"Oh, you poor bastard, you deserve better than this." A mocking voice droned out from the shadows of the room, observing the 15 year old boy tied up on the floor, trying desperately to wiggle free, but to no avail.

  "Well, what's done is done, don't worry, kid," The voice said as a figure stepped out of the darkness, revealing a pale man, long brunette hair, clothed in Gothic robes, and red eyes, "I'll make this a quick death." The man raised his arms and flexed his hand, sharp claw like nails shine in the light of the moon from the window.

  The boy was scared, confused, and above all, powerless. He didn't know why this was happening to him. Was he really going to die here? In a mysterious house, locked away from the world, never seeing the sun, ever again? "A-am I really about to die?" The boy though, his last ever, with speeds faster than sound, the pale man closed the distance between them and brought down his claws.

  ___________________________________________

  (Several Hours Prior)

  It's a beautiful day outside, birds are singing, flowers are blooming, and on days like this-

  "WAKE UP AVEREST YOUR GONNA BE LATE!" -kids wake up for school. A woman's voice shrieked in a quaint suburban house, waking up a 15 year old boy from his good nights rest. He rubs his eyes, flicking away sleep crust and running his hands over his platinum blonde hair, which appears wild and matted, fair since he just woke up. This was Averest Halloway, a high school boy who wants nothing more than his school year to be over

  "I'm up ma, I'm up," Averest groaned and slowly dragged himself out of bed, grabbed his towel, and made his way into the bathroom across his room. Tossing his clothes in the clothing bin, he turns the dial as the shower rains down cold water, which joits him fully awake.

  After a quick shower and a brush of his teeth, he decends the stairs as he pulls over a black shirt with a Spider-Man symbol where his heart would be over his head. Nearly slipping, trying to button up his slightly baggy washed Grey jeans, complemented with black Jordans, walks over to the kitchen where the rest of his family is.

  His father, Markus, a balding sports coach for Suny Buffalo, was sitting at the countertop, reading the sports section of the newspaper, like always. "Outta the way loser." A girls voice said before shoulder checking Averest out of the way, flipping her light brown hair. "Bitch" He muttered. That would be his older sister Camry, 19 years old, and fresh out of Marines Basic Training. She pulls on Averests ear and starts pinching them.

  "Sorry, didn't really hear that," She said, fainting ignorance and started pinching harder. "OW! Nothing!" Averest pained a response before smacking his sister's hand away.

  "Kids, for fucks sake act your goddamm age. Camry, stop harassing your brother. Averest, don't badmouth your sister." Their mom, Alexa, and the matriarch of the family chastised them while working on the stove, her light brown tied to a bun. Happily avoiding his sister, he sat down on the dining table and began eating some ham and cheese sandwiches already made on the table.

  Munching on the sandwich he scrolled on his phone, checking his internet feed.

  PING!

  A message popped up on his notifications reading: "Are you up dickhead?"

  "I'm off" Averest said taking one last bite of his sandwich and slinging his back over his shoulders. "Study harder son, can't get into college-" His father began.

  "Without good grades, I know dad." Averest said exasperated. Markus smirked at him and continued reading his paper. With a few more byes, he stepped out his house, where someone was waiting for him outside the door.

  It was a girl, a year older than him, who Averest knew all his life. She had short, curly black hair and was wearing a white hoodie one size to baggy, while wearing greenish cargo pants and a pair of classic Converse to finish the look. She regarded Averest with a permanent scowl on her face. "What took you so long?" She asked as both began to walk side by side

  "I woke late, sorry Sam." Averest mumbled before getting smacked backside of his head. "OW The hells that for!?" Averest said, rubbing the back of his head.

  "How about next time you invest in an alarm, ever heard of it?" Sam or by her full name, Samantha Richards sarcastically remarked at Averest. They've been friends since the moment they first met, which was a hospital. They were both birthed the same day and came our the womb the same second. Some would say that they were related.

  Averest shot his hands. I'm mock surprise, as if he had a revelation. "OMG, how come I've never thought about that! What simple and mind-blowing advice, what would I ever do without you, Sam?" He said with an annoyingly over enthusiasts tone, his light grey eyes batting his eyelashes. Even with a scowl of her face, Sam couldn't hide her smile.

  10 minutes later, they were at Leonardo Da Vinci High School, the prison they spent the last year in. Averest and Sam both said byes as they didn't share first periods. Reluctantly, Averest walked into his first and most hated subject, Chemistry, taught by single handedly the most boring human Averest knew, Mr. Langley.

