Welp, right now and later tonight I shall be working on my I am evil AU idea. The Devil’s Carnival mixed with DBH. Or actually, Hank Anderson stuck in hell looking for Cole because I am a heartless bitch.

I can’t help it! I was watching it and it popped in my head 2 days ago! Tonight at work I’m gonna tell my coworker M about the idea because she’ll understand how evil I’m gonna be and encourage me. (Also because I am drawing her into my horror musicals) Then tonight work on it some more. I’ve already got the first three paragraphs done, not sure if I’ll follow the whole musical with 3 people or just stick to John’s story (Hank’s part) with differences for it now being in the DBH universe.

Though of course I don’t know who would be the other two characters, maybe include androids to be the others? Go against Connors “I doubt there’s a heaven for androids” and have them in both heaven and hell? Kara could play Tamara’s character (since there are times where she could die) but I have no idea who in DBH could play Ms Merrywood.

Any ideas? Shoot me a message if you have any thoughts ‘cause I’m about to head off to work.

You can do so much better

Read on AO3!

Gavin frowned and looked at his drink, wishing his problems would disappear as easily as the beer in front of him. He gave a sigh and pressed the heels of his palms against his eyes. “Fucking hell…” His phone buzzed and he fished it out of his pockets, biting back a sigh when he saw it was his boyfriend calling. “Hey, I’m at the bar. It was 6 we were supposed to meet, right? I didn’t forget it was supposed to be later or something?” He frowned at the response from the phone. “Oh. Alright then.” There was a moment of silence from him as the man on the other end spoke some more. “Fine. If that’s- if you feel that way fine. Bye.” He hung up and took a long drink of the beer before finishing it up.

Gavin looked up and waved over at the bartender. “I’ll have a Sazerac please, and another one of these.” He motioned to his empty pint before pulling out the cash for the two drinks and giving it to the bartender. Gavin watched the woman pour the beer before mixing the Sazerac and sliding both drinks to him. “Thanks.” He looked at the phone again and pulled up another number. “Hey Tina. Yeah I know it’s date night, but that’s no more. Fucker dumped me.” He nodded and took a sip of his Sazerac, “I’m gonna get drunk of course.” He could feel his best friend’s worry from over the phone. “Maybe find someone to go home with too. Yeah, yeah I’ll be safe.” He gave a chuckle and took a longer sip of his drink. “I do too. Bye Tina.”

He finished the first drink and started on his second beer as he took a look around the bar. No one really caught his attention so he just turned back to his phone and scrolled through his social media as he drank his beer. He had almost finished it when someone sat down next to him. Gavin gave a sigh and turned to face whoever decided to sit next to him in a near empty bar. He choked slightly on his beer when he realized it was Nines, but a side of Nines he had never seen before.

God he looked like sex on legs in Gavin’s opinion right now. He leaned to the side slightly in his seat so as to get a better look at Nines. Tight shirt hugging muscles that didn’t even see a minute of gym work, jeans that could have been painted on for how tightly they hugged his legs and to top it off in Gavin’s mind there was that leather jacket half hanging on his arms. Gavin finished off his beer, suddenly aware of his throat being dry. “Fuck me.” He whispered as his eyes trailed over the android. He had known Nines was attractive but he had never looked like this before when they worked together.

Nines didn’t even look at him but Gavin knew it was him. He’d spent too many days working next to that tall form not to recognize it out of uniform. Nines ordered a thirium drink as the bartender passed by to give Gavin another beer, this time she just took his card to keep a tab open for him. Nines took a slow drink from his bright blue drink while Gavin watched him, taking his own drink to quench his sudden thirst. Nines finally turned and Gavin had to bite his lip, the profile in those clothes alone had been more than enough to catch his attention. “Hello Gavin, I’ve been sent to take you home as Miss Chen so eloquently put it.” He gave a small smirk at seeing his partners gulp. Nines reached over and gave Gavin’s hand a squeeze. “I would have come anyway had she not asked. You can do so much better.”

