When my family first moved us to this mountain town a little over a year ago I never thought I would want to stay here, never thought that I would be happy because we left our coven behind in Seattle. Though I still do not know the exact reason why we left so abruptly, life here has been good. Since the day Kenny told me about his "curse" as he called it and I told him about myself we have been even closer than ever. I love the friends I have come to know and they are all super supportive of Kenny and I being a couple, even Cartman got to the point where he admitted we were good together.
The others still don't know about my family and me being vampires, and no one in this town has questioned anything like my parents claimed people were in Seattle. The first time I brought Kenny home as my boyfriend my parents already had their suspicious that I told him everything, especially with me being bonded to him he was bound to find out sooner rather than later. Yeah, things were going my way and I couldn't be happier.
Today was no exception, I had been enjoying the day with Kenny and his family and even agreed to cook them a dinner while my parents were out on a hunt. Things were going perfectly and Kenny and I were having a great day together with his little sister Karen. This being said, I had no idea why I could not shake the feeling something was...off.
I sat with Kenny on his bed with my portable speaker beside us playing softly as I waited for the beep of the oven to go off. When he first told his family we were dating they welcomed me with open arms. Sure, his family was poor and his parents weren't always the best people but they still cared for their son's happiness. His little sister Karen loved me before we were officially a couple and when she found out she began to break out the "I'm going to have the best big sister when he marries her" lines.
"You know you don't have to keep buying us stuff hun. I gotta feel like I can do stuff for you too you know." Kenny sat up from laying on his back as I scrolled through the music on my phone to change the song.
"I'm sorry Ken, but when you have parents who have lived for a couple centuries they kinda run out of things to do with their time and money… Okay no that sounds braggy… What I mean is my parents are really really old and they've acquired a sum of money that is… No that.." With a huff I stopped myself before I dug myself in a hole too deep to get out.
"Luna, babe it's okay." Kenny laughed as I made myself flustered. "I know you're not trying to brag. Plus I've been friends with Cartman since the fourth grade and he constantly rips on me for being poor, I think I can handle my girlfriend talking about her parents money."
I looked up from my phone and gave him a small smile, "Just let me do the things I do. I like to help out your family. After all they treat me like I'm part of it, so why shouldn't I do the same?"
"Because we cant-" He began to argue but I changed the song and turned the volume up to drown him out. He tried to give me a stern look but couldn't help but smirk as I stood up. "Luna you can't drown me out with Katy Perry songs."
"Drown you out no, but distract yes." I shot him a devious look as the song "Peacock" came on and I began to dance and sing along.
"Oh that's not fair. You know you're hot when you dance like that." Kenny's eyes followed my movements as I spun around and shook my hips side to side.
"Oh but you enjoy it so much don't you?" I gave him a seductive look as he stood up to approach me and wrap his arms around my waist before planting a kiss on my lips.
The kiss deepened and turned into two then three and only after too many to keep count did I pull away and suck in, ceasing my breathing to try to get my thirst and lust to recede back to a bearable level.
"After a whole year of dating I still take your breath away." Kenny took note in the fact I now lacked a breath took the opportunity to poke fun at me. "Do you need a minute?" He asked becoming serious and backing away slightly, understanding in his eyes. I was so lucky he understood how hard it can be for me sometimes, thought I always feel awful about it.
"No. I'm okay I just haven't had anything to eat..er drink since yesterday so my thirst is just a bit more intense." I explained, regaining control of my thirst enough to close the distance between us once again. "Plus I know you can handle a few love bites as much as I can handle tasting a little of liquid you. If my control is intact enough to do the dirty then you know I can handle some kissing." I winked at him as I leaned back in and let him lead me back towards his bed, our hands exploring places they are very familiar with at this point in time while tugging at clothes.
"Luna! Kenny!" Karen's voice came from down the hallway following her running steps as she approached the room. I moved faster than Kenny could process as I straightened his clothes before moving to mine and turning down the music. I resuming the sitting position I was in before the affection took over as Karen burst in the room. "When do we get to eat?"
"Karen! As much as I love you, you should really knock first before entering my room." Kenny lightly scolded his sister before lowering his voice to a barely audible whisper, "Especially when Luna is here." He looked to me with a grin, knowing I heard him loud and clear while his sister did not.
