Big thank you to the new favourites - LovingTLB and Whovain101! You guys are awesome and thank you from both me and EvilFalcon :)
LovingTLB: In response to your review, yup... everyone loves a bit of Max -.- And thank you! We worked on a few others, but this one prevailed :D
Hope everyone enjoys this chapter :)
Sierra PoV
Max .
That name practically ceases the drumming of my heart. I attempt to console it, certifying that the name might just be a coincidence, that Lucy's friend is simply named Max with no association to the man whose state is far from alive. My heart commences the sensation of thumping again, but not at a calm speed. I can't displine the motioning of the jolts or the way my heart leaps in fright, much to my dismay and alarm. However, I'm beyond worried, for both myself and Michael. How does Lucy know this Max? I only have mere details of Max attached to my brain. One being his video business on The Boardwalk where Lucy may be employed. The second is a terrifying reality only discussed in fiction, Max is the Head Vampire.
All of my fears are confirmed as Max, the skeletal man whose pristine shirt and proper blazer swamp on him, stands up, his immoral eyes partially shielded by large glasses anchored onto me. I don't challenge myself to even glimpse into his eyes, knowing the repercussions to an action such as that will be severe. He grins, veiling those archaic fangs with a human disguise, whilst approaching me, his arms outstretched as if he is about to welcome me in an embrace. Somehow, without even taming it, I grasp onto Michael's hand, a method of informing him that I have voyaged past the terrified and concerned emotions now.
"Ah! Sierra, my dear! I was so worried about you!" Max sighs, chortling slightly to maintain that delusional ideal facade of being the perfect family man whose care bombards those in the purest form. I know it is counterfeit though. I don't need to be deceived into believing that. As he welcomes me in an embrace, the grip tightens, a very hushed whimper escaping my lips. From that suffocating touch, I know exactly what his plans are - he desires to kill me. He won't do it in the presence of others, nor will he carry the merciless deed out himself. No, he shall get another to do that job for him. "Thank you so much for caring after my daughter, Michael. I really do appreciate it"
Max smiles warmly, but it is all insincere, as he liberates me, seizing my hand in a normal manner, patting Michael's shoulder with his free hand before towing me along at a gradual pace into the dining room. I peer over my shoulder to view a bewildered Michael, and shake my head with a distressed mannerism on my facial features, indicating that I am in no way related to Max.
"Lucy, darling, I have somebody I would like you to meet!" Max calls, that fake smile continuing to linger. I almost gag with revulsion at his heinous portrayal. We soon become equal with Lucy who has just concluded placing the steaming burgundy bowls of spaghetti Bolognese on the table. "Lucy, this is my daughter, Sierra" Daughter? Max then guides me to the table where he pulls the chair out for me, his fingers skimming over my black coffee locks momentarily subsequent to planting a kiss possessing evil potent enough to revolt me on my forehead, then walking over to Lucy again in order to inform her of something. "Lucy, I'm afraid there is something I will have to inform you about Sierra" Max whispers to Lucy, the volume being unperceivable to those impassive to the blood of a vampire, but fully recognizeable to those who aren't fully human.
"Is everything alright, Max?" Lucy earnestly asks. I just want to scream. Not only am I petrified, but I've gone beyond aggravated at how he is fabricating each hiss seething on his tongue to such an innocent woman. He sighs with sorrow. Jesus Christ, give me a break, you melodramatic fanger.
"Sierra's stepfather was very abusive, hence the scars. She moved here from New York yesterday. I couldn't have my darling girl being abused any longer despite the amount of legal battles. Mentioning her family life in New York might make her upset, I just thought you had the right to know, Lucy" he says, his voice choking with invisible tears – Oh, please. This is pitiable - whilst Lucy comforts him with an amiable kiss on his cheek, telling him how he's a wonderful father. More like corrupted and dishonest. Please, Lucy, don't fall into his trap like I fell for David's.
