Chapter Sixteen Jessica had studied Taylor the whole way home. As they walked into the suite, she watched Mackenzie and Zoë run to him. “Tay!” Mackenzie shouted, dropping the marker he was using at the coffee table. Taylor stooped down and put his arms out for both of them. Smiling, she then looked at her mother and father, and Isaac and Zac who all appeared…frightened. She told herself she’d get to the bottom of it before the night was over. Shaking her head, she walked into the bedroom she shared with Avery. “We’re back!” she said brightly to Avery, who was laying on the bed reading a book. “Ok.” Avery answered. “Taylor’s out there—don’t you wanna go see him?” Jessica asked curiously. “I will. Just as soon as I finish this chapter.” She said. Jessica put her hands on her hips and stared at her little sister.

“Avery, you cried your eyes out when we thought he was gone. You had dreams about him constantly. I know and you know that he’s your favorite—he always has been. Now, what the heck is up?!” Jessica demanded.

Just then, Taylor came in the door with Zoë on his shoulders and Mackenzie under his arm like a sack of potato’s. Laughing, he pitched his little brother onto the bed and began to tickle him. Zoë laughed, watching her brothers. “What are YOU laughing about?!” Taylor asked her. More giggles as he pulled her down and gave her the same treatment. Avery backed up from the three slowly. At last, Taylor saw her and the look on her face. “Ah, I’m tired guys—“ he said to the two breathless children, and he lay back on the bed.

Mackenzie looked carefully at his brother, “You’re not sick, are ya, Tay?” At once, Zoë pulled the cover over him and patted his chest.

Smiling at the two, Taylor answered, “No, I’m not sick. I feel great now that I’m back here with you guys.”

“Sing us somethin’ Tay.” Zoë said.

“Whadya wanna hear?” he asked.

“With You in Your Dreams” Avery said. As she and Taylor’s eyes met, he knew that in her mind, he had died that night. For a moment neither of them moved.

“Ok. But only if you come over here and sit by me.” He said softly. He looked at Jessica, “Jess will sit here too, ok?” and he gestured for her to join them on the bed.

Zoë reached over and took Avery’s hand as Jessica sat down, pulling Mackenzie into her lap. “C’mon Avie, Tay’s gonna sing.” She said. Closing her book, Avery scooted over closer to her brother.

“Why do you want to hear that one?” Taylor asked her.

“I just do.” She said quietly.

“Hmm, well I don’t want you getting all sad on me, ok?” he said, tipping her face up. She nodded.

“If I’m gone when you wake up…” he began. His voice sounded beautiful, as always, and the feeling was there that he always put into the song whenever he sang it, but, in her mind, Avery heard something her siblings didn’t.

“Avery, I’m not going to hurt you. My body is different, but my heart is the same. I love all of you and I missed you.” She heard her brother’s voice in her mind at the same time she heard him singing to she and the other children. She looked up at him, eyes wide. His were closed, but then he turned and looked at her. “I know you can hear me. I can see it. Don’t be afraid of me. There’s no reason to be.”

Jessica watched Avery and Taylor look at one another. Though Taylor was singing, he was watching her little sister. As he finished the song, Diana called Mackenzie telling him it was time for his bath. Complaining the whole way, he bid farewell to Taylor and his three sisters and went out the door. “Tay, are you gonna stay with us now?” Zoë asked.

“Of course, baby. I wouldn’t leave you for anything, at least not for more than just a little while, like always. Sometimes, we have to go, but we always come back, right?” he answered.

“Right.” The little girl agreed. Taylor grabbed her up and hugged her, wrapping his arms around her tightly. She turned her head up and kissed him on the chin. “I gotta go. Mommy said I could have a cookie while Mack took a bath. It’s a secret though.” Taylor smiled, and placed the little girl back down on the floor.

“Ok, be good, I’ll see ya.” He said after her. She went out the door leaving the other three still sitting on the bed.

