~Chapter 2~

A Chapter by Shela Lian

~Chapter 2~

    Casandra arrived back at her apartment to find it trashed. Books and paper lay in shreds. Glass, plates an other breakable objects, shattered. Everything was ruined beyond repair. She was aware that once the landlady saw, there was no point of trying to make up excuses. Casandra wouldn’t even try to explain what really happened, she was unwilling to drag the landlady into her world. Not only would she be seen as crazy, but it would put the landlady’s life in danger by the vampires. Regretfully she turned and left the apartment for the last time, and went to the only place she felt like going.
    Once she reached the library Casandra walked in an scanned the bookshelves. Nothing caught her eye and she realized that even if something did, the image of the wreaked apartment would distract her. She left the library and sighed, she wasn’t quite sure where to go now.
    She was surprised when she looked up again to find herself in the park. It was nearing dusk so she decided to seek refuge. Finding a nearby tree that she wouldn’t fall out of, she climbed into its branches. About an hour later an amused voice startled her out of her half asleep mode.
    “Do you normally sleep in trees at night?”
    Casandra looked down at the person standing near the base of the tree. “Mark , right?” she asked.
    “That’s me.” Mark replied grinning as he jumped up onto the branch next to her.
    She glared at him. “And what do you want?”
    “You’re not very friendly are you.” He teased.
    “It’s who I am, I don’t have time to be nice.”
    His smile dropped. “Why’s that?”
    Casandra leaped down from the tree. “It’s not an issue I wish to talk about.” she responded and started to walk off.
    Mark jumped down from the tree as well and followed with his hands shoved in his pockets.
    Knowing that she was being followed Casandra spun around and snapped. “Why are you trailing me?”
    He just shrugged slightly. “You seem lonely.”
    “Even if I was, which I’m not, what makes you think I would want your company instead of someone else’s?”
    “ ‘Cuz I’m a likable guy?”
    “You wish. Now leave me alone, I want to get some sleep.”
    Mark looked hurt. “Casandra, why don’t you just join the pack? You wouldn’t be alone, and the den is better then sleeping in a tree every night.”
    “For your information Mark, I don’t sleep in a tree every night. I haven’t since the night I turned sixteen. I only am tonight because my apartment was ruined, everything I owned torn to shreds and shattered to pieces. A tree is my only option.”
    “I’m sorry…about your apartment.”
    “I don’t need your sympathy.”
    “I was just trying to be-”

    Casandra interrupted him. “Quit. Trying. Got that? I don’t want it, and I don’t need it. I’m not joining your pack, understand?” Without waiting for a reply she stormed off leaving Mark alone in the dark.