UPDATE 12/16/19: Hello everyone, it has been a long time since I've posted this chapter. Almost five years ago to be exact. I've decided to slowly go through all my chapters, 1 - 10, and fix mistakes. Mostly grammar mistakes cause oh, boy, do I commonly make them. The story won't change much, though, just small tweaks in dialogue and maybe even a few minor actions, BUT believe me, you'll thank me for it. If you have never read this story then let me just say I have a problem with tenses and commas. You've been warned. AND if you are reading this for the first time then feel free to leave a review!

"Sometimes, we don't understand why certain things happen to us; they just do. During these events, we sometimes wish they never happened while other times we are grateful for them. In my case, I am unsure if I am grateful or not. Hell, I'm still trying to figure this all out because, at first, I thought that maybe I was in shock. That, just maybe, it was all in my head. You know, like a coma induced dream perhaps, but now I'm starting to doubt even that delusion. Regardless, some questions still remain; is this it, am I truly here? What is my purpose here? How does someone even exist when they weren't even born yet?"

|CHAPTER ONE: YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME?!|

Everything felt heavy like dead weight, my chest, my legs, even my eyelids. Moving felt practically impossible, but somehow I managed to lift my hands to my face with great effort — fingers cupping my head in an attempt to reduce the splitting headache that began to blossom. Minutes must have passed before I pulled my now tingling hands away.

I groan internally. God, how I hate that tingling feeling. Like little pricks of needles digging into every inch of your skin.

I could finally make out the sky, such a dull color that welcomed me — the type of sky right before sunset. A washed-out blue with wispy white clouds. I laid there for a moment to allow my body to settle. The little burning sensations slowly disappearing. One by one, I tested my limbs. Bending my knees and squeezing my hands while watching the clouds sleek through the pool, the colors slowly shifting. I'll admit it took longer than I'd like to start analyzing my predicament.

Why am I outside? I don't know.

Where am I outside? I don't know.

What was I doing before this? I don't know.

Officially able to bear my weight, I sat up to peer around- to gain my bearings more. The rushing and rumbling sound around me clarifying to be the ocean. The uneven grainy ground I've been laying on to be sand. This was indeed a beach, but why am I on a beach? Most importantly, how did I get on a beach?

The closest large body of water to me is a lake. Even then, I have not visited that place since my childhood. Clearly, this was no lake before me.

So why am I here?

Easing up to my feet, I slowly turned in a circle while steadying myself. My legs felt like they haven't moved in ages. What happened to me? Did I get hit by a semi-truck or something? A bundle of shapes came into view, structures of some sort, as I faced away from the lapping waters. An odd assortment of buildings similar to an abandoned fairgrounds. The more I strained to make out individual shops and rides, the eerier it all felt. There was no one else here. It felt frozen in time despite the beautiful weather tossing my hair. A calm breeze neither cold or hot. I focused my view closer to myself.

Surfboards set upright in the sand, blankets with random assortments of accessories sprawled out on empty beach towels, and even imprints of feet scattered the sand. All signs that people were once here, yet there was nobody — not a soul. Everything looked dull, spooky, but inviting at the same time.

A pain ignited in my head, flaring up that headache again. On reflex, I cupped my forehead as my eyes squeezed shut as if to will the pulsing ache away.

What the hell is happening?

Then the wind picked up around me, whipping my hair and clothes in all directions before falling back into its subtle breeze — an oceanic undertone of salt and fast food dancing on it. Faintly, a small white nose began to bleed into it, slowly becoming coherent as I stood there concentrating. Like the volume was turned up, and soon I recognized it as chatter. People were talking, giggling, hooting with excitement all around — such a sudden percussion of noise swallowing up the silence.

While still cupping a portion of my face, I opened the eye not covered to witness what my ears were hearing.

Unbelievable...

My hand dropped as I continued to stare. Everywhere there was not a person, was now a person, sometimes groups of people. Just relaxing and having a blast as if they were always there — meant to be there. It was like they miraculously poofed into existence.

Frustrated and confused, I try to wrap my head around it all. All of this had to be a dream. The only way any of this could, or would, make any sense is if it was all just a dream...

Now confident that I am currently just having a weird lucid dream, I pull myself together and head toward the cluster of different shaped buildings as if this was all normal. A dream could not harm you. A dream was your own making, and I just needed to understand why I am here.

