Hey hey! Stumbled across this on my laptop the other day and realised I really need to finish it! Yet to write anything longer than four chapters so this should be fun! Hope it's ok, and a wee review (even to tell me how bad it is hehe) will make my day :D. Oh also, I changed my name to my LJ name, so adios to loving_the_greek_system!
Annie gasped in horror as a grinning face peered through the window. A woman- with black, prying eyes laced with dark curiosity – pressed her forehead against the clean glass.
Annie's sudden gargle drew Mitchell's attention to the window and he did not like what he saw.
"Jesus fucking Christ" spat Mitchell, releasing his hold from Annie.
Mitchell sprang to the front door ripping it open without any thought to the old hinges. The figure standing in front of him belonged to an amused Ivan, hands tucked into an expensive Italian suit.
"Mitchell! I was just about to knock", said Ivan. He appeared unfazed by the unwelcome vibe radiating from Mitchell.
"What do you think you're doing here Ivan," Mitchell eyed the surrounding street, searching for anyone else to make an unwelcome appearance, "This is my home!".
"I was in the neighbourhood and thought I'd pay you a little visit" replied Ivan craning his head to look over Mitchell's shaking shoulders into the hallway, "You're all here I see?".
Mitchell remained silent, rapidly trying to think of a solution to get rid of Ivan and Daisy as soon as possible, but his mind was drawing a blank. This could easily spiral into his worst nightmare. This shouldn't be happening, not here; his one place of refuge.
"Don't make this awkward Mitchell, let an old friend in, and Daisy, of course, it's rude" said Ivan, knowing Mitchell was helpless to oblige.
"Why? What do you want?" asked Mitchell crossing his arms.
"I have some news you might be interested in?" said Ivan, eager to force Mitchell to dance for his information.
"And it couldn't wait till tomorrow?" replied Mitchell, patience wearing thin as he sensed George shifting in the living room.
"No not really, it's important information involving us all; including your werewolf and ghost". A sly grin played on Ivan's lips before flashing back to an almost bored stillness.
George joined Mitchell at the door upon hearing the commotion.
"What the hell is he doing here?" George demanded, though his question was met with deaf ears.
"Maybe you should let us in, what would the neighbours think?" said Daisy, snaking her arms around Ivan.
Daisy pursed her lips and smiled, relishing in George's clear discomfort, "Hello George, missed me?".
"Fine, come in," sighed Mitchell in defeat, pushing a squeaking George back into the living room.
He briefly glanced to the kitchen to check on Annie who looked weary of the whole situation before turning to face Ivan, "Make this quick".
"Nice place you've got here. Cozy" said Ivan, half listening. His dark eyes scanned the interior of the little pink house, absorbing every detail of their hidden life's until his gaze landed on Annie who had crept through the kitchen beads, still lingering in the background.
"At last we meet the third musketeer! You must be Annie" spoke Ivan, voice laced with wonder and obvious interest.
Annie smiled nervously, shifting from foot to foot, clearly uncomfortable with the attention.
"Now aren't you something. The stories I hear are nothing compared to the real thing. Have you been keeping Annie all to yourself Mitchell?" asked Ivan, never removing his gaze from Annie.
Subconsciously, Mitchell and George stood protectively in front of Annie, finding no comfort for the way Ivan was eyeing her up.
"I don't see what's so special," stated an uninterested Daisy, perched on the couch arm rest, "and to die in grey, such a tragedy". She rolled her eyes, giving Annie the up and down with keen disliking.
"You're too young to appreciate the power in this one. No offence Daisy", replied Ivan.
"What information do you have?" asked Mitchell, keen to move the conversation on swiftly.
Ivan's eyes flicked between George and Mitchell, enjoying the rapid decay in their patience.
"Have you heard of a programme called CENSSA?" asked Ivan and received blank looks from the trio.
"They are an elite group, a marriage between religion and science with one goal - to eradicate the world of what is not human. It begins with the werewolves, then the ghosts and now us" said Ivan, moving closer to Daisy.
"Normally," he continued, "I wouldn't be concerned, individuals have tried and failed, but I have a valid source".
