"Joe, let's go," said eighteen year old Frank Hardy, poking his brown head through the bedroom door and looking at his year younger brother.

Joe looked over to the door and met his brother's brown eyes briefly, before turning back to the desk to find the spider had finished its journey and was nowhere to be seen. Joe sighed and stood up. "Cheer up," Frank encouraged him. "This isn't the end of the world."

"No?" Joe asked, lifting an eyebrow. "Certainly feels like it."

"Hey, you might like private school," Frank said, entering the room and putting a hand on Joe's shoulder comfortingly.

"I don't want to go to a private school," Joe said, shaking Frank's hand off of his shoulder. "And I still can't believe you took their side."

"Joe, we went over this," Frank said patiently. "Until Jeff Blevins trial starts it's safer for you not to be around."

"Why? He was a rapist not a murderer," Joe pointed out.

"A rapist who had gotten away with what he did until you found out the truth," Frank reminded him. "And don't forget, he was working for a crime syndicate."

"I still think you and mom and dad are being over-protective," Joe argued.

"Maybe we are," Frank agreed. "But I'm not prepared to take a chance on losing you. It will only be for a couple of weeks," he continued, trying to comfort his brother. "Then you can come back, testify and Blevins will no longer be a part of our lives."

"Won't he?" Joe asked, his blue eyes sad. "Dad believed I wasn't his son for years because of him."

"Joe," Frank rasped, his brown eyes filled with immense sorrow. Joe turned his head and looked back at the desk, desperately seeking the spider so he would have something else to concentrate on. Frank closed his eyes, remembering the catalyst that nearly ripped their family apart. Their father had been ordered to decide which son should be allowed to live and he had chosen Frank. They had found out it was because their mother had told Fenton she had been raped by the man who had raped several other women in New York City when their father was on the force there. The belief that Joe was the rapist's son had caused Fenton to choose Frank's life over Joe's. When Joe had found out, he had gone in search of his real father and met Jeff Blevins, the rapist who had eluded Fenton Hardy all those years ago.

"Joe, we have to go," Frank said, his voice subdued.

Joe looked back at his brother. Even when they had believed Joe's dad was the rapist, Frank had been by Joe's side, never giving up on him and never letting him give up on himself. Joe stood up. If Frank was willing to let him go to a private boarding school without him, then Joe had to accept that Frank really believed this was the best way of protecting him. The least Joe could do was not argue and make it more difficult than it already was. "Okay," he said.

Frank opened his eyes and looked at Joe warily. "You're right," Joe said, giving Frank a wan smile. "It's only for a little while and then I will be back. Who knows? This might be an adventure I'll never forget."

Frank smiled, knowing Joe was lying, but grateful for his attempt at enthusiasm over an enforced journey. Frank picked up Joe's suitcase and let Joe precede him from the room. They arrived at the airport a little later and Joe bid his parents and brother goodbye then boarded the plane for Greensboro, North Carolina. The school he was to attend was located in a little hamlet called Laurel Springs, roughly a hundred miles from nowhere.

When he arrived at the airport, he was greeted by a young man in his early twenties with thick, brown hair and green eyes. "Hey, Joe Hardy, right?" the man asked, smiling at him.

"That's right," Joe acknowledged. "And you are?"

"I'm sorry," the man apologized. "It's just so great to have new blood at school this year," he said. "My name is Anthony Simpson. Tony to my friends," he introduced himself. "I saw your application," he continued. "You're going to love it here," he continued. Joe got the feeling Tony could talk non-stop for twenty four hours and still have steam left for the next day. "The school is on a two hundred acre tract of land next to Lake Cone. Hiking and camping are activities we get to do frequently. Hunting is fun too. Especially this week."

"Why especially this week?" Joe queried, not really interested. He hated hunting.

"The school is sponsoring a special Halloween hunt," Tony explained. "All the students are required to take part in it."

"I don't hunt," Joe said, a frown marring his handsome features.

"You will," Tony promised. "Why, I bet you become one of the best hunters of all," he added, laughing softly.

"Not a chance," Joe vowed. He firmly believed hunting should only be done when one was in need of food and he wasn't. He did not believe in hunting for sport.

"So, why did your folks ship you off?" Tony asked, changing the subject as he stowed Joe's bag into the trunk of the car.

"I wasn't getting along to well in public school," Joe replied, lying. Seeing no need to let him know the truth. "What are you doing here?" Joe asked, trying to get the man's attention off of himself.

