Are we growing up

or just going down?

It's just a matter of time

until we're all found out.

Take your tears,

put 'em on ice

'cuz I swear

I'd burn the city down

to show you the light

D:

"Excuse me! Excuse me! Are you Kurda Smahlt?"

I whipped my head around, trying to see who was calling me. To my surprise, it was a tall girl (almost my height) with black hair and red streaks. She was wearing a dark, navy blue shirt and ripped jeans. My heart skipped a beat. Since when did young girls come looking for me in Vampire Mountain?

I turned around to face her completely. "Yes, that would be me."

Her face lit up as she smiled at me. "I've been hearing so much about you! Is it true that you want to get the vampaneze and the vampires back together?" She was practically jumping up and down while asking me these questions.

For some reason, I found it hard to answer. "Um, yes, that would be my goal," I replied nervously.

"Wow! That's really epic! I think the same way, too! I'd love to help," she rambled on.

I paused to think about that. Deep within the core of this mountain, unseen by all the other vampires, was a small team of vampaneze who were planning an attack in a few night's time. I couldn't let this girl get involved in such a dangerous mission. What would happen to her? If she was lucky, she would only be injured but there was always the possibility of death. I didn't want anything to happen to her. If this plan went wrong and she was on my side, it would be straight to the pit of stakes.

I shook my head slowly. "I'm sorry," I said sadly.

Her smile drooped. "Oh, it's fine. Don't worry about it." She looked sad.

A little lightbulb clicked on above my head. "Actually, I heard that the Festival of the Undead will be held tonight. Would you like to share a barrel of ale with me?"

She looked straight at me and smiled even wider than before. "That would be great!" she exclaimed.

I offered her my arm. She wrapped her arm around mine and we walked down the Halls, arms linked, smiling like idiots. We were both eager to join the Festival, but for different reasons. All I wanted to do was drink myself senseless so that I could forget about the bloodbath that would unfold soon. I glanced at the girl. Would I ever see her again?

"Oh, by the way, I'm Kira," she said.

I nodded, still smiling. This may just be the last time I see her, so I wanted to make it last.

Kurda and Kira. That had a nice ring to it.