Chapter Three

"Vinnie baby look at the camera!" FLASH

"Hunny, leave the poor girl alone." 

"Am I not aloud to marvel over my beautiful daughter David?" An older couple bickered playfully while their young daughter sat waiting. Her white her glowed in the moonlight. 

"Maddy, don't you have a reservation to catch?" The mother's younger sister stood by the door, having been called earlier she dropped by to babysit her 12 year old niece. 

The woman gave the girl a hug. 

"You're sure you'll be ok?" The mother asked anxiously.

"Of course Mom. Go have fun with Dad." She giggled. 

All four sat down in the living area. 

"Just remember, her bedtime is 9:00. And don't even think about letting her stay up later. All the emergency phone numbers are on the fridge. I'll have my cell-"

"Maddy I got it. Just go, enjoy your anniversary." Her sister said. 

"Thank you Lauri bI really appreciate it." Maddison said. The couple gave their child one last hug and kiss before walking out of the house. 

"Alrighty kiddo. Go ahead upstairs and put your pajamas on." The small girl nodded and headed up the stairs to her small bedroom. 

She pulled out a pair of green pajamas to change into before going back down to the living room and watching TV. The white-haired girl heard a soft THUMP THUMP. She shrugged it off and padded down the stairs.

She sat down onto the couch and turned on the television. THUMP THUMP. There it was again. Louder, and closer to the front door. The older girl grew worried. What if something bad happened to the girl? Her sister would never forgive her if her only child was hurt or...worse. THUMP THUMP THUMP.

"Vinnie turn off the TV!" She whispered. The child huffed and reluctantly shut it off.

"WHO'S  IN THERE?!" A voice bellowed from outside. The teenager grabbed her niece and ducked behind a nearby dresser, shielding the young girl with her body.

"Lauri...what's going on? I'm scared." She whispered.

"Shh baby. It's gonna be ok." Lauri, the elder girl, tried to reassure the child, even though her quivering voice betrayed her. The two clung tight to each other. Both without knowing, where quietly saying goodbye to their loved ones. Lauri thought of her parents, who she had run away from only a few months ago. She never told them that even though they didn't understand her, she was still their daughter and she still loved them. The smaller child also thought of her parents. She'd only ever known them, her aunt, and her best friend Kaya.

"God damn. Rasco, you got your gun? I think someone's in there." The voice called. 

"Run, get upstairs!" Lauri whispered.

The two of them ran as quietly as they could past the front stairwell, up to the second floor to the master bedroom.

Lauri held her small niece as she started to cry. They hunched beside the bed.

"I don't wanna die. Please someone come." The child whispered.

"She's has to be in there! Daminer told us about 'the silver child'. He said she was their daughter!" The voices called from outside.

"Vinnie, you have to open your eyes now. Come on baby it's ok. Vinnie. VINNIE!"

I leaped out of bed. Tears stained my face. I was sweaty and gasping for air.

"Rasco...Daminer." Those names stuck to my tongue. Was that a dream? Or a memory. The only haunting thing was the voice at the end. A man's voice.

Reece's voice.

Chapter Two

Warning: A bit long and picture heavy

Last period of the day was Algebra. I sat in the back. Alone as usual. I tuned out Ms. Wilkins and listened in to Maria and Abigail gossip. 

"Did you see the way he looked at her?!" Ugh, just regular High School gossip. 

"Maria, it's not Vinnie's fault." 

"Reece is royalty! He isn't meant for that low-class peice of shit!" Maria hisses, her nails digging into her desk. 

"Ms Duran! I suggest you be quiet or you'll spending the next week in detention!" Ms. Wilkins shouted, smacking her hands on the desk. The room fell silent. Ms. Wilkins eased herself back into her chair. Adjusting her glasses she said, "Thank you. Please continue Axel." Maria and Abby giggled and went back to whispering.

 

Tears started to trickle down my face. I hunched over in attempt to hide myself. I admit, I'm scared. Maria Duran is the daughter of the second most powerful vampire in Brideport, who knows what could happen if I upset her. For the rest of class I sat quietly in the back, just hoping to disappear. Once the bell rang I bolted to my locker. 

                     My fingers shook as I fiddled with the combination  My heart was pounding and I could feel someone staring at me.I turned around to come face to face with Maria. Her eyes gleamed with malice. 

"Listen up sweetheart." The words came out in a snarl, inhuman. Like her. 

"You're gonna stay the hell away from Reece you got that? If you do anything I will kill you." 

"I-I didn't do anything." I whispered. She chuckled. 

"You little bitch. You don't think I see the way you stare at him. He looks the same way towards you." My heart soared momentarily before remembering who was in front of me at that moment. Maria snapped her fingers and Anika and Abby were behind me. 

"Sorry Vinnie." Abby whispered. 

"What-?"

"Ow! What the hell?" I cried. Maria leaned close. 

"Just remember, I won't hesitate to slit your throat." 

"Maria that's enough!" A booming voice made us all stop and turn around. Reece had a firm grasp on Maria's shoulder. He stared into my eyes, his golden ones turning soft and caring for only a heartbeat before shoving Maria into the wall.

"Look Maria, I don't know what your shit is with her but drop it." He said. I didn't stay to see what he said next. I was already crying as I ran down the hall.

I didn't even stop when I got outside.

