Story without a title
Lucy Hamilton, 13,  Hertfordshire, UK

Bitter tears splash over my cheeks, harsh reminders of what I've done and what I now have to do. I hesitate for a moment outside the old, worn-out cottage. A battle is raging inside my head, should I go in? I could always run away, but the vampire is already too angry to let me get away. I eventually step through the door, groping along the walls, the darkness inside even more impenetrable than that outside, it seems to envelope me, to hold me in its repulsive embrace. I hate it. I have to be blunt because that's how I feel. The only warm thing around me is the tear trickling down my face. If this fails I will never feel warmth again. I push that thought away; it has been annoying me ever since the sun went down. I call out into the darkness. "Helloo," My voice sounds feeble and unconvincing in the large emptiness of the house. I hear a rustle to my right and spin around to face it, my breath is coming in short gasps and I am sure my heart will soon beat out of my chest. I eventually stumble forward, sure that the noise was just my nervous mind playing tricks on me. My footsteps slow for a moment before stopping, the floor I am walking on is different. Instead of the hard, worn floorboards they are now slightly springy, and it produces a hollow sound when I walk on it. I bend down, running my fingers over the floor. I tap lightly on it with my knuckles. It definitely isn't solid. I feel around some more, searching for a clue, I find a small handhold in the wood; my heart leaps for a second. I try to pull it up, I heave backwards with all my weight. Finally it gives way and I am thrown backwards. My head comes into contact with something hard and I groan. I sit up slowly, rubbing my aching head, stars dance tauntingly in front of my eyes.

I look into the pit that the trapdoor had hidden. I see the shadow of what I have been looking for. It's larger than I imagined, still shiny though it must have been old. I run my hands over the smooth lid of the coffin. Should I open it? I have to kill it. A stake, I need a stake, I was stupid to forget one I know, but I was in a rush. But first I'll open the coffin; just to make sure the vampire is in there. I grip the lid tightly and pull it. It comes up in a rush of foul smelling air. I retch slightly as it gets into my throat. Eventually I look in the coffin, dreading what I hope to find. I can't see anything inside. I frown in confusion, feeling the inside, just in case my eyes are playing tricks. No, nothing, just the smooth silk lining on my fingertips. I lean back on my heels, trying to work out where it's gone. Suddenly I feel an icy grip on my shoulder and I begin to shiver uncontrollably. I don't know whether it's from fear or the cold, it could be both I suppose. The hand must be incredibly strong because it's squeezing my shoulder painfully, harder than any human could. I try to turn my head but my neck won't twist far enough to see who it is. All I can see is the pale hand, almost silvery in the dark. Even if I could bend round enough to face the person, I'm not sure whether my weak eyes could penetrate the dark. I try to speak, but my throat seems to have frozen up. I suddenly realize I'm not getting enough air. I claw at my neck, in a feeble attempt to ease my windpipe. I find a second hand there, I'm surprised I didn't feel it before, it's grabbed hold of my neck, squeezing the air out, suffocating me. I try to scream, squirming in the strong grasp. Finally I'm free, I fall to my knees, gulping in the sweet - but not entirely fresh - air. It is only now that I dare to turn round to view my attacker. It's a woman; I see the shiny black hair, the pale skin and full red lips. It's the vampire. Ok, I'll tell you what I did; I exchanged my brother, Mark's life for mine. I know it was stupid, and I'll never forget the look on my brother's face as the vampire moved in for the kill. It was one of terror and confusion, hurt and betrayal. He'd known what I'd done and he wasn't angry, just hurt. I'd thought I hated him until that moment. Another salty tear is trickling down my cheek. It drips into my mouth. I wonder what blood tastes like. It's just like me to think stupid thoughts in situations like this. I turn to the vampire. She grins menacingly, flashing her sharp teeth. "So. We meet again, I wondered whether you'd come." She rasps, her voice is hoarse and gravelly. My lower lip begins to tremble and I bite down on it hard. Too hard. Blood wells up in my mouth. I spit it out. So that's what it tastes like. I think miserably. "What are you going to do to me?" I whisper, at least I can still speak; I thought I was frozen in fear. Her smile broadens; I can dimly see a steely glint in her eye. I let my chin flop to my chest. She's going to drink from me. Suddenly I have an idea, the sun must be coming up soon, I don't have much time. I feel around the floor with my foot. Backwards first, my foot hits something solid. To the right, the same again. There's no point in front because that's where the vampire is. I try to the left and almost gasp in relief but I stop myself. Of course I mustn't give my plan away. I can start now. I think and begin my plan. I open my mouth and take a deep breath as though I'm about to say something important. I can see the vampires tensed muscles relax; hear a contented sigh of control. She thinks she's got me. I almost smile but push it away before it can reach my mouth. Now is the time to make my move. When she thinks she's safe in the knowledge that she's getting her meal no matter what. I run. Bolting like a nervous horse through the cottage. I stumble many times, always scrambling back up, driven on by the terror behind me. The vampire reacts fast, she moves stealthily and surely through the dark. The gap between us is closing; she's drawing nearer, fast!