The first thing I noticed while getting closer was how alive the once dull architecture appeared. Now warm and lively with screams of excitement and music. Stepping up onto the wooden platform, I took note of the crowd roaming around. The way they dressed immediately coming into focus. I've only seen people dressed like this in movies, well sort of, I mean some article of clothing always fall back into a trend, but the entire get up as a whole just looked weird; outdated.

Most of the women are wearing waist-high denim jeans and denim jackets over crop tops with brightly colored accessories like sunglasses, bangles, and hoop earrings. Although some did have denim daisy duke style shorts on or printed tights, or even skirts, with baggy over the shoulder shirt. But no matter the girl, it seemed the hair was always permed and teased to perfection in some way.

Now the men, on the other hand, were either super plain with them also wearing something denim, like jeans with loose button-ups topped or a baggy over shirt. While the others were on an entirely different spectrum; Zebra print pants, bandannas on their foreheads or arms, some shirtless with a leather jacket, and their hair styled up like they sprayed it with hairspray then stuck it in front of an industrial fan.

Why am I dreaming of the eighties?

To avoid being bumped by the crowd, I walked along the outskirts of it all. Reading signs on buildings lit up by lights, not even realizing it must have become nighttime during my short walk while watching the festival rides from a distance. Tattoo and piercing parlors were everywhere alongside stores stacked up with leather jackets of all colors, shapes, and sizes.

If this weren't a dream, I'd think it was some type of 'back to the past' festival, but how my head could envision a time I wasn't even born into, to this extent, I don't know. I blame all the movies I watch...

My gaze fell on a large Video store titled 'Video Max', and like everything else around me, the place was outdated. Anyone could tell how outdated this place was. Mainly due to the fat box-shaped T.V's with aisles stacked with tapes rather than DVDs from just outside the window. Hell, who even bought DVDs anymore with all the streaming services?

I've never visited such a retro place, yet the name of the store sounded familiar. I racked my brain to see if, just possibly, I have been to a place called Video Max before but nothing came forward. I've been to a Video Magic and BlockBuster, though... I ended up shrugging off the strange feeling of something similar to Deja Vu and stepped up to the door to pull it open to only have to step back and out of the way from a cluster of men pouring out.

The door swung open wide, barely missing my face, as I took up post on the other side. Both hands up to catch the door just in case, but lucky for me the hinges didn't allow it to go that far. I stood there silently as I watched the four guys sleek out the door one by one, and one by one my mind told me I knew them. David, Dwayne, Paul, and Marko. Somehow I just knew their names that or my mind is subconsciously giving them identities, and to be fair with you, I'm not sure which one is more accurate.

The door swung closed with a slight 'ding' as I stared at their forms, watching them board their motorcycles. How did I miss those? Were they there a minute ago? I don't even know. I heard laughter causing me to focus on the person making the noise, the long-haired blonde, Paul. They must have caught me staring like some love-struck teen.

"Well lookie here, it looks like we have a fan." he chipped in with a mischevious smile on his face. In response to him, a deeper chuckle sounded off to his right. Drawing my attention to another guy, to David, and my mind flared with pictures suddenly, but the images moved so fast they were merely blurred colors. Whatever my mind was trying to tell me it was not succeeding at it. None of that shit made sense. How much weirder can this dream get?

I came back to my senses just as David parted his lips to speak, his voice holding humor yet something else altogether. Darker.

"It appears so." His lips angling into a taunting smirk. I know the other guys must have said something, for I could hear the muffled sound of their voices all around me, but all I could hear was David's words on repeat.

It appears so...

That voice, those pale blue eyes and bleach blonde hair, and that pure black decked-out outfit are all too familiar.

It appears so...

My head felt like I was spinning due to there being too many questions pushing forward; Why do I know him, and why do I know them? Why is this place so familiar yet not at the same time? Most importantly; Why am I scared? My heart in my chest squeezing with anxiety. I was straining to comprehend everything I didn't even notice the curly blond shifting off his bike.

"Hey there, you still with us?" called out Marko as he waved his hand in front of my face breaking me away. When did he even get that close to me? I wanted to tell him to go away. Tell all of them to leave me alone.

