"The second reason why I don't like to socialize that much. Those that often are so kind to me, tend to get hurt...Not all the time but more than half it seemed, to say the least...I found a little kindness from an unexpected place and from an unexpected person.
However, like how fast he came within a flash, he was snatched away by faith....
...Or so I thought."
*flashback to a club somewhere in town.*
It was a typical nightclub where most of the goths, rock and metal lovers just came to chill. It was a hole in the wall kinda place, full dark walls, colorful lights and a dance floor. Some of the walls were drawn and even projected by lights with creepy faces and weird shapes. It was like a drug trip on the walls.
A young Devi was drawing at a table, when she heard something like a small bomb go off and smoke appeared out of no where beside her.
"Greetings!" said a voice in the smoke.
A boy around her age appeared as the smoke cleared. He was tall, thin and pale, wearing a black shirt with fish nets on the collar that split down to them middle of his chest. His shirt also had long sleeves that were torn in the middle, where the sleeves became fishnet to the wrist. He appeared to be wearing a long black, tattered, skirt of some sort over his pants and belted black boots. His hair was also pitch black and went down to his neck.
When he smiled or talked, he showed fake costumed fangs. The kind you put on individually on the teeth you had. His face was white with make up on his face, to make it look supernaturally pale. His eyes were a deep blue.
"I'm a vampire." He said. His voice was average when it came to depth. It had a firmness to it with a gentle tone, but there was a slight since of a snobbish accent as he spoke.
"I see..." Devi said not really convince she asked "Where did that smoke come from?"
"Um..." He replied in a light snobbish accent. "What I am is answer enough."
Devi looked down from the table and asked "Are those smoke bombs?"
"Um..." He replied and sighed "Yes..." then chuckled nervous with his right hand behind his head, his snobbish accent fading into a more friendly tone. Their eyes locked as the boy's face became kinder, his true self showing.
"The first thing I noticed about him was his eyes. They say blue eyes are rare and his shimmered so beautifully and held so much warmth. They reminded me of the of the ocean or maybe the sky when the clouds are out. Yet, I couldn't help but feel a little pain or maybe longing in those eyes of his. I would later discover why."
Then he asked. "I don't think I've ever seen you here before?"
"That's cause I've never been here before." Devi said "My friend, Sunshine said she would be here. Well not my friend, I just know her from school."
"Ah, yes Sunshine." Eric said slightly nervous but more searching the best way to put his words, as he rubbed the back of his neck.
"What?" Devi asked
The boy began to explain still searching for the best words. "Sunshine and I don't get along much. She can be well...let's say snooty?" He said this as he rolled his hand in a circle motion, in a gesture of explaining.
"You mean she's a stuck up bitch..." Devi put it plainly out.
"Um, that's a little harsh but yeah...I guess you can put it that way.." He said as he nodded. Then he smiled and put his hand slightly against his chest and said " She is lovely as the graves sometimes..."
"I see..." Devi said with a giggle.
"I hope that didn't come out wrong..." He replied in concern. "I'm not saying anything bad about you..." He struggled a bit with being perfectly honest and being a gentlemen at the same time. He placed his hand over his forehead. "Ugh...I need to stop talking now...My mother always said to think before speaking...I'm such an idiot...." He smacked his head with his palm.
"It's okay. I have a feeling she set me up when she said she would meet me here." Devi assured him. "She didn't seem like the type to want to be here and not to mention, her friendly tone with me didn't seem legit..."
"You wouldn't be the first person she does that to, Sunshine can be a bit cruel sometimes.... Anyway, allow me to introduce myself." He said as he bowed down as if he was wearing a cape and talked in that stereotype tone of a vampire. "I'm Eric!"
"Ooh, fancy moves Eric!" Devi said in upbeat tone as she got up and began rubbing her stomach and petting her head at the same time. "Lets see you try this one!"
Eric chuckled and said "I tried that once. I ended up twisting my wrist! You're pretty funny, may I ask for your name?"
"Oh, sorry!" Devi said "I'm Devi!" as she reached her hand to shake Eric's.
"Nice to meet you." Eric said warmly as he shook her hand. "Sorry, about earlier..." His expressions clearly showing he felt bad, as he looked down a little worrisome.
