Ch.9 part 2
So this part is very interesting, but as I said before, it's to wrap up the events of the last chapter cause it got too long. And this portion still needed editing at the time. Shout out to Samcoo 12 for following the story :)
Warning?: Recreational drug use referenced a little.
Disclaimer: I do not own LB or any real music or places referenced in this story.
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Beachside Apartments…
The noise on the other side of the door didn't sound like the few at the grill earlier. Without even a need to unlock it, they found a room full of strangers. Fridge and cabinets raided, beer cans covering the counter and cigarettes starting to fog.
"Uh, okay... Not quite the welcome I expected to give you." After leaving the bar, Cassi offered to drive Marina home so she didn't have to wait for the bus. The surfers were going to catch up with the others. The ride there gave her time to convince Marina it wasn't safe to be at her place alone tonight after what happened with those dealers. So once she agreed, they stopped to pick up a few of her things before coming back here. She figured Grant and the others would head to the clubs, not their apartment.
"Are these your neighbors or something?" she asked Cassi over the ruckus while they were still standing at the entrance. Maybe a few were. It was still mostly strangers though. It was hard to look over people's heads for familiar faces, which is hard to believe when it's a freakin one-bedroom apartment.
"Let me try and find one of the others." Cassi still had to yell for Marina to hear.
She nodded, deciding to follow suit. They split up, walking around people or having to step over whoever sat chatting on the ground. Speaking of the ground, Cassi gawked at how people were burning out their cigarettes on their carpet! Damn it, the land lords gonna have another fit!
People chattered about while the high intensity beats of Immigrant Song played.
Marina had made her way to the small hall with the closet, laundry, restroom and bedroom. She spotted a few of the surf nazi's go into the restroom, but she knows what happens in restrooms. There is no way she's opening that door. Turning the other way, she suddenly yelped out in pain when a few people brushed by her. They didn't even hear it, but the overcrowded space brushed against her sensitive bruises.
A harsh breath through her teeth, she backed against the wall clutching her sides painfully.
Meanwhile, Cassi had made a beeline for the strangers digging through their cabinets. Tossing around bottles, medicine, papers, photos, music and mail for burning.
"Hey, who got into UCSC and Portland?" She realized one was scoping through her letters.
"Hey! Give me those!" They held them away, making her jump for them. Shoving and tossing, she ripped the papers away because they were too drunk to even keep it up.
Stumbling around the living room and open balcony, stepping over drunken strangers, she found a gathering around the coffee table to see her brother.
"Grant!" She tried calling him over the music.
She's used to him having people over but this isn't the night for it.
There had been five perfect lines of white powder spread out over the table, and Grant had taken his short straw to snort another one of the lines. Receiving a round of praise, Cassi wiped away the rest of the line before he could finish.
'Aww!' sounded around them.
"Hey! I've been looking for you" Cassi scolded.
Grant laughing back with a toothy grin. "Welcome home, sis!"
"Who are all these people?" She addressed the people who went about their own debauchery at the expense of their apartment.
"I don't know! Squatters, I guess."
Cassi through her arms out disbelievingly. This isn't the first time people have been over but something like this has got to stop. "Grant, we can't keep letting strangers in here. WE end up busted for crap like this and the place gets ransacked!" she called.
"Aw, chill out and have a line" Another one of the surfers came up around her with a straw but Cassi simply smacked their arm away.
"Grant, I have a friend who really needs somewhere secure to spend the night" She followed after her brother who stumbled over the fried strangers.
"Then they can shag up with the guys" Grant cackled to his friends, suddenly falling over from freebasing.
"Yeah!"
"Right here babe" Aaron and a few of the others turned up.
Johnny had helped Grant back up before returning to a sip of his Jack Daniels. "Johnny, please talk some sense into him…" She requested sincerely to his best friend who wasn't nearly as far gone. He looked between the siblings, uncertain on the matter.
"Hey why you always go to Johnny, huh?" Cooper slurred. "You two got something going on?"
