In The Dark - Chapter 7

DISCLAIMER: I own absolutely nothing!  Zip, nada.  I don't think I even own the thoughts in my head.  The Lost Boys belong to WB, no matter how much I may wish otherwise.  I am making NO profit from this story whatsoever, unless you count the happiness I get every time someone reads it.
I also don't own the song “Amsterdam” that features in this chapter. That honour belongs Coldplay.

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Feeding Time

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Marko came back with Chinese, which worried Star even more about the games they were bound to play with Michael. She didn't find these games funny at the best of times, but it felt as though they were deliberately prolonging her irritability of having Michael here. As she wrapped her grandmother's shawl tighter around her shoulders, she realised that her usual laid-back temperament seemed to be dissolving into a particularly contentious mood tonight.

Marko handed David the first carton, who after inspecting its contents offered it to Michael, making some lame joke when he declined. As he accepted the proffered carton, Michael's eyes searched for hers, like he was asking for permission. She stared back blankly, waiting for the inevitable.

“How are those maggots?” David asked him, flatly.

Here we go.

They all burst into laughter as Michael threw the carton on the floor, spitting out all that was in his mouth. Of course, the only thing upon the floor were clumps of white rice. A vampire’s power of suggestion was a useful survival tactic, although the boys mainly used it to play pranks on humans and each other.

“Leave him alone.” She pleaded, not for Michael's sake but for hers. She’d seen these sessions go on for hours, so they could be here all night if the boys had their way. It wasn’t as though David was going to allow her to go out like she normally did. Aside from her uncontrollable cravings, she was supposed to be into this guy, Michael, and right now she wasn’t exactly acting the part.

Star: David, get on with it. I know you're only giving him a hard time for liking me. I'm not going to stand here all night playing voice of reason.

He gave a slight nod in her direction in acknowledgement, before turning back to Michael.

“Sorry about that. No hard feelings, huh?”

“No.” Michael shook his head, figuring it must have been the joint that had brought on an over-active imagination.

“Why don't you try some noodles?” David asked, offering Michael his own carton.

Star rolled her eyes as the boys dissolved into giggles again. How much longer were they going to be? She felt her impatience growing and resisted the urge to grab the carton from David and dump the contents onto his head. Although that could encourage a food fight, considering the mischievous mood the boys were in tonight.

“That's enough.” She sighed.

“Aw chill out, girl.” Paul grinned at her. She shot him a look, but he was busy downing the contents of what was left in his own carton. David signalled Marko, and asked him to get his "wine." Remembering the first time she felt that ruby liquid, coursing its way down her throat; Star felt a flash of fear.

Something was wrong.

The memory of her first drink had brought on another hunger pang and suddenly the despair of losing Michael as potential prey seemed more than she could bear. In her rational mind she knew it was absurd to challenge David over Michael; still her pangs were not coming from her rational mind.

Star trailed behind Marko, who handed the bejewelled bottle to David. Michael looked up at her as she approached, curious as to what was going on now. The rest of the boys were grinning in anticipation, and Star tried to regain her composure as David made a big show of opening the bottle and taking a swig. He offered the bottle to Michael.

“Drink some of this, Michael. Be one of us.”

As those words echoed inside her head, and Michael made his way over to David, unable to take his eyes off the bottle; Star realised she had to stop him from drinking it. If he became one of them, she would lose him. He was her kill, damn it! She had lured him, stalked him, gained his trust. All memory of David asking her to lure Michael had been erased by blood-lust, and all that remained was the fact that these...rivals; were standing between her and her prey.

Realising that Star was losing control, Laddie scrambled his way over to her as Paul, Dwayne and Marko began chanting Michael's name in a bid to release her hold on him.

“Don't! You don't have to, Michael.” She whispered into his ear.

“Michael...” David's hypnotic voice, resonated throughout the room. Her grasp on Michael was stronger than he expected, and he hadn't counted on her losing control yet again.

Once a connection had been established between predator and prey, it was hard to transfer that connection when one of the participants was unwilling to let go. He ordered the boys to intensify their chant as he mentally wrestled with Star for control over Michael's will.

“It's blood.”

She murmured, hoping the truth would shock him into thinking twice, even if he didn't believe her. However, after the mind games David had been playing with him earlier, Michael's mind found it easier to block Star out and allow David in. As the boys cheered at Michael joining their ranks, Laddie pulled Star away from the celebrations and led her to her bed, trying to calm her down.

