~Hello Readers, back from the dead! it has been awhile, Like a long while. New laptop and in Quarantine! At least it has been giving me some time to think about stuff and push me out of my writer's block. ~

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Alan's truck pulled into a small gas station about an hour outta Vegas. Hauling Edgar's dead truck.

"What." Edgar said annoyed, looking at Alan who was silent, deep in thought, staring at him. Edgar knew he wanted to say something.

"I just don't understand, he wasn't there?" Alan said jumping out of his truck as Edgar did.

"obviously." Edgar replied with a stern look. "I watched the place for 2 days, 3 nights. As I've said. The only ones that came out weren't him and not vamps."

"he slipped through your fingers?" Alan joked wiggling his own fingers at Edgar who only glared with squinted eyes. His mouth forming an even thinner line.

"like you could have done better." He said under his breath.

"I probably would have; I am the smarter one after all."

"go pay for the gas, or you can walk home."

"funny your saying that when it's my truck were driving."

Alan backed away with a smile grin.

"get food too." He heard Edgar yell as Alan pushed open the doors of the AM/PM.

a cold breeze hitting him as he walked in sending goosebumps along his arm.

Alan grabbed 2 bags of barbeque chips which were Edgars favorites and a large can of Monster. Alan only had a box of Mike and ikes, and a big gulp of Dr. Pepper.

"this and gas for number 7." He said placing everything down on the counter.

While the girl rang up everything, Alan looked at the souvenirs for the tourists either coming in or out of Vegas. Anything from mini slot machines that lit up when you pressed its button to babble headed aliens.

Alan handed the cashier the money and put the food in a bag.

"have a good night." The girl said handing Alan his receipt.

"you too." He smiled juggling the bag and drinks in hand.

His phone rang in his pocket as he walked toward the door. He pulled it out to see Sam's name glowing

"Hey Sam- "Alan started to say but was cut off by Sam's voice.

"Sam slow down."

Alan had stopped in the middle of the road, a car honked at him making Edgar stand up out of the truck. He saw Alan standing there a confused look upon his face.

"WHAT?!" he yelled. Everyone stopped what they were doing and stared at him.

Alan ran toward the truck, past Edgar telling him "hurry get in, we need to burn rubber," then he hopped into the driver seat throwing the food onto the seat and handing Edgar the drinks when he got in.

"Sam were still coming from Vegas. Don't do anything stupid wait till we get there. It is going to be a few more hours, but you can get gear from the shop. Talk to Amorita she knows what to do." Alan tossed the phone onto the seat between himself and Edgar.

"Jesus Alan, what's wrong?" he said fastening his seatbelt before Alan sped onto the highway.

Alan turned to him his face serious. "Santa Carla is infected…with vampires again."

"And that's why Sam called? Sometimes they come and go but they don't stay for long."

"No Edgar it's not just any vampires." Edgar stared waiting. "it's the ones we first killed, the ones who drove motorcycles." Edgar huffed thinking it was a joke,

"What?!" how? What exactly did Sammy say?"

"I didn't get all the details- "

"didn't get all the details?" Edgar repeated shaking his head.

"all he said was that those vamps were back. Then he had to go someone was calling him. But that's not all- "Alan paused making Edgar look back at him.

"and what?"

"they have Angel."

Edgar straightened, shaking his head as he looked out the window. "what about the boys?"

"they didn't say anything about them." Alan pointe to the phone. "Dial the house, tell Amorita, tell her what's happening."

Edgar held the phone listening to it ring. "nothing."

Edgar looked to his brother as his face grew pale. The worry in his face was saying it all.

"Alan she's strong don't get soft right now. We need to focus and get to the house so we can prepare for battle."

"soft?! I'm not growing soft; I'm just thinking…"

Alan stepped on the gas still looking around and in his rear-view mirror thinking that the cops would pull them over.

"Fuck!" he yelled slamming a hand onto the wheel. Edgar eyed him waiting to see if he needed to take the wheel from his brother.

"she should have gone with me. We should have just closed the shop and now I have to sit here in this truck and wonder if those vampires found- "Alan had to stop his frustration was making him shake.

"pull over I'm driving."

"NO." Alan said making Edgar sigh angerly. "I'm sorry, need to focus on something driving helps and talking."

