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Dawn knew the rules. She knew them well, "In fall and winter you have to be home by nightfall. In the summer we'll talk more about that day by day."

She didn't know when it had gotten so dark. It was making her uncomfortable. It was too dark too fast. She was six blocks and three houses from home. A twenty minute walk. She knew she should walk - but she felt like she should be running.

Her legs were barely working though. Her knees were knocking together and the muscles felt like jelly. She wasn't a very fit kid, but she felt if her legs just cooperated she was certain she could run all the way home.

She clutched her book bag, feeling her hard cover Nancy Drew books press up against her, as well as a copy of Hunger Games. Her mother had given her special permission to read it, since it was for older kids. She felt proud her mother trusted her - she understood the message. Violence was really bad.

She kept walking, feeling bile rise to the top of her throat. Her mother must be worried sick. That's what her mom did. Worried and got sick over it. She did it a lot, since Dawn was all she had. She looked down at her skin, paler even than her mom's. She supposed she took after her dad, who had to be Caucasian, but she had her mothers brown hair and corkscrew curls. Her eyes were slightly more almond shape that her mothers, with green irises. She felt comfortable in her body, even if she was chubby - her mother instilled the ability to accept herself, even when others couldn't.

There was a horrible screeching sound and suddenly her legs worked again and she started to run, dropping her bag as she did. She would be in so much trouble - but there was no way she was going back for it.

Her down vest started to feel hot and heavy, her jeans feeling too tight. She wanted to hide from whatever screamed now, but she was lost. she didn't know where she was - she must have taken a wrong turn!

It was late evening and the sun had set quicker than he had hoped for. Still, his job as a Hunter never eased. If anything, there was more need for his people on the streets now than before and he'd gotten word that another group of vampires had been created in this particular city.

Like any good Hunter, he was armed with holy water, several stakes sewn into his grey trench coat, and a crossbow with silver-tipped bolts. He never knew when he might come across something demonic, and he had yet to upgrade to a gun--they were far too noisy for his tastes.

He hadn't seen anything for a while, though he was in the back part of town, not too far from a few neighborhoods, when he heard a shriek. A vampire shriek that indicated it had found a target. Must be a newly turned Vampire, he thought, for only they would make a scene before feeding. He sprinted towards the sound, holding the crossbow to his chest as his boots thudded against the pavement.

Dawn screamed. It was the scream of a scared child - that much was certain. Only grown men who claimed to be tougher than bricks could scream like children could, but it didn't have the manly grunt that followed, as if it attest to how manly they were, even when peeing themselves.

Dawn kept running - almost colliding with Sterling. She was drenched in swear, both from her hard workout and fear. It came off of her in waves. She looked up at him with big eyes, sensing safety in him. She stepped behind him, the vampire turning the corner.

She was tall, with long blond hair. She could be pretty if it weren't for the twisted mouth and eyes that radiated anger, pain and hunger.

The child-like scream made him move faster. What vampire would feed on a kid? For that matter, what was a kid doing out here in the first place? He narrowly avoiding barreling into a young girl, his instinct sending him sideways before noting her height and the look of utter terror on her face.

He skidded to a halt and looked beyond her to the vampire that pursued. And whatever amusement he had during prior hunts faded; a scowl crossing his face. He was lucky he had arrived in time, before the feeding had started.

Faster than eyes could follow, he had his crossbow up and only the echoing ka-chunk indicated he'd fired at all. The bolt buried itself into the vampire's chest, a one-hit kill. And he watched in satisfaction as the vampire turned to ash.

He loaded another bolt into his crossbow before turning to see if the girl had remained long enough to watch, or if she had fled. He wouldn't blame her for the latter, though it would prove troublesome if she had.

"You still alive, kid?" he asked.

On her knees, Dawn was panting, her cheeks red, her eyes as wide as saucers. She looked at him, her mouth open. She had crooked teeth, and, from the looks of it, one filled tooth, the first premolar. Her mouth closed again and her lip wobbled, "What just happened?" She looked like she might cry, but was trying to look tough, which was hard for a kid who was almost killed by a vampire.

Sterling crouched down opposite her. His trench coat puffing up behind him as he lowered himself to her level. "You were very brave and very smart," he told her gently. "Do you think you can stand? We need to keep moving. Are you close to home?"

"I live on Acadia Ave. Number 110." She stood up on shaky legs, "110 B. We live in the downstairs." She swallowed hard, "Are you going to come with me, Mister?" She looked like she needed a hug, or, more importantly, her mom.

Sterling didn't do hugs, unfortunately. But he offered her a hand up, rising when she did. "That's not too far. We'll get you home." He smiled down at her, but it was a careful smile meant to encourage her.

"Let's go." He led the way to a main road, keeping an eye on the girl as well as the alleys around them. There was no telling what else might be looking for a meal.

Dawn nodded and took off with him. She kept scratching her hands, as if to get something off of them, "My name's Dawn. What's yours mister?" She walked fast, but it was clearly taking it's toll on her. When they reached the door and she pushed the key into the lock, it flew open.

A woman, who was barely taller than five feet stood, looking out at them, "Dawn!" She pulled the ten-year-old into her arms. It looked like Dawn would surpass her mother in terms of height soon, and was already wider than her. Nothing really made them look the same. One could almost assume that Dawn was adopted, if one couldn't see the Caucasian features on her mother.