"I attended Duncan Academy," Tony admitted. "After I graduated, I decided I wanted to stay. The Dean gave me a job and the rest is history."

"How long have you been here?" Joe asked.

"Seems like only a year or two," Tony answered. "But it's been much longer."

The two chit-chatted about stuff until Tony brought the car to a halt in front of the gate leading onto the private grounds of the school. Joe looked out the car window at his surroundings. He had promised his parents he would not venture off the grounds until they or Frank came for him. Sighing, he looked over at Tony. "Why so glum?" Tony asked.

"I miss civilzation," Joe admitted.

Tony erupted into laughter. "You can go into town every night if you like...that is, after your initiation."

"Initiation?" Joe asked.

"Well, you can't expect to be accepted into the fold without passing a test, can you?" Tony demanded reasonably.

"It's just a school," Joe remarked.

"It's more than that," Tony told him, bringing the car to a stop. "It's a way of life," he added mysteriously.

Joe shook his head and climbed out of the car. He was glad he was only here for a couple of weeks. A month at the most his father had promised him. "I'll take your bag to you room," Tony told Joe. "The Dean wanted to see you as soon as you arrived."

Tony led Joe inside and down the hall to the first door on the left. "That's the office," Tony told him. "Just go on in. Someone will show you to your room in a little while," he added before he departed.

Joe looked after him with a curious expression. He seemed to be extremly confident and authoritative. Maybe private school had something good going for it after all. Taking a deep breath, Joe turned the knob and opened the office door. "Hello," greeted the young man behind the front desk. "Joe Hardy, correct?" he asked, then waited for Joe's affirmative nod before continuing. "We have been expecting you. If you'll just have a seat, I'll let the Dean know you are here."

Joe had barely sat down when the inner office door opened and out stepped a man in his late thirties wearing a pair of blue jeans and a white tee shirt. His dark brown hair was straight and long and his blue eyes were intense as he shook Joe's hand and looked him in the eyes. Joe felt drawn to the man. He wanted to pull his hand away, leave the school without a second glace, but like a moth drawn to a flame that would extinguish its life, Joe felt compelled to remain where he was, his hand held firmly in the grip of the man whom was about to alter Joe's life.

"I'm the dean, Andrew Duncan, but the students and faculty all call me Andy," he introduced himself to Joe. "And you are Joe Hardy, son to the most famous private investigator in the country, if not the world."

Joe remained silent, unsure how to respond. There was something about the man that Joe did not trust. He wanted to go home at once. His brain screamed at him to turn around and walk away before it was too late. Before what's too late? he argued with himself. You are merely homesick. You'll get over it, his brain lectured.

"Welcome to Duncan Academy," the dean said. "I am sure you are going to enjoy your stay here and when the time comes for you to leave, you will do so only out of duty." Joe felt this was a weird welcoming speech, but accepted it for what it sounded like. Who was he kidding? thought Joe. This guy is weird.

***

"Hope you don't mind the bed nearest the door," said Burt Dawson, the tall, athletic member of the group.

"No, not at all," Joe commented wryly, looking around the room. "Umm, do any of the dorm rooms have windows?" he asked.

"No," replied Brian Ashton, the intellectual member of the threesome. "This building was originally a prison and the owners felt it would cost too much to add the windows."

"So the dean isn't the owner?" Joe asked.

"Why would you think that?" demanded Penn Adams, his brown eyes staring at Joe.

Joe shrugged. "He has the same last name as the academy," he said. "I just assumed he had more invested in the school than just being its headmaster."

"You're pretty bright," Penn commented, neither acknowledging nor denying the dean's involvement with the school.

"Hey, leave your unpacking," Burt said. "We'll show you around now."

"Is this part of the initiation?" Joe asked, quirking an eyebrow.

"Initiation?" Brian asked, his brown eyes quizzical.

"Tony mentioned something about it on the way in," Joe confessed.

"Okay, there is a little initiation," Penn admitted. "But it's no biggie."

"And we aren't the ones who will initiate you," Brian added. "The dean will."

"What does your dad do?" Penn inquired, changing the subject.

"He's a private investigator," Joe said. "Why?"

"You have to be someone before you can be initiated," Penn explained but Joe was no wiser than before.

"What do you mean?" Joe demanded, following Penn, Brian and Burt out of the room and down the hall.

"The Dean only chooses member who have the potential to further the cause," Burt told him.

"What cause?" Joe demanded.

"Maybe we shouldn't say anymore," Brian said nervously.

