"Sammy, wake up! Wake up! It's my birthday! I'm eighteen!" I jumped up on my brother over and over until I saw those eyes start to peel open and a smile grace his face. I wanted to see the flowers, they must have grown more lively, I'm sure.

He turned over on his side pulling the old pillow over his head. I shook him again smacking his back so he would eventually turn back over.

"Happy birthday, Sketch."

"Come on! Get up! I want to go outside!"

"Don't you want to see your gift?" he asked.

"Of course!" I said, "give it to me!"

I rolled off him and waited for him to get up which he did very slowly. He walked over to his drawer and started looking through it, throwing the stuff he didn't need on the bed. He pulled out a box wrapped in toilet paper, and I wondered why toilet paper.

"Here." he handed the small box over to me with a smirk.

"Toilet paper?" I asked.

He just nodded and leaned back on the wall with his arms folded across his chest.

I opened it, unraveling the paper and removing the box lid as quickly as I possibly could. On the inside was a small gold ring, a simple band that shined under the lights.

"I found it on one of my missions and thought it would be perfect for you."

I smiled down at it, pulling it from the box and miraculously it fit on my ring finger perfectly.

"I love you." I said hugging him tight.

"I love you too." he ruffled my hair but I didn't mind. "Can we go outside now?"

"Let's get some breakfast first."

"Okay."

We walked down and ate our breakfast rather quickly so I could get outside and have some fun while our moments lasted. Sparky was with me at breakfast, he must know it's a special day.

Gracie engulfed me in a hug, before handing me a big box that was thankfully not covered in toilet paper.

It was a a pair of gloves and a matching hat. It was a really nice gesture, since winter was coming up. Last year I accidentally lost my gloves and there is a huge hole in my hat.

"Thank you, Gracie."

"That's not it." She handed me a bag which felt pretty light in my hands and that was not what I was expecting.

"Don't tell me, a matching scarf?" I guessed and she just shook her head no.

I opened the bag and saw Mr. Bear inside. How did she get my bear? I trusted Sam to wash him because he got so dirty from the woods.

"I repaired his torn ear that you didn't tell me about." She said

"Thanks Gracie, I just thought you had more important things to be doing."

"Nonsense!" She said, placing her hands on her hips. "I always have time for you!"

I was already having such a good time so far but to get even better a horn blew, and everyone rushed over to the window. It wasn't a horn for caution but the opposite and was one for attention or announcement. Sam and some of the other boys rushed outside before I had time to ask what was going on. My question was answered as we watched from the window seeing that Riley had come speeding in on his motorcycle with a wagon behind him.

Gracie shrieked and rushed outside, clearly happy to see her boyfriend again. Everyone followed in pursuit, including me ignoring the rules. The wagon stopped half way to the house and Alice and Fennel jumped off like they were in some sort of action movie. I was surprised when they got up and started unloading things like supplies and even more surprising people! There were two. A man in his late twenties, with black hair and a dark wispy beard, it reminded me of cotton candy. Then a girl with blonde hair pulled back into a curly pony tail was at his side looking more than scared at the moment.

"It was a success! The train is heading into the dome without any knowledge that they had been hijacked." Riley said, bringing Gracie into a tight hug and then a very intimate kiss.

I held Mr. Bear tight to my chest as the couple looked at me suspiciously like I was someone to be cautioned by.

"That's Sketch, he's human and by the way Happy Birthday, buddy." Riley said.

"T-thanks Riley." I said softly, feeling a blush tint by cheeks and a hug coming my way.

"Okay, we recovered food, weapons, screws, clothes, and much more. Please help unload quickly so we can celebrate."

Everyone cheered in approval as they rushed to unload all the things that Riley had brought home. The only one who didn't look to happy was Adam, maybe because he was wrong about this operation. No one was hurt or injured and we benefited by helping two people and getting all these supplies.

"Everyone, this is Emily and Rune. They have seen a vampire up close and have lots of things to tell us."

Everyone cheered and welcomed the newcomers but I was a little skeptical of how they looked at me. "What do you know of this Ancient Vampire?" Someone asked and I was keen on listening too.

