CHAPTER 1-Welcome to Gravity Peaks
"Mom, Dad, Lincoln and Lynn are fighting again! They are gonna break some furniture, again", Lori yelled out of her room. The rare moments that she had free to chat with her boyfriend Bobby, were ruined by the constant fighting of her only brother and one of her younger sisters.
"What? Again? Okay, this calls for greater punishment", Lynn Sr. said as he furrowed his brow and got up form reading the newspaper in the living room.
"What are you doing?", Rita curiously asked as her husband picked up the phone and entered a number.
"Patience, you'll see. Just the right punishment for Lincoln and Lynn."
"Give me back that comic, now", Lincoln said as he raised his hand forward.
"You first, give me back my ball", Lynn replied as she did the same.
"Lynn, please, that's a limited edition Ace Savvy comic. There aren't many left", Lincoln lowered his voice as his hands started to shake. They were in his room but Lynn had taken the initiative, as she usually does.
"I could say the same about that ball, Babe Ruth used that ball, do you know what that means? Give it to me or I'm gonna beat you up again", Lynn threatened her younger brother. Their parents had warned Lynn to use less physical force on her siblings, but with the stakes so high now, she didn't seem to care.
"Lincoln! Lynn! Get down here! Now!", both of them froze when they heard their father calling them down from the living room. His voice was angry and they knew better than to test his patience. Simultaneously they dropped their respective items and sprinted down there for the first place. The winner was logically, Lynn.
"What's up dad?", Lincoln nervously asked.
Both Lynn and Lincoln gulped when they felt their father's eyes on them. They don't recall seeing him this angry in a long while, despite all of their fights.
"So, you two can't seem to co-exist here, under the same roof, no matter we try", Lynn Sr said as he slowly walked in a circle, while scratching her nose.
"Well dad, you know...", Lynn started but she was interrupted by her father:"I didn't say that you could speak Lynn. Neither of you." Rita was just observing the situation from the sofa.
"I think that you two have a higher amount of energy than your peers, which is why you need to release that energy at once so that you can function normally, correct?", Lynn Sr said as he stopped walking and stared again at his kids. They quickly nodded, without even understanding what he said.
"That's why I and your mother have decided to send you to Pop-Pop for the summer break, so that you could learn some manners, while still having a good time, the best time of your life", Lynn Sr grinned.
Pop-Pop?! Both Lincoln and Lynn looked at each other in confusion. They haven't seen Pop-Pop for ten years, back when Lincoln was only one year old and Lynn was three. Why him all of a sudden?
"Well, I have already called the bus station and the bus goes in ten, which means that you still have half an hour time to pack which should be enough. Say goodbye to your sisters as you won't see them for the remainder of the summer and I'll be waiting in the car. Hurry", Lynn Sr said as he grabbed the car keys and went outside.
Lincoln and Lynn didn't even have time to reconsider it as their mother pushed them towards the stairs. They went to their rooms and started packing their clothes in their biggest bags.
Lincoln also put in some comics and his laptop, while Lynn put in some sport magazines and one of her many tennis balls so that she could knock it against the wall if she was bored. Lucy was telling her something but her mind was so absent that she didn't actually her a word.
The rest of the Loud sisters were gathered in the living room as Lincoln and Lynn climbed down the stairs with their cargo. They hugged and kissed their sisters and finally their mother.
"Since Lincoln and Lynn are leaving for the summer, the Loud House will become the Silent House, get it?", Luan chuckled to her own joke, making the rest of her family groan, except Lincoln who found it amusing.
When Lincoln and Lynn finally left the house and entered the car, the rest of their sisters seemed rather happy at the idea of not seeing their most dynamic siblings for the next three months.
"Three months without them, that's like a dream come true. I literally can't believe it", Lori was more than happy now that she had more time to spend with Bobby.
"Yeah, we're gonna have some peace without their constant fighting and bickering, let's enjoy it while we still can", Luna added.
"Well then, let's go, the bus goes in fifteen minutes, we should make it in time", Lynn Sr smiled as he started the car and drove off.
"Does Pop-Pop even know that we're coming?", Lincoln asked.
"Of course he does! I talked with him personally and he's more than excited to see his two favourite grandchildren, but don't tell the others that I said this."
"That's terrific...", Lynn sighed.
"Wait, where does Pop-Pop live again?", Lincoln asked again.
"In East Wisconsin, a small town called Gravity Peaks, it's near the Michigan Lake so you can go fishing."
Lincoln widely opened his eyes.
"Wisconsin? That's like two States away from here! Couldn't we have gone with a plane?", Lincoln complained.
