32I've finally done it! Edited the chapter so the format's not all weird and smushy! I'm quite proud of myself. So if you're reading this story for the first time, congratulations, you've got the better version! Please review!
The One Left Behind
"Darius!" Annie yelled from the kitchen. "Come in here NOW!"
This was the third time she had called him for breakfast. "DARIUS! If I have to ask you again…" she left the threat unfinished, allowing her son to consider what she would do to him at great length. A few seconds later, Darius entered the kitchen, glaring at his mother.
"Why do we have to get up so early?" he moaned. "It's not like we have anywhere to be." Annie and Darius had been stuck in the flat for days, hiding from Steve Leonard or any Vampaneze that could pose a threat, waiting for news on their allies. Annie bristled.
"That's not the point!" she snapped, slamming the bowl of cornflakes she had been holding on to the small dining table. "The point is, I am your mother and you will do as I say!"
Darius knew that wasn't the only reason. Annie had been in emotional turmoil over the last few days, her supposed dead brother had returned and she had been flung into the dark world of Vampires and Vampaneze before she had the chance to come to terms with Darren returning and Darius being a half vampire. She was desperately trying to keep things normal. He sat down at the table and began shovelling down cornflakes. Satisfied, Annie turned around, took a few deep, shuddering breaths then set to work on cleaning the kitchen counters. She had to keep herself busy, she thought, or she might go mad. She was just reaching for some cleaning spray, when she saw movement out of the corner of her eye. Darius had spotted a spider scuttling along the table, grabbed some kitchen roll and was preparing to squash it.
"No!" Annie yelped, grabbing her sons arm mid-plunge. Darius looked up at his mum, shocked.
"It's just a spider mum," he said, utterly bewildered. Annie seemed to come to her senses and let go of her son's arm as if it had burned red hot. She looked shocked at her own actions. She opened her mouth to say something to Darius… then tears started to drip down her cheeks. Darius watched, horrified, as his mum's tears turned into sobs. He couldn't hear much of what she said through the sobs, but he thought he heard her say,
"Darren" and " Spiders" and "Stupid Vampires" when Darius heard the words stupid Vampires, he said,
"Hey!" Mildly offended. He was a half vampire after all. Annie opened her mouth, either to apologize or snap at him-Darius wasn't sure-but was interrupted by a knock at the door.