A/N: This story is my take on what happens when Miles-not by desire, but by a violent act-becomes a Vampire and, as such, is firmly in the "Alternate Universe" section.

Since this is my first ever foray into this particular genre-and one I don't have any experience in writing-I'm understandably nervous... not to mention a little long-winded in explanations. I hope that you enjoy reading it!

A couple of things: "SuperNaturals" is spelled that way for a reason and that is because this is going to be a quite a motley crew of numerous supernatural beings-including other vampires and the like-mixed in with monsters who have come together in order to raise hell in the human world. I'm still working out the bugs in this group's creation; they will be introduced later on. All the titles of different chapters will be composed of quotes by Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849) who is my favourite horror author. I thought it would be interesting, not to mention a little bit different, to do so since I like to do things a little bit differently.*
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Miles and Phoenix are about to have their lives turned upside down and inside out; a terrible dream that Miles has only makes things worse. At this point, Miles and Phoenix have no idea how much their lives are about to change... and a mirror is about to reveal a secret that Miles is desperately trying to hide.

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My first Vampire!PxE fic! I hope you all enjoy it since it is quite the quirky fic-not to mention humorous with dark comedy having free reign throughout-with some horror overtones but not many; if anything, it's much more funny with some angst mixed in for good measure! I love dream sequences! You can have so much fun in them! :)

The good thing about Vampire fiction is that there are so many different kinds out there so one can pick and choose what they want their specific Vampire character to be like. For mine, I chose to have the vampiric Miles immune to sunlight, garlic, holy water and crosses (much like the vampiric character Keith Valentine in the AWESOME video game ShadowHearts); although he's not as strong as other SuperNaturals, he can take quite a bit of punishment but he does have a breaking point.

He can be healed by moonlight (a nice touch, I thought, and a something a little bit different), does not cast a reflection in a mirror, is immune to poison and other such nasty things, gets a bit queasy when faced with dead things (not surprising, in my mind. He's only been a Vampire for a short while, about four months or so, and I expect it would be something he would have to get used to and it wouldn't be an easy thing to adjust to, at any rate), can drink tea in addition to blood (although he can't eat solid food, he can make it look like he is eating when necessary to hide his SuperNatural identity) and is generally having a very hard time adjusting to life as a Vampire mainly because he's afraid that Phoenix will leave him if he tells him he's now Undead. (Silly Miles!)
I'm also having Miles have telepathic powers of talking with someone in his mind. I've always loved the Mind-Speech capabilities and Projecting of Valdemar Heralds in Mercedes Lackey's "Heralds of Valdemar" series and I have given Miles similar abilities; it's quite useful when you need to talk to someone and you don't want other "people"-loosely speaking-listening in. This symbol, ::, placed before and after a conversation, designates talking mind to mind. (I had used two brackets but they didn't show up when I uploaded so I used :: instead.)

Anyway, I do hope that you enjoy my take on Vampire!PxE! It really is a very quirky story and has quite of bit of humor laced throughout which was quite a surprise to me as I'm writing it. It wasn't supposed to be funny at all but humorous bits kept cropping up time after time; I know better than to argue with my Muses-they really are an odd bunch!-so I've gone with the flow, as it were, and I do like how the story is unfolding!

Comments, constructive criticism and suggestions are most welcome, as always!

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Dedicated to Attalander from y!Gallery who's wonderful PxE vampire fanfiction first inspired this work of mine. Thank you for the inspiration and I hope you like it!
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HUGE thanks to ShadowPhoenix & Midnight-hunter, my betas, for their comments, help and support! Love you guys and thank you so much for your input! *HUG*
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As always, much love to my beloved husband, DezoPenguin, for his enduring love, support, encouragement, nagging (when necessary) and comfort when I feel like tearing out my hair during the writing process! Love you, babe!

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Teen, Vampire!Phoenix x Edgeworth, Alternate Universe/Supernatural/Romance/Humor/Horror/Comfort

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All That We See or Seem Is But A Dream Within A Dream

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The sun was sinking slowly over the horizon, draping the world in a soft velvet blanket of ebony as I stood on top of the knoll in the Park, doubled over and panting loudly, waiting for my injuries to complete the process of healing. I hoped fervently that tonight would be the night for the full moon to rise.

