A/N: Hey there everybody! It's me MBAV fan66! And as you know I'm working with TiredOfBeingNice on this story! Yaaaay! Lol! And now it's my turn!
TOBN did a great job on the prologue chapter, huh? I just hope that I can keep up! Lol! You might notice some slight differences in writing styles as every author has their own unique way in writing. So, I'm gonna try and make it as similar to my fanfic buddy, TOBN as best as I can, but no promises and no haters either! Lol!
Now! On with chapter 2! And don't forget to review! We greatly appreciate it! Lol!
Dark Days: A World In Ruins
By: TiredOfBeingNice and MBAV fan66 (that's me! lol)
Chapter 2: An Explanation To The Parents
After Stern had just declared World War III, he vanished in puff of purple smoke and an evil laugh to follow.
"Now what?"asked Rory looking back at everyone. No one really knew what to do. They we're all still in shock from Stern declaring war on them and the entire world.
With a heavy sigh Ethan was the one to answer his question. "There's not much else we can do, but to regroup to figure out how to defeat Stern once and for all."
"Are you nuts?! Those...things out there look extremely dangerous and really powerful! Plus, not to mention Stern is super powerful himself now that he has absorbed the Lucifractor!"exclaimed Jesse in disbelief. "How are we suppose to go up against someone like that?!"
"Well, it's our only option if we want to survive and protect our families and everyone else in the world!" Ethan said, raising his voice at the elder vampire. The two were about to get into it until Sarah stepped in and stopped them.
"Guys!"she said in a harsh tone. "All this bickering isn't going to help us! We need to stay calm and come up with a plan of action."she said looking between the two.
"She's right! We need to figure out what our next move is going to be."agreed Ethan. Jesse nodded his head in agreement.
"Wait a minute? How are we even still alive anyways? I thought that one of purposes of the Lucifractor is to drain the dark energy from vampires and thus killing them? That shock wave that it released should of killed us."asked Erica with her arms crossed and a questioning brow raised.
Benny then piped in with an explanation for that. "Oh! Well, just before it hit us I suddenly remembered about that. And I quickly casted a protection spell over us so it wouldn't kill you guys."
"Good job Benny!"praised Rory happily to him and raising his hand for a high five. Benny couldn't help but place a big smile on his face and high fived Rory back.
"Ok! So, what now? We can't just stay here. It's obviously not safe here with all these monsters roaming around under Stern's control."asked Sarah.
Ethan placed a hand under his chin and was in deep thought until he came up with an answer. "We need to find somewhere safe first. And then we need to find weapons to defend ourselves from these monsters. No telling what these things are capable of."
"Actually...I think I might be able to help with the safe house part."piped Erica. Everyone turned to look at her, waiting on her reply. "My great grandfather on my dad's side, was a very paranoid man. He spent a lot of time and money in building an underground bunker, out on some property of his in the woods somewhere."
"That's excellent! Then let's go!"urged Benny happily and ready to go, but was then shot down once she spoke again.
"Except I have no idea where it's located at and it's been locked up for years."
"Dang it!"whined Benny, stomping his foot like a little kid toughing a tantrum.
"Does your dad know?"asked Rory. Erica gave it some thought. "Actually...yeah. I think he might know something about it! I remember him telling me that after he died, he had passed the key and a map to the bunker to his son, who then passed it down his son, and then finally to my dad. I'll have to ask him about it to see if he remembers anything about it and if he still has the key and map."she explained.
"Great!"exclaimed Ethan happily. "It's probably best if we all split up and go home anyways. After seeing the amount of destruction that the blast caused, we should probably go and see if our families are all ok."suggested Ethan.
"And then what? You can't just leave them there in an unsafe environment."added Jesse with a bit of scoff at Ethan's suggestion.
"He's right!"agreed Erica. "Then I guess we all meet back up somewhere and bring them with us. I think it's about time we finally let them in on all of the supernatural stuff that's been happening right under their noses and about us. After today, there's no way we can cover this one up."said Ethan with a sigh.
"But where are we gonna meet up at?"wondered Rory. "How about at my place? You all already know where I live at. So, we can just go from there to the bunker."recommended Benny. Everyone nodded in agreement and then split up.
