Maya checked her reflection in the mirror quickly brushing her hair out of her eyes. She was wearing a heavy sweater and black jeans hiding most of her tattoos. She hadn't done it just because of the cold though, Today she was trying to find a job. She had a few designs for some of the local tattooist and she was hoping to find a portrait to draw,portraits always seemed to pay better than tattoos.If she could have her way though Maya wouldn't be selling her art, she just had no other way to survive right now.


She looked away from the mirror and sighed as she stepped out of the motel bathroom and into the main one. She needed to find a place to live. She only had a few hundred between the money from her account and her art deals, and while it was cheaper to start the motel life was getting more expensive. But that could wait she thought as she stepped out into the chilling night. She probably would have gotten more business if the sun was up but more tattoo parlors preferred business at night when they had more customers.


She observed the people she walked past considering drawing possibilities as she walked to her favorite parlor. Johnny the tattooist bought about half her drawings for fifty bucks which wasn't bad . She left the parlor and noticed the street had cleared out but didn't think anything of it.Instead she pulled her sketches out of her bag and wondered where she should sell them as she walked

Hale was off on this particular night. He was trying to work on his scientific approach. There had to be some way that he could modify his research to find a true response, if mortals could actually die of fright. He left his new home, that he had managed to buy with the help of some older looking vampires and his house had the bare minimums. It was a large four bedroom house. He left out the back door, locking it behind him.

Hale traveled through the streets, flinging himself from tree to tree. He found himself after heading to the alleys, on top of a building looking down on the city from his vantage point. He noticed that the streets were unnaturally empty and he could see the lone girl that walked the streets.

He jumped until he was on top of the building directly above her. He was curious about her and wanted to see what she was doing out this late. He went to the side of the building and climbed it down. He edged his head around the corner and looked at her. His eyes were bright and innocent in his face, his clothes ratty and torn, his face was slim almost emancipated. He simply looked at her and said nothing as she approached.

Maya was about ten feet away from the tattoo parlor entrance when she saw the kid staring at her, Where had he come from? She looked around for anyone nervously before approaching him. "Um....Hello ,Are you ok? Why are you here?" She asked kindly putting her sketches back in her bag. While she was nervous around others, oddly enough she didn't seem to have that problem with children.She walked over to him and crouched down until her face was level with his causing her hair to fall over her face slightly and began checking him over. She studied his face and thought absentmindedly he would be great to sketch.

She didn't know what nationality he was but she'd never seen anyone quite like him. He looked half starved and his clothes were ragged. was he abandoned? Or maybe a runaway......Maya bit her lower lip as she thought. Either way she didn't have enough money to help the kid anyway....but she didn't want to leave him here either. Bending down again she offered him her hand " Do you need some help???" She asked brushing her hair out of her face and giving him and encouraging smile.

Hale watched her, pretending to be cautious as she approached him. She was somewhat pretty, but had tattoos up and down some parts of her body. They weren't completely visible but he could see the edge of one and guessed that there had to be more. Besides the tattoo parlor was only a few feet away. Of course he was okay, but for the purpose of this new experiment and trying to get her into his trap. He bit his lip pretending to be uncertain. "There are monsters." His voice was soft and held a touch of fear. He had practiced until he was absolutely certain that he could convey any emotions, besides what else was he supposed to do when he wasn't killing someone.

There were monsters in the dark and he was one of them, he thought that he was one of the best. He could break someone's mind, tear them the shreds with only a thought, cut them open his the claws that appeared when he became the true vampire and also burn them. Him and Carina had had hours of fun using different combinations of the powers that he had. He had even gifted her a knife, one that he knew would be put to good use. Thanks to the bagginess of the clothes on his frame, he could hide all kinds of daggers and weapons. On his body at this moment her had three that were nowhere to be found.

He knew that he could always count of the soft spot that females had for children. This one seemed to be one of those, he was lucky tonight. He tentatively put his had in hers and he took a step towards her. "I don't like the monsters."

Monsters? Maya wondered what the child meant, this wasn't exactly the best part of town. Maybe his parents had been killed? She was slightly surprised as he took a step forward and grabbed her hand "It's ok, what monsters?"Where are your parents" she said concerned, the kid was lucky if he wasn't sick in this weather in such inadequate clothing. And considering how hungry he looked if something had happened to his parents it was way too late.

