Chapter 5

As Larten and I were returning from our walk, we spotted someone run out of the theatre, carrying something. We quickly ducked into the bushes and watched as a young dark haired boy ran out with a small cage. It was the boy named Darren.

When he disappeared, we went back inside and found a note on Larten's coffin. It said he knew who we were and if we tried to get back Madam Octa, he would tell the police.

I looked up at Larten once I finished reading. "What should we do?"

He looked outside. "Find him and watch him. Something must be said about this boy if he is willingly going to steal from a vampire." And left to find him.

I sighed and went back to my coffin. "That boy is just asking for it…." I muttered, crawling into it.

Larten's POV

I walked down the road, following the scent of the boy to his house. You could practically smell his fear from running home.

And sure enough, I was soon at his house, outside his window as he slept with a cross to his chest. I nearly laughed out loud at his ridiculous idea. I quietly rummaged around his room for more information about him. I was very curious about the boy, for some odd reason. I skimmed through his textbooks and his diary, my lack of literacy making it impossible for me to read them. However, I was able to pick up a few things.

His full name was Darren Shan. He had a little sister named Annie. His parents were Dermot and Angela. He was a good student at school, and he loved spiders and soccer. That was all I could figure out on my own for the night.

I turned to look at him again as he slept. And as strange as it sounds, a voice in my head started running an idea to me. 'Why not make him your assistant?' It asked. 'He would be good, you know.'

"How so? He is just a child. I would get into a lot of trouble."

'But he's just what you're looking for. Brave, smart, clever, willful.'

"Maria and I are fine on our own. Whether he would make a good vampire or not, the laws are the laws." I started to turn away when the next sentence stopped me.

'Maria said she wanted a kid, right? Not only would he be a good assistant, but a good son. He could fill in the void she is missing. You would want that, wouldn't you? Think about it, Larten.' And the thought of it all disappeared.

I looked back at Darren Shan one more time and sighed softly. A son. It is what she wanted, was it not? She said it herself she would have wanted someone to carry down her name and teachings. And he was nothing like Steve Leonard. He was a good child, and most likely had good blood.

Looking into the closet to make sure Octa was ok, I climbed out of the window, shut it, and flitted back to the theater, all the while knowing that in the end, no matter what I said to myself, that voice was going to win this battle.