Jessica stood up and walked over, closing the door. Turning, she looked at Taylor, “What are you? Are you like, a vampire or something? Avery was telling the truth when she told us about that lady, wasn’t she?”

At first, Taylor wanted to lie to her, to tell her she was crazy, but he decided she was neither a baby nor was she stupid and so, the truth would have to do. He looked over at Avery. She was looking down at her hands and he watched as a tear fell on her sleeve. With a sigh, he spoke, “Yes. Avery saw a vampire kill me. I don’t know how it’s possible….but, it is.” He said putting his arm around the little girl’s shoulder.

“I KNEW it!!! I saw how scared Zac was of you and I just couldn’t figure it out. Oh man, this is just………..I don’t know. It’s wild.” She said, joining the two of them. Taylor looked at her, she actually had a smile on her face. “Can you fly?”

Now he smiled as well, “No. That’s a myth.”

“Taylor, the whole thing is supposed to be a myth. But, here you are. And your eyes got funny looking for a minute at the studio, what was up with that? Did you bite that girl and suck her blood? Ew, what does it taste like?”

“Jess, Jess—slow down, good heavens!” he said.

“OH! What about crosses?” she asked.

Now Avery spoke, “Are they gonna hurt us?” she asked. Silence engulfed the room as both Taylor and Jessica thought about the question.

“Avery, I would never let anyone hurt any of you. Ever. Please believe that.” Taylor answered, looking into her eyes.

“I’m scared, Taylor.” She said, putting her hand on his wrist. “I don’t want them to come and get us.” Then she leaned into him. He put his cheek on her head.

“That’s not gonna happen.” He comforted her.

Jessica looked over at the mirror on the wall. There reflected in it’s surface was the image of her brother and sister and herself. He didn’t look any different. He had a reflection. Around his neck were three crosses, all laying against his pale skin. When he had smiled, his teeth were just as always, white and with just a teeny bit too much space between them. She could see a very faint mark of some kind on his throat, that was the only obvious difference to her from the last time she’d looked at him. And yet, the changes in him were so obvious. She couldn’t really see them, it was more of a feeling. And she knew her brothers were very aware of it, and though Isaac didn’t seem to be too freaked out about it all, Zac certainly was. And Zac was no idiot. Her excitement passed a bit as she began to think of all the implications. “Tay, what does it all mean—I mean, what about the band and stuff?” Jessica asked.

“I don’t know. I don’t want to stop, that’s for sure. But, I just have to be really careful. And you do too—no one can know about this. NO ONE.” He said.

“Taylor, did you kill that girl?” Jessica asked softly.

“No! I don’t have to kill anybody! And I’m not going to.” He was getting exasperated, “I don’t kill, or fly, or sleep in a coffin, or wear a long black cape! Just put all that stuff out of your head. The only difference between you and me is I can’t eat like you and when the sun’s out, I get really really sleepy and I can’t wake up till it goes away again. It sucks, but it’s what I am now and I just hafta figure it out and you are gonna have to help me. Please, both of you. I really need you guys right now—please, don’t be scared of me, please.” His eyes were glassy and his voice took on a tone of pleading. “I don’t want Mom and Dad to think I’m gonna do anything bad. I want to stay here with you guys, even if I’m different from you now.”

“Who knows about it?” Jessica asked.

“Just the family, I think.” Taylor answered her. “We might have to tell Chris though, he’s gonna have to handle all the crazy scheduling and stuff. I guess.” There was a knock on the door and Diana stuck her head in.

“Everybody ok in here? We haven’t seen you guys in a while.” She said.

All three of her children looked at her, their faces a bit sad looking. She stepped into the room and sat on the bed with them. “What’s going on?” she asked.

“They know.” Taylor said.

Diana raised her eyebrows, “Oh. Well, I didn’t think we could hide it very long anyway. How are you feeling?” she asked her son.

“Fine.” He answered.