"I uh, yeah." Came out instead. The tone in my voice wavering a little. It would take a real idiot not to notice my fear, just like it took a lot of strength to break eye contact from David. To look anywhere else but that controlling gaze. So I looked to the boardwalk beyond them. The boardwalk, that's what it's called...

"I didn't mean to stare. I just.." I trailed off, unable to find the right words to say out loud. Just... scared.

"Nothing wrong with that. Just means you like us." Paul perked up again, "Say, wanna go for a ride, hot stuff?" he offered while tapping at the back of his seat invitingly, coaxing me, but my instincts within me immediately told me to turn tail and run. To get as far away as possible.

"No, I.. was just going inside." with that, I turned around and grabbed the door to open it.

"Suit yourself." came his voice again, not missing a beat.

Just as I pulled the door further open, they revved their bikes and took off — whooping with excitement as they drove away. They were done with our conversation as much as I was. At this point, I could sigh with relief now that I am out of, I guess harm's way, but my body goes stiff before I can. My mind registering what was happening before I could.

The scene before was ordinary: an average lady talking to a regular guy, sharing a shy glance, and possibly flirty words — just a simple scene. Yet, for some reason, it ignited the rest of my mind. The conscious part that so stubbornly was denying everything up until now.

Max and Lucy. My eyes lowered to the ground near the man's legs on autopilot, as if knowing there would be a large white dog there, and I was right. Thorn. Max's dog- no, hellhound.

David, Dwayne, Paul, Marko, Max, Lucy, Michael, Sam, Star, Laddie, Edgar and Allen; the Frog brothers. I knew them all... It was like my head finally clicked into the right gear, and I knew right then and there that this was no crazy dream— not a lucid fantasy. This is all too surreal to be anything but. No, this was a movie, 'The Lost Boys' movie.

I'm in the fucking Lost Boys movie!? And I JUST spoke to THE vampires.

I've lost it. I've absolutely lost it. The air in me coming out in waves of panic as I stared like a doe caught in some bright ass headlights.

I'm dead. This can't be happening. Who or what did I piss off to make this possible? Or worse, did I do this on purpose?

"Can I help you, Miss?" That recognizable voice, stuck up and wise tone, brought me back from my panic-induced thoughts. I probably looked like I was having a heart attack at this point. "You okay?" It was none other than Max, of course, playing the worried business owner facade.

Raising my head, just now realizing I was staring at the ground in front of the entrance like some loony, I looked at him. I really looked at him. Taking in those large glasses and combed over hair. He was staring past Lucy, who was also worried for me if the expression on her face meant anything. Poor woman, her world was about to become a living nightmare. Breaking eye contact, I hurriedly shook my head, my voice stuck in my throat. I had to get far away. Without letting another minute pass, I turned on my heels and left the store, away from the head vampire and his prey.

While running past the horde of people, I could hear the faint sound of the saxophone in the distance. Undoubtedly the concert that Star, Laddie, Michael, and Sam would be at, and I ran for it as if my life depended on this. Not even batting an eye to the people I shoved passed.

Gasping, I came to a stop near the edge of the enormous crowd, searching, and eventually, I caught the sight of Michael and Sam. Seeing them causing me to step forward into the mass with the mindset to go up to them. But then what, my mind inquired, questioning my motives. I came to a full stop. Are you going to spill out some nonsense about vampires and how they will inevitably get attacked? I'd probably succeed in coming off as some crazy person. No doubt losing all chances of being helpful to them until they learned that what you said is true? But by then, it would be too late, I told myself. By then, Michael would be a half-vampire like Star and Laddie, which sets everything in motion.

It was too late the moment I woke up on that damn beach. I looked down at my converses, feeling confused.

Then what is my purposes here if I can't prevent the fight and bloodshed?

I stood there as people mingled around me. The crowd too dense to avoid bumping my shoulders or jostling me to the side. I knew my dumbass was in some sort of daze, something I've been doing a lot lately, and doubt will be stopping anytime soon, but what else am I supposed to do? Then I noticed the flowing brown hair in my peripheral view as Star dragged Laddie right by me, her skirt close enough to bellow against my jeans. Then right on cue came Michael chasing her and Sam chasing him AND I didn't stop them. Fate, if you believe in it, just lead them directly to me, and I watched them go.