I shot Kenny a glare as I stifled a laugh and gestured for Karen to join me on the bed. "Well how long does the oven say is left? I have to wait for the macaroni and cheese before I start the steaks."
"I still can't believe you're making us steak! We have never had steak before, at least not the expensive ones." Karen spoke with a sparkle in her eye, though she may be thirteen she still has that childish look to her that makes her all the more lovable.
"It's my pleasure Kare. I love cooking but never have anyone to cook for, now run and tell me how much time is left so I can answer your question." I smiled at her as she rushed back out of the room.
I still couldn't shake this feeling in the back of my head, even with the distraction of almost sex and cooking for Kenny's family something in the back of my mind whispered to me that something was wrong. I picked my phone up once more and opened up my text messages to my mother, debating on if I should text her or not. I knew my parents were out hunting for themselves and working on gathering a supply of blood for home and would probably still be deep in the mountains where service does not reach. I sighed as I sent one anyways, getting a not delivered notification after a few seconds.
"Everything okay?" Kenny asked, putting an arm around me and noticing my unsent message. "Still out hunting huh?"
"Yeah, they must be." I answered if for nothing more than to reassure myself that everything is okay. "I just have this weird feeling, but I guess it's just because I know there's some people who hunt in this town thought I should know my parents are smart enough to not get caught by anyone who may be out in the woods."
"Luna! The timer thing says ten minutes!" Karen excitedly reported as she returned from the kitchen.
"Sounds like that's my que to finish cooking the rest of dinner." I smiled as Kenny and I stood up and followed Karen to the kitchen.
Kenny tugged me back a little to whisper in my ear, "Hey, I can tell you're worried about something but don't stress about it too much. Like you said your parents are smart." I smiled at his attempt to make me feel better, and it worked to an extent but the whispers of worry still hid in the dark corner of my mind.
"Thanks Ken. I love you." I smiled as I gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"Guys, stop being so mushy and hurry up!" Karen rushed us as she came up and grabbed my hand to pull me along.
Kenny and I both shared a look before laughing at his sister's excitement for the steak dinner I was preparing for them tonight. We reached the kitchen, the appliances pretty beat up but still functioning. I placed a pan on the stove, turned on the burner, and pulled the steaks out of the fridge. Cooking them till they were medium to medium rare depending on everyone's preference I finally got to mine, placing it in the hot pan just long enough to barely add a light brown color to each side. One thing that I was super grateful for was the fact that Kenny's family found out about me not long after we began dating and they were super supportive of our relationship and keeping my secret. His dad was the main problem at first, but soon after began to accept me for the sake of not wanting to ruin the relationship with Kenny like he did with Kevin and the fact that Karen adores me.
"Kenny, I have everything ready I think can you just get everyone for dinner." Turning from the stove I batted my eyes at him as I asked, knowing he would do it anyways but adding a flirtatious factor to it anyways.
He nodded as he walked out of the kitchen, Karen the only one left as she began to fill plates up with food and setting them on the table, ensuring my super rare steak was on a plate all its own for me.
"Oh, Karen honey I'll get all that." I smiled at her as I took my plate and put a small helping of macaroni and cheese and mashed potatoes next to the bloody piece of meat. "I may not eat much human food but I do enjoy it from time to time."
She smiled up at me as she finished putting spoonfuls of macaroni on her own plate. "So if you're a vampire does that mean you're going to make Kenny one?" She innocently asked, but to me the question came as a shock. Kenny and I had talked about it and both agreed that once he turns twenty- one he would want to be changed. If we could have a good life together he said he wanted to, and his parents had been involved in the conversation as well when they brought it up when they found out about what I was. "Because if so, can I be one too?" Karen dropped another loaded question on top of the first one.
"Well, you see Karen changing people is a process, especially if they are under the age of twenty one. When you are born an immortal you grow until you hit that age, and then after that the years just add up, but when you are made an immortal by another immortal you stay the age you were changed forever. Therefore, Kenny could be changed now but if he waits till he's twenty one it would make things easier, same with you. Getting your license and actually being able to say you legally are considered a full adult makes things easier than if you have to lie about it. That's a question you should talk to Kenny about though, because if it was up to me then yes, I would change you once you get of age so you can be with us." I gave her a small smile. "But until we know how your family would feel about, especially Kenny, we should keep that a secret between us okay?"
