The night air was cool on my face.

As it always was, in an Ohio summer.

I was still trying to clean out Ohio. My birthplace first. Then other states. Then the world.

But it was hard, weeding out every bloodsucking creature among the normal humans.

Oh well. If it took till I was 62, then it would take that long.

I wasn't stopping for anyone or anything.

To the normal person, I was a homeless child.

To the media, I was nobody special, just a random person who might appear in the background of a person's Snapchat or whatever.

If only they knew my real nature.

I stepped from the alley I had stayed in that day.

The sun wasn't there anymore, swallowed by the deep, star studded blanket of night.

The streetlights were on, though. Vampires weren't hurt by artificial light.

Speaking of vampires...

I pressed myself into the shadows. At night, the city took on a different kind of busy.

Not long after vampires began living among us, countries passed laws banning normal citizens out at night, unless they had a reason like an event or something. The night belonged to the vampires. I mean, usually they don't pay attention to homeless sleeping people, as long as they're out of their way.

But for anyone under eighteen who's out and about after hours, homeless or not, there's something else you have to worry about.

The Searchers.

Searchers are vampires who take in any human child under 18 who are wandering around at night. They take them to orphanages, and either keep them there because they're actually orphans, or they wait till someone picks them up.

I've never been caught by them. In 14. And sure, I've been spotted. And then when they corner me, I simply escape.

I hate it when I get cornered. They start talking to me in this super hushed voice and telling me they're not gonna hurt me and that they're gonna take me somewhere safe and they're gonna find a new home for me.

Bull. It's all bull.

What they want to do is keep me in that stupid orphanage till I'm 18 so that I can become a blood slave. Or just go out on my own.

Blood slaves are people that voluntarily go with a vampire after they're 18. They receive a special injection to heighten blood production in their body.

Why someone would want to voluntarily go and be food for an unholy creature is beyond me.

But they never became vampires. Biting doesn't turn you into a vampire.

A blood transfusion through the fingers of a vampire to a human is how you become a vampire.

I begin walking down the street, metal stakes concealed in my jacket. My gold scarf concealing my wounds and my hood pulled up over my face.

The Searchers were out in groups among the normal vampires. I saw the maroon reflective vests and the silver badges. They carried walkie talkies and flashlights. If it weren't for their long fingernails and the scars from transfusions on their fingers they could've passed for normal humans.

Vampires couldn't have kids. They were all sterile. It was just how they were. That's why all vampires have transfusion marks on their fingers. 
And I thank God that they all are adults, because even I don't think I could stomach killing a child, even if it was a vampire.

But anyway....

I kept my head down. Sure, no one knew my face. I always kept my scarf wrapped around the bottom half of my face to hide the marks and my identity when I make a kill.

Vampires pass me by. They barely even glance my way. I don't care. I bet they figure the Searchers will get me.

If only they knew they were looking at their eventual demise.

I finally come to a suburban area without any trouble from Searchers. I'm too quick for them.

I look down the street. Some lights are on. Most are off.

Those lights on houses must be vampires.

I slip up to the closest one. The number on the door is 420. 420 Maple Grove.

The first potential victim of tonight.

First, I check if the people inside are really vampires or just humans who are staying up late. I slip up to the bedroom window by means of a tree.

Well, most normal humans don't sleep in coffins. And those who do are usually put in the loony bin. So....they're vampires.

The bedroom is empty. They must be downstairs, because the car is still in the driveway. The window is thankfully unlocked. I slip inside. I look at the clock.

9:56. Almost ten.

Midmorning for the vampires.

I hear voices downstairs. I can never distinguish vampire from human voices.

I bet they've got blood slaves.

"Don't worry." I whisper to myself, to them. "I'll free you. You've been brainwashed...I'll free you from being a vampire's slave.

I sneak to the top of the stairs.

I see four people.

Two men, and two women.

I watched them for a while, trying to figure out who was who.

After a while, I got it. The woman sitting on the left is a blood slave. The woman on the right of her is a vampire.

The man on the right is a blood slave. Man on the left, a vampire.

I sneak closer, closer. I pull my scarf over my face.

But when I get to the bottom of the stairs, I wasn't well hidden enough. But thank goodness I had my scarf over my face.

There was a shout of alarm from one of the blood slaves. All people rose. I pulled out my stakes and lunged at the man who was a vampire. Before anyone could react, I had buried one of my stakes right through his heart.