"You could have, but it's too expensive plus it's more fun this way, no? More travel time means more bonding with your dear sister", Lynn Sr chuckled. Lynn and Lincoln couldn't tell if this was genuine or sarcastic.
"Ah, we're here at the bus station. Hurry up, only ten minutes left", said their father as they grabbed their bags and rushed to their bus. Lynn Sr handed them their tickets and boarded up their cargo in the bus.
"I'm going now kids before the real traffic jam hits in. Take care of another and be sure to listen to Pop-Pop whatever he says, okay? He's old and senile, so go easy on him, don't fight in his vicinity as he has a weak heart. All right then, you guys have fun, see you in three months, in September", Lynn Sr said as he hugged and kissed his kids on the cheek then swiftly went for his car.
"Well, he doesn't seem to be that sad that we're leaving", Lynn said.
"Yeah, I think that he feels with me about having to endure for the whole summer", Lincoln teased his older sister, but she didn't any chances as she slapped him across the back of his head.
"Hey, what was that for, we're not alone here in case you haven't realized", Lincoln said furiously through his teeth as some kids who were also waiting for the bus laughed.
"Don't think that you can play the macho here, Lame-o. Know your place."
"Okay you're the elder one", Lincoln admitted in defeat, rubbing his head where Lynn had hit him.
When the clock was finally on 10:00 AM, the bus had started to go. Lincoln and Lynn had sat on the far right seats, near the end. There were only two older women and one older man in the bus, aside from the driver, who seemed to be a middle-aged man.
"Welcome ladies and gentlemen, we should arrive in Gravity Peaks around 10:00 PM, which means some twelve hours of traveling, if everything goes fine hopefully. Just sit back and relax to the music", the driver laughed as he turned on the volume of some old country songs.
"I think that I'm sick already", Lynn whispered. She was sitting next to the window.
"Twelve hours of traveling in this trash can...I think that I can endure it", Lincoln sighed.
The seats weren't the worst that he had seen but they were also far from best that he used. But anyway, what was twelve hours? Nothing it would pass quickly.
Or so had Lincoln hoped. Not even ten minutes had passed and Lynn was already asleep and, surprisingly, she laid her head on Lincoln's shoulder. Her snoring was also starting to get louder but it drowned in the sound of the radio music.
"She has the entire bus for here and lays on me. I hate my life", Lincoln mumbled.
But sooner than he thought, twelve hours had passed. Both of them were hungry, as their mom forgot to make them any sandwiches because everything happened in such a hurry.
"A few minutes and we're there, hang on guys", the driver grinned. The three other people had left the bus long ago, leaving Lincoln and Lynn alone with the bus driver. Lincoln couldn't help but feel something strange from the driver. He shrugged it of as him being hungry and tired from the trip.
Just as he looked at the darkness outside, he saw a giant name board which read:
WELCOME TO GRAVITY PEAKS
STAY SAFE AND ALIVE
"Alive? What are we entering, some combat zone? How corny", Lynn yawned.
There must be something else to it, it can't be a coincidence, Lincoln thought.
"Well kids, we have arrived. I sure hope that you had a pleasant time traveling with us", the driver smiled as he turned off the bus as they had arrived at the Gravity Peaks bus station.
"Come on now, I'll help you with the cargo", the driver said as he left the bus and pulled out their bags from the right side of the bus. Lincoln and Lynn followed him, and both were trying real hard not to fall asleep on the spot from exhaustion.
Lincoln immediately noticed the weird smell from the station, which had five different platforms for buses, the least that Lincoln had ever seen. Most of the lights didn't work or were flickering constantly to make the atmosphere even more ghoulish. He looked around but there was literally no one around or in the station, except him, his sister and the bus driver.
"So, is someone gonna pick you up or somethin'? Because it's late now and I have to keep going to another route ya know?", the bus driver asked as he carried their cargo to the waiting room inside. There was just one, elderly woman on the counter and she was reading what seemed like a book.
"Well, our grandpa should have been waiting for us but I don't know where he's now", Lynn said, frustrated.
"My kids have arrived! Finally!", a strong, deep voice suddenly startled the three of them, but the woman at the counter didn't seem to be fazed at all.
"How you doing Marsha my dear? Everything all right?", Albert said cheerfully as he passed the counter. She just nodded without raising her eyes from the book.
"Pop-Pop!", both Lincoln and Lynn exclaimed as they ran over to him. Albert picked them both up with ease, his massive arms entangling them as he gave them both kiss on the cheek. Then, he put them on the ground again.
