Disclaimer: I do not own My Babysitter's A Vampire.
Chapter 4: Myths, Witches, & Vampires
Justin and Benny arrived to homeroom and greeted their teacher. Ms. Jager asked Justin if he was better, he nodded and went to their desks. They sat down while she was preparing today's lesson. Benny turned over to Justin and asked him if he was okay, not wanting a repeat of yesterday. Justin reassured him; he took out his notebook because the bell had rung and class was about to start.
"Class, settle down and take out paper to write some things down. We are going over your first project for the year. You will have two projects this school year; the first is due before midterms in December," Ms. Jager said to the class.
Benny and Justin wrote down the information that was projected in the front of class. "By the looks of it, this project involves myths." Benny whispered to Justin.
The teacher waved her hand and the text whirled around before new text appeared. Benny had to admit the HoloScreens were awesome in school, sure gave new meaning to learning.
"In folkloristics, a myth is a sacred narrative usually explaining how the world or humankind came to be in its present form, although, in a very broad sense, the word can refer to any traditional story," Ms. Jager began to explain to the class, "myths typically involve supernatural characters and are endorsed by rulers or priests. They may arise as either truthful depictions or overelaborated accounts of historical events, as allegory for or personification of natural phenomena, or as an explanation of ritual. They are transmitted to convey religious or idealized experience, to establish behavioral models, and to teach."
Ms. Jager had finished explaining the idea behind myths and some of the origins in many cultures. She showed the class examples of myths and the connection to real world events. She made a new slide appear and started to explain the actual project to the students. Ms. Jager explained that the project was going to be done in partners and this was the only time she would let the students pick their own partners.
"The following information will be on the school's website and the school's app for your mobile device. For those that don't have access to the Internet, you can continue writing the following information down. You and your partners job is to find as much information as possible on two myths of your choice and write a six page report on your discoveries." She stated as some students were writing down the information.
Benny, who isn't very fond of research papers, thought this particular assignment was fairly easy. He thought G.A.T.E classes were going to be challenging and very stressful; while he is just as fearless and strategically clever as his pal Justin, Benny admits that in his case it only applies to video games.
Ms. Jager waved a hand again and new text appeared, "In conjunction with your report," she started, "you will create or try to connect both myths into one new myth. You are to use a scrapbook that describes this 'new' myth. You must include pictures, illustrations, etc.; the book must be no less than 6 pages." She stated as if it was one of the easiest things to do in the world.
Benny sighed, he knew this report sounded way too easy to be a G.A.T.E assignment; Justin turned to face his best friend and whispered, "Don't worry B, you have me as your partner. We always pull through." Benny mouthed a thank you. What would I do without Justin he thought.
"At the end of the book you must include your Works Cited page. We will have smaller reports through out this year that will show you how to cite your resources and how to write a report. This book will be your midterm and you will present it to the class on the day of the midterm. Any questions?" she finished as the school bell rung through the room. "We'll continue tomorrow, class dismissed."
While walking in the halls to their next class, Justin asked Benny who was the Biology teacher. "Her name is Ms. Bruce, she's a," he paused for a moment, "a rather unique teacher." Justin gave him a confused look. "You'll see," was all Benny said with a grin on his face.
They walked into the biology lab which was quite large, and Justin saw microscopes, test tube racks, tables for two students each, normal things for a class. He didn't know why Benny was chuckling until Benny turned him in the other direction of the room. That's when Justin understood why she was a unique teacher. He saw a cage with a snake, a couple fish tanks, a tank with some turtles, and a tarantula inside a tank as well. Along the upper shelf he saw containers with items suspended in some liquid, almost like suspended animation. There were eyes, a heart, a brain, and a hand to name a few. This teacher isn't right he thought to himself.
Ms. Bruce came in from the other room and asked Benny who this student was while pointing to Justin. Since Justin was in the nurse's office yesterday he didn't show up for class.
Ms. Bruce had white short spiked hair with blue tips. She looked like she was in her early fifty's, but didn't look that old and not too tall. She wore tight bell-bottom jeans, a bright purple blouse, cork wedge heels, and a pair of large hoop earrings. She seemed like a fun spirited, funky, lives life to the fullest kind of teacher. She looked fierce, owned her look and walk, and was probably the face of school spirit around here, a proud timber wolf.
Benny told her what had happened and she said, "Oh this is the student? Alright you know where he sits why don't you help him with what we went over yesterday."
"That's our teacher?" Justin whispered to Benny who just nodded. "But she's so, so," Justin was at a loss for words.
"Different?" Benny finished for him.
