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I was ready to collapse by the tiht came The activity had worn ht; his snake was in a foul ht bite So I headed for Mr Crepsley’s van and e

I fell asleep within a couple of , sohed and awoke

There was a figure aboveto force a liquid down ht was: "It’s Mr Tiny!"

I bit the top off the bottle, cutting rabbedthe last of the liquid into ain, then let go and slumped back As my heartbeat slowed, I saw that it wasn’t Mr Tiny

It was Mr Crepsley

"What the hell were you trying to do?"I screarily I was too mad to feel the pain in my cut lips

He showed me the remains of the small bottle one of the containers he used to store huet me to drink!"I screa away, Darren If you go on like this, you will be dead within a week If you do not have the courage to drink, it ely He looked unco to help,"he said

"If you ever try that again,"I said slowly, "I’ll kill you I’ll wait until day, then creep in and chop your head off"

He could tell I was serious, because he nodded glureed "I kneould not work, but I had to try If you had sed even a little, it would have kept you going a while longer, and once you had the taste, you ain"

"I’ll never have the taste!"I roared "I won’t drink human blood I don’t care if I do die I won’t drink it"

"Very well"He sighed "I have donestupid, on your own head be it"

"I’rowled

"But you are not human,"he said softly

"I know,"I replied "But I want to be I want to be like Sarow old at the usual rate I don’t want to spendabout sunlight and vampire hunters"

"Too bad,"Mr Crepsley said "It is the hand you have been dealt"

"I hate you,"I snarled

"Too bad,"he said again "You are stuck with me If it is any compensation,"he added, "I a you into a half-vampire was the worst mistake I ever made"

"So why not free me?"I wailed

"I cannot,"he said "I would if I could Of course, you are free to leave any time you like"

I stared at him suspiciously "Really?"I asked

"Really,"he said "I do not mind In fact, I would prefer it if you did That way, you would no longer be my responsibility I would not have to watch you die"

I shook my head slowly "I don’t understand you at all,"I said