When Thomas woke up, he noticed a sizable round window letting the drab dawn light in. He blinked and sat up, causing the blankets he couldn't recall hiding under to tumble around him. He rubbed his eyes while scanning the area. A navy couch with one arm and no back was in front of the window. In addition, it was a little table with a pitcher on it. Thomas saw a spotless, large room rather than the old, dusty attic with its boxes of mice and mold.

One entire side of the room, was occupied by one enormous, dark bookcase. Thomas hoped that one of the three doors on the other wall led to a bathroom. Thomas turned to look at his side as he groaned. With his mouth open and his hair in a mess, Lars was lying on his back. When he saw it, Thomas grinned.

It wasn't a dream. He was really here. Thomas's bare feet sank into a plush gray rug as he slid out of bed. Padding across the floor, Thomas tried his hand at finding the bathroom. The first door opened the biggest closet Thomas had ever seen, which was located near the window. It was made up of scarves suspended in midair and a rainbow of colors hanging from silver poles.

“Magic!” Thomas grinned in wonderment. He took a few steps after clicking the door shut and went to the next door. When the lights flickered to life on their own, white shimmered off the floors. In the space above Thomas' head, crystals glistened. A string of metal pieces kept them floating. They stayed afloat all on their own.

A clear round cup that was larger than the previous orphanage bathroom took up the majority of the space. The only items in the room were two double sinks made of gray wood and a toilet. Thomas entered and noticed a door on the opposite side. Thomas disregards that in order to attend to his morning duties.

“Morning Thomas.” When he returned to the room, Lars welcomed him.

“Morning,” Thomas said. He chose to continue looking around the room because he was at a loss for words.

“Any questions about yesterday?” Lars dragged the blankets behind him as he climbed out of bed.

“I'm a vampire.” Thomas said, confirming and not questioning this fact. Watching the blankets fix themselves back on the bed.

“Yes, you've awakened yet.” Lars yawned and walked around the bed while stretching.

“Awakened?” Thomas questioned himself as he observed the blanket shake until its edge was perfectly flat on the mattress. The pillows themselves were fluffed out and lined up at the top of the bed.

“When a vampire develops his powers and a need for blood,” Lars disappeared into the closet that he had glanced at before. Thomas followed in curiosity. “You have siren blood and wizard blood too, so puberty should be fun for you.” There was clothing flying all around Lars. Thomas looked on with his mouth open. Lars did nothing more than raise his arms and enter the whirling mass. When everything settled, he came out wearing a red robe, eggplant pants, and a cobalt sweater.

“I'm fine for now, then?” Thomas asked, not sure how he felt about drinking blood. It sounded anything but sanitary. Lard nodded, and Thomas let out a sigh of relief. Before, a scarf shot through the air and whirled around Lars' shoulder.

“You can ask Father if you like.” Lars offered. Thomas shook his head. He felt a calm air around him. Not even a glimmer of that awful feeling Thomas got in his chest when someone lied around him

“I'm fine for now.” Thomas didn't need more information right now. What would he do with it? He preferred to take one day at a time. “Um, are my clothes okay?” Seeing Lars in new clothes, Thomas felt a bit shabby in his.

“You want to change into something of mine?” Lars looked around his closet. “You're a bit shorter than me, but I have some clothes from last year.” Thomas watched wooden boxes slide from the top and come down.

“What's your favorite color?” Lars inquired as he watched the numerous boxes that were falling and descending slowly.

“Green.” Thomas said in a whisper, watching in awe while Lars helped him get him a new outfit. Lars clapped his hands collectively and nodded, causing the green-lidded box to stop at their feet. Lars yanked out an emerald-green robe and shook it. “Are these wizard clothes?”

Wizards all dress in robes. Some of us are more colorful than others.” Lars chuckled. “As you can see, we also wear pants, so don't worry.” Lars tossed him, put the robe aside, and tossed him a pair of black pants and a long black dress shirt. Thomas changed; there is no such thing as privacy at the orphanage. Turning Thomas into a fast dresser

“Not bad.” Lars nodded, walking around Thomas. “My mother bought that for me years ago, but it wasn't colorful enough for me.” Thomas spun around, liking the green robe swirling around his ankles while he turned. It looked different from the boy he was yesterday, and he felt different too. He felt happier.

“Let's get breakfast. I'm sure Mother has a spread.” Thomas perked up. Thomas was eager to see the dining room after seeing the wonders of Lars's room. He heard the sizzle of eggs as he followed Lars down the stairs, and he smelled the rich aroma of bacon. 

Down a dark wood hallway. Thomas trailed Lars, his eyes roving about and soaking up everything. The house looked normal so far, right down to the pictures lining the walls. Thomas didn't come to a complete stop until he noticed Lars' parents.

“Their dancing!” Thomas yelled while pointing. At the end of his finger, the couple swung around without a care. Their eyes were on each other without a care in the world.

“It was taken last year.” Lars stopped and smiled. “My parents never left the honeymoon stage.”

“Is the picture moving normally?” Thomas paused and asked. Lars' lack of response made him believe that must be the case. 

“Paintings will leave their frame's time, too.” Lars stood next to Thomas and joined him. “If any of them bother you, I'll ask Mother to take them down.” Lars patted Thomas' shoulder.

“Can they?” Thomas asked, shoulders relaxing under Lars's hand, “Mess with you?” Thomas nodded at Lars's question. Getting a nod in return.

“My uncle for one. He has a gutter mouth, so it's best to stay away from him. His portrait is in the library.” Thomas nodded again. It was simple to avoid the library because he had no idea where it was. “Let's get some breakfast.”