Rory was quickly speeding through town, towards his house when he heard a cry for help. He tracked the noise to a building that had collapsed. There under the rubble was a girl, but he couldn't quite make out her appearance under the rubble.
"Hello? Is anybody there?"called out the girl.
"Don't worry! I'm gonna get you out of there!"replied Rory back reassuringly to her. He lifted up the heavy piece of rubble with his vampire strength, not even thinking about what he was doing. All he was focused on at the moment was the poor girl's safety and getting her out.
Once the large piece was removed, he helped the girl out of her confinement. She dusted herself off and looked up at him. Rory was struck in awe at what he saw. She had fiery red straight hair, that was a bit wavy near the ends. Her skin tone was slightly pale looking. And she had baby blue eyes that seemed to sparkle with a bit of mischief in them. All he did was stare at her.
The girl waved a hand in front of his face and them punched him in the arm when he didn't respond. "Ow!"he cried out, rubbing his arm and looking at her. "Is that anyway to treat the guy who just saved your life?!"asked Rory, still rubbing his arm and pouting.
The girl rolled her eyes. "Well, I did just try to say thank you, but it seemed that your mind was elsewhere. Plus, the staring was starting to get creepy."she answered. "Oh. Sorry about that."he apologized bashfully.
"Eh. Whatever?"she shrugged nonchalantly. "The name's Stella! Stella Marie Burner!"she greeted, holding out a hand to shake. Rory took her hand and shook it while slightly blushing. "Rory! Rory Keaner!"he greeted back, flashing a big happy smile at her.
"Cool name! I like it!"smiled Stella. "So, how did you manage to lift something so heavy anyways? Are you like Superman or something?"she asked, giggling that last part. Rory's smile then fell to a frown and a look of nervousness came about him.
"Uh...well...uh...you see..."he stammered for a bit before taking a deep breath and telling her that he'll explain if she doesn't mind following him to his place first. "This better not be some kind of trick just to force me into bed with you."Stella told him sternly. Rory's expression was shock and he quickly shook his head saying no repeatedly.
Stella started laughing. "I was just kidding! Geez! Relax!"she chuckled. "I trust you. If you can't trust the one who saves your life, then who can you trust?"she joked. Rory smiled at her and the two left.
When Erica finally reached her house, she was shocked to still see it standing somewhat. Parts of the house were in shambles, but it didn't sustain too much damage from the blast.
"Mom?! Dad?!"called out Erica. "Erica? Is that you?"said a male voice. "Over here, sweetie!"called a feminine one. Erica quickly ran over towards were she heard the voices coming from.
She ran downstairs in the basement and found her parents standing there. They ran towards each other and embraced each other in a hug. "I'm so glad that you guys are alright!"sniffled Erica, trying to hold back tears. "Us too, honey!"replied her mother back.
They all broke the hug and Mrs. Jones gave her daughter a confused and worried look. "What was that explosion about just now? And that weird purple light that accompanied it?"
Erica bit her lip in nervousness. She really didn't want to have to all this to them, but she had no choice now. Thanks to Stern, the once secret doors about the supernatural community ever being real have now officially been blown wide open. And there was no covering this mess up now.
"Mom. Dad. I have something to tell you. You're probably gonna think I'm nuts or have been watching and reading way too much Dusk novels and movies, but I reassure you. It's all real."
Mr. and Mrs. Jones gave each other a confused look before looking back at their daughter. Erica sighed and began her explanation. "I'm a vampire! And yes they are real. Me and Sarah are both vampires. We have been for some time now. And three other of...well more like Sarah's friends than mine, are also...different. One is a vampire like us and one is a spellmaster and can do real actual magic. And another is a seer, who basically is someone that gets visions through touch."she paused nervously to catch her parents reaction.
They both were stunned and shocked at first, but then started to laugh. "Oh Erica, dear! You're right! We do think you've been watching and reading too much Dusk because now you think it's all real."laughed her father.
