The rain slashed at the window and filtered the light a dreary grey. Fitting really, I was kinda feeling a dreary grey. The bus ride to school is one of my more peaceful luxuries. I blankly stared out the window, focusing on my music, a chorus of pain and rage that had a surprisingly calming effect. "So Eva, how was your weekend?" Kev had to be the best bus driver ever, and as always he was cheerful. I admired that, being so cheerful early in the morning was impossible for me. "Yeah it was good, I mostly just slept" I reply half-heartedly, just a normal weekend of pure nothing. A monotonous routine. Eat, sleep, eat and then sleep. Nothing changes. Unless it did. My mind was off again, with far-fetched fantasies of celestial gods, vampires and all sorts of fantastical ideas. I was soon lost in my thoughts.

Another routined day has passed, but one of my favourite parts of the day was walking home from the little green bus stop. I waved goodbye to Kev as I set off across the deserted football oval. The cold wind nipped at my fave and a few sprinkles of rain caressed my hand as I held it out. I had reached the nature park, my favourite place ever. A haven, closed of by the embrace of the tall maple trees, bare of their leaves at this time of year. Left over raindrops still clung and dripped like shimmering diamonds. I put all my attention on the fallen, crisp autumn leaves. Each crunch gave me a small slice of satisfaction. Out of the corner of my eye I spot a dark splotch trailing of towards a hedge. Curiosity overwhelmed me and without time for thought my legs dragged me toward it. Then I stopped. It was...blood?

My breath caught in my throat. It was dark, nearly black, and I could smell it. I could almost taste it in the back of my throat, it's metallic tinge tainting my breath. It was strange. I have seen blood before, but this, this was different. I couldn't quite describe it, but it was, dense? I moved toward it, walked through my unease like a thick cobweb. I suddenly felt a strange pang in my side, as if... No, my imagination was running wild again, no one else was around. So why did I feel...watched? Naturally, this feeling only made me want to explore further. A feeling of being watched? This was straight out of all those supernatural novels I always read. The need to investigate welled up in my chest as if I would drown if I didn't tend to it.

Our eyes met. I could've screamed. In fear? Maybe. In joy? Possibly. He looked kinda surprised, but I'm certain I took the title of shocked here. "Um, excuse me, please forget you saw me" his voice, sounded like smooth, ancient wine. Who's voice? I'm forgetting. I should, go home. Wait. I turned back to meet the eyes. The deep amber eyes. "Hold on just a second" I started, but the shock in those surreal amber eyes paused me. I shook myself and continued; "Are you ok? Is that your blood?". He also shook himself because a hard look came over his now scarcely visible face. He stood. That was what threw me off. All of a sudden I can see him, all of him, towering over me. At a godly height I should've been intimidated, I would've shrunk away from him. But, he lost his intimidating demeanour when I spotted him clutching at.... Where was his other arm? I shuddered at the overwhelming stench of blood, as it dripped blackish crimson and thick from his hand that made a feeble attempt the stop it. "Y-you're bleeding!" was all I managed to stammer before he moved his hand and swept me toward him.

I was shocked. No, shocked didn't even begin to describe it. My face which was firmly pressed to his chest, left no room for me to protest. "Quiet,child" I could feel his breath scathe my neck as he whispered harshly. He very slowly, very cautiously released me from him. That was when I noticed, he didn't feel warm. Even his blood that was covering my back hadn't felt warm. "W-what are you?" He looked at me with a great intensity. "I could ask you the same thing, how did you find me?" Normally, I would've melted under his harsh gaze, and harsher words but instead I went on the defensive. "Well usually people don't leave their blood lying around a public park now do they?" He looked a taken aback at this, then his expression softened and I noticed he was actually quite attractive. Elegant silver hair tied back, but loose and messy, perfectly framed his well sculptured and defined face. I guess I was staring because he suddenly chuckled. A low, seductive sound. "No, I'm sure they don't" his voice sounded much more beautiful when he spoke so light-heartedly.

"Don't be alarmed child, my name is Fabian Venture of the clans of Camarilla, vampire lord, pleased to make your acquaintance".

It's rude to stare. It's rude to stand there slack-jawed, gawking at attractive people. However it's also rude to waltz in missing an arm and proclaim that you are a vampire. At least I think so. He seemed satisfied with my reaction though because he looked amused; that just made me more embarrassed. Clans of what now? Vampire lord? "Seriously?!" I blurted. He laughed softly, "aren't you going to introduce yourself?". I blushed, that was also rude. "Oh,um, yeah, I'm Eva, no fancy title or anything". This earned me an honest laugh. "Do you, uh", I glanced at where his arm is supposed to be, "need some help?" He grimaced, also looking at his lack of arms. "Ah, yes, it would be of great kindness, if you would help me to find a place out of the sun".

Well, I was officially stupid. Vampire. Should not be in the sun, especially while wounded. I was busy scolding myself internally when I was thrown askew by the sudden weight. Fabian had collapsed and was now breathing heavily, desperately clutching at his arm. I did what I could to hold him up, and considering his size, I did a decent job of it. "I'm", he panted, "I'm terribly sorry, I-" I cut him off "Hey, it's no problem, really, come on, let's get you out of the sun." He didn't say anything but he smiled weakly. I had to think, which was hard to do with about 90 kg of vampire weighing on you. I didn't have a shed, that would have been useful. Then it struck me. It was a ridiculous idea, but I couldn't think of anything else.