His eyes widened as he fell,.one metal stake sprouting from his chest. He didn't bleed. His kind never did.

The other three screamed. One blood slave reached for the telephone. I knocked him out with a punch and a muttered "Sorry!"

The other blood slave lunged at me. I moved out of the way, but then the woman vampire tried to grab me. I ducked under her arms and stabbed her with my other stake.

She let one last dying scream and fell.

Punching the blood slave that survived into unconsciousness, I stood over the two bodies of the dead scum. The dead vampires.

I heard shouts from the street. No doubt someone heard the commotion. There was banging on the door. They would be in soon.

It was time for me to leave.

I slipped through the back upstairs window, hearing the screams of those who discovered the bodies.

I wish they could've been cries of joy.

I slipped back into the night, hearing fading police sirens.

A tragedy to them,

A comedy for me.

I had quickly left the home I had purged, and just in time. The police cars were piling up at the street.

It was easy slipping past them. When you just keep your head down and keep out of the way, people tend to ignore you.

I came upon the next house, about a street over. The vampires inside didn't stand a chance.

One street over, after the kill.

Then another.

Then another.

The cops soon just shut the whole neighborhood down. Fear and panic was ripping through the whole county.

I enjoyed every bit of it.

Every bit of chaos I could sow in the vampire infested neighborhoods was good to me.

Even though it was night, everyone passed me by.

They either didn't notice me in all the chaos or figured the Searchers would do something about me.

Anyway, I reached the end of the suburban area, I found an abandoned warehouse. The kind that looked like it was haunted by ghosts.

Well, there was a ghost now. 
And her name was Thana Fiammetta.

I sat down against the wall. And I started to sing.

It was an old song. I heard it often, played at multiple occasions. Sometimes I heard it through windows. Sometimes I heard it from cars.

I had memorized the lyrics.

2 AM and she calls me 'cause I'm still awake,
"Can you help me unravel my latest mistake?
I don't love him. Winter just wasn't my season."

Yeah we walk through the doors, so accusing their eyes
Like they have any right at all to criticize.
Hypocrites, you're all here for the very same reason

'Cause you can't jump the track, we're like cars on a cable
And life's like an hourglass, glued to the table
No one can find the rewind button, girl.
So cradle your head in your hands
And breathe... just breathe,
Oh breathe, just breathe

May he turn 21 on the base at Fort Bliss
Just today he sat down to the flask in his fist,
Ain't been sober, since maybe October of last year.

Here in town you can tell he's been down for a while,
But, my God, it's so beautiful when the boy smiles,
Wanna hold him. Maybe I'll just sing about it.

'Cause you can't jump the track, we're like cars on a cable,
And life's like an hourglass, glued to the table.
No one can find the rewind button, boys,
So cradle your head in your hands,
And breathe... just breathe,
Oh breathe, just breathe

There's a light at each end of this tunnel,
You shout 'cause you're just as far in as you'll ever be out
And these mistakes you've made, you'll just make them again
If you'd only try turning around.

2 AM and I'm still awake, writing a song
If I get it all down on paper, it's no longer inside of me,
Threatening the life it belongs to

And I feel like I'm naked in front of the crowd
'Cause these words are my diary, screaming out loud
And I know that you'll use them, however you want to

But you can't jump the track, we're like cars on a cable,
And life's like an hourglass, glued to the table
No one can find the rewind button now
Sing it if you understand.
And breathe, just breathe
Whoa breathe, just breathe,
Oh breathe, just breathe,
Oh breathe, just breathe.

I finished the song, and I realized I was crying. I was crying because it was such a beautiful song. And because it had a meaning.

I could never hit the rewind button on my own life. My parents were gone and I was never getting them back.

But even though the song said that we couldn't jump the tracks, my whole life had been derailed by that terrible childhood incident.

I closed my eyes... and remembered. 

"No! No! No!"

My mother's lifeless body was thrown next to my dads. I struggled, though in vain. The vampire's cronies were holding me too tight.

The vampire leader closed in on me, dragging his abnormally long fingernails up my arm and across my neck, where he stopped right above my jugular vein. My breathing grew faster with fear.

