DISCLAIMER: I ONLY OWN MY OWN CHARACTERS, NOT ANYTHING YOU RECOGNIZE FROM THE MOVIE!

Sk8rbitch: I thank you for your opinion. I hate reading those stories that horribly alter the origional plot. Characters that were saved from death are often the cause of that. However, I can't say I'm totally innocent in this... as you'll soon find out.

XxCherryblossomxX33: I glad my story can join that number. Favorites are a real boost to the pride!

I know I said I wasn't going to publish more without six reviews, but I just couldn't wait. I've finished this story and am working on the next adventure for Rudolph and Chris. Perhaps, with enough feedback, I can ensure a happy ending for them... and that all goes well, too.

Chapter Nine: A Turn For the Worse

I woke the next morning alone, which made sense, but there was a beautiful red rose on the other side of my pillow. I gave a soft smile and smelled it softly, then went downstairs to get a vase for it. Today, I felt, was going to be a life-altering day. There was no school since the parents now knew Rudolph's family... all of them. They also knew that they were Vampires, this was shown by the fact that both parents had gone and given them the darkest room in the house to sleep in, making sure no sunlight could get in. The parents figured that the three of us needed a day away from everything.

"Chrystal!" came Dottie's voice. "Phone! It's your Dad!"

I raced downstairs and took the phone gently.

"Hi, Daddy," I answered. I swear he was smiling on the other end.

"Hello, angel," he answered, his voice heavy with emotions, none of them good. I lost my smile real quick-like. "I wish I was calling with better news..."

I felt an icy hand clutch my heart.

"What are you talking about?" I asked, my worry slipping into my voice. "What's happened?"

"It's your mother," he answered. My entire being froze, icy gripping my heart. Flashbacks of all my scars, memories of all the harsh words I'd ever heard... it all raced through my mind. I swallowed hard.

"What time?" I asked.

"Nine hours," he answered.

"I'll be there," I told him, then hung up. Dottie looked at me. I looked at her with a grave expression. "Can you or Bob get me to the airport in 9 hours?"

"Of course," she said, seeming both confused and concerned. "Is something wrong?"

I shook my head.

"Not anymore," I answered.

I sat and laughed with the Sack-Ville Bagg family as they all returned after feeding. We were all split up into our groups while we waited for Chris to come back with Dottie. Us kids were all playing Phase 10, something I really shouldn't have taught the vamps cuz they're always winning. Suddenly, the door banged open. Chris came storming through, her face full of rage.

"Chrystal! Watch the door!"

"Sorry, Mom," came the snarled reply. "But I highly doubt your precious door is worth worrying about in comparison!"

"What happened?" I asked, alarmed. She rarely got this pissed. She sent me a look like I should know, then held out her hand.

"Come on, Carla," she said, her voice a great deal more gentle than before. My heart sunk and Carla walked into the room. All of us gasped at the large bruises on her frame. To clear things up, Carla is Chrystal's 5-year-old sister. She had long, light brown hair and brown eyes. She was tiny for her age. She was the town baby, back home. Everyone loved her deeply. Carla dropped her bags and launched into my arms, tears streaming down her face.

"Sorry, sorry, sorry," she cried. "I didn't listen! I'm so sorry! I didn't listen..."

She continued until her voice gave out, her sobs being the only sound her small frame was making. Chrystal was still shaking with rage and her eyes flashed as another familiar face walked in the door.

"Apologize about the door," the man said sternly. He was as tall as Frederick, maybe a few inches shorter, but still taller than Bob. His hair was dark, dark brown and aged with grey and the occassional white hair. His body was that of a hard laborer. In response, Chrsytal flew at him, hitting him with a heavy right hook. I grabbed ahold of Frederick's shoulder firmly and shook my head at him.

"Let them settle this," I whispered. Chrystal hit the man again.

"You were supposed to be WATCHING HER!" she roared at him. "YOU PROMISED ME YOU'D PROTECT HER!"

She nailed him again. The man didn't even raise up a hand to defend himself, just continued to let her hit him.

"YOU PROMISED ME SHE WOULD BE SAFE!" she screeched, laying another harsh blow, causing him to stumble. As it always did at times like this, her anger faded quickly to be filled with great sorrow, guilt, remorse, and hurt. "How could you?"

Her entire form slumped as sobs racked her own frame. The man immediately pulled her into his arms, hugging her close.

"How could you?" she repeated, her voice a sobbing whisper. He just held her as she cried. After a few seconds, deeming it finally safe, Carla ran over to the man, too. He freed an arm and held her, too.

"My angel," the man whispered softly. "I tried to keep my word, but I can't be home 24/7... Chrystal, what's happened can't be undone nor changed... only accept it and move on... I won't even ask you to forgive me, Lord knows I don't deserve it, but I'm sorry I failed you as a father again."

His identity stunned the vamps. Never had they seen such a violent display, let alone one from child to parent.

"At least she's safe now," he told Chris in a soothing tone. "I know you'll keep her safe..."

Chris pulled away very quickly, looking at him accusingly.

"What do you mean?" she demanded. He looked at her like she should know the answer, the same look that she'd given me. Her eyes narrowed and she jerked out of reach, her icy-cold walls coming up once more. "You're going back."

It was a statement, not a question. He looked at her with a pleading look.

"Chrystal, I'm trying," he said dispairingly. "I can't be here and with your mother at the same time!"

Carla now drew back stepping back to her sister.

"Daddy, don't," she said quietly, sadness and a look of betrayal on her tear-streaked face. "Don't go back... She'll hurt you, too!"

Dad just smiled sadly at us both.

"I have to," he told us. "She still needs me... You two don't... You have eachother."

Chrystal's emotionless-mask slid onto her face, making her emotions entirely unreadable.

"Daddy, don't!" Carla said, going to launch at him. Chrystal grabbed ahold of her shoulders and held her back, causing the tearful child to look up at her older sister.

"Don't bother, Carla," she said, her voice cold. "He's made his decision. Apparently taking care of his abusive, neglective wife is more important than the kids that still need him."

Their father went to speak but Chrystal cut him off.

"Don't bother speaking," she snapped icily. "You've said enough... Get your things and leave... You've over-stayed your welcome."

Even Dottie and Bob were shocked at her rudeness.

"Walk out, father," she spat. "Walk away like you always do, pretending nothing happened."

"Chrystal!" Dottie said.

"No, Dottie," the man said, holding up a hand. He looked sadly at his daughter. "Just remember, you've made this decision for me."

"LEAVE!" she snarled, loosing her patience. Just before she nailed him with another hook, he dodged and left, shutting the door behind him. Her emotionless mask continued to cover her face. However, her tone gentled a great deal.

"Come, Carla," she said. "Let's get you settled in, then we'll introduce you to everyone."

She nodded and obediently followed her sister upstairs.