Chapter Text
It was start of Sams Freshman year. Sam Emerson could already tell it was going to be a great year. He was going to be well liked by his pears, he could feel it. It’s not like anybody with taste could see him and think anything but positive about him. Everything is going to be perfect.
Well maybe not everything considering the rise of brutal deaths in Santa Carla.
‟A babysitter, really, that’s your new job?” exclaimed one of Sams best friends Edgar ‟Hey, keep that volume down. I don’t know about you but I do not want everyone in this school to think I’m weird just because of my new job, besides Its just during the time Star will be tutoring Michael.” ‟Don’t worry Sammy he’s just jealous you will spend time with somebody attractive as Star, and considering out of us you have the most chance to actually score a date with somebody, nobody knows what might happen” Edgars older brother and Sams other best friend, Alan, send him a wink. ‟Not that I care about any of that dating stuff” he added quietly.
‟Well, that’s cool and all but I really don’t think she has thing for boys tree years younger than her” Sam looked at their principals Maxs favorite student David who just bought coffee for said principal while he was putting up more missing posters. Sam got a bad feeling from him. ‟Besides I have my eyes on somebody really different” he mumbled to himself not sharing eye contact with his friends.
His first lunch at High school was not how he imagined it. He slowly entered the cafeteria as the Frog brothers were arguing which of them was gonna tell him about their new googles. The lunch lady poured several landles of the most uneatable food he ever saw. ‟What you got there?” Sam finally asked not being able to hear them argue anymore. The brothers first looked at each other before finally Alan spoke ‟These are night vision googles with power to detect vampire DNA”. Oh, right vampires. Most of things that came of his friends mouth were stories how to spot or kill vampires. Sometimes it was funny or entertaining but most times it was just tiring. Sam couldn’t really tell whether they were serious or just really good at messing with him. ‟Well take them down, we are at school” he said already reaching to take them of their heads. ‟Yeah, Sambo that’s the point, what’s better place to test them than in building full of aggression filled kids. From everything we know everyone outside of the three of us could be a vampire, even your tutor lady.” Edgar stopped him before he could tore the googles down. ‟Well, I would appreciate if you-”
Before Sam could finish his sentence, he got interrupted by a familiar voice. ‟Hey guys. Come here” The voice of Marko, a friend of Sams brother that took liking over Sam and Frogs, called them from across the cafeteria ‟Oh how much you kids grew during summer break with this speed you gonna be taller than Dwayne in no time.” He said hugging them despite their gradual protest ‟And by the way, don’t any of you guys have a buck twenty-eight laying around that I could borrow?” All three freshmen groaned.
Sam tried to get away from the hug. Don’t get him wrong, he loves his friends, he just doesn’t want to be labeled a freak on his first day at school. None of kids in Santa Carla haven’t even heard of him yet, since they moved back during the end of last school year, he didn’t want their first impression on him being that he’s some weirdo without dad that only hangs around basket cases.
His escape didn’t last long. He collided right into his brothers plate, that resulted in food getting splashed all over the place, even his brothers clothes. He tried to help him but the second his hand touched Michael something happened. He could no longer see or hear his classmates in cafeteria. His mouth was filled with metallic taste. He could only smell the poured odor of death. Before his eyes were spread out pools of dark red liquid full of eyes, arms, legs, heads and another body parts mangled in an unnatural way, destroyed in ways not even wild animals could do.
Sam fell on the ground. He was back at the cafeteria. No blood in sight. His brother was already angrily walking away.
‟I’m AB positive and you will be mine. Drinking your hemoglobin may be a crime, but our love will sparkle for all the time- Mike wait!” Star stopped reading her book aloud and stood up from her usual seat at cafeteria. Behind her were posters that she had to attach to wall herself. ‟Where have you been?! I have tried to call you this morning at least fifteen times and nobody picked up! Oh. What happened to your shirt?” ‟Ugh, don’t ask” Michael tiredly answered. ‟Ugh, okay. Guess what. I already have two hundred tickets sold for the screening” Star gasped with joy ‟Only seven more days. I don’t think I would have survived waiting more. I would go crazy.” ‟Yeah, me too…” Michael added with less enthusiasm than his best friend. ‟I haven’t seen you at Math today. You skipped it didn’t you? Were you with David?” At that question Michael sighed. ‟Yes.” ‟If I had a cute partner like you do, Id skip class too.” Michael looked at her with disbelief ‟What? I would! Do you think you’re the only one who breaks the rules?” ‟No, but you’re a good girl.” He tried to defend himself ‟So are you.” ‟I don’t think either of these apply to me anymore.” That saddened Star. ‟You have straight As, you are always nice to everyone. You are very nice you can trust me on that. And most importantly you are my friend. I do not make friends with bad people. Anyway, I saved you two seats. You are taking David with you right?” She asked him hopefully. ‟Oh no. He’s not a real Dusk fan.” Stars eyes popped at him ‟What? How can you date someone who doesn’t like Dusk? The second book changed my life.” she stated in disbelief. Michael snickered ‟Yeah I know.”
