Chapter Twenty: City Lights:

In present day, Lauren looked out the store window. Through her hunger and running, she almost forgot what the bright lights of the city looked like. Looking at them calmed her down. A small smile came onto her face. When her master first turned her, the city lights were the first thing that she saw. She almost forget what it felt like to look at this many lights.

“What’s on your mind now?” a voice asked. Lauren looked behind her to see Fred watching her from the doorway. The female vampire shrugged.

“Not much,” she said. “I like the lights of the city at night.” Fred walked over and joined her. He shook his head and shrugged.

“They are just lights to me,” he said.

“No,” she said. “They seem… magical to me.” Fred snorted.

“Magical?” he asked.

“Don’t laugh,” Lauren said. “I just like them really much.”

“Happy memories?”

“You can say that?”

“Would you like to go outside for a look?”

The female vampire turned her head. “Are you serious?”

“Yeah. Let me get the car ready.” Fred walked out to the back of the shop. Lauren cocked her head and followed behind. She poked her head in the doorway and found Fred unlocking a smart car. The vampire raised an eyebrow at its size.

“This little thing here?” she asked. Fred grinned at her.

“Of course,” he said. “Isn’t she a beauty.”

“It’s a box on wheels!” Lauren said.

“But she runs beautifully,” Fred said. He walked around to the driver’s side door. “So, what do you say? You want to see the bright lights, don’t you? Then hop in.” The female vampire rolled her eyes and walked over to the car. The shop owner unlocked the door to let her in. She forced herself to smile as she climbed in.

“Buckle up in there,” Fred said as he closed the door. “I know you are immortal and all, but still safety first.”

“What are you, my father?” she asked. Lauren huffed as she fastened her seat belt. Fred walked to the driver’s side and climbed in. He started up his car and pulled out of the alley.

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Lauren had her face pressed against the window as they rode up and down the streets of L.A. When was the last time she had this calm feeling? Seeing those bright lights again made her smile if only for a brief moment. Lauren let her mind wander back to her master. What would he say if he found out what they made her into? Would he shame her for being able to walk into the sunlight or push her to use this defect to her advantage? Who knows? She hadn’t seen him for close to eight years now. The vampire had been doing great on her own until this point. She was fine alone and now she’s being hunted. Lauren closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead. Could this get any messier?

That’s when she froze.

“In the sky,” she said. Fred looked at her outside of his rear view mirror.

“What?” he asked. Lauren opened her eyes and turned around in the car.

“Listen to me,” she said. “Don’t ask questions and drive where I tell you to.” Her tone of voice told him everything he needed to know.

“Gotcha,” he said. The shop owner clutched his steering wheel. Lauren dug her nails into her seat.

“Good, now turn right,” she said.