Before David left with the boys for the second part of Michael's initiation, he checked in with Star; who was lying on her bed breathing heavily and clenching her fists. Laddie kept watch over her, worry etched over his face.

"You need to sort this out, Star." He declared firmly, his residual anger towards Max seeping into every word.

"Take Laddie: hunt, kill, feed, I don't know just..." He trailed off, remembering who he was really angry with.

He didn't know how to keep her under control any more. When it was Dwayne, he had Max, and together they found a way to bring him back. However, with Max's mind on other things it was left to David. He had tried asking Dwayne if he had any ideas that could help her, but Dwayne's memory of that time was hazy and the only thing he remembered was the hunger.

“...just stay the fuck away from us tonight.” David walked out before Star could reply or protest.

oOo

Once Star felt more in control of herself, she set out with Laddie. Standing at the mouth of the cave, she sniffed the air to make sure she went in the opposite direction the boys went. They were heading to the train tracks, which meant the beach and Boardwalk would be forbidden. The restaurant and pier would be closed by now, so there was little point in going in that direction.

Come on, oh my star is fading 
And I swerve out of control
If I, if I'd only waited
I'd not be stuck here in this hole

Amsterdam – Coldplay

Deciding that the town was the better option, she and Laddie made their way to the nearest park, and she fed on a couple of bums sleeping on the benches. As she stared into the lifeless eyes of her victims, face frozen in terror; Star wondered how long the blood would sustain her for this time.

It was beginning to scare her how little of an effect it had on her. At first, she thought it might have been normal, or something to do with her refusing the change for so long.  However, the fearful looks on the boys' faces every time she lost control soon caused her to think otherwise.

Marko had assured her after she had made her first kill, that the need to feed every night dwindled. She had waited only to find that need increasing, and she had to keep feeding just to stay sane. Some nights were worse than others and on those nights, she feared sleeping next that little boy, who rarely left her side.

Come here, oh my star is fading
And I swerve out of control
And I swear I waited and waited
I've got to get out of this hole

Amsterdam – Coldplay

For lately, the most terrible thoughts had crept into her mind about easy it would be to just...

NO!

She would lie awake, shaking; reassuring herself that she would never...

Don'tthinkaboutit...don'tthinkaboutit...

But think about it, she did, as her predatory nature overwhelmed the part of her that considered Laddie a friend. At those times, she would sleep with David or join the boys in the back chamber far from temptation.

How long before I have to hide away from them too?

She wondered, deciding instantly that she'd had enough of being captive to her own cravings. All she needed was a little self-control. She’d already attacked David, and she refused to hurt any more of her family.

But time is on your side
It's on your side now
Not pushing you down and all around
It's no cause for concern

Amsterdam – Coldplay

Once they returned to the cave; Star put Laddie to bed, before mentally connecting with the boys. This would be her first test to see if she could just watch without the pressure of her other senses interfering, and making it harder for her to concentrate. Part of her worried about whether it was a good idea to test her inner strength without the boys around to prevent her from harming Laddie; she wouldn't listen to that part of her tonight. Tonight she would prove to herself and to the boys just how strong she could be.

oOo

David led the boys towards the second part of Michael's initiation. He had no doubt in his mind about where he would rather be; practically anywhere other than trying to help his leader score with a mortal. He was sure that Max would never put it so crudely, but right now he didn't care. Max's arrogance was threatening to push them further apart.

If this had been some kind of mind game meant to fuck with the woman and her boys, perhaps he could have understood, even enjoyed it. Mind games with prey were deliciously satisfying. However, Max’s obsession with having the “perfect” family and his inability to be direct was not only dangerous, it was absurd. He had delusions of them all living in that white-picket-fenced monstrosity, leading Stepford lives, and showing Santa Carla how to be the model family. It was ridiculous. Still, David couldn't bring himself to challenge Max over his decision.

It was a hard thing for him to admit, but he was scared. If this went any further, he would have no problem fighting Max for leadership of the Lost Boys. That was what he told himself, but deep down, he wasn't so sure. This wasn't just some random vampire invading their territory; this was Max. Although he didn't look like it, he was the most powerful vampire on the West Coast. Despite David's reputation around Santa Carla, he doubted he'd be strong enough to take Max on. Why couldn’t he just leave them be? If Max took this woman and her boys, he could start his family project over, and David would be free to help Star and get back to how things used to be.

Max would never allow it.