Gavin pulled his hand back frowning as he drank some more beer. “Yeah right. I’m a mess okay? I know it, every ex has pointed it out to me. At least this one wasn’t completely my fault.” He looked up at Nine’s puzzled expression. “He had some jealousy issues. Didn’t like me spending so much time with you.”

Nines just nodded and watched Gavin quickly finish the beer before getting another. “As I said, you can do much better.”

“Yeah well- I’m not sex on legs like you okay? Some people have to settle ya know?”

Nines looked over him. “Finish your drink, then I am taking you home.”

Gavin groaned and looked back at his beer before waving the bartender over and closing the tab. He didn’t feel drunk enough to deal with things, but knew Nines didn’t want to sit around as his drank himself senseless. “Look Nines, you don’t have to-”

“I’m well aware Gavin, but to be honest I do care about you. I also feel your now former boyfriend was undeserving of you affections. Let me take you home. I do not wish for you to come into work tomorrow hungover and I would like for us to get off work at a decent time tomorrow.”

“Why?”

“So we could have a pleasant unrushed date tomorrow.”

Gavin choked slightly on his drink, spilling some down his shirt as he attempted to get air in his lungs. “Wha?”

Nines gave a small frown at the response. “Is that not the proper protocol when attempting to date someone?” He looked at the still confused and surprised expression on Gavin’s face. “I forgot to ask. Would you be willing to accompany me on a date tomorrow?” Gavin just nodded in response.

“Keep dressing like that and I’ll be willing to do anything.”

Forest of the Nines

Part 3/ Part 4 (final!)

Read on AO3!

Tina felt as if she were cursed, her best friend was falling for The Nines and all she could do was stand back and watch. Time and time again he went out to the forest. He tried to keep the return trips a secret from her, but she had taken to watching out her window. Now she was sitting on the wall, it was supposed to help protect the villagers from any forest creatures but right now all it did was tell Tina just how separated they were becoming. She watched Gavin and The Nines walk towards the edge of the forest, the sight made her want to cry. They held themselves as lovers did, pressing small chaste kisses as they pulled away.

“Does it hurt to know he’ll leave you?” Tina turned to see the newcomer standing next to her, his arms on the top of the wall as he looked out into the forest as well. “Do you wish he held you that way?”

She shook her head, giving a small tight laugh as the tears fell from her eyes. “Never that way. I love Gavin, but as a brother. I would say yes if he asked for my hand, but only because we would accept each others-” She paused, glancing down at Connor to see him watching Gavin and The Nines without any disgust, “preferences. We know each would be accepting and discreet. This though, I feel as if he is leaving me behind. He has journeyed to where I am too scared to go and has come back changed for it.” He placed a hand on hers, waiting to see her reaction.

Tina just looked at him before turning back to see Gavin still with The Nines. She could imagine that The Nines was tempting him to stay, to leave the village forever and become one of them. Connor spoke, his voice soft and light. “What if you could join them? Stay on as his little sister?”

“I would in a heartbeat.”

“Promise?”

“I promise.” Tina slid off the wall, landing next to Connor. “I do not wish to lose my only family to The Nines. It may be our guardian, but I will vilify it as a monster if he takes my family away.” She looked up at him with a frown. “If Gavin does not return to the village, the next night I too shall go into the forest.”

Connor watched her walk away into the village and saw Gavin turn and go back into the forest with his brother. “It appears you shall join us soon dear Tina.”

Forest of the Nines

Part 2/ Part 3

Read on AO3!

Gavin caught himself sighing again as he looked down at his drink. A small finger reached forward and poked him in the cheek. “Tina, not now.” He looked up at his friend, she gave him a small smile as if pressing him to keep speaking. “You remember the night I went to the forest?” She gave a nod and moved her hand, asking him to keep going. “I- I want to do it again.”

She suddenly sat up straight, looking at him with accusing eyes. “What? Do you want to die?” She leaned towards him, hissing under her breath, “Or has The Nines caught your heart?” Tina reached forward and grabbed Gavin’s hand. “I know we never felt the same as the other villagers, but I never thought you would feel as such an outsider as to want to tempt fate.”

