A Vampire Thing

Chapter Two

The posters were up before Robins blood red flower had time to wither. Missing: Robin Branagh. It seemed like they were glued to every sign post in the country. Every corner Vlad sped around; there was the poster.

Erin was watching the news on their brand new television, Artur sat on her lap.

She had been able to pay off all the bills and even buy a new car. Vlad had given her the money, he'd said it had come from his savings account, but she wasn't sure she believed him. Not that Erin was going to argue.

"UV Intollerance death numbers have increased by fourty five percent over the last week," The news presenter reported, "Medical scientists are blaming these horrific statistics on lack of caution. If you are affected by the sun in any way; stay indoors. I repeat; stay indoors."

Erin found herself laughing. This coming from the girl who didn't have to worry about wearing protective clothing every time she wanted to go outside to hang up the washing.

"Vladdy!" The Count ran up to his son who was in the kitchen preparing a drink, "I can't take it! Perhaps we should move out of the country and go into hiding!"

"Dad," Vlad poured soyblood in his cup. It was called Power Juice now; the way that UV intollerant people could get vitamin D into their diet, "We're already technically in hiding."

"What if someone casually drives past and sees the grave? Someone must know he came here. What if those police... men come knocking on our door?!" Count Dracula was clearly panicked, as usual.

"Just relax," Vlad pulled out a glass and poured some juice for his father, "No cops are going to come here."

Wolfie ran up and down the hills of lower Scotland. As a wolf.

He had a secret. He could run so fast, he could be half way across the country in only half an hour. Ghosts, zombies, vampires; they weren't real. But werewolves, they were. And Wolfie was one of them.

He had never told anyone and he was almost completely certain that he never would. What would people do to him if they found out?

Wolfie was worried they'd take him to a lab and chop him up into little pieces. That thought didn't comfort him.

Still, he was so free. He could handle a little sun, he was a five on the UV Intollerance scale. So whenever the sky turned orange he would run out into the evening light. Over the hills, sometimes even mountains. He was free. Not restricted, he could go wherever he wished.

Erin flicked the switch on the televsion remote and the screen flicked off. She stood up and carried Artur into her room. She kissed his forehead and gently placed him in his crib which was next to her bed.

They all had beds now. Apparently they were more comfortable than coffins. Vlad hated it but could hardly refuse; what would he say if they questioned him?

Vlad found it strange how his thoughts had changed so suddenly. All his life he'd wanted this world; a world which vampires played no part in.

Now he wasn't so sure. He missed his old life. And felt guilty for mind wiping everyone; he had taken away everything they were. But he could never undo the mind wipe; the consequences would be disastrous.

"Wolfie's not back yet," The Count said when they sat around the dining table, "It's almost his bed time."

Vlad wasn't sure about Wolfie. Did he remember something? Had he run away to seek answers? Then again, Vlad wondered this every night, and every night Wolfie returned.

Erin walked into the room carrying a tray with potato bake on it, it looked burnt, "Don't think, just eat."

There was a knock at the door and a very, very loud shout, "Police! Open up!!"