If the boys were no longer part of his family, they’d be seen as a threat. They could gang up on him and challenge him for whatever sway he held in this town - not that David cared about that. It was an impossible situation. He wanted to help Star, however, it seemed that for the time being she was on her own. David could only hope that she was strong enough to wait for a while longer, until he could figure out a way to pull himself and his boys from under Max's thumb.

Come on, oh my star is fading
And I see no chance of release
And I know I'm dead on the surface
But I am screaming underneath

Amsterdam – Coldplay

A thought occurred to him.

Perhaps he could use Michael to his own advantage. Max had been pushing them around for far too long. If he could get Michael on side and plant doubts in his head about Max...

“Come with us, Michael...” he invited, as he followed the others below the train tracks.

Mind games had always been David's speciality, and Michael was just so desperate to be accepted by them. Not only, to be close to Star, that was just a bonus; he needed – and this made David laugh – he needed the security of being accepted by dangerous friends like themselves.

David recognised it as a phase, but his motives didn't matter to him, all that mattered was that Michael served his purpose to keep David's family safe from whatever scheme Max was planning.

And time is on your side
It's on your side now
Not pushing you down, and all around
No it's no cause for concern

Amsterdam - Coldplay

David hung from the trestle with the boys, waiting for Michael to join them. He carefully slid down to the space that David had reserved for him, and looked at him inquisitively – wondering what the hell they were doing.

“Fun, huh?”

As the train rapidly approached, David ordered Michael to hold on. The boys enjoyed the rush of hanging from the bridge being shaken by a train moving full speed; however, it didn't seem as much fun to David as it usually did.

The promise Max made to him long ago of being able to party all night and do whatever he liked, was now looking even more like a lie used to lure him in. More and more responsibility had been piled on top of David lately. He resented not being able to enjoy being a vampire without some rule or ritual getting in the way.

Stuck on the end of this ball and chain
And I'm on my way back down again
Stood on a bridge, tied to the noose
Sick to the stomach

Amsterdam – Coldplay

David's mind began to stray to the night that he met Star. He had envied her light and how free she seemed, despite being tied down to the gypsy life she clearly disliked. Star made a fine trophy for any man to possess and somehow through capturing her; he had found that freedom for himself, but consequently, had imprisoned her further.

You can say what you mean
But it won't change a sin
I'm sick of the secrets
Stood on the edge, tied to the noose

You came along and you cut me loose...
Amsterdam - Coldplay

“You are one of us, Michael.” David said finally, before letting go and disappearing in the fog beneath with Michael's screams following him down.

This would be the ultimate test of the power of David's mind control. If Michael 'trusted' him enough to let go, then David would know he had the power to make Michael instinctively doubt anything Max tried to plant in his head. Which would make Michael a very powerful weapon.

Once they had reached the ground, the boys cheered; a sign for Michael that they hadn't all fallen to their deaths. With that and David's hypnotic voice pulling him down, Michael let go.

oOo

Michael's presence every night started to introduce a strain on the pack that had been alien to them before now.  Even Paul's playful attitude became forced. The effort of making Michael feel welcome and allowing him limited access to Star, to keep him interested was destroying them. None of them were happy, least of all – Star and David.

Michael wasn't as dumb as he looked, either. He could sense that there was something not quite right and a certain tension in the air every time David saw him with Star. Still, a little voice in his head – David's voice – was telling him that this was just because Star was desperate to escape from them. Michael wanted to save her, but right now he was at a loss as to how to go about it. Especially, as they were rarely afforded a moment alone together.

“Things are moving too slowly, David.” Max grudgingly admitted.

The sun had not long set, and he had called David over to see how he was progressing with inducting Michael into the family. He was not happy to learn that a week after Michael had drunk from the bottle, he still wasn't enlightened about what they were.

“Too slowly? You haven't even been out with the woman yet.”

“Patience has never been one of my virtues.” Max chuckled. “I'm taking her out for dinner tonight.”

David's eyebrows rose.

“Relax, I meant dinner in a restaurant. I think in spite of the way things are going, we can afford to kick the seduction up a notch.”

“I don't need to know about what you plan to do with her.”

“Too right you don't; besides I was talking about Michael and Star.”

David's lips pressed in a tight line, forcing himself to calm down as he said his next words carefully through gritted teeth.

“There is no Michael and Star.”

“There will be. Lust clouds issues, but I find sex complicates matters even further; don't you think so?”

David was now visibly shaking with anger. There was a faint creak of leather as he clenched his hands into fists. Max eyed him carefully, waiting to see if he would explode and refuse to have anything more to do with the whole thing.

“And just how am I supposed to convince her that I'm okay with her having sex with Michael.”

