It had been two weeks since we had witnessed the low point of what our society had come to and we didn't speak of it again. But it weighed on my mind. The mob had been as blood hungry as the vampires but it would be naïve to think they didn't have similar underground dealings occurring with us and I imagined them to be worse.

The clouds seemed to touch the rooftops as they raced through the city, the snow was knee deep by the time the first storm finished and our city had stopped. No one wanted to go out, not even the vampires lingered in the street. Our heating was non-existent at home and our boss had no intention of opening the store until the weather had passed. We had all the blankets in our house piled around our lounge, a cocoon warmed by what heat our bodies could muster.

"And the hell that is our planet is freezing over to rid us of the vampire scum" The debate that followed on Jerry Springer had the vampires arguing back, no different to the rednecks that sat beside them. I miss the days of women fighting for cheating men who then reveal to be transsexual or sleeping with their mothers too. The racist division between the undead and living was not entertaining and usually ended with someone walking around with a stake in their chest or on the floor as a bloodied corpse. As the next lot of guests came out the gothic woman told her fiancé she was pregnant with a vampire's child, the audience was nearing riot stage and said vampire denied it all. Vampires and humans can't procreate and Jerry's writers still tried to keep the storylines of the glory days alive.

It didn't work.

Changing the channel the only thing we could find to watch was Milo and Otis and the story of the cat and the dog on their grand adventure warmed us with our memories or gave one of us an idea.

"I think we should get a cat. I think vampires don't like them" Mandy mused as the movie neared its end.

"I think its cats who don't like vampires"

"Either way, can we get one?" I didn't have the heart to tell her no. Since my attack I was the adult, the sensible one. While we were best friends and roommates, I had taken the place of carer too. I still had my parents; they kept safe and followed the rules. When the war started Mandy's Dad ran off to join Humanity, her Mother became an alcoholic and her carelessness left her an easy target. When the treaty was signed, Mandy's Dad never came home.

"Let's wait and see how this winter turns out" She nodded, pulling the blanket up so only her blue eyes and tangled mess of blonde hair was visible.

The next day we were called back in to work. Mr. Sloan only employed us and Owen. It made it hard but having work was better than nothing and because of the low staffing costs, he could afford to pay us a little more. Despite the snow disappearing, Owen picked us up. My car didn't like the cold and it was too risky to drive it on the slippery roads and pulling up into the car park, no one was around. After being closed for three days, I was expecting a crowd and as we stood by the door the silence was deafening.

"This is creepy" Mandy took a couple of steps away from the building, the hollow echo of the icy wind surrounding us in the empty parking lot and shivering I hugged myself as Owen disarmed the alarm.

"It's early, wait till mid-morning" Owen smiled at us trying to offer some comfort and going inside we set up and got ready. He was right, as soon as the sun became clearer and the clouds seemed to disappear from the sky people started to come in. It was two thirty when I finally got a break, leaving Mandy to serve I tidied up the store and got some lunch. Sitting in the back, I flicked through the paper idly and giving up on finding some good news, cut my break short and went back out.

It was by the washing detergent that I first saw him. He wasn't anything spectacular, a regular guy with a hand basket yet as I walked past our eyes met. They were the most intense sapphire colour, a shade that would rival my fathers own blue eyes. I knew without a doubt he was one of them, my gut instinct was never wrong but they had needs and things to buy too. I shouldn't be so close minded, I wanted the peace to be genuine and being suspicious wouldn't help anything.

It wasn't always about blood.

Owen and Mandy were laughing at her counter, clearly unaware and three more walked in soon after as well as some human shoppers. They filtered throughout the store and I was glad Mandy had her break before me. Being able to see each other was a comfort and I wouldn't have to worry so much. They came in all the time; they walked amongst the living as if one of us but something in my gut told me to be careful today, like something was about happen.

"Crazy weather we've been having" The older looking of the trio went to Mandy's till putting down milk, Nesquick and a block of chocolate.

"Isn't it? Now this is my kind of shopping" Mandy enthused, scanning his items the woman he had entered with joined him and Mandy smiled at her getting no response.

"It's what the weather calls for. Chocolate, a hot drink...." I understood the double meaning of his words and Mandy only laughed. She never could tell them apart from us.

"Don't stare, it's rude" The man from the washing detergent aisle was in front of me and I couldn't help but jump at his sudden appearance and Owen looked over curiously, twisting his neck so it cracked each way. I knew what it meant and hoped laundry guy did too.

"I wasn't staring" I scanned the washing liquid, praying I wasn't blushing from being caught out and put through his other bits and pieces before watching the trio leave the store. They felt like bad news and Owen looked out the front door watching them leave as if picking up on my nerves.

"Yeah you were and you're doing it again" He teased. Rolling my eyes I was quick to finish up.

"That's fifty three ninety thanks" He chuckled to himself, running a hand over his dark brown hair as he shook his head and got out his wallet. "What's so funny?"

