He was slowly taking off his coats, eyes burning into me. Almost daring me to say no, or maybe yes.

🖤🖤🖤🖤

It seemed everything worked out, as not two hours later did Laddie's whole-body freeze before shuddering violently. He had been sitting by Dwayne, who instantly pulled the younger boy closer. I, being human and very confused, was told that they all just felt Max die. Since Laddie was half, he felt the vampire side of him just vanish. It didn't seem painful, so I'm guessing it just felt weird or some sort of intense tingling.

The boys didn't think going out that night would have been a good thing, at least, for them. It wasn't long until David turned to me, asking me if I could take Laddie out to get something to eat.

I frowned, sitting up straighter as Marko braided some string into my hair. "Is that a good idea?"

Paul snickered from my other side, he had a joint between his fingers as he rolled his head to the side, eyes bright with something I couldn't place. "Yeah, we have to have a few things worked out, now that Max is gone." I felt Marko drop my braid, finished and silently admiring his work. "It won't be appropriate for the little tyke." My eyebrows shot up and I instantly nodded, getting out from between him and Marko. My face flushed as I hummed in agreement.

"Right, right, so how long is your...thing gunna take?"

"A while." David smirked, and I shook my head, waving my finger at him. He was slowly taking off his coats, eyes burning into me. Almost daring me to say no, or maybe yes. I don't know. All I knew was that it was hot, and I needed air.

"Nya! I don't-mhm-don't need that." I got my cross-body bag and placed it on, holding my hand out for Laddie, who came and took it. "Me and Laddie are gunna go shopping, you guys have fun with your vampire orgy." I state quickly before leading Laddie out, ignoring Paul's cheeky finger wave.

"Ellie, what's an orgy?" I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath as I heard Paul's obnoxious laughter from behind me.

I held Laddie's hand as we ventured on the boardwalk. I kept an eye out for the Emersons, wondering what happened. Max had died, but did any of them die? I frowned when I came to a part of the boardwalk that was closed down. I tapped a woman standing near on the shoulder, watching as policemen worked to place tape and take pictures.

"What happened?"

The woman turned to me and glanced down at Laddie. "Some guy got stabbed last night, they're just finishing up cleaning."

"Oh god," Yeah that's right. No wonder this place looked familiar. So, he did die. Why the fuck did it take them so long to clean it up? What kind of shit happened here that they just left a crime scene like that? I felt Laddie tug on my jacket, and I quickly changed my train of thought. Looking down, I placed a hand over his head. "Hungry buddy?"

"Yeah," He replies, before a hopeful smile graces his features. "Can we get burgers?"

My stomach rumbles and my mouth waters at the thought of a nice burger, "You betcha!" I quickly lead him away, trying hard to not think of the guy I killed. It was supposed to be a good day. The burger joint wasn't too far, and Laddie seemed to be a regular because I saw the look of recognition in the waitresses' eyes, before she gave me a small once over. We sat down and she came over.

"The usual?" She asked me and I glanced at Laddie, he nodded.

"Yup, for him and then I'd like a number one special please."

"To drink?"

I glanced to Laddie before smiling, "Two milkshakes please, one strawberry and the other chocolate." Laddie beamed, wiggling as his feet kicked in anticipation. I leaned forward on my arms, "So, you and the boys come here a lot?"

Laddie nods, "Dwayne takes me most of the time." Laddie spends the rest of the time talking about different things; mostly how he was excited to finally eat food and feel full. Must be a half vampire thing. He scarfs down his food, and I have to jokingly tell him to slow down, or he'll choke.

"Ready to go?" I asked, holding the to-go cups with refills of our milkshakes. Laddie nods, getting up and taking his with both hands, keeping it close to his chest. We walked aimlessly again for a while, and I wondered if the boys were finished. Probably not. I don't plan to find out anytime soon. Laddie tugged my hand, catching my attention. I follow his silent pointing and see Star and Michael. Shit. They seem to be looking, probably for the boys.

Before I can think of what to do, Star catches sight of me.

