Gabbi's eyes feasted to every closed door, club posters and symbols of school spirit. Unable to keep her eyes on Tyler's confident back, her sight wandered everywhere.

"You're so slow," naturally, Tyler complained when she fell a few steps behind, even when he was slowing down his pace. She apologized, but Tyler just stared at her as she reached him. "Fine, slowpoke," he said, and they wandered through a hallway with few loitering students. Despite her effort to blend in, Gabbi herself knew it was impossible. First, Tyler acted like a child in a toy museum. "Look Gabbi!" has been countless as his hand pointed everywhere. Despite the lilac tint under his eyes, he was still objectively attractive, in Gabbi's opinion. He only shut up for a moment after exchanging stares at a short blond girl, putting up a club campaign poster of Myth Club on a bulletin board.

It was only for seconds as if they were studying each other, and ended when a teacher called her. "Coming, Sir Felix!" Her voice was small yet clear and bouncy. She dipped her head for a slow, yet discreet nod of salute towards Tyler, a glance to Gabbi and ran after the teacher.

"How about the library next?" he suggested as if the curious scene didn't happen. Tyler leaned closer for a whisper. "I heard kids nowadays do nasty stuff there. Scandalous." Clearly, he knows more about high school life than her.

"Hey there," someone greeted before Gabbi could decline.

Two girls, a blond and a brunette, posed after they had cat walked towards Tyler and Gabrielle. "Cutie," the blond whispered to her friend. She wore a white shirt with a bold pink print of 'WILD,' inserted in a short denim skirt. Pretty, with aggressive spunk.

The second reason why they could not go on stealth. Tyler is a good-looking boy with night adventures, hence the darkened rims under his eyes. Their futile effort to blend in was useless. No one can ignore him.

"I've never seen you before," said the brunette, ignoring the glare from her friend who was already staking a claim.

"Me too, I've never seen you before," Tyler replied.

Her voice was nasal yet still appealed attention. As her fingers played with the locks of her hair, her chest was pushed out for its dominance. The newly hired girls back in the casa use these as seduction methods. Flirting, Gabbi thought, she definitely is. Newer recruits in the casa turn to the classic, twirling their hair, 'take me' leaning postures and pouts.

"Are you new here?"

Tyler paused, "Hmmm, let's pretend that I am."

"I can show you around."

"No, thanks. I and Gabbi are just taking in the views."

"Even just for a little bit?"

"Can't do. We'll go home in a little bit. My brothers' gonna get mad if we're not."

Surprisingly, his answer was sincerely truthful. Yet, in the first place, they were not supposed to leave home. But he was so worried, and meek nobody would think he's an escapee. It's either he's good in acting, or he's just clueless, unlike the confidence he boasts of. Unable to stand by, Gabbi tugged his sleeves and tiptoed for a whisper. "Tyler, they're flirting with you."

"They are?" He glanced at the girls.

The Tyler she's with now is surprisingly naive and innocent for a vampire.

"Who is she?" Finally, the two acknowledged her presence with a halfhearted smile.

"She's my brother's..." He paused and scratched his head. "What will I say Gabbi?" he whispered once more. "I can't tell them you're my brother's pet. Or food supply." Then he added after a second, "Is 'ex-girlfriend' okay? You know, even if it ain't real, just to play with their conclusions."

Despite the oddity, she hid a smile. She does not know what to call herself as well. Is 'Willing victim' acceptable? Suicidal whore?

"He's my brother's..."

"She's mine... just mine."

They both froze from the voice behind them. Damien, in his plain black V neck and ripped jeans stood as menacing as a punisher.

"Well shit," Tyler spluttered. "We're dead, Gabbi. Well, a metaphor in my case."

He was right. Despite the casual stroll and the smiling face, she could feel the choking anger from Damien.

"There's no need for a label, Ty, she's just mine. Right, ladies?"

The girls nodded with their mouths open.

"Yeah, t-totally bro," Tyler answered for them.

Damien pierced a side glance at him then to Gabbi. "Let's go." He pulled Gabbi's hand away. Her arms hurt from the grip. "Marcus knew," Damien said before Tyler could plead for secrecy. The youngest Roșu's shoulder dropped as he took Gabbi's dress in his hands.

Now already in the forest as their starting point, Damien carried her in his arms. She could not even voice concern about stolen gym clothes. The next thing she knew, they were running through the forest, Tyler trailing behind with the same dizzying speed.

"Bad girl," Damien said, visibly upset once they reached the front door.

Gabbi closed her eyes. "Sorry," was all she said and held unto him tightly.

______________

For judgement, Gabbi and Tyler sat in the piano room, unable to look at Damien with a glare that wanted to bump their heads.

"Who's going to lie first?'

Tyler raised his hands. "Before that, who told you?"

"Told what?"

"Where we were? Was it Jacques? Jillian? The others? Man, they need to give me more love."

Damien ignored his grumbles, and same with Gabbi, who just assumed the names he mentioned were employees.

"Give me one reason, Ty," he said.

"I was bored."

"You are always bored. After a century, you are still immature."

"But this time, I was really bored. Emphasis on 'really'."

In a flash, the two crashed on the wall, Damien grabbed Tyler by the collar.

"You still have a week before they lift your ban. You read the documents. Couldn't you wait? Another mistake, we can't save you anymore." Then Damien let him go. "Next time, we'll hand you to them and watch you get executed."

Tyler let himself fall; his head glued to the floor. "Damien," he called after a few seconds of silence. "I wanna live, you know. Live, for real."

"I know." His voice was softer now. "Punishment is not in my hands. Wait for Marcus, he'll return today. Prepare for it, Ty. I won't lie for you this time."

