I'm back. I'm working faster these days because I have no responsibilites besides the job, and the job is pretty easy too, so it doesn't require much concentration. I keep thinking about the next chapters even when I'm taking a shower. Not in THAT way, just in case all you perverts out there want to know. Anyway, I'm writting as fast as I can, so ppl wouldn't complain how slow I am any more :o) Thanx for the numerous numbers of e-mails that have been pouring in lately, I appreciate all the support I can get. Anyway, BSB and N'Sync are not gay. That said, on with the story.
Colleen stood in front of the door to the basement and stared at them. She didn't move or even blink. Her breath was the only sign that she was alive. Then she sighed deeply, and pulling the key out of her pocket, unlocked the door and opened it wide. The stairs were very steep, and the light switch worked on only one light bulb in the entire basement. The air was moist and cold... she couldn't shake off the feeling of disgust mixed with fear; the entire basement felt like a one giant tomb. Taking a deep breath, she left the stairs and walked towards the only light in the basement. The fact that only one light bulb worked was intentional. There was no need for more light. The basement served for one thing and one thing only... it scared Colleen to think that she was about to use it for the same thing. The light was falling on a six foot closet made of full wood, two giant chests, and a little black book on a simple walnut wood table. Opening the closet, she knew what she was going to see. Her mothers clothes were neatly lined up inside, together with her fathers best suits and coats. Pulling the largest trench coat from the closet, she put it aside, afraid that she still might smell her fathers cologne on it. What was on the bottom of the closet was what interested her the most. Stacked up, one against another were automatic guns, semi-automatics, rifles, and even some things she could not put words to. Her daddy made sure that she was taken care of after he died. Her dad was a great man. He might have made it in a wrong way, but he pulled himself out of the gutter with his own two hands. The capo of the most powerful Mafia Family, he started from nothing, and climbed to power any way he knew how, expanding rapidly. He branched into loan-sharking, the numbers racket, prostitution, gambling, drugs and murder. Over the years he had been indicted thirty-two times and had only been convicted once, on a minor assault charge. He was a ruthless man with the down-to-earth cunning of a peasant, and a total amorality. He was the person Colleen had been thankful to for her strength. Opening one of the chests, she didn't seem surprised by numerous knives and swords that were simply lying in there. Picking up two swift samurai swords and couple of smaller hunting knives, she closed the chest and the closet carefully, and quickly left the basement grabbing the trench coat on her way out. Upstairs she closed the door and locked them so quickly, that it seemed as if she was afraid of someone attacking her from behind. Tightening her belt and adjusting the swords into their places, she tucked two knives in her boots, and two up her sleeves. Then she started pacing. Dom and his friends would be there soon. Then the Blood hunt would begin, but this time, the vampires will not be the ones doing the killing.Justin, Brian, Derrick and Robby sat in the middle of the bedroom floor with their legs crossed, forming a circle. Justin couldn't help but stare at Derrick. A real vampire! He still had a hard time accepting the fact that he was sitting down and having a conversation with two vampires. With Brian of BSB, of all people. Actually, Derrick and Robby were the only ones talking, but at least they knew what they were talking about. Justin was still a bit confused on the whole 'Blood gang hunting Robby and Derrick to kill them' idea. But he didn't want Derrick to get hurt. He couldn't quite understand why he felt that way, but he knew that if Derrick got hurt, somehow, it would hurt Justin more than it would hurt Derrick. Brian and Robby looked at each other in a way that made Justin blush. It was surprising to find out that Brian was gay... he always looked so... manly. Justin looked at Derrick again. Derrick's hair seemed to have a life of its own; thick and smooth, it seemed to be begging to be touched. He still couldn't get over the fact that Derrick's skin was cold like ice, while his eyes looked so warm that they made Justin's face turn hot every time he looked at