"It's okay, no harm done." Devi giggled "I can tell you were just worried. It’s okay, I understand. "
"You definitely know how to read people." Eric replied warmly.
"Hey Eric!" Said a voice coming from behind him. A large girl came up to them. She had twin buns in her burgundy hair and her body wrapped in bandages. Over bandages was a black midriff top, baggy pants and sneakers.
Eric introduced the girl. "Devi, this beauty here is my good friend, Oblivia. Oblivia, your hair looks cool tonight. Did anything new with it?"
"Nah, just added a little bounce to it." Oblivia said and then whisper "I'm so freakin high tonight..."
"Hi..." Devi replied and asked "Are you a vampire too?"
"No, too trendy!" Oblivia said "I'm a mummy!"
"..." Was Devi's response to her.
"Hmm..." Eric said chuckling to himself. "Well, the good thing about befriending mummies if you get hurt, they got plenty of bandages!"
Devi giggled as Oblivia face palmed. Eric just imitated the drum used in bad jokes.
"So do you do any fancy entrances like your friend Eric?" Devi asked.
"Nah, none of that smoke bomb stuff for me." Oblivia explained "That's vampire fair. I'm a mummy! I play my flute and yell ‘Hail the gods’!" With that she touched her Ank fake gold necklace, then took out her flute and blew through it. This made Eric and Devi, as well as anyone unfortunate enough to be close by, to cover their ears.
"That's nice...." Devi replied not really meaning it
"Aww thanks!" Oblivia replied
"Oblivia...." Eric replied rubbing his ears annoyed a bit. "Remember to warn others before you do that...I just got my hearing back in my right ear, from the last time you snuck up on me with that thing..."
"Oh, you hush! You make smoke bombs that pop in your face! How can a little flute hurt your ears?" Oblivia replied slightly annoyed by his whining.
"They don't pop in my ears though...." Eric added as he place his hand on his right ear, with an annoyed expression and then pointed at his ear. "You blew it directly into my ear."
"You make your own smoke bombs?" Devi asked.
"Yeah." Eric explained as he took out one of his smoke bombs. "I actually made special smoke bombs that use less flammable material and chemicals, than regular smoke bombs but still produce a good amount of smoke. That way there's less of a chance of setting something on fire."
"Wow!" Devi said in surprised. "Sounds like you're pretty smart!"
"Eh..." Eric modestly said "I just like to tinker with things. Though, you still don't want to throw these at people. They sting like hell when they pop!"
"He's talking from past experiences of them popping in his face, as I said, while he was working on them!" Oblivia teased and gave a slight wink at Devi. "He's a klutz! Not to mention a flirt sometimes!"
"Oblivia...!" Eric said embarrassed at her comment, as he accidentally squeezed the smoke bomb in his right hand and then POOF! The smoke bomb explode right in his hand! He coughed at the smoke and tried cleaning himself off.
"Eric, are you alright?" Devi asked
"Yeah..." Eric said then felt the sharp pain of his hand and hissed at the pain.
"Spoke to soon..." Oblivia said as if this was nothing new.
"I'll be fine, let me just wash this off..." Eric said kinda twinging at the pain as he went towards the restrooms.
"Eric..." Devi replied in a worried tone.
"He does this a lot." Oblivia told her as if it was nothing new and explain "He gets hurt and just doesn't want to be bothersome to others, so he pretends he's fine. It's just one of those habits I guess, but he's a great friend too. Even if I tease him a bit, he and I are best friends for a good reason. You got a problem, you can talk to him about it. He’s a good listener and won’t turn away. He's just a great guy to hang out with, especially in role play! "
"Hmm..." Devi smiled warmly at this "How long have you known each other?"
"Since childhood." Oblivia replied. "I use to pick on him a lot and he use to be such a cry baby about it!"
"Oh that's nice..." Devi replied in a slightly sarcastic tone.
"Yeah, well we were kids back then." Oblivia explained. "You can't go through life without some fun or getting into some trouble. Though sometimes I'm surprised that he's alive. "
"Really?" Devi replied in surprise "Why you say that?