She smiled at him, “I didn’t think they were going to be able to get you up earlier. What did they have to do?” she asked.

“Well, when Jessica jerked the blinds up—“

“Oh! Taylor, I’m sorry about that!” Jessica said, “I didn’t know! Oh God, I could have killed you—“

“Jess, it’s not that easy. I think it would take a while out in bright sunlight for it to kill me. Still, it’s not very…….pleasant.” he said, remembering his body reacting to the bright rays as they poured in through the window.

Diana was watching all three of them, still unable to believe what they were discussing. Sighing, she looked into Taylor’s eyes, “We’re doing the best we can with this, Tay. It might take some getting used to though.”

“I know, Mom. I’m trying to get used to it myself.” He said, thoughtfully.

Standing back up, Diana said, “Supper’s ready. You all come on out and eat. Jess, can you get Mack out of the tub?”

“Mom, when is he gonna be old enough to get himself out of the tub?” Jessica asked.

As she walked out the door, Diana replied, “I guess when his wife tells him she’s not gonna do it anymore.”

Taylor smiled and looked down at Avery. “Race ya to the table.” At once, both of them jumped up and ran for the door, Avery making it out just ahead of him.

~~~~~

“They’re on the 38^th floor.” Melanie said to Kirk.

“Why the hell do rich people always stay up in the rafters? Dammit!” he cursed.

“Well, you know, we can take the elevator there, we don’t have to climb like a spider.”

“Don’t they have bodyguards?” Kirk asked.

“Kirk, you don’t think he’s gonna take a bodyguard with him on the hunt, do you?” Melanie smirked.

“Well, I don’t know him, Mel. I don’t know what he’d do.” Kirk answered.

“Well, he’s not that stupid. He knows he can’t let anyone know what he is. So, we just wait, and when he gets hungry, he’ll come out and we’ve got him.” Melanie stated, looking around the parking garage.

“Speaking of hungry…I could use a little something right about now.” He stated.

“Well, where there’s a Hanson, there’s girls.” She said, “Just go look around front real quick, you’ll find one.” Melanie said, leaning up against a blue Honda.

Kirk nodded, “Ok, don’t have any fun without me.” He said as he walked towards the street.

~~~~~

Taylor had sat down at the table with his family, but, within moments, the smell of the food had both aroused his hunger and made him feel sick, all at the same time. Asking to be excused, he went to the living area and turned on the television. Isaac shook his head, remembering his wispy little brother always being a big eater. He’d try anything, be it some exotic foreign food, or down home food from Oklahoma relatives at the family reunion. When he finished eating, he joined Taylor on the couch. “How you doing?” Isaac asked.

“I’m ok,” Taylor answered, “it’s just kinda weird sitting there and not eating anything. Plus, I’m afraid I’m gonna forget and eat a big bite of mashed potato’s and it’ll kill me or something, y’know?”

Isaac smiled, “Well, at least you never have to worry about gaining weight.”

“True.” Taylor smiled, “I’m not sure I had to worry about that before though.”

Zoë came over and joined the two, squeezing in between them on the couch. In her mouth was a raspberry sucker, it’s aroma filling Taylor’s nose and causing him to stare at the little white stick in her mouth. “Um, you got anymore of those?” He asked her.

“Yep.” She said, taking the remote control from his hand and switching the channel to Nickelodeon. “Mommy let me bring my Halloween candy with me, remember?”

“Well, could I have one?” Taylor asked her sweetly.

The little girl turned her gaze from the television to her brother, “Hmmm, well, I guess if Mommy says so, but you didn’t eat supper good, so she’ll say ‘no’ I bet.”

“Mom,” Taylor called in to his mother, “Can I have one of Zoë's suckers?”

“Oh, gosh,” she said, walking in to the living room, wiping her hands with a towel, “I don’t know, can you? It won’t hurt you, will it?”

Taylor laughed, “I doubt it.” He said, “I only asked because Zoë said I had to.”

