Blood Ties

The Beginning

The night was thick with mist as the Lost Boys roamed the boardwalk, laughter and chaos their constant companions. Their leather jackets and wild hair marked them as troublemakers, but there was something darker lurking beneath the surface—a secret they kept hidden from everyone. It wasn't just the fact that they were vampires; it was her.

Ava.

The youngest of the Lost Boys, Ava was different from her brothers in more ways than one. Unlike them, she couldn't feed on human blood. Her body rejected it, and she was solely reliant on her brothers' blood to survive. It created an unbreakable bond between them, but it also made her fragile—more fragile than she ever wanted to be.

David, the oldest and leader, was always the first to sense her fear. His icy blue eyes softened as he looked down at her small frame, curled up on the couch in their cave. She looked so out of place among the sharp rocks and dripping stalactites.

"Ava, you hungry?" he asked, his voice low, protective.

She nodded, her wide eyes filled with both need and hesitation. She hated being dependent on them like this. But what choice did she have?

Paul bounced into the room, his usual mischievous grin plastered on his face, but it faded when he saw Ava's expression. "Don't worry, sis," he said, his hand resting lightly on her shoulder. "We got you."

Dwayne followed close behind, his quiet, stoic presence offering a sense of calm. Marko, the most playful of the group, was already sitting next to her, ruffling her hair. "You know we'd do anything for you," he said, trying to cheer her up.

Ava managed a weak smile as David bit into his wrist, offering it to her. She took it reluctantly, drinking just enough to ease the gnawing hunger that always sat like a weight in her chest. The warmth of their blood filled her, but it also reminded her how tied she was to them.

It wasn't just hunger that Ava struggled with. Being apart from her brothers, even for a few hours, sent her into spirals of panic. She hated the empty feeling that consumed her when they were gone. And they knew it.

David sat down next to her, brushing a strand of her dark hair from her face. "You don't need to worry, Ava," he murmured. "We're not going anywhere. Ever."

The others nodded in agreement, as if they'd all silently sworn to never let her out of their sight.

"I know," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "But what if something happens? What if I'm alone?"

"You'll never be alone," Dwayne said firmly, his deep voice filled with certainty. "We won't let that happen."

Paul grinned, flashing his fangs. "No one would even dare try and mess with you. Not while we're around."

Marko added, "And even if they tried, they'd have to go through all of us first."

Ava looked around at them—her brothers, her protectors. They were wild and dangerous to the outside world, but to her, they were everything. She couldn't imagine life without them, and the mere thought of being separated from them made her stomach twist in knots.

David leaned in closer, his hand on the back of her neck. "We're your family, Ava. Blood of our blood. Nothing will ever change that."

His words made her feel safe, but they also reminded her of the dark truth—she would never be normal, never live a life separate from them. But maybe that was okay. Maybe it was enough that she had them, that they were willing to share their strength and protect her at all costs.

Paul threw his arm around her, pulling her into his side. "Now, no more moping, okay? You've got all of us. Forever."

She nodded, finally feeling the tension in her chest ease. As long as her brothers were with her, she could face whatever came their way. The world outside was full of danger and darkness, but inside their cave, inside this little makeshift family, she knew she was safe.

And for now, that was all that mattered.