Alex was often very introverted, so she couldn’t tell how he was feeling at the moment.

Second period was gym, which was one of the worst places for Alex to be at the moment. His teacher was Coach Smith, who by now had heard the rumors about his star player, and was furious with about it. Any sympathy Alex could have at the moment was lost, as none of his friends had this gym class. But many of Kyle’s friends did, and they had by orders of Kyle to prove the rumors about the couple correct.

“Are you sure you want to dress out today?” asked Dave, Kyle’s best friend and fellow team member. He was approaching Alex from behind while he was getting his uniform out of his locker. “I know how Kyle plays on the court, and I don’t believe he plays nicer off. I am sure you had a rough night.” Alex at that moment nearly cried, and everyone’s attention was on him again.

Dave leaned closer, as if to whisper, but his voice was loud enough for everyone to hear. “If you feel up to it, change in the bathroom. Kyle doesn’t like others seeing his property on display. And wear your hair down, Kyle says you’re prettier that way.” With that, Dave tore his hair out of the ponytail none too gently and pushed him into the shower area, where no one was present in. The tears that Alex had held back fell now as he changed into his gym uniform. He walked back into the locker room as the others were leaving to the gym. He fell in line with the rest, and when they entered the gym, he tried to hide in the back, but failed. Dave quickly found him and kept him next to him all period, claiming it was for Alex’s “protection against Kyle’s rivals”. In all actuality, it was to show that Alex belonged to Kyle, no matter what others said.

Alex thought the worse had to be over for gym, with him being forced to follow Kyle’s groupies and the public humiliation that went along with it.

Coach Smith was furious with Alex for turning his star player gay. Anything wrong that Kyle had done in the past, he was blaming on Alex. Though the school was open-minded, Coach Smith wasn’t. He deemed it fit to punish Alex, by a very legal means, playing Alex’s least favorite game, dodge ball.

With his fair and pretty looks, Alex was always a target, and hit very often. With the new rumors going around, he was the only person that was aimed for, even by members of his own team. By the end of the period he had several bruises all over his body. He willingly changed in the shower room, which was only used by the after school athletic teams, not classes, and hide their until everyone else had left the locker room.

Going to third period, he tried to blend in with the crowd, but failed, as everyone was looking for him. He rushed into his chemistry class, to be confronted by an upset Taylor. He felt horrible about stealing the happiness she should have from finally have some affection returned to her from her long time crush, but Taylor was the sweetest of his friends and the best comforter. She cuddled him all period, trying to sooth his nerves for what was up and coming in his next class, his first meeting with Kyle since the incident, which he had told no one about.

He dreaded his English class so much that he nearly skipped it. But if he did, his parents would be contacted and informed. Then, he would have to tell why he left. He knew his parents wouldn’t care about his sexual orientation, but about the rumors, they would explode. He could just hear his mother’s voice shrieking at someone she deemed the cause of this indecency. His father’s muffle voice lecturing him on the importance of telling them about such things and making threats against the school and Kyle. Although they weren’t often around, they cared for him deeply. He was their only son out of five still births, their miracle baby. They would never let anything happen to him.

The moment he stepped into English class, he noticed something wrong. Kyle was missing from the room, and the last bell just rung. The other students were glaring at him. He nearly backed out of the room, until Mrs. Thomas came forth.

“Mr. Wilson,” she said, in the gentlest voice he had ever heard her use. “You are wanted in the office. Please go, and take your things.” Alex dumbly nodded and left, heading toward the office in a daze.

Once he arrived outside of it, he heard a shout he recognized as Kyle’s.

“You little bitch, you weren’t even there!” Kyle screamed. “And you are saying you will testify against me in a court of law?”

“That is enough, Kyle,” said a voice Alex knew to belong to Principal Allen, the principal of St. Elizabeth’s for ten years now. “That is enough.”

“I am just defending myself against this group of ass holes,” screamed Kyle. Alex didn’t know whether to continue eavesdropping, or go in. But he didn’t think anyone would hear his knock over Kyle’s rants.

“Well Henry and I saw it,” said the muffled voice of Josh. “And I sent Clara the picture I took on my camera before you destroyed it.”