Instead of joining in the chase, I walked away, stepping out of the crowd and back toward the beach. I felt absolutely lost. I walked in the opposite direction of the Comic book store with the soon to be Vampire Hunters and where Star and Laddie will meet up with the Lost Boys.

Max has already met Lucy, I told myself. Michael is already interested in Star, and within minutes Sam will meet the Frog brothers.

Everything will be in motion, and within a week, the battle will happen. So what am I supposed to do? Fight with them? Fight for them? I walked as if on autopilot, only taking notice of when wood became sand and nothing else. How can I even survive fighting against crazy powerful, eighties vampires, let alone stay alive until then? I'm merely human and nowhere to go...

Nowhere triggered a severe thought: money. My hands rushed to the back pockets of my black skinny jeans, patting them down. No cell phone and no wallet there. Then my hands moved to the tiny pockets of my black pleather cropped jacket, nothing.

I'm broke in a world that shouldn't exist. Fucking great...

A loud rumble broke me out of my emotional terminal. The Lost Boys most likely riding away from the boardwalk with Star and Laddie. On reflects, I turn to face the sound and watch the headlights of their bikes speeding on out from the distance as I stood on the beach. A new thought surfacing. What if I help them instead? Prevent them from dying? I would be lying to myself if I said I didn't like the 'bad guys' of the movie. That a part of me had always imagined what it would be like if they survived the fight or hell, never fought in the first place — the what-if scenarios playing out in my mind.

What if Max and Lucy actually ended up together? Same with Michael and Star. What would have happened?

That's fine and dandy, but what if they kill you when you try this crazy idea? Ah, my mind always trying to be the sensible one.

"I don't know, and I won't know if I don't try," I answered my inner self verbally. "I'm here for a reason, and maybe that's the reason. I mean, the Emerson survive in the movie as the vampires are slain. So they don't need me in this plot unless I'm here to save the vampires for a change." It sounds logical but this is coming from a person holding a conversation with themselves. So with that, I'm going to try to not think too hard about that fact. Instead, I'll focus on how I am going to confront the people who can tear me from limb to limb with their bare hands.

Yeah, easy peasy — sure.

Matter of fact, what do they do after driving off? The night was still fresh with dawn hours away, so why did they leave early, to begin with? To hunt, I theorized. But they would have to drive Laddie and Star back to Hudson's Bluff. I honestly doubt they tear people apart in front of the half-vampires. Or at least not in front of Laddie. A half-vampire who's deliberately avoiding feeding and a child half-vampire, probably unaware of what's really happening around him. I always figured Laddie would wait until he's old enough to feed if he chose to feed that is. Which good part on them because an eternal child of the night is not a good idea if Interview with a Vampire ever taught me anything.

Even though I've decided to do something now, a crazy something at that, I still had no idea where to start. Like hell am I going to chase after them right now! I'm just going to have to try tomorrow night. I know they will be back at the boardwalk, this is their domain after all, but until then I need a place to stay. I groaned as I looked around myself, feeling oddly enough like a runaway, which is super common for Santa Carla. Street rat, homeless, vagrant. At least I fit in, I guess.

Eventually, I found a bench to sleep underneath. Under because I rather not be right in the open. Deciding on one not too deep into the festival grounds and not too far away from the beach. With that settled, I took off my jacket and scraped the underside to get rid of spider webs before flapping it like a dusty rug (so I'm not snuggling spiders), then folding it into a makeshift pillow to use.

It's chilly, but at least I'm wearing my Disturbed sweater, my skin not exposed as severely as it could be with the lack of a jacket, before crawling underneath and curling up. My knees to my chest with my hands around them. The very first thing I wanted to do was pull out my phone and scroll through the web, like a subconscious desire to do something that I have done for almost nine years of my life. Of course, the lack of a phone stopped me. Along with the fact they haven't even been invented yet. Sighing, I snuggled my face into my jacket with a frown.

This is going to be a long week. If I survive that long that is...

..

..

When I awoke, the sun was up, but a set of legs obstructed my view. Instead of crawling out like some weirdo and probably spooking said person, I decided to lay there till they left. Just quietly remembering my predicament and how I am going to fix it, reminding myself that this is no dream. There is no 'how-to' book manual for this, but boy do I wish there were. A few minutes passed, and the legs shifted, standing up to slowly walk away. I took notice that it was a business guy — nothing to concern myself with.

