Chapter Six

The costume closet was cold and smelled of mothballs. Nick looked at his surroundings, "I guess this is the best we can do."

"He would have no idea to look for us here. Yes, he might come to the college but I have no connection to the drama department," Sherl said. She had led them to the theater on the campus of the college she attended. Many times, Sherl had picked her way into the costume closet to find some respite from the stress of her life. Nothing could touch her here; she was safe from the outside world.

"During the day, you won't be able to wake me," Nick said. "Here, I've written down everything you need to know to make the arrangements," he said, handing her a slip of paper.

"Alright. I'll do my best," she said taking the information. She pulled some blankets from a shelf and laid them down next to her. She shivered from the unheated closet. "I'm sorry I can't offer you any warmth," he said.

"Just hold me," she whispered. Nick was surprised by her request. He awkwardly put an arm around her.

"When I was little, my mother would hold me until I fell asleep after I had woken from a nightmare," she whispered.

"Sherl, how can you trust me?" he asked.

"I just know," she answered quietly.

"But after what I did to you last night," he started to say.

"Nick, that wasn't you in that house. I know you would have never done that on your own volition," she said.

"I shut down when he torments me. I try to block out what he does," Nick said.

"Nick, can I ask you a question?" Sherl asked.

"Yes, go ahead," he said.

"How old are you?" she said.

"I guess that's a little confusing. If I aged, I'd be twenty-five, but I will perpetually be twenty," he said.

Sherl sat up; "You've been with him for five years?"

"I know. I can't believe I've left him after all this time," Nick said.

"How old is he? How old are the others?" she asked.

"Kevin was changed when he was sixteen. But he's been a vampire for over ten years. AJ was twenty-two and he's been changed for a little over a year. Howie is the oldest. He was twenty-three before he was brought over. It's been over twenty years since his change," Nick said.

"But didn't you tell me that Kevin and Howie were sired by the same vampire?" she asked.

"It's going to take me a little while to explain," Nick said. He went on to explain the origins of Howie and Kevin. Their sire had been a woman vampire named Terri. She was one of the oldest vampires known and her roots were buried deep in Germany. She found Howie in post war Spain. He had been living on the streets, hiding from the police because of things he did during the war. Terri created him and he became her "son". To this day, when Howie speaks of Terri, he refers to her as "mother". Terri took Howie all over the world, immersing him in every culture they visited. Ten years later, Howie was on the hunt. He came upon a teenage boy. Howie wanted him so badly, but for reasons unknown he was unable to prey on him. Terri decided Howie needed a companion or "brother". The vampire Kevin was created.

Kevin was never like his brother. He was rebellious and headstrong. Terri tried to school Kevin in the same way she had Howie. One night, Kevin and Terri engaged in a horrible fight. It ended in Kevin attacking and raping Terri. He then proceeded to go on a relentless killing spree. His rage knew no prejudice. No race, age, or social standing kept him from laying down destruction.

When Howie went to comfort Terri, he found her chambers empty. She had fled, leaving no clue to where she could be found. They have never seen her or heard word from her since.

Howie wanted to leave Kevin but knew that if he did, Kevin would destroy himself and everything around him. He tried as Terri had tried to tame Kevin. Kevin blamed his mother for his anger towards his existence. He has never forgiven her for leaving him.

Nick was a product of Kevin's conceited and selfish behavior. Kevin had always been attracted to innocence. He loved to destroy and break it. That was why he created Nick. Kevin first found Nick at a nightclub, brooding over a recent breakup with a girl. Nick's sorrow was something Kevin wanted to claim and possess. He created Nick the same night. For the past five years, Kevin's only goal was to break Nick and make him more like himself.

"But he hasn't broken you yet, has he?" Sherl asked.

"No. The difference between Kevin and I is the fact that he has buried his human side. I don't think he will recover. I have chosen no to let it go," Nick said.

"But it would be easier if you did," Sherl said quietly.

" It might be. It would be better if I could become detached like Kevin. It's almost like he's neither human nor vampire. He just exists," Nick said, pressing his body closer to her. He looked down at her. He reached out to touch the soft waves of her hair. He couldn't deny anymore that he was falling in love with her. But he couldn't. It put her in as much danger as it did him.

Nick gave into the urge and started to stroke her hair. Her skin was so warm to him; it felt like she was burning. He caressed her cheek with the back of a finger. He closed his eyes when she took his hand and laid a soft kiss in his palm.

His body shuddered. Nick wanted to take her right there; possess her flesh with his on the hard floor. Instead, he satisfied himself by pulling her closer and nuzzling his face into her warm nest of hair. Hours later, as the sun began to reveal it's soft rays over the horizon, Nick finally found sleep.

*****************

When Sherl awoke the next morning, her body ached from lying on the hard floor. She turned to face Nick. In sleep, he finally looked at peace. His face was cherubic, heartbreaking. She reached out to trace the arch of a silky eyebrow.

Her curiosity overwhelmed her and Sherl tried to wake him. "Nick," she whispered. He didn't even stir. She poked at his nose and called his name again. Nothing.

Sherl was surprised she was able to complete her business so quickly. Every person Nick had put her in contact with helped her promptly with no questions asked. Sherl had a feeling that these knew about Nick's nature and they were somehow allies.

Sherl rested briefly at a coffee shop after completing all of her tasks. As she sipped her coffee, she thought about Nick and her relationship with him. Her body shuddered when she remembered his soft touch and the gentle way he had made love to her. She blushed when she realized that she couldn't wait until they would find themselves in the same situation. Her heart sank; hoping it was not a one-time encounter.

It was near dusk and Sherl returned to the college campus. She picked the lock to the costume closet and was relived to find Nick the same way she had left him. He hadn't even shifted positions. Sherl sat down next to him and watched him slowly regain consciousness.

Nick began to stir and started to speak in his state of semi-slumber. "Sherl," he whispered.

"I'm here, Nick," she said and took his hand.

Still half conscious, he called he name again, "Sherl. I will protect you from him. I will destroy him if I must." Sherl l reached out to touch his cheek. He slowly opened his eyes. He looked up to see her watching over him. Nick pulled her to him and kissed her without a word. His kiss was deep and passionate, his tongue searching every corner of her soft mouth.

After a moment, he pulled away. "Did you have any trouble today?" he asked.

" None at all. But we better get going," Sherl said. "Our plane leaves in a little over an hour."