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by Callow Piper

"The boys are back in town, boys are back in town, boys are back, the boys are back . . . " The radio blared out the tune, oblivious to the shocked and terrified stares that it was recieving. Usually I would have been reduced to helpless tears by the mere idea of ten adults stood around, mouths open and looking like a flock of sheep, it was highly amusing in my mind. In fact two years ago it had taken me ten minutes to get over the sight that one song could bring out of a group of usually sensible people, I had certainly laughed at the sight then, at least until the first murder report came out scarcely a day later. A strange outbreak of murders had followed for two months then they ended abruptly and people started going out after dark once again. I had next heard the song a week later and the murders started again. It didn't take much to realise that the song was a warning and it didn't take much eavesdropping to find out what was going on. Or at least what people thought was going on, which seemed to make it worse, everyone knew something was happening but nobody knew exactly what it was. The markings left on the victims bodies were strange, two small holes in the neck vein where forensics had determined all the blood from the body was drained. The police had made a statement saying that it was cult activity and though they had several people detained for questioning, it seemed they were making no progress. Other theories were being bandied about by frightened citizens, a rouge murderer who would see us all dead, one by one. Someone had claimed that the city had been marked by the Mafia and it was hitmen doing the killing, but there was no pattern to the victims. Children scared each other with stories of vampires which adults did their best to quash, however the thought remained there for everyone to see, it was also the children who gave this gang a name, for everyone agreed it was a gang; The Lost Boys, after the film. To me the thought of dying slowly like that made me go cold, I think it did most other people too.

I paid for my groceries and headed to the door, two old biddies discussing the implications of the song and where they thought the gang might strike. I glared at them, it was considered unlucky to talk about The Lost Boys openly, besides if you don't know who is killing and why you don't talk about it, they could be stood behind you and the next thing you'd know is a knife between your ribs. Stepping outside I could see that night was already falling. Great, I thought I have to go out, in the dark, the time that murderers walk the streets. I hope I'll get home ok.

Sighing, I started off for home, wrapping my coat about me as best as I could with laden arms, wishing that I lived closer to the shops or that I had a car. People hurried past me, looking at the floor and wishing, like me for the comfort and safety of home.

Ten minutes into my journey home, darkness had taken the world and the streets were no longer safe for anyone one to be out. I trudged, burdened by my bags, as fast as I could go, humming the silliest tune I could think of to cheer me up and hopefully ward my fear away.

"They Might Be Giants, am I right?" A voice said behind me, making me freeze in terror. "Here, you look a bit laden, let me help you."

Before I could protest, a delicately manicured hand took two of my bags and the right hand held itself out. Without thinking I shook it and then, pulling myself together, I looked up to see who had come to my aid.

Eyes of a pure, deep blue shone out from behind mascara, a cheeky half smile played across his painted lips as he gently pressed them to my hand. "My name is Eddie," he said, standing back up and giving me a warm grin, I smiled back slowly, feeling my heart return to it's normal rhythm.

"I'm Nikki" I replied " At least I was before you scared me half to death."

He laughed, a light, infectiously cheerful sound and I joined in.

"Thank you for the help," I told him " I hope I am not putting you out?" Eddie's eyes flicked over me once, almost appreciatively.

"For a beautiful lady, nothing is too much," he said grinning as I blushed and looked at my feet. "Besides, this is no night for a woman to be out on her own."

Instinctively we both looked at the sky and then, out of an unspoken mutual agreement, we started walking.

"What are you doing out tonight?" Eddie asked me "It isn't safe you know." I smiled shyly. "Yeah I know," I replied, "But I was out shopping a little later than I expected." I looked curiously at him "What about you?" He grinned once again and winked conspiratorily.

"I was visiting a friend who was sick," He said and sighed a little sadly, "I took him chocolates but I really don't know if he is on the mend. I am glad I visited him though or I wouldn't be here with you."

He laughed as I blushed once more and we wandered along for a while, chatting and exchanging jokes.  Reaching an alleyway I paused, looking down into it's dark depths and wondering if it was safe. Should I go the safe yet long way, I pondered or go the usual, shorter way and get home sooner? I didn't really want to leave the well lit street. Looking at Eddie I saw a questioning look on his face so I explained the dilemma I was facing. He smiled at me sweetly.

"It is only a short alley," And he gave me a lecherous smirk "And I will protect you," I giggled in reply and followed him into the alley.

Stopping a little way into the alley, Eddie put down the bags he was carrying and looked at me. Moving closer to me he smiled softly, his eyes locked with mine and I felt my heart melt. Kissing me on the forehead, his hands moved over me like silk, one settling round my back and the other sliding behind my head as his soft lips moved down to capture mine. Entranced by the feelings I responded, gasping a little when his lips moved away from mine. Holding me tight, he placed kisses over my cheek and neck.

"My dear," He murmered, running his tongue over my neck "You look good enough to eat."

Something about those words made me go cold and I stiffened, pulling away slightly. Eddie looked at me, suprised, something unreadable glinting in his eyes, with his hand he pulled me back.

"Oh, I'm sorry," He said in tones of mock politeness "Did I forget to tell you? The boys are back in town."

I shook my head slowly, wanting to deny the cold truth, to deny the agnoy and terror that suddenly pooled in my stomach. Fear ebbed onto my face and into my eyes.

"No," I managed to choke out, a look of cruel amusement emerging from his eyes and spreading outwards, throughout his whole being. The person who had looked so cheeky and trustable a minute ago was gone, a demon hunter in his place. Those lips, so tender, parted into an evil grin, showing off two large white incisors. His hand, manicured nails replaced by talons painted in blood, came up and forced my face up until, once again, I was looking into his eyes, unchanged except for the hunger that welled out. With a silent command I was frozen in place, unable to move anything.

Throwing his head back to the stars, he laughed. A cold,cruel, heartstoppingly slow laugh. Around him the shadows moved, like hyenas moving in for the kill. Eddie stiffened and glaring into the darkness he growled, the sound more animal than human, and the shadows slunk away, leaving nothing but silence behind them. Turning his attention back to me, head down and looking at me from under his brows, Eddie sneered, one fang catching the light and I felt like a piece of meat being dangled in front of a hungry lion. Stalking up to me, he leaned in close, stroking one cheek with his talons.

"How about it?" He asked me, "One last kiss for old times sake?" He chuckled at that and kissed me one last time, the lips quirking when he couldn't stop the grin.

"After all," He said, nuzzling me, "I am going to be the last person you will ever see"

The cruel grin broke out on his face, his eyes taunting me as a sob broke out from my lips. Wrapping his arms about me tightly, in a macabre cuddle, he licked my neck once or twice, exhaled slightly and then plunged his fangs into my skin. 

Looking up at the stars I felt my body drain slowly away through shards of ice cold pain, cruel laughter emerging from the shadows.