Chapter 20: Late Night Discovery
Later in the night, Lincoln was staring at the ceiling with a smile on his face. He can still feel the warmth of Lynn's lips on his. It was sudden at first, but he was feeling like he deserves the love he got romantically. He just hopes that Lynn doesn't get harm with this relation they developed. He glances at the sleeping Lily on the crib, and slowly turns around to glance at the Ace Savvy theme alarm clock he has. The time reads 10: 28 p.m., which the boy then closes his eyes for a goodnight rest...
Ring! Ring! Ring!
Lincoln quietly put his phone to silence, but he saw Clyde's number. He looks at the sleeping Lily still sleeping like nothing happen and he answered the call.
"Clyde, what happened?" he whispered.
"Lincoln, we need to go to woods," said Clyde.
"Why? I don't want to go back to the cabin to remind myself of that misery day."
"No, someone knows what we're doing."
Lincoln paused before he resumes the call.
"Someone knows I'm a vampire?" the white haired boy asked.
"The caller didn't say you specifically, but he knows that you have caused some commotion before we started handling it. They want us to go to the woods. Take Lucy with you."
"O-Okay then," Lincoln said before he ends the call.
He put on his orange polo shirt, blue jeans, and black boots. He then reach for a gray hoodie and wear it to covered his upper body and his head. He turns back to the sleeping baby, where he reaches down to kiss Lily's forehead. The white haired boy then slowly exits the room, where he saw Lucy waiting for him. She was wearing black leggings with black boot and a black jacket.
"How did you-?"
"Haiku call me. She said that someone knows you're a vampire and wants to meet you," Lucy whispers. "You ready Lincoln?"
"I am, I just wanted to make sure Lily was asleep," he responded.
The two then quietly left their house as they walk on the sidewalk feeling the cold air of the night. The street lights of the average suburban neighbor light their path to go to the woods. From there, the moonlight was display for their eyes to see its glory with the street lights fading away in the distance. As they approach the entrance to the woods, there was Clyde and Haiku. Clyde was wearing his usual clothes with a yellow sweater, and Haiku was still wearing usual her dress with gloves that covers her whole arm.
"You guys made it!" Clyde exclaimed.
"Yeah, but I have a bad feeling about this," Lincoln points out. "But whatever happens, I'll protect you guys."
They begin their little journey to the woods. The four walk in the forest with the moonlight now shine upon them like a spotlight. They moved forward until they heard chomping noises. They slowly walk past many trees to see a clear area within the forest. From there, they spot a figure bumping its head against a tree.
They walk further down to see this figure was a person, or what's left of a person. The person stood at 5 foot 7 inches, with gray decaying skin, white eyes, and pieces of hair scatter on the head. They all were surprised to see the person with a thin body, a torn business suit, and showing no sign of life. They pause to observe the person, but the person also stopped. It turns its head to look back at them without realizing it turn 180 degrees from the next cleanly. Clyde and Lincoln shriek in fear while Lucy and Haiku stare with a smile on their faces. The person then let out a groan before he held his hand out.
"Hi kids! Have you seen someone who's a vampire now? I heard the old geyser finally found a victim and now the new monster has gotten a few kills here and there."
They all glance at one another with confusion before Lincoln step forward.
"I think you're talking about me," he responds.
"Oh my goodness, you are young and a bit short, but I bet you can grow out of it," said the decaying person as he start to shake Lincoln's hands. "My name is Will Shoehorn
"My name is Lincoln Loud," said Lincoln as he struggle to keep up the handshaking.
"I see you aren't familiar with a zombie."
"A-A zombie, but no one has ever seen you here?" asked Clyde.
"Because little geek, I mostly stay under the ground where there are other monsters."
"Other monsters!" both Lucy and Haiku said with sparks in their eyes.
"Yes you great dark followers, there's more of us under the ground where all human stands. I won't call it hell, but it's known as Depression Land."
"So what got to do with me?" Lincoln asked with concern.
"Well now, since that voodoo doctor has found someone to turn into a vampire that's an ancient race, you boy are now going to meet other monsters!" the zombie said with enthusiasm. "They are dying to meet you, no pun intended."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, you are telling me that I'm going to literally hell to see monsters I thought were just fiction," Lincoln stated.
"Yeah, it's important to welcome new monsters, and you're one of the kinds Lincoln. Everyone have started talking about up down there. What do you say?"
"I-I don't know?" Lincoln said in confusion and angst. "I try to keep my vampire instinct down, and now I learn that there are more monsters that really exist."
"Lincoln Loud, life just throws crap on you," Will Shoehorn commented. "But if you are struggling to keep your life balance as a human, then at last come to terms with which you are now and see others like you. Even your group of friends behind you can come with us. And don't worry about protection, I will guide you all."
Lincoln looks back to the trio of people who knows his monster side. They all approach him and pat his back to comfort him. Lucy and Haiku looked eager to go, and Clyde looks like he was spotting Lori.
"I'll go with them by my side. They have help with it, and I don't want to leave them," said Lincoln with a smile.
"That's sweet, and now Will Shoehorn will start the tour."