Daniel dire teenage vampire hunter extraordinaire

### Chapter 12: Shadows and Sunscreen

Daniel Dire leaned against his locker, trying to catch his breath. The weight of balancing high school and vampire hunting was beginning to take its toll. As he reached for his biology textbook, Vorthos appeared beside him, his usual grin replaced by a frown.

"Danny," Vorthos began, his voice low and serious, "there's something odd about Jessica."

Danny's heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean?"

"I don't know," Vorthos admitted, frustration evident in his eyes. "She seems familiar, but I can't figure out why."

Danny glanced across the hallway where Jessica stood talking to a group of friends. Her laugh was light, carefree, and it made his stomach do flips. But now, Vorthos's words planted a seed of doubt in his mind.

"We'll figure it out," Danny said, trying to reassure both Vorthos and himself. "But right now, we've got bigger problems."

"Right," Vorthos nodded. "Like Georgey Geono. But first, there's something else you should know." He leaned in closer, lowering his voice even further. "I found a way to get around the sun."

"How?" Danny asked, intrigued.

"Sunscreen," Vorthos said with a grin. "A special formula that blocks the sun's harmful rays. It allows me to move around during the day."

Danny raised an eyebrow. "That's actually pretty genius."

"Indeed," Vorthos replied, a hint of pride in his voice. "Now, let's focus on Georgey."

---

That afternoon, Danny found himself in a secluded part of town, face-to-face with Georgey Geono. The day walker hovered a few feet above the ground, his eyes glowing with a menacing red light.

"Well, if it isn't Daniel Dire," Georgey said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I've heard a lot about you."

"And you're Georgey Geono," Danny replied, trying to keep his voice steady. "I've heard you're quite the challenge."

Georgey laughed, the sound echoing through the empty streets. "Challenge? I'm a nightmare, kid."

Without warning, Georgey lunged at Danny with blinding speed. Danny barely had time to react, dodging to the side as Georgey's fist collided with the ground, leaving a small crater.

Danny retaliated with a series of punches, but Georgey effortlessly blocked each one, his movements a blur. Danny's frustration grew with each failed attempt.

"Is that all you've got?" Georgey taunted, a cruel smile spreading across his face.

Danny gritted his teeth and charged again, this time aiming for Georgey's midsection. Georgey caught Danny's fist in mid-air and twisted his arm, sending him crashing to the ground.

"You really think you can beat me?" Georgey sneered. "You're out of your league."

Danny struggled to his feet, his entire body aching. He knew he was outmatched, but he couldn't back down. Not now.

As Georgey prepared to deliver the final blow, Danny's mind raced. He needed a plan, something to turn the tide. Suddenly, he remembered the vial of holy water in his pocket—the same one that had saved him from the Ninja Vampire.

Desperation gave him strength. Danny pulled out the vial and hurled it at Georgey. The glass shattered on impact, and the holy water sizzled as it touched Georgey's skin.

Georgey screamed in agony, clutching his face. "You little brat!" he roared, his voice distorted by pain.

Danny saw his chance and lunged forward, but before he could land a blow, Georgey recovered. With a swift, powerful strike, he sent Danny flying into a nearby wall.

Danny's vision blurred as he slumped to the ground. Georgey hovered above him, his face twisted with fury. "I'll let you live this time," he spat. "But next time, you won't be so lucky."

With that, Georgey flew away, leaving Danny battered and defeated. As darkness closed in, Danny's last thought was of his parents. He couldn't give up. He had to keep fighting. For them and for everyone else who depended on him.

---

Danny awoke in his bed, the events of the fight replaying in his mind. He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see Benny and Vorthos standing by his side.

"You're lucky to be alive," Benny said, his voice shaky.

"I know," Danny replied, his voice barely a whisper.

Vorthos nodded. "We need to be more careful. Georgey Geono is not to be underestimated."

"I won't make the same mistake again," Danny promised. "Next time, I'll be ready."

As he lay back, exhaustion overtaking him, Danny knew that the battle was far from over. But with his friends by his side, he felt a renewed sense of determination. They would face whatever came next, together.