I'm not sure what to say. I just hope you're all enjoying this story.

Lucas moaned a bit, slowly opening his eyes, finding the world around him a bit blinding. Slowly he tried to sit up, only to hiss horribly and rest back against the soft sheets. Finally he took in his surroundings, finding Dawn and Dusk at his side. He wondered where his children were though...

He felt warm... his bangs were sticking to his forehead... and his chest ached terribly. It ached to the point he felt like he couldn't breathe even. He was also confused. Where was he? He remembered Marco saying he needed help, but... oh Flash... was he in the hospital...?

" D-Dawn... "

He called softly, looking down at the woman's hand gripping his own, gently tightening his own around it. Dawn looked down at him, her face lighting up greatly upon seeing him awake again.

" Oh Lucas, I'm so glad you're awake! "

She cried softly, reaching up and gently swiping his sticky hair out of his face.

" How are you feeling sweetie? "

" I-I'm alright... "

He said softly, his voice weak and soft, clearly not capable of using his voice right now.

" My, rgh, my chest hurts... "

" Well, I'm not surprised. "

Dawn said meekly, gently stroking his hand.

" You've got a couple broken ribs. "

" Broken?! "

Lucas yelped, instinctively trying to spring up, only to have Dusk pin his shoulders to the bed.

" Don't get up dad. "

Dusk said firmly.

" Again, a few of your ribs are broken. You need to rest. "

" Ugh... h-how long was I out? "

Lucas asked, looking around.

" Where are the kids? "

" Katie and the twins didn't want to sit around while Fatch was out there. "

Dawn explained softly.

" So Marco and Midnight took them out to look for him. "

Lucas groaned, swatting Dusk's hands away and slowly sat up, swinging his legs over the edge of the cot. Naturally Dusk and Dawn got set into a panic and they tried to force him back down. But he would have none of that; he swatted Dusk's hands away again and pushed Dawn's hands closer to her.

" Lucas, you need to rest! "

Dawn cried as Lucas stood up, quickly standing up with him.

" Dawn, I'm not going to rest here while Fatch is trying to sell his soul. "

Lucas hissed lowly.

" I'm going out to find him, with or without you. I'm sorry. "

Dawn frowned a bit, sighing and slowly turning to Dusk.

" Dusk, go with him sweetie. "

" Will do mom. "

Lucas smiled at his son, following him out of the room, and soon out of the hospital. Suddenly Dusk froze, expressing an oh.

" O-one second dad! "

Dusk hurried, reaching into his pocket and pulling out his phone.

" I need to call Thatch and tell him we'll be a bit late coming home. "

" Oh, uh, sure. Go for it. "

Lucas didn't know what to say. Dusk was turning out to be a great father to that boy. It was heart warming... he watched as Dusk held the phone up to his ear, obviously waiting for the other to pick up.

" Hello, Ramirez residence. "

Thatch said from the other end. Either Dusk's phone was turned up really loud, or Thatch was talking really loud. Either way, Lucas could hear the conversation.

" Hey Thatch. It's Dusk. "

" Oh hey! I was cleaning up the house a little for when you guys came home! "

" Yeah, about that. We may be a little bit longer still. Fatch ran off, and we need to find him. "

" Really...? "

Thatch said sadly, sounding like he was trying to prevent himself from crying. And it broke Dusk's heart.

" Yes. Sorry kiddo, but until we find out where Fatch ran off to, we can't come back. We're going to be gone for a few more days. "

Dusk responded, sounding like he himself was really distraught. And Lucas couldn't blame him. Dusk probably had mixed feelings about being this far away for so long already, this whole situation with Fatch probably wasn't helping.

" Why did he run off, anyway? "

" Ah, well, you see- "

Suddenly the two jumped, hearing someone shouting at them. Turning, he found Marco and Katie racing up to them, both looking panicked. Dusk covered the speaker, hoping Thatch wouldn't be able to over hear their conversation before speaking to his brother and sister.

" Marco, what's wrong?! "

" We found Fatch! "

Marco breathed, sounding exhausted. Katie continued for him, but in a much quieter voice.