"Save her for later." Was his sudden, clipped order. The vampire holding me seemed a little suprised, but he obeyed, gripping my arm a little too tight and dragging me out of my house. Then they threw me into the back of a van, to be guarded by the vampire's other friend. Yep. A gang of three.

The next few days were absolute torture. I had so much blood taken from me I was sure I was going to die. The lead vampire - I nicknamed him Green Eyes, for his green eyes, duh - had some kind of perverted obsession with me. He would constantly touch me in places I didn't want to be touched. He would mark up my neck, leaving bruises everywhere. Sometimes those bites would go lower. And I couldn't do anything, because he would tie me up.

One day he tried to full - on kiss me. That's when I snapped. I brought my tied hands up and then back down his his head. He was surprised by this, I guess because I had never tried to fight back before.

As he was reeling from the blow I dealt him, I staggered to my feet, weak from blood loss. He had just sat me in a chair, and didn't even tie my legs. Probably because he thought I was too weak to do anything. Well, I just proved him wrong.

I looked for something sharp, anything, to cut through the ropes on my wrists. I noticed a gleam of metal on the corner. A sharp end of a pole. Basically, a stake. Two, in fact. I started to stagger over there, when I felt the hands of the vampire grip my shoulders and spin me around. Anger was blossoming in his eyes, as well as a bad bruise on his forehead. "You little -" he grabbed me around the neck. I gasped and struggled, though, with my hands tied, I couldn't struggle very well. He threw me on the floor and pinned me there, my hands above my head. "You're gonna get it this time -" He snaked one hand under my shirt, trying to tug it off. I panicked and kicked him, right in the unmentionables. That got him off me real quick. I dragged myself over to the metallic gleam and began to try to cut through my bonds, hearing the sounds of the vampire slowly recovering his wits.

It seemed to take a thousand years, but finally the ropes snapped. Just in time too. I felt the vampire grab the back of my throat. Panicked, I grabbed for the metallic stake and turning around, plunged it right into the heart of the vampire.

His eyes went wide, and he stumbled back, the stake buried in his chest. He made one last weak grab for me before falling backwards, with a thud.

He was dead. Finally. This perverted monster was dead.

I heard footsteps outside. Even before the door was opened, I had grabbed the second stake and the first one, from the chest of the vampire. When the door opened, I got his cronies. Both fell dead, one after the other, after I hit them. It felt liberating. It felt good.

I piled the corpses into one pile and set them on fire. I smiled as they burned.

That was when I realized my mission.

All over the country, this was probably happening.

And it was my job to put a stop to it.

That day changed my life. For the better.

I reopened my eyes, finished reliving memory lane.

The memory of the burning corpses was a happy one.

I rolled on my side. I needed sleep.

For the hunt to come.

I awoke midday.

Yep. Midday.

I had been sleeping for a while at that point.

I sat up, and stretched. Washed my mouth out with water from a bottle in my backpack.

Then I pulled my hoodie off to reveal the green shirt and black jeans shorts I wore. Brushed my hair with my fingers carefully. Then I tied my hoodie around my waist and shouldered my backpack.

Time to go out. I was hungry.

No one would know who I was, no one ever saw my face when I went hunting. Besides, I'd just appear like I was during the day - a normal human.

I walked out and walked into town. It was a nice and sunny day. That cheered me.

Eventually I found a nice little cafe called "Wide Awake Cafe." It was small and they accepted cash. Good. I leaned against the wall and rummaged through my backpack, coming up with a five dollar bill and seventy three cents.

That should be enough to buy me something.

I walked in. There was a bit of a line, but not a big one. After all, it was almost midday. I consulted the menu above before settling on a small sandwich and just water.

Once I placed my order and paid I waited by the counter. I counted my change and I had about nintey - five cents left. I'd have so start saving up again, and I probably won't be able to eat for a few days. Or I'll forage in the garbage cans.

I'm used to it. The way I live, you get used to it eventually.

When my order came, I thanked the counter person and picked the bag. I checked the bag to make sure they hadn't shortchanged me. They hadn't. I smiled a bit, then walked out of the store and back to the vacant warehouse. There, I ate my meal. Probably the only decent meal I'll get for a while.

When I was done, I stuck the waterbottle in my backpack to save for later. Clean water when you're living on the streets is hard to come by.

I sat against the wall, feeling...not too bad for once. During the day, I was able to feel like a normal kid, a normal child with a normal life and a normal home and a normal way of thinking... I used to be that kid, that one kid.