Max pins that smile on his face again, acknowledging that he was informing Lucy of deceptions, but also noting this is the partial truth to insult me, and pulls the chair out for Lucy to sit in.
"It smells absolutely delicious, Lucy, you truly are a wonderful cook" Max praises, kissing Lucy's hand tenderly one singular time.
My head snaps beyond Max where I see Edgar leering at me. He doesn't know me; my own brother doesn't know me. Opposite Edgar is Alan and Michael's brother who are also scrutinizing me. All I can do is smile and not relent to those weakening tears, moving my hair over to my shoulder as Max had mentioned the scars, just another way to taunt me, masked by an endearing explanation which exhibits nothing but concern over his 'daughter's' welfare. I only know one thing is certain, this is going to be a stressful night consumed by hidden retaliations from me and veiled threats from Max.
Mike PoV
I was about to pop back out of the dining room; I told Mom I had plans. Mainly Sierra and I had to go to the comic store since Sierra said she needed to be there for some reason. Max decides though to cause us to be detained, and as he neared Sierra and patted my shoulder, I tensed. His praise was sincere sounding, but it was all a lie. It had to be with the way Sierra seemed to respond to him. I could almost feel her fear as if it was a solid object as I attempted to keep a hold of her hand. Whatever it was about Max, it had terrified Sierra. Me, I just want to get out of there. I can't stand fake people. Yeah, fake that's what it is about him. He was too fake.
Presently, Sam looks at me questioningly, but like there is some sense of doubt in his eyes now. This morning he had this hard look and tone, like I had done something, but now he looks doubtful, even worried, not as in he thinks I might eat him, but like he is worried about something that is going to happen. The Frog Boys however are giving both me and Sierra hard cold stares, though they remain silent. These kids aren't the typical types Sam would run with, aside the commando look, they look like kids from the ruff side of town and not the type that would think hanging out with my dweeb brother fun and cool. But then, they probably think driving tanks and pretending to blow up Cobra Headquarters is fun and cool.
I take a seat across from Sierra, the look and shake of her head she gave me didn't go unnoticed. It looks like Max is lying and worse, spinning a lie to my mom. I can hear it; but why? This doesn't make sense. What was it about Sierra that could have him acting so strangely? Alan cringes when I do; because I was sitting next to him. Sierra has to take a seat next to Edgar. This was going to be such a fun night. Yay...
Edgar and Alan keep casting glances to Sam with Sam was shrugging and shaking his head, and mouthed what looked like: 'I don't know'. Next, Sam is again looking at me worriedly, then at Sierra, who was trying to hide that this was very unnerving for her.
Then the bowl of Parmesan arrives. Sam shrugs at mom mentioning him grating it himself and then insists Max tries some. The odour of garlic is in the air. Oh God, now I know why Sam had gotten all nervous when I sat down. He is apparently going to gag Max with this stuff for some reason. I glance at Max who seems all for what he thought was Parmesan cheese, up until he starts gagging.
That went well - not. Max seems a little surprised and confused, but nothing more than that. Sam then glances between us and mouths toward Edgar: 'Do it anyway'. What the hell are they planning to do next?
I feel a drop of water hit my cheek, but it burns like hot grease. I rub my cheek, confused, until I hear Sam asking Max whether it burns him or not. Max is standing, wiping off his clothing with Mom being far from happy and if that wasn't enough, the lights go out and the candles are put out.
Total darkness, then they come back on. Max yelps in surprise of fear with a mirror right in his face... I actually let out a laugh at that one was kind of funny what they did, but where the hell did they get something to extend the mirror into his face? The plus side is thanks to Sam and his weirdo friends, we don't have to sit here all night with this mega dork.