Moments later, I slowly straightened up and looked around, the carnage surrounding me on all sides most grotesque. I shuddered slightly as I got a really good look at all the twisted, broken and torn corpses that littered the landscape. I felt my stomach heave slightly, my lip curling in distaste at all the contorted wreckage, some human, most not, that fanned out in a fifteen-foot circle in front of where I stood.

Although I am what you would call "a card carrying member of the Undead," I hadn't been one for very long and dead bodies of any sort, human or otherwise, made me feel queasy. I expected that, once I'd been a vampire for a few centuries that this will cease to bother me but, for right now, it still made me uneasy and made my stomach churn.

With all of that aside, there was something else on my mind that was making me feel uneasy at the present and that was the whereabouts of Phoenix. I could neither see nor feel him in the direct vicinity and it was starting to worry me; being human, he made a very tasty target for some of my fellow Brethren which was the last thing I wanted to happen.

I was certain that he was injured although I had no idea, at this point, to what extent or even what his specific injuries were; all I knew was that I didn't want him to be alone when full darkness came. I knew better than he did what was out there and I didn't want him to have to tangle with roving packs of who knows what that were lurking out there somewhere in the deepening shadows beyond the soft light of the street lamps intermittently placed down the sidewalk.

Damn it! I looked quickly from side to side, my glowing red eyes darting from place to place, biting my lip worriedly as I did so. Darkness is falling and I can't find him! Where the hell is he?!

I thrust these thoughts to the side momentarily, with gritted teeth and an aching heart; I wanted to begin the search for him immediately but I knew I had to heal before I did anything, just in case something else decided to show up in the interim. Fortunately, tonight was the night of a full moon and would be the perfect time to heal my wounds and then begin the process of finding where Phoenix had disappeared to.

I looked up at the moon, closing my eyes as the rays of soft moonlight streamed over me, my lips parting in joyous ecstacy, feeling my wounds closing and a fresh surge of strength flowing through me. Moonlight was exactly what I needed right now and, within a very short time, I was fully healed and refreshed, ready to tackle the arduous task of trying to find my lover in the sprawling wreckage.

It wasn't going to be an easy task as I soon discovered by the sheer number of dead bodies spread out in front of me and I shuddered when I saw just how many dead lay all around the Park where the battle had taken place. Would I have to go through all... that? I swallowed hard as it became apparent of just how gargantuan a task lay before me.

Unfortunately, it was at this point when the panic I had managed to overcome by necessity earlier now returned with a vengeance.

Is he all right or...? I shook my head violently, trying to clear it. Stop it, Miles! You must continue searching until you find him! There's no other way to know...

At that moment, I grimaced as a jolt of pain ran through me, my left hand slowly moving to my side to see what the cause of the searing bolt had been and coming back coated in a mixture of blood and a foul-smelling bluish-green ichor. I couldn't remember exactly where it had come from but I reasoned it was from a particularly noxious serpent-demon that, as I recalled, was both nasty and had been extremely difficult to put down. Poisonous breath does have that effect on human beings, unfortunately; it just gave me a nasty headache.

I squeezed my eyes shut for a moment, trying to breathe through my mouth in order to avoid inhaling the putrid odor the ichor gave off. My brows knitted together as I stared at the mess on my hand, my mouth twisting in distaste as my thoughts once again went to Phoenix. We'd been separated when the monsters had attacked our group and I didn't know where he'd ended up after we had been scattered. I looked with sorrow upon some of the bodies of my comrades that had fallen in battle and I couldn't help but think that this same fate may have befallen my beloved.

A low, sorrowful moan burst from me before I had a chance to stop it; I savagely clamped down on the rush of emotion, willing my racing heart to still and my chaotic thoughts to clear. Enough! You're connected telepathically with him; if all else fails, mind-call him. That will tell you where he's gotten to!

It took some time before I managed to compose myself and, just as I was about to begin the process of clearing my mind of all thought in order to telepathically communicate with him, I felt, rather than heard, a faint heartbeat behind me. I whirled around, hope rising in my heart that it was Phoenix, his name rising on my lips as I turned around.

It was not, I soon discovered, when I came nose to snout with a pig-faced monster, it's hideous, pock-marked face oozing blackish ichor, a wicked sickle-shaped sword clutched tightly in its meaty paws.