them. "Justin... Justin. Justin!" "Uh, yeah... what?" Robby frowned at him: "I asked did you get all this?" "Get what?" Robby rolled his eyes and with desperate face turned to Brian: "Can't this kid pay attention for at least one second?" Justin opened his mouth to protest, but Derrick cut him off glaring at Robby: "His name is Justin. Not kid. He's with us now, I think he deserves some respect too." Robby actually blushed, and mumbled something that sounded like an apology. But it sounded sincere, so Justin simply nodded. Derrick smiled at Justin: "Don't worry, I'll explain everything. Let's go." "Where are we going?" "To your room, you need to get dressed... we're gonna have to have a little discussion with your bandmates later." Justin just rose off the floor smoothly, although his back still hurt. He and Derrick walked back to his room in silence, while Derrick threw quick looks at Justin. Justin pretended he didn't notice them, while butterflies in his stomach threatened to force him to do something very stupid. Once they were in Justin's room, he turned towards Derrick with serious face: "Thank you." Derrick actually looked surprised: "For what?" "For standing up for me in there... for standing up to Robby." "Oh... that. It just felt right." Justin had no other choice but to simply nod at such curious logic. He scratched his head finding nothing else to do with his hand: "Well, I'm gonna go... uh, get in the shower." Derrick just nodded as if it was not his concern at all. Stumbling over his own feet, Justin managed to get to the bathroom and close the door behind him. Then he turned to stare at the mirror. This was going to be one of the weirdest showers he had ever experienced.
Kevin moved swiftly towards the dark, abandoned building in the center of the most neglected part of the town. It was a perfect place for The Blood headquarters because it was always wrapped in darkness, do to the crumbling buildings surrounding it. He knocked on the doorway twice, and a deep voice grumbled from inside: "Password." "We hate love, we love hate." The door screeched, and Kevin stepped inside. The darkness enveloped him, but he could see his way around perfectly. Another privilege of being a vampire. He quickly climbed the wide stairway leading to the first floor. When he reached the top, wide double door color of blood was the only thing in his view. He knew that the news he was carrying would bring him closer to the position of gang leader. He knew that he was going to be a leader one day... it was all just a matter of time. Knocking at the door he held his breath. The door opened wide, and he stepped on the wide red carpet leading to the coffin in the middle of the room. It was a coffin only a leader was allowed to use... Kevin spent years planing a way to make that coffin his. In front of the coffin was another multicolored carpet covering the red one, on which lay couple of couches, recliners, and an enormous desk of red wood with a chair to match. At the desk sat Mike, his face deeply lined, while concentrating on the book in front of him. As soon as Kevin reached the table, Mike looked up with his eyes flashing lightening. Kevin stepped back... Mike was in one his dark moods. Suddenly, the news he was carrying seemed to weigh hundred tons. Mike stood up suddenly, the chair falling over; Kevin took another step back. Mike seemed miles away: "Have you ever read The Man In The Iron Mask, Kevin?" "Um, no..." "Too bad... too bad... You see, the musketeers weren't happy with the King, so they were going to replace him with his brother... They almost managed to do it. But the King was smart... They all died in the end... all except one. And King was still the King." He glared at Kevin: "See? You can't replace the King. You can never replace the King." "Yes... I can see that, but I have news." The quiet stretched: "Well!? What's the news?!?" Mike's voice shook the windows. Kevin swallowed hard. He would have given anything just to be somewhere else at that moment: "Um... Robby isn't alone any more. The Parotti Family is on his side." Mike took it better than Kevin expected. He stared somewhere through the walls, his lips moving quietly, but making no sound. Then he turned to face Kevin again, and laughter shook his entire body. Kevin stared at him for a moment, then cracked a smile. Soon they were both bending over from laughter. Mike barely managed to form a sentence: "But you know what's really funny?" Tears streamed down Kevin's face from laughter: "What?" "You're a traitor." Kevin had no time to respond. Mike thrust his left hand towards Kevin, and