Serge: "Can we give you a lift home?"
Mary: "No thanks. I don't really feel like going home just yet.... What are you two up to this evening?"

Markus looked closely at Mary. Something was definitely up with her. She had always been a bit flighty and offputting, but there was something different today. Her strangeness had intensified, and Markus sensed just a hint of desperation in her voice and movements.

Markus: "Did something happen at home, Mary?"

Mary paused before she answered.

Mary: "You know what? It's no big deal. In fact, home sounds great, but I think I'll just walk."

Markus and Serge exchanged a glance. There was an uneasinesss in Markus' eye. He barely new Mary, but this was the woman who had rescued herself from a vampire kidnapping. She walked home, alone, in the dark, for miles. Then she had a couple drinks and went to bed, and was out vampire hunting in a matter of days. Obsessed? Yes. But unphased. She had not seemed shaken at all.

The girl in front of him now was different. She was frazzeled, frayed. She looked like she hadn't slept in days. Markus found it more unnerving than the suspicious looks she used to throw at him.

Serge saw the concern in Markus' eyes.

Serge: "Are you sure Mary? We've got a PS2 at home. Markus and I were just about to set up for a rousing match of Trekken."

Markus coughed loudly.

Markus: "Tekken."

Mary looked first at Serge, then at Markus, who was fighting everything inside of him not to laugh uproariously at the idea of Serge playing video games.

Mary: "That sounds fantastic."

Markus knew mary had seen through Serge's white lie, but she didn't say anything. Neither did he.