Gavin leaned towards her, all melancholy forgotten as he grinned. “Just one more run. Just one more taste of that rush. I never felt that way before Tina. My blood sang to me that night, it was a rush of excitement! I don’t know if I want to be his, but that temptation, knowing one misstep could change my fate forever. It’s so different from this life we have here that I wish to try just one more time.”

Tina gave a watery smile and patted his hand. “I know there is so much we have done together, but I don’t know if I can take this step with you. You lead him on a chase through the night, I am not sure if I can do the same and survive. I may be able to hold my own in a brawl, but this- I’m sorry Gavin but this is just a bit too much for me right now.”

He nodded and finished his beer before standing up. “I’m going to retire early tonight, when I wake the moon should be risen and I will try again. If I do not return, do not mourn me. I feel I would join them rather than be prey. Come to the edge of the forest after 7 moons have passed and I will meet you where you waited for me.”

She gave a watery smile, blinking away her tears before reaching to grab his hand again. “I will hope for your return. Perhaps this is what they meant when stories are told of those who meet the Fae are changed for good? They have a taste of something more and yearn to return to it?”

He gave a small smile before turning and walking out of the tavern. “Perhaps you are right.” Gavin returned to his small house and closed the shutters on all the windows, giving himself sort of false night. He laid down and quickly fell asleep, preparing himself for the night.

The moon was high in the sky while he wandered through the woods. He wondered how The Nines would know he had returned. The wind cut through the trees and he paused for a moment, had he heard someone behind him on the path? He turned and saw no one behind him, when he turned back to look ahead he saw it. The Nines stood off the side of the path, watching him with those cold eyes.

“You have returned. It is a pleasure to see you again, Gavin .” He felt his blood freeze as he stared at the creature, had it merely guessed his name? “Your friend was so excited to see you, she gave me your name. I wonder, how long until she comes in after you? Or do you expect to escape me a second time?”

Gavin gave a crooked grin, his eyes darting around to see if the other was around as well. “Perhaps I am.” He could see an outline of someone hiding in the trees. “I had given you a good chase then, hadn’t I?” He didn’t speak of how he wanted to be running through the forest again, the knowledge of what failure could mean. He didn’t tell of how he enjoyed that risk, that temptation of fate in the hunt.

The Nines gracefully walked over to Gavin, a hand curling around his throat. He gave a chuckle as the human stayed his ground, staring unflinchingly up at him. The Nines bent down to whisper in his human’s ear, “Shall we have the same rules as last time?” Gavin gave a sharp nod, his chin hitting Nine’s hand before jerking back up. The Nines let go of the humans throat and stepped back. He watched as his human ran, vanishing into the forest.

At the break of dawn he found his human again, sitting against a rock and taking deep breaths with a smirk on his face. “You give a good chase. There were moments I could have sworn you were at my heels.” He walked up to the human, kneeling by him and watching. Gavin wasn’t sure what to make of the expression in Nine’s eyes, they weren’t as cold as before. They were almost warm in their gaze. “I won’t join you.”

The Nines darted forward, grasping Gavin’s head and stealing a kiss. He stayed there for a moment, lips lingering against the humans own. “Perhaps not yet, but you’ve had a taste. Can you deny yourself even more?”

Gavin’s face was flushed, his eyes searching The Nine’s face. “I will not join you.” His hands twitched as he fought the urge to repeat their kiss. He would not do this, he would not give in to The Nines.

Forest of the Nines

Part 1/ Part 2 (this)

Read on AO3!

Gavin gave a sigh of relief as he saw the days first light break through the darkness of the forest. He stopped and sat down on a tree stump, taking the moment to catch his breath. He looked up to see the blue-gray eyes staring out at him from the shadows. “I’ve out ran you till the dawn broke. I am to be neither pray nor one of you!” He stood up with a shout, hands forms fists by his side as he taunted The Nines.

It gave a deep chuckle and he stepped out into the light. “Nay human, today you are neither. I thank you for the chase. It has been a long time since I had a good chase. May we try this again one night?”