I used to have a stable life, I had friends and family that were so supportive. I was the 'friendly kid' at my school, always willing to make friends with anyone that came across my path. I had good grades, the teachers liked me, I was in so many good clubs.

And I had a boyfriend.

His name was Janus Placido. He wasn't the handsomest guy, but he had his good looks. We were truly going steady. My parents approved of him. He was studious, and kind, and he was something straight from a dream.

I remember we went to the Spring Dance together. Geez, I even remember what he was wearing. He was wearing a navy three piece suit, and nice dress shoes. 
I was wearing a magenta dress, with a green belt and black high heels. My hair was done in a French braid.

He said that I looked beautiful. I said that he looked handsome. Then we blushed and laughed.

We talked for a while. It was during the night. The school went through absolute heck to obtain a permit for the dance, though. The stars were beautiful.

We hung at the edges for a while. Until the couple's dance.

Then we danced together.

It was a dream come true.

I remember feeling on top of the world.

It was only a few days later that the Terrible Thing happened.

But once I had disposed of the vampires responsible, I discovered that everyone in the school thought I had perished in the fire that also "claimed my parent's lives"

I watched Janus go home that night. He looked awful. Bags under his eyes, his eyes bloodshot from crying. He walked with a hunch in his step, like there was a weight on his back.

I wanted to call out to him. To tell him I was still there, still alive.

But...I didn't want to. I didn't think I could face him. Besides, he still thought vampires were good. I don't know if he would have seen my point of view.

That was six years ago. I don't know what became of him now. He could be anywhere. He could be dead.

I wouldn't know.

I wouldn't know.

I stood up. I really needed to get my head out of the clouds.

As I walked out of the warehouse, a flyer nearly hit me in the face. I grabbed it and looked at it. What I saw nearly made me faint.

***************
ATTENTION!

The Vampire Searchers Corps are now going to be integrated! Humans can now join to be part of special daytime units, or nighttime units. We feel this expansion of hours and service is necessary, due to the growing amount of younger ones wandering the streets. Please note that those children found in the daytime will be taken to a human orphanage, not a vampire one.

ENLIST TODAY!! 513-873-5829
*****************

I lowered the flyer, my hand trembling. Oh great. So now...now I wasn't even safe during the day. 

It was just as I feared. The Vampires were finding a way to creep into the daytime life, they would slowly take it over. Until everyone were slaves of the vampires.

I couldn't let that happen. A vampire purge needed to happen more than ever.

I ran back inside and stuffed the flyer into my backpack. Maybe I could disrupt the enlistment by prank calls from pay telephones. 

I slung my backpack over my shoulder and headed out, for the train station. They had payphones there. I could use those.

I only hoped I could disrupt in time.

I was heading back from the train station. I had used up a bit of my spare change making the prank calls. As far as I know, they expect "Mr. Skel. E. Ton" and "Stew Pid ", as well as few others, to show up for interviews tomorrow. Pfft. Hopefully they'll waste resources.

As I walked I sang. It was a song that Janus and I sang it for the talent show, back when I was still in school.

You know I adore you
I'm crazier for you
Then I was at sixteen
Lost in a film scene
Waving homecoming queens
Marching band playing
I'm lost in the lights

American glory
Faded before me
Now I'm feeling hopeless
Ripped up my prom dress
Running through rose thorns
I saw the scoreboard
And ran for my life

Ah, ah, ah
No cameras catch my pageant smile
I counted days, I counted miles
To see you there
To see you there
It's been a long time coming but

It's you and me
That's my whole world
They whisper in the hallway, "she's a bad, bad girl" (okay!)
The whole school is rolling fake dice
You play stupid games, you win stupid prizes
It's you and me
There's nothing like this
Miss Americana and The Heartbreak Prince (okay!)
We're so sad, we paint the town blue
Voted most likely to run away
With you

My team is losing
Battered and bruising
I see the high fives
Between the bad guys
Leave with my head hung
You are the only one
Who seems to care

American stories
Burning before me
I'm feeling helpless
The damsels are depressed
Boys will be boys, then
Where are the wise men?
Darling, I'm scared

Ah, ah, ah
No cameras catch my muffled cries
I counted days, I counted miles
To see you there
To see you there
And now the storm is coming, but