"My dear God, I can't believe how much you've grown! In a few years, looks like you're gonna surpass me!", the old man chuckled. Both Lincoln and Lynn exchanged nervous looks as their grandfather was more than twice their size, in both height and weight.
"Well then, let's go. I don't want you two catching a cold on your first day here", Albert clapped his hands. He tapped the bus driver on the shoulder as a sign of gratitude, then picked up all the cargo and went to his truck. Lynn followed him, but before Lincoln could too, the bus driver put his hand on his shoulder and whispered:" Stay safe and alive, Lincoln. This summer is gonna be a special one." He winked at the boy, and then entered the bus and drove off.
How did he know my name? I'm pretty sure that I didn't say it out loud...Luan would be proud of this pun, Lincoln chuckled.
"Come on Lame-o, I want to sleep", Lynn hissed from Albert's truck which was stationed just some twenty meters from the bus station.
Lincoln also entered the truck and Albert drove off.
It was a Sunday night, and Albert drove through the centre of the town. Lynn didn't bother looking through the window but Lincoln did. The streets were mostly empty, with some occasional man or woman walking by. Lincoln just shrugged it off. It was a small town after all, nothing like Royal Woods or Detroit.
After a few minutes of driving, they turned right at a turnpike, toward the Michigan Lake and through the woods.
"You live in the forest?", Lincoln wondered.
"Even better, kiddo. Not just the forest but there's also the lake, my house and shop is right next to it", Albert laughed.
He has a shop? Isn't he retired or something? He looks too old to be still working, Lincoln wondered thought curiously.
After some more minutes of driving, they had finally arrived. It was pitch dark outside, but Lincoln could clearly see a double story house, with wooden walls and an old fashioned red roof.
"Okay kids, we have arrived to my residence. Nothing too spectacular, but it has a nice view on the lake", Albert said as he left the car and picked up the cargo. Lincoln and Lynn were looked in amazement at the Great Lake, as the cold wind that was blowing raised some small waves along the vast body of water.
Then, they followed Albert and climbed the stairs to the second floor, where he lived. He unlocked the door and turned on the light.
The interior walls were also made of wood. There were taxidermied heads of bears, elks and boars, which briefly startled the kids. There was a bathroom, a living room, a kitchen, and two rooms for sleeping, the guest room and the one were Albert spent his childhood with his sister.
"You kids are going to sleep in my old room, there are two beds there, I have already prepared fresh pillows, blankets and bed sheets so you can bunk in right now, or would you like to eat something first?", Albert asked as he put their bags into his old room.
"I'm just gonna go sleep, I'm just so tired from the long travel", Lynn yawned, now barely being able to keep her eyes open.
"Yeah, me too. We'll eat in the morning", Lincoln nodded and headed to the bedroom along with his older sister. Albert just smiled.
The bedroom was of medium size and had two beds, one on the right side and one on the left side. There were posters of Queen, Aerosmith, Elton John, Michael Jackson, U-2, Bobby Orr, Phil Esposito and many more on the walls. There were also two desks, two wardrobes and two chairs. There was only one window which looked towards the Great Lake, but oddly enough, the window was shaped like a triangle, with many little drawing on it, which seemed like some caricatures or some letters in an unknown language. Lincoln and Lynn didn't even bother with it, just seeing it as some old garbage.
"Talk about the 70's and 80's, this is probably the most retro thing I've ever seen", Lincoln said as he examined the many posters on the walls.
"Yeah, a blast from the past. Now I'm gonna go and hit the bed, I'm just too tired", Lynn said as she grabbed her pajamas and went to the bathroom to change. Soon after, Lincoln did the same and changed into his own orange pajamas. Then, they both turned off the lights, closed the door and Lincoln took the right bed while Lynn took the left bed.
"Hey, do you really think that we're gonna have the most boring summer in the history?", Lynn asked as she closed her eyes.
"Hopefully not, but we'll see in the tomorrow what happens", Lincoln replied as he tried to sleep. It didn't take them long to fall asleep as they were both tired from the long travel.
In the living room, Albert grabbed some papers that lied on the table, folded them up and went into the guest room.
"They shouldn't see this, they're too young for that. Still not ready", Albert whispered as he put the papers into his briefcase, which he then locked and put the key into his small safe and entered the eight number combination. Then, he drank a glass of milk, locked the front door, turned off the lights and finally went to sleep in his bed.
It was eight o'clock when Lincoln and Lynn heard their grandpa running through the house, knocking over some books and breaking a glass full of water.
"What is he doing so early in the morning?", Lynn mumbled as she slowly opened her eyes.
"Maybe he has an appointment at the doctor's? Who knows?", Lincoln said as he turned over to the other eyes, without opening his eyes.
