If I Die By Sunrise

Easier to Run

Since there is no escape, since at the end

My body will be utterly destroyed

This hand I love as I have loved a friend,

This body I tended, wept with and enjoyed;

Since there is no escape even for me...

In pride, and let me sing with my last breath,

In these few hours of light I lift my head,

Life is my lover- I shall leave the dead

If there is any way to baffle death.

Jerry

The beer in his hand was chilled to perfection, on the t.v. some mindless sitcom buzzed in the background, and downstairs his catch remained quiet and tangible in his holding cell, with nowhere to run and nowhere to hide.

Yep, this had got to be one of his favorite nights. In all of 300 years he never imagined it could be this good, that he could have everything he ever wanted so close. Just the thought that the blood he craved was just a mere few feet away was so tantalizing he could feel the sharp points of his fangs resurfacing threatening to tear past his lips.

He was satisfied alright. Even despite Charley's futile attempts to evade him (a feat that was impossible of course, what with Jerry's precise skill with building confinements and Charley's weak human attributes). But of course that would all change when the deluded teen realized he would never go home again.

Because being a slave was tough and serious. One Jerry had seen first hand over the past three centuries, and no matter how much he enjoyed watching them squirm at the hand of their Master, he knew that finding his own would be a long and arduous task.

But Charley was perfect. As perfect as any human could be. He was spunky, bright and very, very brave. Even better was the taste of his blood; so sharp and potent. It made everything else seem stale in comparison. Jerry was an expert connoisseur of the crimson liquid, but never had he tasted anything like that.

And even the boy's touch shot an unexpected but nonetheless welcomed reaction through him.

He was getting deeper into his mind when the sound of a vehicle approaching cut through his thoughts.

In less than half a second he was standing at his window and speculating the oncoming police cruiser.

Two men emerged from the parked car carrying what seemed to be a missing poster. The first thing Jerry thought was it's not going to be over so soon, the second; this was going to be fun.

"What seems to be the problem Officers?" Jerry smiled, opening the door with one of his most perfect grins.

The shorter of the two, a chubby guy with curly red hair, who Jerry could see was nervous and bumbling, introduced himself first. "I'm Officer Joseph Martin and this is Sheriff Delaney and we are sorry to bother you but um, is there any way you might've seen this person."

He held up the poster with someone who was definitely not Charley, in fact it wasn't anyone Jerry knew or came across. This bothered him more than he could figure.

The Officer continued "This is Keith Leo. He's been missing for a couple of weeks now and family and friends can't seem to recall his last whereabouts. Seems like a classic case of troubled teen runaway."

As he spoke the other Officer studied Jerry, obviously trying to gauge any reaction or misplaced facial expressions. But Jerry's face remained stone still as usual, frozen in that forever calmness that supplied to his charm.

When the Officer finished his rant, Jerry piped up with casual earnestness. "Nope, haven't seen him. I've been so busy working on this fixer upper that I'm afraid I don't go out much anyway. But if I do see him walking around I'll give you a call."

The Officers seemed a bit dazzled, which was the effect Jerry had on humans, before finally conceding that that was all they were going to get from him. In a somewhat aborted attempt at moving, they finally walked away, giving Jerry a handshake and a smile.

Jerry was glad that was over. He had plans tonight after all and they involved getting Charley very drunk and very pliable. With a crooked smile he made his way over to Charley's cell ready to show him the vampire bar that would quickly become their main hangout.