Officially freed from my own confinements, I rolled out from beneath the bench, grabbing my jacket along the way, and stood up stretching. I had a slight creak in my neck but nothing major. Knowing this is a beach and a stationed theme park of sorts, I knew there just had to be a public bathing, restroom thing, somewhere. So after fixing up my jacket, giving it a few shakes and smacks, I slipped it on and headed off to find it. It didn't take too terribly long until I stumbled across the place. I watched a few Barbie-like, what most would consider 80's babes, come out of the building chatting up a storm — living their lives.

Could I look any more different? I thought to myself as I walked into the building. One stall currently occupied while another girl took up the bench in the open, not ashamed to be practically naked while doing so. I mean, 'we're all females here' being the mindset, but I personally never liked showing off my body. Even if I'm considered ugly or not, it's just not my thing.

Without a towel and a dry set of clothes to change into, I decided showering was not the best, for now, and move on over to the sinks. There I surveyed my appearance and took note it was the same old me. As if I was plucked from my world and tossed into this one with no regards to fitting in. Though, I guess I shouldn't have assumed that I would look any different.

A pale complexion with a touch of freckles and a set of green eyes stared back at me as I looked into the foggy mirror — my long black hair cascading over my left shoulder like usual. I took note of my semi-wrinkly but average, in my opinion, black apparel. Faux cropped leather jacket, a Disturbed long sleeve shirt underneath. The one where you can only make out the red eyes and grinning smile. My favorite pair of skinny jeans with the right knee ripped from wear-&-tare now slightly dusty from the sand topped with abused high-top converses. They've looked well worn out for a year now. I'm just sentimental and don't like buying a new pair until the soles wear entirely out.

I still don't know what I was doing before arriving here, I thought while staring at myself like it held the answer. Of course it didn't. Pushing those thoughts away, I pulled my hair-tie from around my wrist off to tie my hair up in a high pony-tail, causing my raven locks to only touch my shoulder blades now rather than my hips. I then proceeded to freshen up my appearance; Splash some water on my face, rub out some creases in my clothes, the works. So people wouldn't confuse me for some street rat. Though, at this point, that's all I really am...

It still feels weird to not have any identification or phone on me. To be without said items that are typically on a person. How was I going to buy food? Drinks? Or hell, even clothes to match this era?

Now ready to face the public once again, I stepped outside into the afternoon sun, having a few hours to spare before I track down some predators to convince them I'm of some use before they rip me apart like their prey. Now, I like the Lost Boys, I really do, but that does not mean I am unaware of just how vicious they truly are. We've all seen the movie, right? I know well enough what they are capable of which really only makes my plan seem as stupid as the next one. I honestly think I may be nuts for this. With that in mind, I stepped off to the boardwalk where the active shops are to quite possible snag me a meal. Sadly I'm not a pick-pocket kind of person, so I'm left with the grab and run tactic. Yay...

Thirty minutes later and I'm fishing out a french loaf of bread from my jacket as I sit on the same bench I slept under, vaguely wondering if this was how Aladdin felt before removing its wrappings to dig in. I broke off pieces to toss it into my mouth over and over, as I watched a variety of people walk by. Now that it's daylight, I started to notice the lack of 'street thugs' roaming around. No punk-wannabe-badass's flaunting their toned muscles and wacky hairstyles. In a way, I fit under that title. Not as bold and threatening mind you, but still fitting to my more subtle image. I honestly didn't mind it as long as people kept their distance.

I didn't need trouble right now. It's pretty damn clear I already have enough on my plate.

As if on cue, like the universe is planning everything against me, a group of guys glanced in my direction before stopping in their late afternoon walk. Instead of continuing on their way to who knows where they strutted right up to my bench like they owned the place before eyeballing me like I'm a piece of candy. I can't honestly tell if they are just average guys looking to cause problems or apart of a gang. However, their sleeveless denim jackets, basically stating I'm a rebellious bad boy and wacky hairstyles, told me they are 'trouble makers' regardless. I did note that none of them were Greg, but a part of me still held on to this feeling that the group associated with the Surf Nazis in some way.

Let's just get this over with.