She nodded with enthusiasm as Kenny and his parents entered the room and took their places at the already set table, thanks to Karen, and upon seeing the steaks and homemade potatoes and macaroni, looked at me with gratitude in their eyes. I took the chance to check my phone one more time, the unsent message now saying delivered but still no reply. I knew I shouldn't worry, yet the feeling I pushed back began to surface and grow and it must have began to show for Kenny came back to my side.
"Luna?" He said my name in a questioning tone, knowing I would answer the unspoken question that fell with my name.
"Well they have service now, at least my mom does, but she hasn't replied yet which doesn't help my worry. She usually replies almost instantly, especially once done with a hunt."
"I'm sure she will reply and hey, you need to eat too babe. If the steak isn't enough I can offer up a mouse or something." Kenny let out a soft laugh as I gave him a glare and a scowl to match. "Hey, don't bare those pretty fangs at me unless its in good intentions." He winked at me, implying the intentions be sexual or to change him.
I tried to keep a straight face as I continued to glare at him but was unsuccessful and began to laugh as we all took seats around the table, chowing down on the food I made. I cut into my steak, the meat cooked enough to just warm it as I raised a piece of bloody meat to my mouth. Having another place to eat other than my own home where no one stares or judges is refreshing, something I haven't had since leaving Seattle. I brought another bloody bite to my mouth as my phone dinged and I rushed to check it.
Help us. Don't go home now. Don't reply. I read the message from my mom, shooting up from the table in shock as I rushed to the other side of the kitchen in seconds flat, stopping in my tracks as to not make rash decisions. If my parents were really in trouble then rushing to them would not be smart as per my mothers demand to not go home yet.
"Something's wrong. Something's very wrong." I frantically repeated as Kenny got up to approach me. I held out my phone to him once he was close enough to read the cryptic message. "I knew something was wrong. I should have been with them." I looked to Kenny and then his family who all looked at me with concern.
"No, Luna listen. If you were with them then you would be in trouble too. You being here means you can help with whatever is wrong. We can figure this out. I promise." Kenny pulled my attention back to him as he led me back to the table and pushed my chair back in as I sat down. Instead of returning to his seat right away he made his way to the fridge and pulled out a small water bottle full of a dark liquid. "Here, I know it's not much but I have been gathering some… sustenance for you to have here. It's all from possums and maybe a mouse or two, but it's all I could catch myself. After we finish eating and you get some food in you we can find out what's going on. If your mom said not to go home, now is not the time to run there. We have to be smart about this."
"Thanks Kenny, you always know how to calm me down and for collecting this," I paused, smiling at him as I held up the small water bottle, "you didn't have to do that."
"Just because I don't have to doesn't mean I can't. Now just focus on staying calm and after some time has passed we can go figure things out."
When I really thought about it logically Kenny made a good point. If something bad was going on that my parents didn't want me around, then running off hot headed into danger would ruin any chance I have to figure out what happened. I gave in and relaxed the best I could as I waited for Kenny to finish his meal as I took his offering of the animal blood he gathered. Though not from the best tasting of animals, I couldn't really complain when he went through the messy process of bottling it for me. With both of our hungers satisfied and an anxiety filled hour and a half gone by I finally got to the point where I couldn't sit around and wait any longer.
"Kenny, I can't keep sitting around! I need to go home or track my parents or.. or something to try to get some answers!" I frantically spoke as I sped around the kitchen cleaning up the dishes, drying them and putting them away.
With a sigh Kenny stepped into my path, causing me to stop in my tacks. "You're right babe. I didn't want you to rush into anything but if you want to go now then I won't stop you." My violet eyes looking deep into his blue ones as he continued to speak. "But also don't think I'm going to let you go alone. I'm walking you home and I know I don't have the same skills you do but I am helping you every way I can."
"I knew you were going to say that, I can always count on you to be there for me." I leaned in and gave him a kiss. "Now let's take a walk."
