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Marko should have known something was different with this man when he took the time to speak to him, no one in his years of living here had done such a thing. Most turn their heads in shame at the sight of him, uncomfortable with the reality that some face in this revolutionary era. But this man was different… in maybe more ways than one.
-
The industrial revolution had been an exciting time for England, the nation thriving, except, for most it wasn't, poverty was rife, many too poor to live, and that's how it was for Marko. It was 1887 and the 17 year old had been on the streets for 3 years now, it's safe to say he wasn't having such a great time. He and his father had moved here from Ukraine when he was 10 years old, maybe that's when his life started to go downhill, his mother had died and his father changed. Colder, meaner, someone Marko didn't want to associate with but he was 10, he couldn't go anywhere. They moved to England as his father thought it was the place to be to start a new life, the industrial revolution had brought jobs to the country, and his father just happened to get one of them. A factory job, not the best but it brought in the money.
For 5 years they were surviving, Marko worked, his father worked, they made do. That was until his father met a new woman and put his paycheck towards her and her daughter. Marko was kicked out, not worth the hassle. It had been a miracle he had lasted this long, the streets weren't a safe place, especially for him, he had grown weak due to the lack of food and care. His once golden curls had faded, now long and outgrown and his eyes had lost the sparkle they once had. He used to be happy, now he spends his days wandering the streets hoping to find food and shelter for the night. Some days he would go without either. He wished for death, he wondered why he bothered trying to survive, but even in his darkest moments death would not take him. He suffered. He survived.
That all changed one mild summer evening near the Thames. Marko often went to the river for a change of scenery, this time in the evening it was quieter, the shops had locked up for the evening and only the occasional passerby remained, often not even noticing him. But this evening was different, one passerby noticed him, approaching him, sitting next to him on the bench, joining him looking out to the river. Marko discreetly turned his eyes to look at the man. Sandy blonde hair, slight stubble and icy blue eyes, that looked kind, but with an air of danger. The man noticed and gave him a smile, to which Marko returned.
‘Nice night we're having.’ The man said, after blowing a cloud of smoke from his mouth, lifting the cigarette back to it as soon as he had finished speaking. He had a strange accent Marko had never heard before.
Marko just looked at him, unsure of how to respond.
‘A good view from here as well.'
‘Where are you from?’ Marko said, a twinge of apprehension in his voice, ‘I don't think I've ever heard an accent like that before.’
‘Well I was born and raised in the North of England, near the sea. But I left home and travelled, I've been all over but primarily America, where I seem to have picked up the accent. It's strange really.’
'America? I've vaguely heard of that place, I wish I could travel.’
‘It’s fun, I never thought I'd leave my small town, but my sir- father. My father decided we should give it a go.’
‘I would love to just be anywhere but here.’
'You can say that again, can't wait to get out of this place honestly, my father's obsessed with this place, so I think I'll be here for a while unfortunately.'
'Well, enjoy your stay, if you can.'
'I think I might, especially now I've made a friend.’
‘A friend? Me?’
‘Of course, I never get to speak to people like this.’
‘Me neither.’
‘I’m David by the way, nice to meet you.’ The man said, arm outstretched.
'Marko.' Taking David's hand and shaking it.
The two smiled at each other before letting go of each other's hands and turning back towards the river.
'I'd give anything to get out of here, to travel, to have a happy life.' Marko said.
'Anything?'
'Anything.'
After that evening Marko saw David more and more. Every night, after the sun had set, David would find him, he wasn't sure how the man always knew where he was but he was thankful. Despite the dark evening meetings, Markos days began to look brighter. His outlook on life started to grow more positive. David understood him, he always knew what Marko was thinking, to a strange degree. But he couldn't care less, people around here could be strange and boy did David have some strange habits. He only ever came after sun set, Marko originally didn't think that was strange as David seemed to be a busy man, but when the summer came and the darkness came later, so did David. Come to think of it, he was very pale. Marko tried not to think too hard about it. He didn't want to lose his only friend.
That all changed one evening.