"Can I help you, boys?" I question with a bored tone, unphased by their looks or attitude. The one in front, the one I'd assume to be the leader of this squad, pushed up his sunglasses to rest on the top of his head before speaking.

"I'm sure you can, girly." his gray eyes scanned me freely now. I can already tell I'm not going to like this guy. "Say, I haven't seen you around before. Nice style you have going on, pretty fresh." Fresh? Man, the '80s is full of weird phrases.

"Uh, thanks?"

"I'm going to assume you are not from around here." He said before chuckling, finding himself funny. Boy, you have no idea just how 'not around here' I am. I didn't laugh though, in fact, I felt pretty awkward talking with them, and I think he took notice of that because he decided to continue the conversation while easing in closer to me. "So what's your name, sweet cheeks? I'm sure my boys and I could show you around our turf."

How funny, they truly believed this place belonged to them.

"It's not 'sweet cheeks,' I can tell you that, and I don't need a tour guide," I responded with no enthusiasm while scooting to the edge of the bench, getting ready to leave.

One of his boys came forward to block that escape route. My eyes followed another member, the biggest of them all, as he stalked past me to stand behind the bench. It felt like this was rehearsed or something. And where was everyone else in this? Can't tell me this wasn't drawing in some wary onlookers. That left three in front of me and one behind me, and I really don't like being cornered.

My bored tone shifted to annoyed, "Look, I'm not in the mood. I've had a rough night. So, if you'd so kindly do me a solid and fuck off, I'd appreciate it."

"Oh, I feisty one. I think I like her, boss. Could be the perfect date for tonight." the practically bald one chimed to the leaders left. He had hair, but it was very thin and short, styled like a mohawk, yet so short you almost couldn't count it as a one. It was more like a streak of hair really. I think I'll call him stripes for now anyways.

"Sorry girly," the leader faked a frown, "I'm all out of 'solids' to give. Gave my last one to my buddy Joey here." He tapped the one so-called Joey on the shoulder, the man that stood on his right. I took a deep breath and sighed at all this. I didn't want or need this attention. Why couldn't they just leave me alone? It's not hard.

A deep chuckle sounded off behind me, "Ah' I think you rendered her speechless." I scoffed at that. I did not want to play their little game anymore.

"Just leave me alone." My voice was demanding, straight to the point. I've been in a few fights, sure, and know how to handle myself, but I knew I was outnumbered here. That if a scuffle was to start that I wouldn't come out on top. My best chance was to make my bark loud enough to frighten them away or somehow make a run for it.

I watched with distaste as the leader eased even closer to me, bending at his waist to be at eye level. "Can't do that," God his breath stinks, "You have something that we-" he made a point to gesture to his pals "-want."

"And what exactly is that something?"

"Oh, I'm sure you can figure that out, sweet cheeks." My eyes narrow as I openly frown in disgust at them. Fucking pigs...

"If you think that I'm just going to bow down to you like some loyal cunt, you have another thing coming."

"Well, I think you're going to do just what I say you are going to do. With a mouth like yours, I bet it could do wonders." Retorted the boss man and with that, I quickly smashed what was left of my meal into his disgusting face before shoving him away. Taking this opportunity to jump off the bench before big-guy behind me could secure his arms around me. Stripes made a move to grapple with me and I ducked out of his reach too before bouncing back and decking him square in that broad nose of his causing him to stumble back just like his leader. With an opening, I ran for it. The Joey guy hot on my heels. I faintly heard something along the line of 'that stupid bitch!' and couldn't help but smile at that.

My official first day here and I've already made enemies with the Surf Nazis, how lovely.

I bounced around the crowd of people as I pushed deeper into the festival grounds, heading for the carnival-like stands and rides. I never looked back as I ducked around to the back. Running past the shops and jumping over railings to the sand below. I dropped down low, pressing firmly up against the wall in a crouched position, trying to shrink myself as much as possible. I could hear the sound of their shoes slapping against the wood as they ran by, not stopping once to check over the railing. Ha, idiots.

As the sound of their stomping faded away I eased myself into a sitting position, using the tiny bit of concrete wall to lean against. That was close. On the positive side, I could have easily just been a part of a gang brawl. On the negative side, I could have been apart of something disgustingly unwelcoming.