She checked around the street nervously again considering what to do. She usually didn't linger out this late and the few times she had hadn't been exactly good. She thought another moment before deciding. If she couldn't help the kid find his parents she'd take him back to the room and figure out what to do with him. But she definitely wasn't leaving him here. "If you don't know where your parents are do you want to come with me?" She asked gently after a moment.

Hale saw that the mortal was genuinely concerned for him. So he decided to continue to play with the monster story. It was working well so far, it would continue to do marvels. He simply had to build the story properly. He wouldn't need to add any details, he was a child, or well looked like one and would be expected to act like one too. He shuddered as she mentioned his parents, pretending to fear the memory that he would have possessed. "I think that the monsters got them." He eyed the shadowy alley from which he had come from and pressed himself instinctively closer to the mortal that held his hand.

Would a child trust a stranger this much? He wasn't sure not being born in this century, yet he would have to find a way to get her to his place. There had to be a way. He looked up at her and filled his eyes with trust. "Do you think we could go to my house, maybe my parents got away." He placed hope in his voice and made her see it that way.

Maya stared at the kid as he spoke and nodded as he finished. What else was she supposed to do? She didn't want to put the kid down......after all maybe his parents were ok and he had just been scared. "Do you know where it is?" She asked him soothingly.It really didn't matter to her. she'd help the kid find it if he didn't. It wasn't as if she actually had someplace she needed to be that couldn't wait. She mostly wanted to know because the kid didn't look to good.........and if his house was in this kind of neighborhood he really shouldn't be out at night.

Maya gently squeezed his hand and gave him a reassuring smile. But in the back of her mind she couldn't help wonder what the monsters were. Were they regular people or people from the slums? Were his parents involved? She slowly rose and waited nervously for the boy to lead the way.

Hale tugged her gently along as he headed towards the neighborhood where he lived. It wasn't a slum area as he started to go into richer and more elaborate landscapes. He bought himself a house, it was going to be a nice one, not one that would fall apart when the wind blew.

After 30 minutes of walking, he stopped in front of a house and then continued to tug her up towards the front porch. He let go of her hand to take the key that had been tied to go around his neck. He unlocked the door and opened it, yet it was clear that no one besides Hale and Maya were there. "Mama, Papa?" Hale's voice rang through the void that was the house that he lived in and it seemed that much more childish when there was no answer back.

He turned towards Maya and his eyes betrayed his fear. "Will you stay with me?" It was a child that was pretending to be strong and clearly failing. He acted like the child that didn't want to be alone and simply needed someone to be near him for a little bit. He had to make sure that she stayed for only a few minutes and then she wouldn't be able to leave.

He flicked the light on and it illuminated the wooden floors and the spiral staircase that led to the next floor. He waited for an answer, hope blooming in his eyes.

Maya followed the the kid for awhile noticing the city around them gradually becoming nicer until they reached the house. The house was much nicer than she had expected and he surprised her by taking a key out, which she found odd. If something had happened why was the door locked? However her urge to help the child caused her to disregard the oddity.


She felt pity for the kid well inside her as they entered the house and he called out for his parents with no reply. Had something happened to them? There wasn't any of the smells associated with, which Maya thought was a good sign. Then again that didn't mean much in the long run now did it?

She looked nervously around the abandoned house. If something had happened why wasn't there anyone here? And why was everything so...perfect? But as the child asked pathetically if she would stay she found it impossible to refuse him. however she couldn't banish the cold feeling along here spine that told her something was out of place. She leaned down again and smiled at him

"Hey maybe they went out." She suggested, very much doubting it. She bit her lip for a moment and her face brightened a bit after a moment " Hey how about i draw you something while we wait?" She asked him her tone full of forced cheer.

Hale shrugged. "We went out for a walk together and got separated, something was chasing us." He paused, hesitating, his brow furrowing. "Anyways I think someone was. I couldn't see them." He went to the front door and locked it. "We always go for a walk after supper." It seemed reasonable to him that some families were into that. "I lost my coat that way."