I headed for the bleachers. Our school never had any sports events so it was always abandoned. It was my safe spot. 

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I thought about everything in my life. My parents, my family, my friend, Reece, and all the horrible things Maria might do to me. Would she slip in through the window at night? Would she kill me? What about Lauri? She's the only family I have left! Well, I doubt Maria cares. But Kaya would. Abby...I'm done with her. She's sided with Maria now. And Reece. Gorgeous, mysterious, Reece. He stood up for me. I'd have never of guessed something like that from him. Those eyes. Those golden eyes. Reece seemed to care, I could at least tell that. But I just don't understand. What do I have against the ever-perfect Maria?

"Vinnie?!" I looked up. Kaya stood above me. Seeing her brought on a wave of emotions. Happiness that she found me, looked for me. Horrible sadness that she had to find me. I cried harder. She bent down and held my face in her hands.

"Vinnie, what was that about? Why are you just crying alone?" Kaya's worried voice brought me to my senses. 

"Maria! She threatened to kill me if I did something with Reece. I'm so confused and scared. What do I do?" All my words tumbled out at once. Kaya's face softened and she wrapped her arms around me and sat silently, stroking my hair, as I let out my hysterics.

"Now, Vinnie," She said. "Are you able to go home? Face Lauri?" I took a deep breath and wiped my eyes, mascara and eyeliner coming off on my sleeve.

"Yes. It's a long cab ride back so I'll be fine." She looked unimpressed but guided me down the bleachers anyway.

"Thank you." I hugged her, forcing a smile onto my face.

"Anytime. Now, go home, eat, sleep, and I'll see you tomorrow." Kaya said, patting me on the head like a dog. "I have math homework to do." With that she headed off and hopped into her family's limo that waited on the corner. I dusted myself off and went to hail a cab.

The ride home was long and quiet and I was grateful for it. It gave me time to think of what I would say to Lauri.

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Thankfully she was still at work. I slipped into the bedroom and got undressed. Without eating I headed to bed, the soft blankets helped me relax.

I heard Lauri walk into the bedroom. Staying still, I pretended to be asleep so she wouldn't try to talk to me. She sighed and turned out the light. Leaving me in the dark room with nothing but my thoughts.

Just before I fell asleep I thought I saw a pair of

golden eyes 

watching over me.

Chapter One

"Vinnie, are you really doing your homework the morning it's due?" Lauri's motherly voice grumbled from her spot at the counter. 

"Yes. I fell asleep early last night." I stared down at the question in from of me. Have you ever lost someone close to you? How did it feel? I sighed. Lauri dropped her knife and walked over to the table. 

"Look hun, I'm not gonna harass you anymore but you better step it up ok? I'm working a dead-end job just so we can keep our house. Get out there. Get a job at the spa. Abigail works there." 

"I'm not going to the spa." I mumbled. I didn't need to look up from my paper to tell that Lauri was rolling her eyes. I packed up my homework and headed out the door. I hailed a cab and sat in silence as it dropped me in front of my school. 

I walked towards the back entrance of the school, the spot where I normally met up with Kaya and Abby. I could already hear the shrill sounds of teenagers laughing and talking. I have a feeling this isn't going to go well. 

Yeah it's bad. The worst of the worst are here.  Abigail with her boyfriend John, Anika and Wallace sucking eachothers faces off, and then there are the vampires. Maria and Reece. Maria is one to watch out for. She's a Siren. Her beauty lures in her victims. She was almost convicted of murder last year. I stay away. 

"Abby." My voice sounded strangled and out of place.  Abby said something to John before walking over  

"Vinnie! Did you see?! Kaya and Axel. Good for her right?" 

"Yeah uh huh." Out of the corner of my eye I caught Reece staring at me. His golden eyes searched my green ones until I finally tore away my gaze. 

"Vinnie, for God's sake are you even listening?!" Abby huffed. 

"I'm sorry. A lot on my mind lately." She hugged me. Pity filled her stare. 

"No need to apologize. I jus-" Maria's voice cut her off. 

"Abigail come on. I think the maggot is fine on her own." Maria smirked. Abby looked torn. I waved her away. 

"You're the best." She whispered in my ear. As she walked away the bell rang and I headed inside. 

Introduction

Bridgeport. Commonly known as the City of Dreams. Not for me. It's the place where nightmares come out and play. "The big city isn't a place for little girls," my father once said. He was right.

This is me. Vinnie Matthews. I'm sixteen years old and I'm an orphan. My parents disappeared when I was 12. I guess they're dead since know one's ever found them. That's me. "The orphan girl" , "That white-haired freak" and worst of all "The girl who killed her parents." Sure, some of those fit. But not all. 

This is my gaurdian. Her name's Lauri Haywood. Surprisingly enough she's my aunt. The only person willing to care for me. She's....kind of an outcast of the family. Lauri ran away from home when she was my age and came here. After a few years my mother followed with me and my father in tow. 

I do have friends. Abigail Nelson and Kaya Deeate. Abby is a popular girl. She hangs out with that kind of crowd. The kind that bullies people like me or Kaya. Ah poor sweet little Kaya. She's quite the nerd and gets teased often but she knows how to stand up for herself. We stick together. Together we'r able to survive High School. 

So you know enough about my past. 

Let's find out my future.