Before I had to time to really take the full horror of the disgusting figure before me or my brain to fully comprehend that this definitely was NOT Phoenix, the sickle-sword flashed, cutting a wide arc around the monster that narrowly missed cutting me in half. Fortunately, for me at least, the monster was hurt and couldn't do the damage it might have wished but I had barely enough time to take a breath as I quickly dove to the right, hearing that wicked little blade whistling past my ear.

I didn't escape completely unscathed, I noticed rather bitterly when I picked myself off of the ground and whirled around to face the thing, my sword drawn and gleaming in the moonlight. That nasty little iron scrap had cut a five-inch long gash on the shoulder of my magenta jacket.

Anger flowed through me as we warily circled each other, my red eyes snapping sparks as it grunted and squealed, its paw caressing the hilt of the sword, glaring balefully at me through ebony-black eyes.

"Why you... that's Armani!" I yelled as I rushed forward, swinging my sword in a wide arc which met the sickle with a loud clanging noise, momentarily knocking the monster off of its feet. "Do you have any idea how expensive this is?! I just bought it yesterday!"

I bared my teeth and hissed as, eventually, I beat it down to its knees and, in one blow, neatly separated its head from its shoulders. The body collapsed, the sickle dropping harmlessly to the ground and clattering as it turned over a time or two before it lay still. I turned away from the hideous sight as I caught my breath, closing my eyes for a few minutes to compose myself and hoping that I didn't have another such interruption from any other unwelcome guests. I'd had enough unpleasant surprises for one night.

"Phoenix?" I called into the gathering darkness a few moments after I'd gotten my breath back, my voice quavering slightly as the words left my mouth. I didn't want to think about what I was standing in-my stomach decided to give another lurch at this point and I swallowed the bile that rose in my throat with distaste-and noted, with ironic bitterness, that I had yet again ruined another pair of rather expensive Italian leather shoes. "Can you hear me?"

Silence. I felt my heart hammering hard in my chest and noted, with some irony, that it was said that the only beings that could truly feel fear were the living and I admit that I did take exception to the latter part of that saying, finding it to be personally insulting.

Technically speaking, I wasn't living, per se, but I felt fear coming off me in waves so thick that any other supernatural being in the immediate area could hardly have failed to notice it. As a deathly silence filled the area and the only sounds were of the wind blowing through the trees, I could reasonably conclude that there weren't any signs of anything undead in the general vicinity other than myself. At least for now.

I had to calm myself; I was projecting much too clearly for either my liking or safety and I had to shut it down quickly. I was a beacon to any other such unsavory Beings that might be prowling around and, if they could "hear" what I was thinking, they knew who the perfect target would be.

Projecting fear like this isn't the wisest decision at this point, Miles, I reminded myself sternly, my red eyes darting once again about the surrounding area, looking for any sign of movement which would indicate that there were other beings-such as myself-present. My heart hammered in my chest, my fingers tightening around the hilt of my sword until my knuckles turned white. You don't want to bring any undue attention to yourself; you'd be signing Phoenix's death warrant if you did. He wouldn't stand a chance against them.

Thankfully, there wasn't any evidence or trace of anyone living-or the living dead-in this area that I could sense except me. I heaved a huge sigh of relief, for obvious reasons, and then went back to studying the landscape for any sign of Phoenix. After a few moments more of fruitless searching and panic increasing, it belatedly occurred to me, once again, that I could call out to him with my mind. It would, in effect, solve two problems at once: to see if he was still alive and to limit the things that could "listen" in.

::Phoenix?:: I bit my lower lip. I hope it's not too late! There's so many dead. Is it conceivable that he's...? No, I mustn't think such things! He's alive and I will find him! I have to keep trying! ::Phoenix? Are you all right ? Can you hear me?::

Silence. I tried again, biting my lip as I did so, drawing a small bead of blood that looked like a red rose petal on my pale white skin. Still no reply. Forcing down the panic I could feel welling up deep within once again, I took a deep breath and was about to mind-call him for a third time when I heard Phoenix's weak mind-voice struggling to respond, confusion palpable in his mental "voice."