‟Theres no way your brother is actually a friend of hers” Alan said while looking in a corner of their cafeteria ‟What do you mean?” Sam asked him confused ‟Thats Star, she is considered the prettiest nerd at this school and you, my friend, are going to babysit her younger brother” Edgar answered him ‟Theres no way that’s actually her” Sam looked at him deceivably ‟Yeah, you’re probably right… I’m gonna go ask her.” Edgar quicky disappeared from his seat before Sam could object.
‟Hi. Are you by any chance Laddies older sister who is supposed to be tutoring Michael Emerson” He scooted over to brunette. ‟Yeah. Why? Do you know him?” ‟Yeah, my buddy Sam over there is his younger brother.” He pointed at Sam, who was very desperately trying to hide ‟He’s bit shy. See you around.”
‟See. We told you it was her.” He whispered into Sams ear. ‟Yeah, she’s a Dusker. Those guys are so lame.” Marko joined conversation. ‟That’s what me and Ed have been saying for years. These idiots romanticize vampires and don’t even know the actual vampire lore. Weirdos.” Alan agreed. ‟Yeah, you should talk. You think Dracula was real.” Sam told him. ‟Dusk is based of fairytales and authors sexual fantasies. Dracula is based of legends, folklore and actual historical sightings.” Edgar protested. ‟Vlad the Impaler is not historical evidence of vampires.” Sam mumbled, masking his words with a cough. ‟Well at least both kinds of vampires in these books are really hot.” Marko ended the conversation to big dismay of Frog brothers.
‟Hey, check it out” Alan handed them a newspaper. ‟Looks like they finally found the rest of that missing student.” Edgar chuckled. ‟The rest?” Sam looked at him with worry. ‟Yeah, says here he was all shriveled up. That’s a hundred percent work of a vampire. When they found him, he looked like this juice box.” Edgar scrunched up his juice box, causing the juice to splash all over Sams clothes. ‟What the hell? That’s my favorite shirt.” ‟I’m sorry man, really sorr- Look it’s your brother. He’s hanging out with that asshole punk who tried to run over us with his bike, again.” Sam turned to see what was Edgar saying. Few meters away from them was Michael and his new pack of idiotic friends. Mike was leaning against an old tree listening to what was David, an unofficial leader of the gang and a biggest pain in Sams ass, saying to him. From what could Sam read from his face it wasn’t anything good. ‟Did somebody mention my name?” Marko spooked the small group of teenagers by jumping at them from behind.
Michael pushed David from him. ‟…don’t be ridiculous. It’s too late for you to turn back right now!” the later reproached him. ‟David, Michael said you aren’t a big fan of vampire movies?” Star joined, trying to make sense of what had Michael said to her at the lunch. ‟That’s not true I love vampires. That’s exactly what I told him.” David smirked at her and mimicked vampire licking his teeth. ‟Well, I really need to go.” Seeing his chance at getting away Michael ran out before anyone got the chance at wheedle him out of it. ‟Kay, Well I’ll see you around. Dusk forever!” She said desperately not wanting her best friend to drift away from her even more than he already did.
‟Theres something really wrong with this gang.” Sam whispered to Frogs. Only to get hit by a wave of embarrassment upon realizing that Marko is also part of said gang. ‟No, there isn’t. We just sometimes drink blood.” Marko snickered only to be smacked by Alan. ‟That was a lame joke” he whispered. ‟And by the way Sam. We’re going to your house today.” Edgar added. ‟Great the more geeks the merrier. Do you want to come over too Marko?” Sam said sarcastically. ‟Sorry guys, but me and gang have already plans for today. Maybe I can convince them to take you with us.” Marko told them only for his idea to get reject by all of the younger teens. ‟By then” he quickly ran to rest of his gang to get on his bike. ‟Watch it nerds!” was only thing Sam and Frogs herd before they got nearly ran over by Davids bike again. The laugh of four older teens creeping around them even thought they were already long gone.
Something was telling him that he was very wrong for thinking this school year will be great
The babysitting job was weird. Sam thought that Star was going to drop of Laddie at their house and then go to whatever Mike hung around these days, instead when he opened the door only one person was waiting for him. It was small child with shoulder length hair and saddened smile, Laddie. When Sam asked him where his sister was kid just shuddered and asked him if they have anything to draw with. That’s how Sam found himself drawing with a child he never met while not knowing where his brother and Star are or when are they returning.