It was a cool summer night, the sun had just gone down so Marko was soon expecting David. David said he had big news tonight and Marko couldn't wait to hear it. Marko had decided on a quiet street for the meeting, it was dead at this time, all the shops were shut, the only life coming from the pub at the end of the street. He often slept here, no one bothered him. He could hear the muffled shouts from the pub. Marko had been in once, a beautiful old Tudor style pub that was notorious for loud and rambunctious drunks, no drinks curfew, no throwing customers out for their rowdy behaviour.
Marko had had close calls in the past with these drunks, the occasional theft, aggression, but nothing too serious. It rarely ever happened. But tonight was one of those nights where something just had to happen. Two drinks, swaying and singing, made their way down the street, quietly Marko tucked himself in, staying out their way. It wasn't enough though. One of the men noticed him, nearly tripping on the uneven cobbles to approach the boy.
‘The fuck you lookin’ at boy!’ He said, grabbing the collar of Markos shirt, pulling him up to eye level.
‘N-nothing sir!’ He said, not daring to look into the man's eyes.
‘Didn’t look like nothin’ you got a problem?!’ Gripping his collar tighter.
‘N-No, please let me go.’ he said in a small voice.
‘I'll let you go, don't you worry, just after I beat some respect into ya!’
With that his hand raised and flew across Markos cheek, the other hand moving up to hold his neck, stopping his air flow.
‘Plea-’
Another punch, and another. The man finally let go of his neck after what felt like hours, dropping Marko to the floor, bruises already covering his face, blood dripping from his nose and lip.
‘Hey, let me have a go, I've got this I could use.’ the other man said, pulling an ivory switchblade out of his pocket, unfolding it to reveal a sharp blade that shone in the moonlight.
‘Don't worry boy,’ the man said, picking him up, ‘I’m putting you out of your misery, it's what you deserve, you pathetic street rat!’
It was only a matter of seconds till the pain hit Marko. The blade lodged in Markos abdomen. The man laughed in his ear as he twisted the blade deeper. More tears fell, this was it, he couldn't survive this. All this time he wanted this, but now he had someone, a friend. That was all going to go away.
The men finally backed off, the blade pulled out, now tainted with Markos blood, he dropped to the floor, looking down, his shirt already a deep red. The men left, stumbling further down the path, a trail of Markos blood following them. They didn't seem to care what they had just done, they probably wouldn't remember it tomorrow. He grabbed a dirty handkerchief from his bag, holding it to his stomach in an effort to stop the blood, but it was hopeless, he was weak. He curled up to the wall, praying David would come soon, he just wanted comfort in his final minutes. He felt his eyes get heavier, his brain got foggier, this was the end.
An arm around his shoulders woke him up.
‘Marko? Marko!’
‘David?’ he said, ‘You're here..’
David pulled him closer, cradling him to his chest.
‘I’m here, don't worry I'm here.’
‘I’m fine, jus’ a bit of blood.’ He smirked.
‘Marko it's more than a bit of blood.’ David said. Marko couldn't quite focus his eyes, but from David's voice it sounded like he had been crying.
''m dying.'
'I know.'
‘Please don' cry.’ he said as he looked up to David's face, ‘I don' like it when you cry.’
David tried to smile at Marko, it was hard. Marko smiled back with a lazy lopsided smile, it was the best he could do.
Death was coming for him.
Marko always expected for a hooded figure to come take him when he went. Dark robes surrounding him as he was brought to hell. He didn't deserve heaven. That was for good people, like his mother, she was good. He wished he had been better so he could have joined her there. Maybe if he had been better he wouldn't have been thrown out. He always imagined that the hooded figure that took him was beautiful. Hell didn't scare him, neither did death, he saw it regularly. His only comfort was the beauty of the figure. Holding him close, keeping him safe as they made the journey. But in reality an angel came for him, pale skin and golden hair. Holding him close as he left this plane of existence. He looked up at the angel, the angel who cried for him, who cared for him.
‘Don’t forget me David.’
'I'll never forget you. Never.'
'Please take my body and bury it away from here, I don't want to be dead on the street, I'm scared what will happen to me.'
'I'll take you somewhere nice, don't worry.’
'Thank you for being my friend.’
‘If I could stop this I would. I'm sorry Marko.’
Marko saw something in David's face at that moment. He was thinking about something. He held Marko to his chest.
‘It’s okay David, I'm glad I got to spend time with you.’
‘I’m sorry Marko I really am.’
