Read Online The Vampire's Photograph by Kevin Emerson - Free Book Online Page B

hadn’t he? Had the Conformists done something special? Or was the truth what Oliver was starting to suspect, that vampires could appear in photos, and it was only Oliver who couldn’t?
    Oliver stared blankly at the photo, his head lost in confusing thoughts. What was wrong with him that he couldn’t be photographed? After a while, he swam out of his head and realized that his gaze had drifted away from the vampire girl. Now he was staring at the face of the young music teacher standing to the side of the class. She looked happy, her hair up in the curls of the time, a wide smile on her face—
    Suddenly, there was a flash in Oliver’s mind—a vision that seemed clearer and stronger than any dream. It was this woman’s face, smiling, looking down toward him tenderly. Behind her there were strange, tiny lights, and formations, maybe buildings, it was hard to tell, because he was overwhelmed by her bright human eyes.
    Oliver shook his head, and the image blinked out, leaving his vision bleached in white spots, like he’d been staring at a streetlight for too long. He looked down and found himself trembling—but why? Who was that woman? It had almost seemed like a memory.
    Maybe he’d seen her when he was little. It was always amazing how your brain could remember the strangest little details from so long ago. Yet, why would he remember this face out of the thousands he’d seen? And for that matter, why did Oliver feel his anxiety creeping over him now? His insides were getting tight. He wanted to study the picture more carefully—
    Just then, two hands grabbed him by the shoulders and hurled him down the hall.
    â€œWha—” Oliver sailed through the air, slamming to the tile floor and sliding into a trio of trash cans.
    â€œI’m waiting out there for ten minutes.” Oliver looked up to see Bane marching toward him, his green eyes blazing in bright lime.
    Oh, no , Oliver thought. He’d completely forgotten that Bane had been waiting for him to walk home. Now he reached Oliver and yanked him to his feet by his backpack.
    â€œOw!” Oliver shouted.
    â€œCome on, little lamb,” Bane sneered, dragging him stumbling down the steps toward the back door.
    â€œThat hurts!” Oliver protested, thinking, too late, No! Don’t say anything!
    But he had, and now Bane whirled to face him. “That hurts? That? ” His nostrils flared and his eyes sparked. “Well, try this!” He grabbed Oliver’s shoulder and hurled him through the air. Oliver hit the back door, slamming it open, and tumbled out onto the now-deserted playground.
    He slowly got to his feet, gathering his bag and rubbing his sore head. But then Bane was grabbing him again. “Oh, come on, already,” Bane muttered, and pushed Oliver toward the side of the school.
    â€œKnock it off.” Oliver muttered, getting his feet under him and stalking off toward the street.
    â€œOooh,” Bane chided. “Watch out.”
    Oliver kept walking, and Bane fell into step beside him. Oliver glared up at him, but saw that the light had faded from Bane’s eyes. Now, he actually threw an arm around Oliver’s shoulders. “You gotta toughen up, bro,” he said reasonably. Then he continued, “Something’s going on with you. Older brother can tell.”
    Oliver’s anger immediately cooled to freezing worry. “Um—”
    â€œNot sleeping all day,” Bane went on. “Lying to get to school early…”
    They left the schoolyard and proceeded through the silent streets of sleeping houses. Oliver was shocked by Bane’s change of attitude. Why was he suddenly acting like he cared? “You’re a vampire, for Hade’s sake,” Bane went on, and even patted Oliver’s shoulder. “When I saw you in there just now, you looked like you were about to cry or something.”
    Oliver bit his lip, afraid to say anything. He