Death is Only the Beginning: A Guide to Vampirism

Fourteen: Cold as Ice

One look

A glance

Shouting with no sound

Cold as ice

No second chance

Soul frozen, heart bound.

I miss Lobo.

Who knew that this whole werewolf thing would be so annoying? Yes, I know, he's sequestered away for the sake of all humanity, but does it really have to be for so long? I do realize my reasons are purely selfish.

I'm lonely and I hurt. Physically and emotionally. Running is not my friend.

When I first walked into the classroom and saw Emily Ann, I swear the temperature dropped ten degrees. I've never seen such a cold look before. It wasn't a look of anger or irritation or anything. It was... ice. Obviously, I was not forgiven for the 'prank' I pulled the other night. I couldn't tell her the truth then anymore than I can tell her the truth now.

Feeling a little chilly, I trudge over to Lobo's usual spot and use books and folders to claim my territory. I have bigger things to worry about than Emily Ann. Speaking of bigger... I'm amazed at how much her belly has grown. Last week, I probably would have teased her about being ready to pop. She would have laughed and joked about having to waddle.

I kinda miss Emily Ann, too.

I suppose it is for the best. I mean, how long would we be able to stay friends once she finds out I'm a vampire? She'll never feel safe. And I couldn't swear to her that she would always be safe from me, either. I don't know enough about what I am, or what changes might happen. And even if I could guarantee her safety from me... would she start resenting me when she starts aging and I don't? Or would she not even give me a chance and run the other direction when she sees me? Would she tell her kids stories about how she escaped death from the hands of a monster?

Sighing, I drag out my notebook and pretend to study so I won't get in trouble. I find myself writing Emily Ann a note.

Going off to college often separates friends from high school. We can stay long distance friends and she would never have to know.

Yes, a friendship based on a lie. Is that what I really want? With another sigh, I scratch out what I wrote and tear the page out of the spiral binding. Keeping up with my pretend life long distance is sure to blow up in my face. I'm not creative enough to come up with enough lies to cover myself.

Besides, something really weird is going on, and Emily Ann is probably safer far away from me. Flipping to an empty page, I start writing some of the things that have been happening. Maybe I can make sense of it. After all, it seems to work for the heroines in all my favorite mystery novels!

1. Silver cross strung with garlic on the front door.

2. Mysterious note pinned to that same door with a wooden stake.

Oh, that's just too sad. I have only two clues? Not even that Drew character would be able to figure out whodunit with just two clues!

It is pretty much a no-brainer that whoever it is knows that I'm a vampire. My parents know (but why would they stake a hole in their own front door), Gabe (doubtful, since he looked so angry at that note), Lobo (he may be a bit of a joker, but he's never been mean), and the murderer. Oh, and my entire class if they actually believed what I said that day I told them I was a vampire.

So it is either Jeremiah sending me some sort of odd message or one of my classmates pulling a really bizarre practical joke.

I look around the room, but everyone is engrossed in their own assignments. As far as I can tell, no one was looking at me any different than they usually do. There's no snickering or side glances or whispering. The only one acting any different towards me is Emily Ann. And if I had a list of suspects (which I guess I sorta do), then she'd be at the very bottom. I'd suspect my mother before I'd suspect Emily Ann.

Well, I haven't narrowed my list down at all. If only I had seen the note. I bet the mystery person signed their name. Gabe, the rat, is holding out on me! Soon as I get home, I'm calling him and DEMANDING to know what was in that note.

My watch says that only five minutes have passed since class started.

This is going to be a loooong night.

I need a faster watch.