‘For what.’
‘I’m sorry.’
Marko was pulled away from his chest. His eyes widened upon seeing David's distorted face. His features more extreme, his canines long and sharp, his eyes glowed like a burning fire.
‘W-what are you?!’ Marko said, weakly trying to push away.
Tears fell from David's face.
'Please forgive me.’
Then a sharp pain in his neck, a silent scream left his body, all he could do was look up at the night sky as David attacked him. He had never appreciated the star's beauty until now.
The pain began to subside as David pulled away. As he did he kept hold of the back of Markos head. Eyes wide as he watched as David cut his wrist with his fang.
‘P-Please just kill me David please I’m scared I-’
Blood flowing instantly, he shoved it into Markos mouth, he couldn't help but swallow. His vision began to fade until he passed out.
-
Marko woke up inside, shooting up off the pillow, breathing heavily. If he hadn't just woken up on a bed, he would have thought last night a dream. But he woke up in a bed. He looked around. The room wasn't big by any means, there was a small side table and a dresser in the corner. The walls were off white, with a repeating flower pattern, the corners peeling slightly. The room looked as if it had seen better days, but Marko wouldn't complain. He hadn't slept in a bed for years. He slipped out of bed noticing his clothes had been changed, he was wearing a nightshirt, it was thin and comfortable but definitely too big for him. He sat looking out the window, it was night, the sky looked the same as when he was last awake, what had happened. David, a man he had grown close to, grown to trust, hurting him? His face. That face. So monstrous, maybe the devil had truly come to take him, was this hell. It was too nice to be hell. He couldn't wrap his head around it. He had drank blood. David's blood. He looked down the front of his nightshirt, no wound, no scar. It was impossible. But then again, whatever David became was impossible. He stood up, the floorboards creaking slightly under his weight. Slowly he left the room, there was no movement, no other noise coming from this house besides Marko himself.
'H-?' He tried to speak, but his mouth wasn't working. What was going on, he turned back down the corridor and a man appeared at the other end. He backed up, unsure of who this man was.
Don't worry, it's normal.
Markos' eyes widened. Who said that?
‘Sorry, you're new to this, I forgot. I'm Maximillion Powers, you can call me Max, uh well you can when you can speak again. I'm David's sire.’
A pause.
‘Ah you're confused. You're a vampire now. David bit you. You cannot speak because your body cannot handle the transformation. You were weak before, it will take time for it all to work. I'm sorry about how you were transformed, it's frowned upon in the vampire community, we stopped turning people via the bite centuries ago.’
The man approached Marko, looking him over.
‘Come with me, you must be hungry. Don't worry you won't be hungry for blood for a couple days. David fed you well. That's the only praise he deserves right now.’
Max led Marko into a small kitchen area. The left side had a small stove with various utensils hung above it, next to it were shelves, filled with more dust than food. A large window at the back, showing a beautiful view of the city outside. Finally his eyes landed on David, who was sat at the table, perfect size for two people, it had two matching chairs and a mismatched chair added on the side, he didn't look too happy. His eyes remained downcast at his plate. His eyes only flicking up for a moment as Marko sat at the table.
'David, Do you have something to say to Marko?'
''m sorry.'
'What was that?'
'I'm sorry for scaring and biting you.'
'There, it wasn't so hard was it.'
David rolled his eyes. Max left Markos side as he moved to the stove, plating up two more plates of porridge, before setting one in front of Marko, and settling down at the table. Marko hadn't had hot food for a while, it felt so good in his mouth, and his stomach felt warm for the first time in years. The air was thick with tension between him and David, Marko didn't particularly feel comfortable but he continued on eating nonetheless.
The meal went on in silence, so did the rest of the day. Well night. As the sky outside began to lighten and David took him to bed. David laid down, waiting for Marko to join him. The boy couldn't help but stay away from the bed, strange how quickly someone's views on a man can change. David gave up trying to coax Marko in so he went to sleep, about an hour later he felt Marko slip into the bed, his head resting on David's chest, the fear slipping away as the comfort took over. David wrapped his arms around Marko. Finally all was right in the world.
-
The next night Marko woke up in the same position, still on David's chest, David was awake reading a book, holding it in a way careful to avoid disturbing the sleeping vampire.