Brown eyes turned up to regard Sterling, "And who the <retracted> are you!?"

Dawn looked shocked, "Mom!"

Sterling took no offense; he understood a mother's worry well enough. "The name's Sterling, ma'am. I'm a Hunter in these parts, and given how dark it is, I thought I'd help your daughter get home safe and sound." He turned, looking ready to leave. "It'd probably be best though if you lock your doors and windows tonight."

Cici eyed him, "Go upstairs and clean your room." Dawn took off - she knew when she was being punished, "A hunter of what? Where is my daughter's bag? Her homework is in there." She put her hands on her hips, looking up at him. She had a gaze that could make a bear back down, but Stirling could see that she was a small, weak woman.

It was only Dawn that made her strong.

She honestly didn't look old enough to be her mother. She looked like she was maybe 24 at the most. She barely had crows feet for heaven's sake! She looked like she should be out partying, rather than playing house with a kid.

Stirling could see the den behind her. It was plain, only a single baby picture on the mantle of the empty fireplace. The room looked somewhat ignored, like no one was ever in it, and without a fire it felt cold. The whole house seemed to be somewhat cold. A digital thermostat told him she didn't have any heat on. She wore two sweaters as well as a pair of wool socks. she knew the house was cold, and yet she wasn't doing anything about it.

Sterling took in everything with a sweep of his eyes and then glanced over his shoulder, as though something might be following. He fiddled with the crossbow a little, realigning the crossbow bolt along its path.

"Ma'am, I would love to talk more, but I'd prefer we move it indoors. Your daughter...had a bit of a scare with a vampire. No harm was done," he added quickly, "I got there just in time, but I'm afraid she probably left her backpack behind. I can retrieve it for you if you'd like?"

Cici did what any adult not in the know would do: she snorted. She shook her head, "Dawn, I'll be back!" She called upstairs, "Come with me to find her backpack, if you think you know where it is." She locked the door, shoving the key deep in her pocket. She knew that Dawn would set the alarm on the front door as soon as they left.

Even if Stirling murdered her and came back with her keys, the alarm would go off and the police would come straight away. she had faith nothing would happen to Dawn.

Surprise crossed Sterling's face. He certainly hadn't expected this. "Woman, are you crazy? I'm a Hunter. I hunt things that would otherwise harm you and your daughter. I don't know what you think you'll accomplish by coming with me. You're much safer to stay at home with your daughter."

But he could see her determination, as foolhardy as it might be, and he recognized the signs of denial or disbelief. Maybe if they were lucky, the ashes of the vampire would still be there in the alley. If they were unlucky, they might even encounter one.

"Alright, if you're coming with me you need to stay close. Like, on my heels, close. Can you do that?"

She gave him a look, "I have a child. I can keep on your heels. Even if you're running, I can keep up, believe me." She looked at him, "So, we gunna get going?" She pulled a air tie out of her pocket and put her curls up in it. She looked like she could hold her own in a fist fight, but she also looked like she would cry at the first punch - it depended on the day.

Sterling wasn't impressed but he nodded and led the way back he had come. He was even more wary now; the vampires would know the trail traveled once; traveled twice, was just asking for an ambush.

He led the point with his crossbow, taking no chances this time. At last, he recognized the familiar lump on the ground as a backpack and he reached down to get it. "This must be your daughter's."

Cici opened it up, looking through the contents, "Now, that wasn't so hard, was that?" She was eyeing the crossbow and wondering where all the people were. Usually there were people still out walking their dogs, or just getting home. It was a Saturday night, surely someone would be out and about.

She felt cold, uneasy now. She hoped Dawn was okay back at the house. She looked up at Stirling, "So, that's a pretty big weapon."

He waited as she leafed through the backpack. Nothing would have been taken; vampires didn't look through bags when they wanted live blood. He scanned the alley around them, his body tense.

"Indeed, finding it was the easy part," Sterling replied. It was getting home that he was worried about. He nodded at her comment about the crossbow. "We should be going; I'd rather not have to use it if I can help it." His eyes landed on the scattered ashes of the previous vampire and his blood ran cold. There were footprints in it; someone or something had been through here recently.

"Let's go, stay close." He reminded her

Cici actually stayed so close she ran into him. She could hear the tone in his voice and it scared her more than anything. She lightly placed her hand on the small of his back - it wasn't meant to be anything but a light touch to keep them close together. Once finger pressed in slightly harder than the others, her middle finger, maybe?

She looked around, spotting the ashes and the foot prints.

Who would possibly had this man startled? She shivered, her hand pulling back just enough that he could no longer feel the heat from her palm - but she was quick to return it.

He'd almost flinched when he felt her hand against the small of his back. But then he'd found it reassuring. It meant she was keeping up and he actually didn't mind the contact. Strange, for a man afraid to be bit by vampires, he loathed being touched unless it was a handshake. Maybe it was because she was so clearly frightened. He tended to react differently when women were being harmed or scared.

Whatever the case was, he didn't mind. "We're taking a slightly different way back," he told her softly. No sense in leading the vampires directly to her home.

He moved forward again, moving slow enough that the woman behind him could keep up without having to run. "I never caught your name," he said when they made it a block.