"Laddie!" She rushes over and takes him into her arms. "I was so worried about you! Are you alright? How do you feel?" Laddie pulls away, giving her a small smile.

"I'm fine,"

"Where are they?" Michael asked, getting closer than he needed to. What is it with him and getting in people's faces? I give Michael an even look, feeling Laddie come over and grab my hand. I squeeze it gently. "Where's David?"

"Michael," I stare him down, "I'm guessing that Max is dead?"

"Yes." He clenched his jaw.

"Good," I nodded, a polite smile spitting my face. "I hope no one got hurt."

"No, we're all fine." Star shook her head, glancing at Michael and myself. "Where is David?"

"The boys are busy." I state, not telling them a thing. It wasn't my place but also, none of their fucking business. "Now, I trust that we won't be seeing you around anytime soon...or the little wanna be slayers?" I cock a brow, keeping my tone light despite the heated aggression I feel brewing in my chest. Michael doesn't answer, neither does Star, so I decide to end the conversation. "Well, nice bumping into you." I begin to walk away but Star stops us.

"What are you going to do with Laddie?" Star asked, like I was forcing the little boy to come with me.

I narrow my eyes, "I am taking him shopping Star, because he needs some new clothes. Now that he's growing again, he'll be out of those within months." I smile down at Laddie and brush some hair from his face. "I hope that's fine with you, Buddy."

"Can I get a jacket like Dwayne's?" He asks, and I grin.

"Hell yeah, even get you some patches and pins too if ya want." I chime, wrapping an arm around his shoulder as I lead him away, "We'll even get Marko to help us. I know he sews."

We get back a couple hours later, and I'm sure they have to be done by now. I wonder what it really was that they did? I wouldn't put it past them to actually have sex, vampires seem like a sexual species. Maybe they needed to do some weird blood ritual to get David to be the head? Maybe they needed to fight to figure out who it would be? Last man standing type of thing?

"We're home!" I call out, going in first so I'd be able to steer Laddie away if need be. I peek around the entrance and see that they're sitting around. Paul is spread eagle, high off his ass with some blissed outlook on his face. Marko was floating mid air near the top, legs criss crossed as he held a pigeon in his hands. Dwayne was seated on the other side of the couch from Paul, book in his hands. David was sitting in his chair, right leg hiked up over the armrest as he lounged with his coats off. Jesus Kiefer Sutherland was noice .

"Welcome home," David droned sarcastically.

"Miss me sunshine?" I grin, dropping bags by a wall.

"I thought I was sunshine!" Paul whines and I shake my head at the small pout on his face. I grab Laddie's bags and walk past Paul, tugging gently on some of his sandy hair.

"Okay, I suppose that one can be yours."

"Really?" He sits up fast, following me with his eyes as I go to where Laddie sleeps, finding a few crates that he could keep his clothes in. I begin to take them out, getting the tags off and folding them neatly.

"Mhm," I respond, focused on my things. "Oh, that guy I stabbed is dead by the way." I speak casually, as if I'm talking about the weather. "This lady said they were cleaning it up, but I didn't hear anything about a suspect."

"Muggings and killings happen a lot around the boardwalk, so this isn't new to them." Dwayne spoke, eyes still rushing over the pages as he read. "I doubt they'll look into it."

I nod, feeling a small sense of relief and foreboding. I mean, I killed someone. I took a life. A crappy life, but it's still a life. How will that affect me here? Will karma send something as payment? A life for a life? Eye for an eye, that type of bullshit? Will it affect something in my real world? I didn't know, and it pissed me off that I didn't know the answers to my stupid questions, nor where to get my answers. "Hm, good then. Wouldn't wanna have to get rid of anyone else yeah?" I joke, and stand up, dusting my hands off on my jeans. I come around to sit between Dwayne and Paul, pulling my tablet onto my lap, intending to draw for a while.

