Florence blinked. She could have sworn she heard someone say her name... among other things. She narrowed her eyes, scanning the closest buildings. When her sight swept over the hotel, she stopped. Staring down at her from a second story room was Loudmouth. She vaguely recognized his features. Perhaps she had come across him before sometime in the past. That would explain how he knew her name. It didn't matter. Why was he trying to get her attention? At first, she considered turning away and pretending she didn't hear him, but she knew that wouldn't work. Being a vampire as well, he would know how sharp her ears were. She sighed in resignation and looked down at her feet. She was standing at the edge of the road, the border between the town and the forest.

[i]Well, better late than never.[/i]

Florence stepped onto the road and walked to the other side. She had to cross to the hotel before replying to Loudmouth. She wasn't going to follow his example by shouting across the street. Ingrained with a learned cautiousness, she crept through the shadows to reach the hotel then swiftly clambered up a neighboring tree to peer through the window. Inside she saw the vampire who had called out to her - after seeing him up closer she was certain they had met before, she just couldn't remember when or where - along with a second female vampire. She was strikingly beautiful, Florence noted with a grain of envy. She self-consciously brushed a lock of wild red hair out of her face.

"What do you want?" Florence said softly, shifting her hazel gaze back to the male. She crouched on the tree branch and tilted her head at him quizzically.

---

[b]"How's work going Zach?"[/b]

"Well, nothing new has happened, if that's what you mean," Zach replied with a nonchalant shrug. He finished off the rest of his sandwich, crumpled up the wrapper, and made a basketball shot with it for the trash can. He leaned back into the couch. "The vampires attack and we take them down. Business as usual." He glanced at the door to the bedroom just as it begin to open and Ben stepped into view. Zach followed him with his eyes as Ben walked into the kitchen to make some coffee.

[b]"Hello boys. What do I have the pleasure of having you two here?"[/b]

"What, do I need a reason to pay a visit to my pseudo-dad?" Zach replied sarcastically, raising his eyebrows in mock surprise. The phone rang and he watched patiently as Ben moved to answer it. It was probably another call about work. He sighed. Ben was out late last night, and now he was getting a request in the morning. The poor guy couldn't seem to catch a break.

[b]"Alright. I'll be there in ten."[/b] Then to him and Chris. [b]"Thanks for the food. My shift starts again soon."[/b]

"Well, I've got nothing better to do," Zach said, jumping to his feet. He didn't bother asking if it was alright for him to tag along. It's not like Ben could tell him off anyway; Zach never changed his mind once it was made up. He walked over and stood next to the front door, waiting to leave.