"Let's just say, he's been through much more than most people. I won't tell you what though. That's kinda his business." Oblivia told her in a sad tone. "That's one of the reasons why I stopped picking on him, least not as much as I use to. I don’t make him cry anymore for sure and also, why he is like the way he is, with not wanting to be bothersome thing...I really shouldn't have said anything but...I can be absent minded myself. "
"Well, I won't say anything..." Devi replied. "I can understand actually. I don't have very many friends really since I started school."
"Well, you made two just now." Oblivia replied. "Eric, I know is your friend already and any friend of Eric's is a friend of mine!"
"Thanks!" Devi replied with a smile.
"Come on, we better go help him." Oblivia told her. "God knows he could use assithence (spelled incorrectly to show how she pronounces certain things)..."
Um...okay..." Devi replied
****
"Some desires and dreams can be done alone, but some like his, was desire to never to be alone. Little did I know, both kind of dreams have one thing in common. They're both things that feel better when know you’re not the only one. I wish I knew that during my times after that horrible incident, that took place not long after I met Eric and the one after I met Nny..."
Devi got done bandaging his hand up as she said "You should be a little bit more careful..."
"Yeah...." Eric coughed and said in an upbeat tone "But hey! I didn't catch on fire like I said!"
Devi just chuckled as she shook her head and said "Well, you could have blown off your own hand!"
"True..." Eric replied as he rubbed his hand and warmly told Devi "Thanks..."
"You're welcome." Devi replied and asked "Do you need any ice or anything?"
"Nah, I'll be fine." Eric answered "As Obliv said its not the first time this has happened and this is mild compared to what I've had."
"If you're not careful though, Eric, you might blow off your head!" Oblivia said, while playfully ruffled his gel covered hair. Devi giggled at the two.
It wasn't too long before Oblivia had to go home.
"Okay, well I gotta being going." Oblivia said "Bye Eric! Nice meeting you Debbie!"
"Bye..." Devi said "And its Devi..."
"It's okay" Eric told her as he put his hand in front of her to stop her from yelling too loud. "She has a little bit of a speech impairment. She can't help it sometimes."
"Have fun on your date!" Oblivia shouted.
"Oblivia!" Eric shouted embarrassed and sighed.
Devi giggled and said "Is that why people call her Oblivia?" She wasn't trying to make fun of her. She was asking out shear curiosity.
Eric shook his head and said "No, her real name is Olivia, of course, but she didn't like her name. Then some kids were making fun of her and kept calling her that. She liked the nickname surprisingly and it stuck with her ever since."
"I see..." Devi said and then asked "So as a vampire, you must have to drink blood from mortal humans to sustain your spooky life style."
"Well..." Eric said, going back to his snobbish tone for a moment. "Of course."
"Well, come on." Devi said as she put her hand on her neck. "Bite me right here. I want to see you drink my blood."
At first Eric slowly and gently put his hands on Devi's shoulder's and leaned over as if to bite her on the neck. Devi closed her eyes thinking he might actually do it, but instead he just took his hand, gently stroke down her neck with his fingers and chuckled.
"Just kidding! You honestly thought I was gonna do it, huh?!" Eric laughed
Devi swat at him playfully to get back on him for doing that.
"K...you got me. I'm... " Eric said
" Not a real vampire..." they said at the same time. Devi said it with a smart alec smile.
"Yes..." He said in a "oh well" kinda way.
"Well its not like really I believed you." Devi said "But why the vampire act anyway? Trying to impress your friends or something?"
Eric shook his head "No that's not it." He said "I've always liked the vampire thing. They're good looking, they're a night owl like me, and you gotta admit, would be nice to do half the things they do like defy gravity and turn into mist. They're just neat to role play as. Sometimes, I feel like I might be one in a way. I dunno who I really am yet. So I do the vampire thing just to give me some sort of identity, until I figure out who I want to really be."
"Interesting." Devi said impressed.
"Most people would say just to be yourself." Eric said "I guess this is myself for now."
"I guess..." Devi said. "But you don't necessarily have to dress up to figure who you are."
"Oh I know." Eric said. "I just do that mainly for the fun of it, as I said. Though if you want my opinion, I do believe vampires do exist. It'd be kind of nice to meet one, one day too. See what they are really like, you know?"
