Ronnie took one last look in through the window of the devistatingly lonely apartment. He had followed Charlie Harrows across the rooftops and was intrigued enough to stick around for his conversation with the mystery woman in the alley. Now he stood observing the young vampire's behavior behind closed doors.

He reminds me of me 200 years ago, Ronnie thought: angry, bold, somewhat pathetic and lonely, but most of all resentful to the vampire race. Charlie was in need of guidance and although he had the type of thought process that would fit in, his bold behavior with humans was a potential risk.

Ronnie returned to the rooftops and eagerly headed back toward the comfortable shadows of the suburbs. The day had been dragging and the process of stealing blood from a local hospital took longer than expected. His family would surely be anxious for his return, as was he to discuss the discovery he had made in Charlie.

Would the rest of the family be willing to take a chance on a young, hot headed vampire? Would Charlie even want anything to do with their coven? Could Charlie be trusted or was his hatred for vampires strong enough to kill even those who tried to help him? There was certainly a predicament, but Ronnie thought the young "man" could prove to be of some help if the future, indeed, included some type of war. It was the goal of the family, after all, to build it's numbers and stand strong, not to fight, but to prepare in case that became inevitable. From the first impression, Charlie seemed as though he could provide some valuable assets that would be beneficial to the whole group.

He wondered how the conversation would go. The main pitch he would throw at him would have to revolve on the reality of what was going on around them, a potential war, noting that acting alone in such a violent atmosphere would be like suicide. It had been years since they had added a new family member, but perhaps now was the time.

***

Ronnie entered the house. Most of his family was there, chomping at the bit for the packets of blood. Whenever they could help it, they preferred not to feed on humans, but rather blood that had already been taken from humans. They considered it to be like leftovers, still fairly fresh and tasty, but not quite as satisfying as when it comes right out of the oven. It had been a long time since one of them had atually fed on a live human being.

Liz approached him first, "What took you so long? Lucas and Alan were about to go crazy."

He handed her the bag full of their food, "I was side tracked."

She gave him a puzzled look, "Side tracked with..."

"I'll talk to you about it in a minute. Let's eat first."

Lucas and Alan had slid into the kitchen as Ronnie and Liz joined them. Both vampires had teamed up with the couple over 100 years ago. They pledged to the same lifestyle and had been living peacefully ever since. Both were changed into vampires in their mid twenties.

"It's about time Ronnie," Lucas said, swiping a bag of blood and puncturing it with his teeth.

"Where are Michael and Nicole?" Ronnie asked.

"They got their own food and took off for the weekend."

"Their own food?"

"Don't worry," Alan chimed in, "They had a short supply of their own 'leftovers'."

Ronnie nodded and began to join the rest of them in eating. The taste of fresh blood sent an exhilerating, yet calming feeling throughout his body. The conflicting feelings created a temporary euphoria and provided the most satisfying feeling that any creature could experience. He closed his eyes and endulged in his meal, letting out a long sigh when he was done.

"That was delicious," Lucas said, rubbing his throat and stomach in satisfaction.

Liz glanced over toward Ronnie, "Now what was it you were going to tell us?"

He nodded, "I think I may have found someone to join us. I followed him for awhile, that's why I was late coming home."

The other three vampires straitened up and provided their full attention as Ronnie explained his evening to them. At the conclusion of the explanation, the room was full of thoughts, but no voices.

"I need some feedback," Ronnie said.

"Any way we can scout him out, too?" Alan asked.

"Sure, as long as you don't get yourself caught. He doesn't appear to have much faith in our kind."

"I won't get caught, but I think it'll be important to watch him a little."

Ronnie nodded, "Fair enough." He looked at Liz, "You haven't said much in regards to all this. What do you think?"

"It could be risky, but I guess it's worth a look. What is his name?"

"Charlie Harrows."

RATE THIS CHAPTER!

Author guidance for This exercise

Name: Gramtag
Age: undetermined (looks 21)
Species( vampire or human): Vampire
Appearance: Youthful features. Gramtag's eyes are shadowed and black as pitch. His skin is pale and gaunt. His build is slim yet he possesses incredible strength: a gift of being a vampire. He is also incredibly athletic and speedy. Usually dresses entirely in black.
Personality: Withdrawn, shadowy, mysterious.
Faction: Wants to remain hidden- a sign of his assassins nature, always hidden, always silent.
Any other details( AOD): Gramtag is a member of the silver fangs; the vampire assassins. He carries a hidden blade in both sleeves, and a dagger attached to his hip in a scabbard. He also carries a bow and arrow; the quiver never empties. Also has a hidden knife in boot. Gramtag's brother, Morktag is also a member of the silver fangs.
Author: Colm