“Oh, well, yes Zoë, Taylor can have a sucker, but only because he ate earlier, ok?” She said.

At that, Zoë got up off the couch and left, coming back momentarily with a blue sucker like her own—the kind with the bubblegum in the center. Unwrapping it, she put it near Taylor’s mouth. “Open.” She said. He did as he was told and she stuck it in his mouth, “Good?” she asked, getting back up on the couch.

“Mmm-hmmm.” He answered, savoring the sweet candy and the time he was spending with his family.

~~~~~

Melanie and Kirk had both partaken of the handful of girls at the front of the hotel. As it neared 10:00, Melanie sighed, “When’s he gonna come out? Damn, doesn’t he get hungry?”

“Maybe he’s eatin’ in tonight.” Kirk smiled.

“You mean like, a girl from the hotel? Or the fam—cuz I can guarantee he won’t touch one of them. He was starving and we tried to get him to take one of those luscious brothers of his and he wasn’t having any of it.” Melanie muttered.

“Hmmm, you guys sure picked a freak, didn’t you? He sounds a little sketchy to me. So why did Camille want him so bad, anyway? She’s a little hottie, it’s not like she couldn’t have just about anybody she wanted.” Kirk asked, putting his hands in his pockets.

Melanie rolled her eyes, “She’s in LOVE with him. I think she thought he’d be like, her mate or something.”

Kirk laughed, throwing his head back, “You girls are nuts, man! Why do you need a mate, anyway?”

Melanie looked at him, “I don’t know Kirk, maybe she was lonely or something, y’know? She loved their music before—I mean, maybe she’s trying to hold on to something from her real life…”

Kirk hadn’t expected Melanie to get upset, “Sorry Mel, I just don’t get it.”

“You will when you see him.” She said, kicking a pebble with the toe of her shoe.

~~~~~

At 12:30, Melanie heard a voice in her mind. A friend and fellow vampire, telling her that Taylor had been seen coming out of the hotel. He had stopped to talk with the girls in front of the building for a bit, had signed some autographs and then had rushed off, heading for an area known for it’s not so nice drinking establishments. “Dammit!” she cursed, grabbing Kirk by the sleeve, “He got away again. How does he do that?! I should be able to feel when he’s near!”

“Did you drink from him?” Kirk asked as they trotted around the corner of the building.

“Yes, but not a lot—I sort of got, interrupted.” She said as the wind blew her long hair across her face.

“But he drank from you?” He asked, watching as she flung her head so her hair was out of her way.