We said our goodbyes and left Kenny's house, heading down the street towards my house. The walk wasn't far and I kept my focus on everything going on around us, from the sound of every person in and outside the houses we passed, to the smell of the air, all while trying to pick up anything that seemed out of the ordinary. As we walked I didn't pick up anything that peaked my interest right away, but as my house came into view I began to pick up a scent of someone new. Someone that didn't belong in this town. The closer we got the stronger the scent became but that was it, just a smell. No sounds of anyone doing anything out of the ordinary. Just the usual families that live around my house and the distant sounds from the center of town.
"Wait." I stopped Kenny a house away from mine, the new scent had only grown stronger and stronger as we got closer tipping me off that someone is, or at least had been, at my house. "Wait here, but stay hidden." My command was followed with slight hesitation, the knowledge that I could take care of myself the only comfort Kenny had.
I rushed to the side of my house, slinking around to look through the kitchen window. I poked my head up after listening for any sign of life inside and finding none. The sight that I beheld was not a pleasant one, the kitchen was in shambles with the dining table broken and the chairs in nothing more than splinters of wood scattered on the floor. The metal appliances bent and dented thrown around. The signs of a struggle obvious, but whoever, or whatever, was there may have left their sent behind but was long gone themselves. Along with the unknown scent, I picked up on the smell of my parents, giving me hope that they were still there, that they won whatever fight had gone down in the house.
I rushed back around to the front of the house, sending a quick signal to Kenny that he can approach from his hiding spot cautiously. The front door opened without hesitation when I turned the knob, the locks not in place. I swung the door open all the way and came face to face with a living room in no better shape than the kitchen was. The furniture was all a shredded mess and the tv was smashed on the floor, the glass from it scattered around the carpet. There was one main difference in the living room than in the kitchen that I was aware of however, one that made my heart drop and caused me to let out a small gasp.
Blood was smeared on the floor as if there was a struggle, one with the bleeding culprit losing, but fighting back with gusto. The problem arose from the fact that the blood was not just that of a human but the shimmery, metallic silver blood of an immortal was what the majority of the blood spots consisted of. The blood that runs through my veins as well as my parent's veins. This blood was the only thing left of my parents in the house, confirmed only after I ran through every room looking for them. I returned to the living room, Kenny now standing in the doorway in shock and upon seeing the disarray the house was in. He looked to me and tried to reach out and grab my hand for comfort.
"Kenny, they aren't here." I let him take my hand. My voice was quiet as I tried to be strong, but little by little my strength was leaving me. "They aren't…" I studied the room once more. "There has to be some form of clue." I began to rampage through the destruction, adding more to it as I studied everything for any sign of what happened.
"Luna…" Kenny tried to watch my movements but was unable to keep track of me at the speed I was moving.
"No, this isn't possible. I don't even know who this other smell belongs to." I felt defeated when I found no other visible signs of another person. The bit of human blood left behind was only helpful if the person had remained in town, and after trashing my house and potentially taking my parents I highly doubt they were still here. I sniffed again, this time carefully trying to pick out every detail of the smell. "Wait a minute." I sniffed again, picking up the faintest smell of smoke amongst the others. "I smell smoke, but it's very, very faint, and it's not just any smoke. It came from a fired gun."
"But, how would that hurt your parents?" Kenny questioned as knelt down at the smear of blood and put a finger to it. The blood was clean of any poisons known to kill Immortals, but had a slight sour smell it it.
"Someone found out about us… Someone was here and knew what my parents are and shot them with a bullet that must have been blessed with a spell from ancient times. The one thing that can hurt any immortal, and were supposed to be locked up by our elder vampire leaders." I began to put the pieces together, thinking of the most logical explanation of how the situation went down. "It's the only thing that could hurt us that could be fired from a gun. Somehow someone found the spells."
"But, why would someone take your parents?"
"The same reason we moved here. The one they never fully explained to me when we first arrived. Someone wants power or to reveal my kind to the world. What this someone doesn't know however is that they decided to mess with the wrong vampire family. I'm getting my parents back." I looked at him and knew he could see the determination in my eyes, yet also the slight the underlying fear. I knew I would need as much help as I could get right now if I was to find succeed in my quest. "Call the guys. It's time they knew about me."