"YES!" Justin exclaimed.
Ms. Bruce turned on the HoloScreen and told the class she was assigning the first lab report of the year. "Alright class, this information is on the school's website and application, write it down if necessary. This is your first lab report, it ties in with the first three chapters of the textbook: Cells, Blood, and DNA. Your overall objective is testing your blood. You will be working with your partner I assigned yesterday. This lab is due on the day of your midterm," she explained as she went through slides of text.
Justin turned to Benny, "I'm guessing, we are partners since this is the seating chart?"
Benny nodded and whispered "Correct, Captain Baywood!" Ms. Bruce finished going over the notes for the lab report just as the bell rang.
The third class of the day went by fast for the boys, luckily for them it was an elective course and it was in the computer lab. "Computer Applications 1" was probably the easiest class they would have this year and given that both boys are nerds, it was not unfamiliar territory for them. Justin and Benny were walking in the hall talking about how they would approach the lab for Biology, since it was the one that required more work. It was settled that they would ask Aaron to buy the necessary materials to draw their blood and would get started tomorrow.
Trevor, Erica, Jason and the rest of the drama club walked into the main school entrance. Erica was in the middle of the two boys, Jason on her right and Trevor on her left, while the rest of the group followed closely behind. Erica walked very seductively with skintight clothes that wrapped around her body perfectly while flipping her hair with her hand and a shoulder purse in the other. She had transformed into a beautiful and flawless girl with no fears of life. Students stopped what they were doing to look at the scene before them, her newfound beauty stunned boys while the girls envied her because she had become very popular, very fast.
Alison was standing at the end of the hall looking at her best friend and at what she had become. She promised herself that she wouldn't let this happen to her best friend, unfortunately she couldn't and she hated herself for not trying hard enough.
"Hey, Alison. What's wrong?" Erica started to say to her former best friend as she approached her, "You're looking a little underfed."
Alison's complexion was looking worse day by day as she forced herself to not eat. She wasn't malnourished, but was looking tired and weak. Alison looked at Erica up and down then to Jason, who was smirking because he had convinced Erica to join him.
"What happened to you?" Alison demanded from her best friend, who only seemed to laugh it off.
"You know, the best thing ever." Erica started to say while Jason put an arm around her shoulder and smirking even more at Alison, "It's not too late. Join us. And then we can be best friends forever."
"Never." Alison could not believe what has become of her only best friend. She looked at Erica deeply and tried to see if she was still in there somewhere.
"You're making the biggest mistake of your life." Jason shot back at her not believing that she still wanted no part in this, "Well, what's left of it." Jason hoped that last part would sink in. She finally looked at him but quickly turned away; Erica smirked and turned to Jason.
"Isn't that cute? I think she still has a thing for you." Erica stated while running her hand through his hair and cheek.
Alison glared at her and turned to Jason, "I've got something for both of you," she turned back to Erica and made a fist with her hand, "and it's made of wood, and really sharp!"
Erica turned to Trevor and smiled at him for he knew what she was about to do. Jason laughed at Alison's attempt of a threat and quickly became serious, "Alison, you've been replaced." He turned his head towards Erica who was already ready for this plan.
The two of them locked lips and made out in front of the group and Alison. Alison was disgusted and quickly left the scene before her. Jason content with Erica's stunt let her continue alone with her duty to convince Alison, while he and the group went to do their own thing.
Ozzie had spotted his two friends and ran up to them. Justin was not in the mood to have lunch in the cafeteria, not wanting a repeat of yesterday's events, instead Justin offered to buy them snacks from the student lounge and eat out in the courtyard.
The trio found an open table outside and set their bags on it. The weather outside was nice; overcast skies, the wind blowing, leaves starting to change to bright yellows, orange, and red colors; typical fall weather for Knightwood Bay. Benny started to whine about his classes and Ozzie rolled his eyes. "You are lucky, you have Justin," Ozzie exclaimed to Benny who in turn glared at the blonde boy.
"You haven't even had your Biology or English class yet so you just wait!" Benny retorted back. Ozzie stopped laughing and turned to Justin who just smiled innocently raising his eyebrows. Benny took a drink from his juice box while surfing the web on his phone.
"I knew these classes were going to be tough. I should have just gotten out of them," Benny stated while scrolling through the local news website.
"C'mon Benny, you're not a quitter, you're a fighter," Justin offered his friend.
"At video games not when it comes to school. That's your specialty," he replied to his best friend, "It looks like they found that missing teen, well what's left of him." He showed them the screen of the phone, "He looks all shriveled up," he looks down to his juice box, "sort of like this juice box!" he exclaims while squeezing the box towards Justin.
