The hairs on my body was instantly raised as I looked up at the man. His face was hidden in the shadows of his hat, otherwise not an inch of skin was showing. “It’s a beautiful day. Why stay in one place?” I was proud of how even my voice was. “I think you will find my tour guidance more… educational.” The mystery man said. It sounded like we didn’t have a choice. “We don’t have a time frame, really. Thank you, though.” I said politely. “I’m sorry. I don’t think I made myself clear. You don’t really have a choice.” He said dangerously low as he leaned forward and whispered so low that a normal human couldn’t hear him. I noticed two other hooded figures moved forward, out from behind the shadow of a building across the street. “Let me make myself clear for you as well. I don’t take threats nicely. I would greatly caution you moving forward.” I said in a whisper. His eyes squinted at me. More loudly, so it didn’t look suspicious, “A tour would be nice.” We stood up to follow him.

“I thought we were supposed to meet him at his office?” I asked in the mind-link as Jet walked towards the front door. “We were…” I followed a distance behind, unsure if I wanted or if I was even ready to be seen in this dress. I heard the front door open. “Good evening, sir. I am Pedro and I’ll be your driver tonight.” “A driver? We were going to meet at Mr. McClear’s office?” Jet asked, a little more sternly than I expected. “Change of plans. I must insist we get going.” We were stuck. It wasn’t like we knew the location to begin with. Taking a deep breath, I walked out from behind the wall. “It’s a good thing we are ready, then.” Taking Jet’s arm, I allowed him to lead me to the car. Pedro opened our door for us. He was wearing a traditional driver’s suit, but it was in blue. That struck me as odd, but I didn’t question it. As soon as the door opened to the car, I knew instantly that Mr. Clear was inside. The overwhelming smell of sweetness hit me full in the face. “Good ev

Shit. Shit. Shit. This fucking night went to hell fast. I wasn’t sure what to do. It was probably the driver, wondering where Matthew was. Currently, he was tied up in my basement. I didn’t even know enough to know if I could knock him out. The chains seem to be holding. “I’ll be right back.” I said as I climbed the stairs. After shutting the door, I pushed against it a few times to make sure it was indeed shut and put the padlock on it. Hopefully, that holds. To be fair, what would be even do if he got out? Who would or could he even tell? That a little woman overpowered him? My heart was racing as I walked to the front door. After peaking through the window, it was the driver. “What?” I said, annoyed as I opened the door. “Is-is Mr. Collins-” He tried to look behind me. “Mr. Collins is occupied. I will have him returned after I complete my duties.” I half lied. Not the duties he wanted me to do, but the duties I needed to do, to save the world. “Understood.” He tipped his hea

The car came to an abrupt halt. We must be by the dump sight. So far, it wasn’t looking good for Matthew, but he was holding his own. I heard their doors open and slammed shut before the trunk opened up. They hoisted me out first and then Jet. I was probably a hundred meters walked before they dropped me hard on the ground. “What is going on here?” I heard Matthew asked, annoyed. “We have been to the house. It looks staged. So tell me, what really happened? Are they actually dead?” I heard Mr. McClear’s voice. It sounded more evil with each word. “Yes, they are. Tell me, do you not trust me?” Matthew sounded angry. “Whoa! A gun? Really?” Shit. This isn’t good. “I dont believe you.” Boom! The gun went off. I felt a sharp hot pain in my foot but it wasn’t my pain, it was Jet’s. “Oh look, blood that is flowing still.” “We need a distraction.” Jet mutter in the mind-link. The pain in his voice was heartbreaking. I didn’t know what to do. “Like what?” I asked Jet. “Make it rain.”

I stayed behind them as they knocked twice quickly and the third time after a few seconds. Vampires have secret knocks. I found it a little funny and had to work on keeping my face passive. It felt like something out of a horror movie the way the door opened. My ears hurt from the squeaking rusted hinges. However, my breath was taken away when I walked into the foyer. It was massive. They covered the marble floor in a circle rug of red, blue and black. It sat directly under the crystal chandelier that hung from the third story. The second and third story balconies looked over the foyer with grand staircases circling down from each side. Massive painted portraits hung with name placks under them around the walls. “He has been waiting for you.” The butler said. It surprised me to see the butler was human, but when I noticed red marks poking out from his collar, I understood his role. He looked older but still got along okay. The salt and pepper hair made him look more like a silver fo