Crow was the youngest child in the Valentine family, a family of true vampires known for their odd ways, disliked by most other vampire families. He felt out of place, perhaps because he was adopted, or perhaps because he was so very different from them. 

Mortimer Valentine, the head of the family, was only interested in ‘interesting’ things. If something was not interesting, he would simply give things a nudge to see what would happen. Madeline, the wife, was only interested in painting. She always appeared frail, like a porcelain doll, and would say the strangest things out of nowhere. Spirits whispered in her ears, and she could not always hold back what they told her.

Vera, the oldest daughter was not interested in anything, she preferred to live a quiet life amongst humans. She was probably the one that was most unlike the other Valentines. She might have looked like one of them with her long golden hair and pale blue eyes, but she was very dedicated to her human-like lifestyle. 

Julian, the heir to the Valentine family, was probably the most unlikeable and likable at the same time. He was charming, with long golden blonde hair like all the other Valentines. Yet what made him different was his cheerfulness. His interests were mostly in other men. 

Aidan was the forgotten son who never left the mansion, having inherited his mother’s powers which made him see spirits everywhere. It was slowly driving him mad, especially since Crow had joined the family. It was as if the child was haunted by spirits.  

Crow on the other hand was still a child. His interests were books and stargazing. He had been fully welcomed into the family as a baby, and they were all quite protective when it came to him. Nonetheless, he didn’t fit in, he was a crow in a flock of strange, but beautiful swans. 

Crow hated school, he thought the other students were jerks, and the classes were too boring. He would rather stare out the window, at the crows flying above the football field waiting for someone to drop food on the ground. He had seen them attack people for food a few times. Everyone hated them, yet he loved seeing them every day. Sometimes he would bring food and leave it for them. The crows always enjoyed that, leaving little trinkets as thanks. This was where he belonged. He wished he could fly high up in the sky like they did and touch the clouds. 

That day was different. He had a bad feeling, something felt wrong. The morning felt long and agonizing as he woke up. 

Danger. 

What was it? He couldn’t tell. Everything seemed normal other than this feeling. Perhaps he was simply anxious about school? Crow huffed as he sat down for breakfast. Their butler, Mr. Fitz placed a piece of toast with strawberry jam in front of him. Crow didn’t feel like eating. This feeling was overwhelming. He glanced out the window, leaves ruffling lightly against the house. He tried to be still. 

“Is everything alright, young master Crow?” The Butler questioned as he poured him a glass of orange juice. 

Crow sighed, “No. It’s fine. I should probably go.” He picked up the bread and ran out the door. He didn’t even know what was wrong. He simply knew that something was wrong.

Perhaps some fresh air would help? He made his way down the street towards school. The cool breeze hit his face, Crow closed his eyes and let it. Winter was just around the corner, not that it ever snowed much in Dawn, but he hoped that perhaps just this one winter it would snow a bit more. 

Crow sat down for his first period, brushing his black hair aside as he stared into the notebook. 

Something still felt off. 

He gazed out the window, the crows were not there. He shifted from side to side but didn’t see them anywhere. They were always there. He had saved his bread to feed them later, they would always wait for him. 

Something felt wrong. Very wrong. 

A small voice called out from the distance. Or was it in his mind? “Help. Someone. Please.” 

He froze. There was a feeling deep inside of him. He could feel it in his soul like something was ripped right out of him, and then he felt the thirst. 

Throat aching, the scent of blood filled the whole classroom. 

Something was wrong.

He could smell their blood, all of them, the other students. It filled the air. It filled his lungs. Blood. 

The world seemed to fade away, and all he saw was darkness. 

Did he hear screams? 

He felt himself drowning in the deep dark waters, in the nothingness of The Void. 

Darkness.