“Yes, quite a bit actually. Asshole.” And with that, she sped up.

~~~~~

Taylor walked into the KitKat Klub and looked around. He hated the smoke and the smell of these places, but until he could control the minds of his victims better, he didn’t want to risk taking from the fans, unless he had to. He smiled though, thinking he was getting pretty good at calling them to him. If he could get them to look into his eyes, it seemed they became willing very quickly. It had worked with the makeup girl. He thought back on her, wondering if she were alright. He’d actually taken a little more than he had intended from her. Still, she had been able to stand on her own and even managed to write down her phone number. Walking up to the bar, he ordered a coke, then turned to watch the activities going on around him, blowing a large pink bubble with the gum in his mouth. A band was playing up on a tiny stage and an equally tiny dance floor in front of it held the swaying bodies of people who’d had way too much to drink. Looking down the bar, men and women ordered drinks and dropped money into the jar to tip the bartender. Suddenly, a man tripped over Taylor’s long leg as he tried to pass him to join his friends at the bar spilling coke on both of them. “Damn, don’t stick your foot out in the road like that dumb ass.” He shouted at Taylor.

“Sorry, I didn’t know I was.” Taylor said, wiping off the front of his shirt and handing the man a napkin.

The people seated at the bar began to take notice of the two as the man’s voice rose, “Oh, does that make it ok? Hey,” the man said, looking Taylor up and down, “you sure are a pretty thing—wanna go out?” The man laughed now, as his friends got up to join the party.

Rolling his eyes, Taylor turned back to the bar, “Sorry.” He said to the man absently and then he asked the bartender for some water to clean off the stain.

“C’mon baby! Know what? I think you meant to go to that bar down the street. That’s where your type goes.” The three men laughed, beer making them think they were funnier than they were. Taylor ignored them, dipping the napkin in the water and wiping at the spot.

“Hey,” the smaller of the three said, “Bill is talkin’ to you! What’s with you New York freaks anyway? Hell, I seen some man dressed up like a woman go in that place, and she was better lookin’ than my wife! Bet you’d look sweet in one of them tight dresses.” Now they all laughed.

Turning back to them, Taylor started to say something, but then thought better of it. Shaking his head, he walked toward the door, thinking perhaps he would just find one of the girls to be with tonight. This was definitely not his scene. He hadn’t felt so out of place with Sonya beside him. Before he could make it to the street though, he felt the hand of someone on his shoulder. “Look,” he said, irritation in his voice, “just leave me the fuck alone, alright? If you’re looking for a gay guy, then go on down there, I’m sure you’ll find someone to your liking.” He then watched as the man’s face went from amusement to anger.

“I ain’t no queer.” He said.

“Well, fine. Then go home to your wife, whatever.” Taylor said back, looking into the man’s eyes. His friends watched now, expecting Bill to take a swing at Taylor, but instead, they saw him lock eyes with the young man. Taylor backed up a little, then the men’s jaws dropped open as their friend stepped closer to Taylor and reached up and kissed him on the mouth.

“Dude!” Taylor exclaimed, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, “Really, I’m not gay—sorry—I gotta be going.” He then turned to the man’s friends, “I think the place down the street is open pretty late, if you hurry, you might make the last show. Since he likes the dresses and stuff.” Taylor turned, leaving the shocked men behind him. Relieved to be out of the bar with nothing hurt but his pride, Taylor decided to just make his way back, hoping to find his next meal somewhere between there and the hotel. But before he could get far, the same man from the bar came up behind him, grabbed his shoulder turning him around and landed a punch to his jaw. If Taylor was angry with the man before, it was nothing compared to what he felt for him now. Bill Ames was more than shocked when his fiercest punch not only left the boy still standing, but barely seemed to be noticed by him. First, Taylor spit out the large wad of pink bubble gum, then, grabbing him by the shirt, Taylor dragged him into the darkness between the KitKat Klub and the building next to it. Pulling him into the corner, he put the man in front of him and sunk his teeth into his neck. The blood was hot. Hotter than a woman’s, he thought as it flooded his mouth. Perhaps it was adrenaline, or alcohol, he wasn’t sure. At first the man struggled, trying to free himself, but, with the same technique he’d used to make the man kiss him in front of his friends, he commanded him to be still. He closed his eyes, enjoying the feel of the blood sliding down his throat and into his stomach. Suddenly, he sensed something different. Looking up, his mouth still on the man’s neck, he looked into the eyes of Melanie and another man, obviously a vampire. He froze, not knowing what to do. As his mind released the mind of his prey, the man began to struggle again.

“Hey! It’ll be over soon dude, just sit back and enjoy it.” Kirk said to the man. Taylor reached for the collar of the man’s shirt and wiped his mouth, then pushed him towards the two ominous looking characters in front of him. Kirk threw the man to the ground roughly, then reached for Taylor’s arm as he tried to get past them. “Where ya going?” he said, his hand easily wrapping around Taylor’s arm.

“Taylor, the Lady wants to see you. Now.” Melanie stated, smiling.

Taylor looked into her eyes, knowing he’d see hatred there. Sighing, he looked over to the man with her. Kirk was as tall as Taylor, but built much more solidly. “I’m Kirk.” He said, pulling Taylor out into the street again. “I’m going to accompany you and Melanie to see the boss. So, don’t try anything, alright? It can be very easy, or it can be very hard, your choice.”

“What does she want?” Taylor asked Melanie, who’d linked her arm in his.

“I don’t know. It’s just customary for new ones to meet with her. I have a feeling she’s gonna tell you about a few rules that you’ve broken and make sure you know what will happen if you do it again.” She answered.

“It’s nice to know you all are such law abiding citizens.” Taylor snorted, flinching when Kirk’s hand tightened around his arm.

Melanie smiled, “Don’t say ‘you all’—you’re the same thing that we are. What were you doing back there anyway, giving that guy directions?” she laughed.

“He was an asshole.” Taylor stated.

“Yep, he deserved what he got, didn’t he?” Kirk smirked, “You don’t have to make excuses, they all deserve it.” Suddenly, Taylor jerked his arm away from him and took off at a full sprint across the street, barely missing being hit by a car as it slammed on its breaks.

