Vampire World (VAMPIRE WORLD #1)

Vampire World Part 7 Downtown

DOWNTOWN 

"Sorry, I don't have a phone." 

Why did I say it like that? I just blew it. 

"Oh," he said, surprised. "Well, guess I'll just cut to the teeth then. Want to meet up? Just you and me, I mean." 

I was speechless. Then I finally got up enough nerve to reply. I tried hard to sound casual. 

"Sure, why not?"  

"Can you meet me at the DeathNail Club and Spirits at fifty degrees darkness?" 

"Yeah." 

"Great. I'll be waiting for you. We're gonna have a real fun time, Janice. My name is Rob." 

I left the food court blushing, feeling absolutely wonderful. Not only had I made a friend with Kate, I also had a sizzling date with an eye candy vampire. 

I couldn't help but grin all the way home on the train. 

With no one chasing me, I made my way back to the house just before lunch in case Mr. FreeCut stopped by like he did yesterday. With Ernie licking my leg, I went into my room and peeked inside the coffin. My purse was still safely there, but something else had been placed right alongside it - a letter. 

It was similar to the one I'd found on the window sill. It read: 'Time is wasting away. The truth is precious. Go to Skull Library and search for the book in the XX#ZET section. There you will find your first clue.' 

A brief set of instructions on how to find Skull Library followed. 

Fear gripped me. The stranger I'd seen in the window had somehow gotten into the house! He might even still be here right now. 

I immediately checked all the rooms, with Ernie following close by the whole time. But there was no sign of anyone and I soon calmed down. At least the note was not threatening. If anything, it sounded like it wanted to help me. I put it back in the coffin with my purse and tried to relax. I had a lot to look forward to. 

That evening, Mr. FreeCut and I enjoyed a scrumptious blood soaked meal and good conversation. He talked about his crappy job and how it didn't pay jack. Then we discussed what we would be doing tomorrow. 

"Want to go to RazorCut Mall?" I said. 

He looked at me closely. "RazorCut Mall? How did you know about that?" 

"I saw a commercial for it on TV." 

"Oh," he said. "Well I know a better place downtown. The shopping is excellent and even more affordable than RazorCut. You're gonna love it." 

The more we talked, the more I liked him. And I certainly could tell that he liked me. I was feeling the part of his beloved daughter already. 

I asked him where the DeathNail Club and Spirits was. He told me it was also downtown, but I needed to know more than that. I had to find out exactly where it was and be there tomorrow night at fifty degrees darkness sharp. 

That night I found it difficult to sleep while working out how I would get downtown for my date. I was gonna have to leave the house when Mr. FreeCut was at home. Maybe I should tell him the truth and stop making up lies. Then again, maybe not. They'd worked so far.  

The next day I rode with Mr. FreeCut in his ancient car. The seats were filled with straw and there was a small skull sat on the dashboard. It smelled like something had died in the back seat. 

"I know it's not the best of rides," he said. "But it gets me from point A to point B." 

The blood red sky was beautiful as we passed more small but picturesque homes. Then we crossed a river of some strange iridescent liquid.