“Morning Father!” Lars said this cheerfully when they entered the dining room. Thomas's eyes beat a quick path around the room. On the walls, golden flowers adorned with dark red paper swayed. The light wood floor matched the twisting legs of the round table. Lars's father put a heavy leather book on the table. Greeting them with a smile.

“Morning boys.” Mr. O'Sullivan narrowed his eyes on Thomas. "Are you alright?"

“I'm fine, Mr. O'Sullivan.” Thomas gave a quick nod. He felt great. Thomas no longer had to worry about what-ifs because he was here. What if he was unable to stay away from the kids and the Rows? Now that the old man was gone, where could he hide? And many others, too. We're gone. Poof. Like magic.

“Truly.” Thomas nodded in an effort to convince him of his claims. When Thomas only received a stern look, he started to open up a little. “I can't lie.”

“Can't?” Mr. O'Sullivan said while furrowing his brows. Thomas gave a nod.

“That's right.” Thomas wanted to make things work because he felt safer than ever. Thomas decided it would be best to reveal the small secret he had kept to himself.

“Ever?” Lars shuffled Thomas around until he sat down in a chair that Lars had brought over. Thomas went along with it as Lars pushed him in.

“Never.” Thomas nodded. Even lying to himself was beyond him. For a while, he thought about whether he should go along with what the Rows wanted. He would get some peace, but every time he tried, Thomas felt paralyzed. His body, thoughts, and breathing all stopped. It was terrifying. After a few tries, Thomas vowed he wouldn't continue.

“Is this a vampire trait?” Lars turned and asked his father. His father shrugged while rubbing the bridge of his nose.

“Don't tell anyone about this, Thomas.” Mr. O'Sullivan said that, leaning forward, he took his hands and rubbed them with great care. “I am happy that you trust us to say this, but I'm afraid of what others might do.” Thomas frowned. He wasn't sure what a person could do with this knowledge, but he wasn't stupid.

“You're the first two I ever told.” Thomas pulled his hands free and said, “I'm not a people person.” Thomas tilted his head, unsure how to tell him what he meant.

“Thomas isn't a fool, Father.” He was seated in the chair next to him. “Right Thomas?” Lars winked at him.

“I wouldn't have survived in that house otherwise.” Thomas nodded; that was it. He grinned at Lars because it made him feel good to have someone who seemed to get him.

“Breakfast sirs.” In front of Thomas, a strange being wearing pink clothing materialized. Snapping its fingers, it set several food trays on the table. It was about two feet tall, covered in a robe, and resembled an odd, naked, upright cat in many ways.

“!” Thomas slammed back into his chair; if Mr. O'Sullivan hadn't seized the chair arm, he would have fallen completely over.

“It's our house elf, Berry.” Mr. O'Sullivan reassured

“Berry is a nice elf. Mr. Thomas.” Her big ears wiggled in the air as she nodded. Thomas flutters his eyes twice.

“Breath.” Lars' voice rolled over him. To regain his composure, Thomas inhaled deeply.

“Is Berry scary?” Her voice trembled, and her enormous saucer-shaped blue eyes were overflowing with tears. Thomas shook his head.

“You appeared out of nowhere.” Thomas calmed down, feeling a bit bad for making Berry cry. Mr. O'Sullivan patted his arm and settled back into his chair.

“I'll warn you next time. Berry will.” Her sobs have stopped. She grinned broadly and wiggly, which led Thomas to believe it was her. “I'm going to get more food now.” Thomas gave a nod.

“What's a house elf?” Thomas asked when she left.

“She helps take care of the house.” Mr. O'Sullivan explained. “We pay her in clothes.” He added. As if understanding, Thomas nodded.

“She also stops Mother from burning down the kitchen.” Lars continued, grabbing a tray of colossal pastries covered in jam.

“I heard that, young man!” Mrs. O'Sullivan came in carrying a pitcher of juice in her hand. Her clothes match Berry's.

“I haven't burned down the kitchen lately.” Placing the pitcher down, she tucked herself in beside her husband.

“Help yourself, Thomas.” Mrs. O'Sullivan said, waving to the dishes covering the large round table.

“Try this!” Berry raised a small tray with a red, shining fruit on it. Picking it up, the small fruit reminded Thomas of a tomato, but much smaller. Under Berry's watchful gaze, he popped the fruit into his mouth. Biting down, his mouth exploded with juice. Coating his mouth and running down his throat. It had the rich, tender flesh of near-raw meat and tasted juicy. Thomas' eyes watered. It was the tastiest thing he ever ate in his life!

“Can I have another?” Thomas asked Berry, and she offered him another one of her wiggly smiles.

“Have them all!” Berry placed the small tray in front of him.

“Thank you.” Thomas smiled at her and helped himself to another. Berry blushed and disappeared out of sight.

“Berry likes you.” Mr. O'Sullivan laughed, adding some bacon to his own plate. “And Thomas likes the blood fruit.” Lars laughed while Thomas stuffed his face. The name of the fruit didn't stop him one bit.

“It was Berry's idea.” Mrs. O'Sullivan smiled, pouring herself and Lars a cup of juice. “When she heard Thomas was coming, the fruits were the first thing she thought of!”

“Why would she?” Thomas wondered. Why would she go out of her way if she knew who he was even? For him?

“One. We don't often have guests, but she likes them.” Mrs. O'Sullivan said, taking a drink of her juice.

“Two. Berry takes very good care of her family, and your family is now. Has for decades.” Mr. O'Sullivan added

“Three. She kind of has a thing for you.” Lars wiggled his eyebrows, making Thomas blush. He was not used to the friendly teasing.