::Miles...? What...? Where...where are you? Why can't I see you and how can I... hear ...you in my head?::

He's alive... I knew he would be! I wilted with relief, the grip on my sword lessening until the gory tip touched the ground, my face turned up toward the night sky, tears slowly coursing down my face in quiet rivulets. I've finally managed to reach him and he's alive!

::Miles...? What... how...? I... ::

::Never mind. Can you hear me, Phoenix?::

::Y-yes... ::

::I'm going to follow your mind-voice and it will take me to where you are. ::

::But...how...?::

::Never mind that now; just keep talking to me and I'll find you. ::

::Al-all right... ::

I ran until my lungs burned but I pushed on; time was critical at this point and, if I was going to be able to save him at all, I had to find him soon. Cursing softly as I stepped in some unimaginable pool of something, I pushed onward, stumbling and nearly falling many times as I made my way across the battlefield.

Scattered here and there among the bodies of the fallen, I found that there were some creatures who were still alive-barely, in most cases-and these I quickly dispatched with a single sword thrust through the throat before moving on. I was in no mood for mercy and set about my grisly task with grim determination, Phoenix's "voice" becoming clearer as I came closer to his location.

::I...I can hear you but...why do I hurt so much? What happened? Why am I lying on my back in the muck? And what is this weird, sticky stuff all over me...? It's horribly nauseating... ::

I rolled my eyes, dodging a low-hanging tree branch.

::Honestly, Phoenix. I'm assuming that the "weird sticky stuff" all over you is the remnants of that group we just tangled with. You're hurt so please just lie still until help arrives. :: His pulse was beginning to waver at this point and I could feel it slowing down. I pushed myself harder, gritting my teeth as I increased my running speed until I was practically flying over the ground. ::Please, Phoenix! Hold on!::

His mind voice seemed resigned. ::I... I don't think I can last that long, Miles... I'm so tired and it hurts... to breathe... ::

I tried to keep my racing thoughts contained as I ran through the Park, weaving in and out of thickets, dodging branches and the occasional snarling dog. I could feel the faint flicker of his heartbeat two miles West and I zeroed in on that like a falcon zeroing in on its prey.

::You have to hang on, Phoenix! You'll be all right, I promise! Just hold on!::

He's expectorating blood. This isn't good! Damn it, where are they?!

::I... I'm... not sure... I... can. Sorry, Miles... I... I ...don't think... I'm going... to... make it... ::

I burst through the clearing and saw my beautiful Phoenix lying on the cold, hard ground, his clothes shredded and ugly wounds covering his torso and legs. With a loud cry, I raced over to him and knelt beside him, wrapping my arms tightly around him and lifting him so that his head rested against my chest, crooning soft words of comfort.

::No! Hang on... you have to hang on! Please, Phoenix, you have to! Don't give up on me now!::

::Miles... ::

::I'd miss you; I couldn't live without you! Please, come back to me... I don't want to spend my eternity without you! I can't let you go...I won't!::

I can feel his lips curving upward, his sensuous mouth curving into a sad little smile at the desperation I know he can hear in my voice but I didn't care.

::I don't want to live without you!:: I buried my face in his neck, trying to keep the tears I could feel welling up behind my eyes from falling. ::What good is eternity if I can't spend it with the one I love?! What would be the purpose of my continuing existence if you aren't there to share it with me?!::

::You must... ::

::NO!::

In that last, desperate moment, my head reared back, my eyes burning bloody red as I buried my teeth into his neck and began to feed. I could feel Phoenix's shock resonate throughout his body but I ignored it. When I was done, I slowly lifted my head from his neck and looked down at him, my eyes a soft shade of red before they closed in pure enjoyment, crooning softly.

When I had at last come back down to earth and opened my eyes once again, I could see Phoenix's shocked eyes staring at me in horror, his shaking fingers gingerly touching the twin wounds in his neck.

::Miles! You...you...bit me?! Why did you do that?! And...what's the matter with your teeth...? They look so... odd... so... sharp and pointy and ... and ... not ... human... ::

I held him tightly, my fangs glittering in the moonlight as I bent over him, preparing to sink my teeth into his neck once again. He stared up at me mutely as I tenderly stroked his forehead, my eyes glowing with a strange, cold red light.