Then, Albert suddenly burst through the door, startling the two siblings and causing them both to fall to the ground form the sheer scare they suffered.
"Get up you lazy runts, it's time to work", Albert said with a serious tone, unrecognizable from his yesterday self.
"I knew this was all an act, he was being too nice...", Lincoln whispered to Lynn as they both laid down with their legs still in air from the fall.
"Tell me about it...", Lynn replied.
"Come on, get up and get dressed. Breakfast is ready and we open up in an hour, we can't be late", Albert babbled as he left their room. He was wearing a suit and a white shirt, all neatly ironed.
After a few minutes, Lincoln and Lynn were ready and walked to the kitchen. They sat on the chairs at the table and waited for Albert to arrive. After a few second, Albert came from his room.
"Ah, my favourite time of the day, breakfast, and today we have a speciality. Eggs and bacon, along with milk and cheese from the finest Wisconsin fields. Enjoy!", Albert happily exclaimed as he brought his 'speciality', and started to eat with his grandchildren.
"You mentioned something about working earlier, what did you mean exactly?", Lincoln asked while eating the delicious meal that their grandfather prepared.
"Why, my shop of course! Don't tell me you didn't know?", Albert said as he drank his milk.
"Not really considering that Mom and Dad never talk about you...", Lynn mumbled.
"Well it's mostly fishing equipment and some souvenirs here and there, a jack of all trades kinda. There's a little something for everybody."
"But I thought that you were retired as a soldier?", Lincoln wondered.
"You seen son, I was but I just can't stand not doing anything at all. Plus it's not that hard, at least not for a man of my age."
"How old are you exactly Pop-Pop?", Lynn asked.
"Seventy, I think. I stopped counting after I turned fifty. Far from young if you ask me", Albert chuckled.
"So do you work alone or...", Lynn continued.
"No, I have two workers. Both are still in high school so they can only help when it's summer or winter break but that's when the real season starts anyway so I'm happy."
A ringing could be heard from the front door, on the first floor.
"Oh, they must have arrived. My workers, I mean. Wash your teeth and come downstairs", Albert said to his grandkids as he put on a red fez with a capital "G" on his head and went to his shop, which was located on the first floor.
After Lincoln and Lynn were done cleaning the table and themselves up, they went outside down the stairs and entered the shop through the front door.
Just like the walls on the second floor, the walls in the shop were also wooden. There were many types of fishing equipment sorted around along with many souvenirs, along with the name of the shop being written with giant letters over the entire front side, which read "MICHIGAN'S LEVIATHAN"
"So these are your grandkids? Hi. I'm Sam", a girl with blonde hair and a teal streak said as she approached the siblings and stretched out her hand. Lynn was the first one to greet her.
"Yo, what's up, I'm Lynn and this is my younger brother, Lincoln. Lincoln?", Lynn curiously asked as Lincoln stood in his place like he was petrified and stared at Sam.
"Is he okay?", Sam seemed genuinely concerned.
"Oh, he'll be fine, it's just that he's sometimes shy, like really shy but he'll get used to you", Lynn grinned, teasing her younger brother. She already knew why he was being like this.
"Hey dudes, I'm Chaz, pleased to meet you", a teenager who also looked older than the siblings, approached them but stumbled across a nearby stall.
"You okay?", Lynn asked, barely suppressing her laughter. Sam had to put both of her hands on her mouth to contain herself.
"Alright, enough of kisses and hugs. You're gonna work together for quite a while, so there's your chance of learning each other a little better. For now, Lincoln and Chaz are gonna help me sort some fishing poles and baits, while you two Lynn and Sam will count the money that I have separated form the cash register. If we start now, we should be able to finish until nine, when we officially open. Let's go now", Albert ordered them as they all went to their respective assignments.
When it was finally nine o'clock, the 'Leviathan' officially opened and customers were already starting to pile up. Sam was working as the cashier and Lynn helped her. Lincoln helped Chaz to work around the shop and help customers who were content to buy something. Albert handling things outside, as people were already arriving to buy some fish that Albert had caught or had smuggled from other fishermen.
Lincoln had managed to calm himself down and only now he realized how much he had embarassed himself before Sam and Chaz. But he couldn't help it. Sam was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen, he had instantly gained a crush on her.
However, when a boy who seemed to be of Lincoln's age entered the store, the situation had changed. Before even realizing what was happening, Lynn had already planted her eyes on him. He was tall with brown hair and had an athletic build. His muscles could already be seen through his tight shirt.
"You okay Lynn?", Sam asked her as she caught her looking at the boy.
"Uh yeah, why?", Lynn said absent mindedly.