It's you and me
That's my whole world
They whisper in the hallway, "she's a bad, bad girl" (okay!)
The whole school is rolling fake dice
You play stupid games, you win stupid prizes
It's you and me
There's nothing like this
Miss Americana and The Heartbreak Prince (okay!)
We're so sad, we paint the town blue
Voted most likely to run away
With you

And I don't want you to (go)
I don't really wanna (fight)
'Cause nobody's gonna (win)
I think you should come home

And I don't want you to (go)
I don't really wanna (fight)
'Cause nobody's gonna (win)
I think you should come home

And I don't want you to (go)
I don't really wanna (fight)
'Cause nobody's gonna (win)
I just thought you should know

And I'll never let you (go)
'Cause I know this is a (fight)
That someday we're gonna (win)

It's you and me
That's my whole world
They whisper in the hallway, "she's a bad, bad girl"
Oh, I just thought you should know
You should know

It's you and me
There's nothing like this
Miss Americana and The Heartbreak Prince (okay!)
We're so sad, we paint the town blue (paint it blue)
Voted most likely to run away
With you

I don't really wanna (fight)
'Cause nobody's gonna (win)
I think you should come home

And I'll never let you (go)
'Cause I know this is a (fight)
That someday we're gonna (win)
Just thought you should know

You and me
That's my whole world
They whisper in the hallway, "she's a bad, bad girl"
"She's a bad, bad girl"

I finished and realized I had tears in my eyes. I wiped them quickly, pulling my hood over my face. No time to reminisce about things.

I was glad the Human Searcher teams hadn't been mobilized yet. But I knew that the night teams had already been integrated. They had mentioned that in the phone calls.

That could pose a problem. I didn't want to hurt a fellow human, but if I couldn't tell I might hit a human when I tried to hit a vampire.

And that would be hypocrisy.

The moon was out and it was dark. I had to get to my hideout.

When I did, I curled in a corner and tried to get to sleep. I could do more tomorrow. I was tired.

Until I heard the voices.

They were right outside.

They sounded like Searchers.

Quick as a flash, I jumped up, grabbed my backpack, and hid.

They came in a second later.

A three person team. Three men. Two maroon vests and...a green vest?

"Of course." I whispered. The green vest was the human. It would only make sense.

"I saw a kid come in here. She's gotta be an orphan." One vampire was saying. He had bright orange hair and green eyes.

"Of course she would be an orphan, what kid with a home would sleep in a warehouse, Larry?" The other vampire replied. He had brown hair and blue eyes.

"Anyway...newbie, are you ready for your first job?" 'Larry' turned to the human, who looked up.

The human said something, but I didn't hear him. I was too busy staring at him

No.
No.

It couldn't be.

No. No. Nonononono.

But my eyes weren't deceiving me.

The human was Janus Placido. He had joined the Searchers.

He was taller. And brawnier. His hair had darkened a shade.

But his eyes had never changed. Those storm grey eyes were still the same.

"Right." Larry turned back around. "Alright, Damien. How about you start?"

"First thing," 'Damien said, "is you don't wanna startle 'em. Street kids can be skittish, so you gotta be gentle. Talk to 'em soothingly and don't make sudden moves. "

"Well, first we gotta find the kid, Damie." Larry said. "So, Janus - is it ok if I call you Jan? - find the kid and try to talk to her. Call us when you do. We'll be right here, guarding the doorway."

"Right! And yeah, call me Jan." He smiled. Gosh, that smile had barely changed..

Then he flicked his flashlight on and moved forward. I didn't move, but pulled my hood over my face, concealing myself.

I tried backing into the shadows, but then I accidently kicked a can. The noise rang out.

I felt the flashlight beam freeze on my hiding place. I heard footsteps, and the sounds of boxes being pushed aside.

"Sirs! I found her!"

I hid my face in the hoodie, as I heard the other two come over. "Good." Damien's voice was soft. "Remember, calm words and slow actions." Damien laid a gentle hand on my shoulder. I didn't move. I was panicking a bit.

"Hey. Hey. You're gonna be ok, whoever you are. Come on. No need to be afraid." Janus' voice rang softly in my ear. I hunched back and pulled my hoodie further over my head.

Damien tried to pull me up, gently. I resisted. Larry behind him sighed. "Come on. We haven't got all night."

Janus took my other arm. "Come on. Let's go."

