The new year had began at the Vampire College in Virginia State but this year the vibe and atmosphere at the college felt different; there was a solemn undertone and it was floating around the halls. Some of the events the prior year had changed things and the fight with Haze seemed to cause a silent yet paralyzing fear. The trio members could all feel the change there was a new and tense feeling. They were always feared but now to a new extent.

Early September felt gloomier then usual and colder, the brisk cool air felt as if it was the month of December pretending to be September. The colors of the leaves had already begun to change and in the mornings you could already smell fall approaching. The summers bright and pretty colors had all become orange and brown. Ishla sat on the bleachers watching all the students scurry about, the new kids holding their rosters tight, the lost look in their eyes as they tried to find their way. College was so much different from the Vampire high schools- the scale was a lot larger. They were all use to the small amount of students that would attend the local high school but the colleges were far more crowded and versatile. Haze sat down beside Ishla, he had grown his hair out. His long wavy locks were now shoulder length and he had grown a bit of facial hair, there was something scruffy about him.

　

Ishla turned to face Haze.

“You new here too, like the rest of them. Ishla asked Haze.

“No but you’re new right?

“I guess you could say that my names Ishla.”

“To whom do you belong?”

“No one.”

“Everyone has a blood line I’m from the Cornell family my names Quinn but people call me Haze.”

“Why?”

“That started in high school there’s no actual reason or meaning just sort of happened that way.”

“Who are the three guys there.”

Haze turned to see the trio members walking on the field, they seemed disconnected from each other. They walked at the same pace yet Josh walked with his head down and his hands in his pockets. Roland held his head up but he was standing the furthest away. Rayon looked as he always did, concerned like a million thoughts were running threw his mind at once. He constantly ran his fingers threw his hair and as usual he stood out- he was truly beautiful in a way that was different from the other trio member- enchanting he was.

　

“That‘s the trio, Joshua Toby is the tallest one with the short hair and Roland Parsh is the one with the curly hair and the blond is Rayon the fourth they have some weird connection to each other. They have more abilities then most vampires their from very established families, their gift holders.”

“I heard stories about them the trio, their suppose to be really extraordinary. I didn’t know they went to school here.” Ishla stated.

“What did you hear about them?” Haze asked quickly he like he was starved for the answer.

“Crazy stuff, the trio consist of one pair of twins and a straggler that makes three, the twins and the straggler. The twins were in love with each other at one time, because they didn’t know they were related. People would call them the kissing brothers behind their backs. They were suppose to be really traumatized when they found out, but I thought they had fallen apart from each other after all that went down. I think the story says the straggler found them, he was their missing link. I don’t know why or how but he is the glue that can hold them together. They say if you can take him down, you can take them all down. They are going to be the salvation of our kind. I hear they are really important to the vampire culture- they will lead us all one day.”

“I never heard those things before about them, who are the twins and which one is the straggler?” Haze questioned.

　“You figure it out, anyway from what I know the straggler supposedly left his own twin brother to join them, without ever explaining why and his brother was broken when he left. They say that after he left they completely lost their connection to each other. The stragglers twin can supposedly take form of those he kills, I hear his goal in life is to end the trio.”

“Really, that’s interesting someone who hates them as opposed to fear or admiration. It‘s like people think of them as gods when their just three losers. The entire vibe has changed, everyone’s walking around on egg shells since the fight. I guess it‘s the fact that most of us don‘t have abilities and they do. No one had really seen them use it till then but now that they have it feels real. But you probably don‘t know much about that fight, you weren‘t here then.” Haze said.

“Why don’t you proclaim your manhood back Haze?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Oriole used you, then he had sex with Josh while you stood there listening, he discarded you after the risk you took for him. Josh broke you and stole everything and you’re just accepting it, there they are happy life moved on for them. The way they beat you was absurd when all you were trying to do was what, stand up for yourself. The trio is out of control, and must be stopped they take everything away from people.”

“Who told you about that?”

“Hello my friend I am the stragglers twin, Ishla and I am here to bring the trio the desolation they deserve. If you think their gifted then you are sadly mistaken, stick with me and you will be greatly rewarded. I can give you what you always wanted.”









Jamie and Roland had become closer and played a parenting role in the group. They did a lot of watching over the others and keeping things peaceful. Pear and Rayon seemed to be at a cross roads, she wanted him to make their relationship official yet he hadn’t. Josh and Oriole had never been stronger, yet the fear of Verlo’s next move still haunted them.

Josh had not heard from his dad since the night at the pier. Verlo seemed to disappear, but Josh knew enough to know that he never gave up on anything. Josh moved in with Oriole which increased the pressure for him. He wanted to treat Oriole better and to remain loyal however he understood that his mood was in constant change, more so then anyone else he knew. Josh knew that he could never trust himself he was not a disciplined person.

He would often joke with Oriole that he was possibly bipolar even though such disease were not diagnosed to vampires. Mental illness was not a trait found in vampires because vampires did not become sick- physically or mentally and this is something that made them far different from humans.

