Carters POV

1:28 am Monday morning

20 days before the comet

Flash back from the morning after the grave yard

The day after the whole grave yard fiasco I felt numb, not as if I gave up numb but as if my brain couldn't handle the events from the previous night.

I was exhausted, I slept until noon the next morning, but was still exhausted and in a huge amount of pain. I go to check my phone and realize I have a miss call from my mother and two texts

The first read "Hey love, what time do you think you'll be home? Leaving for dads business trip at 1:30. We don't want tony to be home alone" the second one followed: "Also don't let tony watch any scary movies, his nightmares aren't getting any better"

I had numerous texts from Collin ranging front "I'm sorry" to "stop being over dramatic and get over yourself. You're fucking fine and acting like it was the end of the god damn world"

Reading all his messages gave me mixed emotions. I wanted to cry, laugh, punch something and scream into the pillow but instead I just left him on read and answered my mom

"Hey mom I don't know if I'll make it home before you leave, we all just woke up and are going to make some breakfast. Hope you have fun on dads business trip. Love you both"

It was a blessing I wouldn't have to see my parents, a blessing because I wouldn't have to explain why I'm limping and why I'm covered in random cuts and bruises. Looking in the bathroom mirror I would see how bad the damage was. Despite the gash on my forehead and hands I had other small cuts on my legs. Bruises were splattered across my body. I looked an absolute fucking mess.

I wanted to cry again, thinking about what the outcome could have been. I could have been left there the whole night, alone in the cold, not to be found until the grave keeper did his morning rounds or until a family came to morn their lost loved ones. Who knows who else is on the grave yard at night? The hairs on my arms stick up, I could have been attacked...violated, but instead he saved me.

The boy I never got his name. His cold, smooth skin. Red eyes. Strong hands. He was a vampire, but he felt alive? He saved me—protected me. When we Touched I felt safe and I didn't want to leave his embrace. Which was totally crazy right? I didn't even know him? But I wanted too.

I stayed at Katie's house until my parents were gone and then she drove me home. The ride home was quick and I told her about the messages Collin sent me. She stayed quiet most of the time and besides that she apologized a dozen times. Her apologies were sincere but annoying (if I'm being honest). I just pictured his face, his eyes devouring mine as he set me free and tasted my blood—much to his satisfaction.

I wanted to see him again, I don't know what I would say or do. But just to see him. I would figure the rest out after that.

Once I got home I mentally prepared myself for Tony's questions.

"I'm home" I screamed as I opened the door and my voice echoed throughout the whole house

"I'm in my room" tony called

I went to the kitchen and opened the medicine cabinet, grabbed 2 extra strength Advil and took them with a large glass of water. My body ached In ways I never thought possible. If I moved my hand a certain was it stung where I slashed it and I could feel the skin ripping microscopically. I could barely put any pressure on my ankle so I limped like an old man, I could feel my ribs bruising so I kept my movements to a minimum.

As I gripped the stair railing to go up stairs I could tell this was going to suck. I took it step by step, going slow up the stairs. As I finally made it I stopped at Tony's room

"Hey" I said as I walked in the door, his eyes widened as he looked at me

"What happened carter?!"

"I'll explain later. I just want to relax okay? I'm going to go lay down for a little. You can use my Netflix to watch movies, just nothing scary. And for dinner we can either make something or I can order pizza"

Tony nodded but didn't look certain but I couldn't care at the moment and dragged myself to my room. I Laid on the bed and I let out a deep breath.

I closed my eyes and pictured his face again.

*Flash back ended *

I was in a deep sleep, dreaming out nothing important for the first time in a few days. Ever since the graveyard I only have dreamt about the vampire boy. During a midday nap I dreamt about him, I could see him as clear as ever and his voice sounded exactly the same—smooth and rich. I asked him his name, not knowing what I would get

"Gregory" he told me and he sounded 100% genuine. Gregory. I loved it, it sounded like warm velvet coming from his mouth, flowing perfectly. It fit him, he was a Gregory. Strong, powerful and demanded to be the Alfa.

He looked at me and in his eyes I could tell he was sad but happy?