Slowly, I stood up. They released their grip on my arms.

That's when I made a run for it.

I had my backpack on, but thankfully it was light. I heard confused shouting behind me, but I didn't look back. I ran through the doors and out of the warehouse. I fled into the woods across the street.

I didn't lose them, however. I heard the crackle of radio static as they turned on their walkie talkies, requesting backup because of a "runner."

Desperately I twisted and turned around the trees, trying to lose them.

Until I tripped.

And hit a tree root head on.

I lay there, stunned. I heard approaching footsteps. With my last ounce of consciousness, I dragged myself behind a bush cluster, where hopefully they wouldn't find me.

Then darkness filled my vision as I fell unconscious.

I slowly came back to consciousness.

In a bed.

Uh oh.

I sat up quickly. I was in a small room, with nothing but a dresser beside the bed and a small window, as well as a small table on the other side of the room. I got out of bed (with mild pain in my back) and looked out. My window overlooked a green lawn. Other children were playing various games, spread out all over. Faint laughter floated up as I pressed my ear to the glads. The sun was high in the sky.

I guess the Searchers did find me unconscious after all. I was at an orphanage somewhere around the area.

The real question was, had Janus recognised me?

I absentmindedly tried to put my hands in the hoodie pockets, only to find I wasn't wearing it anymore. I looked down at myself. I was dressed in a simple white nightgown. I looked at my hands. They were really clean, for once.

I sighed and looked around the room. I spotted my normal clothes, cleaned and actually patched a bit, with a note on top.

I picked up the note. In big, loopy handwriting it said,

Hope you awoke well and refreshed. Change and come downstairs. I wish to get to know you better! 
                  - Ms. C.

I rolled my eyes, but I changed. It felt good to be back on my normal clothes. Made me feel more relaxed.

As I wound the scarf around my neck I wondered if they had seen the marks. I hoped they hadn't.

I walked out. I was in a long corridor filled with doors, with a room number on it. My own number was A - 27. I walked down the hall, toward a staircase that I assumed lead downward.

I descended the staircase, somewhat apprehensive. The staircase ended in a grand foyer, with double doors leading to the outside. To the right was a sitting room. To the left was a kitchen and a dining room. The whole place was big. Most likely a repurposed mansion, converted to an orphanage.

I heard a slight rustling to the right of me and I turned. A woman was sitting there, smiling at me. Her Auburn hair was tied back into a bun, and she was wearing a pink flower pattered dress and a shawl. "Ah, you're awake!" She stood up, and I discovered that she was only a little taller than me. "It's nice to see you on your feet. I'm Mrs. C. You can call me Mrs. Clare, if you want. I run this orphanage with my wife, Mrs. Lauren, or Mrs. L."  Her smile never faltered as she walked up to me. "Are you hungry? I can ask the cook to make you something!"

I decided to play along for a while. "Yes, I am....thanks." I gave my best smile. She took my hand and led me to the dining room. "I'll be back in a moment, sweetie." She sat me down, and bustled off to the kitchen, presumably to talk to the cook. I looked around, taking in how many windows there were and if there was any vents. That would be critical in my escape.

I planned to escape. I didn't want to spend my life here. I didn't want to become a blood slave.

My thoughts began to wander back to Janus. Had he recognized me? If so, what had he thought? Why had he brought me here?

My thoughts were interrupted by the rearrival of Mrs. C, carrying a plate that had a stack of packages and a small fruit bowl. "Here. You look terribly malnourished." She placed it in front of me. I said thanks, smiled, and dug in with the silverware next to the plate.

"I'm glad you're eating - the benevolent Searchers who brought you in expressed the fear you might be suffering from some disease...but you seem alright."

I paused, after swallowing. "Did they say anything else about me?"

Mrs C. nodded. "One of them, a Juinor Searcher, seemed very interested. He asked to come back later to talk to you. I already sent a call, he'll be in this afternoon." She studied my face. "In fact, he said you looked a lot like that Fiammetta girl."

"Huh?"

"Everyone knows the story of the Fiammettas. Sad story." She sighed. "Their house burned down. Unexplained causes. Their daughter's remains were never found." She laughed. "If you really are the Fiammetta girl, the long lost daughter, you'd cause quite a stir!"

"Unfortunately, I'm not a Fiammetta." I said quickly. "My last name is....Rose. My first name is Shelly. Shelly Rose. That's my name." I hoped I didn't sound suspicious.

