Isn't Clarissa's Family the BEST?

"We're killing you, sweetie." Clarissa's mother replied.

"First," Winny said, "How old are you? I'd like to know."

He shrugged.

"I've completely lost track--the last birthday I remember was four hundred and eighty-two, and that was centuries ago. But, in any case, I don't plan for my life to end here, so I'll be off. Clarissa, be good while I'm gone."

He pecked her affectionately on the cheek, sighing sadly.

Clarissa didn't protest, mainly because if she kept him any longer, something bad was going to happen and she knew it. Not that it mattered.

In seconds, Clarissa was thrown to the ground, out of the way. Both her parents drew handguns and fired at Alois, while Steven drew a knife and headed for Alois with it.

Alois jumped out of the way, heading for the door; he paused when he saw Clarissa.

"...Darling, are you okay?!" he called.

Clarissa struggled against Winny's iron grip.

"Alois, just run!" She shouted.

Of course, that was pretty useless, too. Winny let go of Clarissa and went after Alois instead, able to keep up with his speed.

"I will protect her from you!" Winny announced coldly.

Completely taken by surprise, Alois yanked open the door and stumbled into the street.

"Clarissa, I'll be back for you--and I'll wait, too!"

Savagely, Winny lunged at Alois.

"What is your power, anyway?" She asked. "Because I just trapped us within a forcefield."

"I thought you smelled dead," he hissed, leaping backward. "Look, I don't want to fight you."

"I do. I want to kill you." She hissed. "Clarissa doesn't need someone like you in her life. Did you plan on ruining her life by turning her, too?!"

"No!" he exclaimed. "I refuse to turn her--she has a chance at a healthy, human life, why would I voluntarily take that away?!"

Winny looked taken back.

"You really didn't plan on turning her? But then why would you do this to her? She loves you! What happens when she grows old and you don't?"

"I stay with her until she dies, and then I mourn," he replied, his voice cracking slightly. "Just like I've done in the past with people I've loved. It's the fate of creatures like us, isn't it?"

"Wouldn't you turn her, even to save yourself and her from that fate...?" She asked quietly.

"...I wouldn't want to," he said honestly. "But it's her choice, in the end...I'd still rather never bite her for any reason whatsoever."

Winny smiled suddenly.

"I like you, Alois. I really do." She told him. "So, I think, perhaps I'll let you leave today. Just, please, don't come back."

"Then I owe you a favor, madam," he said with a bow. "...But if Clarissa comes after me...will you stop her?"

She shook her head.

"In fact, I think she will. There's nothing I can do; she's nearly an adult. Please, do take care of her for me."

"I promise on my honor as a gentleman," he said sincerely. "...It really was a pleasure to meet you, ma'am. And again, thank you." He took off running down the street, waving once in farewell.

Winny watched as he left, smiling sadly.

"Please turn her someday, Alois..." She said to herself. "Or she'll never be happy."

-x-

Predictably, Clarissa found her way to Alois's house about a week after the incident.

"Alois?" She called.

"Clarissa?" he called from the bedroom. "Back already?! I'm never going to be rid of you, am I?..." He smiled nonetheless, quickly slipping on a shirt.

Clarissa ventured towards the bedroom, holding two huge suitcases of stuff.

His eyes widened.

"...Dear, what are those for?" he asked, though he had a sinking suspicion already.

"I-I ran away." She said, seeming quite shaken for Clarissa. "...I hope you're not mad at me."

He sighed, and pulled her into a warm embrace.

"Dear...what you've done is awfully rash. Are you sure?"

She dropped her suitcases and hugged him tightly.

"I...can't take being there anymore...It's...not my home anymore."