"I don't know, looks you have been checking out that guy over there", Sam giggled.
"What? No, you must have gotten the wrong image", Lynn nervously said.
"Oh come on, I'm older than you, I know that kind of look. By the way, his name is Francisco, and he's the most popular boy in the town. He's also thirteen years old, just like you", Sam winked at her.
"Okay then, I admit, I like him, but please don't tell this Lincoln. He'll make fun of me for the entire life", Lynn pleaded. Sam nodded and smiled.
Oh man, I have never had a crush or liked any boy before, but now I arrive in this town for the first time and look what's happening to me, Lynn wrestled with her inner thoughts. This was it, she was going all in as Lincoln was nowhere to be seen.
"Uh...", Lynn struggled to make a sentence as she made eye contact with Francisco.
"Can I help you with something?", Francisco smiled.
"I like you, I really really like you...", Lynn burst out the first thing that came to her mind. She was practically redder than a tomato at this point.
"Oh, I like bold girls. Well, looks like you're new in here, right? I can give you a tour of the town if you want. Later, when your shift ends", Francisco winked at her.
"I finish at three, you can come and pick me up then", Lynn, completely out of her mind, again talked without thinking first.
"Then it's settled...", Francisco leaned closer, looking for a name.
"It's Lynn, Lynn is my name, you're Francisco, right?", Lynn nervously smiled.
Francisco let out a hearty laugh.
"Wonderful then, I'll come at half past three and pick you up, with a car. See you then Lynn", Francisco gave her a quick hug and then promptly left the shop.
Sam immediately leaped over from the counter and put her hands on Lynn's shoulders.
"Girl, you are on fire! It's your first day here and you already have a date! I'm so jealous...", Sam grinned.
"I'm gonna kill myself, what have I done, that wasn't like me at all...", Lynn grabbed her head in disbelief.
"Look Lynn, if you're a tomboy or the athletic type, you're still a girl. You deserve to be with someone who likes you. And from what I know about Francisco, he is one of the nicest guys in the town, so you hit a jackpot here!", Sam giggled.
"I guess you're right, but could you teach me about how I should handle boys, I'm a complete chump when it comes to that stuff", Lynn asked sincerely.
"Of course, when our shift ends. But now let's get back to work or Albert's gonna throw us both in the lake." Both Sam and Lynn chuckled.
"Something wrong Linc?", Chaz asked, curiously.
"I can't believe this. Lynn never had any contact with boys except when she played against them or when she beat me up, but she's already made a boyfriend? What the heck? Looks like this climate change hit her in the head or something", Lincoln furrowed his brows.
"Or maybe you're just jealous?", Chaz teased him.
"Me? Jealous? No way pal, I could get any girl I want, even-", but he stopped as he looked at Sam.
"There's nothing wrong with that dude. It's logical that you would care when your sister gets her first boyfriend", Chaz said, now more serious than ever.
"Whatever, let's get back to work. I can already hear Albert yelling at us to stop slacking", Lincoln concluded as he and Chaz continued to walk around the store and help customers in whatever they needed.
Hours had quickly passed and it was three o'clock already. The last customers had left the shop and Albert was getting ready to close it down for today.
"See you again tomorrow boss!", Chaz waved Lincoln and Albert goodbye as he and Sam left the shop. They came with bikes as the 'Leviathan' was two miles away from the town.
"So what did you think about your first day at work Linc?", Albert laughed as he was counting down the money that he had earned today.
"It was good but where is Lynn? I haven't seen her in a while", Lincoln scratched his head.
"Oh, Francisco came for her and picked her up with his dad and went to the town together. Apparently they were supposed to meet after three but he came earlier and then they drove off."
"And you just let her go with him?", Lincoln raised his right brow.
"I know the kid and his father, they're good guys, don't worry. Plus she already wanted to see the playground, she already missed playing any sport she could", Albert chuckled.
"Fair point. Well, I'll also like to go to the town, can you give me a ride?"
"I would but I'm a little busy now son, why don't you take my old bike and go with him, it's not that hot outside", Albert said while still sorting the money.
As soon as Lincoln heard the word 'old', he knew that this was a bad idea.
"All where is it parked?", Lincoln asked, sounding defeated.
"In the garage, just outside. Oh wait, I wanted to give you something", Albert said, as he grabbed some things from under the counter and walked towards his grandson.
He handed him a white cap, with a blue logo of the 'Leviathan',( which was as its name says, the mythical Leviathan), a dark blue vest with pockets outside and a yellow amulet, with black 'G' on it.
