My friends jumped up, running over to us in order to fend the other men off me.
The first man, who had jumped over the counter, was now chasing me through the kitchen. I looked around for something to hit him with and noticed the fryer was still bubbling. It was required to while people were in the building so that it can be ready to go when needed.
As I ran past it I grabbed the handle and flung the oil onto the man, praying that I wouldn't be charged in damages. It was at least 375 degrees, so it should burn him enough to get him to stop.
I paused, watching as the oil hit the man. He screeched, making me cover my ears in pain. As I watched, his whole body just... dissolved. By the time it hit the ground, it was just a pile of dust.
I stared at the dust pile in horror. It was wet still, from leftover oil, as was the ground around it. My legs felt paralyzed, and I could barely breathe.
"Reece? You okay?" Chris asked from the front. I couldn't call out to say what the actual crap is going on right now. I heard shuffling from the front and assumed that the boys had come to the back.
"Reece?" Tyler asked. His voice was quiet.
"What just happened?" I whispered.
Nick stepped forward, gently wrapping his arms around my torso in order to pull me away from where I was standing. I let him, wrapping my arms around him as well. I didn't realize how scared I was until he came up. I sobbed, the reality of the situation hit me hard. My boyfriend came around so he was in front of me, his arms holding me tighter. I heard Tyler and Chris mumbling something behind Nick.
"Shh baby, it's okay," He mumbled.
Nick and I didn't have the best relationship. With the band being a thing, he and I never really went out anymore. Although, I appreciated the gesture of him holding and comforting me.
"What are we going to do now?" I heard Tyler ask.
"We have to take her in, obviously," Chris said. A squeaking sound filled the air, followed by a poof! which confused me more than anything.
"'Take me in'?" I stepped away from Nick, looking for Nick and Tyler, "Take me where?"
"We'll explain in the car," Chris said, pushing past me.
"But I have to clean up!" I cried out.
I heard another whoosh and Tyler appeared next to me for a split second with cleaning supplies, before running off to clean. Within a few seconds, he had the whole restaurant cleaned, and the 'CLOSED' sign on the door.
"Done, let's go," Tyler said, pushing me and Nick out the door.
"Babe, what's going on?" I asked, climbing into the car. He crawled in after me, and Tyler floored it out of the parking lot. "Tyler!"
"We gotta go! I'm sorry I startled you!" Tyler said. I gripped onto Nick, trembling. I didn't know what the hell was happening and it terrified me.
We continued to drive, but our ride was short as Tyler pulled up into my driveway. I was even more confused now.
"Is there some secret organization hidden in my house?!" I was seriously close to tears at this point.
"Let's just get inside before-" Chris was cut off by a hissing outside of the car. I heard a slam on the window next to me, and Nick covered my mouth before I could scream. One of those things had followed us home.
"I thought you dealt with it!" Nick said, sheltering me as I hid in his chest.
"I did!" Tyler yelled, locking the doors.
"Mitto!" I heard from the porch.
The man flew away, screeching, and my aunt came running down the stairs. Lorelai waved her arms, motioning for us to come inside. I tore myself from Nick's arms, running up to her and hugging her.
"Shh honey. Come on, let's get your friends inside," She whispered, ushering in me in and waving for the boys. They were out of the car and on the porch in a second, Tyler even held the door open for us.
As soon as we stepped in, my aunt began muttering spells under her breath, the walls of the house glowing under her influence. I could see little ruins glowing in our wallpaper, effectively sealing off the house. I had only seen the house do this once; when my parents died.
My aunt continued to lead us downstairs, where I knew her workshop was. I was rarely allowed down here, especially when she was working. I knew she was a witch, but I didn't know what she did exactly.
The basement's walls were covered in bookshelves, and a little couch and table were in the middle. The one wall that wasn't covered in bookshelves had a fireplace, complete with shelves for some of her supplies. She sat me gently on the couch and walked off. Nick came over and sat next to me. I leaned on him, trying to relax.
Lorelai, Chris, and Tyler began searching the shelves for something, but I didn't know what it was. I just watched them, getting tired. The adrenaline must be wearing off.
"What happened?" Lorelai asked. She had always been so commanding but loved pretty much anyone I brought in the door like her own child. Especially the four of us. Didn't matter who they were or what they had done.
"She was working like she usually would, and we got attacked by vampires," Tyler explained.
"Vampires?" I asked, sitting up.
"Yes," Tyler looked at me, then to Nick, "You know, you would think that with your studies of the supernatural that you would notice when someone is a vampire."
I raised an eyebrow, "Are you...?"
"We all are. We've been trying to protect you, dummy," Tyler said, smiling.