‘Hey.’
Marko sat up, looking at David.
‘I think we should work on your talking to me with your mind, I'm not the best at one way conversation.’
Markos head tilted, eyes unblinking.
‘Just. Think what you want to say, direct it at me, only me.’
Marko tried, it was hard to say clear words in his mind.
‘I can feel your mind, I can't hear you.’ David sat up, kneeling across from Marko, eye to eye. ‘Try again.’
David.
‘There you go!’ he smiled. ‘Now we can talk properly!’
Why can't I speak? What did Max mean when he said ‘we don't bite anymore’?
‘Ah, he said that, did he? Yeah well, back in the day biting was the way to turn people. You bite them, they drink some of your blood, you become a vampire. Issue is when you bite someone their body can't handle the change, they become ‘feral’. So I really am sorry about that, I'll look after you. Nowadays, they use a bottle. Vampire blood in the bottle, human drinks it, they become a half vampire. It's less strenuous on the body and the transformation is smoother.’
Why didn't you just turn me with the bottle then.
‘You wouldn't have survived. I should've left you to die, me turning you was selfish.’
Oh believe me I know. I'm willing to forgive you for it. The biting thing may take a little longer. I feel like an animal.
‘Yeah, you will be more animalistic forever. How you are right now wears off. But you will be a bit more feral than most vampires. Your senses will be stronger than the average vampire though, I guess that's a positive.’
If you say so.
-
The next few days passed without issue, David and Marko learnt a lot more about each other. David told stories about his life up north, fishing with his father, then being taken by Max and travelling Europe and America. Marko told stories about his mother and life back home. Neither of the men left the house, Max did. And before he left he made sure to tell David 'Don't let him out.’.
For the first few days Marko wondered why. That was until David had to answer the door for someone. Marko could smell the human, he could hear his heart beating. He wanted to rip its throat out. By the time Marko had decided his plan David had closed the door and the man had gone.
‘I don't think you need to wonder why Max won't let you out. I can hear your thoughts, you know. Max can't, but I can. Remember that.’
Another thing Marko had noticed was every time he woke up he was biting something. David told him he had been chewing his arm all night. It was a teething thing for feral vampires. It was only a gentle gnawing which David could handle.
After 2 weeks of this routine Marko woke up and immediately he spoke. He felt so much better. All his other issues seemed to go away.
‘David!’
‘What.’
‘I’m speaking, look!’ he said, shaking David till he sat up from the bed.
‘Hi!’ he grinned at the man.
‘Oh Marko that's amazing!’ David grinned back, ‘I reckon you will be allowed to hunt now!’
-
Markos first hunt was easy. Tearing the poor drunk bastard apart. Max and David killed their prey quietly and watched Marko go at it. Minutes of Marko getting out his anger passed and he was finally finished. Covered in blood head to toe, grinning at David like a child. For an ordinary person, it would be terrifying to see a boy covered in blood and happy about it, but to David it was beautiful. Marko was beautiful. Max however had notes. He liked clean kills, especially in the city. He would only accept behaviour like this in the countryside. It was Markos first hunting session so he let him off.
Slowly but surely Marko got cleaner with his kills, losing that aggression towards humans that he had held so long. Marko learnt how to dispose of bodies, in London their easiest bet was throwing them in the river. No one had the means to check the river anyway if they did see something.
After a year of Marko being in the coven, they left England, sailing across the Atlantic to New York; it felt more like home to David and Max, despite neither of them being born in America. Arriving in July of 1888, they saw the city work to rebuild and update as the great blizzard had hit not 4 months ago. Max had taken over a small shop from a old man who was retiring. It was a gift shop, perfect for getting some money. There was an apartment above it that was perfect for the three of them. 2 small bedrooms, a bathroom, kitchen, office and living room. Marko and David settled in whilst Max prepared the shop below for reopening. Shops were open later on here, so Marko and David decided to explore, taking some money with them, they would explore the city properly later, they just wanted something to do in the apartment.
They weren't allowed much, they would probably move by next year. They found a bookshop, which David could have stayed in forever. Books as far as the eyes could see. He settled for a book on the works of Shakespeare. It was beautifully bound in dark green fabric and had gold accents. He thanked the shop worker as they left, Marko dragging him to the shop next door, it was more of a shop for children, toys, games, teddy bears. But they went in anyway. Marko led the way asking David what the signs said. It confused David. He's 18 now shouldn't he know how to read.