"Why not? It isn't like Joe will turn on us. He'll be one of us soon," Penn said.

"And there's no going back," Burt added, his grin evil.

"You make it sound like the Dean is some kind of leader of a gang or something," Joe said. He was developing a really bad feeling.

"You could say that," Penn said, opening a door at the end of the hallway and entering. Burt and Brian ushered Joe inside the dark room.

"What....argh........" he gasped as he felt something sharp enter his neck. Before he could say another word, he passed out.

***

"Good morning. sleepyhead," Penn said, shaking Joe awake the next morning.

"What?" Joe demanded, disoriented. He sat up and looked around. He was in his dorm room with his three roommates. "Ohh," he moaned, rubbing his neck gingerly. "What happened?"

"We were showing you the way to the cafeteria and you walked into one of the candelabras protruding out from the wall," Burt informed Joe. "The nurse said you were okay and suggested we bring you back and stick you in bed."

"Geez, what a way to make an impression," Joe muttered, swinging his legs off the bed and standing up. He closed his eyes and swayed. Putting his hand to his forehead, he sat back down until the room stopped spinning. "Why do I feel so weak?" he asked.

"Jet lag?" Penn suggested. "Don't worry, it will pass."

"Come on, shake a leg," Brian said. "Breakfast is in twenty minutes and then classes start." Joe got up, slowly this time, and gathered his clothes which his new roommates had laid out for him, and went with them to the showers.

At breakfast, Joe looked at his food and felt queasy. He picked up his fork and played with his food as the others devoured their sausage, eggs, biscuits and red-eye gravy. When they had finished, Joe joined them in attending the first class of the day. Three classes down, Joe went to the bathroom and splashed some water on his face rather than go to the cafeteria for lunch. His stomach was still upset and he felt terrible. What was worse, he couldn't for the life of him remember anything he had learned that day nor what had happened last night after going down the hall with his new roommates.

He exited the bathroom and headed toward the Dean's office. "Can I help you?" asked the male secretary.

"I was wondering if there was a phone anywhere on campus for the students to use?" Joe asked.

"I'm afraid not," he apologized. "But sit tight and I'll let you talk to the Dean. He might be willing to let you use his."

Joe sat down and waited as the secretary entered the Dean's inner sanctum. A few minutes later, Joe was ushered inside. "I understand you wish to use the phone," Andy said, as Joe sat down. "Is there something wrong?"

"I just wanted to call and see if the trial had started," Joe fibbed. He wanted out!

"Joseph, your father explained the circumstances for your temporary enrollment here," Andy said, smiling at the youth. "But I never explained my reasons for allowing you to come."

"What reasons?" Joe asked.

"I want you to join my little family," Andy told Joe. "I select a few students every year to join. And while I understand you are only a temporary student here, I feel you will make a wonderful addition to my family."

"What?" Joe asked, shaking his head as if to clear it. Family? What family? What is this guy talking about?

Andy smiled at Joe and Joe had the uncanny feeling that the dean could read his mind. "My family and I will one day rule the world," Andy informed Joe. "But in order to do that, we must hold positions of influence. You, as the son of the most famous private investigator in the world, and a detective of growing magnitude, will be able to, at your discretion, insert these positions into our family."

"You've lost me," Joe admitted.

"The positions are already there," Andy told Joe. "You will simply turn those with the power into family."

"Look, I'm honored that you seem to have so much faith in me, but I am not, nor will I ever be, a member of your family. I have a family," Joe told him.

"By birth," Andy admitted grudgingly. "But by blood, you are my son."

"You're making no sense," Joe said, rising from his chair.

"Sit down," Andy ordered.

Joe sat down, surprised because he hadn't intended too. "You have already began the change," Andy told him. "By the time your father comes to retrieve you, you will be mine completely."

"What change?" Joe rasped. "You can't make someone a part of your family. You have to be born or adopted into a family."

"My family only requires an initiation, so to speak."

"But I haven't undergone any initiation," Joe objected. "So how could I have already began a change?"

Andy smiled. Joe's blue eyes opened wider. "Last night. They took me somewhere."

Andy nodded. "Relax, Joe," he ordered. "There is nothing you can do about it. Another couple of nights and you will be one of us."

"What are you?" Joe demanded, feeling the tension leave his body.

"Vampires," Andy informed him.

"That's not possible," Joe said. "Tony picked me up yesterday. The sun was out."

"A myth," Andy informed him. "Vampires can be out in the sun, we just prefer not too. Lengthy stays in it tend to raise our body temperature. And sweat on a vampire results in some really nasty body odor. Poor Tony had to take a shower as soon as he left your baggage in your room."