"Humans are. You are so paranoid over three vampires yet that old man looking at vegetables killed his wife two months ago and claimed my kind did it. At least if we kill it is for survival. Who knows if there is anyone else he has murdered and got away with, all for his own sick pleasure" He handed me his money, his eyes lingering on my neck for a second to long. He had a good point but I didn't want to tell him I thought the same thing. In a world full of monsters it was hard to tell them all apart.

"Here's your change, enjoy the rest of your day"

"You too Lucy" He winked before walking out and in my moment of panic of him knowing my name, I remembered I had a name badge on.

"You ok? You seem upset?" Owen stood by my bench frowning before glancing over his shoulder after the man. I knew that look; he was remembering should he ever see him again on one of his nightly patrols an that thought alone made me shiver.

"Fine, I forget I have a name badge on" I laughed nervously, and faked a smile as the old man came through. Had that vampire been telling the truth? At three we closed up yet hung around the back for new deliveries. Owen helped carry the boxes inside and we went about counting stock and refilling the shelves. On the way out we carried the flat boxes to the bin, throwing them in I was surprised to see people walking the streets and still browsing in the shops across the road.

"Vamps don't like the cold. People feel safer in this weather now the snow has stopped" Owen explained. I guess it made sense but today we had more than twenty vampires come through the store and that was rather high. "I need to get some things for Gerri. You gals ok to tag along or want me to drop you home first?"

Going home after spending three days cooped up wasn't appealing and it wasn't as if there would be an attack anyway. They were night predators and we still had a good couple of hours before nightfall. "Yeah we can come, we do leave the house occasionally Mr. Stevenson" Mandy answered sarcastically and started to head off in the direction of the shops.

"Call me Owen!" He groaned and I had to laugh. He hated the fact we couldn't do it. We agreed to meet back at the car in half an hour and joined the crowd of shoppers who wandered down the arcade. I knew where Mandy was going and sure enough we stopped outside the pet store. Cages freaked me out, the whole set up of the stores upset me and seeing the kittens behind the bars only made me think back to the party. They looked just as scared and lost as the vampire. Mandy pointed out the tiny tabby in the corner and the assistant got it out for her to hold.

"Buying a new pet?" The voice was familiar and turning around the vampire I had served from the store was behind us.

"Maybe. I heard vampires don't like cats" Mandy answered without thinking and I was certain one day her innocent would end up getting her killed. As if understanding, the kitten hissed revealing tiny fangs, the purr turning to a growl.

"I heard vampires, love cats. Especially kittens" He answered darkly and I couldn't help but glare at him as Mandy remained oblivious to it all.

"Oh really? I don't think he likes you either" Mandy replied curtly, putting the kitten back with the others and began to go look at the walls of fish tanks instead.

"She has no idea does she?" He asked amused, clearly not picking up on my own go away vibes.

"Neither do you" Again he laughed, staying by the exit with me. "Did you come here for some kittens? Apparently vampires love them"

"No I saw you. How about I introduce myself? I'm Luke" He extended his hand politely and I shook it lightly.

"Are you afraid of me?" He asked, glancing towards Mandy who was inspecting a tiny fishbowl.

Yes. "No" I lied narrowing my eyes at him I wasn't sure where this was going. "With the treaty in place should reason to?" It was a very diplomatic response and I could see his mind working in overtime. Having the attention of a vampire was not a good thing and I wanted him to leave.

"You seem to be able to tell the difference between us without going all grr" He held up his hands like claws, scrunching up his face and I had to smile. "And talk to us once you know"

"I work in a grocery store, a customer is a customer" Looking for Mandy she quickly looked away, she had been watching. Maybe she did know how to tell them apart from the rest of us after all.

"Are you always this uptight?"

"Are you always this annoying?" His eyes seemed to darken as I snapped back him, praying he'd go away and it seemed to work.

"I'll see you around Lucy" The second he left Mandy was at my side looking worried.

"That was one of them wasn't it?" I nodded, and we left the store. Looking around the street he was gone but just because he was out of sight didn't mean he wasn't watching. Spying Owen up ahead we rejoined him earlier than arranged.

The next few days were much the same and the world started to thaw out from the snow earlier in the week so I dared to take my car out. In that last fortnight I had only seen my parents via a computer screen and decided to take my chances and go visit them, justifying it to myself that people always drove at night before we knew what lurked in the shadows. It was nice to be home and despite going against my parents' wishes of staying the night, I drove home too.

Driving down the highway I was nearly back within a safe range of home but the movement up ahead had inching forward in my seat. It was a woman, older than me from what I could tell and she was clumsily running down the road. I had barely seconds to swerve to avoid hitting her as she leapt in front of the headlights. She was practically naked, covered in blood and holding her neck. 'Just keep driving'

But I didn't and against my better judgment, I got out of my car.

"Help me! They're coming" Her blonde hair was streaked with red and she collapsed against my car sobbing. She was definitely human and looking up the road into the darkness I could feel them coming.

"How many?"