Name: Jade Reed
Age: 17
Species: Human
Appearance: Short, badly cut, dirty blond hair and blue eyes, her right eye has a small splotch of brown in it. Dirty face and various cuts and scars litter her body. 5'6 with a lithe body.
Personality: Due to living on the streets her whole life Jade is a very blunt and usually rude person. She'll do anything to ensure her own survival, never caring who she knocks down in the process. She is extremely distrustful and never lets someone get under her skin. She's not a very patient person and has the habit of rubbing her thumb over her fingers when she's nervous or worried.
Faction: She doesn't know which faction she belongs too, she was thrown into this world out of nowhere when a vampire killed a guy she had known on the streets in front of her. Now she's just trying to escape or survive in it.
Author: Cat Monty

Name: Jenna Rushton
Age: 17
Appearance: Very feminine and girly. Light blonde hair, natural waves falls just past her shoulders. Clear blue eyes and rose petal complexion. Stands at around 5 foot 8, slender figure.
Personality: Has lived a very sheltered lifestyle. Enjoys all the luxuries in life, used to things being given to her, never worked for it. Quite selfish and materialistic, until a tragic event which is going to change her life forever.
Faction: Doesn't belong to either, until one fateful night. Then she must choose who she trusts.
Author: xkatieshepherd

Name: Christian Pylos
Age: looks 27; roughly 47.
Species (vampire or human): Vampire
Appearance: Christian is six-foot-three, with the build of a swimmer. He's lean and sleek but solid and immovable. He's got the tan of a working man, and tousled black hair that he keeps just long enough to run his fingers through. He has unflinching hazel-silver eyes and a strong jawline that is accented by sharp, stoic features. He is littered with scars and tattoos.
Personality: Christian is mysterious, methodical, and quiet. He speaks only when he has something of importance to say, and he keeps everyone at arms length. He shares very little with anyone, and does not back down. He takes no bull$@@! and is often the hidden alpha male in any group; he usually allows other men to take the role, but when he steps up he is rarely contested.
Faction: For remaining in the shadows; he would like to not have to hide, but he doesn't believe in enslaving or heedlessly killing humans.
Any other details( AOD): Christian was turned not long after he left the military service with a dishonorable discharge for fighting in underground fight clubs to make money. He grew up hoping from military academy to military academy, following his father across the globe in pursuit of climbing the military ranks. His entire life was focused on battle, strategy, and discipline; he had no social life, and instead studied everything he could get his hands on.
Author: rhetoric

Charlie Harrows
Age 19
Species: Recently turned vampire
Appearance: The kinda guy you ignore because he looks like trouble. Wears a light trenchcoat coloured black with suspicous red spots near the trim. Very handsome face, cold blue eyes. He wears a white shirt underneath the trench coat, and dark black pants. and boots, has a tattoo of 15 on both his hands, and a dragon on his right fist. His right arm on his trenchcoat is coloured dark blue. Stands at 5;10 and his muscular build tends to get him into trouble wherever he goes. Has particulary fast reflexes even before he was turned. Has also noted an interesting ability to read an oppenents movements before they even act, and reacts appropriatly.
Personality: Overconfident, loud, can be obnoxious. Hot headed and brimming with energy. He abandons all intellectual qualities when pissed off or just overly physced. Isn't all keen on following anyone lead, and only respects someone when they either show they can keep people in line, or keep calm in stressful situatins. Otherwise is pretty damn friendly.
Faction: Staying in the shadows.
Other info: Before being turned he was a self proclamied vampire and paid a dear cost of seeing his friends killed in despair he went on a rampage only to be beaten to the point of death only to be resurected by vampires as the ultimate punishment for killing many of the vampire ranks, as well as being used by the faction that would like to take over the world to infiltrate the others faction side. He has no idea that he is being controlled and everything he sees and hears and learns is also being sent to the other faction through a nueral link. He wishes to crush the opposing faction. Has a strange effect on earning peoples trust. Never gives up, and has said multiple times. "Even if I die, My corpse will get up and finish what I have started."
Author: chimerakiller2

Name: Ebony Gold
Age: undecided (changed at 20)
Species: vampire
Appearance: long blood red hair (worn in various styles), extremely pale creamy skin, bright silver eyes that always shine in excitement, only about 5 feet tall, wears tight clothes to show off her feminine curves (slender despite curves if that makes sense lol).
Faction: wouldn't mind staying hidden but if vampires do come out, she doesn't want to enslave humans.
Other info: Ebony is a little ball of energy and it radiates off her. She can basically make anyone do what she wants. Isn't as delicate at she looks cuz she is actually a little fire cracker. Doesn't take crap. Very flirtatious tho.
Author: VampireInThePentagram

Name: Ronnie Coulombe
Age: 34
Species: Vampire
Appearance: Short dark hair, flawless skin, green eyes, 5'11", athletic build
Faction: Against vampires who enslave humans. Has felt guilt for the lives he has taken in the past.
Other info: Been a fighter since being turned into a vampire due to the chip on his shoulder from losing his humanity.
Author: WinWin

updated Nov 12 '11 by Colm