Gavin smiled and shook his head, he didn’t know how to describe how he felt. He hadn’t enjoyed being hunted but now- now that he was safe, it had been a thrill. “Perhaps sometime, but I must get back to my village.”

The Nines nodded and stepped close to Gavin, lifting a hand to brush Gavin’s hair from his face before brushing a finger against his cheek. “May I walk with you?”

He looked up at the creature, his face was flushed from running for so long and quite honestly, he had gotten lost. “You may.” The Nines dropped his hand and Gavin felt himself missing the contact without understanding why. The two of them walked in silence, The Nines slightly ahead of Gavin.

They found the path again and the sun had made it a quarter of the way into the sky by the time they reached the edge of the woods. “I do not go any further than this Gav. Just as your village is no longer safe from me during the night, I stay away from the village. I wish you well, and would enjoy another chase.” Gavin nodded as he looked out past the tree line into the village. He could see his friend Tina sitting on the wall bordering the village and the woods, she looked out at the trees with worry evident on her face.

“Perhaps another time. It was certainly a new experience.” Gavin gave a small bow before turning and walking out of the woods. The Nines frowned as he watched the human woman jump down off the wall and run towards the human he wanted to claim. She threw her arms around him in what The Nines thought of as an improper show of affection. Gavin gave a laugh that The Nines could hear from where he stood in the tree line. He leaned against a tree, watching the two humans interact with a small smile.

“Gavin I was so scared for you! When I heard you had been seen going into The Forest I thought for sure The Nines had gotten you.” She gave Gavin a second, shorter hug before stepping an arms length away.

“He almost did Tina, he almost did. I am afraid to admit, but if he had not given me the limit of dawnbreak I would be his by now.” Nines watched as Gavin started to walk to the village. “The Nines told me I could find out what he was if I consented to either be prey or one of them.” The girl gave a shudder and soon they were both out of his sight.

Connor walked up to Nines, sliding an arm around his waist. “You let him go free?” The silent why was evident in his brown eyes.

Nines nodded and the two of them walked back into the heart of the forest. “He outran me until the dawn broke. I am a man of my word after all.” Connor gave a frown as they walked, his gaze towards the ground. “You are still young, you have yet to want for a companion. Yes I am now your brother, just as my mother is now yours, but that is not enough for me.” Nines looked back over their shoulders towards the village. “That man Gavin, he has a spark in him. A fire and fight in him. It’s something I can’t easily tame, something I wouldn’t want to easily tame.”

Connor spoke softly, his voice almost an accusation. “I never had a spark, I begged to be prey and you made me family.” Nines placed an arm around his shoulder, giving a quick squeeze. “You brought me to mother and she made me her child. Why did you give me a chance so long ago brother?”

“Because you were embers, and embers can go either way. You could have faded away into nothing, or been brought back to life by mother’s love. Do not deny your happiness at her devotion to you.” He gave a small smile at seeing how Connor smiled and nodded. “You still have much to learn, perhaps you can learn from my courtship with the human?”

“Do you believe he would allow it?”

“I do. I feel it would be one fortnight until his curiosity brings him back into the forest at night again.” They arrived at a long forgotten house, opening the door to see an older woman with dark skin looking up at them from a chair.

She gave a small frown then smiled and opened her arms. Both of her sons walked towards her and held her. “You have chosen someone then?” She leaned back and searched their faces with her dark eyes. “Yes, you have a look about you Nines, as if you are the wolf having caught sight of the rabbit.”

Nines stood back, watching her hold Connor close, a need he hadn’t felt in decades. “I have. I do not know how long this will take. I do know I shall be disappointed if he chooses easily.”

