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to my feet, keeping my head down as I turned onto the street. I had a few dollars left from the man I’d robbed, but the amount wouldn’t last after today. The majority of my cash rested in my bank account, but I was dead to this world. I wouldn’t touch a dime of it. What I had on me would have to hold me over until I came to a decision on what I was going to do next.
    The scent of food wafted through the air and I sidestepped groups waiting to go into the crowded places. I couldn’t afford anything from there. Not even close.
    I broke around the corner, turning toward the fast food restaurant that I knew was a few blocks away. Shouting and chants had me slowing as I approached the next block. People, as far as the eye could see, crowded the street. Height gave me advantage, but I couldn’t see the source of what everyone found intriguing. I scanned further, squinting to read a sign someone was waving around. Only one word was noticeable enough for me to read. Vampire.
    My heart jumped in rhythm and I began to try to push through the mob. Inexplicably, people began to step back, away from me, staring as if I were some sort of monster. I caught their curiosity and fear before I looked more toward the front. One by one they turned, before I could even get to them. My feet slowed. God, was something wrong with me and I just couldn’t see it?
    Whispering began and I forced myself to continue. A voice grew louder, yelling as it spoke to the crowd. The closer I got, the more I recognized it. Faster, I went, almost running by the time I entered the small park.
    “Allowing these vampires into our society was the biggest mistake our government has ever made. As a soldier with the US Army, I’m putting my foot down and saying, no more. We have to stand together. We have to—”
    Johnson stopped speaking as his eyes followed the parting sea of people and he settled on me.
    “God… Holy shit!” He stepped down from the small podium where he stood on, rushing toward me. He stopped short as if he hit a wall. My eyebrows drew in and I closed the distance. Although Johnson tensed, he didn’t step back.
    “What the hell is going on here?” I asked, looking around. “Where’s Gomez?”
    “No, man, what the hell is going on with you? Where have you been? We thought you were dead.”
    I shook my head, not knowing what to say. People were beginning to step closer. It made me uneasy. “We need to talk.”
    “Damn right we do,” he mumbled. “You got vampire blood in you. Strong fucking blood. I feel the fear, just like with them.” He stepped back, climbing on the podium long enough to announce another man who immediately began to stir up the people watching. When he came back to me, he led me deeper into the park, away from the crowd. “Now tell me what the fuck happened to you? Did you find your girl?”
    I bit my lip, feeling what only could be described as a knife through my heart. It was too ironic given that’s what she had probably felt, but worse.
    “It’s a long story. Where’s Gomez?” I asked again.
    “Dead. Vampires got him during a hunt outside of Fort Hood.” He gave me a sad look. “I’m sorry for your loss. I know the two of you were close.”
    My head dropped and I couldn’t stop the sorrow I felt for my friend.
    “Where you staying?” he continued. “Not at the other house. I’ve been back more times than I can count. Already has new renters staying there.”
    I nodded, remembering the couple I saw walking from the front door when I’d tried to return to get my things.
    “I … don’t have a place. I’ve been sleeping a few streets away in an alley there.”
    “Fuck,” he said, letting the word drag out. “You’ll come back to my place. You’ll stay with me.”
    I immediately rejected the idea, shaking my head. “I’m sorry, I can’t do that.”
    “Sure you can. Why not? You worried about that vampire finding you? The one whose blood you carry?”
    “No,” I whispered. “I