The juice squirted all over Justin's face and shirt, "Dude!" he exclaims while playfully punching Benny's shoulder.
"I'm so sorry!" Benny chuckles out. Ozzie laughs uncontrollably at the antics of the two boys, always putting on show for the blonde to enjoy.
Justin wipes his face with the back of his jacket sleeve. When he looks up he sees someone from administration putting up signs of yet another missing teen. The man was holding a stack of signs in one hand and a coffee cup in another. He was having trouble holding the cup while trying to hang up the sign. He was about to go help when a young man appears with a group following him and offers to help the man.
"Need any help Principal Medina?" the young man offered, but didn't wait for a response and took the coffee cup and stack of papers out of his hands.
"Thank you, Jason you're so kind." Principal Medina stated as he hung the paper on the wall and turned around to face Jason.
"Anything for our fearless leader. May I?" Jason asked motioning the cup in his hand. He took a slurp from the cup while Principal Medina had the look of a lost puppy on his face.
"Ahh, French Roast," he stated while looking into the eyes of Principal Medina, who repeated back in a monotone voice, "French Roast."
"Good choice," Jason once again stated and the principal repeated back, "good choice."
Jason looked over to where Benny, Justin, and Ozzie were sitting and smirked while raising the cup of coffee and took off with his group, but not before he threw the stack of papers into the trash can.
Justin, Benny, and Ozzie were taking in the scene before them stunned that the principal would allow this. Principal Medina snapped out of his trance and looked down to find the stack of papers missing along with his cup of coffee then back up only to notice three boys were staring at him. "The Drama Club, always making a scene," he stated chuckling and went back into the school building.
"Benny you are right, there's something strange about that Drama Club," Justin stated to both of them while rubbing his head because of slight headache he got. Benny was holding his sides and simply nodded in understanding. "What class do you have next Ozzie?"
"Biology, then English," he said while Benny held in a laugh. "What about you guys?"
Justin answered, "Geometry."
Benny groaned, "then Gym." The bell rang and they grabbed their things and headed into the school.
"Hey Ozzie, Benny is coming over today, do you want to come over?" Justin asked as they headed for the second floor of the school.
"Sure, sounds like fun!" Ozzie exclaimed as they turned the finals steps of the stairs.
"We'll meet you by the school entrance after school, later." Benny stated as he and Justin went into their classroom.
"Mrs. Knight," Aaron stated over the phone, "have you seen the news? Another teen is missing."
Grandma Knight was now worried, what if one of the boys were to go missing on their walk home, "Aaron I'm going to go pick up the boys," she practically yelled into the line.
"No! Calm down, Jake called me, he said he landed and would be at the estate in ten minutes. I already told him about the missing teen and said to call you to immediately get here."
Mrs. Knight cut him off and asked, "What about the boys, they are not safe!"
"They're safe as long as they're together, you already know why, those have never failed and we both know it." She pondered that statement for a bit knowing it was true.
"I'll be over in a few minutes." She hung up the phone and got the items she needed and headed for the door.
Jake Baywood had arrived to his family estate and stopped at the front gate entrance. The entrance was a combination of white and silver stones, lampposts on top of pillars with a pewter steel gate in-between the two pillars. The gate had fancy initials of the letters "B" and "W" in white and a very intricate design of many large overlapping triquetras with circles around each one. Jake opened the gates and they opened inward breaking the connection of the two letters.
He drove up the semi-circular driveway with palm trees on the sides and stopped behind Mrs. Knight's car, which was already there. He walked up the pathway into the high-pillared porch, opened the double entry doors and stepped into the grand foyer.
"The one thing I don't like about going to your house is the walking, it's too far!" Ozzie whined to Justin. "First we have to get to Benny's neighborhood, then we have to pass the park and then we," Benny and Justin cut off Ozzie.
"You didn't have to come you know, you could turn around and head home." Both boys said in unison. Ozzie shook his head and stated he was only joking.
The trio were walking into Benny's neighborhood and discussing the projects that they were assigned. Ozzie said he was partnered with someone who doesn't seem to care about the assignment and he asked to be partnered with someone else but was declined. Benny was laughing since Ozzie had given him a hard time during lunch.
"It's the universe keeping the balance, you make fun of me and the universe rewards you Ozzie." Justin tilted his head towards Benny.
"That's you're best argument?" Justin shook his head at both boys who were now bickering, "This is going to be a long walk," he silently said to himself.
