My heart dropped into my stomach and a shiver ran down my spine. First out of pain, then out of anger, his scream increased in intensity. His irises turned blood red and fangs rapidly descended. Before I could decide whether to run or help, the boy unsheathed his own stake from his belt. The man thumped to the ground. Standing still, the boy shook, breathing heavily with the wooden sake through his chest.

Whatever they are, he's one too, I realized. Unsure of his intentions, I decided not to sprint away. Surprising myself, I took a cautious step forward. The boy collapsed onto his knees with a thud, and began to sway. I half expected him to fall forward when he reached toward the steak in his chest.

Another tortured scream pierced the air as he pulled the large piece of wood through the opposite side from which it entered. He tossed the stake aside to the body of his attacker.

"You missed the heart, asshole," He informed the dead man casually. Holding his hand over the tender hole in his chest, he returned to his feet.

"Ar-are you okay?..." I asked.

His eyes and teeth were back to normal, but he appeared temporarily dazed. "Yeah.. I-" He broke off and got close. Too close after everything tonight; I recoiled.

"I won't hurt you." reaching towards me, there was sincerity in his voice. Nervously, I allowed him to get near. Making sure not to touch, he inspected my neck, which had a dull ache from the pinch. His face twisted in frustration. "Fuck..

"He bit you."

"He bit me?" My heart raced. I had no idea what was going on anymore.

"Well, we aren't exactly human..." he backed away and looked down uncomfortably.

Police sirens went off in the distance. They were heading in our direction. "Shit, shit, shit.." the boy muttered under his breath, "We've got to go. Now." He grabbed my hand firmly and began to direct me towards the nearest alleyway. But I wanted to go home.

I dug my heels into the pavement, "Where are you taking me? I have to go home." I wasn't going to run off with a stranger that easily.

"You can't go home. Do you want to lead thosethings back to your family? You'll get yourself and them killed."

"But the police.." I started.

He cut me off, speaking very quickly, "They're dirty cops. Every single one of them. They all answer to the man that nearly killed you back there."

Not quite sure what to do, I stared in the direction of my home longingly.

"We've got to go. Now." he tugged on my wrist, eyes pleading for me to cooperate.

If he was telling the truth and I went home, I'd be risking my family getting hurt. I sighed and disappeared into the alley with the strange boy.