Sierra PoV
As soon as the initiation was over, all I could do was sigh. The reason why Max had no reaction to the incidents that would have usually injured him was palpable. Somebody within the household had requested personally for Max to access the house, thus, forcefully causing all humans and their normally lethal actions towards him to surrender. Before Max had the chance to even beckon me to leave with him out of disgrace, I hastily fabricated the excuse of promising to care for Edgar and Alan during the night at their parent's demand. Unfortunately for Max, he obviously didn't study my mind too much as he was blatantly unaware that I am incredibly stubborn, but it earned me an acute slash of his rage throughout my stomach, like a sword ruptured every organ and sent the pain directly to the areas depths. Everyone perceived the grunt, everyone viewed how I lurched forwards slightly. The pain was excruciating, that I cannot deny. Max soon left, deserting me with the bewildered boys as Lucy had strode into her bedroom out of ferocity. If only she knew what her son's true intention was and the sincere monster residing within Max is. I peer out of the window, ensuring Max was out of sight before I inform them all of what I know.
"Okay, the guy we thought was El Vampiro's daughter, what's the beef?" Edgar grunts in his husky tone, glaring at me in suspicion. I lean in the back of my chair, feeling somewhat relieved that Max's presence has been removed, but the aftermath quivers in my fingers and quakes in my voice as I attempt to speak.
Now I am fearing for my life. I'm intelligent enough to know this is not the Santa Carla I belong in, causing me to be an intruder to this world or wherever I am. There is no doubt my life is in a perilous danger. After all, intruders are murdered viciously at the first opportunity.
"One, I'm not his daughter, that was a deception he invented himself. The whole backstory of being from New York probably links to the excuse he uses when I mysteriously disappear" This justification leads onto bemused stares from all the others, not comprehending what meaning was in the last two words. "There's no subtle way to put this, but, Max wants to kill me" All I receive is gawks, suspended jaws and widening of the eyes, each facial expression being understandable. "I'm not from around here, and I'm a half-vampire which instantly situates me in a vowed life-threatening situation" I glance at my hazy reflection in the mirror for a moment, then recollecting another piece of information they deserve before judgements are obliterated. "Max is the Head Vampire by the way. Little word of advice though next time a vampire arrives at your front door: Never invite them in, it renders every human residing in the house defenceless. Hence why those notions of yours, like the garlic, didn't work. It won't work next time either since he's eternally welcome to the house" I pause for a moment, waiting for the news to drown into their brains, converting it into an everlasting memory. "I know Max, and I know what his most potent ambitions are in immortality. He's got this image in his head of the perfect family. Your mom must have impressed him, because it's the only reason I can think of to why he's lured her"
"How do you know all of this?" Edgar inquires, nearing me as he leans over the table in order to make his presence imminent to mine, daring himself to look me in the eye.
"Because I've been a half-vampire for two weeks now and I've been trusted to know this information" I inform him, our eyes locked. This is upsetting me, seeing a boy who has the twin appearance to my own brother and even has the same pitch and demeanour to him. I withhold my emotions from etching my face though as that is something I prohibit myself from doing. I hear Michael's younger brother ask eagerly how on earth I have resisted, most likely questing for suggestions to keep Michael human for as long as possible. "I'm a stubborn girl, it's hard to resist, but I just keeping on fighting the urges. They become more consistent after a week, nearly every night I have to fight off the urge. Like I said, it's complex to avoid, but just ensure you haven't got any human contact at the time around you"
Then I captured a glimpse of Michael in the corner of my eye. He is in enough danger as it is so far, and though his help is extremely appreciated, I can't place him in a position equal to mine, it wouldn't be fair what with all the other dilemmas he has to deal with. I've developed a fondness for Michael, he's attractive and a kind man, but I can't be selfish and possess those feelings of friendship or beyond for him if it means there is a chance he shall be killed as well.
"Michael, can I talk to you for a moment, please?" I ask, gesturing to the living room, my eyes practically imploring him to agree. I don't want him getting hurt, he's been harmed emotionally too much recently. If a friendship grows and my life does conclude at the hands of Max, it'll be further pain for him. I'm stubborn not to get murdered, but there is no forecast to the events if I do so happen to even breathe the wrong way, therefore, leaving me open to the concept of being killed.