"So you expect me to believe that I am going to be a vampire?" Joe demanded in disbelief.

"Go back to your classes," Andy told Joe. "What will be, will be."

Joe stood up and left the room. He had to call Frank. And tell him what? Hey bro, guess what? I've been bitten by a vampire and unless you come and get me out of here I will be one in two more days. Wait a minute! Why two days? He bit me already. Does he have to bite me twice more? If so, he's out of luck. I'm not giving him the chance. What am I saying? Vampires aren't real! Are they?

Joe entered his class room and sat down. "Hi Joe, I guess you are ready to behave now?" Penn asked, moving from his chair near the front and sitting down beside Joe.

"What do you mean?" Joe asked.

"Andy took care of you, right?" Brian asked, turning around in his chair to look at Joe.

"You guys are, uh..."

"Vampires," Burt said from Joe's left. "Sure," he said breezily. "Everyone here is," he continued.

"But..how do you, er, feed, if everyone is already a vampire?" Joe asked a bit nervously.

The entire room burst out laughing. "Calm down," ordered the teacher. Charles Grayson, a tall, thin man with curly red hair gazed around the room with his blue eyes. "As I recall, all of you were also under several misconceptions about our family."

"Vampires don't drink blood to feed," Mr. Grayson told Joe. "We only drink to possess."

"Possess?" Joe demanded. "So everyone here is possessed?"

"In a way," the teacher admitted. "The sire, or lead, vampire controls all who he initiates."

"Infects, don't you mean?" Joe asked bitterly.

"To some, it may seem an infection. Even a disease. But once you are fully initiated, you will see the difference," Mr. Grayson stated.

"But what if I don't want to be initiated?" Joe queried.

"You feel that way now, but in a few more days, you won't," Penn told him.

"But why can't I just be a student here and not be a vampire? I am only here for a little while."

"Andy told you why," Brian said. "You can help put us into power."

"How do you know what he said to me?" Joe demanded. "You weren't there."

"It's a kind of telepathy," was the reply. "We are all aware of the thoughts of each other."

"And no one gets angry?" Joe wanted to know. Sometimes he thought things that he knew better than to say.

"No one gets angry because we are all working toward the same goal," Mr. Grayson said. "And we all look out for each other. This will come in handy when you get back to civilization as you term it."

"You can read my thoughts now?" Joe asked. Everyone nodded. Help me, Frank! "Then why can't I read yours?"

"Because you aren't entirely one of us yet," Brian asked, then shook his head. "No, calling Frank, isn't going to help you. We wouldn't let him near you."

Joe closed his eyes. He was lost. There was no way around it. If he tried to get someone to help him, they would either become a vampire also or...

"Or die," Penn finished Joe's thoughts aloud. "It doesn't hurt," he continued talking, trying to ease the worry Joe felt. "You may be a little sick until it's over. Weak from the loss of blood, definitely but you will be okay."

"So I don't have to drink anyone's blood?" Joe asked, the thought making him incredibly nauseous.

"After the third bite, then, yes, you will," Burt answered. "But by then you will want too. We may only drink to convert, but it does taste good."

"Which is why vampires have gotten a bad name," Grayson informed Joe. "There have been rouge vampires who drink simply because they desire the euphoria that comes with it. These are addicts who even we dispose of."

"Dispose of how?" Joe asked. "Sunlight doesn't kill vampires contrary to popular belief. What else is true and is not?"

"Stakes through the heart can kill us," Grayson told Joe. "As can old age."

"Vampires age?" Joe asked.

"We do, but more slowly than mere mortals. For each decade we will age but one year," Grayson informed him.

"Anything else can kill a vampire?" Joe asked, the thought coursing through him that maybe he could eliminate them before they could finish his conversion.

"No," the Dean answered from the doorway. "But with thoughts like those, perhaps it would be safer if you were confined until your conversion is complete."

At once, Penn, Brian, and Burt rose and pulled Joe to his feet. Andy looked Joe in the eyes. "You will accompany your roommates to your room and remain there. You may only leave the room to go to the bathroom."

"Yes, Sir," Joe responded. Not wanting to obey, but feeling compelled to do as instructed.

Several hours later, Andy entered Joe's dorm room. The other three boys exited and left the two alone. Joe looked at the dean in fear. "Please don't," he begged. "I don't want to be one of you."