"Three, I killed, just, get in the car!" She screamed and I had to use the key to unlock it from the outside hating my old broken car for the first time in a long while. I had just unlocked the door to help her in when I was sent flying into the bitumen. Pain shot up my left side as I fell; rolling the tar ripped at my clothes and the sound of footsteps had me looking up as she tried to run past me.

They say our humanity separates us from them but again the line was blurred as only self-preservation kicked in with the adrenaline.

She was on her own, just like she had left me to fend for myself.

The trio was toying with her, letting her run as they followed and with the distraction, I made it back to my car when one of them remembered I existed too. She was taller than me, perhaps pretty but with the disfiguration of the demon taking over her face she was hideous. The second she charged at me I reached into my car. Beside my driver's seat I kept an axe handy, under it was a few other things Owen had supplied us with but I didn't have time for them now.

"Fresh meat" She hissed, revealing those deadly fangs my mind flashed to the kitten hissing. If that tabby could see her now, I wonder what he would do?

"Like hell" I snapped, holding the wooden handle tightly she grabbed me by the fabric of my jumper and pulled me away from the car, throwing me down against the road the axe slid away just out of sight from the lights of the car.

"Run little rabbit, run run" She licked her lips hungrily as a gurgling scream sounded from the darkness behind us, I knew they had finished with their first victim. I got up with a groan and ran towards where my only weapon had fallen and 'tripped' to pick up.

And then I really did run.

Her footsteps were close behind me; I knew their movements were faster than ours but not to the extreme and I had never been more thankful of that. I started to slow, ignoring the evil of her laugh and certain she was close enough in three steps I turned, swinging with full force the axe collided with her body, ripping across her chest I hadn't aimed high enough but the injury stopped her. The blood poured from the wound as her hands went to hold where I had made contact and she fell to her knees. We both looked at each other in shock for a moment before she went to leap up and instinctively this time I didn't miss my target and shuddered at the feeling of the blade going through flesh and bone, screaming in horror and disgust as her body began to shrivel up into nothingness.

I had just killed my first vampire.

"You bitch" I had forgot about the others and the two men stalked towards me as I retreated, thankful of the moon light that gave me a chance at seeing my attackers rather than letting them hide in the shadows. I held the axe like a baseball bat, breathing deeply through my nose as I tried keeping calm like Owen had taught me but my hands were trembling and nausea rolled through my stomach but at least that was enough distraction to stop me from passing out.

As the blonde man approached I took a swing and expecting it he was able to dodge it and yank the handle from my hands tossing it off the road and into the bushes beside it. The dark haired one snickered as they began to circle me, and bracing myself for an attack I moved with them.

"Fiesty aren't ya?" The blonde took a step forward and I held my ground as I felt the other one stop, ready for me to step back into him and since I didn't follow their plan, he stepped forward instead grabbing my upper arms. I pushed my legs up like I was jumping and threw myself backwards causing him to lose his balance only he didn't let go and I ended up being pinned beneath him.

'Remember not to get taken down. You might not always be able to get back up' Owens voice came minutes to late as the dark haired man sniffed my hair, saliva dripping from his fangs like a dog waiting for his next meal, as I struggled to bring my legs up but he was too big, too strong and I was left at his mercy.

"Beg darling; beg me for your life" His raspy voice was right by my ear and closing my eyes I tried to keep focused on getting free. "You're a pretty little thing, we might even let you come back and take the place of Sasha" His tongue dragged from the nape of my neck up to my ear and opening my eyes I spat in his face, earning a growl in response. "Is that as a no then?"

Taking my chances, I threw my head up connecting with his and he sat up as the pain throbbed my skull but I didn't have time for that and with my arms free punched his gut as hard as I could from the awkward angle. "Enough of this"

The blonde was pulling me up from underneath his partner and going limp he still managed to get a good hold of me and dodge my blows. Turning me around his arm was around my neck choking me as his hand smothered my face, bending my head to the side and revealing my neck to him. His teeth grazed my skin as I felt like passing out, not just from the hold he had on me but from pure fear that tore through my body.

This was it. I was going to die and weakly a sob escaped me as I thought about all the things I never got to do but mostly on how I should have listened to my parents and not tempted fate.

No pain came and I felt his grip weaken before he threw me away as if I was on fire against him. "She's marked!"

"What?" The dark haired one was back in front of me but I was to dizzy to care as he pulled around the fabric covering my shoulders, searching around my neck before the jumper was torn off completely and grabbing my right arm he held up my scar triumphantly before leaping away like his friend had. "Fuck!"

The sound of their running took a moment to register and just like that the night was silent as if the disturbance had never happen or that two people were now dead. Cold, I shivered and picking up my jumper that he had destroyed and slowly I walked to my car, ignoring the remains of the corpse I had created as I stared at the now aching scar which was hurting more than it ever had before. Was this what they were talking about?

"Marked"

Saying it didn't offer any comfort as I whispered the word, and only made it harder to stop my lip trembling while my eyes were brimming with tears. I had nearly died at the hands of vampires again, and just like last time I had no idea why I was still alive.