The hotel was nice, their room was nicer. I sat in the main room, tracing the edges of a wine glass filled with water in angst. They were arguing in the other room, talking about Mr. Tiny and what they were supposed to do with me. When silence dawned, Crepsley walked out, "Allies of mine will be here to talk this over. I suggest you do not leave unless you know what's good for you"

Silence… "Yes sir." I nodded. He booted out Darren and slammed the door of the bedroom. He looked at me and sat on the loveseat perpendicular to mine.

He glared at me then looked at the ground, "What on Earth could Mr. Tiny want with you?"

"I know about as much as you do," I sighed, "Does he hate me?"

"Who? Crepsley? Nah, your case just confuses him. He makes it his job to keep whatever Tiny wants away from him because there's usually reasoning behind it."

"And you can't figure out that reasoning?"

"BINGO." He grabbed the remote, "But I think it's unfair that he takes it out on me, I mean, what did I do? I'm a former target!"

"Maybe because you're his son?"

He froze. "That old bastard isn't my father. He pulled me away from my family and for what? To 'protect' me?" he pressed power and the TV guide channel came up.

"y-you think he'll do that to me?" I worried.

"We'll see-

The doorbell rang. What kind of hotel has a DOORBELL? Crepsley dawned from his room and opened the door before we could take notice to the sound. Two finely dressed men glide in.

"Good evening, Master Shan… and guest." The first one greeted, big forehead, black hair. Not very distinct to me, I mean, I don't intend on seeing him again.

"Tall, Gavner, this way, we have MUCH to talk about." He looked straight into the eyes if the fearful, lonely girl resigning on his couch.

Me.

I fell asleep there and I dreamt of shadows, shadows in dark, Victorian dresses with up done hair and sparkling empty eyes. The only life in the room was me at the top of the banister in a Marilyn Monroe-type dress, but RED, blood red… Luscious red… I seemed to be alone. Every empty face watching my every move like a hawk, it scared me.

The doors broke open and a thousand cardinals flew in, destroying each gawking dancer with a beat of their wings leaving me alone with the last shadow.

This shadow was distinct. A red slash scathed his left cheek and eye both of which were covered by the brim of a top hat.

"Hello father." I whispered.

"Hello daughter." He replied.

The conversation continued but was drowned away by the sound of beating bird's wings. I begged my mind to let me hear him… but you can only do so much in a dream like this.

The cardinals dragged me away from him, I tried to stop them. All I remember now was screaming, my screaming of two words. Two words I couldn't make out.

Curse this damned dream, I say.

"hey, you even alive over there?" the voice blurred, "Eli?" the image cleared out, Darren.

"Hey… what happened?" I asked, stretching my arms.

"They've decided."

The bedroom door creaked open, "We welcome you."

"welcome me where?"

"Not where. AS." As what?

"As what?" I inquired.

I prayed my ears were bleeding, I prayed that I was still in the dream, I prayed he was lying. But I never get what I want.

I was welcome into it open arms and blood-crusted smiles.

"As a vampire!"