The girl turned back to us and rubbed her arm. "When we were taken, the vampire aboard the train wouldn't stop talking about him. Apparently the Ancient Vampires' name is Orion. He's come not for the festival but to check the leadership of this nearby dome. The festival is made for him but word said he doesn't attend and just visits his family."

Family? What family would an old vampire like him have?

"We will talk about this later, for now we celebrate. Gracie cook us the best meal these food barrels for. Are the borders okay?" he asked.

"Yeah they're clear, not a monster in miles."

I smiled big and turned to sparky whom was waiting patiently for me to talk to him and tell him our plans. I rubbed his head and got up running toward the meadow of wild flowers that no one seemed to like except Sparky and me. I loved flowers. Sparky licked at my face and I pushed the big fur ball away since he stunk awfully and the flowers smelled better.

I started to pick the smaller flowers and started twisting then together like Gracie taught me. Sparky kept jumping around which would cause me to laugh.

Not long after, I made a crown out of flowers one for myself and sparky. I thought it was pretty so I placed it on top of my head and his.

Sparky started barking, and was growling at the woods not really unnatural considering he might smell an animal but he wouldn't stop. I tried to pull him back but once I glanced up, I saw something looking at me.

Something that no one ever wanted to see so close to anyone. Then in a matter of seconds it was a few feet away from me. It was the most deadliest creature we feared. The kind that's been killing and capturing us.

Vampire, he was a vampire. This one had a red cape, and his clothes were rippling with elegance. He admitted so much power like a bubble of control and authority. I felt weak, more physically and mentally. More power than any other Vampire should have and I know because Sammy never had problems with this. His hair was black, and he had a little stubble on a sharp face. He was just staring at me, in awe? He was mesmerizing, I felt like I couldn't move. I couldn't break his eye contact even though I was terrified.

I was awaken from my trance when Sparky ran at him and I took that as my chance to run. I stood up, clutching Mr. Bear tightly in my hand and ran toward the house something scary dragging at my feet. I heard Sparky get upset and no more barking. I feared the worst and ran like the coward I was. Once I thought I was out of danger a cold hand grabbed my arm pulling me back, making me drop my bear.

I came face to face with the demon. He was staring at me so intensely, so deeply I thought I would pass out. His gaze was like hard stone and it was set on me like I was his greatest deride to feast on. He threaded his fingers through my hair, gripping it tight and harsh. My trembling hands came up to his hand, holding it, so he wouldn't tug any harder.

His other hand traced my cheek, his cold fingers dancing over my skin. I felt a shiver run down my spine a cold and dry one that could spark a fear in anyone even in a tough guy like myself.

"So beautiful. How is that possible?" his voice even admitted power, it was deep but soft and it. I felt my heart ramming into my chest angrily wondering if I had just taken a hike in the mountains just now.

I started to hear yelling and I was hoping they were coming to my rescue. The horn starting going off, it was loud but it didn't care this vampire away. I heard people running towards us all screaming and yelling like lunatics. The boys surrounded us, with crossbows held to the Vampire like we in some sort of action scene.

"Let him go, before we kill you." That voice spat which instantly recognized as Sam, his voice was commanding and strong. Not enough to save me.

"With that shitty bow? Really?"

The first arrow shot out but the man merely smirked pulling me forward so the arrow would pierce my shoulder. Pain exploded from my left arm, yelling bloody murder as I heard Sam scream like a madman behind me as more villagers piled around us. He was going to kill us all I was sure.

"Don't move or he'll die."

My body felt numb as he examined the arrow and now bleeding wound on my shoulder.

"That looks painful." His voice was low." Want me to help you?

"Why...? Won't you kill us anyway?" I breathed, looking down at the wound suddenly feeling all dizzy.

"I'm not that cruel," he smirked deviously leaning over to whisper in my ear. "I couldn't let a pretty face like yours die bow, could I? I'm offering you a way out. You should take it. You don't want an infection, now."

I gazed at Sam who looked so worried but put down his weapon as the vampire had me in his deadly grasp. One move and I was dead.

"Heal me..."

"As you wish."

Everything was starting to turn dark as I was losing conciseness fast. If I remember correctly, the last thing I heard was, "Sleep."

It could have been directed toward me or my family but I knew one thing for sure and that this time no one could protect me but myself.