“That means I am in possession of it,” said the voice of Clara. “And, as the bank across the street has outside security cameras and belongs to my brother, I can get those as evidence also.” Alex’s curiosity got too much, so he finally knocked on the door. A slight shuffle followed, then the door was opened by Principal Allen, who looked quite frazzled. Alex came in to see that besides Kyle, Josh, and Clara, his mother and Henry were also present in the small office.

“Alex,” his mother cooed, coming forth to hug him tightly. “Why didn’t you tell us about what happened?” His mother was near tears. Her sky blue eyes were shining with the held liquid and her loose blonde hair fell around Alex’s body like a security blanket. He could see the sympathetic looks from Clara, Josh, and Henry from behind his mother’s shoulder, and Kyle’s smoldering look.

“He probably was too embarrassed, Mrs. Wilson,” said Clara. “And we didn’t think he would try anything else to Alex. If we had known, I would have contacted you sooner.” Alex was confused as to what was happening. His mother finally stopped squeezing him, and went to take her original place in one of the seats in front of Principal Allen’s desk. Alex just remained standing in front of the door.

“Alex,” said Principal Allen. “It has come to my understanding that Kyle attacked you outside of a bookstore yesterday. It was witnessed by Josh and Mr. Willis. Josh seems to have taken a picture that he sent to Miss Phillips. When Josh arrived today and heard the rumors, he contacted Miss Phillips, who in turn called your mother and sent her the picture. Your mother, Miss Phillips, and Mr. Willis then stormed my office along with Josh, to bring this to my attention. Now that you are up to date, please tell us. Did Kyle harass you yesterday?”

Alex would very much have liked to deny it and just sink into oblivion. But he knew that if he did, the rumors would just stalk him and Josh, Henry, and Clara would just look at him with disappointment, along with his mother.

“Yes, sir,” Alex said in a quiet voice. “I didn’t think anything of it, I thought that it would just vanish.” Principal Allen gave him a sad smile.

“Miss Phillips,” he said. “I don’t think those tapes will be necessary. To assure you, I am going to punish Kyle for this act, Mrs. Wilson, but I am hoping it won’t involve a court of law. I am suspending Kyle from school for two months and revoking his privilege to play on the basket ball team for the rest of the year, and putting him on probation for the rest of this year and next.”

“That isn’t fair!” screamed Kyle. “The little bastard was asking for it, looking like he has a slit instead of a dick. I was just giving him the best there was to offer!”

“Your right that isn’t fair,” hissed Clara. “Jail is much better suited for you.”

“Miss Phillips, please. My decision is final Kyle,” said Principal Allen, at the end of his patience.” But Mrs. Wilson, I do recommend taking Alex out of class for a week or two, though.”

“Why are you going to punish my son!” yelled Mrs. Wilson. “He was a victim, and he is being punished!”

“I don’t mean it like that, ma’am,” replied Principal Allen as calmly as possible. “But the rumors would affect him too much for him to concentrate, and may lead to a mental break down and other harassment charges. I will have his work sent home and I will convince the school board to not even count the days he missed against him. I will do everything in my power to make this ugly situation to not affect Alex any more then it has.”

“Make certain you do,” huffed Mrs. Wilson. She rose from her chair and turned to Josh, Henry, and Clara. “I thank you all for your help and assistance. If it wasn’t for it, I don’t know what would have happened to Alex.” The tears began to fall at the mention of what she was afraid of came into her mind.

“Think nothing of it,” said Josh.

“Yes, ma’am,” said Henry. “We would have never let something like that happen.”

“And we will help Alex in anyway we can,” said Clara, smiling sadly at her. Mrs. Wilson nodded, then gestured for Alex to come closer.

“Alex, we are going now. I will come back for the rest of your things tomorrow,” said Mrs. Wilson. “You will have a few days or so off, while I decide whether to let you continue here, or send you to another school.” Alex was shocked. Another school? He prayed it wouldn’t happen. Before anyone could even say goodbye, Mrs. Wilson swept Alex out of the office and school, to her car.

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Once they arrived home, Alex made a beeline for his room. Mrs. Wilson several times tried to ask of him to come out, but he said he wanted to be alone. She nodded grimly, and then called his father to let him know what happened. Alex frowned at what his father would have to say.

