Sam disappeared into the cave entrance as I stumbled over to Michael, who was reaching for Laddie. I grabbed his shoulder, causing him to stop. He looked back at me as I shook my head.
"I'll grab Laddie. You get Star," I said.
Michael noticed my condition as his gaze returned to mine. "Are you sure?"
"Yes."
He wasn't happy about the idea, but getting them out as quickly as possible was crucial. He set Laddie down and went for Star, wrapping her in her blanket and placing a jacket over her face. He picked her up bridal style and headed toward the exit.
Once he was gone, I did the same with Laddie, wrapping him in his blanket and covering his face with a jacket. I knew Michael and myself would not be covered, but we weren't full vampires, so the sun may weaken us, but we wouldn't light aflame.
I picked Laddie up. It wasn't easy due to my weak state, but I still had the strength to keep a good grip on him. I followed after Michael, taking one step at a time. When the sun hit my skin, I felt sick to my stomach and tired as all sin, but I pushed through with each and every step.
I got to the top of the bluffs and found a car a few feet away. It was a 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner, and it was stunning, but I didn't have time to gawk at the car. I helped Laddie into the back seat with Star and Michael, who were both out cold. I began to get into the car myself when I heard a scream emanate from the cave; Sam's scream.
I bolted back down the stairs, even though my legs felt like they were tied to cinderblocks. I found myself in the cave and heard a commotion coming from the right. I turned to find Edgar and Allan pulling on Sam, and when I moved closer, I realized why. David was grabbing his leg, trying to pull Sam back into the darkness of their resting place.
I pushed the Frog Brothers out of the way and grabbed Sam under his arms. With a hard pull, I moved Sam back far enough for David's hand to be exposed to the sun; his skin lit on fire. He let go and moved back into the shadows. The Frog Brothers grabbed Sam, and they booked it for the exit.
I hesitated as my gaze met David's, a sadistic smile appearing on his face. I looked away and followed after the others, making my way to the top of the bluffs. I jumped in the back seat as Edgar, Allan, and Sam squeezed into the front; Sam took the wheel.
He turned the car on and Edgar, being impatient, pressed the gas, not realizing the car was still in reverse. We sped backward, and Sam slammed his foot on the break just before the car fell off the side of the cliff. He yelled at Edgar, switched it into drive, and drove as fast as the car would go.
The sun was getting to me, my eyelids growing heavier with each passing moment, but I needed to stay awake. I needed to know what had happened down there and how screwed we were now.
Sam arrived at the house about 20 minutes later, screeching to a stop. I shook myself awake and then did the same to Michael. He grabbed Star, and I grabbed Laddie, following the Frog Brothers and Sam into the house.
We got halfway up the stairs when an old man came from the kitchen. It was obvious he was related to Sam and Michael; most likely their grandfather.
"Do you know the rule about filling the car up with gas after borrowing it without asking?" The man asked.
Michael shook his head. "No, grandpa."
An awkward silence followed. I thought he may yell at Michael, but instead, a smile formed on his face, and he shrugged. "Now ya do."
He wandered off into another room, and from the open doorway, looked to be filled with taxidermy. After that weird encounter, we made our way upstairs into what looked like Michael's room. We set Laddie and Star on the bed as Michael slid down the wall, falling asleep almost instantly.
The Frog Brothers pulled Sam from the room, and I knew I should've used this moment to rest, but I couldn't, not yet. I had to know what had happened down there, so I fought through the fatigue and made my way out of the room.
I walked down the stairs, one slow step at a time, finding Sam and the Frog Brothers in the kitchen whispering to one another. When they saw me in the doorway, they stopped talking.
Sam walked over to me with worry. "You should be resting."
"I'll be fine," I reassured him, even though we both knew that was a lie. "What happened down there?"
Edgar and Allan looked at one another, Edgar speaking for the pair. "We found the vampires' resting place, but we didn't know which one was David. We climbed up the side of the cave and staked the one closest to us; the small one."
"Marco," I muttered.
"Yes, and when we staked him, we got covered in some sort of glittery goop," Allan said, motioning to his stained jacket.
"It woke the others, and we made a run for it, but the blond one followed. He was trying to pull Sam into the shadows to do god knows what when you arrived," Edgar explained.
I sighed, placing a hand on my forehead. "That would be David. Now that you've killed Marco, he's not going to sit still. He's going to come here and kill us."
"We know, and we have a plan for that," Edgar said, pulling open his jacket to reveal stake upon stake. "We have our own little arsenal. We just need to go get some holy water, and we'll be ready to take them down."
Sam could see the concern on my face and moved away from the others, placing his hands on my shoulders and looking directly into my eyes. "It's going to be okay. We can do this, I know we can."
"You don't know them as well as I do. They're strong and ruthless and will kill you," I said, moving back to look at Edgar and Allan. "All of you."
"Don't worry about us. Go get some rest, and when you awake, we can take on the threat together. We can make you human again," Sam said, placing a hand on my cheek.
He looked down into my eyes as I looked up into his. I saw the honesty and love behind them, causing me to smile. We kissed as I heard a disgusted sound coming from one of the brothers, but I ignored them as Sam pulled me into a tight embrace.
We'd only known each other for a short period of time, and yet It felt like I'd known him for centuries. He understood me better than I understood myself, and that scared me. It scared me to know that if this backfired, I may lose him.
We separated as the Frog Brothers told Sam it was time to go. I watched as they made their way outside to get the supplies we needed, and I just prayed they found them.
I made my way back upstairs to Sam's room since Michael's was so crowded. I laid down on his bed, surrounded by the scent of Sam as I fell fast asleep.
I awoke as the last rays of sunlight spilled through the blinds. I stepped out of Sam's room and walked downstairs, finding the others already awake. The Frog Brothers were putting on warrior face paint, Edgar tightening the string on a bow.
Suddenly, barking could be heard from outside the house, and Sam tensed. He rose to his feet as realization came over him. "Nanook."
He ran from the room, flinging the door open as he ran across the yard. We all went after him, telling him to come back, screaming almost. Michael saw Sam and ran after him when he realized the knot on his dog's leash was too tight. The two struggled to untie the dog as Star, and I looked up to see the others coming.
We shared a look before yelling even louder. Michael got the knot undone as Sam grabbed the leash and ran with the dog, Michael by his side. The others were coming up close behind as Sam tripped, Michael going down with him.
Michael looked back to see them, grabbing Sam and running even faster. The pair made it inside as I slammed the door shut behind them. Michael told the Frog Brothers to get Star and Laddie upstairs, Edgar grabbed Laddie as the four headed up. Michael, Sam, and I went to follow when a whistling sound filled the room.
Dwayne shot through the fireplace; bricks raining down upon us. He grabbed the chandelier and swung forward, hitting Michael into Sam; both of them landed on a lamp as it shattered.
Dwayne disappeared into the shadows. I looked around to see if I could spot him, but even with my heightened eyesight, he was nowhere to be found. So, I went for Sam and Michael, making sure they were alright.
I went to check for Sam's pulse when a hand wrapped around my arm, pulling me to my feet. I looked back to find David behind me, smiling ear to ear.
"I think we need to talk."