Why the hell did they even single me out? I don't know.. But I planned to avoid them nonetheless.

I sat there until the sun fell.

..

..

With a new night came a new danger. Tonight would be the night that Michael chased the Lost Boys off to Hudson's Bluff like a lovesick pup. To be fair, I've never understood why he continued to go after Star. Especially after realizing that David is around. If I was him I would have assumed that Star was with David, with how he acted around her, then left the entire thing alone. But I gotta' give it to the guy, I guess, for trying so hard for her.

Rising off the ground, I patted my butt before pulling myself up and over the railing. My actions receiving some weird looks from a worker who was on break. I gave him a small nonchalant wave before wandering off to the boardwalk.

Damn, it's crowded already, I groaned while forcing a path through a mass of bodies, bumping shoulders ever so often.

Thirty minutes must have passed before I made it back to the railing overlooking the beach and ocean, but this time near the stairs. I looked on with defeat as I rested my body on the metal with boredom, taking the last bite out of an apple that I managed to snag before throwing the core into a nearby trash can. I thought they'd be here by now. I wonder what's taking them so long.

As if on cue, a roar of motorcycles rumbled in the distance, slowly becoming louder up till I could see the headlights on the outskirts. They rode up to the boardwalk with such ease even though they were driving on shifty sand, something I assume would be difficult to drive on really. I continue to watch them like a weirdo as they boarded their bikes onto the platform from the far end. They stopped a few yards away from the spot that I was leaning on to let Star slip off Davids bike, Laddie off of Dwayne's, the two figures roaming away. I didn't move from my spot, though, despite them being right there.

Oh, com'on legs, we've been waiting for them practically all day, just move, I try to coax my body to obey as I looked back at the railing — to the sand below, working on gearing up my brain to be brave.

The thudding sound of boots against wood broke through my pep-talk, and by using my peripherals alone, I could make out the Lost Boys walking in my direction. A part of me hoped they would walk right on by to some other destination, that they'd bother some other person. Another part of me told me they were walking right up to me. I couldn't tell if I was happy or scared about either option.

I kept my gaze downward as I listened to David and his boys stop around me, realizing it was the latter. Oh, great. Marko leaned in against the railing to my left while Paul took up my right side, leaving David and Dwayne behind me. Was this how a deer felt when circled by a pack of wolves? I wondered silently.

Paul spoke up first. "Well, isn't it hot stuff from yesterday?" this caused Marko to chuckle behind his hand. No time to waste — it's now or never. I stood up straight before turning around to face them. My back now against the bars with a smile on my face, secretly hoping that it didn't look as strained as it felt.

"I didn't expect to see you guys so soon." I lied. "Do you come here every night?" David shifted, causing me to peer up at him directly instead of at everyone. He smirked when our eyes met, as if that was what he wanted, before talking — completely ignoring my question entirely.

"Someone seems more confident with herself then last night." I broke eye contact with him instantly, not feeling fearless enough to keep it, before offering a shrug.

"Maybe, maybe not." Then I turned back around and slid through the bars to land on the sand. Pivoting around I look up at the guys to see them against the railing looking down at me, taller due to the lifted platform of concrete. From this perceptive, they felt more intimidating than on even ground. You got this, don't panic, I reassured myself before motioning them to follow with my hand.

"C'mon boys, join me on the beach for an evening stroll?" There was no need to cause a scene in public.

Paul and Marko immediately jumped the railing with the grace of a cat after David offered another smirk. I knew that was a subtle sign of him giving them the go-ahead. I knew they saw me as easy prey right now, like a mouse. A mouse leading itself to a dead-end for them like a thoughtful, but dumb creature.

As long as I don't go too far from the boardwalk and out of the eyesight of people entirely, I shouldn't be in too much danger, I told myself. Right? Let's hope so...

David, with such fluid grace it was almost a sin, landed in front of me quickly, followed by Dwayne. Within seconds they were in formation; David in the middle with his boys flanking him. It was almost uneasy to witness. My mind considering all the possibilities of what these vampires must be thinking.

An easy snack. Like a steaming pizza delivered right to their front door.

What the fuck am I doing?