The few around them laughed and whooped at the insinuation. Cassi only rolled her eyes.
"Knock it off man" he shoved before turning back to Cassi "Most of this will be gone in, two hours? It's all good." He consoled.
"Better idea, why don't you two take your turn in the bathroom" another hollered, earning more laughter.
"Knock it off man, she's like a sister to me." Johnny defended.
"As kids, she had a real thing for you, remember?" Even Grant added, creating few catcalls.
"Grant!" Cassi glared but had turned beat red at these insinuations.
"So she does want it!"
"Look at her face!" Cassi shoved their pointing hands away.
One of those laughing created a screeching slap of keys from her keyboard, just then. Eyes wide, that does it!
"OH!" echoed after a yelp of pain.
There goes another lamp...
Returning to the clear air in the hallway after saving her keyboard, Cassi found that Marina had returned outside but standing by her was Josie. The way she weakly leaned against the wall, something was up with Marina.
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Cassi…
Thankfully, Josie let us come over to her apartment one floor away. There wasn't any covering it up anymore. As soon as we were settled, I insisted Marina show us where she was hurt. Finally slipping out of her button down, scratches and discoloration was starting to cover her shoulder, maybe even her ribs. I was at a loss for words at the beating.
Marina hissed, slightly lifting her camisole in the mirror while Josie rushed for an icepack.
"You are literally battered and didn't say anything" I gawked.
"I'll be fine with some painkillers" Marina insisted, stretching her arms. I shook my head, muscles flinching at what that must feel like.
After a thorough examination, both Josie and I helped ice her back.
"I had hoped to ask her earlier" Marina voiced, shoulders shivering at the coldness. "Scarlet didn't have anything similar did she?"
After checking on her earlier, her behavior was odd but she seemed fine overall. "She said the nose bleed might have been an after affect from a bump to the head, but that she was okay." Most of the night was still buzzing around in my mind too, starting back to when we were leaving the bar.
Marina hissed at the next ice dab, "Sorry."
"You want something else to cope? A hot tea, a coffee, or whiskey." We scoffed at Josie's suggestion laughing.
"…That sounds wonderful." Marina sighed, nodding.
"I'm gonna see if I can snatch some from your place, Cass." Josie winked, calling from the door way.
Being on our own for a moment, with only the soft voices of the static-y TV "There was some tension there earlier when her friends picked her up. You think Scarlet's alright with them?"
Well… the only wildcard is what differences she might have with the leader. "Yeah she'll be okay. In the time I've been here, they've all stuck together and they look out for her. She says they just argue a lot of the time. Particularly David… and I can see why." Marina trailed off, mostly to herself while she adjusted the night shirt she brought.
I wasn't so reassured though. I still remember seeing Scarlet drop those greyhound bus tickets. I don't know what they were for or why. Our talks on the Ferris wheel and Carousel did spring some ideas on her maybe wanting to leave behind her friends, but that's just it. She also said they were like family to her. So, who really knows?
Looking back to Marina, "Did you have some kind of argument too?"
Spinning back towards me, "What do you mean?"
"That thing with you and the biker with long black hair?" I clarified. That must be the guy Scarlet mentioned the night we accidentally wrecked the video store.
Marina's eyes then wandered about the room, as if scattered in thought. "He's…" she sighed, brushing the long locks behind her ear, unsure of how to explain. "Dwayne…is…"
Suddenly there was a furious ruckus of stomping from out in the apartment hallway that could be heard through the walls. The next thing they knew, Josie rushed into the apartment. "The place just got cleared out downstairs. People are being detained."
Eyes wide, I shot up in horror! Oh no. Did other people complain and call the cops? Were they going to get busted with coke?
"People spotted the cops from the balcony and rushed out. Some are saying its for drugs, some say for the noise, and others say it's a whole other case. I don't know." She was frantic.
"Wait, what?" I was even more confused.