The three adults were attentively listening to the newscaster on the HoloScreen in Jake's office. Aaron and Grandma Knight were sitting in chairs while Jake was sitting on the edge of his desk. The newscaster turned it over to the live interviewer on the scene. Currently many new stations were covering the story, so Jake ran simultaneous channels of the interview.
"Sheriff, explain the recent cases of missing teens?"
"Do you have any suspects?"
"Are the children safe?"
"What is the mayor doing to protect our kids?"
Many questions were flying back and forth between the interviewers and some of the parents at the scene. The Chief of Police motioned for the crowd to settle down and was finally going to speak.
"We know the community is concerned, and we are working very hard to identify a suspect. At the moment we do not have any leads but we will update as more information becomes available. The mayor has issued a city ordinance that is to be taken into effect immediately. All minors under the age of eighteen years are to be indoors by no later than 7 p.m. NO EXCEPTIONS!"
Sheriff Matthews concluded the interview and went back into the police department building, reporters and parents were not satisfied with the answers given. They all started advancing towards the building but were stopped by the security and policemen on site.
Jake turned off the HoloScreen and stood up from his place. He ran a hand through his hair and sat down in his chair. He reviewed the papers that Aaron had brought. The official report said an animal mauled the teen and suffered from severe blood loss. The second paper showed what really happened but knew the Chief of Police would not disclose that information to the public, which is how Aaron got a hold of the reports.
"What are you thinking Jake?" Grandma Knight broke the silence.
"The new curfews will certainly not put an end to this, while on the phone the mayor was hesitant to issue a new ordinance without much explanation, but it should give us some time to find out what's going on. The less people on the streets the better." Jake stated to both of them.
"You do realize people are going to start to ask questions and are going to want answers," Aaron started to tell Jake and Penelope, "Penny can't you like wave your hand or something and find out what it is?" Jake and Penny both started to laugh and Aaron was confused.
"Oh, you are not kidding are you?" Jake asked his friend.
"Sweetie, that's not exactly how it works it's a little more complex than that I'm afraid. We still don't know what this is, but we have our suspicions," the elderly woman stated standing up and walking to where Jake was sitting.
The boys had finally made it to Justin's front gate. Justin opened the gate and the three boys walked up the driveway. They were still busy talking when Benny looked to the cars parked up ahead, "What's my grandma doing here? Justin isn't that your dad's car?"
Justin turned away from talking with Ozzie and looked in the direction Benny was pointing at. "No way! I thought he said he'd be back on Friday," Justin questioned himself but realized it was indeed his father's car.
"Maybe he wanted to surpri- HEY! Wait up!" Justin started to run towards the front door of his house with Benny and Ozzie running up behind him.
Jake was now caught up with the events that had transpired between his son and Benny. Jake always knew they had gifts, but he could not tell anyone because of the promise he made to Brandon that night. He thought if his best friend were here he'd be proud of the young men they are becoming.
"I don't think it's a coincidence that they are starting to show signs around the same time the teens are going missing," Penny stated, "there has to be an explanation. You can't sit there and tell me you don't think the same."
Aaron was slightly confused in this current situation; he understood what these families' gifts were. What he didn't understand was the fuss over missing teens and this threat Grandma Knight was talking about. It almost seems like they are scared of whatever is kidnapping the teens.
"For centuries we have been hiding in secret from society, trying to live and lead lives as normal as possible. And now you mean to tell me they have been doing the same?" Penny furiously stated at no one really, "It's impossible, my father, and his father and anyone before us, assured us they were all dead. Even your mother's father passed this story down your family line, and now it's a myth!"
Aaron confused now more than ever dared to ask the question no one seemed to want to ask, "What do you mean they have been doing the same? Who are they?"
Grandma Knight turned around and stared at Jake all knowingly. She went towards her chair and sat down while Jake stood up and locked the door. Both Aaron and Penny asked why he locked to door. "The boys are almost home," he glanced back, "all three of them."
"I never will get used to that gift of yours," Aaron stated.
"We need to discuss fast I don't want them hearing us," Jake said as he went back to his seat.
Aaron once again asked who are the, they, they keep mentioning. Penny started to explain the story that has been passed down the generations, which may have been lost in translation over the years. To Jake and Grandma Knight's surprise both families had a similar telling of the stories.
Grandma Knight started, "During the Salem Witch Trials, in 1693 our families were living in secret among society with other beings. Both sides agreed to keep each other's secret so long as they wouldn't feed on any human, but these beings were never to be trusted so our kind never revealed their true secret to them. These things need blood to stay in human form otherwise they would turn more creature-like; they would offer them blood to keep them quiet, that was their leverage, but never told them what or who's blood it was."