‘Marko, I don't mean to be rude or anything but can't you read?’
‘No, I never really learnt, I didn't learn English back home and when I moved here my father couldn't afford schooling for me so. I only know how to speak it due to talking to people. Even then I don't think I speak it too well.’
‘Well I guess I can teach you can't I.’
‘Yeah! You will also have to teach me how to.play any of these games. Oooh that looks interesting.’ Marko said, looking closer at this wooden box, there was no information on the box itself, it was basic in design, just a plain box. David picked up the tag attached to it.
‘Compendium games box.’
‘What?’
‘It’s a box with different games in it, let's see here, it has chess, draughts, a few pairs of dice, backgammon, deck of cards, dominos, miniature racehorses with jumps, gavel and cup and tokens.’
‘I want it.’
‘Do you even know what any of that stuff is?’
‘No but I want it.’
David rolled his eyes, picking up the box and taking it to the front desk. It was a good size for travelling and had a lot of games in it. David couldn't complain though, it gave him something to do, not only play the games but teach Marko how to play.
With their purchases safely in David's bag, they made their way back to the apartment. As they walked in they looked up to see Max hanging from a ceiling beam. Marko jumped, and hid behind David.
‘What the fuck?!’
‘Be quiet, he's just sleeping.’
‘I thought we slept in beds?’
‘Not usually, it's just, since we've had you we haven't had the best luck finding a place to live that has anything to hang from. I guess here we do.’
‘I am not doing that!’
‘Not yet you're not. You will in time.’
‘How do you not fall?’
‘You just don't.’
‘Right. Sure. If I fall I will not be happy.’
‘I’ll try not to laugh too hard.’
-
New York was good in the same sense as London, it's a busy place, lots of prey, and it was also bad because of that, potential witnesses. They had to be careful. They lived close by an area full of bars, causing them to get a routine of stalking drunks and druggies, unaware of the creature following them. And then going in for the kill.
Cleaning up was more difficult but they made do, they burned the bodies in fires. They did this for years, they had stayed in New York for longer than expected, 5 years had gone by until people began to get suspicious and they left as quickly as possible.
After that they moved towns every couple of months, Max had saved up enough money to keep them going, staying in accommodations, killing people for housing or just living in the wilderness. It was what they had to do. They slowly made their way west. Eventually arriving in a small town in Nevada in 1917. As Max is settling in for the night, he likes to relax after days of travelling, Marko and David go out on the town, there's very few places open besides a small bar, it was quiet in there, only the sound of chatter fills the room, a few men sit at the bar, some other men and women sit at the tables nearby, there's booths at the back wall, all look full except one, David goes to order something to drink whilst Marko checks out the table, turns out it isn't empty, Marko ends up face to face with a man, tanned skin, and long hair pulled in to a low ponytail, he wears a brown button up shirt, sleeves rolled up and black trousers.
‘Can I help you?’
‘Can I sit here?’
‘Excuse me?’
‘Can I sit here, I'm just wondering don't need to be an ass about it?’
‘Sit down and Shut up, I'm tryna drink here.’
‘Marko I got you- who's this?’
‘I don't know but he let me sit here.’
‘I didn't exactl-’
‘You said ‘sit down and shut up’, that sounds like a yes to me.’
‘You're annoying.’
‘Believe me I tell him every day.’ David said, eyeing up the other man, something felt off about him, he didn't know whether to trust or not.
‘Hey!’
Shut up please! You can't just be like that to strangers!
I was just asking for a seat he could have said no.
The man looked between the two, who were just staring at each other.
I can here you, you know.
What
What
Yeah, Maybe be quieter next time. Or maybe don't talk about a guy right Infront of him.
A vampire?
Here?
Yeah, it's weird, I moved here to get away. My Coven was further up north.
Why are you here then? Why aren't you with them?
Some were killed by hunters, the rest of us just split apart, one of the ones killed was the covens sire. It didn't feel right to stay.
Hunters? You never told me about hunters!
We've never encountered them.
Theres a few around here. I'm hoping to get out of here I just needed some money.
Come with us.