::You're mine, Phoenix! I'll not let anyone, even Death, take you from me!:: At this, I sank my teeth deep within his neck again, his shrill cry of pleasure and pain lost in the darkness...

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With a start, I reared up in bed, my body bathed in a cold sweat, my heart hammering in my chest, my breath coming in short, ragged pants. I brought my hand shakily to my face, staring at its pale white outline, trembling violently in the near pitch-black darkness of our bedroom.

What the hell was that?! Worry and fear clouded all my other senses in a sticky web of terror, my body shaking so violently that I was surprised that I didn't wake Phoenix who was sleeping peacefully next to me. Was it a warning that something is going to happen?! What did it mean?!

I raked my fingers slowly through my dark grey hair, rocking slowly back and forth, whispering words under my breath. I don't know why I'm automatically assuming that it is a warning; things have been going so well lately so, logically, I really shouldn't be worrying but I am. I don't trust perfection...

I sighed as I waited for the trembling limbs to slowly steady themselves, wondering anew at just what this dream was supposed to mean. I never believed in dream interpretation before but this one was so strong and menacing that I found myself terrified of the implications. In and of itself, that wasn't an everyday event; I wasn't the type who was frightened easily-in my line of work, you couldn't afford to be-by much of anything but this dream, for some reason, had obviously touched a nerve.

The nightmare frightened me a lot more than I cared to admit but I couldn't say exactly why... and that fact on its own was enough to raise some concerns. The thing that bothered me the most was Phoenix's reference to my teeth, that they looked "sharp and pointy... and definitely not human."

What the hell does that mean?! I wondered, biting my lower lip and tasting blood. Was he speaking metaphorically or, hard as it is for me to believe, literally...?! My brows furrowed, my lips pressing into a thin line. I hardly think given this instance where I am clearly a vampire-what else could he have meant by the "your teeth look sharp and pointy...not human" comment?! Nothing else fits! We all know that vampires don't exist in the real world so it seems logical to me to just chalk the whole thing up to a bad dream and leave it at that.

That seemed to be the end of the matter as far as my logical half was concerned that but my emotional half was still very uneasy and I didn't understand why. Sighing deeply, and with the trembling in my limbs calmed for the most part, I wished I could figure that little tidbit out because nothing made any sense. Why was I so afraid of a nightmare?

This is ridiculous! I thought with distaste, impatiently pressing my fingers against my eyes, rubbing the sleep out of them with a little more force than was really necessary. It's just a chimera and nothing to concern myself with!

My mind brimming with dark thoughts, I happened to glance down at Phoenix sleeping peacefully beside me and, despite myself, the corners of my mouth twitched upward into a smile. I marveled at how child-like he looked in the silvery rays of moonlight that streamed in through the window, his black eyelashes lying still on his pale cheeks.

I couldn't resist touching him, gently lowering my hand and tenderly stroking his face with my fingertips, my lips parting involuntarily as his cheek twitched slightly under my touch. He looked so angelic when he slept and my eyes widened in silent admiration at the beauty of his sleeping form.

My lips curved into a smile as my fingers traveled over his cheek and onto his neck, feeling the steady pulse of his blood as it coursed through his veins, my fingertip running gently down the length of his carotid artery, drawing in a deep breath as I did so.

That simple touch was filled with meaning and I felt my heart beginning to beat faster; it was amazing that such a small and simple action could be so erotic but it was and I felt a quiet moan rise to my lips, my limbs beginning to tremble.

I must be going mad! I thought, uneasiness rising with every passing moment. My brow furrowed once again as I attempted to lift my finger from Phoenix's skin and, to my chagrin, I found I couldn't. It was almost as if it was glued there. This is absurd! I should be able to lift my finger away from him without any trouble so why the hell is it proving impossible to do?! I know I'm not dreaming!!!

I licked my lips nervously; I didn't know what was going on and I really didn't like it nor these odd feelings coursing through me like liquid fire, burning everything they came into contact with. I could scarcely repress a moan that threatened to burst from my lips as I leaned down closer to Phoenix's sleeping form, zeroing in on his neck like a bird of prey.

My eyes narrowed as I licked my lips, feeling his pulse throbbing gently beneath my finger, my breathing becoming hard and shallow. My heart started to beat faster as I slowly leaned in towards him, my lips now mere inches away from his tantalizing skin. I couldn't understand what it was exactly that I found so arousing about his skin but I reasoned that it must mean that I was intoxicated with my lover's warmth; there couldn't possibly be any other reason... could there?

