“Do you think it’d be safe?” Mercedes asked, glancing over at her friends for the evening, before crossing her arms across her chest. Manhattan wasn’t exactly the Cove. Her lips furled at the hand suddenly resting on her back as she peered over at Chance McMannis.
“Safe as it can be.” He said, watching her gaze darken and then relax. Regarding her with a smile and a wink. “Look, I’ll show you.”
“No, Chance, wait…” Mercedes turned to Chance, but he was already gone. She watched him stand in front of the theatre near the curb. His hands outstretched in a moment of pure vanity, he performed a quick bow.
“Ladies and Gentlemen!” Chance called out to the crowd that turned from their ticket purchases to regard him with strange looks and murmurs. “I am an honest to goodness Vampire, and if anyone’s so willing, would anyone like to offer themselves as a drink!?” he smiled, showing his fangs.
The crowd’s response was a mixture of laughter and disinterest.
“Fuck off, Sparkle boy!” One guy said.
“If I stuck a stake in you, would that shut you up?”, a girl called out.
Others just rolled their eyes and went back to their business.
“See?”, Chance said, walking back to Mercedes and gesturing to the crowd. “No one really cares anymore.” He pointed up at the marquee, which proclaimed yet another Vampire movie, one of thousands seemingly littering the media these days.
“No one cares about what?” a girl’s voice chirped behind them, causing Chance to jump and then smile at the newcomer, giving her a warm hug. Having crept out of nowhere, she was accompanied by a taller gentleman who’s attention appeared to roam around the people around them. There was something sketchy about him, Chance thought to himself before chuckling inwardly.
“Hey, Lisa!”, Chance ruffled her hair. “Glad to see you came out of your nest…hive..?” Tilting his head, he gave it some thought.”
“Apartment?” she smirked, punching him in the shoulder. “Micah get here yet?”, she looked over Chance’s shoulder before curling a dark brown strand of hair behind her ear with a sweep of her fingers.
“He should be here in a few.” Micah replied before turning to the other gentleman, offering his hand. He lowered his voice..”Dad.”
Ciaran McMannis turned to Chance, his attention broken for a split second. The seriousness in his features shattered, revealing someone a little more human than one would consider just minutes ago. He extended his hand to Chance, but it was quickly slapped away by Mercedes.
“I’m so glad you’re here!!” she practically screamed with delight as she and Lisa shared their tidings. Chance and Ciaran’s expressions were a mixture of curiosity and confusion as they tried to make sense of all the conversation in front of them.
“Yeah, I just got back into the city! How are you?” Lisa said. “Love your hair!” she reached out to touch Mercedes’ hair.
“Fantastic. Ready to head back to the Cove. Last day of Vacation out here.” Mercedes replied.
“Oh, I almost forgot.” Lisa muttered. She reached into her purse and pulled out a small metal cylinder, passing it along to Mercedes. “You said you wanted to examine this.”
“You didn’t!” Mercedes’ eyes went wide as she quickly looked around and then opened the cylinder. Inside was a test tube filled with a bright, yellow liquid that almost appeared to glow. She quickly sealed it up and grabbed Lisa’s arm, walking some distance from Micah, Ciaran and the crowd.
“This is pure?” Mercedes said.
“Straight from the source.” Lisa whispered, and nodded. “Hope it helps.”
“I’ll let you know how it goes. Thanks.” Mercedes said.
“No, thank you. You’re doing me a favor, really.” Lisa gestured to Mercedes.
“Hey!”, Chance yelled. “Can we go in now! Micah will probably catch up later anyway. Dude’s always late.”
Lisa and Mercedes rejoined their companions for the evening, and headed inside.
“Hope this one gets it right, at least.” Ciaran said quietly.