He at first just lay on his bed and cried the tears that had so wanted to spill that day. After a few minutes, they were all gone. He was a bit hungry, but felt to tired to walk to the kitchen for food and didn’t want to bother his mother by asking her. He was about to fall asleep, until he remembered Clara’s book.

If the occurrences of today hadn’t happen, he didn’t think it would have left his mind. But as they had, he hadn’t even thought about all day until that moment. Sighing, he decided it was as good a time as any to read it.

He turned over and got the book off his night stand, luckily not having to move from the bed to retrieve it, or he would have just let it be for the time being. He opened it to the first page.

Diary of Vampire

by Nicholas Diodorus, Prince of the Vampires

Alex was intrigued. He quickly turned to where the true book began.

August 5th, 1110

Dear Diary,

Though most people would deem me old, my own kind still deems me very young, and at the age of naivety. I scoff at that. Though I have yet to reach my five hundredth birthday, I am wise beyond the years of my life. I write in you to prove that to the generations of youth yet to come that the older you are, doesn’t mean the more intelligent you are.

So many of my victims ask me what I am as I drain them of their life force. They don’t understand how a demon or devil can look like such an angel, and act like a prince. I am a prince, not just of a domain. I am a prince of a people. The Vampires.

Many legends about my people have sprung up. Yes, we do drink the blood of others to life, but the others are pure fairy tales. I dress in silver and go out in the sun, though I never tan. I go to church services and worship with the young necks I may later bite. I can eat and drink like a normal human, but find it a waste. Some of the ones I know enjoy the human activities they partake in, even away from those they must fool. Most of them are the ones who have been changed, unlike me who is a pure breed, born from two vampires.

Father is calling to me. He has found us some company for the night, and I am interested in seeing whom he has chosen.

Until I write again,

Nicholas Diodorus

August 7th, 1110

Dear Diary,

I am so use to not writing in you, I forgot all about you yesterday. It doesn’t much matter, I was too tired to write anyway. Father and I spent the night with two lovely Greek women, who though had not much to say were quite a sight to see, and so delicious to taste, of both their blood and lips. I still though prefer the company of males to females. I go along with Father though. He is looking for a girl worthy of being one of us, a daughter for himself, in memory of Mother.

Though I wrote earlier that most of the legends surrounding us were false, we can still die. It is rare to hear of a Vampire’s death. We are naturally cautious of letting anyone living learn about us, and hiding our tracks, on top of being stronger and more durable than a human, but if you remove our hearts or heads, we die. My mother was killed over three hundred years ago by a rival fraction trying to over throw Father as the Lord of the Vampires. They only succeeded in killing Mother, and the child that she carried, that was predicted to be a girl.

I am too saddened by the memory to continue with this entry. I think I shall find a partner and go horseback riding.

Nicholas Diodorus

Alex sighed. The story was interesting, so far. The next entry was a from years later

May 23rd, 1239

Dear Diary,

I had forgotten all about you until one of the servants showed you to me this morning. It has been awhile since I have written in you.

I am no longer in Father’s home country of Greece. I grew dreary of the sunny weather and such, and decided that my mood was better suited for the place of my mother’s birth, England.

It has been awhile since I have also seen Father. He is in bit of a slump at the moment, still not having found the new child that he desired. I wish him the best of luck. I would like to have a younger sister, even if she were adopted. I keep my eyes open for a girl that is like Mother here in her homeland, but have yet to find one.

I have seen many a woman to rival her in beauty. My mother was pleasant to look at, but she was of short stock and leaning more toward the plump side. She had mouse brown hair and gray eyes that twinkled with mirth, and the eternal youth of our people.

Pure breeds, like my family, stop aging in our mid-twenties, and changed ones after the time they are turned into one of us. Even I am not a full pure breed, as my mother had been changed, but adopted into a well-established Vampire family.

Beauty is not of great importance to either Father or I in our search for a suitable princess. Her personality and wit are so much more, yet all the girls I met are more like sheep to the slaughter, so I grant them only that. A slaughter. Perhaps I shall find the girl soon.