‟Howdy partners.” ‟Aint’ she purdy as a 20-dollar bill in a 10-gallon hat?” ‟Oh well thank you, kind sir.” Sam rolled his eyes at the anticks of his mom and her new boyfriend. He didn’t really have an option about him. He liked the fact that his mother won’t be sad and alone but something about him just seems to Sam little of. Which is absurd since Max acted like ordinary human. Actually, Max and ordinary human could be synonyms. ‟Were goin’ country line dancing” His mother told him as Max spun her around the kitchen. ‟Yeah, I kind of noticed.” He chuckled awkwardly. ‟Do you have any idea where Michael is? I don’t want to leave you kids alone here.” His mother said nervously, head full of worry for her oldest. ‟Doesn’t that mess up that babysitter thing. I am pretty sure babysitters are not supposed to be babysat themselves.”
Star was walking through dark forest. She knew Mike wasn’t at his house. She saw him leaving when she was dropping of Laddie. She went after him to find out what was going on with her best friend. ‟Hey” Michael startled her from behind. ‟Michael, oh god, you scared me.” She sighed in relief. ‟I wanted to apologize. Because I haven’t been the greatest friend lately.” He said to her ‟Yeah, I miss hanging out with you. You don’t even call me anymore.” ‟Things are kind of weird right now. I really can’t-” Michael started explaining himself only to be cut off by Star ‟No, it’s okay. I got it. I’m not cool enough for you since you started dating David.” ‟No that’s not it, at all, I swear.” ‟Then what is Happening? We are supposed to be organizing this movie screening together.” ‟I know. My life’s just really complicated right now.” ‟This is the one where we get to find out if he bites her or not!” ‟I know but it is just a movie.” Star gasps ‟Just a movie? Oh god. Who are you? I have to go. I need to pick up Laddie, because I will not hang around you today before you get your priorities straight. I will see you around, Dusk abandoner.” She hisses at him angrily. Michael groans ‟Staaar! Okay, fine. You’re right it is because of David, but it’s not what you think.” ‟Well speak of the devil.” David appears out of nowhere behind Michael. ‟Hello again” Dwayne grins at Star. ‟Hello… again. Where did you come from?” She asks gang just chuckles.
‟You’re not- avoiding me are you, Michael?” David asks sounding almost heartbroken. ‟Oh, he’s avoiding a lot of people these days.” Star answers him instead of Michael. ‟Come on, what are you afraid of?” David asks him. ‟I just- I need some more time.” Michael looks at David trying to get some sympathy from him, only to be greeted with blank face. ‟Tick- Tock- Times up” he whispered and grabbed Michaels hand.
‟So, anyway, listen. Theres this monster party at Davids later, and if Michael is not interested, maybe you’d like to hang out with us.” Dwayne spoke to Star. ‟But she can’t. She has to pick up her brother.” Michael shouts at him. ‟No, I’m not. Sam can take care of him for little longer. Cout me in.” She smiles at Dwayne. ‟Star, no!” Michael shouts again. ‟I am allowed to break the rules, too. And he’s really cute.” Star smiles at him and then turns to Dwayne. ‟No, you don’t understand.” Michael tries to shout again only to be silenced by David ‟Okay, the rest of you, go on ahead. Sarah and I need to have a little talk.” Star gives Michael one last glance before joining the boys, not knowing what is waiting for her.
‟You said, I could choose, David. You said it was up to me!” ‟It is. But, hey, some decisions need a little push.” David says with venom in his voice. Michael slaps him. At that David only chuckles. ‟Come on, Michael. Can’t you feel it? Your body knows what it wants.” ‟Lucky for me, I think with my brain.” Michael tries to leave only for David to stop him. ‟You’re not going anywhere.” He says before he gets kicked in stomach by Michael.
‟Why fighting it, Michael? You’re the one who said you liked vampires.” ‟I never said I wanted to be one!” Michael kicks David in stomach again. Davids voice changes into inhuman growls. ‟You shouldn’t have done that.” He throws Michael in sky.
With a scream Michael falls on the roof of his house.
The doorbell rings. Lucy opens it only to be met with a scared face of her youngest son. ‟Where have you been?” she asks. Michael looks to the ground trying to make a believable excuse. ‟I left my book at school so I went back for it” he said. ‟Oh. And why are you covered in leaves?” His mother asks him. ‟I went through a shortcut in forest” He lied again. ‟Okay, and where is Star?” she asked him for last time. ‟Ugh...” Michael started to run out of excuses ‟She left something at home and needed to go back for it.” ‟Well, me and Max are leaving. The number is on fridge. Make sure Sams in bed by nine. You got it?” ‟Yeah, I do.” ‟Okey, by then.” She says and leaves. It’s now only him, Laddie and Sam in the house.