" He's in the forest at the demons cabin, and it looks like he's about to perform the spell with that demon! We would've stopped him, but we didn't think we could get through to him by ourselves! "

" Holy-! "

Dusk yelped, quickly removing his hand and saying hurrying.

" Th-Thatch, I gotta go! I'll talk to you soon! "

" O-ok! Good-! "

Dusk quickly hit the off button, forcing his phone into his pocket.

" Ok! Let's go! Dad, I don't think you can run, so just hang on to me! "

" R-right! "

Fatch looked down sadly, thinking that this might not be a good idea after all. Would he be able to deal with hell? Was avoiding the crown really worth selling his soul for? And would a demon be coming for his soul in ten years? Or was that just a rumor? And would he be capable of spending his life in hell? After all... he'd seen what six years had done to Marco. Scar, blinded left eye, crippled right leg, the nightmares... Marco was, by far, the strongest person he'd ever known on a psychological level, and even HE couldn't deal with hell. Maybe... maybe he should just back down. There was no shame in wanting to keep his soul, right? No... he didn't know... besides, the spell was almost complete, and he couldn't really back down now. He should tough it out.

Drake soon wiped his hands free of dust, the spell now complete. The demon turned to Fatch, smiling softly.

" Are you ready Fatch? "

The prince opened his mouth to say yes, bit slowly closed it, hesitating greatly on his response. He was having second thoughts... he just didn't know if he could go through with it...

The door behind them SLAMMED open, the wind blowing out several candles in the process, causing the two to turn around and look at who was there. It was none other than Dusk, Lucas, Marco and Katie. And the men looked furious, as Katie merely looked worried. Dusk and Lucas rushed forward and pinned Drake to the near by wall, both snarling furiously.

" You stay away from my son you creep! "

Lucas hissed, soon looking over his shoulders at Fatch.

" Fatch go outside! We're going home! "

Fatch didn't know why, but it felt like something snapped inside him. And all he could do was yell back.

" I'm not going home! I'm 18, and you can't tell me what to do anymore! "

As it had for his son, something felt like it snapped within Lucas as well. All he could see was red... growling deeply, he let go of Drake, Dusk now holding the demon by himself, and turned to Fatch, fists and fangs clenched tight.

" Fatch! I'm only going to say this once! "

Lucas sneered, hating what he was doing. In truth, independence was a great thing. Especially for Fatch. But the prince needed to know his place, and even if he was eligible to make his own choices, he needed to know his place.

" You may be an adult, but your still my son! And it's my job to make sure you don't make stupid deals with stupid sales demons! So I don't care HOW old you are! You're gonna do what I say, and get out of this D*** HOUSE! "

Fatch quickly recoiled, never having heard his father swear before. As if on reflex, all the spite and the malice he had faded away. The fire in his belly diminished, and all that was left was what felt like his helpless child self. He was awakened... he would always be under his fathers thumb. Sadly, he lowered his head, his crimson irises, losing their spark.

" ... y-yes sir... "

He said softly, almost inaudibly, slowly walking outside, being closely followed by Lucas. Slowly, Dusk let go of Drake, hearing Marco and Katie walking up to the demon.

" If you EVER try to make a deal with my brother again I will scratch your eyes out and feed them to a hell hound. "

Marco hissed, looking ready to carry out his threat now even.

" Ok. "

Drake said shakily, pulling back a little as Katie now got in his face.

" And if you mess with our family again in ANY way, I'll come at you with a battle axe- do you understand me?! "

" Y-yes ma'am. "

Dusk smirked a bit, pointing the two towards the door.

" Go outside you two. I need a moment with this punk. "

The duo saluted playfully before rushing out side. Dusk turned to the demon, who now seemed to relax and looked at the vampire with an unafraid sneer.

" Oooh, the marshmallow giant wants to speak with me. "

Drake teased, crossing his arms.

" I'm soooo scared. "

" ... You should be. "

Dusk said in a cold tone, cracking his knuckles.

" Where do you think Fatch got all of his aggression from? "

Immediately the demons attitude fled his system, leaving him shaking and terrified.

" ... Ooooh sh... "

Whelp! Nice knowing you Drake! Dusk can be very... aggressive when he wants to be. Hope you all liked!