"I think it would mainly be scary though, wouldn't it?" Devi said a bit unsure.
"Maybe, but life is kinda scary anyway." Eric replied in a positive note. "I have nothing to really lose in my life, so I might as well explore and take risks. "
"What about your friends?" Devi asked. Eric looked at her curious. "I mean, you said you have nothing to lose. Are your friends nothing?"
Eric was surprised by her question and then said "Of course my friends aren't nothing. I just meant...." He kept struggling as he fumbled with words "Family wise and well...life wise...I don't have much...I didn't mean..."
"It's okay..." Devi replied with a slight chuckle."It was just a trick question. You do seem to care a lot about people though."
"Well, of course." Eric replied with a smile. "My friends do mean a lot to me, in fact, I don't have much of a family. My friends seem to be the only ones who care, but everyone moves on I guess...I guess that's what I meant when I have nothing to lose. Once I'm out on my own, I can finally see the world and be free..."
"I see..." Devi replied as she remembered what Oblivia said. "I'm sorry if I got personal...."
"No, it's okay." Eric assured her. "It's just some personal stuff that I have to deal with in life. Everyone goes through it, you know? Once I finish school and everything, I'll be able to move on and step-forward finally. So it's all good. For now, I got something to identify with. A vampire that tinkers with smoke bombs and be a good friend. Hey, I'm not Dracula but I'm good looking too!"
Devi laughed "You wish!"
“Hey!" they both laughed as Devi said “You got a good head on your shoulders. Not just in appearances. Not many folks like you."
"What about you?" Eric asked "What are you into?"
"Painting and art, mainly." Devi replied as she showed him some of her sketches.
"Wow, you're really good!" Eric replied. "Are you going into art as a career?"
"Yeah, I hope too someday." Devi replied.
"Well, I wish you the best on that." Eric replied "You're really are talented."
"Thanks..." Devi replied shyly. "Hey, since you're good at chemicals and such, maybe you could be a scientist or a chemist."
Eric chuckled and said "Well, maybe...As a job if I needed the money, but I wouldn't say it's my passion. I only learned to do it as a spare time thing and I wanted to do a fancy gimmick without, risking myself or others getting hurt especially. I'm more so into special effects, set design and props, so I might get into that."
"Well you're very smart, I'm sure you'll find a way someday." Devi replied.
Eric nodded and said "Thanks."
" Anyway, want to get a drink? My treat!" Eric asked.
"Can't...Not old enough..." Devi said. "My dad would kill me if I did..."
"Oh, I don't mean alcohol." Eric said as he smirked. "Believe me, from my personal experience, it’s the most awful thing ever made. The smell alone sends me over. I meant to get a drink from the vending machine."
"Sure." Devi said agreeing with getting a soda. Though, Devi couldn’t help but wonder about Eric’s personal experiences with it, but decided to shrug it off. He would tell her if he felt comfortably to.
****
They continued to talk and even dance for it seemed an hour or so. A girl pushed Devi into Eric's chest and once they looked up and realize they were almost nose to nose with each other, they backed away from each other quickly.
"I'm sorry!" Eric said in a fluster tone.
"No, its fine." Devi said
"I was thinking..." Eric said and politely asked "Um, its getting late. Would you like me to walk you home?"
"That would be nice, actually." Devi answered warmly. "Thanks..."
"No problem!" Eric replied brightly. Then they heard the doors burst open and a group of people came in. They too wore goth costumes of leather and denim, almost like that of a biker gang. That of a skeleton which made their over all appearance even more frightening. They weren't like Eric or Oblivia, who were mere teenagers having fun. These guys looked a little bit older. Some of them had big broad shoulders and some had scars from what appeared to be fights. They certainly weren't the type of people you'd want to meet in a dark ally.
"Eric, who are they?" Devi asked unease.
"They're called the 'Skeleton Crew'." Eric said in a serious tone. "They tend to come here and cause trouble. They're not exactly friendly and from what I hear, certain people have disappeared after hanging out with them."
"Eh..." Devi said becoming more ill-at-eased. "Sounds like they're a fun loving bunch..."
"Come on." Eric said with worry because they were heading pretty close to them. He took Devi by the arm gently yet firm to let her know it was no longer safe. "I might want to walk you home right now, while the gettin's good."
