Chp 5

As Grandpa Ethan was stitching a Sihi-Tzu closed after stuffing it, he could hear Sam coming down the stairs to head out for her job. He set his tools down and slid open the doors. "Are you sure you're going to be alright?" He asked Sam. She turned to face her grandfather, "Yeah. I really don't want to let it get to me. Plus, I like my job." Samara gave her grandpa a genuine smile. "Okay. If at any time you don't feel safe, call me or see if Max can bring you home again," Grandpa was thinking about the compromise the two of them came to last night.

Max and Ethan had agreed to not fight each other as long as Samara is not hurt, whether physically, mentally, or emotionally. Max reassured the retired hunter that Samara is in good hands. Max went on to explain how his boys want to pursue Sam, but only with her consent. If she wants to be with them, they will give her the option to turn or not. It will be her decision. She will not be forced. The only way the change may be taken out of her hands is if she is gravely injured. Ethan nodded his head, "I would rather her be walking this earth as a creature of the night than to bury any more of my grandchildren."

Sam smiled at her grandpa, "Yes, grandpa. I'd hug you but you've been working." Ethan just laughed, "Have a good day, Sam." "Thank you, grandpa." Sam stepped outside and got on her bike that she was relieved to have back and went to the boardwalk. Sam rode her bike all the way to Enshrined in Spines. She didn't want to risk it being stolen again. Not after the trouble those guys probably went through to find it. She was surprised they found it so quickly. Sam would ask but she was just happy to have her bike back.

Entering the shop she asked, "Can I store my bike in the back?" Corbin nodded, "Sure thing kid. Just make sure it's not a tripping hazard." She smiled and walked her bike into the storeroom and set it against the far wall away from the shelves. Once Sam did that she came back to the front and asked what needed to be done. Corbin showed her a checklist that needed to be done. Some things were done every day, others were once a week or once a month. With the list in hand, Sam went about checking things off. It kept her busy her whole shift. Only one person came in and it was an awkward encounter. Soon it was six in the evening, and she was free to go home. "Goodnight, Corbin," Sam waves to her boss. "Goodnight, Sammy," Corbin smiled and waved back.

Spying

Edgar and Alan had taken turns watching Samara all day. Edgar was first to spot her riding her bike to the bookstore. He was shocked to see she had it back. He wondered if he should go check the missing persons' board. There were probably new faces on it since yesterday. But for now, he was going to observe Sam from the shadows of the alley across from the bookstore. Edgar watched as she dusted the many shelves of books. Edgar couldn't take his eyes off of Sam, but he knew Alan would be ready to take over.

Alan had taken Edgar's spot in the alley. He had a perfect view of the register. Sam had finished dusting and was organizing the counter under the register. Then she picked a book off one of the shelves and began to read. Maybe Alan should see if there are any books on supernatural creatures. It would give him an excuse to watch her from inside the store. After some internal debating Alan decided to go inside the bookstore. He walked into the store and browsed the shelves. Not really paying attention to the titles. Alan came up to the counter where Sam was sitting, he put on his best smile, "Excuse me?"

Sam looked up from her book, "May I help you?" She looked the boy over and remembered he was one of the creeps from the comic shop. Sam wanted to hurry and find out what he wanted to get him out of the store faster. "I was wondering if you had any books on the supernatural?" Alan asked. Sam got down from the stool she was sitting on, "We do. Is there anything, in particular, you're looking for?" She walked over to the supernatural section with the creep following her closer than he should be. "Vampires, Werewolves, Ghouls, that sort of thing," Alan answered while trying to get close enough to smell Sam's hair. Sam rolled her eyes and thought, 'Of course.' She looked over the shelves and found a few books, "You'll find some of the lore in these books. Is that all?" Sam stepped away from the guy. Alan was disappointed at how fast she put some distance between them but he didn't let it show, "Thank you. If I need anything else, I'll come ask."

Alan kept an eye on the girl as he skimmed the books. Soon, her boss had come out of his office, so Alan thought it was best to leave. He set the book back on the shelf after making a mental note to have Edgar skim them as well. Alan quickly exited the store and went back into the alley to watch her leave. As Sam peddled away, Alan went back to the comic shop to report to Edgar what had happened. Edgar was upset he didn't think of going inside the bookstore first, but now he had a reason to. Learning Sam's routine was the first part of their plan.