"As a reward for working your first day and my gift to you for visiting me, here's a little present from me. Enjoy!", Albert patted him on the head and got back to counting his money.
Lincoln sighed, put on the vest, cap and put the weird amulet on his right jeans pocket. How he looked right now, he didn't want to know, he just took Albert's old bike and drove off to the town.
I shouldn't get lost, there is only one path to the centre of the city I think, Lincoln thought.
The bike was probably older than Lincoln's own parents but it was in a surprisingly good shape, much to Lincoln's amusement. He did however forgot a helmet but he just shrugged it off.
After driving for several minutes, he finally arrived at the town of Gravity Peaks. There were more people than last night, but still it was much less crowded than in Royal Woods.
There weren't any policemen around so he wasn't in any fear of of getting caught without a helmet. The cars were driving rather slowly, which meant that he could relax and lower his attention, as he was getting used to cars driving fast in his home town.
However, just as he was passing by a drug store, he noticed his favourite type of stores: a comic store.
What's a comic store doing in a small town like this in the first place, Lincoln found it odd, but nonetheless he was happy. He parked near the front door and entered the shop.
Like the rest of the buildings and Albert's house, the comic store was very much in 'retro style'. There was a larger number of older comics than newer but Lincoln didn't mind. He was in his Heaven, and that's all that mattered.
"Oh man, the new Ace Savvy has arrived and I don't have enough money to buy it", Lincoln could hear a child's voice a few meters away from him. He came closer to the voice and found an African American kid with glasses and an afro, who looked to be his age.
"Sorry for interrupting, but you also like Ace Savvy?", Lincoln asked as he approached him form behind.
The boy got startled a little but turned him with a confused look on his face.
"Yeah, but I don't have the money right now to buy the newest issue", the boy said with a sad look on his face.
"Newest? But this came out like weeks ago, this shop is not up to date", explained Lincoln as he looked at the 'new comic' that the boy wanted.
"Oh, you must be from a big city, right?"
"Yeah, it's pretty big, it's near Detroit."
"Detroit?! Man, you're a long way away from home, what are you doing here? By the way, my name is Clyde McBride, pleased you meet", Clyde smiled as he stretched out his hand.
"I'm Lincoln Loud, I came here to visit my grandpa", Lincoln replied as he shook his hand.
"Yo, yo, what's going on guys", the two boys turned their attention to the sole man who worked there. He appeared to be in his mid twenties, with a beanie and some hair protruding from it. He also had some stubble on his face and wore a hoodie with rolled up sleeves and black jeans.
"Hey, I was just looking around, but sadly I forgot to bring any money", Lincoln said as he and Clyde approached the cash register.
"No problem mate, feel free to look around as much as you want. My name is Rob", said the worker as he gave the two boys a peace sign with both of his hands.
"Oh hey, I'm Lincoln."
"You new here? I know Clyde already, but I don't think that I've ever seen you", said Rob as he scratched his nose.
"I came to visit my grandpa with my sister. We're staying here through the entire summer. At first I thought that it was gonna be boring but it turns out I was wrong. It's pretty fun so far."
"Who's your grandpa? This is a small place, there's a high chance that I know him."
"Albert Loud, he owns the 'Michigan's Leviathan' shop for fishing equipment and souvenirs.
"Really bro? Albert's grandson? Well, since he's an old customer of mine and of my father and grandfather, here's a free comic, on the house", Rob laughed as he slammed his hand on the counter.
Lincoln immediately looked around the store to find something that he had never seen. There were many but since Clyde seemed to desperate to read the 'new' Ace Savvy comic, he chose it in the end.
"Excellent choice, bro. Savvy is one of my favourites. Be sure to visit the shop whenever you can", Rob waved them goodbye as Lincoln and Clyde left the store with the comic.
"Here you can take it", said Lincoln as he handed over the comic to Clyde.
"Really? But you got that as a present!", Clyde appeared surprised.
"Yeah, but I have already read it a dozen of times, feel free to keep it", Lincoln laughed.
"Thanks man you're the best!", Clyde giggled as they bumped their fists.
They were walking around the town for a while until Lincoln saw someone familiar: it was Lynn, his older sister.
"What's wrong why have we stopped? ", Clyde was curious.
"It's my sister on a 'date' with a guy I don't trust at all", Lincoln said through his teeth as he pointed towards them. They were sitting in an ice cream parlour, eating ice cream and laughing.
"That girl with Francisco? Man, I understand your worry."
"Why, what did he do?"
