cast no shadow. (the lost boys).

Chapter Eight: Veil of Fear

As the boys and I settled into our usual routine, searching for our next meal became a temporary distraction from the fear that gnawed at my insides. Despite my efforts to stay calm, the prospect of Klaus coming after me loomed large in my thoughts.

We prowled the streets of Santa Carla, and I did my best to push my anxieties aside. The guys tried to lighten the mood, their banter a small comfort amidst the chaos. Marko and Paul bickered over the best way to approach a potential meal, while David and Dwayne kept their eyes peeled for an opportunity.

We found a suitable target—a young man stumbling out of a bar, clearly inebriated and alone. As we moved in, the familiar process of feeding took over, each of us lost in the moment. The act of draining life from another was both exhilarating and grim, a reminder of the duality of our existence.

Once we had our fill, we returned to the cave, the cool air washing over us as we entered the dimly lit space. The cave's familiar, musty smell was oddly comforting, and for a brief moment, I felt safe.

David sat down on the couch, his expression thoughtful. "Alright, Lizzie. Now that we've eaten, we need to figure out our next steps."

I nodded, feeling a bit more composed but still on edge. "What do you suggest?"

"We need a strategy," David said, his tone firm. "First, we make sure Klaus can't get to you. If he's as ruthless as you say, we have to be prepared for anything."

"Like what?" I asked, sitting down next to Dwayne, who immediately took my hand in his.

David tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Well, Marko's idea about pinning the killings on us is a good start. If Klaus knows there are other vampires in Santa Carla, it could give us an edge. We need to cover our tracks and make sure there's no evidence linking you to any of this."

"And how do we do that?" I asked, my mind racing with possibilities.

"By making sure Klaus doesn't have any reason to come looking for you," David replied. "If we can keep him off your scent and convince him that you're not involved, we might be able to buy you some time."

I took a deep breath, feeling a bit of relief at the thought of having a plan. "Okay, but what if he does find out? What if he comes after me anyway?"

"We'll handle it," Dwayne said firmly. "We won't let him hurt you."

"Exactly," David added. "And if it comes down to it, we'll deal with Klaus ourselves. You're part of our group now, and we take care of our own."

I looked around at the faces of my mates, seeing the resolve in their eyes. Despite the fear that still lingered, their unwavering support gave me a glimmer of hope.

"We should also keep a low profile," Marko suggested. "If Klaus is on his way here, the last thing we want is to draw attention to ourselves."

"Agreed," David said. "Let's lay low for a while and keep our activities minimal. We need to stay out of sight and avoid drawing unnecessary attention."

I nodded, feeling a bit more at ease. "Alright, I'll do my best to stay under the radar."

The conversation shifted to other matters as the night went on, the boys working to keep the mood light and distract me from my worries. I was grateful for their efforts, though the dread still lingered in the back of my mind.

As the night drew to a close, I knew that we had taken the first steps toward protecting myself from Klaus. The road ahead was uncertain, but with my mates by my side, I felt a renewed sense of determination. We would face whatever came next together, and no matter how daunting the challenge, I knew we would stand strong.