I feel like falling to the ground and crying. Weeping until no more tears can fall from my eyes. But I know what will happen to me if I do. I'll end up like Mark. I remember it so well, though it was over a week ago now. I see a picture in my mind. It's that that keeps me going. The white, waxy skin, all the blood drained from his veins. The two puncture wounds in his neck, bite marks. I see a tiny glimmer of light at the end of the corridor. My courage flares and I feel as though I could fight a lion - or the vampire - without even a flicker of fear. I race to the door; I can see clearly the patch of moonlight spilling into the house. I'm touching the door, feeling for the doorknob. I have it! Suddenly my fear returns as a cold hand rests on mine. I let out a long rattling breath. "What do you want of me?" I ask, shaking uncontrollably, helpless tears flooding my cheeks. The vampire chuckles. She leans close to my ear. I brace myself, ready to dodge if she makes a move for my neck. "Revenge." She hisses. Her breath tickles my ear and I flinch. She draws back, sensing my fear. I seized the doorknob with my other hand and wrench it backwards. The vampire is thrown to the ground and she squeals in surprise as she falls. I kick her hard, hoping to delay her for long enough so I can get outside. She roars as my foot strikes her side. I laugh as I run, looking up at the sky. "Yes!" I wail, seeing the sun, just peeking over the horizon. I stop and look back at the house. The door is facing me, the vampire scowling at me from inside. I shout at her, yelling insults. Taunting her and teasing her, trying to drag her into the open. She obviously can't see the sun from where she is or she wouldn't dare venture after me. She takes a tentative step outside, peering up at the sky, just as I had. I run into the trees by the house. As though I were trying to get away. I crouch behind a log when I'm out of sight. I can still see the cottage if I crane my neck upwards. The vampire is stumbling about, she looks drunk, trembling and laughing hysterically. Words are worked into the giggles and I can catch part of what she's saying. "Cheated by a child!" She's crying, "Beaten! But don't think you'll forget me! I curse you!" She stumbles and falls. As she hits the ground she catches sight of me. I see the look in her eyes. It's not fear or surprise, but admiration. She screams, an inhuman shriek tearing across the dawn and then she's gone. All that's left of her is a cloud of ashes, scattering itself across the small area of grass. I breathe out finally. I hadn't realised I'd been holding it in. With my breath my remaining energy seems to go and I lean heavily against the log. I'm so tired. I could easily go to sleep right now. In fact, I think I will. I yawn sleepily and draw my knees up to my chin. I'm slipping into sleep … I can barely keep my eyes open … I yawn … I wonder if tonight really happened … I yawn and sink slowly deeper into darkness…

A woman strolled through a field. Her dog bounded in front of her, happy to be off the lead. Suddenly the German Shepherd stopped. His pointed ears pricked and his owner saw a look of confusion flicker across his face. He wasn't a particularly bright dog and the woman laughed at its puzzlement. She followed him as he raced through a patch of long grass. The long strands whipped at her legs, still slightly wet from the mornings rain. The dog was snuffling about by a fallen tree. He suddenly went out of sight as he disappeared around to the other side. The woman stopped, sighing happily, a smile of contentment passed over her lips as she beheld the scene in front of her. The small group of trees, the once beautiful cottage nestled in the miniature forest. The sun was behind it, casting a shadow on the damp grass. Her dog yelped in surprise and she jumped at the unexpected noise. She hurried over to him, wondering what he'd found. She hoped it wasn't a rabbit, he had taken quite a liking to them. What she found was definitely not a rabbit. It was at least ten times bigger, wore clothes and made her hand fly to her mouth in horror. It was a teenage girl. Her back resting on the log, the German Shepherd nuzzling her bleeding hand. The woman knelt by her side, hoping desperately that she was alive.

She picked up her icy cold wrist and her shaking hand searched for a pulse. Relief washed over her as a faint flutter of a heartbeat found her fingers. She fumbled in her pocket for her phone. She found it and dialled in 999 with a trembling hand. She told the ambulance to hurry and then turned back to the girl. She was stirring and moaning groggily. The woman grasped the girls hand, happy to help. ! might even be in the papers. She thought, chuckling to herself. Then she realized what she was thinking and scolded herself for being so selfish.

I'm waking up. I can hear sirens. My head is pounding and I wish they'd turn the noise down. I don't open my eyes for a while, I'm quite happy to lay like this forever - apart from the noise of course. I try to pull my duvet up as I've suddenly become cold, but then I remember what's happened. My eyes fly open and I try to sit up. There is a hand resting on mine and I'm reminded of the vampire. I turn to look at the owner of the hand and find myself looking into cold eyes and realise it is the vampire. I gasp and try to pull my hand away. The vampire looks confused and opens her mouth to speak. I struggle free of her grip and leap upright, I kick her hard in the face, hoping to hurt her badly. There is a crunch and a scream as my foot comes into contact with its target. I look for the source of the sirens and see an ambulance parked by a bush. I run for it, they'll help me, it's their job. I bang frantically on the doors, willing them to open. After a few moments a mans friendly face smiles down at me from the car window. "Help" I mouth to him. He opens the door and hops down, a woman follows him. "What's the matter love?" he asks kindly but I can't speak. My mouth hangs open in terror and I let loose a shrill scream. The second paramedic is the vampire! I can't take anymore and I run. I almost trip over the vampire I kicked in my rush to get away. She groans piteously as I race past. Without thinking I dash into the empty cottage. I crash through the house. Knocking over cupboards and furniture on my way. Suddenly I feel myself falling, my foot gets caught on a loose floorboard and I tumble to the ground, but I don't stop at the floor. I carry on going, the silky base of the coffin rushes up to greet me. I land with a thud in the coffin! I hear the lid close with a bang behind me.

PS Lucy is 'friendlyface' on the cool-reads forum.