Erica let out a frustrated groan. Of course they wouldn't believe her. So, she had no choice, but to give them proof. She hissed at them, extending her fangs. Her parents jumped back in fear and her mother almost fainted at the sight of her once innocent baby girl now a blood thirsty creature of the night. Erica expected this would happen and rolled her eyes.
"B-but how?!"stuttered Mr. Jones in fear. Then that fear turned into one of anger. "You better explain young lady!"he demanded.
Sighing again, she started the long and tedious explanation of how she went from geek to hot vampire plus all of the crazy supernatural adventures that she's experienced over the past months. When she was finally done, they stood there with their mouths open. And this time Mrs. Jones did faint. Luckily, Mr. Jones managed to catch her. She quickly recovered and stood back up.
"I can't believe you, Erica Jones! You've been doing all this behind our backs?! You are ground young lady!"scolded Mr. Jones, who obviously wasn't to frighten of the fact that his daughter was a vampire who could just retaliate back by draining him dry of his blood.
Erica's mouth dropped. "Seriously?!"she commented in shock and disblief. She couldn't believe that she was getting ground over this. But then she quickly shood her head remembering her reason for being there. "Nevermind that right now! Dad? Do you remember that bunker that you told me about when I was seven that great grandfather built out in the woods somewhere?"
Her father thought about it for a minute. "Yeah! What about it?"he asked. "Well now that it's basically World War III out there and there's these ugly and deadly monsters running around everywhere, it's not safe to stay here. I told my friends about the bunker and we agreed that it would probably be more safer there than here in town."said Erica. "Do you still have the key and map showing it's location?"she asked looking at her father.
"Yeah! In fact, I think that I stored it down here somewhere."he replied walking over to a shelf and removing an old box from it. He rummaged around inside it for a bit and found what he was looking for. He pulled out an old piece of paper that was rolled up and tied with a string. From the string hung an old looking antique key. He hand them to Erica. "Here! This is it. The map and key that's been handed down throughout the generations.
Erica took the rolled up map with the attached key and smiled. She gave her dad a hug to thank him. After which, they decided to leave and head to Benny's grandma's place. "Come on! Let's get out of here."
On the way to Rory's, he learned quite a bit about Stella like that she was born right here in Whitechapel and was year older than him. She had told him that her father had left when he found out that her mother was pregnant with her and how she was really close with her mom because of it. He also learned that when Stella was eight, her mother had grew terribly ill and then passed away. Stella had told him that ever since her mother's death, she just didn't feel like she belong anywhere because of the bullying that she had to deal with from the other kids in the orphanage, and as a result she stopped being the shy sweet girl that she once was and decided to toughen up some, which led to her becoming more of a runaway and a loner.
Rory could also tell that by the way she acted, she seemed to be a bit more of a tomboy than a girlie girl, but she still seemed to maintain a bit of that girlie aspect though. Rory was fascinated by this girl. As they walked and talked he also told somethings about himself as well and it turns out that they have a few things in common like they both love video games and action movies.
Eventually, they reached Rory's house. The house was like half caved in, but luckily he's parents made it out alright. Rory then started the long explanation about him being a vampire, and about the supernatural being real, and about what was currently going on now. And of course they didn't believe him because they knew how imaginative their son's mine could get and how gullible he can be at times too.
Just then Rory saw a squirrel scurry by and immediately chased after it. "Oh boy! A squirrel! I'm starving!" he exclaimed excitedly, taking off after it. When he managed to finally catch it he immediately bit into it. Mr. and Mrs. Keaner just stood their with mouths opened wide and eyes bulging in shock, which then changed to ones of disgust. After Rory was done with his squirrelly meal he turned and smiled at them sheepishly with his fangs out.
"Holy crap! Vampires are real!" shouted Stella, shocked and amazed at the same time.
"That explains why you've been out so late at night!"stated his father. "Yep! I would of probably told you sooner mom and dad, but I was afraid you would like totally ground me for it."replied Rory a bit ashamed.
"You darn right we would!"exclaimed Mr. Keaner not to happy, but then Mrs. Keaner nudged him in the side and then smiled kindly at her son. "Don't listen to your father, Rory. Of course we wouldn't of been angry at you. Maybe a little freaked out at first, but not mad. You're our son and we love you no matter what. Vampire or not. Plus, it seems like becoming a vampire has helped get rid of your asthma and you needing glasses."said Mrs. Keaner sweetly to Rory.