"Well, everyone sees him as a sports hero or something, but in reality he's one of the biggest bullies in the school. You see, Gravity Peaks only has one school for all ages in a massive building because the amount of children has dropped dramatically over the years. And he regularly beats us weaker kids and takes out money. And the worst part is, you can't say anything to anyone as his father is one of the richest men in the near area, it would only go on deaf ears", Clyde sighed.
"To be honest with you, it's not like Lynn or me are any saints, but there is something about this guy that just seems so fishy, and now that you have shown his true colours, it's time to act."
"But what are you going to do? He'll beat the both of us at the same time", Clyde said.
"Yeah, I know that but we're just gonna wait for them to separate. Then, I'll confront Lynn about this and tell her how it really is."
And pray to God that she won't punch me in the face, Lincoln thought.
Lincoln and Clyde waited for an hour until they finally got up. Then they went to the playground, playing some basketball, football, volleyball, then walking through the town, then again eating an ice cream, then drinking an ice tea, walking again. They repeated this circle several times until the night had finally fallen.
"Uh, Linc, isn't it a little too late now? Shouldn't we go home, and I mean all of us?", Clyde was obviously concerned.
"Will your parents be angry?"
"Well, they aren't at home right now, so-"
"There, you see. That's a sign itself that we need to follow them until the end. If this was the and of their date, than they would gone home already, but this doesn't look normal, you understand?"
"As you say friend", Clyde scratched his head.
Francisco and Lynn then got up and started to walk out of town and towards the forest, to the pitch dark.
"Okay, this is not normal at all. Let's go Linc", said Clyde, Lincoln nodded and they again started follow them and being carefully not to attract any suspicion.
They walked through the thick forest for about twenty minutes until they finally came to some clear space, a small hill which looked directly at the Great Lake of Michigan.
"Now comes the part where they kiss, right?", Clyde whispered to Lincoln as he stared at them.
"Say Clyde, what time is it now?", Lincoln whispered back as they hid behind the bush, trying not to make any sudden moves.
"Judging by the cloud and the moon, it's gonna be midnight now, why?", but Lincoln seemingly ignored him as he felt some strange vibrating from his pocket...the amulet that Albert gave him?!
"You see Lynn, I had many girlfriends, but you are the first one that I have actually fallen in love, and I mean genuinely", Francisco said as he caressed her hair, she leaned her head on his shoulder.
"I could say the same about you, I have never ever looked at boys this way and now I'm glad, this way I could meet you", Lynn giggled.
I think I'm gonna throw up, Lincoln thought.
"But Lynn, there is just something that you need to know, and if you manage to tolerate it, than I think that we can be a great pair, forever", Francisco whispered to her as he slowly got up.
"What did he say, I couldn't hear", Lincoln whispered to Clyde but he just shook his head.
"What is it?", Lynn asked, getting ready for a surprise.
But the surprise that she got, would be the most horrifying surprise that she has ever got.
As soon as the clouds got away from the full moon, Francisco fell to the ground and clutched his chest, and started to scream in pain.
"Oh no, what's happening? Are you alright?!", Lynn panicked as she rushed over to his side but he brushed her off.
"It only...hurts at...the beginning...then it...starts...to feel...good...", said Francisco as his arms, legs and torso got longer and longer. His teeth, fingernails and toenails also started to grow much larger, fur was rapidly growing over his skin and grew so big that his clothes were shredded completely, so that he was naked now, but his body was completely covered in thick, brown fur, with his brown eyes becoming a bright red without any pupils. He had transformed into a werewolf and gave loud and terrifying howl.
Lynn just stood there petrified, not being able to move as the werewolf slowly approached her.
"Don't be afraid Lynn, if you're not afraid that we can continue our relationship, but if you start running or screaming, then it's gonna get ugly for you...", the werewolf growled in a deep, thick voice.
"What...are...you", Lynn barely managed to pronounce but the werewolf just laughed.
"What, can't you see? I am a being far superior to the primitive human race. I am the ultimate life form, a werewolf!"
"Lynn, we need to get the hell out of here, now!", Lincoln screamed as he ran towards her, grabbed her hand and started to run with her and Clyde towards the town.
"Lincoln! What the hell are you doing here?! Were you stalking us?!", Lynn rasped furiously.
"We don't have time for that now Lynn!", Clyde screamed as the trio was sprinting with the werewolf hot on their tails through the thick forest.
"And who the hell are you?!", Lynn continued to lash out at them, seemingly ignoring the bloodthirsty monster that was chasing after them.
"And we don't have time for that too, argh!", Clyde screamed as he tripped over a massive vine and fell to the ground.
"No, Clyde!", Lincoln shouted and returned to his friend.
"Come on buddy, get up, we have to get out of here!"
