Michael, The Vampire

Somewhere I Belong

I want to heal, I want to feel

What I thought was never real,

I want to let go of the pain I've held so long...

So I went to this orientation thing; I'll admit, the food was decent, but you can even tire of your favorite food if you have it too. Many times. The university had a stir fry station where you could pick what you wanted, and they'd make it, adding rice if you wanted. I did my usual: noodles, carrots, beef, pork, and chicken with teriyaki and General Tso's sauce. Sounds disgusting, I know. But it was delicious compared to what I had to choke down for eighteen years. After eating, the staff in charge lead us to an auditorium. I didn't pay attention to what was being said, too busy looking around, looking for exits; I didn't like crowds, and I hated not knowing how to leave.

I was snapped out of my escape planning as I was grabbed by Zeke, my R. A. I met eariler. My first instinct, which I reacted with, was to pull away and cock my fist back to swing at him, but he held his hands up to show he meant no harm.

"You should go play, it'd be great for you to get to know people."

Seeing as it was pointless to argue, I proceeded to climb the steps onto the stage, where everyone could see me; the last place I ever want to be is on stage, but at least I'm not alone. I'm greeted by un a group who then forms a circle with me. They bow to the middle, and I decided it was smart to play along, go with the flow. Suddenly they all shout while striking different combat poses.

"NINJA!!!!"

I watched as one by one, each person tried to tag the person next to them. They only got one move, and they had to freeze. If someone got tagged, they were out and the next person got to go. They had to be careful, because if they miss or don't reach their target, they leave themselves vulnerable to counterstrikes. I just got the idea about of the game down when I saw the person next to me move, straight for me. I quickly move out of the way, safely away from my attacker. I was always unnaturally quick, I like to think it was from all the years being chased by bullies that gave me my speed, always kept on my toes.

It was my move and I chose a defensive one, away from the other players. Soon each there was only five of us, four R. A.'s and me, the only student left. As they attempted to tag each other, the ground between me and them started to shorten, they were closing in on me. With no exit to escape from, I came to the realization that they set me up. Before I could get too far, I was surrounded; a situation I'm all too familiar with. I used my turn to crouch, looking defensive; all four surrounded me and one reached for me, I jumped over them and landed outside their little circle. I was a little surprised how high I got as I cleared the tallest R.A. who was over six feet tall. My triumph was short lived as they quickly cycled through their turns as I was in the air so the one I landed next to tagged me. Once again, I had a group against me; does this world ever change? I walked to the exit and decent the stairs as one of the other staff members hands me a shirt.

"For being the last student and lasting so long."

Oh yay, I get a shirt that doesn't even fit me for being ganged up on in front of the entire school. Once the game was over, we were spilt into groups. While I was in this group, they were congratulating me for "winning" as we were given a tour of the rest of the campus. They seemed to actually want to get to know me, I thought I might finally be able to make friends here; everybody waved and said hi as I went by, and I started to do the same. They aren't from where I am, they don't know what I've been through, I can honestly have a fresh start. Before I knew it, I had a small group in the group, telling jokes and all having a good time.

Then the group tour and exercises ended.

Everybody started to go in different directions, I assumed it was to go back to their dorms. I followed the group in the direction of my hall, but the group kept breaking off as we passed different halls, no one saying a word to me, not even looking at me. Soon, I found myself alone, once again. I realized that nothing changed, my fifeteen minutes of fame were over, time go to return to anonymity. As I made my way to Jackson Hall, there was a football practice field to my left behind a fence and a parking lot to my right, half filled with cars and buses. I was back to where I started, alone in the dark; I took my music player out and played the first song on it as I put my ear buds in.

I want to let go of the pain I've held so long
(Erase all the pain till it's gone)

I want to heal, I want to feel

Like I'm close to something real

I want to find something I've wanted all along

I let the words echo in my head as I see a small group of people approaching me. I step off onto the grass, not wanting any conflict on my first day as they pass by. I reach Jackson Hall when I have the feeling I need to turn around. As I do, I come to find out the small group stopped and watched me walk to my hall. We stared at each other for the longest time. What was their problem? It was mostly tall guys, but it was the woman who held my attention. I don't know what it was, but I couldn't look away, she and I were locked. Who was she? What did she want? Who are those guys she's with? Our little scanning of each other ended when one of the taller guys grabbed her arm and the group turned to leave. I turn to enter my hall when I hear it: my only friend and comfort.

All other bodies start running for cover, running inside as the thunder rolls. As for me, I step out from under the awning, covering myself in the cold, hard rain. I looked up at the downpour, letting the water cover my face. The cool water soothing my back, drenching the sore injures from bullies and fights past, I faintly hear the memories of my fights. As soon as no one is out, I take off in a full out sprint. I was always unnaturally fast, so covering campus was not a problem for me, but I didn't like people watching me. I learned parkour from the Internet and video games, so I applied it regularly. I jumped over railings and benches, climbing into a low tree. Jumping from tree to tree, I got to see the campus in a way few ever do. The campus was massive. I was soaked from the wet leaves slapping my body as I jumped between trees. As I finally pause to over catch my breath, I found myself level with the third floor of Jackson Hall; I was face to face with another resident of the Hall, the woman from before.

Most people would scream or yell from seeing someone outside a third floor window, but not her; she just calmly looked back at me. I could see every detail of her face, perfectly smooth and tanned. Her hair was dark and shiny from her room light, her dark brown eyes bright with life and entrancing me. She smiled at me, her teeth were white and perfect, like any celebrity. Who is she? In my brief moment of paralysis and numbness, I lost my footing and fell from the branch. Wet branches and leaves slapped my body as the ground hurried to embrace me. But thus wasn't my first time falling; I braced my shoulder for the impact, as soon as I felt the wet grass, I threw my body into a roll and quickly regaining my footing. I look back up at the window with the woman. She witnessed the entire thing, yet no look of worry or concern fell on her flawless face. After a moment, she closed her blinds before walking away. I couldn't help but whisper to myself.

"Who are you?"

I walk to the entrance of Jackson Hall as I remember my music player is still playing, playing the same song over and over, stuck on repeat. I hear one more lyric before it dies, a constant reminder of what I've been looking for my entire life, and may die before I can find it:

Somewhere I belong...

A/N: I know it is longer than my previous chapter, I tried not to drag on, but I was having a hard time with a good ending. I know there wasn't a lot of dialogue but Michael is kinda being isolated. So you think Michael will find out who the woman is? Don't forget to vote and comment. I know you guys are looking for vampires and possibly other supernatural creatures. They're coming, I promise. WattVampires, you want memorable vamps, you got it, they ARE coming...