The loud knocks on door sound through the whole house. ′On no they found me′ Michael thinks and grabs a wooden stake. The door opens. Thankfully there are not any vampires in doorway instead the Frog brothers are looking at him like deer in headlights holding several different bags of chips. Michael rather let them get their greetings with his brother and disappeared in bathroom. Privacy of being alone in a room sadly doesn’t last long. ‟Damn Sam forgot all your manners?” he says angrily. Only thing his brother can do is stutter before he runs out of the room.
‟Guys!” Sam whispers at two brothers gesturing at them like lunatic ‟You all right, Sam?” ‟I just saw Michael. He was in front of a mirror, but- not in it!” Alan stares in disbelief at him. ‟Okay, hold up. How much aftershave did you drink?” ‟Dude, I’m serious! He. Didn’t. Have. A. Reflection. He´s not normal, okay. He’s like a-” Sam got interrupted by his brother. ‟Hey, guys I need to go somewhere.” ‟Hey mom said you can’t go anywhere” Sam says and grabs his hand. He´s no longer at home. He can see a tree and graves. Sam gasps. What the fuck was that. Michael looks at him weirdly before disappearing out the door. ‟That was weird. What gotten in to you?” Edgar asks him. ‟I’d like to know that too buddy” Sam gasps for air. He then stands up and starts to leave. ‟Hey what are you doing?” Alan asks him. ‟I need to find him. Theres something happening and I won’t let my brother get hurt.” ‟Yea that’s cool and all but aren’t you forgetting something” Edgar says to him. Before Sam can answer a young voice scares them all. ‟Yeah. Aren’t you forgetting something?” Laddie parrots the older boy.
‟Thanks grandpa you’re a lifesaver” Sam leads James Emerson in the family kitchen. ‟Anytime dear” They prepare to leave but before they do Edgar steals grandpa Emerson to tell him about the upcoming pizza delivery and if they deliver it after 26 minutes, he doesn’t have to pay them.
When Sam and Frogs finally got out of the house it was already dark. Even trough of their long arguments about what to bring and what not, the teens found their way over to city. It filled with lights but not with humans. For town as big and know as Santa Carla that was unusual. Most days the streets were filled with carnival, fairs, people chatting together and loud obnoxious music, now it was silent like a graveyard.
‟Its hopeless. We lost him” Alan signed tiredly. ‟He’s out here. I- I feel it.” Sam says to a big confusion of his two friends. Before they can react verbally at what has their friend just said they hear a noise from alley. They come close to investigate it. Edgar turns on night vision on their camera and looks into the alley. ‟Oh, shit” He shows his brother what’s getting recorded. ‟What?” Sam looks at them ‟Show me.” ‟Yeah, I don’t think you want to see that, Sambo. Actually, we should leave. Right now.” Edgar starts to get the camera from Sams grabbing distance. His tries go in vain, Sam still gets to it. He turns on the camera only to see his brother. He´s eating a rat and his eyes glow a sick shade of yellow. Sam screams. Frogs join him.
They start to run. ‟We are so dead. We wont even survive our first day of high school. Moms probably gonna find out from Michael before he eats her too.” Sam shouts. ‟Ahh, help! My brother’s a vampire!” They make it to the old fountain before their strength leaves them.
‟Hey! What’s your problem!” Michael appears behind them. ‟Wait hold on. If you eat us, that wouldn’t be really cool of you.” Sam points his makeshift finger cross at him. Michael laughs ‟If I wanted to eat you, I would have done it by now.” ‟See? The blood sucker’s trying to eat us! We’re doomed!” Alan points at Sams brother. ‟No, no, no. I just want to talk to you guys” Michael tries to calm them. ‟Demon of the night, be gone!” Edgar raises cross made of branches. Michael sighs. ‟Kids, whatever you saw, its not what it looks like.” You’re fuckin’ vampire who kills people and drinks their blood!” Sam frowns at him clearly at wedge of panic attack. ‟Okay, so it is what it looks like, but-” Michael tries to explain his situation only to get cut of by Alan. ‟I’m warning you, Nosferatu, me and my brother are trained vampire hunters and have tons of garlic in our pockets that we are not afraid to use.” ‟Would you both just shut up?! I’m just a normal boy, okay? At least I was until I got bit by my crummy ex-boyfriend. I’m technically still a half-vampire until I kill a human, which I really don’t want to do, so- I have to figure out how to stop this thing before my mortal body dies, or at least stop it from happening to more people like Star.” ‟So, you won’t go full Dracula on us?” Edgar asks him. ‟God, no.” Michael frowns and then hears hissing of other vampires ‟Come on. Let’s get out of here. I’m not the only one feeding tonight. I’ll take you tree home, and if I’m lucky, I’ll find Star before it’s too late.”