"Darn it, my leg is stuck, just go the two of you, it's my fault for falling anyway!"
"No way, I can't liv-", but Lincoln was cut short violently as the werewolf lunged into him, knocking him out as he hit a nearby tree.
"Lincoln!", Lynn and Clyde screamed at the same time.
"I'll deal with you later four eyes, you're trapped anyway. Now Lynn, should we continue our conversation about, being a couple?", the werewolf rasped, as he approached the shivering girl.
Lynn took a few steps back and finally fell to the ground and raised her hands in self-defense.
"Please just let them go, they're innocent...", Lynn started to cry.
"Lynn, my dearest Lynn, please don't cry, I don't like it when you cry. As for them, they have seen my true form, so they can't live any further, I'm truly sorry. You're the only one allowed to se-, argh, damn it, what the hell...", the transformed Francisco collapsed to the floor and started to hold his chest in pain.
Clyde quickly looked at the sky but the moon was still clearly visible, the clouds were coming near but the werewolf still had around a few minutes of time.
"What the hell...does someone...of you...have any silver...or the amulet...", the werewolf gasped as he started to spit blood.
Silver? Amulet? Wait, the Amulet! Lincoln had shown Clyde what Albert had given him, it must have been that, since he's just a few meters away from the unconscious Lincoln.
Clyde managed to lean over and was barely able to grab the Amulet from Lincoln's right pocket,
"Are you looking for this, you monster!?", Clyde shouted at him, successfully managing to conquer his fear.
"You bastard...give that...to me...", the werewolf gasped but managed to get himself up and limped towards Clyde. Lynn was still on the ground, crying and being unable to do anything.
Finally, the werewolf managed to grab the yellow Amulet and crushed it with his superhuman strength. The monster slowly started to regain his strength.
Great, now I have gotten us all killed, Clyde was disappointed in himself.
"Now then, enough of this game, time to finish this", said the werewolf as he approached Lincoln was slowly waking up.
"What the...", Lincoln whispered.
"Please stop Francisco!", Lynn cried out.
No, Lincoln!", Clyde screamed, his eyes full of tears.
"Goodbye scum!", the werewolf rasped as he raised his right hand to slash his throat.
"Stop right there, you vile beast!", a strong voice suddenly startled them all.
"What the...", the werewolf turned around only to get hit by a silver bolt in his right shoulder.
"Arrgh, damn it all, it hurts like hell!", the monster screamed as he started to escape through the forest.
"This ain't over yet, you hear me!", the werewolves' voice echoed through the dark, thick forest as he made his escape.
"Bloody coward, only attacking children, but running away when he faces a real man, like me", the voice got louder as he finally came closer to the trio. It was Albert.
"Po-po-po-...Pop-Pop!", Lynn yelled from the depth of her throat.
"Albert Loud from the 'Leviathan'! I don't I have ever been happier to see you (or did I)", Clyde added, stunned.
"But how did you find us, why are you here?!", Lynn continued.
"Well, you know, I couldn't just leave you guys alone, right? I came to save my children, I mean nephews, damn it, I mean grandchildren. Pretend you only heard the last word, don't ruin the moment!", shouted the old man triumphantly as he walked closer to Lincoln.
Lynn now was able to take a closer look on her grandpa: he wore a long black coat, along with black boots, pants, shirt, and a black beanie, along with a large crossbow filled with silver bolts that he used to shoot the werewolf.
"You took quite a hit there, didn't you Linc?", Albert said as he bandaged his bloodied head.
"Is that thing dead, Pop-Pop?", Lincoln managed to ask, weakly.
"No, he's only wounded but he won't pose a threat for a while now. There won't be another full moon in the next thirty days so we're good. Come on, let's get out of here, it's cold, we'll talk in the morning", Albert concluded as he helped Clyde and Lynn to their feet and carried the injured Lincoln to his truck that he parked near the location of the fight.
They left Clyde at his house and finally went back to the 'Leviathan' and their house.
"Wash yourselves up and go to sleep now. I promise that I'll tell you all I know tomorrow. Good night now", Albert calmly said, as he took off his clothes in his room and went to sleep.
I won't be able to tell you everything kids, you're not ready yet, Albert thought to himself as he fell asleep.
Lincoln and Lynn changed took a quick shower, changed into their pajamas and went to their beds to sleep.
There was so many things that they wanted to tell each other, but was not the time. Both of them were so tired, that they fell asleep almost immediately, but before wishing themselves a good night.
"Good night, Lincoln. I love you lil' bro", Lynn yawned.
"Good night, Lynn. I love you too, sis", Lincoln replied with a smile on his face, despite the pain from his head injury.