"You will be stronger, faster, and almost indestructible," Andy told him. "You will be able to solve your mysteries without fear of being killed. You will be able to protect your family, your brother, Frank," he clarified for Joe's sake. "You won't have to convert him, just be near him and you can stop anyone from harming him. Wouldn't you like that? Wouldn't you like to know that no one could ever hurt your family? Your friends?"

"But you're asking for my soul," Joe argued. He did like that idea. A lot. But giving his soul in exchange was not worth it. He could protect his family and friends without being inhuman.

"Like you protected Iola?" Andy asked. "You could have saved her had you been a vampire."

"How?" Joe demanded. "She was blown up. I wasn't close enough to save her. Even if I could have survived the blast from an explosion, I couldn't have gotten to her in time."

"But you could have," Andy said. "Remember, I said you would be faster."

"I don't want to be faster," Joe answered. "I want to be human."

"You really don't have a choice," Andy told him. "Now, lean your head over."

Joe did as he was instructed, wishing he hadn't but not having the strength to disobey. He closed his eyes as he felt Andy's teeth sink into his flesh.

***

"It's over," Fenton Hardy said, walking into the bedroom where his eldest son was trying hard to concentrate on his homework. He had been unable to concentrate all day. Joe was all he had been able to think about. Had he done the right thing in siding with his parents to send Joe away? It was for his own protection. But, why did he feel like his world was falling apart?

"What do you mean?" Frank asked, looking at the man who had his same features but was an inch shorter than his own six foot one frame.

"Blevins was murdered last night," Fenton said. "Apparently, one of the men in the cell with him was a brother to one of the women Blevins raped. He was strangled."

"They put Blevins in the same cell with someone related to one of the victims?" Frank asked in disbelief.

"She was a victim who never brought charges," Fenton explained. "Her brother, Mark Wisenor, said she had refused to report it, preferring to not have to relive it."

"We can get Joe then?" Frank asked, looking at his dad, his brown eyes lighting up.

"We'll leave in the morning," Fenton said. "We'll all be home by dinner tomorrow night."

"Wahoo!" Frank shouted. "Can we call and tell him?"

Fenton shook his head. "I already tried calling. There is a storm down there now that has put all communication on the fritz. We'll just surprise him tomorrow."

***

When Joe awoke, he saw Burt sitting on the bed beside his. "Don't bother moving," Burt told Joe. "You'll just pass out. Penn went to get you some orange juice. After you drink it, you might be able to stand up without falling over."

Joe lay still. "Can I ask you something?" he asked.

"Sure," Burt said.

"The dean said he only converts a few students every year. But you said everyone here was a vampire," Joe began. "How?"

"The dean selects the ones he wishes to control and the others are under our control," Burt replied.

"And the hunt that Tony mentioned. He said everyone had to participate. It's for animals, right?" Joe asked, not expecting an affirmative answer.

"No. There are a few freshmen who are still human, as you put it. On Halloween, our chosen official holiday, we hunt them out and convert them," Burt explained.

"But it takes three bites to convert," Joe said, confused.

"It takes three bites to become one of the chosen," Burt explained. "Only one who has been bitten three times is blessed with longevity and speed."

"So everyone who goes to school here will be a vampire," Joe said.

"Basically," Burt admitted. "Unless..."

"Unless what?" Joe asked.

"If the vampire who sired you is killed, and you haven't sired any of your own, then your humanity is restored," he informed Joe.

"Has that ever happened?" Joe queried.

"A couple of times," was the reply. "A sire has been staked and his "children" have been released. But we were careful to reinitiate them."

"So you staked the sires," Joe observed.

Burt nodded. "As you were informed, occasionally there will be a rogue vampire who must be stopped."

Penn returned with Joe's juice and a few minutes alter, Penn and Burt helped Joe up and to the bathroom. After he was dressed, he was escorted to the dean's office. "Thank you boys," Andy said. "You two may leave," he added and waited for Penn and Burt to leave.

"How are you feeling this morning?" Andy asked Joe.

"Weak," Joe admitted from where he sat. Burt and Penn had practically had to carry him to the office.

"This is Halloween and I want you to participate in the evening's activities," Andy informed Joe. "I normally give my students twenty-four hours between initiations to recuperate, but in order for you to be ready for the evenings festivities, you must be fully converted. We will finish this now."

Joe closed his eyes. He had been hoping Frank or his father would show up to save him but he knew it wasn't going to happen. It would be weeks before he saw them again. There would be no saving him. Joe leaned his head to the side and waited for the inevitable. Andy came forward and let his teeth sink into Joe's neck, drinking deeply.

