cast no shadow. (the lost boys).

Chapter Two: Unveiling Shadows

We drove to the boardwalk with the roof down again, and the air felt even warmer than the previous night. Max and I stopped by the video store to sort out my new job. After filling out some paperwork and discussing my schedule, I left Max to handle things and wandered off on my own.

While strolling around, I spotted Paul and his friends. Feeling mischievous, I approached them.

"Are these your friends, Paul? I'm surprised you even have any." I smirked, noting how Paul's friends were dressed. He didn't seem fazed by my comment; instead, he gave me an appreciative once-over.

"You look even better than you did last night," Paul said with a wink.

"You look even worse," I deadpanned. His friends reacted differently to my remark. One was a shorter guy with long, curly blonde hair, a colorful jacket, black gloves, a midriff shirt, faded jeans, and tattered brown boots. The next was the dark, tall, and mysterious type with long black hair, brown eyes, a black jean jacket, various necklaces, black pants, and black boots. The last had platinum blonde hair styled into a mullet, ice-blue eyes, and wore a black trench coat, black leather gloves, black jeans, and black boots.

"You're so mean," Paul pouted.

"I don't care," I imitated his tone. Remembering my encounter at the comic book store where Paul and his friends seemed like vampires, I smirked. "Besides, I'd be careful what you say to me. I know what you are and how to get rid of you."

Paul's friends exchanged glances as he stepped closer. "Paul, you dumbass, what'd you tell her?" one asked.

"Nothing, man. Hey, wait up," Paul called after me. I stopped and turned to see him standing directly in front of me, his friends still a few meters behind.

"What?" I questioned innocently.

"What were you talking about?" he asked, looking suspicious.

"What do you mean?" I played dumb.

"When you said you knew what we were. We're just regular people like you," he said, trying to brush off the topic poorly.

"Sure," I replied sarcastically.

"Did Max say something to you?" Paul pressed.

"What does Max have to do with this?" I asked, furrowing my brows.

"Just answer the question," Paul said, growing impatient.

"No, Max didn't say anything to me," I rolled my eyes.

"Then why'd you ask?" he demanded.

"I heard rumors about you and your friends," I smiled, finding amusement in his growing discomfort.

"Christ, he's gonna get us in trouble," the curly blonde muttered, looking confused. "I think she heard me."

"Bullshit, Marko," the platinum blonde said dismissively.

I leaned closer to Paul. "Just that you're vampires," I whispered.

"Yeah, right," he laughed, though his nervousness was evident.

"Can I go now?" I asked listlessly.

"Aw, come on, hang out with me and my friends for a while. I think they'll like you," Paul said, wiggling his eyebrows.

"Why do you always want me to hang out with your friends? What's so special about them?" I asked, rolling my eyes yet again.

"Absolutely nothing," Paul laughed, though his friends clearly were not amused.

"I can't, sorry. I'm busy," I lied and started to walk away. Paul grabbed my arm, surprising me. Instinctively, I twisted his arm upwards.

"Ow!" Paul shrieked, drawing curious glances from passersby.