She just gave a nod and stood up, walking away from them both and further into the house.

weird ass 50 writing prompt list

send a ship/character and a number/quote and ill write a drabble or fic of some sorts. ok to reblog.
1) “i apologize”
2) “i don’t fucking regret it. i never will”
3) “you want me”
4) “lets do it now”
5) “stop being nonsensical”
6) “don’t lie, please. i can’t take it”
7) “there’s a lot of things i’d do for you”
8) “we’re a lot more similar than you think”
9) “im here if you need me”
10) “you don’t have to let me win”
11) “you can do so much better”
12) “don’t you think this is an idiotic idea?”
13) “i can’t fucking do this anymore”
14) “i just don’t want anyone to get hurt”
15) “im more than that.”
16) “no one sees me because i don’t want them to”
17) “you are far too lovely”
18) “i accept the consequences”
19) “it’s the anniversary today”
20) “don’t tell me that you forgot it”
21) “don’t tell me that you regret it”
22) “tell the grim reaper that i can volunteer”
23) “stop being so fucking pretentious”
24) “i don’t know”
25) “please, i love them.”
26) “i can’t help you anymore”
27) “you shouldn’t be with me right now”
28) “stop it.”
29) “im begging you, please stop”
30) “i don’t think i can anymore”
31) “what happened while i was away”
32) “it’s not all about you”
33) “what happened to us? what happened to you?”
34) “god, i adore you”
35) “i’m not a fan of the idea”
36) “that is a horrible idea”
37) “you’re the one for me”
38) “i can’t live without you.”
39) “there is a lot of ways to say goodbye”
40) “im so exhausted”
41) “i can not do this without you”
42) “oh, god, why”
43) “who did it?”
44) “im not fine. no one is”
45) “existentialism is my favorite discussion topic”
46) “what a heart of gold you got there”
47) “i don’t believe it.”
48) “stars and flowers are overrated”
49) “please shut the hell up.”
50) “yes.”

What’s MY problem?

Read on AO3!

Nines ran a hand through his hair in frustration, such a stupidly human emotion but here he was feeling it. Directed at Gavin, his- he couldn’t think of what exactly to label them as. Partner yes, they worked together, Lovers? Maybe, Fuck-buddy might be a better term if they didn’t fight so damn much. He turned away from the smaller man, pacing in circles. “I don’t understand you Gavin. Why must you nitpick at every little thing?”

“What the fuck do you mean by that?” Gavin stormed up to Nines, getting as close to the android’s face as possible.

“I mean, what is your problem?” Nines stepped forward, forcing Gavin to step back.

“What’s MY problem? The hell do you mean My problem?” Gavin growled out as his back hit the wall, Nines pinning him in place with arms on either side of his head.

“I mean, why do you always have to fight me? Why can we never have a moment’s peace?” Nines looked down at Gavin, noting how his human softened in his body language.

Gavin looked down at the ground, letting Nines pull his chin back up towards him. “I just-” He paused before gulping and shifting side to side. “I’m used to people leaving, and it’s better if I push them away first, okay?”

Nines moved the hand from Gavin’s chin to resting it on his cheek. “Oh, so all this is just to protect your heart? Make it easier if our relationship is just fighting and sex?”

Gavin gave a shrug. “It’s not like they aren’t both enjoyable.”

“Gavin, I would much rather not have to have a fight just to be intimate with you.”

“Oh.” He frowned a little, sticking out his lower lip as he thought. Nines gave in to the urge and dove for a kiss.

Reed 900 week day 7: Halloween

Read on AO3!

Nines entered the unlocked apartment to hear the sounds of laughter and screams. He followed the sounds to see everyone circled around a laptop and laughing as a loud static filled scream came out the speakers. Whomever had screamed was now shouting loudly, static still making their words difficult to hear from the laptop speakers until Nines walked up to Tina. She noticed his puzzled expression and slapped Gavin on the shoulder.

The man paused the video and gave a crooked smile to Nines. “Wanna watch? Tina and I have been watching since we were kids, well teens for this video.” Nines silently sat down next to Gavin, perching on the arm of couch as Gavin clicked the play video again. The game graphics were not well rendered in Nines opinion, almost three decades out of date if he were to guess. The video also jumped around a lot but everytime the man in the small camera feed in the corner would scream or shout Tina and Gavin would laugh or just fall into a fit of giggles. He looked over their heads to see Gwen just giving a small smile and shaking her head at him before she looked to Tina.