Rory couldn't help, but give a big smile and then hug the both of them gratefully and happily. Then the hug was broken by the sound of someone clearing their throat. Rory looked at the person who made the noise, baffled.
"Shouldn't we be going now, to meet up with those friends of yours that you mentioned earlier?"suggest Stella in a sarcastic tone.
Then a look of remembrance hit Rory. "Oh yeah!" he rolled out in realization. His parents behind him just shook their heads, while Stella faced palmed herself.
"Let's go Einstein!"she said to him with a mocking sarcasm in her voice, pushing him lightly with a hand on his shoulder and a smile on her face.
Since Ethan and Benny lived on the same block, they walked to their houses together. Benny had a worried expression on his face. Ethan noticed this and probably knew why. "Do you think Grandma managed to come out of her trance like state in time to make it to safety?"asked Benny quietly, looking down for a second before looking at Ethan. Ethan didn't know how to really respond to his question, but he answered it the best he could.
"I don't know, but she's a tough old lady. I'm sure she would've snapped out of it in time and got herself to safety during the explosion. She wouldn't let some thing like that be the one thing that would do her in after all these years. Especially, if she knows how much you still need her."answered Ethan honestly and reassuringly. Benny smiled at his answer, feeling a little bit better.
"Yeah! You're probably right, E!"
As they reached the Morgan household, they saw that the house was completely collapsed in on itself. Ethan stood there in shock and could feel a strong sense of panic start to set in. He quickly ran over to the ruined house and was grabbing and throwing debris out of the way, all while calling out to his parents and Jane to answer, but there wasn't any. Tears were now falling from his eyes. Benny came up to him and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, signaling that it's no use and that they must of not of survived the blast. Ethan shook his head repeatedly, refusing to except it and then fell to his knees with his face in his hands. Benny just stood there looking at his best friend remorsefully, he didn't know what to do.
Just then they heard a voice. "Ethan? Ethan, is that you?"
Ethan knew that voice and quickly stood up and both boys turned around to see Mr. and Mrs. Morgan, Jane, and Mrs. Weir approaching them. Both boys ran to them, glad to see that they had survived. Benny ran into his grandmother's arms and Ethan ran into his mother's, hugging them with tears streaming down their cheeks.
"I thought that you guys didn't make it when I saw the destroyed house!" sniffled Ethan.
"We wouldn't of made it, if it weren't for Evelyn. She just appeared out of nowhere and then told us to gather together and then she started speaking in some foreign language and then the next thing we knew we were somewhere different and safe."explained Mrs. Morgan to her son.
"So, you guys know already? About the supernatural?"asked Ethan curiously. Mrs. Morgan nodded. "She explained everything to us. About you, Benny, herself, Sarah, Erica, and Rory. Everything."she told him.
"But what I didn't tell them is what exactly happened just minutes ago at the Vampire Council building with Stern? What happened?"added Evelyn with a questioning look. "We weren't able to stop Stern. He absorbed the Lucifractor and then raised these hideous and powerful looking monsters. He then declared declared war on us and on those who appose him."explained Benny sullenly. "Well, at least you kids tried and are ok. That's all we could ask for. Speaking of which, where is everybody?"asked Mrs. Weir.
"We split up to go check on our families and then get somewhere safe and sound from Stern and his monsters."replied Ethan. Benny nodded in agreement. "Yeah! And we already got a place all lined up for a shelter. Apparently, Erica had this paranoid great grandfather who built a hidden bunker somewhere in the woods."added Benny. "We're suppose to all meet up back at your house, Mrs. Weir."said Ethan.
She nodded her head that she understood. "Well, then we better get there before they do."
While waiting near the Weir household, Ethan's parents had wanted to talk to their son. "So, you've and everyone else have been doing this for about a year now?"asked Mr. Morgan. Ethan nodded. "And you're what they call a...seer?"added his mother. Ethan just nodded again. "Is that why you asked if I have ever saw strange things like visions that one time?"she asked Ethan. "Yep."he answered quietly. "You guys aren't mad me or see me as a freak, do you?"asked Ethan meekly.
