The Lost Girl

Two

"Grab the rock box, Kid." Paul shouted at Laddie enthusiastically. The commotion waking me from my slumber. "You're finally awake!" Laddie said, excitement coating his voice. He rushed over to Paul with the rock box before sprinting his way towards me, plopping onto the bundle of pillows and blankets that I was sitting on. "I'm Laddie." His tone still chipper. "He's been eagerly waiting for you to rise from the dead." Dwayne spoke before earning a nudge in the ribs from Marko. My throat began to dry out. I hooked my fingers around my throat, rubbing it as I gave Marko a worried look. He smiled and turned to Dwayne, who then turned towards Paul. If looks could kill right now, I would have been a goner. The death stare Paul was giving me was more worrisome then the desert that inhabited my throat. "Fuck this." Paul mumbled. For as far away from me as he was, I heard his remark crystal clear. "Paul--" "Let him go.
He'll be back. It's time for someone's initiation into the family." David rounded the corner, cutting off Markos plea for Paul to stay.

Marko escorted me out of the cave we resided in. "This used to be the hottest resort in Santa Carla about eighty-five years ago." Marko said behind a warm smile. "Why do you guys, well we. Why do we reside in a cave?" I questioned. "We can probably show you better than we can tell you." He said, full of enthusiasm. "Well, this is your chariot." Marko added in a joking manner, pointing at his bike. It was a Yamaha XT500 with yellow accents. "I'm not getting on your bike." My voice shaking. "It could kill me." I quickly added. "Well, Laddie is with Dwayne, and Star is with David. Paul is out-- clearing his mind.
Which leaves you, with me. I promise to keep you safe." I rolled my eyes at him before hesitantly getting on the back. While we were sitting here bickering at each other about his death machine, the others got a head start. "Just hang on tight, okay?" His tone was warm. Almost as warm as his smile. It didn't take us long to catch up to the others, considering these boys ride like they have nine lives. "Marko! If you don't slow down, you'll kill us both." I shouted at him, hitting his chest as I did. All he did was laugh at my reaction.

The ride was frightening at first, but the way the moon and stars danced on the ocean was far more divine than watching them dance together in harmony from the boardwalk. I rested my head on Markos shoulder blade, earning me a pat on the knee. After ten minutes of riding across the shoreline, we made it to a bonfire that was surrounded by a group of intoxicated college kids. "Told you I'd keep you safe, and something tells me you enjoyed the ride." Marko whispered to me, earning him the first smile i've had since the accident. Surfboards decorated the sand around us. "We aren't late are we?" David questioned in a taunting yet menacing tone. Star took Laddie and walked towards the boardwalk, not wanting to take part in tonight's festivities. "What the hell are you guys doing here?" One of the boys questioned David. "Funny that you ask. It's our friend heres initiation day." David remarked, clapping his hands together as he stalked towards the boy. Marko and Dwayne following shortly behind. Their faces morphed, they sprouted fangs and their eyes were an intimidating red. I fell backwards into the sand, startled by their new appearances. David looked much older than he appeared, Dwayne and Markos appearance stayed relatively the same. They began to feast on the boys.

Not only did their boards decorate the sand, but so did their blood. "It's your turn Claire. Join us and never grow old. Become immortal." David looked at me, tossing a body in my direction. I felt sick to my stomach, almost guilty. I knew that once I consumed this boys blood, I will be blood thirsty for the rest of eternity. I'll never be able to see Sam and Michael again. Tears began to grow, slowly slipping from my traitorous eyes. 'Why did they choose me for this life.' A hand on the small of my back tore me from my thoughts. "The choice is yours." Marko added behind a smile as he whipped blood off his now reverted appearance. I felt a new set of eyes on me. A pair that weren't here when we arrived. I looked around, finding Paul perched in a tree, watching the events unfold. I looked at the boys who were with me, then back at the body that was presented before me. I made my choice, and I made my kill.

'Did I do it to be spiteful due to his hatred for me? Did I truly want this life for myself?'
__________

The trip back to the cave never felt more freeing. I'd never felt more alive. "Welcome to the family Claire." Dwayne spoke before venturing off deeper into the caves, dancing around with Laddie as the darkness consumed them. I noticed Pauls bike was still not here. Marko walked by my side into the cave. "What's been up with Paul?" I questioned him, my fingers darting between each other to ease the anxious feeling that washed over me. "You are now sired to him, since he is the one who turned you." Marko started. We sat across from each other once we reached the common room within the cave walls. "We don't like being the ones who turn people unless we are certain the person we are turning, is our mate. Together for all eternity and bound by blood. A part of Paul regrets turning you, and he's lashing out in anger. I'm sorry, you don't deserve it." Marko finished. He looked over my shoulder, patting my leg before standing up. I looked behind me, only to find Paul. His face full of guilt with hints of sympathy.
__________

"If you want to live, you gotta drink Sweets." Paul told me in a hushed manner. I did as I was told, afraid of dying. The pain I was feeling slowly subsiding. Pauls hands reached around my shape, lifting me off the cold, hard cement. "We gotta get her back to the hideout." Pauls voice was shaky, almost worried. "What about them? They are waking up." Marko added. "Star, head to the boardwalk and use a pay phone to call an ambulance. Then lets get the hell out of here." David ordered. What they were saying was a blur to me. The last thing I saw before slipping unconscious, was the face of my angel, and he was the most beautiful entity I've ever laid eyes on. The sound of his heartbeat made me slip away, finally coming to the sweet bliss I was desperately searching for.
__________

I looked away from Paul. There was a strange kinetic energy when I made eye contact with him. 'Is that feeling the sire bond?' I thought to myself. "Yes it is, and that's all it ever will be." Paul told me harshly. "I'm sorry?" I questioned. "Forget it. Let's go, we gotta get deeper into the caves before sunrise." He responded as he turned his back to me. I followed at a distance, not wanting to anger him more. Every part of me wanted to ask him why. Why did he turn me if it troubled him so much, but I knew it wasn't the time. I don't think there will ever be a time to ask him. I'm forever bound by blood to someone who can't stand my existence.