Her expression meant it was another best friends moment they were trying to share then. He understood that often enough. The video ended after a few minutes and Tina and Gavin fell against each other in a fit of laughter. Gavin turned to Nines, wiping a tear from his eyes from laughing. “Tradition. I told you how Tina and I watch horror game playthroughs every halloween in a big binge? It was started by this guy.” He motioned towards the screen. “DayNine, this game and this abridged version of the playthrough is what got us started on the tradition. Of course we’ll all be watching it on the tv screen, but Tina and I always start off with DayNine first.”

Nines looked at the two of them, “What did you do when you lived in different states?” He knew Tina had moved away for a few years before coming back.

Gavin gave a small wave. “That was easy, we used Discord back then to chat on our mics and had a countdown on linked videos. It was easy to tell when we unsynced because one would react and then hear a reaction right after. Now sit closer, we can all squeeze together.” He laughed and looked over to Tina. “I’d suggest you not sit by Tina, she’s scare-punched me a couple times.”

Gwen was the vocal of the two, laughing while Tina stuck her tongue out. “Oh Nines it’s easy to avoid that. Just don’t laugh when Tina screams and you won’t be punched.”

Tina high-fived her wife while pulling her into her lap and making more room on the couch. Gavin placed an arm around Nines as he slid down on the couch next to him. For the rest of the night he watched playthroughs of the latest horror game out with his boyfriend, his best friend, and her wife. When light started to reenter the dark room Gavin fell asleep against Nines, Tina yawned and pulled a sleepy Gwen to her feet.

“Rule always is first one to fall asleep gets couch, so Gwen and I are stealing his bed. Tell the old man we love him.” The two of them sleepily stumbled out to Gavin’s bedroom. Gavin sat up when the door clicked shut.

“Good, didn’t want to force Gwen on the couch. Now lay down and I’m gonna sleep on top of you.” Nines shook his head with a smile and pulled his human close with a smile. He felt he could enjoy these human holidays, especially if all of them start off with this much fun. Nines wondered how Connor would be spending Halloween night, Gavin already promised tonight would be more of the same with Tina and Gwen again.

Reed900 week day 6: pranks

Read on AO3!

Nines found himself smiling as he and Gavin jogged out of Elijah Kamski’s house, Chloe smiled and waved them out the door. She knew what they did, but she enjoyed seeing Gavin smiled and knew after a moment Elijah would be laughing as well. She looked at the scattered trail of packing peanuts and cleaned them up, stopping when she reached the work room. She just threw them in with the others, smiling at the sign stating “take a break!- Gav & 9’s”. There was even an oddly drawn smiley face with a tongue sticking out. She knew all the equipment was fine inside, Nines had covered everything before Gavin filled the room with packing peanuts. They had all told the other Chloe’s about the prank and her own plan for afterwords, the others loved it and agreed to clean up everything. Gavin and Nines would be coming back to clean it up as well after Chloe contacted them.

Nines smiled down at Gavin, who was unable to control his snickering as they sat together in the garage. He was glad to find it fully insulated, or else they’d have a legitimate excuse for how close they sat, Gavin tucked in against Nines chest as Nines had his arms around the human. His favorite human looked up with bright eyes and a wide smile.

“This is so fun already. I can’t wait to hear about his reaction.”

“I’m sure Chloe will be more than happy to send us a video. I can upload it to either your phone or computer easily.” He quickly sent a message to Chloe, “She says Eli had finally woken up and is heading to his work room. She is walking with him and they’re talking about his latest software update for the deviated androids. Apparently he has designed a version of Thirium that combine with this update he’s putting up available for free download will make an android feel the effects of alcohol.”

“Sweet, you can join Tina and I for drinks when it’s finished.” Gavin wiggled closer and pressed soft kisses on Nine’s jawline.

“I’m not sure I would enjoy that. The two of you can get quite loud and sing badly when drunk.” Nines grabbed Gavin by his hair when he climbed into his lap. “Though I do enjoy the effects drinking tends to have on your libido.”

Gavin gave Nines a kiss and pulled back. “Less talking, make out time while we wait.”