His face lit up with interest at the though of art. "Oh yes. Do you need a table or a chair or anything in particular?" The ever helpful child, it was pity that it wouldn't last. He played the child now and soon he would play the monster and play with her. If she was an artist perhaps gouging her eyes out would be interesting. It would anger her and then depress her. All while these thoughts flowed through his mind, nothing showed on his face.

"Nope" She said smiling lightly "just watch" She told him as she pulled her sketch pad from her bag. It had the makings to start a portrait and she decided to draw someone she had seen earlier that day. She quickly forgot the boy and everything else that was going on as she started focusing on the drawing, every once and awhile she would bite her tongue and make a change and soon she was done.

She looked it over with a critical eye, it needed work and t was a rough sketch in her opinion but it would do to entertain a kid.....she hoped. She turned to the kid and showed him her work. " What do you think?" She asked him. she looked around the house and studied it. The house was extravagant, she wondered exactingly who the kids parents were. " What's you name? She asked idly


OOC: this is a sketch of her drawing....

http://vintage-aerith.deviantart.com/art/S...13268802]Sketch

Hale watched her and wondered how long it would take her. He kept himself in place and went over what he would do in his mind. There had to be a way to keep her here. He could always go directly to plan A, yes that was the best idea. She was distracted enough that she wouldn't know what had hit her.

While she was busy, Hale went through every window and door of the house from his position and locked them down with his telekinesis. She wouldn't be leaving this house, not without his permission. He double checked everything and returned his full attention to her.

He eyed the drawing with almost a critical eye and then smiled at her. "I like it, it's beautiful in its roughness. It isn't done yet you know that it is simply beautiful in its simplicity." He then smiled and continued. "My name is Hale." His entire personality was a clash between the child that he looked like and the way that the words came out which seemed very adult like.

The warmth on Maya's face slipped away as Hale replied to her questioning, and in its place uncertainty was left."what the hell?" She wondered as her nerves caused her to go tense. What had happened to the sweet little kid that he had been only a few moments before?As Maya thought about it, as soon they entered the house any trace of worry from the child of had vanished as soon as she'd agreed to stay. If his parents where in trouble why was he so calm?

Maya gave him a nervous smile as her told her his name, she was even more disturbed by his sudden change in demeanor. He wasn't talking like any little kid she'd ever heard of. He was talking almost like he was an art critic...........No. An art critic wouldn't sound so detached about what he was commenting on.....His tone scared her more than anything. After all the minor changes in his personality and the rather large ones as well made her realize there was something odd happening.


"Thats a nice name" she said trying to soften the suddenly tense atmosphere. At least it felt that way to her. Still nervous she walked to the window and looked into the street beyond. At this time of night it was empty, only the streetlights and a few from the living rooms of people who hadn't gone to sleep yet. Suddenly she felt a bit of fear. She didn't know this child and she didn't know anything about this house."So what are your parent like?" She asked turning a bit as her nerve creeped into her voice.

Hale could sense her unease as clearly as the warmth that had left her face and he wanted to grin but kept his face carefully bland, almost indifferent. She had suddenly understood that something was wrong and she was right. Hale wasn't your typical child and she would soon see why.

He reveled in the tense atmosphere that surrounded them, yet he kept his face almost eerily innocent and in anyone that knew him, it was a sign of sure danger to come. He was going to have fun that much was clear. The air around them seemed to shift audibly from tension to dangerous.

He let a small smile grace his lips and gave her a look that showed that he was no child. "I might have lied about my parents." He headed towards the stairs that was in front of the door and turned to look at his companion. "You see I haven't had parents in a very long time. I haven't really needed them, but I did need someone to play with. I elected you. You seemed fun." Hale's version of fun should be causing her to cringe or almost. When it came to fun it resembled a hunt, where he chased his prey around. Like hide and go seek.

Maya's nervousness became full blown fear as the child's demeanor changed even more. Hale seemed almost emotionless despite the fact the tenseness in the atmosphere only seemed to sharpen."What's going on?" She wondered as a bit of panic began to creep into her face.It was obvious this boy wasn't normal, and for some reason Maya suddenly wondered if he was even human. She tried to calm herself down as she realized how crazy she would sound. He had to be human......right?