"And what source would that be?" asked Mitchell.
"That's a need to know basis Mitchell" said Ivan.
"Even if that were true Ivan, the old ones would never let that happen" scoffed Mitchell, knowing that ultimately, humans were weak in comparison, they didn't have a chance. It was a morbid analysis, but true nonetheless.
"Maybe," considered Ivan, "but this is Bristol and the residues of Herrick's actions linger on. This is still a free mans land and it's much more fun to wait and watch its own destruction".
"Their homing in on us Mitchell, the humans are finally doing something! It's all about to kick off" Ivan finalised, poking a finger onto Daisy's nose.
"Let's go baby, its dinner time!" said Ivan pulling Daisy to her feet.
"Enjoy your evening boys - Annie, wonderful to meet you" he called over his shoulder.
Daisy blew a kiss in George's direction, and they were gone, leaving the ghost, vampire and werewolf standing in a worried silence, heavy in the air.
"What's he talking about Mitchell?" asked George, removing his glasses to rub the bridge of his nose.
"I honestly don't know" replied Mitchell, staring at the closed door. His mind was racing at the implications of Ivan's words.
"Don't know, or don't want to say" demanded George, becoming growingly annoyed.
"This isn't just some vampire thing Mitchell, this involves us all, don't hide us from this!" he pleaded, knowing exactly how Mitchell would react.
"Its bullshit George, nothing will come about it, so can we just drop it please" said Mitchell, slumping onto the couch as if to emphasise this conversation was over.
George licked his lips and muttered 'fine' before climbing the stairs to his bedroom.
Annie watched him retreat to his bedroom and silently walked into the kitchen, sitting down onto the chair facing the living room. She could hear Mitchell breathe a weary breath and she let him be – when he got like this, sometimes it was best to leave him be.
She was worried. Whether Ivan was playing them or not, the thought of anybody hunting them down scared her, angered her. As did the manner of Ivan and Mitchell's tone, which ultimately was a vampire trait. They – vampires - are superior to humans; that's what she picked up. Any sort of uprising was a form of mild entertainment. But if you discovered what monsters lurked in our world, could kill your loved ones, would you not do something about it?
It was times like these that Annie wondered what thoughts ran wildly through Mitchell's head, however he would always be a closed book. Even if he did open up, sometimes she wondered if she would like what she heard. She wasn't quite ready to burst that bubble quite yet.
Annie was so entirely lost in her own thoughts that she did not register Mitchell leaning against the doorframe, watching her with a furrowed brow.
"You know I won't let anything happen to you or George" said Mitchell quietly, determinedly.
"You can't promise that Mitchell and we can handle whatever happens next when we have to" sighed Annie, shaking her head.
"What are you thinking about?" asked Mitchell, sensing something was playing on her mind.
"That I've been dead for two years and know next to nothing about this hidden world that's out there" said Annie, leaning her head against one hand, " You know everything about me and George, ghosts and werewolves, but we know nothing about vampires, not about you".
He was already closing off the topic, unwilling to go there, as he walked forwards to kneel before her, "No, Annie, let's not go there".
She placed a cool hand against his cheek, smoothing her thumb gently against his stubble.
"You don't need to protect us from it, we need to know" said Annie, challenging his stare with hers.
"You don't. It's better this way, safer" said Mitchell, pushing stray curls behind her ears.
"Hmm…safer, yup" said Annie, tightening her jaw, slowly pulling his hands from her face.
"Safer to keep what's yours hidden? Keep us oblivious to the big bad world outside?" asked Annie. She wasn't angry, she was tired of living in this protective little bubble Mitchell had placed them in, one they happily accepted.
"You don't understand, Annie, I don't want you to see that part of me, cause once you do, you wont be able to look at me the same again" huffed Mitchell, standing up and wringing tired hands through his unruly hair.
Annie sat in silence considering this.
"You never give me the chance to understand" she replied, so quietly he almost never heard her before she did her 'rent-a-ghost' up to her room.
He stared at the vacant seat for a beat and retired to his room, needing to clear his head, wishing for a break just this once.
Thanks for reading!