~~~~~

“Zac,” Isaac said, as they both lay down in their room, “do you think we can make this work? I mean, we’ll do whatever we have to as far as Tay’s concerned, but—can we make the band thing work with him like he is?”

Zac turned over and looked at his brother in the other bed, facing him, “I don’t know, Ike. I think if he can learn to control those…urges. I don’t know if you could tell, but I seriously thought he was gonna put the bite on one of those girls today.”

“Well, I noticed you stomped on his foot.” Isaac smiled.

Zac smiled back, “Yeah, I was hoping he wouldn’t get all medieval on my ass. Dag, couldn’t you just see the headlines—Zac Hanson attacked by vampire brother on Total Request Live, film at eleven!”

“Yeah, I actually can. But, I mean, really Zac, what about concerts and stuff?” Isaac turned on his back and looked up at the ceiling.

“Don’t worry about it, Ike. Taylor will find a way, you know that. I don’t think anything could keep him from doing music. It’s just a part of him, maybe even more than it is for you and me.” Zac said.

“Yeah, you’re right. Well, good night. Let’s hope he gets his butt home before sunrise this time so we don’t have to drag him out of the light.”

“Really. Good night.” Zac said, and he reached over and turned off the lamp.

~~~~~

Taylor ran. He ran across streets, into traffic and around corners and over fences. He ran through buildings and bushes, through puddles and stuff he didn’t know what it was. But, no matter how fast he went, they were always just a little behind him. He’d been lucky a few times, able to time it just right to where a car or a bus could put a tiny bit of time and space between him and his antagonists. But, it just wasn’t enough. Just ahead of him, he saw a welcome sight, the Columbus Circle entrance to Central Park. He knew now he was close to the hotel, but he didn’t dare go there, he couldn’t risk them following him to where his family was. So he took his last bit of energy and made for the park and the trees in the distance. Even for a vampire, running fifty city blocks was tiring. His legs were burning and he was actually sweating. It had taken probably thirty blocks for that to happen, but it did.

Kirk and Melanie slowed down as they saw Taylor duck into the park. Kirk bent down and took in a deep breath, “That little dude is quick.” He panted. “When I get my hands on him, you might have to keep me from killing him, ok? I know the lady doesn’t want him dead, but I sure do.”

Melanie pushed her hair behind her ears. “I can smell him. He’s sweating. That guy must’ve drunk a lot of beer.” She smiled. “Well, that much is in our favor. He’s probably hiding, so just keep track of that smell.” She said.

Taylor had run into the trees. He ran a bit more, but he was beginning to feel sick. Soon, he found a tree he could climb easily and shimmied up it, then lay belly down on a large branch, praying they wouldn’t find him. He looked through the little bit of November leaves left on the trees and he could see the hotel, four blocks away. He counted down from the top of the building, until he made out the floor he knew his family was on. His eyesight was excellent, not good enough to see in windows, but it didn’t matter, he knew they were there. He listened in his mind, trying to maybe pick up some trace of Avery—he didn’t know why, but for some reason, she could hear him when he wanted her to, so he wondered if he could hear any of her thoughts. Concentrating on her, he picked up nothing. Probably asleep, he thought. Down below him, Kirk and Melanie were searching for signs of him. His scent was there. As Melanie stood, she motioned for Kirk to be very still. As both of them listened, Melanie heard a tiny sound. Taylor was laying on the tree branch, his eyes closed. He didn’t move a muscle, but sweat dripped from his bangs onto the leaves below with a rhythm only perceived by someone with supernatural senses. As their eyes met, Kirk heard it as well. He looked up from tree to tree and finally, he spotted him. He pointed up and Melanie nodded, “I see him.” She mouthed. “Now what?”

