Waking up in the morning and pouring my guts content out was not fun at all.

I wanted to get off easy; not tell anyone that I got sick but of course someone heard me. The only thing I had the previous day was eggs; that's all I ever have really. So my mouth tasted disgusting and my body ached. Why was I so sick? I hate being sick.

I used to be sick all the time when I was kid; weak immune system but that really didn't matter so much. Sam worries so much and that worries me! He stresses a lot nowadays but I can't blame him: look where we are!

I used to spend a lot of time at Grandmas when I was younger, I miss those days. I used to think that Grandma was magical with her herbs and stews. She seemed magical in all sorts of ways; with books that looked weird with symbols. Bottles of random stuff that I would never think would be useful.

She even used to be a nurse. That's probably why my parents had us stay there for the summer when I would get really sick. She was very beautiful and very young when she volunteered; around fourteen maybe. With long blonde hair and green eyes that looked like shiny pebbles: mom told me all men wanted her. But she fell in love with my grandpa, blah, blah, blah.

Thoughts of my home swarmed my head and the possibility of hope lingered in my mind as I drifted off.

---

"Sketch, wake up."

"It's too early, wake me up later." I spoke softly.

"I know, but I have a lot to tell you." he said.

"What about? Your mission?"

"Sit up and I tell you."

I didn't want to but I sat up, pressing my back against the wall. I rubbed my eyes, ignoring the hiss of pain I felt with it.

"You know Riley and I were supposed to go to the dome?"

I nodded, curling myself into a small ball.

"Well on the way we met someone. Her name is Alice and I really want you to meet her. She's going to speak to everyone in twenty minutes. Will you join?"

"Do I have to get ready?" I asked, yawning.

"You want to be a fighter, right?"

Hope sparked inside me, grinning, as I took off for the makeshift washroom. This would be my chance to prove I was capable of joining this fight, capable of protecting everyone.

We got to the meeting just in time and the girl I'm assuming as Alice, took the podium. Her lengthy orange hair stood in flames around his porcelain, doll like face.

"Um, you are probably wondering who I am and why your leaders are back so early. Well my name is Alice. My parents were born in Missouri but we traveled up here at a young age due to the drift of monsters invading our territory. My mother and father were killed by demons. They set our house on fire and my parents were burned alive. My mother taught me a lot. She was a witch and so am I. I know, just don't be alarmed. It's not as stupid as it sounds, but I will explain in time. I was on my own for a while. But I learned quickly, gathered ingredients and have casted spells. I've been on the run for a long time. I found out that the Vampires were after me. Not many witches exists anymore, I'm special I guess. But getting back to the reason why all these vampires are gathering has to deal with their high King. The Ancient Vampire coming to the dome." She placed her hands flat on the podium looking almost depressed.

"There is only one. He is the greatest vampire on this planet or what's left of it. The eldest of his kind and no doubt the most powerful. He was after me for a while but gave up when I fled to the north. I know this is a lot to take in but please bare with me, I haven't been able to stay in a place for a while, but I would love to stay here. The Vampire will be leaving at the end of next week unless he decides to stay. He will be traveling dome to dome for the next year. Apparently, he's looking for something. I don't know if it's me or another witch, but I can tell you your community, even if impressive, is not safe."

"What? So you're going to cast a spell over this place?"

The girl smiled. "Not quite, I don't have enough power alone to protect everyone here. First, I need your help in finding more of my kind before the Ancient vampire hunts them down."

"What's so special about your kind? Aren't you just monsters like the rest of them?"

Alice looked at the man who spoke with a twinkle in her eye. "Honey, we created them...but we can also destroy them."

Riley stepped forward, pulling the attention to him.

"What do you need from us?"

The witch smiled bleakly. "Everything."