Mrs. C. raised an eyebrow. "Well, we'll just have to see when the blood test comes back."

My heart nearly stopped. "Blood test?"

"Oh yes. It's something that all orphanages do. We try to ID your family using your DNA."

My heart was racing. If they found out...if Janus found out...I'd never get a moment of peace. I'd never be able to accomplish my mission.

I tried to appear calm. "Ok. Well...I'm very sure I'm not a Fiammetta."

Mrs C. Just smiled. "We'll see. Now finish up eating and then come outside. The other orphans want to meet you. There's always a stir when a new child comes in."

I nodded, and, finishing breakfast, I stood up and walked outside, with my hood up. I tried to come off as shy.

A whole crowd of kids were outside - probably like ten. They all stared at me, as I stepped outside. Mostly boys, with about three or four girls.

"Uh..." I swallowed nervously. "Hi...hi. I - I'm Shelly. Shelly Rose." I smiled awkwardly. I hoped I was playing the "nervous kid" part well enough.

It seemed to work. A few people smiled awkwardly back. I saw sympathetic stares. Some whispering.

Then they all broke back up and dispersed into the field.

All but one, a short, blonde girl who held out her hand enthusiastically. "Hi! My names Cynthia. Cynthia Warner. Nice to meet you!!"

I took her hand, hesitating a second. "Why do you have a last name...? I thought you were an orphan."

"Oh! Well, I used to not have one. Well, not one that I know. My parents died of sickness when I was really young. But... When I came here, I had access to a TV, and I watched this cartoon I really liked. The last name of all the characters was Warner. So I just adopted that as my last name!" She smiled and pumped my hand up and down enthusiastically. "Things can be a bit intimidating here at first, but once you get to know everyone you'll love it here!"

"You've been here practically all your life?" I asked, a bit incredulous as I pulled my hand away.

"Yeah! I mean...kids have gotten adopted before me and stuff, but...I'm not jealous. I just have to wait for my time...or I just stay here, and become a blood slave to some nice vampire family! I heard in the vampire world blood slaves are held in high regard." She was still talking happily, but there was a note of sadness in her voice.

"You don't really like it here, do you?"

Her shoulders finally slumped. "...no. Not really. I'm lonely here. Mrs. C is nice and all, but...there's really no one to talk to. And I don't want to become a blood slave. I really want to be adopted...but no one will. I mean...all the other kids have done something notable that they could advertise to potential parents. I haven't done anything"

She sat down, and I with her. "What do you mean, something notable?"

"Oh you know... something big. Like I remember this kid. Aaron. He busted a robber. He was adopted the next time a couple came around because Mrs. C. told them about him. Or this girl named Kayleigh. She saved another girl that used to be here from committing suicide. She was adopted too." She sighed. "Once I do some big deed...I'll be noticed. I'll be adopted."

I patted her back. "Don't worry. You'll be noticed eventually."

She smiled a little. "Thanks, Shelly."

We talked for a while longer. I was beginning to like her. But I could never take her with me when I escaped. No. Not ever. I'll do my mission alone.

Cynthia would never get it.

And as we talked escape plans were forming in my mind.

Tonight I would run away. I'd wake up at like one AM, and, because the mail would already be there, I would take the results of the blood test (Which was bound to be in tomorrow) and destroy them. Then I'd make my escape.

I couldn't wait to be free of this place.

When we were finally called back inside, I walked next to Cynthia. The sun had fully risen by this point, and it was about 10:30. Janus would be here in the afternoon. I was slightly panicking, because I was so worried. Worried that he would see through the whole facade of "Shelly Rose" and recognise me. Recognise the girl who had been by his side all through high school, who had been his first love (and most likely his last). Recognise the girl who had supposedly died that night in a fire (set by monsters, but the public didn't know that.) 

I hoped he didn't. I sincerely hoped he didn't. That would dredge up all kinds of awkward questions...Where have you been? What have you been doing? 

He was a Searcher, for goodness sake. He wouldn't get at all what I was doing, or why it was noble. As much as I still loved him, I couldn't trust him. I could trust no one. 

Not Janus, not Mrs. C, Not Cynthia. Nobody. 