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"I don't understand." Marina noted but they didn't hear her as both girls rushed out the door. Marina attempted to sit up from the couch, but paused when the screen of the TV rolled down a list of names and pictures. Some of which she's seen before, especially Kelsey McGuire. Another two named. Frank Rollins and Debbie Jones. As well as a series of other youths.
'16 suspected murders. Bodies yet to be recovered' was the bottom headline.
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Scarlet…
I had been slipping in and out of a nap. Hair sprawled across my face and pillows while the moist towel was balled up in my hand, turned red from the blood cleaned from my face and ears. It would be morning soon enough. My eyes fluttered open when I sensed someone return to the lobby.
Making his way towards me, I tried sitting up a little from my mattress where he helped me lay. Watching him calculatingly, I didn't look away when he stared back at me from where my veil use to hang.
"Drink up" he tosses something, and I'm able to suddenly catch it by reflex.
I sit up higher as he walks closer. It's the bottle…
I focused on my animal alternative after they hid this from me. Standing at the foot of my bed, his crystal blue eyes watching over me and noting the confusion. I go behind his back and yet, he's still helping me. Even after threatening me earlier.
"I thought you didn't want me having this anymore?"
His arms cross, "I wasn't gonna juice any rodent for you."
I scoffed quietly, looking down to the bottle in my lap.
"Or would you prefer to drink mine?"
If I wasn't running on empty so much, I may have blushed at the various ways that could be been interpreted.
"Thanks" I declined, looking over the encrusted jewels. Well, he was still helping me in some way after I wouldn't have expected him to, so I'd take what I could get.
"I take it this mess was another result of my putting it off…" Sighing, I'm not sure if the heart attack or the blood purge was more painful. A weight settled on the bed. He sat by my knees while he lit a cigarette.
He nodded, releasing a drag. "I've told you the more time you stall, the worst the effects will be. Your body knows what it craves, so don't be surprised if your alternatives soon stop working entirely."
"Yeah, yeah" I sighed having already imagined the dead end, twisting off the lid.
"Maybe if you keep your word to Max, this could all be put behind us." Pausing the bottle, I realized earlier that they had gone to see him tonight.
Before they came and found me, "Is he the one who told you what I was doing?"
No but he was away…
A smirk widened on his face before returning to his cigarette.
"How?"
He was chuckling internally. Who am I kidding? Of course he was but there's no way David's telling me how.
"Max has his ways" he exhaled, leaving it at that.
I rolled my eyes, finally relenting and bringing the blood bottle to my lips.
"But there's a lot of things I know, that he doesn't…"
My eyes widened the moment the blood went past my mouth. I lurched forward to spit it out while some had still passed my throat. The half bottle fell from my hands to bounce and clatter on the rocky floor and some even sprayed up to my hand.
That blood ... it has something else..! I can't taste what it is but there's something else!
I covered my mouth painfully at the burning fumes, when I was shoved back down onto my mattress. Gasping, it wasn't the cracked hotel ceiling I was staring up at but the harsh icey blue eyes of a platinum blonde vampire. He still sat on the side of the mattress, but half his weight hovered over me with his left arm across my body locking me under.
"What the hell?" I seethe, glaring venomously up at him. Muscles weakened but hugging my blistered hand to me. What did he put in it?!
With one hand on either side of me, I flinched when his right came down. Eyes widening, I almost sank further into the mattress when I felt it pass my neck like it was burying into my hair on the pillows. Before I could question this, the mattress sank further and a rip was heard before his gloved hand reappeared. Right beside my head, he held my tickets, maps, notes and what remained of my fund.
"Well what do we have here?" I stared disbelievingly at it.
"Found this after you fell asleep." Everything that could go wrong just went wrong.
"Portland, Seattle, Vancouver…" his chuckle ghosted over my cheek. "You going on a little trip without us, Scar?"
"…" I tried clearing my throat.
He slid the crease of the ticket along the side of my face. "Well, uh, you know how expensive travel can be. I didn't really have enough for everyone."
He was smirking, but when more of his weight crushed me it was clear he was in no mood for jokes. Nodding, "Now this all makes sense"
"Get off of me" It was hard to breathe.
