Chapter 11: Vengeance

Suggested track: Chandelier-Sia (Madilyn Bailey Cover)

The swish of cars speeding through rain puddles on the highway created a background noise as Heath trudged along. His feet hurt and his back ached, and the throbbing migraine wasn't helping, either.

However, he pressed on. East Manor was very close, judging by what he remembered. He realized it was very near when he noticed a giant boulder lying on the wet grass, something he remembered.

After walking for a few more minutes, he arrived. It was a magnificent house, a castle, really, with neatly trimmed bushes and a beautiful courtyard. Yet Heath took no time to appreciate its beauty and instead went around to the back of the house, looking for a back door he could sneak into.

He happened upon a back door, but it soon become apparent that sneaking through this door would be no challenge. The door was wide open, and nearby stood two women who were clearly maids. They were in a heated argument over what appeared to be a crate of vegetables.

"Are you crazy!?" the younger woman shouted, snatching up some limp carrots and potatoes. "These vegetables are nasty and bad!"

"You are wimp!" the older woman snapped. She spoke in an accent just like Abbey's. "They are just few days old!"

"Well, they look like a fat guy peed on them!"

As the maids bickered, Heath took this moment to slip in quietly through the back door. H

The lights were dim as Heath crept through the kitchen, being completely silent. Light from a window glittered off a carving knife lying near the sink, and it caught Heath's attention. Hands trembling, he grasped the knife firmly in his palm and managed to make his way out of the kitchen without alerting anyone.

Heath walked past two large doors and into a living room. The TV was on, blaring boring news reports that no one cared about and making unnecessary comments. Heath glanced at the couch lying before him, seeing Invisibilly sleeping there, his chest rising and falling with each breath. Squeezing the knife's handle, Heath moved closer and prepared to strike.

Slowly, his hand rose, shaking still as he held the knife above the Invisible man, who chose the wrong time to stay visible. Heath sucked in a deep breath, and rose his hand up higher for a better blow. Yet, suddenly, there was a sound, a little squeak. Heath looked down and realized that Aqua was there, too, curled up near her father's shoulder. She moved around in her sleep, her little chin coming to rest on Invisi's left bosom, right where Heath was going to stab.

Heath stopped what he was doing and began to think. If he killed Invisi, Aqua would awaken to find him dead or dying. A six year old girl, waking up next to the corpse of her father in a dark living room, with nothing at the moment but a TV to comfort her. Was it worth the death of Hawking?

At this moment, Heath suddenly remembered what Jessica had said: "It's no use holding on to bitter feelings. I love my children, but I've let go of what happened. I forgive you, dear."

That one phrase repeated itself over and over in Heath's mind as he stared at the man he was about to kill, the one who'd taken his father's life. A strange feeling washed over Heath, and he stood motionless as he wrestled within himself. Then, out of nowhere, a high pitched yapping yanked him out of his trance.

Heath whirled around, seeing a small dog at his heels. It yapped and growled and pawed at his pant leg, looking at him through wild, black eyes. Another dog, a bigger one, bounded into the room, its bark so low and loud it was nearly a bellow. Heath desperately tried to silence the noisy canines, but a sudden pressure seized his throat.

The pressure increased, and the knife fell from Heath's palm and to the floor. Gasping for air, Heath looked over, seeing Invisibilly was awake, now. He glared, his hand hovering in the air and his fingers positioned as if he were holding a soda can. Invisi's fingers flexed, and the pressure tightened around Heath's neck. Then, the fingers dropped and the pressure went away.

Wheezing, Heath collapsed to the floor, his heart pounding. After a moment, he looked up at Invisi and tried to speak, but Invisi quickly snapped his fingers, and Heath's vision went black.

It was 2:00 PM.

The radio buzzed quietly with old music as Draculaura combed her hair on her bed, her wrist gliding the comb down her hair in long strokes. She hummed along to the music, setting the comb down and tying her hair into a ponytail. At this moment, Dodger, her son, came trotting in. He stopped in the middle of the room and put his hands on his hips, tapping his foot. Draculaura saw him, and she couldn't help but giggle.

