Leonardo di Caprio is a Vampire Read Online Free Page A

what happens."
    That seemed harmless enough. It wasn't as if anything was actually going to happen, not in any way she had in mind. "Fine," he agreed hastily, sliding her out of the way just in time to throw himself into the elevator before the doors began to close.
    "Don't forget!" she yelled after him, her voice echoing all the way down.
     
     

Chapter Four
     
    The park across the street was an old one. It was a self-contained oasis in the midst of what was otherwise a business district. It had been around since they were kids. Their moms had brought them here to play together, back when all it contained were a few swings, a couple of see-saws, and a merry-go round. They still managed to come to the park on a regular basis. Here they had picnics, drank beer, and just talked. Here was familiar. Here was safe and comfortable. It was sheer serendipity that Fisher had gotten a job just across the street from the park.
    Fisher did not feel quite so safe at the moment, though. He felt far from comfortable.
    Their usual spot was a particular wooden picnic table that sat in a corner of the tree-filled park, away from the hustle and the bustle. Being farther from the action, it was seldom used, so they'd adopted it for their own. They relished its exclusivity and its privacy. It wasn't beautiful, but they called it theirs.
    On the short walk out of the building and across the street, Fisher took time to school himself on the proper responses to make when Hunter told him the joyous news. He practiced his reply aloud, including several variations thereof, with the intention of sounding natural when actually required to say something.
    "That's wonderful. I'm very happy for you. Congratulations." All trite responses. All of them perfect for the situation as well as for hiding his true feelings. The ones he was desperately attempting to lock inside of him, even as he walked to his imagined doom, unconsciously fingering the cell phone in his pocket like a security blanket. Keep it on just that level. Impersonal, yet friendly. Close, yet distant. Walk that fine line, dance that tightrope, and wear that happy goofy grin of perpetual friendship. Just keep on smiling, Fisher, and pretend like everything's okay. Then maybe it will be. Some day. He sighed, choking back his tears.
    He found Hunter just where he'd said he'd be, his long frame stretched out on one side of the table, taking up an entire bench. His eyes were closed; his head rested on one hand, while with the other he was making strange gestures in the air. Almost as if he were talking to himself, punctuating his statements with the movements of his fingers.
    Taking advantage of the fact that Hunter couldn't see him, Fisher took a moment to memorize that beautiful face, inch by lovely inch, as if he were taking mental snapshots that would have to last a lifetime. A lifetime without his friend. Why was that thought so painful? Just then, those clear blue eyes snapped open, and Hunter quickly rose from his prone position, smiling at the sight of Fisher. Throwing his legs out of the way, he patted the bench, indicating that Fisher should sit there. He took a deep breath and did so.
    "Hey, Hunter."
    "Hey, Fisher."
    There was a moment of silence between them, the air fairly crackling with electricity, as if a storm were brewing. Indeed the wind did seem to be picking up. Nothing unusual for this time of year. More often than not, Halloween was a rainy night. Whoever thought of sending kids out in costume on the last day of October obviously never had kids.
    "Are you okay?"
    Fisher was surprised at the question. That's what he'd come to find out about Hunter, he hadn't expected to hear the question being routed back to himself.
    "Why wouldn't I be?"
    "You were already leaving work, when I called. That's not like you. I just wondered."
    "Nothing serious. Lunch didn't agree with me, that's all."
    Fisher could see now that Hunter appeared nervous. That was so unlike him. His friend was the