At that moment, I felt something rather odd taking place in my mouth and wondered, briefly, what had caused that flash of pain but brushed it aside with an air of impatience. I had other things on my mind at the present and that centered on Phoenix's delicious flesh and how much I wanted to sink my teeth into it.

My eyes widened as my lips parted, a loud moan escaping me before I had a chance to stop it. Unfortunately, the ferocity of my passion was what woke my sleeping lover who looked at me rather curiously, an enigmatic expression on his face, confusion clearly shining in his sleepy eyes.

"Miles?" he asked drowsily, a dreamy smile on his face, "what are you doing?" His eyes widened as he realized just how close my lips were to his neck. "And why is your mouth so close to my neck?"

Good question. I honestly don't know myself. I just have this uncontrollable urge to bite your neck and I honestly don't know why! I also have no idea why my mouth feels so weird and why I feel like there's something in there that shouldn't be... like extra teeth!

"I-I don't... know..." I admitted lamely, my face coloring with embarrassment as I quickly thrust myself away from him. "I honestly have no idea of why it's so close to your throat." I was confused and upset since I had no idea what was going on and I didn't like it.

Phoenix's expression went from mildly bemused and surprised to unhappy and pained at my sudden withdrawal away from him; I hastened to reassure him that it wasn't because of him but because of a crazy dream which I then proceeded to relate to him in full detail.

Phoenix listened quietly, his eyebrow raising when I told him about the comment he made in the dream about how my teeth "looking so odd... sharp and pointy... and ... and ... not... human" and I could see he was trying hard not to laugh out of respect for my feelings. Believe me, I was very grateful for this consideration. I had to admit that it did sound amusing but it scared me out of my wits.

As I've already stated, I was very concerned about the dream; I couldn't stop thinking about it or having it rolling through my mind continuously, as if it were on a reel. Phoenix knew this which is why he didn't tease me or press the subject once it became crystal clear how much it bothered me to talk about it. Instead, he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me close to him, muffling my gasp of protest, and cradled my head on his shoulder, stroking my sweat-soaked grey hair tenderly with his fingertips.

I struggled a little at first but, as it soon became quite apparent to me that he wouldn't let me go, I sighed and melted into his warm and safe arms, burying my face in his neck, my lips quivering. His scent was overwhelming and it took every ounce of willpower I had not to attack his neck and I sternly told my insides to leave me alone.

For many minutes, he continued to hold me and, eventually, I began to relax, the terror and confusion of the nightmare beginning to slowly ebb into a distant memory... or it would have if I hadn't opened my eyes at that precise moment and saw only Phoenix's reflection in the mirror behind the bed.

As my eyes widened in horror and my mouth worked with no sound coming out of it except a strangled gasp, I knew in that instant that the nightmare hadn't been just a nightmare after all. It was real!

"Miles?" I heard Phoenix's concerned voice ask and I dragged myself back to reality, hoping that he wouldn't notice that there was only his reflection in the mirror and not mine. "Are you all right?"

How the hell am I supposed to answer that?! I couldn't suppress the fear that swept through me like a tidal wave, my entire body shivering so violently that my teeth rattled, my fingers digging into the soft, black material of his pajamas, clutching at it like it was a lifeline. I can't even see my reflection in a bloody mirror, for crying out loud! I clutched at him, wailing in grief. What is this going to mean for me... for us?! What will happen if Phoenix finds out about... Oh, God! How am I going to tell him that I'm... that I'm...

"Miles?" Phoenix's voice cut into my thoughts, his tone very concerned. "Are you all right?" I felt his arms tightening around me, trying to comfort me.

"No!" I cried out in desperation, tears flowing down my face in rivers. "I'm not all right!"

I felt Phoenix hold me even more tightly to him.

"Miles," he crooned softly, stroking my sweat-matted head gently, whispering soft words of comfort into my ears, the tip of his nose gently grazing my skin. "What's the matter?" Very slowly and with great tenderness, he put me from him and put his fingers underneath my chin, gently lifting it to look into his worried blue eyes as I blubbered and sniffled. "Whatever it is, we can deal with it together. Please... just tell me what is wrong. I want to help you in any way I can."