"Until one night one of the townspeople saw a creature attacking a human. Our kind was angered because they put everyone at risk; we never revealed to the townspeople the identity of them, but in turn for letting it happen they turned in our kind. The townspeople were scared and accused almost everyone of having contact with Satan. Until one of them stated that it was all the women of the town that have been performing witchcraft on the townspeople, and that was the reason why something was feeding on a human. They started the trials and burning witches at the stake, the person in charge was one of them. He wanted all of us out so they could finally feed on anyone they wanted and would not have turn into a creature anymore," Jake was then cutoff by Penny who explained the rest of the story.
"What they didn't know was that women were only practitioners of the craft they didn't posses active gifts. That was only something the men had, so they slowly started to leave Salem with their children and settle in various towns, including our original ancestors. Before all the men had left there was one family left and the same person who was in charge of the burning, stopped him. He questioned him and that is when he realized they were all still out there, he had burned the wrong gender and his kind were all now at risk. The blood they needed to stay as humans was gone, they could not turn anyone into one of them without being in human form, nor could they survive in the sunlight for the skin on their creature side was too sensitive. It's why we thought they were all dead, no blood from our kind equals no human side and no protection from the sun, thus extinction," Grandma Knight finished and turned to Aaron, who was shocked at this new discovery.
"So you both are saying vampires are real?" Aaron stated bluntly and both of them shook their head. "And you think they are back?" They both again nodded at the man who stood up now. "But what would they want with teenagers? Wait how do you have a gift, you just said only males do?"
"I still don't know how that happened. That I know of on my family's side, I'm the only female with an active gift whose body could handle and didn't give out." She simply stated to him.
Jake was still confused what these creatures wanted with teenagers or how could they still be alive. He kept thinking maybe there was something they were missing, and this missing part was the million-dollar question. He looked up to both of them, "They're here," referring to the boys and the creatures of night returning to Knightwood Bay.
Justin entered the house with his two friends and started calling for Aaron and his mom asking where his dad was. Benny and Ozzie followed him around looking in the process; to them Justin right now seemed like an ecstatic little boy who hadn't seen his dad in months, but Benny was just as excited, after all he was his father figure in life.
Jake, Aaron, and Penny all exited the office and headed into the family room where Miranda, Jake's wife was waiting with an all-knowing look. She tolerated the discussions of these so-called gifts and such, but family was first no matter what.
"I hope that when I return for work next week this is not what you will be doing all the time." She stated to the three of them. "When did you get here Jake," she went over and kissed her husband.
Miranda Baywood, a flawless, beautiful woman with long, golden brown locks and hazel eyes. Hollywood's it girl and the current "power couple." She is married to Jake Baywood III, founder and CEO of Drac Industries, the most successful electronic device company in the world since the demise of Apple Inc.
Justin, Benny, and Ozzie heard conversations coming from the family room so they all ran over there very quickly. When he came into the room and found everyone talking he suddenly stopped causing Benny and Ozzie to all bump into each other and stumble onto the floor. They all quickly got up but Justin shot up to his dad and tackled him into a tight hug. He motioned Benny to come over too, then saw Ozzie off to the side and told him to join, but all the sudden movement caused them all to fall backwards onto the floor with a thump. They were all laughing it off as they stood up.
"I thought you said you'd be here on Friday?" Justin asked his father while still hugging him from the side.
"I finished my meetings early and decided to surprise you." He simply stated.
Benny shot in with, "I told you so!" while crossing his arms. Justin just laughed it off and let go of his dad. Benny's grandma elbowed him, "What'd I do?" Benny whined and everyone laughed. She raised an eyebrow at Jake.
"Boy's why don't you take a seat, we need to discuss something important," Jake started to say as everyone sat down, "I'm sure you all have heard about the teens that have been missing. Today the mayor announced new curfews for anyone under the age of eighteen."
"What! No fair!" Benny started to whine again.
"Benjamin Knight!" Penny glared at the boy.
"Sorry Grandma," he said and shut up listening to Justin's dad.
"With the new curfews you have to be home before seven. So if any of you plan on coming over or going over to each other's house you will have to leave early or call one of us to drive you home, no exceptions." The boys understood and went up to Justin's room to have some fun.
"I'm certain they are not going to listen," Jake stated to the parents and motioned for Penny and Aaron to go into the office.
"Don't stay in there too long otherwise I will have to make dinner myself." Miranda exclaimed to them for an understanding since she doesn't cook well.
Thanks for reading!
-Dominus Trinus 13