“I'm sure you'll find a way. Now if you don't mind, David, I have a date to get ready for.”

David was shooed out of Max's front door before he could ask any more questions. He was about to kick the door in frustration, when he saw Max's dog, Thorn, eyeing him with a bemused expression. David snarled at him in response, then took off into the air.

Flying back to the cave, David realised that he still hadn't been able to apologise to Star for being so distant, and now he was going to have to convince her that for the good of the pack, she was going to have to....

He couldn't bring himself to think it, let alone say it.

What possible explanation could he give, when he wasn't sure of the reasons himself. If there was one thing that David hated, it was not having all of the facts. If Max could only tell him, why it was so important for this woman to join the pack, even if it was for the simple reason that Max was lonely; it would be easier for him to rationalise what he was doing to his pack.

As David landed near the entrance to the cave, he concluded that it was time to test his tenuous hold on Michael and push his paranoia to its limits. After all, he had asked Michael how for he wanted to go, and as he still kept coming back for more, David took that to mean he was willing to go the distance.

Star was waiting for him at the bottom of the stairs, and he inwardly sighed with frustration. He wasn't ready to talk to her yet. To his surprise however, instead of assaulting him with a million questions, she only asked one.

“What do you want me to do now?” He smiled sadly at her, held out his hand, and she backed up out of his reach.

“You need to sleep with him. Make him feel...like you...need him. The boys and I will be out for the night. We'll be back at dawn.”

“Anything else you want your little whore to do?” She asked, and the vehemence in her voice made him wince.

“You're not a whore, Star.” He replied softly.

“What's was that?”

“I said you are not a whore.”

“You want me to have sex with a guy I hardly know nor love, what else would you call me?”

“If you can last the night on your own with him, without killing him, you'll know that you can control your hunger.” David replied, deliberately not answering her question.

“Oh, so this is a test? Do I get graded at the end?”

“Star...”

“Fine. Go. I'll play your little game. Just...take Laddie with you.”

“I can't...”

“Why not?”

David's mind raced desperately, trying to think of a convincing lie. He'd wanted to see Max again after he had been round to Michael's house, and taking the young vampire with them was not an option. However, he understood Star's reluctance to have him there while she tried to seduce Michael.

“We can't take Laddie with us where we're going.” He said, hoping she wouldn't ask where they were going. “Isn't there something you can do to keep him occupied?”

“I think I saw some Valerian somewhere in that stuff I brought back from your camp.” Marko said, coming from their sleeping chamber, followed by Dwayne and Paul.

“That could work...”

“We drugging the little man, now?” Paul laughed.

“I'm not drugging him! It's a sedative.” Star replied angrily, while searching through her things. “It's not like I have a choice here.” She felt David's gloved hand on her bare shoulder.

“I know, and I'm–we're–really grateful for this.” She spun around to face him, but when she did, she was alone with Laddie.

As they got to the inlet where they kept their motorcycles, David turned to them with a grimace.

“Come on boys, I want to make this quick.”

oOo

They approached Michael's house shortly before 9:30pm. Staying in the shadows and killing their engines, they watched as the old man left. David winced as “La Cucaracha” blared from the horn. Paul clamped his hand over his mouth, trying not to laugh.

David frowned and shuddered at the same time. He had always been unnerved by the old man. Maybe it had something to do with him stuffing dead carcasses for a living. At least the things he hunted and killed, were disposed of and not put on display. The thought of having the people he'd killed, stuffed and sent back to their families as a memento of their time in Santa Carla, sparked and dissipated. Sometimes he could be a callous bastard.

When they were satisfied the old man was well away from the house, they revved their engines and turned their lights up high. Circling outside the porch, the boys called Michael out; whooping and cheering. Meanwhile, David concentrated on strengthening the foundations of Michael's paranoia, which would effectively block any attempt by another to claim his will for their own purpose.

This mind belongs to me...

David thought, as he called out Michael's name. When he was confident, the hold was sufficient, he signalled to the boys to back off. If he had succeeded the sensory experience of the boys circling the porch would linger long enough for them to leave.

They returned to the shadows, waiting for the results. As Michael opened the door, David ceased the connection, leaving Michael looking bewildered on the porch. For all he saw was an empty path, and the leaves racing after the gust of wind the motorcycles had left in their wake.

David smiled to himself as he watched Michael close the door. It had worked perfectly. He couldn't stop what was going to happen tonight, but he could make sure that whatever else Max had in store; it wouldn't hurt his family any more than it already had.

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