a vampire! Iâd have to . . .â
Andrew couldnât put the awful thought into words.
âYou have to do three things,â T.J. told him. âYou have to drive a stake through his heart. Then you have to cut off his head. And then you have to stuff his mouth with garlic.â
Andrew didnât want to be a vampire.
But he couldnât do any of that horrible stuff!
Or . . . could he?
16
A ndrew hung upside down in his closet that night. He didnât know what would happen. But heâd done everything possible to prepare for the night ahead. He was ready. At least thatâs what he kept telling himself. Over and over and over.
He tried to sleep. He knew he needed his rest. But his mind kept spinning. What if our plan doesnât work?
When the old vampire threw open his closet door, Andrew gasped. Heâd been expecting it. But he wasnât ready.
Count Ved stood staring at him. His eyes glowed red. His skin was as pale as the full moon.
Without a word, Andrew tossed off his quilt. Hehopped down from his clothes rod. He did this with ease now. He was getting used to it.
Andrew glanced at his watch. It was hours until morning. He had to keep careful track of time.
âSo, you left your hole.â The vampire grinned. âDonât worry, kid. Soon youâll like it underground. Now, open your mouth.â
Andrew slowly drew back his upper lip.
âHumph.â The vampire shook his head. âNothing yet.â
Nothing? Andrew ran his tongue along his gums. Hey! His fangs were gone! Maybe he was becoming less of a vampire already!
The vampire sensed Andrewâs surprise. His eyes narrowed. âRemember the heartbeat?â he asked. âThe tender little rabbit?â
Andrew pictured the rabbit. As he did, his fangs slid down.
Oh, no! Andrew thought. Theyâre back! And he knows it!
Count Ved broke into a smile. âCongratulations, kid!â he said. âThis calls for a change of plans.â
âYou . . . you mean I have to hunt humans?â Andrew stammered.
The vampire nodded. âThe first one is delicious!â
Andrew swallowed. He had to stay calm. He had to stay in control. If he didnât, the plan would never work.
Andrew glanced at his watch again. The plan hadhim getting to the Cameron mansion at four-thirty. He had to stall for time.
âI have a question,â Andrew said. âIs it true that vampires can change the weather? Can you make it snow?â
âOf course,â the vampire told him. âSnow is childâs play.â
âLetâs see you do it,â Andrew said. âRight now.â
The vampire shrugged. He walked over to the window.
Andrew followed him.
Count Ved seemed only to stare out into the night. But soon Andrew saw small white flakes drifting down from the sky. More flakes tumbled down, thicker and faster. Soon a carpet of white lay on the grass below.
âCool effect,â Andrew told the vampire. âHow about a thunderstorm? With lightning and thunder?â
âWhat, snow isnât enough for you?â The vampire scowled.
Andrew shrugged. âItâs okay. If you canât do it . . .â
âOf course I can!â the vampire replied. Again he turned and stared outside.
After a while, the snowflakes grew thick and wet. They turned to raindrops. A strong wind came up. Thunder rumbled in the distance. Andrew saw lightning flash across the sky.
âWow! We should tune in to the weather channel,âAndrew told the vampire. âSee what they make of all this. I bet itâs never snowed at this time ofââ
âQuiet!â the vampire ordered. âWhatâs with you tonight, kid? Youâre babbling like an idiot!â
âSorry!â Andrew shrugged. âI guess Iâm just excited aboutâyou knowâbeing a vampire.â
âYou are not a vampire!â the vampire corrected