When We're the Famous Living Dead

When We Go Don't Blame Us

Emily

"What the hell is going on," I screamed at the men, "What did you do with my brother, you assholes?"

I'd arrived in the cemetery not long before, greeted by the two figures standing in a fog of cigarette smoke, hidden by the trees. The only people I'd ever seen out here in the middle of the night were drinkers, sex crazed teenagers, and occasionally the sexton would be jerking off in his office.

I'd always come here to drink myself, but tonight I was supposed to leave. I sensed that would no longer be an option so I leaned against one of the gravestones, crossing my ankles and hiding the knife in my hand as I rested my palms on the top of the stone.

"I'm more curious as to who you are, my dear," the taller man murmured, curling his lips into a smile as he looked down at me. His gaze sent shivers down my spine and I couldn't help but stare back, which he seemed to like as his smile grew.

"I asked my question first; you answer."

"Well, you're in a cemetery at three in the morning with a suitcase. We were merely trying to find some lunch. Now, who are you?"

"I'm Emily and you fuckers killed my brother," I shrieked.

"Hello, Emily," the shorter one replied. "I'm Frank and this is Gerard. Do you have any other questions?"

"Well, I'm pretty curious as to why you have fangs," I replied casually. Frank grinned wide, exposing his teeth.

"Well darlin," Frank drawled, "We're vampires; Draculas, undead, blah blah blah. We don't sparkle, we don't watch teens sleep, and we're older than the United States."

"You killed my brother, didn't you?" I whispered and Gerard nodded. "Why him?"

"Because we don't want anyone to take you."

"Scott," I breathed.

"Emily? Is that you?"

"Yes."

"What's going on; are you alright?"

"No," I admitted, "I just can't do this. Dad's drinking again and hitting and I can't keep pretending that I'm alright. I have to get out of here, I can't let him do this to me again. I want to come live with you."

The line was silent for several minutes.

"Scott?"

"Okay," he finally replied. "But you have to be convincing that you didn't just run to me. He'll come and take you away again. I don't want you to have to deal with that either but you have to hold your own."

"Well, how the hell do I do that?"

He ignored my curse. "You need to stay there for at least a week. Settle into the house, at least pretend to go to school, and convince dad that you're fine. Does Ashley know how you feel? I know she's Daddy's little princess and that could help you gain trust."

"She couldn't care less, Scott. You know that. To Ashley I'm the one thing that always stood between her and high school popularity."

He sighed. "Good. Pack a small bag; your favorite clothes, some of your stupid CDs, the emptiest sketchbook you have, anything that can keep you entertained because I'll be in classes. When you get here, you have to stay out of the way and you can't show your face in public or it could get back to your father."

"I can do that."

"Why would you possibly do that," I spat.

"Maybe I care about you, sweetheart."

"You don't know shit about me."

I flung my biggest book at him and spun around, prepared to run. But I'd only gotten a few feet before he was in front of me. I was lifted off the ground, held by only one of his hands. He cupped the other one under my jaw and forced me to look at him.

"Maybe I want to."

Was this asshole really going to try and kiss me?

"Excuse you," the younger man interrupted. "I thought you liked me. Oh my God, were you just making everything up? Seriously, we had sex last night and if you were just doing that to get a reaction out of the fans, well I don't think I can stay in this band anymore I mean come on last night I really thought you liked me and I-"

"Frank, do me a favor. Shut your goddamn mouth, wait two hours, and then I'll fuck you through the mattress."

Frank blushed and I shivered. "Faggots," I snarled, completely aware that my choice of words would get a rise out of at least one of them. They both growled at me, exposing their razor sharp teeth and I began to rethink my statement; I didn't want to die tonight. "Please just let me go; I need to leave!"

"What's so important that you need to leave?"

"When the right time rolls around, I'll come pick you up at school."

I chewed on my lip. "We can't do that."

"Why not?"

"Dad said he wants to pick me up. He doesn't trust me, I know it."

"We'll figure something out, alright?"

"Kay. Thank you, Scott."

"Welcome; love ya."

"Why do you want to leave so bad?"

"It's none of your business!"

"Well honey," the one named Frank said, "We're about to make it our business. Right Gerard?"

"We can get you out of here," Gerard whispered.

"Let me go. Please," I added.

"Fine. You win, for now."

He let go of my legs and still holding me, gently lowered me to the ground. Now that both of them were staring at me, I felt scared standing there with a tiny frame and only four feet and nine inches in my arsenal. But none of that mattered, considering that they were freaking vampires.

I gathered my book and put it back in my bag and without wasting another second I ran out of there. I ignored the sounds the rubber of my sneakers made on the wet grass, or the two laughing behind me.