CHAPTER SEVEN

Summer had arrived and everything was pretty much back to normal. The elaborate deception, on the night of the incident, went undetected by the parents and no one was the wiser. The gang still gathered at Duffy's after school and weekends and the relationships stayed the same - with the one exception. Their shared secret had created a bond that went beyond mere chumminess. The topic still came up but as time passed, they laughed about it among themselves and even made up jokes. The marks on Allen's neck had vanished the day after and he seemed none the worse for wear, although his mother fretted about his sudden weight loss and compensated with huge servings at every meal.

      Tammi sat sipping a pop, listening to the banter, and absently fingering the chain about her neck, which she had never taken off since that horrendous night. She and Allen were now considered a couple whenever they went skating or to the show or school dances, and Gloria had to search for new ways to tease her.

"Got a surprise for you guys," Martin smiled gleefully, "there's a new double bill at the Century and I think we should all go."

"What is it?" Christine asked, cowboys and Indians?"

"More likely some techno, cyber-action shoot-em-up," Peter kidded.

      Draining his milk shake with a raspy slurp, Martin slouched back and patted his stomach. "Nope. Guess again."

"Well it's definitely nothing we'd be apt to like," Gloria commented, indicating the three girls.

"Oho, I think you're wrong there," Martin chuckled, leaning forward again, "it's like I said - a surprise! Whaddayasay? We'll all meet tonight for the first show and, here's the best part, it's my treat!"

"Oh god," Christine moaned, it has to be something really awful then.

"You're treat!" Gloria slammed back against the booth in amazement.

Peter, Allen and Tammi all agreed, laughing, "Listen, if Mr. Williams is willing to pay the freight for all of us I think we should take him up on it while the takings good."

"Aces!" Martin slammed his hand on the table, "Tonight then. First show. Seven o-clock - I'll even throw in the popcorn."

"I'm sold. You got a deal Martin." Allen glanced at the others, encouraging their nods of agreement. "See you tonight."

      The group came together about a block from the theatre, chattering excitedly and strolling comfortably down the sidewalk, six abreast.

"I swear, you're gonna love this." Martin attempted a dance step in his flapping pants.

"Love it or not," they chorused, "you're still paying. And don't forget the popcorn."

"You got it." He jumped out in front, demonstrating his version of a moonwalk.

As they rounded the corner, the bright lights of the theatre lit the street. Its black and red plastic trim twinkled in the flash of the travelling lights on the marquee. The group came to an abrupt halt on the sidewalk across from the show. Standing slack jawed, they all stared at the huge red letters on the blazing marquee.

They read,

VAMPIRES NEVER DIE and ONCE BITTEN.

"Did I tell ya ya'd love it, eh?"

THE END