Halfling

What I Thought Was A Lie

Walls have ears.

Doors have eyes.

Trees have voices.

Beasts tell lies.

Beware the rain.

Beware the snow.

Beware the man

You think you know.

---Songs of Sapphique

Twenty two was another odd age. Like the last few years, I haven't seemed to change. I go out on days and take care of Max's shop, while at night I ride waves or find groups to take up my time with smoking or drinking. I make sure I eat at my scheduled time and I do not dwell too far from my usual path incase of an emergency. Living with Max has been the easiest choice I could have ever made for myself. Max had taught me how to run a business, foods that help with my cravings, and how to avoid situations I might be tempted in.

Along the way, we found I have the same mind control he does, which is odd given I am not a full vampire. But unlike Max, I seem to be able to control other vampires though Max is the only other vampire I know. Max normally tells me to stay clear of the shop at night since it would be one of those situations I might find myself tempted in, though I do not understand why. Tonight is no different. As I look up at the stars and soak up the warmth from the bonfire not far from me, I feel oddly alive. Like a live wire ready for whatever adventures the night brings.

Riker: "Hey Y/N, Want to go to a cave party?"

"I don't really do the whole party or people thing."

Riker: "Oh I know. It is just a cool spot Maddox found one day. It's an old hotel that fell in. We were just going to meet up with Maddox and Jacy to smoke and listen to some music if you want to come?"

"So it is not a party? Just the usual gang?"

Lance: "Duh. We have just as many friends as you do Red. It's not like we just find strange people to smoke with."

"You found me. But if Maddox is going then I will go. I haven't seen him in a week."

I made my way off the ground to follow Lance and Riker to their PT Cruiser. Double Trouble we call them since they are identical twins. They call me Red due to my ever growing issue with my short temper. Maddox is a little bit older than us but still likes to act like he has no cares in the world and Jacy is the only stoner who can truly out smoke me which is saying something since, well, I am part vampire. No one knows this of course because that could be a risk to Max and I. They all just believe I moved down here with my uncle because I was tired of the snow, which isn't fully a lie.

I listen to the waves crash into the sides of the cliff. I can feel the buzzing inside my body intensify and just blame it on the weed and booze mixture. I can hear the roaring of AC/DC as we make our way into the opening of the cave. I could smell it before I saw it. I lit the end of my blunt to mask the smell of fresh blood. Only it had to be a lot because the strong smell of smoke could not mask it. And the twins could smell it as well.

Once fully into the cave, Maddox and Jacy were laying on the floor. Maddox was missing an arm, foot, and was in a pool of blood. Jacy had no throat and this seemed a lot like what I imagined a vampire kill to be like but Max assured me we were the only ones in this city. I took a long drag to calm my nerves because I could feel my face changing and I couldn't make this situation look any worse than it already is. A flash of a man dropped from the ceiling, hoisted up Lance, and disappeared within second. Riker was next. I could hear their screams till I couldn't. I slowly backed away from the scene only to be met by a strong chest or hopefully a brick wall. But then I felt it, electricity ran up my spine and made my heart skip several beats.

??: "Stop. This one is mine."

"I am no ones."

I turned to face the man with my face fully changed and my fangs bared only to be met with a similar face. A vampire.

??: "Care to explain?"

"No. I do not. Care to explain why you are in my city?"

??: "Your city?! You hear that Marko?"

Marko: "What makes this your city?"

"There are only two vampires that reside here. I would have been told if there were more."

The blonde in front of me seemed unmoving. Soon the two who took off with my friends were on either side of me but now I know the curly headed one to be Marko. I felt a presence behind me and felt completely surrounded.

??: "You see, that is not the case. For me, I have been here since the fifties. Dwayne close to the same time. Marko and Paul both came from the sixties. You seem newer. I would have been told if you had come to town. Not the other way around."

"So you are Marko. I am guessing the rocker here is Paul. Whoever behind me must be Dwayne, which leaves you. So who are you?"

David: "David. Now explain."

"You wouldn't believe me."

David: "Try us."

"I moved here four years ago with my uncle who is also a vampire. As far as we know, I am the only born half vampire so the smell of my friends bleeding out is a little fucking much and I would appreciate it if we took this outside or somewhere that didn't smell of Double Trouble blood."

Paul stepped away from me allowing me to move out of the cave and take another long drag from my blunt. So much for a peaceful night.