Eighth Grade Bites

Halloween 1

Vlad turned to the side, admiring his image in the mirror with a smirk. Henry was going to lose it when he was Vlad's costume. They hadn't discussed what they were dressing us as, but the pathetic black nylon cape and plastic fangs that Vlad had picked up at the Stop & Shop last weekend were sure to be the running gag of the evening between them. He brushed his black hair from his eyes and slipped the plastic teeth into his mouth. They fit perfectly over his own fangs, which were protruding slightly, despite his large dinner.

Not an hour before, Aunt Nelly had warmed two sizable steaks until blood dripped from the raw meat. He'd restrained himself from picking up the steaks with his bare hands and ripping into them, but only because Aunt Nelly insisted on manners.

He pulled out the fake teeth out of his mouth and examined the sharp points of his fangs. 'Aunt Nelly, you'd better get a snack pack ready.'

'But you just ate,' Came a lilting voice from the bottom of the stairs. 'Oh well, better safe then sorry, I suppose. What time will Henry be here?'

'Any minute.' Satisfied with his costume, Vlad turned from the mirror.

Vlad left his bedroom and made his way down the stairs. Aunt Nelly stood at the bottom, holding up a plastic container covered with cling film. He could see the deep red, slushy contents through the wrap and licked his lips. 'Did you microwave it? Its better warm.'

'Its warm enough.' She handed it to him and widened here eyes in disgust as he bit through the Saran Wrap and slurped. 'Use a spoon! You'll get it all over the rug and I just had it cleaned. Between that rug and you T-shirts, the dry cleaner thinks were either accident prone or ax murdered. And take it easy on the snack packs tonight, Mr Midnight Feeder. There are only two left. I'd better bring some more blood bags from the hospital tonight and fix up enough for the rest of the week.'

'Could you get O positive this time? Its my favourite.'

She nodded and he smiled., brushing past her to the kitchen. He was spooning a big, sweet glib of half frozen blood into his mouth when the doorbell rang. With a hurried swallow, he dropped the empty container into the biohazard box beneath the sink and pooped the plastic fangs over his shrinking canines. His Aunt was greeting Henry with a hug.

Vlad jumped out from behind the separating wall and held his cheap cape out with both arms. 'I vant to suck your blood!'

Henry doubled over, roaring with laughter. when he straightened, he slapped Vlad on the shoulder. ' that's a sweet costume. Check me out. Youll just die.'

Vlad's jaw dropped at the sight of two small holes on Henrys neck.

'No way.' He stepped closer to inspect Henrys bite marks. They where flawless. Vlad had only seen one actual vampire bite on a human before, and Henrys handiwork was very close to the real thing. 'What did you use?'

'Silly putty and raspberry jam.'

'Seedless?'

'Well duh. Can't have sends in my wound. Might get infected.'

Vlad stuffed a tube of sunscreen into his pocket, and opened the door. 'Party's over at midnight.'

Nelly held her hand out. 'You won't need that. I want you home by eleven.'

Nelly looked at Henry for confirmation. He nodded enthusiastically. 'We can't miss it.'

'Well....' She but her lip in contemplation, and after what seemed like an eternity, she sighed. 'All right, but stick together. And if you get hungry, give me a call on my cell. I'll be at Debs until late.'

Henry nudged Vlad with his elbow. 'Matthew called me earlier and said Meredith will be there.'

Vlad shot him a look that screamed 'shut up', and they bounded out the door, vampire and victim.