I gasped. I didn't want to turn my head, but really I didn't have to. I already knew who it was. I already knew there was no escape. I just sat there, very still, like I was trying to become part of the wall behind me.

"You know, you got really lucky this morning," Liam said, almost conversationally. "See, drinking vampire blood messes with my senses a bunch. Makes 'em almost as bad as a human's."

So then why drink it, dumbass?

I didn't say that of course-I was still in my wall cosplay-but that didn't really seem to matter.

"Why drink it then, you're thinking," the vampire said. I couldn't help my surprised grimace. I saw him grin at me. "Well, you see it's about the power play. To us, being fed on is the ultimate humiliation. Makes you nothing less than a human. No offense, of course."

I kept completely still. The fact that he was chatting with me like a friend was throwing me off, but I couldn't let him see that.

"So I just couldn't help myself. Surely you understand. But that does not excuse my inability to catch you," he said, sighing. "You wouldn't believe how furious I was. I threw a rather embarrassing little tantrum-killed three of the humans we keep around for blood."

Three people? Just like that? Like they were nothing at all? If he could do that, what chance of survival could I possibly have?

"But then I realized our reserve was getting low! I can't have my vampires dying of starvation, can I? We'd just end up either arrested or cannibals-and you already know why that wouldn't do. So, I came up with an idea. You!"

Me?

"Yes, you!" The vampire said, cheerful as ever.

Damn it. Again. He couldn't be reading my mind, could he?

"Whether I am reading your mind or not isn't important. What is important is the extra few months of life I've given you. See, I was planning to just kill you right away. But one, I've already murdered four people today, and five would be overkill. Also, you could be useful to me," Liam slid closer to me, cold breath right on my cheek. "Your blood, that is. Now stop pretending to be a statue. It's pointless."

He was completely right, of course, but some childish part of my brain wanted to believe that the monster would go away if I just sat still enough.

I sighed, leaning away from him. "So, you're not going to kill me?"

"No, not yet. After you're drained you will die of course, but that won't be for a while." I turned to face him. It seemed like a better alternative than death, but not by much.

"But what about school? My mom?" I asked. He shrugged.

"You'll never see them again. The police will call it a kidnapping, and you'll be presumed dead after a while. And then, after a while longer, you actually will be dead."

"Just...just like that?"

"Just like that."

I felt sort of numb.

"And what if I refuse your offer, huh?" I asked, foolish defiance making its way into my tone. Liam didn't seem to notice it at all, let alone care.

"That's fine I guess. I'll just kill you right here. And your mom, just for fun," he said, grinning. "I lied before. I wouldn't really mind bringing my count for the day up to 6."

Ah, shit. I was one thing, but I couldn't cause my mother's death too. I just couldn't do that to her, no matter her shortcomings as a parent. Which only left one option.

"You know what? Fine. Go ahead and kidnap me." I said, cold as I could, trying to hide how nervous I was.

"That's a good girl! Now get up." Liam hopped to his feet, then held his hand out to me. I didn't take it, glaring at him instead.

He started walking away from the building, but I stayed still. Noticing I wasn't following, Liam turned.

"Well?" He asked, eyebrow raising.

"I...I want to say goodbye. To my mom. Just two seconds, I promise," I almost begged. I hated myself for showing weakness, but I had to. One last goodbye to her was all I needed.

Liam walked back toward me. As he grew closer, I saw a look of something like compassion in his garnet eyes.

He put his hands on my shoulders, silent. I stared up at him. Still not saying a word, his hand traveled up to my cheek. It was cold, but not completely uncomfortable. Kind of like a fan on a hot day. Actually, it was a little bit relaxing.

Which is why my guard was down when he pulled back his hand and brought it back down on my cheek with inhuman strength. I screamed in pain, falling to my knees and clutching my burning cheek. I felt tears involuntarily running down my face. It felt like I'd been punched by a bodybuilder, not just slapped by some average-bodied guy.

"Oh, get up already. I didn't hit you that hard," Liam said, exasperated. "And no, you can't say goodbye to your mother. Honestly, what did you think I'd say? Stupid human."

I tried to get up, to curse at him, but that sent another wave of pain through my face, sending me back to the ground. I settled for glaring at him as hard as I could.

"You really can't get up, can you?" Liam said, looking amused. "Here, I'll help you."

He picked me up with one arm, tossing me over his shoulder like I weighed nothing. I yelped in surprise. I tried to struggle down, but his arm around my waist allowed for very little movement. I settled for kicking his chest, beating my fists on his back.

Liam didn't even acknowledge my efforts. He walked further and further away from my building. I hung my head, and tears filled my eyes. I knew I'd have no chance of seeing my home again.

We turned a corner, getting dangerously close to the shadier part of my neighborhood, my apartment no longer visible at all.

Carrying me deeper into the shadows, Liam began to whistle a tune. Oddly, I felt like I recognized it. Fall Out Boy?

But no, that couldn't be. There was no way a probably immortal vampire listened to goddamn Fall Out Boy. I really was going crazy.

Soon, we came to a pitch black car, almost invisible in the darkness. Liam opened the back door, then tossed me inside. My swollen cheek hit the black leather, eliciting a grunt from me. He slammed the door shut, then got into the driver's seat.

And then, we were off, leaving behind my home forever.