Lucinda

The dry heat of the Texan air consumed me as I stepped out of her 'escorts' car, I wasn't used to the hot weather yet, and found it rather uncomfortable. Sweat wasn't my thing. Manoeuvring my very full, and very impractical, school bag over my shoulder I hip bumped the heavy car door shut.

"Do you need help with anything Miss?" asked Mr Jacob. He was my 'Personal Escort', as my parents called him, they knew I hated the thought of having a butler but it was "unacceptable for someone of her class to be without a proper carer" apparently. I liked Mr Jacob, but I liked her independence more. I won the war of only having him take me to and from class though, which was a mini triumph.

"No I'm good Mr Jacob, and how many more times, call me Luce?" I replied.

"Then I shall leave you now, and at least one more miss." Oh course, I thought. He gave a polite smile and slipped back into the driver's side. "Do you want me pick you up after class?"

"No, it's fine, I want to explore the town a bit, see where everything is if that's alright, but please, don't tell Mum if she asks?" Her parents didn't live in Morganville, they relied on Mr Jacobs updates every few days to check on me, and they would expect one today with all the juicy details of me first day at Uni. Well it's not the first time, I thought.

"Of course not miss Collins, be careful" I nodded and headed towards the entrance to the university.

Good, I thought when I could hear the engine accelerate and get fainter as Mr Jacobs drove off, Now to get down to business. With that, I turned and headed down the familiar road which would take her to Founders Square.

Oliver

I hate humans. I thought as I mopped up some arrogant student's coffee spill. It irritated me they had such pathetic reflexes sometimes, although it was amusing that the greasy haired boy had tripped over the chair scrambling away. He deserved it. I wasn't in a good mood and he pushed it, and he learned a valuable life lesson. Don't ever sass a pissed off vampire. I slopped the pulpy mess of napkins in the bin under the counter and surveyed the people sat at the tables. It was quiet this morning, so I decided to take the opportunity the change the coffee filters in the machines. It had to be done sooner or later.

I was busy when she came in, so I didn't notice her. I didn't even hear her coming to the counter; it was her scent that caught my attention. It filled my nose with a strong, yet soft smell of fresh strawberries, and flowers. Humans didn't smell like this usually, a fain whiff of perfume maybe, but this wasn't perfume, no it was an actual scent. The familiarity of it pained me, who was this girl? I couldn't resist any longer, dropping the gooey filter paper turned to face her.

I know you, I thought. Her green, almond shaped eyes widened ever so slightly as she met my gaze. Her face softened and she gave me a pleasant smile. She's hiding something, for heaven's sake WHO IS SHE?! I searched her features attempting to trigger a memory. Nothing. Was I paranoid? She was very beautiful, there was no denying, dark auburn hair flowed in endless waves to her waist, she had a pale complexion, but not sickly pale, and faint freckles sprinkled the bridge of her shapely nose adding even more depth to her big green eyes. I was taken aback by her beauty and only realised I was stood gaping when her delicate brow furrowed slightly. She quietly cleared her throat. Embarrassed, I snapped out of it.

"Sorry I was, err, what can I get you?" I asked, she smiled again, the itch of recognition tapped the back of my mind.

"A mocha latte please" Her voice was smooth and flowed with a British accent. I was getting irritated, maybe I've just seen her around, served her before or something, I thought.

"Have I seen you around here before?" I blurted.

"I don't think so, I only moved here about a week ago" Oh. A new resident? Amelie hadn't mentioned this, I am usually present during the…'explanation'.

"Oh" I said, "Take out?" she nodded and I placed the cardboard cup under the spout.

"Have you lived her long?" she asked. I could feel her looking at me.

"Yes, a…very long time." I turned to face her again. Her body language was relaxed, but there was unease about her. "Have you spoken to the founder yet?" I didn't like the influence this girl had on me; I didn't seem to filter speech correctly around her. I had never experienced this around a human before.

"Amelie? I'm on the way now. Is it far from here?" Oh, so Amelie intended to show her alone. Interesting.

"No not far." I clicked the plastic lid on and handed her the warm mocha. She handed me a $5 bill.

"Keep the change Oliver" she winked and walked out. I watched her leave in shock. She knows my name. SHE KNOWS MY NAME?! I threw the money in the till and slammed it shut. Grabbing my coat, I yanked my phone out my pocket and dialled.

"Oliver? What the hell it's my day off!?" Eve's voice yelled down the line. God she was a pain.

"I'll pay you double."

She paused. "Triple and you have a deal"

"What?! Fine. Just get here quick I have important business to attend to."

Myrnin

Bob was lost. LOST. He wouldn't even come out for his favourite, bowl full of dead flies. I had no choice. Desperate times called for desperate measures.

"Frank!" no reply. "FRANK!" nothing. "FRAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNKKKKKKKKKK!" a grey 2D image of a man dress in what I would call…'rough' attire appeared, looking less than amused.

"I heard you the first time. You can't summon me blood sucker, I don't answer to you" he wasn't taking of course, just projecting his voice through any nearby speakers in the surrounding room.

"Actually Frank, you do, considering you would starve to death without me"

"Do me the favour Count-nutjob"

"Oh do shut up, this is serious. Bob is missing and I need you to locate him" his face twisted into an amused smirk. "It is NOT funny. Do it. Now" I had already called Claire but she was in class for the day, surely this loss of Bob was way more important but apparently not.

"Oh seriously leech, it's a spider" my glare must have changed his mind as he continued "he's down by my controls" he smiled at me. Smiled.

"I do not trust you Frank. Any funny business and I swear I will let that tank run dry for a bit, see if you're so unruly when you're half-starved." Frank scowled at my direction and then dispersed. I cautiously headed down to the control room. Control Room? I like that; it makes it sound like some super-secret liar extension.