  For the next half hour, the sounds of pencils scribbling on paper and the droning voice of an old man were the only things Averest heard. No one was allowed to talk in Mr. Langley's class, you can't ask questions, you can't ask to go to the restroom, and you can't breathe too loud because according to Mr. Langley: "It disrupts my focus."

  Averest stopped writing ages ago. It didn't matter if he wrote anyway, All they do his write down notes. No mixing chemicals, no tests, just notes, and complete boredom. Averest rested his face on his hands, looking out the window, staring at nothing in particular. The Chemistry classroom was on the second floor, so he had a nice view of the grounds.

  He was staring at a couple of birds resting on the branches of the trees when he saw something odd. The shadow of the tree started to stretch, expand, and block out the sunlight as it's shadow grew. Averest rubbed his eyes. Surely, he was seeing things. Then, as Averest watched, a man appeared, no, came out of the shadows.

  The man had to at least be 20 years old. He was handsome, skin white as snow, and black hair smoother than silk. To top it all off, he was wearing a black Victorian coat and a victorian black suit vest, with black suit pants and some shiny black shoes.

  Then another person came out of the shadows, and another. At least two people appeared all wearing black while being equally pale. Averest couldn't believe his eyes. He quickly looked around the classroom. Everyone besides him was jotting down notes, oblivious to the phenomenon happening outside. Averest turned back to look, and all three of those mysterious figures were looking straight at him. Crimson eyes bore into his soul.

  "AHH!" Averest yelped before tumbling out of his chair and crashing into the ground. Everyone turned and looked at him.

  "Mr. Halloway, do you have any particular reasons as to why you're on the floor?" Mr Langley scrutinized, narrowing his eyes on Averest as he tried to get up.

  Dashing towards the window, Averest looked out and saw, nothing. The shadows were back to where should be. All three of the mysterious figures were gone. Vanished. "Well?" Mr Langley demanded.

  Before Averest could respond, the bell ranger, signaling the end of 1st period. Grabbing his bag and much to the annoyance of Mr. Langley, Averest busted out of the class, accidentally shoving someone into the lockers.

  "Ey man the hell!?" The kid said. But Averest paid them no mind, his mind replaying the events he just witnessed in his head. The way the shadows stretched out, the figures rising out of nowhere. Those red eyes stared back at his. 'Relax Averest, it was all in your head.' He reasoned with himself. He continued to walk towards his 2nd period until he heard hushed voices coming from the janitor closet?

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  Being nosy, Averest turned a corner and went towards the source of the hushed chatter. Leaning a bit, Averest gently pressed his ears on the door and listened.

  Their were two voices, a slightly high piyched girls voice, and Sam's? "What the hell were they doing on school grounds?!" The other girls voiced silently shrieked, sounding panicked. "Will you pipe down!? Look, I don't care why the hell those vampiric assholes are here, all that matters it that they're here for a reason, and it sure isn't a good one." Sam retorted back, sounding strangely malicious.

  Averest felt his blood run cold. Vampires, he saw vampires. That couldn't be. Vampires don't exist! He must've heard them wrong. Averest pressed his ear harder on the door, trying to make sure he heard exactly what he heard.

  "Why would they show up at day? What kind of vampire does that -" The other girl began before what Averest can assume was Sam clamping her mouth shut.

  "Will shut be quiet." Sam demanded. "Look, all we have to do is kill them, okay? It doesn't matter what they want or who they are. All they care about is their next bloodbag. If we don't, then someone dies and gonna be on us. Do you wanna lose your exorcist license, Jessica?"

  The girl, now known as Jessica, could Averest only assumed shaked her head. "Good, now get your shit together. We have some supernaturals to hunt." Averest was too absorbed in the girls' conversation, that he forgot he was practically pressed against the door. He felt Sam trying to open the door but couldn't due to Averest's weight. Before he could react, Sam kicked the door open, sending Averest reeling on the floor, the air knocked out of his lungs.

  Sam sharply scanned the hallway before

  her eyes land of Averest on the ground, her eyes going from slight anger to shock. "A-Averest!?"

  Wheezing, Averest stumbles to his feet, holding up his hands. He looks at Sam, who currently is piecing the puzzle pieces together, the realization dawned on her. "How much did you hear?" Sam said, her voice calm and cold.

  Caught red-handed, Averest tried the only thing he could think of and lie. "Don't know what your talkin 'bout Sam" He shrugged, hoping Sam would buy the lie.

  She didn't.

  Moving faster than Averest's eyes, Sam grabbed the collar of Averest's shirt, dragged him over where the lockers, and slammed him into them. "Bullshit Averest, how much do you know!?"