I shook my head helplessly, tears beginning to flow once again, my trembling hands coming up to cup the front of my face, my fingers clutching at my skin as if they were preparing to tear it off. I wished I could!

"You can't help me, Phoenix!" I wailed through my hands, my voice slightly muffled. "No one can!"

Phoenix's brow creased until his eyebrows met in the middle, his concern level rising with every passing moment. I could literally feel it rising and I wished I could have alleviated some of his fear but I was in too much psychic pain to be able to do much of anything for anybody.

I knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that I, somehow, was a vampire and I had no idea how I was going to break the news to Phoenix. I could see it now: "Oh, by the way, Phoenix I'm a vampire and, yes, I do mean a member of the blood-sucking undead who thrives on the blood of the living in order to sustain itself. I'm not quite sure exactly how that happened; I only know that it has. Are you all right with that?"

I groaned. God, who am I kidding?! He's isn't going to take this well!

"What are you talking about?" Phoenix countered, trying very hard to keep the very real fear that I could feel coming off of him in waves from his voice. I knew what he was thinking: that I wanted to end our relationship but that wasn't it at all! I didn't want to end it; I was just afraid it would end once Phoenix found out about my... condition.

"Miles, please..." Phoenix begged, his fingers gripping my shoulders through my pajamas so hard I was afraid the fabric would tear. "Tell me what's wrong." The fear in his voice was thick enough to cut with and every word that came from his tortured lips wounded me; I felt as if I were the one who was brandishing the knife, that I was the one plunging it in and out of him.

How could I get him to understand that I was afraid that he would leave me once he found out that I was a vampire? It was bad enough that I was now a member of the walking Undead but to tell the one person I loved more than anyone else in the world that I was a vampire meant disaster!

What would he say? How would he react? Would he end our relationship and walk away? Would he not be able to handle the fact that I now had to suck blood to stay alive and wouldn't be able to touch me without shrinking in disgust? I didn't know and that scared me even more; how does one react to the news that your loved one is a vampire? Not well, I'm certain!

The problem was that I couldn't hide it from him forever; sooner or later, Phoenix was bound to find out that I was a vampire. All things considered, I'd rather have him find out from me rather than by chance such as looking in a mirror and noticing that he is the only one reflected in it. The troubling question was how does one going about telling your loved one that you're a Vampire without them thinking you're either mad or delusional? I never believed that it was even remotely possible-or that they even existed at all-to become a Vampire and now I was one!

Beside the obvious crimp this was going to put into my life in general, not to mention those related to work, the world-and life-I knew before was now gone, blown away in the wind like a wisp of smoke.

I sighed brokenly and buried my face back into Phoenix's shoulder, feeling him start at the unexpected desperation of my embrace. I felt a little bit better when his shaky arms slowly wrapped around me and held me close to him. Walker of Both Worlds. That's what I am now: alive but not alive, dead but not dead, in a hell of limbo forever.

I felt scalding hot tears slowly trickling down my cheeks and I gripped Phoenix's shoulders tightly, feeling him wince slightly; I relaxed my grip somewhat and felt the tension in him slowly ebb away. I'm not human anymore and I can't live in the human world so exactly where does this leave me? What about Phoenix; where does it leave him? Where does it leave us?

This was becoming more and more complicated by the moment and I could feel the slight but insistent stirrings of a headache beginning in the back of my head from all the problems that were now making themselves known. Unfortunately, these new and difficult problems would invariably accompany my new stage of life.

I didn't ask for this! I railed against the Unknown in my mind. It wasn't my fault this happened! It's not like I wanted living death! I clutched at Phoenix's shirt, my fingers wrapping around the fabric and clenching into a fist. Why me? Why did it have to happen to me?!

I knew that wallowing in self-pity wasn't going to help but I couldn't have stopped it even if I had tried. Everything, in the space of one day, was gone and I had no idea how I was going to deal with the traumatic changes living death brought with it. I clutched at Phoenix's shirt and twisted the fabric even harder in my shaking fingers, wincing at the loud snarl of fabric tearing that seemed to echo throughout the room, Phoenix's gasp of surprise almost drowning it out.

God...what am I going to do?