The Ultimate Vampire Resource and Directory

The darkness crept quickly, devouring the last of the dreaded sun. It was not night, but an eclipse. It was not just an eclipse, it was the eclipse. I ran outside, breathing heavily, shooting through the streets. The little boys playing basketball had stopped, starring at people gathering in the streets. I was ready; I hadn't been in sunlight for three days, hadn't eaten for two, and hadn't slept in twenty-four hours. I had my knife, my lighter, a bottle of water and a bowl of salt. I had on my older sisters jacket: her wasted powers would soon be mine. She was an idiot to abuse them, but now I got to keep them.

I arrived at the circle, a crowd of six or seven people already here. We were waiting till we had twelve, not including me.

The other arrived, holding gifts for after we were done. I saw the pile. They stood in a circle. I took the bowl of salt and threw it into the wind. I took the water and made a circle outside of everyone, and crossed the barrier into the middle. No mortal could stop us now. The kids went into their house, driven by instinct. The street was empty. I took off my jacket, and everyone stood, eyes closed. I felt a cool, tingling sensation on the top of my back, which soon became a stabbing pain. The oldest of us was branding me with his knife. I felt the blood trickle down. I made no noise, no movements. He poured a special tea on my wound and bandaged me. The others opened their eyes and looked slightly at the eclipse. It was fading, and the mark was fading with it. They picked me up and ran me to the cave; I was too weak to walk.

The mark stayed. I was in.