"Sounds like a good idea..." Devi agreed without hesitation.
They walked away quickly, however not quick enough. One of the gang members grabbed Devi's arm.
"Hey, I never seen you around here before?" He grunted.
"Oh shit...!" Eric tensely replied. Then he snapped at him. "Leave her alone!"
"You talkin to me?" the gang member said.
"Ooh, a full sentence!" Eric said in sarcasm. "Very impressive!" Eric then went over and said "Now, let go!" and bit down on the guy's wrist to force him to let go of Devi. The gang member's screams caused the other members to come over.
"Hurry, now's your chance!" Eric said as she pushed Devi."Go! I'll distract them!"
With that Devi ran out the back and Eric threw some of this smoke bombs to distract them. Devi was about to get to the exit, but got caught by another one of the gang members. Eric caught up and pushed Devi forward to move by jumping in between the two. However, this was his ultimate mistake, for the gang member took out a knife and jabbed it into Eric's side. Cringing at his wound he threw a smoke bomb at the gangster's head, then he ran after Devi.
It wasn't long before they were a little way away from the club that Eric collapsed.
"Eric!" Devi said as she ran to him. "What's wrong?" Then she saw his wound. "Oh no, Eric!"
"Guess I screwed up big time... " Eric said with a smirk and in a upbeat manner. Devi slightly picked him and laid his head on her lap. "Eh?"
"Just hold on!" Devi replied a bit shaken. "You'll be okay...We'll get you to a hospital!"
Eric chuckled lightly and asked "Are you scared? It's okay, Devi...It's not your fault...I just had bad timing this time....I tend be reckless...I guess..."
"Why are you laughing? This isn't funny! You got hurt protecting me..." Devi replied starting to feel bad.
Eric smirked weakly and said "Well, we may have just met...but we're friends...that's what friends do...I'll admit though...I also really do like you....Can you promise me one thing?"
"Huh?" Devi replied
"Don't ever lose your ability to smile." Eric told her his voice breaking up as his consciousness began to fade. "Even when things get bad, don't let it bring you down....That's what my mom use to say to me...before she left..and it's advice...that always kept me going..."
"Eric..." Devi choked and then snapped. “Don’t talk like that! I lost a friend once! I don’t want to lose you too!”
“What...?” Eric replied, surprised and a little sadden by her response.
Devi continued on “I know I just met you but...I really wanted to know more about you and who you are... And what about Oblivia and your other friends?! You can’t just leave them too! Not like this...."
Then they heard what sounded like sirens and people coming.
"I’m sorry..." Eric replied as he began losing conscious. "I can't stay...awake longer...." With that he closed his eyes, his body went limp and he spoke no more.
Devi frighteningly looked at him and cried out shaking him "No, you can't....Eric!!! "
She checked his pulse and to her hope there was and he was still breathing, but it was getting weaker. She laid him down and tearfully crossed his arms on his chest, like how a vampire would. She felt he wouldn't make it with his wound. "Thank you..." Devi whispered, having no control of her tears. With a light kiss on his cheek she said "and goodbye..." Before running off.
****
"Devi..." Tenna said "But Eric was right. It wasn't your fault that happened."
"No, that's not the point, Tenna!" Devi explained. "Every person I’ve met has either been a jerk to me or something bad happens to them or both!"
“Nothing bad has ever happen to me around you and I’ve known you for like two years...”
“But what if it will eventually?” Devi replied. “I’ve lost friends. Two of them died and a couple of them have gotten hurt around me.”
“Those were mere coincidences!” Tenna told her.
"Maybe the earlier stuff....I still think I'm right though, especially on the more recent stuff." Devi said in her usual monotone kind of way. "And every time you get me to go out and hang with someone, it ends up as a mess!"
"Okay, so that one dude I have you meet up with was sick." Tenna said.
"He had diarrhea both of the mouth and the other end!" Devi snapped at her. "First he wouldn't shut up then he had the runs. It ruined my dinner! You can't blame a girl for dumping a guy cause of that!"
"Well still!" Tenna replied "He couldn't help that problem! And I'm trying to help! I can't even make you freakin smile! You're not exactly the most enjoyable person to hang out lately..."