a knife shot out of his sleeve like a bullet, hitting Kevin straight in the heart. The surprise mixed with terror on his face was memorable. Mike picked up his knife from the pile of ashes on the floor, and then walked over to the table slamming his fist on the intercom: "I want a clean up. Make it fast." Then he leaned back in his chair and stared at the cover of the book in front of him. His mumbling was barely recognizable: "The King always wins."JC got out of the shower slowly, his head full of shooting pain every time he moved it too fast. It was the crying... the crying gave him the headache. Another ill thing coming from AJ. JC wondered how many more are on their way. Drying himself slowly, he swallowed two ibuprofens, and pulled on a pair of ripped jeans he only wore around his house, and a fairly tight tee shirt. He thought of wearing a sweat shirt too, but changed his mind the last minute. It seemed to have gotten warmer outside, and he didn't enjoy the thought of sweating right after he took a shower. Picking up the phone he called Lance. The phone rang some four times, and then Lance finally answered, obviously in bad mood for being woken up so early: "What." "Hey Lance... it's 8am, time to get breakfast. Get your lazy ass out of the bed. I have news for everyone." "No... we have a day off. I don't wanna get up..." His protests turned to whining, and JC knew he won: "C'mon sunshine. I'll be in your room in half an hour. You better be up an dressed because if you're not, then Justin and I will give you a nice, cold, wake up call." "All right! All right! I'm up! You know I'll get you back for this." "I'm counting on it babe." JC hung up with a smile on his face. He almost wished Lance had refused to wake up. There was nothing better than lifting a blanket off him while he was still asleep, and then spilling a whole bucket of ice and water on his lap. It was a 100% guaranteed wake-up call. He knew that guys won't mind having BSB in the same hotel, and JC was glad that they will all be able to have fun together. After all, Lance and Kevin have been friends for a while too. He was determined not to show them how much AJ's presence bothered him. He didn't want to spoil everyone's fun. It was going to be hard, but JC loved the guys so much that he would do anything for them. Pretending to be pleasant company was the least he could do. Picking up the receiver again, he started dialing Joey's number. He knew it would take a while to wake them all up, but he needed something to do. Something to take his mind off AJ. Anything to take his mind off AJ.
Brian sat quietly on the floor, while Robby informed the rest of the BSB about the latest news. Howie and AJ looked extremely unhappy with being woken up so early, while Nick was half-asleep on the floor. Brian missed having Nick sleep in his lap, but he did not want to risk having Robby get angry again. Kevin was, as always, the only one actually listening to what Robby was saying. Then Robby simply said: "Another band, N'Sync, is in here too. The blonde kid, Justin, agreed to help with the situation." AJ reacted first. His head shoot up right away and all the sleep seemed to wash out of his eyes in a matter of seconds: "N'Sync is here?!?" Robby frowned: "Yes, that's what I said. If you were asleep I can repeat everything..." "No. No need for that... I just wasn't sure if I heard it clearly..." Kevin stared at AJ thoughtfully, then he turned towards Robby: "Why would Justin help?" "Well... Derrick, my friend that showed up earlier..." Kevin nodded impatiently, showing that he was listening all along. Robby continued: "Is seems as if they have a certain bond. They can... enter each others minds... I don't know how to explain it, because obviously, I'm not the one who experienced it... but judging by Derrick's reaction to it, it's pretty serious." Kevin just nodded as if it made perfect sense to him. Howie grumbled under breath: "N'Suck... just getting better and better." This time, AJ shut him up: "Nice right you have to make fun of them. At least they are getting somewhere. Checked the charts lately? They're way above us." Howie looked as if he was about to throw a very heated answer back at AJ, but Kevin cut him off even before he started: "That's not what's important now. There is a vampire gang out to kill Brian and a man who is very important in Brian's life. If they're after Brian, they're also after us, and N'Sync is obviously involved too. Now we can whine and complain for hours, which Howie gave a very good example of, or we can all stick together and help Robby. Let's