Patrol

The cave was quieter than normal. It's probably because the two rowdier vampires were keeping an eye on Samara. David was fuming when Marko told them the Frog brothers had been watching Sam as well. "Just keep an eye on them. They're just kids," David linked to his brother. Marko let out a low growl. He didn't want to make his position on the roof next to the alley where the Frogs' had been hiding known. But he did want to scare them away. He didn't have to wait long. Samara was heading home. Paul had disappeared to feed then it would be his turn to watch Sam.

Paul joined his brother on the roof as they watched Sam peddle towards the entrance. He patted Marko on the back, "I'm going to follow her home. Those Frogs' looking like they want to leap." "Kind of wish they would so we could kill them," Marko was shaking with rage. "I'm going to feed before I rip those kids apart," Marko flew towards the beach. He wanted to find someone he could tear apart to sate his thirst and anger.

Paul stayed close to Sam in the air, but not close enough for her to know he's there. He laughs as Sam tries to jump her bike over small mounds of dirt on the side of the road. Paul could see she's not really afraid of falling off or skinning her knee when she miscalculated a wheelie and skidded sideways. One of her knees had been scraped. Sam dusted herself off, looked at her skinned knee, and saw it was red and bleeding a little bit. Paul was thankful he fed already. The scent of her blood was intoxicating. Sam had just shrugged her shoulders and kept on peddling but didn't try to do any more stunts. And before either of them knew it, Sam was riding up to her porch. Paul hung around for a few more minutes before flying back to the boardwalk.

David and Dwayne took turns feeding and visiting Samara. Since Max had made the deal with old man Hughes, they knew to stay in the trees surrounding the property and not get too close. As long as Ethan Hughes was home, they knew Sam was safe.

Routine

Samara had developed a routine. She would get up, shower, and dress for the day. She would make breakfast for herself and grandpa, prepare lunch, and store it in the fridge for later. Sam would go to work, and then make dinner for everyone once she got home. Sometimes she would draw or paint in her room after cleaning the kitchen. Sam noticed her mother was home less and less, and she was okay with that. Sam was able to eat without worrying her mother would take her food away. Well, at least breakfast and lunch, Lucy still tried to keep Sam from eating. Even when grandpa tried to stop Lucy every time.

The routine has been in place for about a week when it shifted a little. Sam still felt like she was being watched while at work, but now, she feels it at home too. At one point she caught those creeps from the comic shop staring at her when she was at work. Now, she wonders if they followed her home. Sam has now made sure her bedroom door was locked every night when she went to bed.

Sam would leave the window open just a little to let fresh air in. Sometimes when she woke up, there would be little trinkets sitting on the window sill. She wondered how they got up there since her bedroom was on the second floor and there's nothing to hold onto to climb up to the window. Sam would move them from the window and place them around her room. She has a few more Conch shells, some cute crystal figurines from different kiosk stands around the boardwalk, and even a leather braided bracelet with some charms on it. Sam wore the bracelet all the time, except in the shower. She didn't know who was leaving these gifts on her window sill, but she must not be afraid of them because she would have shut and locked her window by now.

Sometimes on her way home from work, Sam would see those bikers near the entrance of the boardwalk. If they saw her, Sam would wave and smile at them. They would smile and wave back, well, two of them would. The other two would nod their heads. After her episode a week ago, Sam had seen those guys more often. She may have seen them more often, but they kept their distance. Maybe, they think she needed space after crying in front of them. Sam shuddered in embarrassment when she remembered she hugged one of them and sobbed. Instead of pulling her off of him, the guy held her and walked her to Max's office where she was able to calm down.

So far, this routine has been working for Samara. The only thing that bothered her was her mother. Lucy would come home long enough to shower and sleep before work, then she would be gone for most of the day at work and go to a bar at night. Sam asked her grandpa about it, and he said he would talk to her the next time he saw her. That was five days ago and he still hasn't talked to her since they keep missing each other. So, Sam is going to keep making sure her bedroom door and the door leading to the bathroom are locked whenever she is in her room.

AN: This chapter is mostly a filler