After promising to see each other again I woke up. The dream seemed so real, as if he was really inches away from me. His name repeated in my head Gregory Gregory Gregory.

But tonight, he wasn't in my dream. My mind filled with a dream about high school graduation. My cap and gown flowing in the wind, my parents and tony cheering me on and them handing me flowers. Taking pictures with my friends. It was so close, but yet still seemed like centuries away.

"Okay girls one more picture" my mom called and we all huddled up

"One...two..three...chee—" cheese never happened instead I was woken up by a loud bang from Down stairs.

I sat up quickly, my heart racing. What the hell?

I kept completely quiet and could hear the floor creak from someone walking. Tony? No I don't think so. As I continue to be quiet I hear the basement doors rusty hinges croak and then the door shut quietly. Fuck me fuck me fuck me, there's someone in my house. I look at the clock and it reads early morning, should I call the police? What if it's nothing? It could be tony after all. No way someone comes and breaks into the houses the first night my parents are gone. Who really even knows my parents are away—Collin. Oh my god...

I get out of bed and walk quietly to my door. My pajamas consist of pink silk shorts and a white tank top. As I walk down the hallway I pass Tony's door, not knowing who is in the house or what is going on I have to play defensive, I crack Tony's door open

"Hey bud. I heard something down stairs. Don't come down, if you hear anything lock your door and call the police okay?" And I shut it again.

Walking down stairs I try and not to make a noise and before entering the basement I stop at the coat closet and grab one of my dads golf clubs.

With a deep breath I open the basement door where I can hear some small movement from below. Honestly, I was scared beyond shitless. Would this be considered bravery or stupidity? Should I just turn around all hall my ass back up the stairs to Tony's room and call the police anyways? No. I can't. Why? Because if it's nothing our parents will never leave us alone again and then I'll have to explain to the police and my parents why I look like I was in a MMA fight.

I start to descend the stairs slowly, partly because of my limp and also because it was pitch dark and I wanted to try and figure out my surroundings.

Half way down the stairs. The moonlight shined thought the half windows letting me see the outline of random junk from the pervious owners.

It was silent—oddly silent. There was something really off about the atmosphere and I now could rule out it bring Collin trying to scare me...call it intuition. Was it too late to bail? Yes. Yes it was. The person would be able to grab me before I even made it back up the first flight of stairs, not to mention the second one.

I step off the final stair and enter the main area of the basement. I could feel eyes on me but I couldn't tell what direction they were coming from, it seemed like everywhere. How is that possible?

With a death grip of the golf club I begin walking farther into the basement, using the moon light as a guide. I felt a tingle on my neck as if someone blew on it. I spin around to face nothing. As I continue to explore the basement the eyes never left me.

Instead of becoming lighter the moon started to loose its glow making the basement feel colder. I walk towards the light switch, I needed to know what was going on and the only way I would know is if I saw properly. As I walked towards the switch I could hear the scuffing of feet behind me.

Frozen. I was frozen out of fear. My heart was beating rapidly and my mouth went dry. My knees felt as if they were going to buckle at any minute. I was so stupid. Why did I do this. I'm not strong or brave but yet in the last few days I put myself in these stupid situations.

the footsteps stopped and I could tell they were behind me. My heart stopped beating and for a moment I thought it was going to explode and I would die right here. I gripped the golf club as hard as possible, straining my arm and hand muscles fully.

I took a final breath

In and out

In one movement I lifted to club shoulder level and turned around, swinging the club with extreme force, praying I was going to be able to hit who was ever behind me.

Mid swing the club stopped—someone stopped it. I let out a faint scared gasp. The person was incased in the nights darkness making it impossible to see who it was. With strong force and a quick pull the figure ripped the club out of my hands, causing me to loose my balance and falling to my knees.

I couldn't cry, it's as I forgot how. What was I going to do now.

Fuck. Shit. Fuck shit. Shit fuck.

I push myself to my butt and start to slide backwards until my back meets the wall.

Foot steps happened again...four to be exact.

Our of the darkness he appeared...Gregory.

He looked down at me and let out a small laugh.

"Hello carter" he spoke as he dropped the club to the floor