make a decision right now, and get on with this. I'm helping Brian and Robby... who's with us?" There was an uncomfortable silence, and then Nick's voice rang clearly through the quiet: "I'm with Brian... wherever he goes, I go." After him, AJ coughed couple of times and then formed a shaky sentence: "I'm... well, Brian... I want to... Oh what the hell... of course I'm with you! Stop staring at me so funny." That made both Brian and Nick crack a small smile. Kevin was staring at Howie. Howie looked extremely uncomfortable for couple of minutes, then mumbled staring somewhere at the floor: "Yeah... I'm in too." Robby seemed to let out a relieved sigh, but when Brian looked at him, Robby's face was as cold and stony as ever: "Good then. That's taken care of. Justin and Derrick will make sure that N'Sync understand the position we're in. If The Blood decides to come here, N'Sync will also be in danger. Actually, I asked them to come here afterwards. Then we can actually figure out how to fight back... " At that, AJ seemed to turn about fifteen different colors, and Brian couldn't help but wonder what happened between him and N'Sync. Robby kept talking as if not noticing anything unusual: "I'm guessing none of you really knows how to use a weapon." Kevin spoke without any emotion: "Hunting knives." AJ shrugged: "I can use a gun, if that's of any help." Brian seemed little embarrassed: "A sword." Everyone but Robby looked at Brian in disbelief. But the real surprise came from Howie: "I can operate any type of automatic weapon... um... guns, knives, and I can use a staff pretty well." When even Robby stared at him in disbelief, he blushed furiously, then tried to cover it up: "What do you expect? I'm Italian." Everyone smiled at that... than AJ cracked up, and soon they were all laughing. Pressure seemed to disappear in seconds. Brian laughed too, his hand squeezing Robby's. Everything was going to work out. Brian knew it.Justin was actually a bit surprised at the calm acceptance of everyone in the band. Joey was still asleep although he tried really hard to keep his eyes open. When Joey was half-asleep, not even vampire standing in front of him could faze him. Lance was the only one who actually had a conversation with Derrick that didn't consist of millions and millions of bizarre question, which Chris and JC kept ruthlessly throwing at Derrick. Justin could notice that JC seemed in better condition than he was earlier, but he still had a hard time keeping up his usual cheerfulness. No one else noticed but Justin, and if Justin didn't know what was really going on in JC's head, he never would have noticed either. Lance ran fingers through his sleep-rufled hair: "So BSB are in this too? Well... if Justin wants to help you guys, we're with him 100%." He smiled slightly: "We do need some excitement." Derrick smiled back: "As long as you're aware that you might get killed during that excitement." Lance actually grinned wider: "Well, what's the excitement without the risk of getting ravaged by wild vampires?" Justin wanted him to shut up. The way he grinned at Derrick... it just wasn't right. He shouldn't be looking at Derrick so much. He just met him, and all the sudden he's best friends with him... Justin felt angry enough to choke Lance. He tried to look normal, but inside, the anger was fuming like a volcano ready to erupt. Then he felt a touch in his mind... just a gentle touch but very deep. Derrick turned and frowned at him for a second, but right away stopped grinning at Lance, and focused on the other guys: "Is everyone up for this? Because there is no quitting later." There was a choir of mixed 'Yup's' from everyone which echoed through the room, and Derrick got off the floor: "OK, I told Robby we'd join BSB and figure out what to do next. And of course, you humans have to eat too." Surprising Justin again, he offered him a hand to get off the floor, which Justin accepted without the hesitation. He had noticed JC's face turn completely white at the mention of seeing BSB, but he hoped JC could restrain himself from doing anything stupid in front of the guys. Following Derrick towards Kevin's room with guys walking behind him, he sincerely hoped that they weren't making a giant mistake. A mistake which could cost them all their lives.
OK, OK, I know there is no action yet, but just be patient. Just to reward you for the patience here is a clue to the next chapter. Fighting, admitting of love, and someone is going to get seriously hurt. Well, that said, I hope you enjoyed the story. And don't forget to criticize, criticize, criticize.