Blood Ties

A Normal Night

As the evening deepened, the familiar buzz of the boardwalk called to the Lost Boys, drawing them out from their cave. The lights flickered like fireflies in the distance, casting a warm glow over the crowds of unsuspecting humans. It was their playground, and tonight, like every other night, they'd own it.

David led the way, his confident stride signaling to the others that the night had officially begun. Ava trailed close behind, sandwiched protectively between Marko and Dwayne. Paul walked just ahead, already making jokes to lighten the mood, his infectious laughter drawing curious glances from passersby. But no one dared approach them—they exuded an aura of danger that most people instinctively avoided.

The boys thrived in the chaos of the night, but for Ava, the loud sounds, flashing lights, and masses of people were overwhelming. She tugged nervously at her jacket sleeve, staying as close as she could to Dwayne, whose calm presence always reassured her.

"Relax, sis," Marko whispered, sensing her discomfort. He grinned at her, his fangs just visible. "It's just another night. Same as always."

Ava nodded, trying to calm her racing heart. She knew she was safe with them, but the sheer volume of humanity around her made her uneasy. She wasn't like her brothers—hungry for the hunt. Her needs were simpler, but more limiting.

They wove through the crowds with practiced ease, their presence part of the scene yet detached, like ghosts haunting the boardwalk. David was always on the lookout for potential prey, but tonight was more about fun than feeding. He wanted the night to feel easy for Ava, who had been particularly anxious earlier.

As they reached their usual spot near the pier, Paul pulled out a pack of cigarettes, lighting one up with a dramatic flick of his wrist. "Alright, what's the plan tonight? Cause I'm feeling something big." He gave a wink to Ava, trying to coax a smile out of her.

Ava, still glued to Dwayne's side, shrugged. She loved her brothers' wild energy, but she wasn't quite as eager to jump into the mischief as they were.

Marko leaned in. "How about we hit the arcade? Bet I can beat you at skee-ball, Ava."

"Dream on," she teased back, feeling a little more at ease. She knew he was only trying to lift her spirits, and for a moment, she appreciated the distraction.

David, who had been surveying the crowd, finally turned his attention back to them. "Alright, arcade it is. But no causing a scene tonight," he added, with a pointed look at Paul, who held up his hands in mock innocence.

"Me? A scene? Never."

With a roll of his eyes, David led them toward the neon-lit arcade. It was one of their usual hangouts—a place where they could blend in just enough, surrounded by flashing lights and ringing machines, but also keep an eye on the crowd. For Ava, it was a comfort zone, away from the darker, more dangerous side of their nights.

Inside the arcade, Ava relaxed even more. The familiar hum of the machines, the clinking of quarters, and the scent of greasy food made her feel grounded. Marko grabbed her hand, pulling her over to the skee-ball machines, while Dwayne and David found a corner to keep watch. Paul, always restless, bounced from one game to another, racking up tickets like a kid on sugar.

As they played, Ava found herself laughing, the anxiety from earlier melting away. Marko, true to his word, was terrible at skee-ball, and she teased him mercilessly as her score climbed higher and higher.

"Alright, alright, you win!" Marko finally conceded, grinning at her.

Ava smirked, tossing the last ball. "Told you."

The night stretched on like this—easy, familiar. The Lost Boys kept to their routine: blending in just enough to avoid suspicion, but always watching, always ready to protect their own. Ava might have been the youngest, the most fragile in some ways, but they never made her feel weak. They made her feel safe.

When the arcade began to close down, David gathered the group with a simple nod. It was time to head back to the cave. As they walked back along the quieting boardwalk, Ava felt the cool breeze off the ocean, the salty air filling her lungs. Paul slung an arm over her shoulder, his teasing never far behind.

"You know, Ava, if you ever get tired of us, you could probably take over the whole boardwalk with your skee-ball skills."

Ava rolled her eyes but smiled. "Right. Because that's totally my goal."

David, walking just ahead, turned his head slightly. "You're not going anywhere. You're one of us. Always."

His words carried a weight that settled deep inside her, but instead of fear, it brought comfort. She didn't want to go anywhere. As much as her life with the Lost Boys was far from normal, it was hers. And as long as they were with her, everything felt right.

When they finally reached the cave, the brothers filed in with their usual energy, but Ava hesitated for just a second, looking back out at the ocean, the moonlight reflecting on the waves. She felt a soft, reassuring nudge from Dwayne, who had noticed her pause.

"Everything good?" he asked quietly.

She nodded, letting him guide her inside. "Yeah. As long as we stick together."

And they always would.