The concept that Vampires thought and felt things in a completely different way from humans was foreign and most humans could not wrap their minds around it. The idea that vampires could fall in love and in hate rapidly was strange because that was not the norm for humans. Josh sometimes thought about this, he wondered why.

　

Their bodies were dead yet their hearts beat- Josh could not understood this concept himself, was he a monster he would wonder. Constantly pretending to love and understand who he was when he actually felt perplexed about it made Josh feel like a phony. He was angry at everything and everyone because he could not accept who he was. Most admired him for being gifted but this added further complexity to his life.

It was a challenge just to deal with his emotions yet he had other things to process along with this. The rape from his father only added depression and further self hatred so to love someone one else when you hated yourself was impossible for him to deal with.

However this love brought confidence and slowly brought joy and this was a feeling that scared Josh. To never feel love then suddenly have it caused him worry because naturally it could be lost- then what. What if he had come to depend on it? Such a great lost could be devastating he felt. The lost was sure to come because eventually the fact that he only caused constant turmoil would have to break them up Josh thought. Josh knew he lived for drama he was up and just as quickly down- this is who he was- who could stay in love with someone like that. Josh understood he was a difficult person to love and that made him sad because he had no control over it. But he did not want to hurt their relationship and all the progress they had made. He was slowly becoming resentful, because he felt a little like he was not completely himself anymore.

These were the things that were felt, but never voiced and to the outsider looking in this group was perfection. Oriole and the girls took a seat at the bottom of the bleachers, the trio members seemed to all stop walking at the same time. They just stood there, they weren’t talking to each other.

“Who is the new hottie?” Oriole questioned.

Pear looked up at Ishla and Haze, Ishla made eye contact with her, he gave her a friendly smile.

“That guy is Ishla, he is in my homeroom his family just moved here from Texas.” Pear said.

Oriole took another look at Ishla, there was something sexy about him, he resembled a young Brad Pitt. He was tall and lean but there was muscle to him, he had a way about him that made you drawn to him. He was wearing a white cow boy hat but his long blond hair hung free, it was almost shoulder length. When he would smile it seemed innocent.

“Lets make up a name for him, we will call him the seducer.” Oriole said playfully.

“Oriole you are so silly sometimes, and your imagination is so over the top.” Jamie said.

“What, he is seductive and of course Haze would be all over him trying to get the newbie before anyone else.”

“Haze has become who Josh use to be.” Pear said.

“Yeah, and I think Josh is a little jealous of that.” Jamie said.

“Please, my man don’t have to be jealous of him he is Joshua Toby, the man- the legend..”

“Get over your self and your lover.” Jamie said playfully.

"You know what we should do?” Pear said.

“What?” Oriole asked.

“Well the boys are the trio, we should start calling ourselves something.”

“We should be the trios.” Jamie said.

“I love that.” Pear exclaimed.

Haze and Ishla made their way to the trios, Ishla seemed so friendly he was smiling and he took of his hat as he made his way to them. His long hair blew in the wind, he looked like a southern god.

“Hello, ladies and gentleman I’m Ishla.” He suddenly was using a thick southern accent, Haze was a little surprised by the sudden act. But the accent was comforting and his voice was deep and sensual, there a nice huskiness to it.

“Hello Ishla were the trios, I’m Oriole and this is Pear and Jamie my sidekicks.”

Pear slapped Oriole on his shoulder playfully.

“Oh you guys call yourself the trios, that’s cute. The trios, you know I just wish I could eat you guys up and devour you whole, I just might.” Ishla said.

“I cant tell if your flirting or if you want to execute us.” Oriole said in a playful way.

The trio walked over, they seemed to be back to their old ways. Oriole could sense their defenses were up, they were slightly unfriendly.

“What’s up Haze, who is your friend here?’ Rayon said in a snide way.

“Well I can speak for myself, I’m Ishla.”

“Oh, what’s up.” Josh stated, but he was sort of discourteous in his tone.

“Nothing just greeting Haze's friends here, hey do you lift weights?” Ishla asked Josh.

“Yes, I do.”

“Yeah I can see that, I work out to we should spot each other sometime.” Ishla said, his eyes gazed Josh in a seductive matter.

“Yeah maybe so.” Josh said in an emotionless way, Haze and Ishla walked off.

“Why do you guys have to come off like dicks all the time?” Pear asked.

“It’s better to make it hard for others to infiltrate our group then to make it easy.” Rayon said.

“I think you guys should just be a little more friendly to outsiders.” Pear said.

“It’s no big deal, it’s just our way.” Roland said.

“Well the guy seemed alright.” Josh said.

“Yeah because anyone who flirts with Josh is cool.” Oriole said sarcastically.

Everybody laughed, Josh looked unpleased by the comment.

“How was he flirting with me, you were the one smiling from ear to ear when he approached you guys.” Josh said to Oriole.

“Save it you guys, lets finish this game.” Roland said tossing the football the guys went back onto the field.