"A community garden?" he looked around. "Um, yeah" even I had admitted it was a strange idea, but it would have to do. I took him to the storage building and helped him get settled. He looked awkward and I was wondering why but then he spoke. "Um, I hate to be a bother and I feel terribly shamed asking this of you but, I um, I kind of need my arm". I didn't quite understand at first. Then realisation. "Oh" was all I could think. He looked away and suddenly his powerful, seductive façade faded away and he looked much like any awkward teenager. It made me much more comfortable. "Sure, I'll go look for it, I'll be back later" he turned surprised. Just as I left he opened his mouth to say something but I was already gone.

The sun had gone down by the time I had stepped out. I had told my mum I was going for a walk. Really I was going to hunt down a vampire lord's arm. The thought should've felt stranger to me, yet it didn't. I guess it was that awkward look he wore. I made my way to the park trying my best not to overthink it. Come to think about it this was going to be difficult. If I were an arm where would I be? I came up blank. I guess I would have to try to track it back to the .......blood. Where was it? Every last bit of the blood was gone except for a faint, lingering smell. Great. That was just perfect. How the hell was I gonna find it now?

Picking through the bush at night looking for vampire lord's arm was not admittedly high on my list of things to do. I mean, it was exciting, so in that sense it was exactly what I wanted to be doing. At least until I felt a weird prickling feeling at the back of my neck. Like cold, cold eyes fixed there. I whipped around and made direct, terrifying, eye-contact. Again. Except this time, swirling violet eyes bored seemingly into my soul. "Um, hi." Not gonna lie, I'm very proud of my vocabulary in crisis situations. The newcomer stepped into the pale moonlight. His skin seemed to glow white, which contrasted interestingly with his entirely black attire, and Raven black hair. He stepped forward, silently somehow, and I couldn't move.

Why, for the second time today had I been caught like a deer in the headlights by some hot, mysterious weirdo? He cocked his head to side curiously, reminding me of my dog. I smiled at this thought. Until my smile broke when I realised what he had in his hand. Now, as far as severed arms go, I can tell you that this one was probably belonging to an attractive vampire lord who was currently laying low in a community garden shed. I swallowed. I wasn't stupid. If this guy had Fabian's arm, then either Fabian had sent him, or this is the one who removed it, and frankly, I wasn't liking my chances tonight. "Um, do you uh, need that?" I say bluntly, gesturing at the dangling arm. He quickly glanced down then his eyes went straight back up to me as if debating wether or not he wanted to add my arm to his collection. Then, before I knew what was going on, he threw the arm at my feet and by the time I looked back up at him he was gone.

"Uh, knock knock?" I enquirer at the shed door. I heard shuffling and then a crash within. I rushed in to find Fabian amongst a few collapsed shelves. I sighed and crouched next to him to help him into a comfortable position. He closed his eyes for what seemed like an eternity and I held my breath. I couldn't help but stare at his perfectly sculpted face. I know, I know. Total cliche. Cheesy main character falls for hot vampire lord. But I now know how they feel, he was totally breathtaking. I would die for flawless skin like that which, I assume, he did.

His eyes snapped open again all of a sudden and I fell backwards. Then tripped. Then fell on my ***. I would've made an attempt to get up but before I could Fabian was looming over me, hand outstretched. I hesitantly took it. The moment we made contact I felt a rush, prying feeling. I snatched my hand away. "What the hell was that?" I wasn't stupid, I knew about vampires. This had to be some sort of power he had. He sighed. "What are you hiding?" His blunt, to-the-point tone left no room for denial. I thought about the mysterious guy who, I could only assume, was also a vampire. I was conflicted. Should I tell Fabian? I mean, why not? But there was something inside me that told me not to.

"It's nothing." I sighed and tossed his arm at him. It fell into his lap and he stared at it blankly for a second. Not gonna lie, I was worried that I had retrieved the wrong arm. After a few seconds he closed his eyes and let out a laugh so soft it could just have been breath. Then he turned to me and again I saw another side to him. "I'm sorry, I should've known." He bowed. "Please forgive my selfishness." Ok so I am pretty experienced at forming basic sentences. I mean, I did it all the time. So what's the problem when there's a gorgeous vampire lord bowing and asking for your forgiveness? I don't know. But what I do know is that it goes something like; "ah. Yes. That's all cool bro." Bro? That was the point at which I regretted my life the most. He just chuckled softly but that soon turned into a hideous cough. He held his mouth I assume to keep something or other in. I reached out to help him but he held his hand up. "No, leave me, I've put you through quite enough tonight" more coughing. Indecision greeted me like an old friend. He was heavily wounded. He was losing and had lost a lot of blood. He needed blood. I could give him blood and help him heal and when he was back to full strength he could repay me. But that would be dangerous. Who knew how much control he had? I was the worst at making decisions.

"Go."

Ok. Problem solved. He had decided for me. Now, usually I am not one to follow orders, but this time, there was something in his voice that gave me the chills and told me it really was best to listen to him. I took my leave. I called goodbye at the door but got no response. I trudged home, hugging myself against the cold. It really was lucky that the moon was so bright or I would have gotten immediately lost.

I heard a rustle. I whipped around to face the direction I'd heard it from. More rustling. Then the mysterious black-cad guy from earlier stepped out. Great. I had to be home in the next....... Oh shit. I was supposed to be home an hour ago! My mother was going to kill me. That was, if this guy didn't beat her to it. I swallowed. I opened my mouth to talk but shut it when he stepped closer. He raised a hand and I steeped back and shit my eyes, preparing for death. Nothing happened. I opened my eyes slowly and he was pointing to himself.

"I-I'm Ru-"

"EVANGELINE DAWN IF YOUR *** ISN'T IN HERE IN ONE SECOND IM YOU'RE GONNA NEED A NEW ONE!!". Crap. My mother. She was the best, but like every parent, protective. I looked helplessly at the guy and he just nodded. I turned and bolted into the house leaving a confused, and slightly disappointed vampire.