"Today you are with me, Clarence!" Steel shouted.
"Why do you spend so much time with me? I had some tests I could have helped Dad with." Clarence stated.
"You liked being poked and prodded with needles that much?" Steel replied, annoyed.
"If I do then no one else needs to go through it…'
Taking his hand Steel gave him a big smile, she stood there observing his clothing, how plain it was.
"Don't you want to change?" Steel asked.
"What do you mean?"
"Feel good about yourself?" Steel replied.
"I don't know how to do that?"
They walk slowly together down the street peering into the windows of shops showcasing male clothing. So many trends staring back at them.
"How do you want to look?" Steel inquired.
"Steel…I want to go home already…"
"Nonsense!" Steel scolded.
Pushing the door open, the bell rings at the top. Clarence backed away, scared of the noise, his body shook nervously. The clerk gawked at the kid.
"Are you okay?" The clerk asked.
"He is new to fashion." Steel answered.
"Would you like me to help you pick things for him?" The clerk wondered.
"Actually sure, I could use all the help I could get with him." Steel gauged.
They look through many stacks of clothing and hand him different pairs of pants and shirts to try on, the first one is a colorful hoodie and bleached jeans.
"I don't like this Steel…" Clarence argued.
He tried on the next pair being an irregularly large black shirt with newspaper print scribbled all over it and pants that match. The clerk cracked a small smile.
"Maybe this type of streetwear isn't for him?" The clerk countered.
Tossing the clothing on the floor he goes back in to change leaving without Steel in hand. Steel quickly picks up the pieces, folding them, handing them to the assistant.
"I am going home…I am not adaptable like you, Steel." Clarence argued.
"Can I ask you a question?"
"I would rather you don't…"
"Clarence, are you from the other side of the veil?" Steel pondered out loud.
"I came from the other side with some other boys, Steel are you from here?" Clarence asked.
"I don't remember…I woke up with Mateo beside me."
"Steel…is that even your real name?"
"I don't know what it was, Clarence, but if you give me one…what would you call me?" She answered.
Walking backward, her arms out to her side she saddled up next to Clarence waiting for him to respond. He looks at her cluelessly.
"Ava…because you are so lively."
"Then only you can call me Ava, Clarence okay?"
"O-okay…"
"I am sorry you got taken away from your home."
"I am used to it now I guess."
"How did Doctor Silas find you?"
"A bunch of us were called on by strangers…a lot of us had no time to react before we were knocked out and caged up. New veilers often are easy catches, I heard."
"They are, but now you are with me, Clarence. Trust me I am not like Silas."
"Thank you…"
"Let's go to lunch, my treat okay?" Steel smiled.
A dark shadow loomed over the two talking, Steel went to turn around from Clarence swinging her long skirt in her hands out to find a man in front of them had been watching them; he was tall and burly wearing a discolored yellow shirt and black vest, his slacks drooped.
"So you are a couple of new veilers?" He grinned.
"Absolutely not your business!" Steel answered.
Placing his fingers gently on Steel's shoulder, Clarence pushed himself in front of Steel making him release his grip instantly.
"She isn't coming with you!" Clarence shouted.
"Shut up boy! Come on baby, I can be good to you!" He smiled.
Throwing the back of his hand he thrust knuckles into Clarence's jaw, up cutting him, causing him to bite into his tongue. His eyes watered in pain.
"What's the matter with you?" He said shocked.
"That really hurt…" Clarence huffed.
"Clarence!" Steel cried.
Steel wrestled with the stranger, Clarence became stunned observing how everyone on the street stopped. The streets stopped their clamor of bustle.
"Steel…nothing is moving!" Clarence shouted.
Moving her head slightly to the side she noticed what Clarence was saying, everything, but the three were tinted in an essence of red. The man burst out in laughter.
A man dressed in rags carried on through the steamy vapor, hauling a long silver blade behind him letting the metal screech. Everyone closed their ears trying to avoid the noise knocking the intruder away.
"Rosalie, you've come so far…" He stated, "You become so useful."
"What are you talking about?" Steel asked.
"I sent you to Mateo, but you have grown so marvelously," he stated.
"You know who I am?" Steel commented.
"I am the one who brought you here, be mine and I will be your everything…"
Letting his fingers curl her hair behind her ears, bending down he kissed her on the lips, Clarence and the stranger were amazed at the man's boldness. Lifting her in his arms, her eyes grow hollow and look forward.
"Let's go home, Rosalie…"
"No!" Clarence shrieked.
Covering his mouth he stood there unsure what made him want to speak out despite how loud Steel was. He really liked Steel and cared enough to try to participate in his life.
"I…can't…" Steel said.
"What?" The white-haired man yelled.
"Steel!" Clarence howled.
She falls over to her side, her palm glowing in her sleep. Peeking over at Clarence, he doesn't know what to do. He never has been in a fight beyond the veil, Clarence had been an experiment from the time he entered the world.
"I knew she wasn't strong enough yet to hold me off."
"Y-you ain't going anywhere!" Clarence defended.
"You really think you can stop me? Little science experiment vampire?" He laughed.
"Wait, how do you know that?" Clarence asked.
"One day you will understand, but now only grow your powers. You are holding Steel back the way you are now."