Your joking?
Nope, I could be your sire and we could go to California, that's where we are going next.
Just you two?
And my sire. But I want to live away from him soon, in the same city, just in a different area.
If you can hunt I'll come with.
Of course we can hunt.
Prove it
Up to here
-
Later in the night the pub was busier, and the patrons got drunker, the perfect hunting ground, they weren't rushing, Dwayne was quietly chatting up a group of women, David had attached himself to a woman who was interested. And Marko was sitting at the table, waiting for the words.
Ready?
Ready.
Let's go boys.
Dwayne and David made their way to the exit, girls in tow. Marko joined them a second later. They walked to a small alleyway and went in for the kill. Blood everywhere, the humans didn't even know what hit them, all three vampires had sucked then dry in seconds. The kill ended and the only sounds heard was heavy breathing.
‘So?’ David said, arm outstretched.
‘Okay, I'll join you.’ Dwayne said, shaking his hand.
-
They had gone home that night, Dwayne included, going straight to sleep, they unfortunately had ended up in another house without hanging room so the trio squeezed on to David and Markos bed. Dwayne on one side, Marko in the middle, and David hanging off the other side. David wokenup first that night, going to the kitchen, finding Max reading a book with a coffee.
‘I see you brought a friend home last night.’
‘So?’
‘What are you doing with him?’
‘I’m going to become his sire, he's part of my Coven now.’
‘You think you can handle that, I see how well you handle Marko.’
‘Markos like that because oh biology not because of me.’
‘I mean technically it is because of you.’
‘Okay and?’
‘I just don't think you can handle this.’
‘I want to live separately from you when we get to California.’
‘I was wondering when you would finally leave me.’
‘I still want contact, I just want to have my own space with Marko and Dwayne.’
‘Dwayne… So that's the boy's name. Oh well, so be it, as long as you don't come crying to me when it all goes to shit I'll accept it.’
‘Okay.’
‘Okay.’
At that moment Marko, followed by Dwayne come into the room.’
‘So this is Dwayne.’
‘Yes sir.’ Dwayne said, shaking Max’s hand.
‘Well you seem trained.’
‘What?’
‘Nothing. We will be staying here for another week before making our way to California. A stop in Reno, Sacramento and then Santa Carla. I want to stay a week in each place and then settle in Santa Carla. If you can find a place there David, then you can live there. I'll let you stay with me until you have found a place, but when you have left my house you will not come back to live. Got that.’
‘Got it.’ David said, rolling his eyes.
‘Well then, go off and do what you want to do then and don't bother me.’
The boys got dressed and left, they needed new clothes, but this town didn't have much to offer. And it was late, nothing was open. So they went for a walk, Dwayne showed them the nice spots, places with good views. Together they sat on a hill, looking down on the town, looking up at the stars. David reads his book as Dwayne braids Markos hair, he always had it down and had started to get knotty, Dwayne detangled and braided as the three got to know each other. Dwayne didn't remember much about his life, neither pre vampire or being a vampire, the attack on their coven had caused him to bump his head and lose a lot of his memories. He hopes to one day find where he was originally from. Maybe visit that place. They sat there till dawn, making their way back to the house before the sun came up.
-
Dwayne struggled a lot by himself, despite seeming to be an independent person, he thrived on being around others. David and Marko helped bring him out of his shell. He began to feel safe at night as well. Comfortably wrapping his arms around Marko, feeling David's body at the other side, nothing could go wrong. Max didn't have an issue with him, he was probably the favourite, he kept to himself he didn't fuck up.
Eventually they made their way to Santa Carla, stopping at cities on the way down. They picked up some new clothes and as they approached the town everything felt right. The sea air was refreshing, it felt clean, unlike all the cities they have been in previously. There was a boardwalk full of shops, rides, and most importantly, their dinner.
The first few nights in Santa Carla were getting a feel for the area. It was a new place, they split up trying to find a place to call home. It took a couple of weeks but one night Marko was walking down the coastline, loving watching the waves go in and out, he saw a hotel, sunken into the ground. He got closer and investigated the area. It was perfect. Some of the rooms still intact, perfect for a home for them. He examined all the easily reachable rooms, before calling David and Dwayne.
