Building A (Strange) Family

Hunted, Haunted

It was a step up from the Elks Lodge, just because they had more money to invest in the haunt.

They all jumped and giggled like children and Lilly realized she had never gone through a haunt with the guys. They were just a part of it.
She wondered if they could see what was coming with there vampire eyes, but jumped anyway; caught up in the fun.

She may have reacted to the jump scares, but she wasn't truly frightened.
Still, she didn't complain when David held her close.
She finally noticed though that his demeanor change.
He wasn't enjoying it any more.

She still didn't worry too much.
Not until he whispered,
"Lilly, I don't want to freak you out... but there is someone following us. I'm pretty sure he's a vampire..."

She tried to look at him subtlety from the corner of her eye, trying to see if he was joking.

He wasn't. He was on high alert.

"How can you be sure?"

"Smell... I picked it up just as we got down here. I was stupid, I didn't think there would be others."

Sadly, they rushed through the last part of the House.

David pulled Robert aside, never letting go of Lilly.
He whispered something and Robert nodded, ushering off Mom between Nick and himself.

Lilly let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding in.

She blindly followed where David lead, trusting him.
The boardwalk flew by and all she could think was how unfair.
It was supposed to be fun, it was supposed to be a gift for David.
They weren't supposed to be running scared.

"Damn!" He cursed under his breath.

She finally looked around to take in their surroundings.
A dead end alley way, away from the crowds.
A trap.

David looked all ways, including up.

"If I grab you, be ready to fly. Till then, just stay behind me, okay?"

She nodded, no other ideas, no way to offer help.
She felt herself shaking and tried to tell herself to calm down.

David took his place in front of her as the vampire in question slowly walked towards them.

The stranger smiled as he approached, head bowed and careful as if he knew David was wary.

"David? ... David Brooke... You are alive!"

David didn't move, still shielding Lilly though she peaked over his shoulder under her hand.
The vampire was maybe around twenty, fairly tall and quite skinny, dark hair and a gaunt look to his cheeks as his face was spread in a wide smile.

David's hand reached behind, gripping Lilly's hip.
"I don't know how you know me, but I'm going to ask you to back up from me and my wife."

The vampire did take a step back, one fist covered his mouth dropping open and the other hand slapping his thigh.

"Your wife!
Oh, man! That's so cool!
I was never sure about you.
I thought you had a thing for Marco, but then you and Star we obviously together...
but then Michael came around and!... oh wow.
Wife?
She's lovely. Hi!"

He gave a little wave and seemed really happy.
Lilly was tempted to wave back, especially feeling the tension leave Davids body in front of her.
He was just shaking his head slowly, looking at the young man in front of him.

"Who... who are you?"

The stranger bowed his head a little, seemingly suddenly overcome with shyness.
"Well, some of us had to leave Neverland and grow up... even if just a bit."