“Well, I’ll just have to go up and get him.” Kirk responded, whispering. “Man, Mel—you’re gonna buy me some new threads for this.” He said, looking down at his pant legs, dirty and wet from the chase. He then went over to the tree and began to pull himself up. He was strong, but he was also not as wiry as Taylor, so the climb was not quite as easy on him. When he got close enough, he could hear Taylor’s breathing. A sign he was not in the best of shape. He climbed a bit higher, so that he could just jump down onto the branch Taylor was sprawled out on. When his feet touched the branch, Taylor’s eyes flew open and he began to back farther out onto the limb. “Dude, just give up, ok? There’s nowhere to go now. We got ya.” Kirk stooped down on the branch and looked into Taylor’s eyes, the moonlight was reflecting off them and he knew the boy was panicking. Those with blue eyes had very distinctive colors in them while those with dark eyes like his own were barely noticeable. Taylor continued to back farther out. Just as he knew it would, Kirk heard the branch crack. Looking down, he saw Melanie below them, “Mel,” he called, “you better back up, it’s not gonna hold long.” Another crack and she backed up as the limb went out from under Taylor. He felt the air underneath him and he felt it every time he hit another branch in the tree on his way down. He never made a sound, other than the one of his body smacking the ground and the leaves crumbling under the weight of him. Melanie rushed over to him and sat on his back, straddling him with her legs and pulling his arms behind his back.

“Hurry, Kirk!” she spat. Kirk had come back down and swung off the last branch before silently dropping down to the ground.

“Did he survive?” he asked, looking at the boy’s sweaty face.

“Hell yes, he survived. He was hard to kill when he was alive, he’s practically indestructible now.” She got up off him and Taylor rolled over to look up at them. Kirk grabbed his wrist and pulled him up roughly. “You are a trip, man.” Without a moment’s hesitation, Taylor attempted to get away again, but this time, Kirk’s grip was like iron and he pulled him up against his chest, his arm around Taylor’s neck. When Taylor sunk his teeth into his arm, Kirk flung him against the trunk of the tree, “You little dick!” he said and looked at his arm as blood ran down his elbow. Now Taylor watched as Kirk’s eyes took on a slight golden hue. Melanie was on one side of him, so he knew he couldn’t go that way. Before he could decide though, he felt a blow to his stomach that was so severe, he couldn’t see. He bent down and wretched, sickened by the sight of the blood he’d just drunk a half hour earlier going onto the ground in front of him. He was pulled up by his hair and he thought he could hear Melanie saying something, but he just wasn’t sure.

“Kirk, you told me not to let you kill him! Now stop!” she exclaimed.

“Little fucker BIT me!!!” Kirk spat, before he leaned Taylor up against the tree, then punched him. Now his blood mixed with that of his victim’s as his sharp teeth cut his own lip. One more blow, a kick to his knee and the fight was over. Melanie flinched when she heard the sound of the bone breaking. But, she understood, Taylor would do no more running that night.

The pain to his body was so great, Taylor couldn’t form any words. Only a groan came from his lips as Kirk hoisted him over his shoulder, arms dangling, and his view of the world an upside down one. “Now then, let’s see you get away from me now. I can’t believe you actually bit me…” he grumbled as he took his prize back to the Lady Beatriz.

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