As the 2 men approached they were in awe at what had been found. It was beautiful, it was abandoned, it was theirs.
After that work was underway, digging out new cave routes, finding new areas. They found a perfect place to sleep, a bar already overhead perfect to sleep at. The main lobby was going to be their living room, they found old sofas and chairs, filling the space with the right stuff to fit their needs.
Marko even found a ledge in the ceiling that had a small cut out area that he was going to have as his storage space, anything important to him would go in here and no one was allowed in. The ledge was perfect for sitting on. From the ledge he noticed other ledges, a couple of them having nests on. He flew over to see that some pigeons had made a home here too. He decided to look after the pigeons and check on them daily.
The last night at Max's house he proposed they had a ‘family’ dinner. He cooked for the boy's large feast and they ate together, laughed together, truly enjoying each other's company for the first time in a long while. As much as David and Max had their moments, they did care for each other. They would remain in contact. David would come into his shop weekly to talk. Max eventually came to see their home, he didn't like it but he was glad they did. He prefered clean human structures. He left and never came back, if he needed them he would call them.
Finally as the night ended and the sun rose, David hung upside down from the rafters, finally free from his sire, at peace with the world. His new chapter was starting, and with Dwayne and Marko at his side he could do anything.
-
The next 35 years the hotel truly became a home, over the years the boys collected nicknacks from over the years, it felt nice that they could keep things. The cave system had been worked on, they had their own rooms. Despite that they spent most of their time in the main lobby area, the fountain in the centre became a nice decorative piece, various rugs and blankets covering the sofas that surrounded it. The fountain also became both a storage space for magazines, books and comics, as well as the top section became a small nesting space for some of Markos pigeons. Most of Markos time in the cave was spent sitting on the top of the fountain tending to them. David spent his days reading, the pile of books next to the sofa getting taller and taller each passing month. Dwayne spent a lot of time drawing, he would draw anything, his finished sketchbook pile rivalled David's book pile.
One night the boys went out, Dwayne and David went to the boardwalk, Marko however went more out of town. He had recently become interested in the trailer park, it had been set up around 10 years ago but recently something's been calling Marko to it. He decides to finally check it out. The park itself was neat, the homes lined up neatly with the cars nearby. It was quiet, 9pm at night, most had gone to bed. It wasn't till Marko went to one of the far end trailers that he heard shouting, a gruff voice and a younger voice, the voices got louder and louder until a loud smack echoed. Marko flinched at that, he creeped closer, curious about the situation, that's when a blonde boy came out the trailer, slamming his door on the way out, he couldn't be more than 20 years old. Both boys stopped and stared at each other.
‘Aren't you cold?’ the boy said. Unsure of what else to say to the stranger in front of his home. Marko looked down at his clothes, a tank top and jeans.
‘Uh, no.’
‘Weird.’ the boy said, approaching Marko closer. ‘Why are you standing in front of my house?’
‘I uh, I heard shouting, I was curious.’
‘Yeah well don't be, it's my old man, total asshole.’
‘I hear that, my old man was the same.’
‘Sucks man, I'd love to move but I don't got the money.’
‘I wish I could help.’
‘You don't even know me.’
‘I know enough about you, more than you think.’
‘Yeah right.’
‘Yeah that's right, Paul.’
‘Wow you guessed my name, crazy.’
‘I’ll prove it to you.’
Marko
‘Later though, I- uh need to go home.’
‘Now?’
‘Yeah, sorry, maybe I'll come by tomorrow?’
‘Sure.’ Paul responded with a shy smile
Marko grinned back before running off.
-
When Marko got back to the cave David and Dwayne were standing there.
‘Where were you?’ David said.
‘I just went to check a new place out.’
‘Where?’
‘Why does it matter?’
‘Because you aren't meant to be left alone.’
‘Fine… I went to the trailer park.’
‘Why?’
‘I don't know, I felt a pull.’
Both men looked at him weird upon hearing that.
‘Can we just leave it for tonight, I'm going back tomorrow. Come if you're so bothered.’
‘Oh believe me we are.’
-
The next night the trio goes to the trailer park, they don't even have to go far before Marko stopped.
‘Paul!’ He said, jogging towards the blonde man.
‘Hey! Uh.’
‘Marko.’ he said.