"What do you need, my blessed precious?" she cooed, getting up off her bed.

Dodger crossed his arms impatiently, flicking his ear. "I'm hungry. Make lunch!"

Draculaura's voice became somewhat stern. "Now, Dodger, you know you don't talk to me that way. If you talk to me like that again, I won't answer you."

Dodger's face softened, and he blinked his big eyes up at her and whimpered. "But why can't I eat? I'm hungry, now!"

"I know," Draculaura picked him up, running her fingers through his thick, dark hair. "But we can't eat until Daddy gets back. He said he was bringing sandwiches. You like sandwiches, right?"

Dodger shrugged. "I guess," he laid his head on her shoulder and sighed, pouting. "Can I please have crackers?"

"Of course you may, my blessed precious." She set him down, leading him to the kitchen.

Before she could fetch the crackers for him, there was a knock at the door. It was urgent and loud, clearly of great importance.

Draculaura quirked an eyebrow, going to the door and opening it. She soon found herself face to face with Abbey, who seemed to be in distress.

"Abbey? Is something wrong?" Draculaura asked, concerned.

"Is Clawd here?" Abbey inquired, her voice sounding strained.

"Not at the moment. Why?"

"I cannot find Heath," As Abbey began her tale of woe, Draculaura led her in and sat her down at the kitchen table. "He just leave yesterday after we have fight. I try to call him later, but he does not answer!" she buried her face in her claws, shaking her head. "He is gone! I just…I just thought Clawd might know where he got to, since they are friends!"

Draculaura thought this over, nodding slowly. "Well…do you think there's anyone else who might help you find him?"

Abbey dabbed at her eyes, sighing. "I talk to Deuce little while ago, but he did not get response when call. Am very worried."

"He's probably fine," Draculaura tried to reassure as she handed her friend a tissue. "He loves you too much to leave you. And what about Icer? You and I both know he'd never leave Icer without saying goodbye."

"What happened?" Dodger asked, popping his head over the table.

"None of your concern, Dodger," Draculaura said sweetly, patting his head. "We're having grown-up talk."

Just then, the door opened, and in walked Clawd with a plastic grocery bag. "I'm home!" he announced, stopping when he noticed Abbey. "Hey, Abbey! How are you?"

Abbey suddenly burst into tears. "I am terrible!" she sobbed. She then proceeded to tell the whole story, about going to see Carlotta, the zompires, what happened with Invisibilly, and the fight with Heath. She'd been so worried about him and so angry at everyone and everything that she had barely slept, and now her emotions were off the wall. She had to leave Icer with Merida because she didn't want him to see her like this.

After Abbey had calmed down, Draculaua patted her back. "It'll be okay, Abbey. Just you see."

"Can I have my sandwich?" Dodger piped up, pawing his father's pant leg.

The phone rang, and Clawd stood up. "Draculaura, could you get Dodger his sandwich? I'm going to answer the phone."

He walked out into the living room, picking up the house phone and answering. "Hello?"

A soft, feminine voice asked, "Is this Clawd Wolf?"

"Uh, yes?"

"This is Carrie. We have your friend, Heath," she explained, stopping to cough before continuing. "If you want him, come up to East Manor. Alert his wife, too. Thank you." With that, she hung up.

Clawd stood there motionless, just holding the phone in his furry paw. He turned towards the kitchen and called out in a shaky voice, "Abbey?"

Hey again!

Sorry for the lack of activity. Even though my show ended, school is still keeping me busy and I've just been a bit stressed. Also, happy Halloween! My Ariel (the little mermaid) costume will be put to good use!

Thoughts on this chapter? What do you think is going on? Will Heath be okay? Predictions for future events? Please give me your thoughts in your review!

Until next chapter, my fellow monsters!