TYRANT!

Chapter 12 - Craig's Idea

It was now morning recess; Craig and his good friend Ross were just wandering around the grassy playground field, talking.
"So, living with your aunt for now, huh? Which one? The rich scientist one or the one who's in the downtown apartment?" Ross asked. Craig smirked. He knew Ross was obsessed about Aunt Sue..and her B.O.W studies. Oh yes, Ross knew about Haylen's work too... but this was only because he was Craig's bestest friend. He was the only person other than himself who knew of Haylen's REAL occupation.
"Rich one." he replied. Ross skipped a jump and smacked his hands together. "WOO! Study those monsters, WOO! Goooo Mrs. Haylen!" he cheered. Craig then sighed. "Yeah... but something's up with her." he said. Ross looked at him a little concerned. "What!? Is she ok? what is it?" he asked. Craig shrugged. "That's the thing! I don't know!! C'mere, I'll explain."

Craig led Ross to the back of the field. "Well?" Ross asked. Craig cleared his throat.

"You see, last night in my room I found some sort of diary, or a journal... or something.
It had a bunch of entries in it by a guy named Steve, alright?"

Ross nodded. He completely understood.... so far.

"A-Anyways, a short while after, I heard Haylen go up to the attic, and she talked to someone...
or something, named 'Steve'.
She told him she didn't want to 'coop' him up there,
Then, she cried...."

Ross continued to nod.

"Ok? So, this mornng I asked her about it,
And she made some lame excuse that she has a fridge up there named Steve.
And after she left, I found THIS..."

Craig reached into his pocket, and took out the photo he had found that morning. Ross swiped it from him, and looked at it. "Is Steve the red haired guy?" Ross asked. Craig nodded. "I've never seen Steve, but... I'm sure that's him." he replied. Ross looked at the photo oddly. "Yeah... he looks like a Steve...." Ross mumbled to himself.
He gave Craig back the photo. "What's he sound like? Did you get to hear him?" Ross asked. Craig thought for a moment. "Well, his voice was pretty low and guttural, but it could've been the rusty vent the sound travelled through." he said.

Ross rubbed his head. "Huh, this IS strange..." he said, taking out a strip of gum and putting it in his mouth. He offered Craig one, but he refused. "What should I do?" Craig asked. Ross chewed his gum for a second. "Well, you know that this Steve guy's just a regular teen, right? So... when no one's home, just sneak up to the attic and say 'hi' to him!" Ross said.
Craig smirked. "Yeah you're right!" he laughed "I mean, it's not like its a B.O.W or anything!!" Ross chucked at Craig. "Yeah, and Haylen brings it left-overs to survive!!"

They giggled, as Ross was moving his arms in a monster-type fashion. Craig sighed happily. "Thanks for the tip, Ross. When no one's home, I'll go say hi!" He said, giving Ross a good slap on the back. Ross smirked. "Nooo problem." he laughed.

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School was now finished for the day, and Craig sat on his schoolbus to go back to Haylen's house. He still kept Ross's advice. When no one was home, he was going to go to the attic and say a friendly 'Hi' to Steve. It was only good manners...right? He chuckled at the thought of a monster being up there.
'Yeah right,' he thought 'FrankenSteve lives upstairs!!' A sudden tap on his shoulder caused him to jolt. He turned ; it was Marina. She chewed her gum loudly and open-mouthed as she glared evilly at him.

"Tell Sue I'm goin' to a party tonight, so I won't come home after school t'morrow, kay?" she hissed. Craig nodded. "Sure. Whatever." he hissed back, rolling his eyes as Marina headed to the back of the bus. 'Jeez.' he thought ' The only monster we have in OUR house is a blood-sucking Marina!'

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"Hello? I'm home!!" Craig called out as he entered the door. But there was no reply, just complete silence. 'Where's Aunt Sue?' he thought, as he put his backpack on the floor, and hung up his bomber jacket.
He wandered around the whole floor, but no one was home. Then he found a note on the kitchen table. It read:

"Craig and Marina,

I'm working late tonight (until 3AM!) so you guys'll have to make supper yourselves.
For suggestions I got TV dinners in the kitchen freezer...
but use plastic forks so you won't have to do the dishes.

AND PLEASE MARINA, NO PARTIES!!!!

Love, Aunt Sue"

A devious smile spread across Craig's face. He couldn't be home alone at a better time! He hummed happily as he crumpled up the note and threw it in the garbage. "Oh Steeeeevieeeee....!!!" he called mockingly, as he slowly wandered towards, and up, the stairs.
He took the photo out of his pocket and held it in his hand as he approached the attic door. Now was the moment of truth.....