"Could you even do it again?" Paul asks, arm falling behind me on the back of the couch. "You seemed pretty upset about it,"

"Yeah, well, it's not like my body gave me a second to think about it." I answer without looking up. "I don't know, maybe. Wasn't that hard to do." I mutter, ignoring the eyes on my person as I lose myself in my art. I don't acknowledge Paul when his hand rests on my shoulder, fingers gently tracing shapes into my skin. Could I kill again? I'd like to say yes, since I've already done it, but it still didn't rest well with me. I didn't want to kill that guy, nor did I need to. It just happened. Self defence and all that shit. I told him to back off, and he didn't, so therefore...I killed him. Yeah that doesn't sound correct or remotely valid when put that way.

I jump when I feel a face nuzzle into the crook of my neck and spot the bright curly golden locks from the corner of my eye. Marko was upside down, smiling at me as he tucked his head closer to me.

"Don't think too much about it," Marko states, "The guy was a scumbag."

"All he did was grab my ass." I argue, lamely but still tried to reason with Marko.

"He did more than that." Paul countered from my other side.

"He assaulted you." Dwayne chipped in, this time looking up from his book.

"You're one of us, El." David stated, staring me down like he dared me to try and reason with him and defend the asshole, "Anyone that disrespects or assaults one of our own won't live to see the next sunrise." I hum, taking in their words. Marko floated up over me, his hair draping in front of my face like a curtain. I grab it, making it frame my face before turning to Paul with a cheesy smile and suggestive eyebrow wiggle.

"Do I look good as a blond?"

It's been two days, and nothing has happened. The boys felt it was safe to finally get out and go to the boardwalk. The Frog brothers hadn't returned to the cave, nor did Michael or Star so that was a bonus. I rode on the back of David's bike, pleased when we came to a stop. My ass was hurting from all the bumps David just couldn't avoid. Ass.

"What, you don't like my driving?" David mocks, and I half heartedly glare at him as he takes out a cigarette. We were parked near the entrance, people filing in and out. Laddie came over, leaning into my side as he closed his eyes. He must still be tired.

"What's the plan?"

"Just have some fun girl." Paul grins.

I look down to Laddie, "Hungry?" He nods, before taking my hand. "We'll go get something to eat then."

"I'll join ya." Marko bounces up to my other side, falling into step with me. The others didn't follow, probably to scope out a meal for the night. I felt better with Marko here, though, as I wasn't sure I wanted to be alone on the boardwalk after last time. What if I snapped and killed another person?

We get to the burger place and take a booth. Laddie sat with me, still leaning into me. I frowned down at him, wondering why he wasn't as lively as he usually was. I brush his hair away from his face, seeing his face was a little pale, and his eyes were glassy. I touch his forehead. Oh shit, that's warm.

"Laddie, baby," He grumbles, face wincing uncomfortably as he turns to me. "Are you sick? You don't look very good."

"Don't feel good." He rasped, barely above a whisper.

"Yeah, okay, we need to get you back home." I scooted him out of the booth before picking him up. I turned to Marko, who was looking calm as ever. "Can you get some soup instead? Crackers? I'll need a thermometer, aspirin or Tylenol, water too." Marko nods, rushing off down the boardwalk to get the things I needed. I adjusted to Laddie, hurrying to the bikes as fast as I could. It was hard because he wasn't that small of a kid, that or I was just short. I sigh in relief when I see the boys-minus Marko-waiting for us.

"He alright?" Dwayne asked as I helped get Laddie onto his bike. Laddie whined, not wanting to let me go, but he seemed to latch onto Dwayne easily, Dwayne's cooler body temperature helping with how hot he was feeling most likely.

"He's got a fever," I answer, "I'll look after him when we get back home." I swing a leg over David's bike, "Marko's getting the stuff I need." We high tail it out, rushing to get back, though I notice that Dwayne is driving with a little more purpose, avoiding the potholes and large jumps.

"Okay, set him down here." I point to the couch, since it was closer. Dwayne lays Laddie out, and I work to gently take Laddie's leather jacket off along with his shoots and pants. I cover him with lighter sheets, hearing Dwayne and Paul light the barrels, a soothing warmth filling the cave. I sigh in relief when I see Marko come in with a cardboard box. He sets it down beside me and I take Laddie's temperature. A couple degrees too high for my comfort. I knew the number of the temperature shouldn't be 'worrisome' it was more how the child was feeling and stuff. But Laddie looked like shit. I sniff, clearing my throat as I get him to drink some water.