“Of course.” He tightened his grip on Gavin’s hair and pulled his human in for a long kiss.

Reed900 week Day 5: Horror Movie AU

Read on AO3!

Gavin felt the snow crunch under his feet as he walked through the woods. He always heard they were haunted by The Nines, but didn’t care to listen to such tales. As he turned around again at the sound of branches moving he wondered if he should have paid more attention. He found himself cursing that he let the newcomer nag him into walking through the woods at night.

He stiffened when someone started walking next to him. The path behind him had been empty when he last looked behind him. He tried to remember the legends and couldn’t remember if he was supposed to greet The Nines or not acknowledge the presence next to him. He glanced next to him, who or whatever it was next to him was tall and broad shouldered. More so than that newcomer, the kid seemed unearthly and open at the same time. This being next to him just seemed dangerous.

“You must be brave to travel this path at night.” It had a deep, smooth voice as it spoke. Gavin searched his mind, wondering what to even do or say. He kept his stride though, not pausing to look up at the being that spoke. It gave a deep chuckle that made Gavin clench his hands. “May I have your name?”

That Gavin could remember, you never give a name out. The Fae could trap you that way. He kept his eyes ahead as he tried to remember his friends words to use. “You may call me Gav.”

The being next to him placed a pale hand on Gavin’s shoulder, causing him to stop walking. It stepped in front of him. A broad chest blocked Gavin’s view of the forest, he kept his eyes ahead, not looking up, refusing to look up. The hand moved to cup Gavin’s chin, lifting his head up to look at it. Gavin tried not to react, but it looked human, unearthly in its beauty, but with human features and a soft smile contrasting the cold blue-grey eyes. Gavin whispered out, “You are The Nines?”

The being smiled and ran a hand through Gavin’s hair. “I have been called that, this is my forest. I must say, my brother was correct in his choice. He does remember my tastes.”

Gavin felt his blood run cold. “What do you mean, your tastes?” The Nines only gave a smile, his teeth glinting in the moonlight. Every sense screamed danger, he knew he should run, but all he could do was keep still and look the being in the eyes. The Nines leaned forward and placed a small kiss on Gavin’s neck, just above the jugular. It seemed to break the spell he was in and he pushed its chest and backed away. “What are you?” Remembering his manners, “What may I call you?”

The being gave a chuckle and stepped closer, watching as Gavin backed away. “You may call me Nines, since it appears to be a name you are familiar with. As for what I am? That’s a question you’ll have to earn the answer to.”

Gavin tried not to look scared, but it wasn’t easy when you were constantly backing up like cornered prey. He froze when he bumped into someone. Hands grabbed him by the arms and kept him still as he stared up at Nines. “How do I earn that answer?” He didn’t want to know. He wanted to run out of the forest, back into the village and to the safety of the oil lamps. He didn’t care anymore about being brave and strong, he just wanted to escape this creature.

“By becoming one of us, or being food.” Nines gave a grin, showing off fangs that Gavin swore weren’t there a moment ago.

“I think he would make a wonderful addition brother.” For a moment Gavin forgot all about the rules and how you treat beings, he saw red. He turned around and swung a fist, catching the person in the gut and looking up at the newcomer. “He’s so full of spirit.” The one who nagged him into going through these woods at night, who tricked him. He looked down at Gavin for a moment before looking over to The Nines and giving a soft smile. “Was I correct in my assessment?”

“I believe you were, he would provide entertainment in either form.” Gavin turned back around to the Nines, his grey eyes full of fear. The Nines smiled, “I shall give you a test. Run through the forest, if you can keep out of my grasp by dawnbreak, you shall remain free. Fail and you will become mine.” Gavin nodded and ran, leaping over a fallen log and vanishing into the forest. He turned to look at his brother Connor, one he had turned decades ago. “I do love a good chase. How much of a start should I give him?”

Connor looked up at the sky, “I’d say a 20 count. He has a warrior spirit. I do not think it would be an easy hunt, but you never did like things to be easy.”

Nines nodded and after a mental 20 count, took off after the human.