"fine," he sighed. "do you think Sam is going to call us back?"

"I don't know." Alan replied. "do you think someone knew about the bodies? How did someone know to dig them up?"

"maybe they had friends."

"friends that Knew they were dead and where they were buried? Why now then? Why now? 30 years later? Sounds ridiculous."

"then that means someone has betrayed us." Edgar said sternly.

XXX

Laddie told Erin the full story. He trusted her they had been friends for exceptionally long time. She has saved his back just as many times as he did to her.

She did not say anything the whole ride back to the office. Only stared out the window, thinking, maybe it was all real what he was telling her or maybe she knew this had to be a joke.

They just looked like a bunch of punk kids, to which his niece got mistakenly involved in.

Laddie pulled the car to a stop, and parked but not turning off the engine.

She undid her seatbelt and her hand went to the handle but turned to look back Laddie.

"Is there anything you want me to do?" She asked.

He almost looked disappointed, like he wanted her to ask him more questions.

"I can't think of anything right now." He sighed, trying to give her a smile. "please just go home. Ill take care of everything. Get some rest."

"well wasn't really planning too now, since there are… vampires." She said using the word so hesitantly.

She got out of the truck, carefully closing the door. "thanks night." And he watched her as she walked away to the door of the police station.

When Laddie got home he sat in the driver way of his small apartment for a few moments. Thinking about what to say, if there was anything to say.

He turned off the truck and something inside him wanted to just go inside and not return to it, let the clock run down till morning. But he could not do that to Star, he couldn't.

"Babe?" Sarah, Laddie's girlfriend called out lifting off the couch a hand rested upon her pregnant stomach. "I thought you were gonna be home at 5? I made pizza from scratch."

Laddie had placed his hat on the hook and his keys and wallet in the bowl on the table. "sorry been really busy today." He replied. Leaning down to kiss her.

"yeah no kidding its almost 1 in the morning. Its ok though gave me an opportunity to binge some shows. ill heat your food up."

"it's alright, you don't have too, I'm not hungry."

"not hungry?" she questioned with a smile.

"I had a massive burrito at lunch with Erin."

"how dare you!" she said hand on her heart. Laddie smiled trying to hug her. "now I want tacos…"

"I'm sorry, I'll make it up to you. This weekend." He said moving in to hug her, but she turned arms crossed.

I hope. He thought.

"I'm gonna go use the restroom." He said walking away from her still mad at him.

He pulled the bedroom door to a crack. He could he hear Sarah moving dishes, to which he went over to the bed and sat.

In his shirt pocket he pulled out a key and sat it beside him on the bed.

Falling to his knees he dragged out a small chest. His hand sat atop the lid, contemplating about opening it. But He turned the key and looked inside. The coroner of his mouth twitched almost to smile pulling out his old military style jacket he had saved from all those years ago.

Its light gray color had faded but if he wanted too, he could wash it or shine the gold buttons again. Seeing himself in it as the little boy that he was too smart for his own good, and that's why Star saved him.

But he would not, it was here as a memory and for a reminder.

He set it back inside and reached in for what he wanted.

"Laddie, do you want to watch a movie before bed?" Sarah said pushing the door open and about to walk in but Laddie was already there exiting the room.

"sorry babe, got a call, I need to go see Star."

"Star? Why?" she said grabbing his arm that was holding the front doorknob.

He hesitated thinking about what was the best answer.

"Angel may have gotten into some trouble. Star just needs my help," He said.

"oh no," she said hand to her mouth. "is she alright?"

"yeah." He lied because he did not really know in what state Angel really was.

"ok well call me. If you need me let me know."

"Always." He kissed her before closing the door behind him.

XXX

Michael had taken the long way home looking down each street for any signs for motorcycles. Up the hill, rolling up to the door and got out of the car to the house. Star followed close behind.

Sam sat in the car watching them walk quickly inside. All he could think about through the drive is remembering everything, his memories slowly coming back.

The boardwalk, running fast, till he sees them as if he is living it all over. Their faces that have haunted his dream for so long. His hand instantly went to his neck thinking about David squeezing it.

"Michael," Star called to him as he went straight to the kitchen. "Michael," she went into the kitchen to him filling through drawers. Pulling out knives, anything that looked sliver, tossing them onto the table.

