Free The Vanishing Vampire by David Lubar Page B

good-byes.”
    She was starting to cry. Norman looked a little wet around the eyes, too. “I have to rest,” I told them. It was odd. Usually, I didn’t get tired very easily.
    I met Rory on the stairs and took the book from him. “Thanks.”
    â€œRead it to me?” he asked.
    â€œMaybe tomorrow.” I went to bed and slept a black, unbroken sleep until morning. This was the first night I had slept since the full force of the change took over my body.
    Breakfast with my family was difficult. I think I acted normal enough to keep them from getting suspicious. I just had juice and toast. I didn’t want to have to stare at my missing reflection in the silverware. Angelina, who I was seeing in a new light, also tried to act as if nothing were wrong, though she did look troubled.
    After breakfast, I gathered my books, put on my jacket, scarf, and sunglasses, and left for school. If this was to be my last day among regular people, I was determined to make it a day I would remember. I would see my friends, my school, my teachers, and then come home for one last meal with my family.
    After that, I would slip away in the night and find a new place to live. I imagined myself traveling the world like Vladivost. Though, of course, I wouldn’t have his European charm. But I would develop charm of my own.
    I didn’t want to leave. I saw no way to stay.
    I was so wrapped up in these thoughts as I walked that I didn’t see the three of them coming.
    They must have been hiding behind parked cars. They hit me hard, pushing me against a tree.
    â€œIt’s him!” Bud Mellon shouted as he grabbed my right arm.
    â€œGot him!” Lud Mellon said, forcing back my left arm.
    I should have been able to fling them like bits of paper. But something had stolen my strength. I looked up.
    â€œStay where you are, evil one.” Husker Teridakian faced me, holding up his cross. “I have found you. The light of the sun will cleanse the earth of your foul presence. The old evil one may have escaped for now, but I will atone for my failure with your destruction.”
    He reached out toward my scarf. I jerked my head to the side. I felt his fingers grab the cloth. I looked around desperately for some way to save myself before he exposed my flesh to the burning light of the sun.
    There, on the lawn behind him, was Browser. Attack, I thought, sending the dog a command to leap the fence and pounce on those who wanted to harm me.
    The dog didn’t move.
    So this was how it was to end. Here I had been tortured by the thought of spending an eternity as a vampire, and I was about to be crisped into ashes before I could begin my new existence.
    I tried to yank my arms free. It was no use.
    â€œDie, vampire!” Teridakian shouted, tearing the scarf from my head. The sunglasses went flying. The scarf flapped in his hands.
    I shut my eyes against the sunlight and braced for agony.
    â€œDie, evil one!”
    Had time slowed down? Surely by now I would feel my skin turning to cinders.
    â€œBack to ashes, undead monster!”
    Nothing happened.
    I opened one eye. Then I opened both. Sunlight fell on my face. It felt good. I blinked. I looked at Lud and Bud. I looked at Teridakian. I understood. Teridakian didn’t. He backed up, his face squishing together in a puzzled expression.
    â€œPerhaps you made a mistake?” I suggested.
    Teridakian stared at me. He took the cross and pressed it against my forehead.
    I stared back. “You made a mistake. Leave me alone.”
    He lowered the cross. He stared at me for a moment more. Then he sighed and walked off.
    â€œGuys,” I said to Lud and Bud, “maybe you should let me go.”
    â€œSorry.” They dropped my arms and stepped back.
    â€œHe told us to do it,” Bud said.
    â€œHe said you were a vampire,” Lud said.
    â€œI’m not a vampire,” I said. I was me again. My decision to save Vladivost must have