‘Who are those guys?’ he said, pointing to the two men behind Marko.
‘Oh that's Dwayne and that's David.’ Marko said pointing to each of them, ‘They are my friends, they don't trust me going out alone so they came with me, kinda ruining my cool levels.’
Paul grinned at that.
‘Don’t worry you're still cool.’
Marko smiled back, he joined Paul on the bench.
‘So Paul, have you been in Santa Carla long?’
‘Yeah about 5 years now, it's okay, this trailer park sucks ass though, wish I could go explore.’
‘Why can't you leave.’
‘My dad would get at me, I've not left this area the entire time I've been here.’
‘Man that sucks, the boardwalk is cool, I should take you sometime.’
‘I wish you could.’
‘Why don't we go now.’ David said.
Paul and Marko’s heads turned to David. Both were shocked by his suggestion.
‘We could be quick about it, there and back nothing crazy.’
‘Okay,’ Paul said, ‘If we are quick.’
‘Sure, let's go boys.’ David said, coming behind Paul, grabbing hold of him from behind.
‘Wait what are you-’ cut off by the speed at which he was dragged upwards. He hadn't realised he had shut his eyes until he opened them again, looking down at the ground that was miles away at this point. The descent was just as fast, and even more terrifying, he closed his eyes again seeing the ground get closer and closer, waiting for the impact. But it never came. His feet gently landed on the ground. David didn't let go of him until he had got a hold of himself.
When Paul next opened his eyes the view was beautiful. The boardwalk, full of people, lights flashed, the rides were huge and beautiful. He was amazed. He had never seen anything like it. He turned his head and saw the ocean, also beautiful, the twinkling of the moonlight on the ocean.
‘This is amazing.’
‘Nice huh!’ Marko said, putting his arm over his shoulder, ‘You guys wanna leave us alone, I'm not by myself anymore.’
‘Fine, but meet back here in half an hour.’
‘Okay,’ Marko said, rolling his eyes.
Marko pulled Paul through the crowds, laughing the entire way, he took him past the shops then down the steps and on to the soft sand. They kept running till they got to a quieter part of the beach and ducked under the boardwalk.
‘What are we doing down here?’
‘I just wanted to get away, I think you did too.’
They sat next to each other, looking out into the water.
‘I'm so glad you brought me here. I'm so glad I met you, it's been a day and everything feels worth it. But I have to ask. How the fuck did we get here?’
‘Oh uh, we flew.’
‘How?’
‘Uh we can just fly. I don't know how we do it, we just do. vampire shit.’
‘Vampires?’
‘Yeah.’ Marko said, not looking at Paul, eyes focused on the sea.
‘Vampires huh, who knew.’
‘You don't seem scared.’
‘Eh I have bigger issues.’
‘Your dad?’
‘My dad,’ Paul nodded, ‘I don't think I can go back.’
‘Then don't.’ Marko said, looking into Paul's eyes. Green meets blue. Something clicked in both of them. Marko was starting to understand the pull he felt earlier. This was his destiny. He lifted his hand to stroke Paul's cheek. Paul flinched, but then leaned into it. Marko lent forward, lips almost touching, sharing breath, to Markos surprise it was Paul that closed the gap. They made out for a while, Marko moving on to Paul's lap without separating. Paul's hands immediately grasped his ass, pulling him as close as possible. When they finally separated, they were gasping for air. Their foreheads remain together.
‘I wanna stay with you.’
‘I’ll talk to David, he could turn you and we could be together forever.’
‘Yes please, can we keep going before we do that.’
‘Like I’d say no.’
-
When the half an hour was up, Marko and Paul met back up with David and Dwayne, both men had just been walking around, smoking and scaring passers-by. Both men couldn't help but smirk seeing the state of both Marko and Paul. Paul had bitemarks and hickeys all over his neck, hair out of place, shirt unbuttoned. Marko seemed unscathed but his hair, previously braided, was all messed up.
‘So fellas, have fun.’
‘Yeah actually, don't be too jealous David.’
-
Later on the group induct Paul into the group, David's bottle lifted to his mouth, he gulped the blood, immediately feeling its effects. David took back the bottle and the boys begun to party. Rock and roll on the record, and dancing around the cave. The night was young and the Lost boys future had just begun.