Star watched picking one up. "what are you going to do? You can't go out there looking for them till the…frogs get here." She said with a sigh.

"well need the sliver." He said, now moving over to the cabinet which inside he pulled down a larger jar. "Mom still pickles," he said turning to see Sam beside him now. He handed him the jar looking at the garlic inside.

Sam placed it on the table alongside the knives and other utensils. Michael walked over to the closet beside the pouch, pulling out boxes.

"Mom has to have kept one of the boxes inside, the rest should be outside in the shed." Sam said.

Leaning down with Michael who seemed to have found something. Old plastic water guns, water bottles with "holy water" written on the top. Wooden chair legs sharpened to points. And sharp antlers.

"Grandpa." Both brothers said looking from it to each other. A saddened smile upon their faces.

"listen as much as I want to go out there myself, I really don't want you do anything dumb right now."

"just getting prepared Star. When will they be here Sam?"

"not for a few more hours, Alan just picked up Edgar but I for sure know that there driving like a bat outta hell. They said we could go to the stop, get some stuff."

"that's good." Michael said placing the rest of the stuff on the table in the kitchen.

"Laddie should be here in a bit, too right?" Star asked Michael and he nodded.

Michael looked to Sam who was clearly upset. "what's wrong Sam?"

"nothing, just…" his hand went to his neck. "worried. We're not young anymore Michael, can really do this? Even with the Frogs. Can we think about a plan b?"

"we may not be young Sam but were older and can do things we couldn't do before. But a Plan B?"

"Michael just what if? What if we do not win?" Michael turned to see Sam staring off at the floor his hand going up to his neck.

"when David held me… by my neck, it terrified me. Held me high like it was nothing. Over the ocean, I saw my life flash before my eyes."

"Sam, I'm sorry," he pulled his brother into a tight hug knowing full well the danger they faced.

"we can do this just like before when we were kids." Michael said pulling apart from there embrace.

"that was child's play. This time they really hate us and want us dead. That's exactly what I felt." Sam walked away toward the living and Star stopped Michael from walking after him.

"Sam is right Michael. We need a plan B."

He investigated her face, full of mixed emotions of sadness, fear and even some confidence. "if they come when we see them will bargain. Anything everything for our kids." Michael raised an eyebrow. "I know David more then he knows, and it might work but we need to see what happens first."

"and what if they don't want to bargain- "

The front door came open and they all jumped. Sam fell to the floor in front of the couch. While Michael and Star had bent to their knees, turning quick to see Laddie standing there now closing it behind him.

"Jesus Christ!" Sam exclaimed, pulling himself off the floor back onto the couch hand over his heart. "nearly gave me a heart attack Laddie."

"I'm sorry everyone." He said slowly walking in toward Star whom he hugged. "I had to check on Sarah."

"oh dear, is she alright?"

"yeah, had to tell her to go to sleep so she wouldn't worry."

"alright, Laddie's here so we get back to business."

"let's start from the beginning?" Laddie asked sitting on one the couches beside where Sam was.

"well, besides the obvious," Sam said tapping his foot forcefully on his mother's glass table.

"Sam called the Frogs they're on their way, but not for some hours."

"hours." Laddie said leaning forward.

"we have weapons and can get more," Michael continued.

"and a Plan B." Star added. "we bargain."

"of yeah, and what would that be?" Sam questioned.

"we try and get to them before the frogs do, give us Angel for passage out of the area. We don't follow and let them do whatever they want."

"Star you can't be serious." Michael said turning to her.

"if they wanted us dead, we would dead already. it is their prefect moment to do so when the Frog aren't even here. So why are they stalling? Setbacks. I think Angel could be one of them, he is using her, and we can this against him."

"it could work, and we could use this as stalling more time for the frogs to act as well." Laddie added.

"I don't care what they want their dying either way." Michael said.

"And that a sure-fire way to get yourself killed." Sam said.

"I don't like this," Laddie said. "David's smarter than that. He knows what he is doing. But it is not just him the boys are with him. We could try convincing the others, but I don't think I can kill them."

Star sat beside Laddie knowing how he felt, he never had to do what they did.

"Its alright Laddie, were gonna go over everything, well think of something."

"oh god." Sam said falling back into the couch. "Were dead, were all dead."