"He's worse," Tyler grumbled as he stood. Then he was already by the door, dusting himself with the usual bounce in his voice. "It was fun, Gabbi. Thanks." Then he was gone.

"You don't look regretful."

The smile she didn't know she had vanished. "I don't."

Slowly, he bent to look down on her as she gazed up at him until their gaze and faces met. "How stubborn," he commented. "It makes me want to wring that little neck of yours."

She was the first one to look away and mumbled, "...It was fun."

"I see you don't regret everything."

"Probably."

"Insolent."

"You never told me I couldn't go out."

She blinked, then she was already on the sofa, Damien on top. This time, he was beastly, sharp fangs grew out, and eyes were painted black.

"I know you have a rebel in you, but can you just not get in trouble?"

He cupped her face, forcefully making her look at him. Her heart raced in fear, but she didn't look away either.

"That's right," he said, satisfied. "Look at me, at my face, about to teach you a lesson about obedience for the people who own you."

She gasped at the piercing pain on her neck that quickly ceased a few seconds later. Damien's body shook along with his deep chuckles.

"Ah, Gabbi... Gabbi..."

She gasped, this time not in pain, but in Damien's humanly face once again. But the grey eyes were murky. He looked sick. Small purple veins crawled on his face, just like when the little girl Corrinne drank her blood.

"I know your blood is still poisonous for me... and yet, I couldn't resist you. Gabbi... my broken little toy, Gabbi... " Despite the labored breathing, his eyes twinkled in amusement. "You are very dangerous."

Then he passed out.

______________

It all happened so fast. Before Gabbi could even scream, people came as hazy figures then silver eyes had pierced through her, then to the newcomer waiting for orders.

"What happened to him?" Marcus sped to his side as he checked Damien's face.

"He... he knew." Gabbi's voice shook. "He knew my blood is still poisonous for v-vampires, but he..." She nestled the healed wound on her neck. She flinched, not from the pain but the accusing stares of the two individuals waiting for Marcus' orders. Physically, they were younger than Gabbi, that could be mistaken as middle school students. "H-He still bit me. I'm sorry."

He was not incriminating yet Gabbi could only look away from his gaze. "Well, partly, it's your fault, but not in the way you think or intend." Marcus carried Damien. "This idiot did it himself." He then barked for orders. "Call Michael and tell Alivia to prepare." He also informed them to cancel all his remaining appointments for the day. "And somebody, somebody, makes sure Tyler reflects on his actions! I can hear his bloody stereo blast from here!"

"I'll take him to his room. You can follow us," he added then he was gone.

"She did it."

"She shouldn't have."

"Her. It's her."

They were whispers echoing in the room, but Gabbi could not see anyone, and when she looked up, she covered her mouth to cover a scream. Figures, shrouded with the structure of the ceiling loom down on her, only their silver eyes glowed in the dark.

Those are people of the house. It was what Alivia said. Although Gabbi ignored the feeling of being watched, it was the first time she had seen them so openly, or she assumed, the first they allowed her to see.

"Tragedy."

"She is."

Gabbi ran to the door in fear. Their whispers chased after her even in the corridors.

She found Marcus covering Damien with the duvet. "He doesn't like people in his room but this is urgent. So, I think he'll forgive me."

Then why does she stay in Damien's room?

"Ask him, not me." He chuckled when the brows of her forehead folded deeper. "And I can't read minds. Your face had the question written all over it. He'll be fine in a day. We don't need sleep, but only when we are in a terrible state. I guess that's our only human quality."

"Is it really fine?" He was so certain that Gabbi pondered if such an incident occurred before. She kneeled by the bedside, terrified by the second black veins crawl and spread on his skin like a serpent.

"Michael will check him later. You can stay in the piano room if you like. It won't be good for you worrying over him. Alivia will call you for dinner." Then he was gone, Gabbi assumed to continue with Tyler's counsel. It was the longest she had spoken to Marcus. As the eldest, he acted the part. If Tyler was an indulgent, free spirit with surprising naivety, and Damien is a mystery, Marcus was responsible, and the logical among the three. Or at least that's what her impression is—someone reliable, to control the two younger Roșus.

By the time Gabbi was alone with Damien, his eyes were closed but pained, or someone with a nightmare, if it's possible for vampires to have. The black and purplish veins had sprouted smaller and thinner ones, spreading slower than earlier.

Because of her.

As long as the vampire's blood lingers in her, Damien or any other vampire can't hurt her. It meant, she's a living poison as of the moment.

Instead of feeling invincible, Gabbi was unhappy. She reasoned with herself that the incident would delay her death. Until Damien is healed and the poison is gone, only then Damien can suck her dry and leave her for dead. Her eyes nestled on his cheeks and pulled just as quick. He was warm, but he was burning more than usual.

After muttering a whispered apology, she left the bed and filled her lungs with the cold air of the terrace. Above her, the sky was kind enough to give a peek of the orange sunset. There were three things she understood. One, she is not afraid of Damien, no matter what form he is. Two, there are things she wants to do before she dies. Desire is a human weakness she thought she has long lost, and yet, there were things that she still wanted to experience.

And three, she cares; her conscience and those around her. Gabbi had forsaken the fact that after all this time, her heart is still not dead.

______________

Damned by the Weak

of a lifetime tenfold

we crave for the unknown

for freedom is sweeter

after a grand rebellion

of a lifetime tenfold

the strong may also break

at times boredom sneak

the undead envy the weak

play my little mice,

taste the sweetness you craved

yet, when the cat arrives,

it shall hunt you dead

come hungry, come full

monsters, or none at all

enamored and taken

by the weak and beautiful

hear thy call of the monsters

heed the words of sins

the heart, fallen and loved

you shall all be damned