  Averest eyes widen, both in shock and fear. He didn't know Sam was this strong, and he's never seen her this mad. Sam saw the fear in Averest's eyes and calmed down a bit.

  "Look, Averest, this is important. How much did you know?" She said, much more softer than before. Averest, seeing no other options, confessed.

  "Everything"

  Sam cursed under his breath. "Goddamnit Averest." She looked at Averest, her face saddened. "I didn't think I have to do this to you, I'm so sorry."

  Averesr was confused. "Wait wh-" Before he could get his words out, Sam's right thumb was pressed against his forehead and chanted.

  "Per benedictionem Domini non recorderis Amen"

  That was the last thing Averest heard before he blacked out

  ___________________________________________

  Sam watched as her best friend slumped to the ground, sound asleep. It pained her heart to do this, especially since-

  "Sam, you okay?" Said Jessica, a ditzy ginger girl, and Sam's exorcist partner. "It's my fault, I was too loud." She said sadly.

  Running her hands through her hair, Sam sighed. "No, it's not. We shouldn't have talked here. Dammit Averest, so damn nosy." Sam said with a soft smile, cupping Averests face. Jessica coughed, snapping Sam out of her trance.

  "A-anyways, I'll take him to the nurse." Hosting him up, Sam walked to the nurse, Jessica watched her, then sighed.

  "Maybe being an exorcist wasn't a good choice." Jessica sighed again, then jogging up to Sam.

  ___________________________________________

  (An Hour Later)

  Averest couldn't remember anything. According to the nurse, he passed out randomly, so Sam and Jessica carried him to her office. Weirdly enought when he woke up, he didn't remember anything. All he remembered was running out of Mr. Langley's run because those three figures! He almost forgot about them. The way they emerged from the shadows, the way they manipulated the shadows, their eyes.

  "Hmm, you seem fine." Averest was knocked out of his train of thought by the nurse typing on her computer. "But are you?" Averest thought before shaking his head. The nurse pursed her lips. "Do you want to go home?" Averest considered his options.

  If he went home, he might get an earful from his parents for missing a day of school again. But on the other hand, the only thing on his mind right now are those three figures. For some reason, all that he saw felt familiar. Averest strangely resonated with the three. Something about them felt familiar. And he didn't know why. He needed to know more.

  Looking at the nurse, he nodded. "Okay, wait in the office, call your parents to pick me up." The nurse grabbed a small piece of parents, scribbled a few words, and handed it to Averest. With that, Averest picked up his bag and walked towards the office.

  He handed the excuse slip to the lady and sat on an empty chair, thinking. No matter how hard he tried, Averest couldn't wrap his head around what he saw. He scratched his head in frustration . The entire thing felt familiar, but he didn't know any of those mysterious figures. He'll, he didn't know what he saw was even possible!

  The door opened, and Averest looked up, and his heart dropped. Standing there was the man he saw. Pale skin, black hair ,crimson eyes, and all.

  The receptionist looked up from her phone, her eyes narrowed. "I'm sorry, sir, but do you n-"

  The lady never finished her words. The man reappeared behind, and with a swift motion:

  *CRACK*

  He broke her neck. The receptionists body went limp and fell to the floor

  "A-AHHH-MPHM!?" Averest screamed before the other two figures appeared in the room. One grabbed him by the face and slammed him into the wall.

  "Shh~" The figure whispered. His hold tightened, and Averest could feel the bones of his jaws cracking. "Screaming makes it worse."

  The black haired man dusted his hands and then looked at Averest. "I'll be honest, kid, the boss wanted today's meal to be a bit older, but I guess you'll do, one less witness." The man chuckled then walked towards Averest, and without a word, punched him right in the temple, knocking Averest out.

  ___________________________________________

  (Several Hours Later)

  The moon shined through the clouds in the sky, illuminating the world with an ethereal white glow. For most, they would be asleep. But their are some who thrive in the night. They are powered by it

  A lonely mansion a few minutes away from Buffalo stood, enchanted, it glowed mysteriously in the moon. From its shadows, the three figures emerged with them as Averests unconscious form. They marched forward to the mansions doors and knocked. The doors opened by themselves, and the three walked in, the doors shutting.

  The interior of the mansion was gorgeous, more Victorian than modern. From the furniture to the paint, the mansion was a piece from a time long pasted. In the living, shrouded in darkness, was a man, the only thing visible was his Crimson eyes. Walking forward, the black haired man threw Averests body forward, which was binded tightly by rope.

  The Crimson eyes regraded Averest coldly. "I thought I said I wanted someone older." A deep voice spoke.