"He's got a bit of a fever, so we'll stay here."

David nods, before turning to Paul and Marko. "Go get us something to eat," The two blonds bound off with laughter and hollers. Dwayne sat by Laddie's feet, and I took a seat by his head, running my fingers through his hair. Laddie had already fallen back asleep, tired and sick, still uncomfortable in his sleep.

"It's probably his body trying to adjust to being human again." I glance up at David, who took a seat in his chair, eyes on Laddie as he took in the kid. "Should have kept an eye on him."

"It's alright." I say, taking in Laddie's even breathing. "He'll be okay. He's a fighter." I smile up at Dwayne, who nods with a look of appreciation, though I can see his apprehension. "His immune system is probably just getting used to it is all. It has to do all the work now."

"The cave probably hasn't helped at all." Dwayne says, "Cold and dank, trash everywhere."

"Well, if you boys would pick up after yourselves then there wouldn't be trash would there." I tease, and hear David huff, chuckling under his breath.

"Getting Paul to clean up after himself will be the day pigs sprout wings and fly."

I hum, "Well, then I guess it'll be tonight because that little shit will be doing so."

David smirked at me, "I'd like to see you try."

"Bring it."

"Wh-what do you mean I'm a mess!?" Paul blinked, mouth hanging open as he looked up at me. I stood over him, hands on my hips as I kept my bitchy look.

"I mean exactly what I said Paul," I shake my head when he groans loudly, "Hush, Laddie is sleeping. Sleeping because he's sick. And he's sick because he's now human. His immune system is weak right now and this mess of old food and trash everywhere isn't helping him Paul!"

Paul looked around, as if any of the boys would help him. Marko dramatically held up his hands as he smirked, shaking his head. "I'm not helping you. Your area is trashed bro."

Paul looked around again, "It's really just me?"

"Yes, though the others aren't much better." I cross my arms, "I would like you to pick up your shit, tonight." Paul stared at me, but I didn't break. Yeah, I was gunna order a vampire around, little shit. Paul looked to David, but David just cocked a brow, tilting his head as to say 'well?'.

"Okay, fine." Paul stood up, now towering over me. I kept my cool though. Gotta be tough. Paul smirked at me, "What will ya give me if I do clean it?"

I raise an eyebrow, unimpressed by this. Really? Gambling? I cock my leg out, keeping my arms crossed, well aware that they were pushing up my breasts as Paul kept looking at them. "What exactly do you think you deserve for doing something that you were supposed to do anyways Paul?"

Paul looked up in mock thought, "Ooh, I don't know...maybe something special." He stepped closer, looking smug as he grinned down at me.

"Like what?"

"A kiss would be nice?"

I tilt my head, "What's so special about a kiss?"

"It would be from you of course." He compliments with a wide grin, like he was so smart and smug to have thought of that. I hum, thinking it over, letting my eyes trail over his body. Paul wasn't ugly, that was for sure. He carried himself with this confidence and was so comfortable in his own body that just made you watch him.

"Get it done in two hours and you can have a kiss." He says, as if to whoop and holler but I snag his coat, tugging him towards me so hard he staggered down to my level. "But Paul, everything needs to be picked up and organized, trash thrown away or burned..." He leans closer to my face, as if to sneak a kiss. I smile up at him, before patting his cheek. "Kay? Thanks!" I spin, hair hitting his face as I go back to Laddie.

"Ooh, she's bad." Paul whines, "I love it when they're bossy." I roll my eyes, shaking my head as I check over Laddie again. His fever is up a little higher, but he's been up to drink more water and eat a few crackers. Laddie shivered in his sleep, and I draped a heavier blanket over him. I kept a cold washcloth over his head, and around his neck whenever he rolled onto his side.

"Mommy..." I look down, surprised that that came from Laddie. He was probably just dreaming, thinking about his old home maybe? Were hallucinations a bad thing or normal? Either way, I took Laddie's hand and squeezed it. I'm here buddy.