Building A (Strange) Family

Invitation

Everything about the basement was comfortable, even if a bit cold.
They had broken furniture everywhere, couches, chairs, beanbags.

And lights.
Heaven knows where they got the electricity from, but all about the place were warm lights, all kinds, no lamps matching.

"I've been living on the streets since I was twelve." Mark had started the introductions.
"It was just mom and me till I was ten and she just left. Didn't want to mess with kids anymore...
It all sounds so tragic saying it now!"

He giggled at the look on her face.

"Maybe because it is?" David grinned from where he was sprawled out on an old wooden chair. Though it was old and broken, he managed to make it look like a throne.

Mark huffed a slight laugh.
"I guess so... I just don't think about it that way anymore.
I was about 17 when a met this group of like five vampires.
I asked them to change me instead of killing me and they did.
I was with them for like... four years?
But, they were all just kind of... soulless. I just up and left them..."

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Year and a half ago

Mark watched her come out of the bar, had tried to pull her friend out as well, but couldn't quite convince her.
So, she stumbled out on her own, lighting up a cigarette in the cold and dark alone.
He was about to advance on her, attack her.
He hadn't drank in a week and it was driving him mad.
He didn't really like the killing part, but what choice was there?

He moved and even as he did he felt himself pulled back into the shadows.

"What exactly is your plan there, Killer?"

The voice was smooth and calming, cutting through Marks anger.

"Gonna cause a ruckus? At best, she'll scream and you'll have to run off unsatisfied. At worst... She screams, you get caught and both get killed."

Mark was dumbstruck.
Could the stranger, with his platinum hair and cool demeanor know what he was?

"You got a better idea?" Mark spit out, challenging.

The stranger gave him a side smirk, slipping out around him and out of the shadows.
He approached the woman and she jumped.
He chuckled, apologizing for startling her and said something about bumming a cig.
She smiled at him, dropping her guard and not only offered him one, but a light as well.

Before he knew it, Mark watched as the stranger lead her to the wall of the bar, pushed her against it and moved to her neck.

She didn't scream, didn't seem to even be in any discomfort.
The stranger finally pulled back, throwing his head back and licking his lips.

He smiled down at the woman and she smiled back, eyes unfocused.

He came back, swagger in his step and lit cigarette in his mouth as he passed by Mark.
He patted his arm as he passed and just walked on.

Mark looked back to the woman to see her stumble back into the bar, no worse for wear.
Mark then rounded on the stranger.

"How the hell did you do that!?"

The blond shrugged, exhaling smoke, "Kind of hard to explain, really. Have you ever tried to control a humans thoughts?"

Mark shook his head.

"Well, it doesn't work.
You can't make them do your bidding or anything... but you can kind of suggest things.
Make them doubt themselves, make them ignore things.
She thinks we just had a major make-out session and I'm the best kisser she will ever encounter ..."