Yours truly,

Nicholas Diodorus

May 24th, 1239

Dear Diary,

I find you of great interest to me. A little book that can record my every thought or feeling if I so choose. But I don’t bother to tell you more then the basic facts about myself, for if someone should ever find you, I don’t want anyone to use you against my family.

Unlike Mother, Father and I are very handsome. We are both tall with olive skin like all Greeks, and long dark hair with surprisingly gold eyes. My eyes are what entrance my victims, along with my charm and manners. I enjoy showing them a good time before their deaths. I feed often enough and well enough I never have to go in for a quick kill. Those become too messy to clean up after.

Yesterday, I came upon a starving new Changeling. I must have a word with his sire the moment I find out who it is. He made an unwilling servant, then abandoned him. That is against our code.

A human can only be changed into one of us if they wish to be so and a Vampire has already offered to do so. They are taken in either as a servant, a lover, or a child, and their sire is responsible for them. That is why there is so few of us anymore, for we are getting more unwilling to have Changelings upon fear of what has happened to this poor servant.

His sire didn’t even teach him how to feed before abandoning him to the elements. I am disgusted, as would be my Father. His sire better have a good reason, or I shall be feasting on the blood and flesh of a rare treat soon, one of my own.

Nicholas Diodorus

At that moment the phone rang, jarring Alex from his concentration on the book. At first he was confused as to what the disturbance was, so wrapped up in the book, until the phone rang again.

“Hello?” he asked, unsure of whether it was friend or foe.

“Hey Alex,” came the reassuring voice of Josh on the other end of the phone. “How are you feeling?”

“Okay,” Alex said, with relief that it was just Josh. “As good as can be expected.”

“What are you up to?” Josh asked.

“Reading a book that Clara gave me,” he replied.

“Diary of Vampire?” Josh asked. Alex gasp gave him the answer. “She told me already. Be careful with that book. It is her own translation of it. It was originally written in Latin and took her ages to write it in English. She had another copy that a friend of hers accidentally destroyed, and well....” Josh didn’t need to continue down that train of thought.

“Don’t worry, I won’t harm the book in anyway,” replied Alex honestly.

“What part are you on?” asked Josh.

“Nicholas just found an abandoned servant,” Alex said.

“Oh, you just started,” he said. “You can skip around the first part, nothing really exciting happens. You just learn stuff about some of his friends and such. Start with his fourth entry in the sixteenth century, Emily is a character you can’t miss.”

“Then tell me what happens to the servant,” said Alex.

“His sire was killed before he completely changed him,” said Josh. “He was suppose to be a lover, but some jealous female vampire grew jealous and killed the sire. The Changeling ended up dying a few days later, and he was soon followed by the murder. It was against the code to kill another without just reason.”

“And his friends?” asked Alex.

“Just other vampires, nothing interesting. Just a lot of ways to drain blood from your victim,” said Josh. “I just skimmed the part, as have all others who have read it. Clara understands, and will tell you all you want to know about it.”

“What is so important about Emily?” asked Alex.

“Read and you will find out,” said Josh.

“I think I will just wait and read all of it, it is very interesting,” said Alex.

“Suit yourself,” he said.

“I will,” replied Alex with a laugh he didn’t know still lived in his throat. Josh laughed too.

“Hope you come and see Clara and Henry soon,” said Josh. “They miss you. Bye Alex.”

“Bye Josh,” Alex said, hanging up the phone. He then carefully closed the book and placed it back on his night stand. He was even more tired then he originally thought, and the sky was turning dark. It finally occurred to him that the lamp he had turned on was burned out, but he was too lazy to replace the bulb and glad he didn’t need to turn it off. He fell into a blissful sleep, not even bothering to change or eat dinner.

As soon as he was lost in his own world of dreams, the shadow man came back and chuckled.

“Just like Emily,” he said. “Wanting to know everything, not just what is interesting. But I want you for a different purpose then I wanted her.” Again he gently kisses Alex’s head and tucks him in, but this time he leaves a note of his presence in the room, a single white rose on top of the book, then as with the sun, he is gone without a second thought.

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Author\'s Note: Betad by Saiwa from fictionpress.