But as he smiled and began to speak she knew she was right.She had no idea how to react. She suddenly felt like a prisoner, or something worse. "How dangerous could the kid be?" she thought hysterically. "What are you talking about?" She asked her voice nearly shaking."You have to have parents.......e..everyone needs parents......" " She said her voice barely more than a whisper. She stood suddenly and flinched as her art bag fell to the floor with a soft thud. She hastily grabbed the bag and looked to the child." I think I'm going to go now." She told him quickly passing him and reaching for the door only to find it locked. "When had that happened?" She thought her heart sinking as she turned back to the boy with fear in her eyes.

Hale felt the panic and the danger that came out of her. It was delicious and he loved every single bit of it. She would be useful to him, he wouldn't kill her not yet. He would play with her. Mortals were so naive, the proper fear in a child's voice and the look of one that had seen terrible things, was enough to have maternal instincts kick in most women.

Hale liked to play with them, because they tried so hard to make sure that everything lined up with their reality then they often didn't realize that often there were other realities that could apply. Granted, the often wished that that reality didn't exist. "Of course, I had parents at some time when I was less self-sufficient. Now though, I can do almost everything I need by myself. What i have in mind, though requires an adult and I think that you will do nicely."

He grinned at her, his fangs appearing. "You can't leave and there is no escape. If you listen to me then I might need you in a more extensive way and not get rid of you so quickly."

Maya stared at hale her eyes wide and frightened as she sank against the door.This couldn't be happening. It just couldn't. "What the hell is he?" She wondered fearfully.She was positive he wasn't human anymore. "what is he going to do to me ?" She wondered in a panic. It was then she noticed the fangs when he smiled. "Vampire?" She wondered quickly. She didn't dwell on the thought though. Whatever he was she knew he was dangerous for her.

"What do you want with me?" She asked her voice trembling slightly as she both tried to distract and find out what he had mind. As she waited for a response she looked for any way out of the house. She couldn't just run off into the house, Hale would find her. She didn't want to try busting out one of the windows either. She had no doubt the boy could kill her with no effort at all, and she thought he probably would if she tried to escape like that. Plus she didn't know how strong the glass was. In the end she was right were she had started.collapsed against the door and staring up at the vampire child in fear.


OOC: im going to be gone all of next week.................

Fear was such a wondrous thing and it rolled off this woman, like a perfume that he inhaled deeply, while closing his eyes. He was simply divine and when he opened his eyes, they had a feral look. Just having her near him was almost torture and he enjoyed knowing that there was no escape for her. He was going to have so much fun.

Hale looked at he with an almost childlike look. "You know what has always surprised me, is how gullible mortals are, especially female mortals. I believe that you females have motherly instincts that kick in whenever a child is in trouble or in deep need. It works very well to my advantage. The number of times I've done this and not a single one suspects a thing." He then smiled at her in an almost angelic way.

He approached her and put his hand out. "Now you are going to take my hand and get up. I don't want you sniveling or whimpering on the floor, that won't accomplish anything for you. What I am going to do with you changed drastically after I saw you draw that picture. I was going to make you go blind, but now I'm not quite sure. I suppose I could test the theory if someone can actually die of fright. I never got a satisfying conclusion on that."

(OOC: Just to let you know, when Hale is an ok mood, like right now, he likes to hear himself talk.)

Maya had stopped staring at Hale and her eyes now darted hopelessly about trying to find an escape from the kid. He was evil. He wasn't like jerks at school, or even a couple of guys who had made her nervous walking home at night. He was really evil............and he had her.She ran over the options again as Hale began to get a wild gleam in his eyes before breaking into a short speech and flashing her an amazing smile. The smile made her shudder as she realized the ease the vampire had at expressing different emotions. From the sound of things she couldn't just stay here without dyeing a slow and nerve racking death........

"Anything would be better than that" She decided still looking around. It appeared Hale would have his hide and seek.When the diminutive vampire ordered her to take his hand she stared at it for a moment before trying to set a plan in to motion. She pushed herself up lightly and grabbed the little vampires hand, almost as if she planned to comply. However after only a second she yanked the vampire towards her hopefully the weight difference would be enough to knock him over and provide her with enough time to get to where she was aiming for. The window. As soon as she yanked on the you vampire's arm she was began dashing for the window only to step on her dropped sketch pad and stumble by the couch, she struggled to push herself up again as the fear of being hunted set in...................