"Well sorry..." Devi said as she nodded her head in a sarcastic manner. "I can't help it! I'm seeing weird dolls talking to me and before that, my ex boyfriend tried to zap me with magical powers, I didn't know he had! All of a sudden I have magical powers too! Before hand, I've had the worst luck with people and you keep saying it's a coincidence?"
"Well okay, I'll give you that..." Tenna told her. "However, this is not something you can be running away from. We got magic and maybe there's some sort of evil we have to fight against."
"I don't want any part of it!" Devi said "I can’t use my magic. I don’t even know where the hell to begin! I just want to paint and get away from people!"
Before Tenna could speak, an explosion occurred and both Devi and Tenna went tumbling to the ground. Devi coughed and shouted "Tenna! Where are you?!"
Then she saw a figure in the smoke coming towards her. "Tenna?" Devi asked actually smiling in the thought of her friend being okay. However, the smoke cleared and Devi realized it was not her friend that came toward her. She looked up to see a skinny, young man in short black hair and wearing black shirt with stripe sleeves and baggy pants.
The skinny young man that appeared before her knelt down as he put his wrapped up hand under Devi's chin. She looked and couldn't believe who she saw. Even after this whole time she knew who it was, just by looking into his eyes.
"Well, thought I never see you again." The young man replied. "Thought you died off somewhere after the last time we mingled."
"Johnny...." Devi whispered in fear. She could barely speak out anything cause she was so shocked.
"Ah, so you do remember me!" Johnny said with a smug toothy grin. "I was worried that you wouldn't remember. I wouldn't forget you though. That blast you did back then damage me quite a bit. I certainly would never forget it."
"Devi!" Said the voice. Then that doll showed up but only she could see it. "Devi, you gotta accept your powers right now!" It cried frighteningly as it pressed on Devi's hand.
Devi became completely shaken by this as he continued to speak. "Ah, I can see the enthusiastic look in those eyes. Eyes of fear are easily recognized. I suppose you remember that I must kill you now!" With that he tried forcing a purplish blade out, but a blast ran out and nearly hit him.
"Devi!" Cried the doll as it nudged her. "Please accept me and let me help you! Please Devi! I can help protect you!" But Devi was too much in shock to even listen to it's cries.
"Hey, creep!" Tenna shouted to him. "You better lay your hands off my girl. She's already going through enough problems!"
"I see so life's been hard on our little Devi." Johnny said with a merciless smile. "Rather fitting especially after you nearly crushed me! Before I kill you, I'll be happy to have you witness me destroy your little friend!"
He got up and walked towards Tenna.
"Tenna, get away!" Devi shouted to her friend. "He's too strong, he'll kill you!"
"Devi..." The doll whimpered sadly.
"Better listen to your friend, Tenna!" Johnny said. "Not that it matters. It's too late to save you even if you do run away!"
"Mr. Spooky!" Tenna shouted "Staff form now!"
"Spooky!" Her familiar turned into staff with a large white orb and brown handle. Around the orb, was a strange pink and green, leaf pattern ring that went around it like the rings on Saturn.
Johnny jumped up and used his purple energy blade onto Tenna who blocked it with her staff. However, the force was so strong that it it knocked Tenna and Spooky to the floor.
"Tenna!" Devi shouted.
"Well, that was easy..." Johnny said disappointingly. "How boring... You got knocked out just by that attack. I guess it will be just easier to kill you then." Then he walked over to Devi and said "But before I kill her, I need to make sure I finish you off first."
Before he could take more step towards her, a smaller blast nearly hit him and he backed away slowly.
"Now what!" Johnny grunted. A few smoke bombs came out of the tree.
"You leave her alone!" Said the figure in the tree.
"Who are you?!" Johnny snapped.
The smoke cleared and again Devi became once again shocked on who she saw. Another boy around Devi and Tenna's age, appeared when the smoke cleared. He was wearing a black long sleeve shirt with fishnets on the sleeves and open collar, black long goth skirt with pants underneath and boots. He had shoulder length hair and pale skin all over this time. He had something on his back but it was hard to tell from the angle they were in.
The young man smiled as he introduced himself. "I'm Eric the Vampire!"
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