He remembered the first time he encountered them. They had come through his window one night, when the moon was at its highest.399Please respect copyright.PENANAeasVWBmCkE
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“Hello, Charlie.”399Please respect copyright.PENANASaG5lg07DX
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The twelve year old lowered his blanket. Two girls and a boy stared at him. The dark-haired girl grinned at him, her brown hair in a messy knot. There was blood along her cheeks and on her neck, the flesh cut open.399Please respect copyright.PENANAVzmzeBgXoN
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But Charlie wasn't scared. He had seen enough horror movies to know that monsters didn't exist. “Hello,” he replied softly. “How did you know my name?”399Please respect copyright.PENANANvZp9vxTKz
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The other girl smiled, her blonde hair glistening in the moonlight. Her smile was so big that Charlie could see her teeth. No – her fangs. She crouched down and examined a toy truck on his floor.399Please respect copyright.PENANAU7TOyQIUUg
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“We know a lot about you,” the boy said, coming forward. His shaggy hair fell into his strange, yellow eyes. “We've picked you, Charlie. You're special. We've been watching you. You're smart, resourceful.” The boy grinned, his teeth normal. “I'm Liam, and this is Olivia and Carly.” He indicated the blonde, then the dark-haired girl. He peered at Charlie. “You're not afraid of us.”399Please respect copyright.PENANA4kuFmaptcK
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It wasn't a question.399Please respect copyright.PENANAqsWS03Vmwy
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“No,” Charlie answered bravely. “You're not real.”399Please respect copyright.PENANAfSADtbHGOX
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“Are you sure?” Carly wondered. She tried to wipe the blood from her face. “It itches,” she told him. Sitting on the edge of his mattress, she looked around. “You have a nice room.”399Please respect copyright.PENANAmcANiejhWj
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Charlie didn't answer. He was too busy looking at her neck. At the wound that now seemed too real. And she smelled, he noticed. She smelled so bad that he needed to cover his nose and mouth. She was putrid, rotten.399Please respect copyright.PENANA2yBEBq8LUs
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She reeked of death.399Please respect copyright.PENANA3v43tJxfTg
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Olivia smiled again, her sharp teeth startling.399Please respect copyright.PENANA7reLobRPZz
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Charlie had always been fascinated with vampires – and now there was one in his room. He couldn't wait to tell his friends.399Please respect copyright.PENANAULoR3bOuvj
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“I wouldn't do that if I were you,” Liam said. “They'll just think you were playing a prank. Remember, vampires, werewolves and dead girls don't exist.”399Please respect copyright.PENANAyW0iJoNYVK
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Charlie took a deep breath, and reached out to touch Carly's hand. It was cold. So cold that he pulled away. When he spoke, his voice was trembling and full of fear.399Please respect copyright.PENANAxiK6e4zpMY
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“Oh my God.”399Please respect copyright.PENANA06xlYHxZ9h
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That was when Charlie screamed. 399Please respect copyright.PENANANqMcnBXhlY