  "Sorry, boss, but this kid saw us," the black haired man said nervously. "And besides, something tells me this kid's special." Their boss sighed before all of them heard a groan.

  ___________________________________________

  "My head," Averest groaned, coughing. It felt as if a sledgehammer cracked his head widen open. His eyes looked forward, and saw Crimson eyes staring back.

  Averest heart skipped a beat, his memory returning. "W-whats happening!? Who are you people!" Averest tried to move, only to find out his arms and legs were binded.

  The Crimson eyes observed with amusement. "Natural selection, kid, hate to break it to you, but you're my my dinner for the night."

  Averest couldn't believe it. "What are saying, what do you mean, dinner? Are you crazy!?" He screamed before his head got stomped. "ACK!"

  "Watch your mouth in front of the boss brat!" The black hair figure said, hissing. From under his shoe, Averest saw something he couldn't believe. Shinying in the moonlight, the black hair man bared his teeth, more specifically, the two sharp, pointy fangs among his regular teeth. Averest head reeled in pain, and suddenly, he remembered.

  Vampire.

  "Y-you guys are vampires!" Averest yelped. "But that's-"

  "Impossible?" The man in the shadows said as the black haired vampire lifted his foot off of Averests head. "HA! How little you humans know. Yes, kid, we are vampires, and tonight, you'll have the honor in becoming my next meal" Averest felt tears in his eyes this couldn't be happening.

  Oh, you poor bastard, you deserve better than this." The voice mocked from the shadows of the room, Averest tied up on the floor, trying desperately to wiggle free, but to no avail.

  "Well, what's done is done, don't worry, kid," The voice said as a figure stepped out of the darkness, revealing a pale man, long brunette hair, clothed in Gothic robes, and red eyes, "I'll make this a quick death." The man raised his arms and flexed his hand, sharp claw like nails shine in the light of the moon from the window.

  Averest scared, confused, and above all, powerless. He didn't know why this was happening to him. Was he really going to die here? In a mysterious house, locked away from the world, never seeing the sun, ever again? "A-am I really about to die?" The boy though, his last ever, with speeds faster than sound, the pale man closed the distance between them and brought down his claws.

  *SLINK*

  The man's hand pierced through Averest chest, the claws stabbing his heart. Averest spat out blood, pain like no other surged throughout his body. The vampire plucked his fingers from Averest's chest and licked the blood.

  "Mmm~ Holy shit kid, your blood tastes amazing!" The vampire said licked his fingers clean and looked down at Averest taking gasps of air, choking on his own blood, clinging on to the last minutes of his life.

  "On second though, maybe I'll go slow~" The vampire muttered evily, and raised his hand once more.

  *BANG*

  A bullet broke through the mansion door and shot the vampire through the heart. All four vampires were in shock but were too late.

  *BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG*

  A machine gun from the outside ripped into the house , obliterating everything. Bits and pieces of flesh were shot of the bodies of the vampires, their blood staining the walls and floor. The vampire boss stood for a moment, bullet holes the size of quarters all over his body, and fell on top of Averest.

  Averest was only fainting aware of what was happening. He could feel his body shutting down, his breaths getting shorter. He was dying, he distantly heard the sound of the machine gun, and felt the body of the vampire boss fall on him. This was it. He was gonna die, alone in a mansion in the middle of nowhere, with the body of a dead vampire on top of him. How tragic. Averest vision slowly faded, until black

  "You're not done yet."

  A voice rang in Averest's head. His eyes shot open. Scanning the room wildly.

  "Drink Averest"

  It said again. Averest didn't know what it meant.

  "The blood, Averest, drink his blood, as he was going to drink yours"

  Averest looked at the dead vampires body on top of him, a bullet hole on his forehead, leaking unholy blood.

  "Drink."

  Averest stared at the bullet hole. His brain told him no, he ran his course, he needed to die. But his soul told him otherwise.

  "Are really going to die here? Without discovering the truth of this world. Are you going to leave your mother, father, sister, Sam?"

  The voice urged him. Averest could feel his body getting weaker by the seconds. He needs to make a choice.

  "DRINK"

  Averest made up his mind. With difficulty, he raised his head, stuck out his tongue, and licked the blood.

  It was disgusting. All he tasted was iron as he continued to licked the blood from the bullet hole.

  Then he felt pain, Soul burning pained. Averest convulsed in absolute agony. His head felt as if it was slowly being cracked open.

  "A-AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Averest roared in pain, the binds tieing his arms and feet burst. Averest clawed at his head, his nails getting sharper. Averest roared into the sky, the moonlight illuminating the room. His teeth bared.

  And his fangs grew sharp and pointy, shining in light of the moon.