Andy rubbed the hair from Joe's forehead as he gazed down at the silent youth who lay so close to death's door. He bit his wrist and held it to Joe's mouth. The blood dripped onto Joe's lips and he opened his mouth greedily. In seconds, Joe was holding the dean's wrist and sucking the red liquid.

Minutes later, Andy pulled his arm from Joe and stood up. Joe fell back against the chair, exhausted. Burt opened the office door and entered with Penn and Brian at his heels. "Put him to bed," Andy ordered. "He needs to rest until tonight."

***

"I can't believe no one is outside on such a nice day," Fenton commented, climbing out of the rental he had obtained at the Greensboro airport.

"Who cares?" Frank asked. "Let's just get Joe and go home," he added. Even though the sun was bright and the trees filled with color, he couldn't shake the foreboding feeling he was experiencing.

They entered the building and headed toward the room over which hung a sign acknowledging it as the Dean's office. Fenton knocked on the door and entered when bid to do so. "Hello, how can I help you?" asked the secretary.

"We would like to see the dean," Fenton said.

"One moment. please," the secretary said and alerted the dean to the two men's presence. "You may go in now," the Hardys were instructed.

"Hello, Mr. Hardy, isn't it?" said the dean when Frank and Fenton entered his office. "Is there something wrong? I thought you said Joe needed to remain here for a couple of weeks."

"Events have altered," Fenton explained. "And Joe can come home now."

"Perhaps you would care to leave him here?" the dean inquired. "Joe is enjoying himself and this is one of the premier private schools in the country."

"No," Frank said, his expression set in a scowl. How dare he even suggest we leave Joe here? "We are taking him home now."

"I'm afraid I can't allow that," the dean replied, shocking the Hardys.

"You can't allow?" Fenton repeated, his face going red in anger. "I want my son. NOW!"

The door opened and the secretary entered followed by three of the teachers and several students. "Perhaps you will be more agreeable after a conference?" Andy inquired, smirking, his elongated teeth protruding from his mouth.

***

Joe's eyes popped open. He could feel it. A distress call coming from Andy. He had to help. He shakily got to his feet. Standing still, he took a couple of deep breaths and immediately felt better. He made his way toward the office.

As he neared, he heard familiar voices. "What are you?" Frank demanded in a hoarse voice.

"Don't you know?" Andy asked.

"Where's Joe?" Fenton demanded bravely.

"He's one of us now," Andy told him. "You shouldn't have come for him so soon."

"You came for me?" Joe asked, entering the office. "Why?"

"Blevins is dead," Frank told him, looking at Joe with a white face. Joe's teeth were the same as the others in the room. Long and sharp.

"Take him," Andy ordered Joe. "Convert him, now."

Joe reached for Frank. "Joe, no. Please? What have they done to you?"

Joe stopped and looked at Andy. "No?" he begged.

"Now," Andy ordered him again. "Convert him, now."

The other vampires in the room waited for Joe to do as he was told. From experience they knew he could not refuse a direct order from his sire.

Joe grabbed Frank by the shoulders, his mouth open and his fangs bared. Looking into Frank's brown eyes, his own blue ones filled with intense sorrow and hatred, he flung Frank away from him and dove at Andy, knocking him and several items on the desk over.

Joe grabbed the first thing he saw, a pencil, and rammed it with all the strength he could muster, into Andy's heart. Before his eyes, Andy exploded in a cloud of dust. Joe lay on the floor, cold and weak as the vampires turned and fled from the room.

"Joe," Frank said, getting up and rushing over to his brother. Fenton was already kneeling beside him.

Joe rolled over and looked up in the worried faces of his father and brother. "Can we go home now?" he whispered.

"You..your.." Frank tried to speak.

"Normal," Joe finished for Frank. "If the sire is killed before a newbie takes his first victim, he becomes human again."

"Thank God," Fenton rasped. "But..." he turned to look out of the office door.

"They won't be here when the authorities arrive," Joe told them. "I heard them planning their escape just before Andy turned to dust."

"Heard them?" Frank asked.

"It's a long story," Joe said, getting to his feet with the help of his father and Frank. "Can we talk about it at home?"

The three made their way out of the school and into the sunlight. As Joe was helped into the car, Burt looked on and smiled. Just as he had planned. Initiating Joe before the dean had a chance to give his final initiation had let him rule Joe's actions. He was Joe's true sire. He controlled Joe now.

The End