Trying to hold back my uncertainty and fear, I turn back around to the beach, bravely turning my back on them- or perhaps stupidly doing so, and started my walk to the shore past a few beach pedestrians. I didn't need to look over my shoulder to see if they were following because I knew they were. After a few yards into our walk, when I've successfully put distance between us and the boardwalk, I slowed my pace. Paul easing up to my right with Marko on my left just like earlier when we were leaning on the bars.

Slowly coming in for the strike.

"So, what's your name?" Asked Marko this time. His young, innocent like behavior practically rolling off him. I'm not an innocent girl, though, I knew better. Past that angelic like disguise, he was vicious just like the rest of them.

"Jacklynn, but most just call me Jackie." I surprised myself with how calm my voice sounded. It seemed confident despite my body wanting to obey all the red flags and run the fuck away at this point. Same with my heart. It surprisingly kept a steady beat rather than trying to escape my chest.

My feet stopped short of the rushing water, and I turned around to face the vampires, telling myself that it's time — no backing out.

"You know, I've learned quite a bit since I arrived here." I forced myself to not stare at their clothes, the ground, anywhere that felt safe. I had to look them in the eyes even if it felt wrong. A part of me reminding myself that you never stare into a wild animal's eyes unless you want a fight.

"I know you are Marko." His once smiling face fell as he tilted his head. Probably caught off guard. I leaned my head, now, to my left and continued. "You are Paul." My eyes made contact with Dwayne next. "Dwayne. And," A very unamused David fell into my view. "David." I could see him thinking this through behind those piercing eyes of his.

Oh, fuck.. oh, fuck… just breathe.

"I know we have a-" David purposefully paused,"-repetition here, but I didn't think our names would spread to newcomers that quickly." his voice ever the smooth tone as he plucked a cigarette from behind his ear. His other hand fishing out a lighter nonchalantly. He placed the stick in his mouth to light it up, inhaling.

Fuck me! They didn't get it..

My next words were on the tip of my tongue, wanting to defy him of what he so thought to be correct. I wanted to spill it all out- my whole fucking soul, but I didn't know if they'd end my life or not for it.

I'm playing a dangerous game as it is, I told myself. For fuck's sake, I am already talking to them…

I tilted my head in a similar curious fashion like Marko as another way to approach this came to mind. All their eyes watching me closely like a hawk.

"Can I bum a cig off you?" I didn't really smoke, but I knew how to handle one since it wasn't my first. David pulled out an almost empty pack from his inner jacket pocket and handed me one to which I leaned forward as he flicked the lighter, inhaling till the end burned the color of amber. Leaning back I exhaled while staring him directly in the eye. Get ready. "You know, it must be nice to be able to smoke and know you won't get cancer. "I retook another hit, "What with your body being able to regenerate." then I exhaled, the smoke ghosting over his features. Now that got them, I could tell, as the atmosphere shifted along with their demeanor.

Playing pretend was over now.

His movement was so quick that I had no time to understand the situation until my feet left the ground, and my breathing ceased to exist. Both our cigarettes now on the grainy floor forgotten. On instinct, my hands rushed up to grab David's forearm, to fight him maybe off with what little training I've had in self-defense. As if that would do me any good. Instead, I just grabbed at the fabric tightly as my face scrunched up with pain, knowing full well that fighting was futile. In a matter of seconds, I could feel him against my ear, his cold breath hissing at the bare skin there, but I did not open my eyes.

"You better tell me how you know so much, human." he practically spat the last bit. "And it better be good, your life depends on it." he then released me, and I fell flat on my ass in a coughing fit. Paul, Marko, and the ever silent Dwayne made no move to attack me, but they did circle me in, ready to pounce at a moment's notice.

It never occurred to me just exactly what I would tell them and how I would tell them anything. Oh, hey guys, you're characters in a movie that will die, and I want to save you. Oh, yeah I can really see that going over well. So now what? I mentally ask myself as I sit here at death's door, panicking.

"Well?" David demanded, his voice an octave deeper than normal, deadly. I'll just have to do the next best thing to the truth, I reasoned with myself. Which is what? I could barely see straight, let alone think straight.

Finally ready, I took a deep breath and looked him dead in those pale piercing eyes and... lied.

"I can see things like the future. I know your fate," My fingers pointing at him then scanning at all of them in a broad sweep, "-and I can promise you that without me, you and your brothers will die at the end of this week."