"Of course not sweetie. In fact were proud of you. Our little boy fighting bad guys and helping people. We couldn't ask for you to do anything more."Mrs. Morgan said to him, smiling sweetly at him. Ethan returned the smile. "Of course being your mother, that doesn't still mean that I won't worry about you!"she added with a mix of seriousness and jokingly, and giving him a hug and a kiss on his forehead.
Ethan blushed with embarrassment. "Mom!"he whined. She just giggled at him as his father chuckled too, ruffling his hair.
Ethan then looked over and saw Mrs. Weir and Benny rummaging through the remains of their house. "What are you guys doing?"he asked curiously approaching them.
"Grandma thinks it's best that we bring along any of her books or potions that might of survived the blast just in case. She says that once we get to the bunker, she'll immediately begin to start placing protection and concealing spells on it to hide our location from Stern and his monster minions."answered Benny holding a small stack of spell books and other books about the supernatural in his arms. Ethan nodded and decided to help.
Later, they had stacks of books and potions sitting on the ground. They were now waiting for the others. Eventually, Erica and her parents arrived. "I've got the key and the map!"exclaimed Erica, holding it up. "Excellent! Now, we just need Rory, Sarah, and their parents to arrive!"replied Benny happily. "Good job, Erica!"he praised her, putting an arm around her shoulders. Erica snapped her head in his direction and gave him a glare that said 'if you like that arm to still remain attached to the rest of you then I suggest removing it, now!' Benny got the message and quickly removed his arm and walked off.
Soon enough Rory appeared with his parents and some girl with red hair. "Hey guys!"greeted Rory all perky like.
"Who's the girl?"asked Benny giving him a questioning look. "Oh! That's Stella! She's not like us! She's just your average human! I rescued her from under some debris and I guess she just decided to stick around!"he answered with a big grin. Rory then leaned forward a little. "Isn't she's super hot?!"he whispered to Ethan and Benny. Just then Rory was hit in the arm by Stella, who was standing right behind him when he said that. "Ow!"cried Rory in pain, rubbing his arm. "What's with you and hitting me?"he asked timidly. Stella just shrugged.
"One. Because you deserved it. And two. Because it's fun!"she replied a peppy tone, with a smile. Ethan and Benny stood there trying not to laugh at Rory's predicament with the red head.
"Anyways!"announced Stella, turning to face the other three teenagers. "I'm Stella, as Rory mentioned earlier. Stella Burner."she greeted with a smile.
"I'm Benny! And that's Ethan and Erica."replied Benny, pointing to Ethan and Erica as he introduced them. Ethan gave a slight wave, while Erica just scoffed at her. Stella's kind smile then turned to an angry frown and a glare at Erica.
Ethan saw this and quickly interjected. "Don't worry! She's like that with almost everybody." He said, giving an awkward laugh at the end.
Stella just gave a slow nod, but was still giving Erica the evil eye. She then quickly turned to Rory confusedly. "I thought you said that there was another girl? You know the one that had light brown skin and dark colored hair and is way more nicer than the blonde," She began glaring at Erica about the blonde part which earned a hissed from Erica, but Stella could care less about her threat,."And I think you mentioned that Ethan had a major crush on her?"she finished.
Ethan looked away shyly, trying to hide the fact that he was majorly blushing at that very moment. He couldn't believe that Rory told her that. "Oh yeah! You mean Sarah!"replied Rory in realization. Then his face scrunched up into one of confusion and thought. "Good question?" He pondered, then looked towards Ethan for an answer.
Ethan didn't know either and just shrugged, supplying a possible answer. "I don't know. Maybe she got held up or something? I just hope that whatever it is, she's okay. Especially, since I think Jesse had went with her." Benny and Erica nodded in agreement, hoping the same thing.
A/N: And that's my first chapter to this story! Please review and let us know what you think!
So, with that I now turn over chapter 3 to my Fanfic Buddy! Tag! Your it, TiredOfBeingNice! Lol!
MBAV fan66 ;)
