Chapter 15

"I thought as much," she says. "If I hadn't come to wake you up, you'd sleep until my mom found you — and with no pants on."

Fred discovers that he is in his briefs. Not only that — he has an erection. He quickly bends his knees to cover it, his cheeks instantly blushing. Caroline hides a smile.

"Didn't you say that you were going to stay awake all night?"

Fred replies with sort of a growl. Then he suddenly turns to check under the bed.

"Don't bother," Caroline interrupts him. "Reuben's gone, of course."

Fred sits up on the floor, until his chest presses against his thighs. His hand jumps to the side of his neck.

"Did he bite me, too?"

"Let me see."

Caroline examines his neck closely, sliding her index finger along it on both sides. Fred bends his head back to expose his neck to her examination.

"Nothing," Caroline concludes and lifts her hand.

"Are you sure? Remember how small the marks were on you."

She leans even closer to him and repeats her examination. Fred swallows, making his Adam's apple bump. One of his hands on the floor starts to slide towards her.

"Nothing at all."

She leans back. Fred halts his hand.

"So he was true about that, at least," Caroline says and stands up. "He wouldn't bite you. Do you have any idea why?"

Fred squints and his cheek muscles tighten.

"I'd kill him!"

"I'm not sure that's it. Maybe he's just a very straight vampire."

Fred shifts to a puzzled expression, staring at her. Caroline giggles shortly.

"You know, only biting girls. Wouldn't you do the same, if you were a vampire?"

"He's no vampire!"

"He thinks so. And he behaves like one. What else is there?"

"Immortality, for one thing," Fred suggests as he grabs his pants and puts them on, without standing up. "Bat's wings. Fangs. You name it."

"Maybe vampires are different from what we think."

"Yeah, like not real!"

Caroline shrugs her shoulders and heads for the door.

"Hurry now, Freddie. We can't have my folks see you here. Not even with your pants on."

They sneak out of the room, turning off the light before closing the door, and make the few steps to Caroline's room. It is dark, but Caroline doesn't bother to turn on the light. Instead, she opens the curtains completely. She continues by opening the window wide, careful not to make any noise. Fred climbs up on the windowsill.

"Should I come tomorrow night, too?" he asks. "In case he returns."

Caroline smiles.

"Well, can you behave?"

"I'm not the one biting you in the neck."

Caroline pauses, looking straight at him and turning her head slightly to the side.

"So, what is it you want?"

Fred catches her hand, squeezes it and kisses it in a gracious way. Then he grins.

"Trust me. I just want to protect you from that weird kid."