The Last Challenge

The first thing Amelia heard was silence. The manor's interior walls were painted grey, while red banners hung from the ceiling. Now, the banners were tattered, leaving some in a heap on the floor. She shook her head, hardly believing this place was where Shirina lived.

Wait. Where was everyone?

"You mean to tell me you defeated all those dark monsters on your own?" Amelia asked Sam, Merry, and Pippin.

"Well, we're vampires. It's what we do," Pippin said, curtly.

Sam lowered his head in shame. "I really want to be a hobbit again."

"Don't worry, Sam. We'll find the cure," Merry said, proudly.

"I hope so," Amelia said, following the group up the stairs and towards a pair of closed doors. They were massive, made from dark oak, but their ornate designs showed vampires falling in love.

Wait. What was on the other side of this door?

"Does anyone have any idea what's beyond this door? Where is Shirina?" Amelia asked, concerned.

"In her brothel, no doubt planning revenge on us once again," Rosie said, serious. She shook her head, explaining what a brothel was to the group. She received mixed expressions from everyone, including Amelia, who slumped on the floor in shame. "What's wrong? This is it! This is our chance to defeat Shirina!"

"I'm not going," Amelia said, feeling uncomfortable. She looked at Rosie, admitting in angst and fear, "Why would I enter a brothel? I have no business there."

"Grr!" Rosie hated this. After all they'd been through, one member of their group of friends was going to give up? Oh, she couldn't stand this! "Look, whoever's going can come in with me! Whoever's staying, keep watch. We won't be long!"

"Are you sure about this?" Sam asked, curtly. "Abandoning Amelia to who knows what's out there? It doesn't feel right, nor natural."

"Look, Sam, she can do whatever she wants. That's her job, not ours!" Rosie said, shaking her head.

"That doesn't sound like you," Frodo said, disdained. "The Rosie we know wouldn't do this!"

"You don't walk out on our friends," Sam said, serious.

"What would you have me do? Let Amelia face this danger alone! She can take care of herself!" Rosie said, annoyed.

"Well, if Amelia's not going, then I'm not!" Pippin said, taking a seat next to her. Amelia was stunned. Why would Pippin do this? Her first reaction to this ordeal was that everyone would agree to go into the brothel and shoot the place up! This was totally unexpected!

"Pippin, you don't have to do this!" Amelia said, sharply. "I'll be fine."

"Fine where?" Frodo asked, getting her attention. He looked at Pippin for a moment, understanding what his best friend wanted to do. He looked at Amelia, telling her with courage in his heart, "Look, I know you want to let fear takes you, but you don't have to do this alone. You have friends willing to back you up, even friends that would abandon you for the sake of wanting to kill something. That's fine. That's up to them."

He added, trying to reason with her, "I just don't understand that, after what we've been through, that you would give up. I thought you didn't give up. I thought you could do anything you wanted." He said in encouragement, "You're a hero, too, Amelia. It's time we saw what a leader is in your eyes. It's time for us to see that. Don't you want to be seen as a hero and a leader, someone others will look up to for support and comfort?"

Amelia looked at him with remorse. Somehow, his words struck her like a thorn. She sighed, knowing what to do.