My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Mrs. C's voice. "It's time for book club! Everyone, go up to your room to get your books. Shelly - because you're new here, someone will have to share until I can get a copy for you - "

"She can share with me, Mrs. C." Cynthia said, from beside me. "And I'll explain the whole 'Book Club' thing." Then she smiled brilliantly. 

"Oh, thank you, Cynthia!" Mrs. C said, before turning and going to another room. As Cynthia headed upstairs she explained the whole book club thing. Apparently, Mrs. C. started it for kids who had never read before or had not been caught up to their reading level. Street kids rarely had time to do that. Sure, I never got to do that, I thought. But that was because I had a much more noble cause to serve. Don't get me wrong, I knew how to read and write well. I had up to a 9th grade education. I guess I would just have to suffer through this. 

I stood outside Cynthia's room while she got her book. I noted her room was only two doors down and across the hall from mine. Interesting. 

Cynthia came out of her room, holding the book Dracula. By Brahm Stoker. How freaking ironic.  

"Mrs. C said that we should do this book because she wants to show us how vampires were originally portrayed - evil, unholy bloodsuckers. But we all know that's not true, right?"

"Right" You're so misguided. You're blinded by their lies. 

"Come on, it must be starting." She hurried down the stairs. I followed, a bit apprehensive. I wan't used to being around so many people. Especially not kids my age. 

The other kids were sitting in a circle, and they were watching us. That made me very uncomfortable. I hid my face in my hood as I sat down next to Cynthia. 

Mrs. C. began speaking, but I wasn't paying attention. I was still trying to devise an escape plan. Or, at least a way to get out of speaking to Janus.  Maybe I could, you know, trick him. No one else recognized my face. Maybe he wouldn't either. 

I shook my head slightly. Janus had a good memory. He wouldn't have forgotten me. Or had he? I just didn't know. 

I heard Cynthia say something, but I didn't listen. There was a sickish feeling in the pit of my stomach. I looked at the clock. 11:00. 

Janus would most likely be here soon, and it would be all over. 

"E - excuse me, Mrs C... I'm not feeling too well. Can I go upstairs and lie down for a while?" 

"Of course, Shelly." Mrs. C. beamed. 

I quickly stood up and walked off, holding my stomach just to put on a show. When I got up to my room I grabbed my backpack and threw my meager belongings into it. I was blowing this joint. 

Before Janus got here. 

I couldn't wait for night. It was too risky. So the blood test would come in. So they would find out about me. Well, I'd disappear into the town's various alleyways. I wouldn't show my face if it was uncovered. I could hide. I'd gotten very good at that. 

I wish it wouldn't have had to end, though. Mrs C and Cynthia were both very nice. I just don't fit well with others over long period of time. Besides, once that blood test came in I was done for. 

No one would understand. No one. 

Then there was a knock at the door. "Shelly?' came the muffled voice. "Janus is here. He wants to see you."

I froze, in the middle of zipping up my backpack. "Uh...I'll be right down!" I called back. I put on my backpack after I zipped it up. "Goodbye, guys. Sure was nice meeting you." I muttered. Then I I looked around. The only window was too small to fit out of. 

That means...I'd have to go and book it out the front door. 

I'd take the risk. My freedom was at stake here. 

I walked outside once I was sure Mrs. C. was gone. When I got to the banister of the grand staircase I paused. I heard voices down below. Must be Janus and Mrs. C.

I got ready to run, adjusting my backpack. 

Then...I dashed. 

Down the stairs, past Mrs. C, past Janus, out the front door. I heard them yelling after me. I didn't stop. Out the front gate, down the sidewalk. Through the fence that surrounded the orphanage I saw them getting into a car in the parking lot. Probably to chase me down. 

Through the alleyways, then. Zipping past meaningless graffiti, garbage bins, the homeless, and other alleyway oddities I was used to. I emerged in the street but ran right across. Into the alleyways across from there. 

After a while I stopped. I was lost in the maze of alleyways. I leaned against the wall. 

I knew the blood test would come in. So I'd be all over the news. So I'd have to hide. 

My life in solitude was ruined. I'd have to move town...

No. I would not leave the town. No matter how tough it got.

There was a new chapter in my life now...

One that was going to be a heck of a ride. 

So this story hasn't been completed yet on the other platform I am writing this on. If I can update this chapters will be out when I complete them. If I can't update after publishing this, then look out for book two. :) 

-Pixie