"Thought you'd take off while we were stuck cleaning your mess?" He tapped the papers to my temple.
I swallowed deeply, finding no alternative but to be out with it. I finally voice, simply and directly. "I want out."
There's no emotion from either of us. Its dead silent. Not even any natural rustle from the cave echoes. It wasn't until a smirk cracked onto his features that the silence is broken by his malicious chuckle.
"That's a good one, kid …"
"I just want out, David." Lifting my head closer, I reiterated in the same tone as before, all joking and even all anger and despair thrown aside.
The smirk very slowly slips from his face.
"…This isn't where I'm m-.."
Forced back down onto the mattress, he pushed my hands aside until I feel the graze of his stubble over my face. "There is no out, kid." He hisses.
"You asked to come here. I brought you here. You asked to turn, I turned you. And whatever it is you use to put it off, the reality is that it's me that's kept you alive. There is no trial period. And there is no walking away, you stupid little girl." He growls over me while I try pushing my face further into the pillow.
Finally, he throws my arms free and I feel the weight lift off my lungs. Weakened by the contaminated blood, I struggle to sit up and see him tear my tickets and cash to pieces before throwing them back in my face. "Talk to whoever the fuck you want. Eat whatever the fuck you want. Turn or get sick, but listen clearly. You're not going anywhere, Scarlet… Santa Carla is where you die."
Seeing the scraps, for once I have no clue as to what to do, say or think anymore.
He storms back through the tunnels of the cave, "And by the way" he didn't look back. "Nice little music video you made." and the howling gust of wind blows out the oil drums and sends me with the entire lobby into darkness.
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Before Dawn…
Oh, screw it…
Cassi was through trying to clean the cigarette stains. The furniture smells, there's trash everywhere, why the hell does she bother?
She opened the balcony sliding door to let the brisk air flood in and whisk away the pollution. Its too late for this, or 'early' so to speak. At least the squatters were cleared out. She should get some sleep but she was just too restless. Its why she started picking things up in the first place. This night has been unbelievable. After what the other girls went through tonight, this thing that the police are investigating shouldn't be too far off a surprise. But it's still shocking, depressing and even a little… scary.
A cold draft blew in and Cassi looked towards the darkness outside. You couldn't even distinguish the ocean out there, but the moon did illuminate a few waves in the distance. Music usually helped relax her. Pulling her electric keyboard onto the coffee table, Cassi dove into Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata.
Just in the other room, Marina was in a similar turmoil. Dreaming… Once it was okay to return to the apartment, Cassi offered her the bedroom to rest in. The painkillers had finally taken effect, but there was still a stiffness in her body.
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She found herself walking an abandoned boardwalk, but her vision was warped. A brief good feeling vanished in an instant when the happy music turned cryptic. The lights glared onto her. The rides were blurred out by an incoming fog… or so she thought. Once the boardwalk disappeared she realized it wasn't fog. It was simply the smell of more weed or maybe burning heroin. Her breathing echoed in her ears.
It wasn't a very long period, but substance abuse was part of what kept her going during a rough period in L.A. A loud series of recoils fired all around her. She ducked and stumbled clumsily at the gunfire before sprinting away. Dealers were after her. The shadows looming closer.
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In the background of the sonata, Cassi made out the faintest of screeching in the music. Her playing slowed to hear it more clearly and she stopped, but so did the noises. She returned to the movements of the song but slowed again when she heard the same odd sounds. Stopping entirely, so did the off-key screeches. Was that her keyboard? Was something loose on the inside?
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No matter how hard Marina ran, each step left her feeling more and more helpless. That was one of her greatest fears. It was only in her nightmares that she felt this powerless, but she couldn't wake up, squirming over the covers as the blinds rattled by the window.
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This time when she stopped, the noises continued and she realized they were carried in by the wind. Walking out towards the balcony, she heard it closer in the sky. Hmm, it's probably gulls or something. Looking below near the side of the apartments, the patrol cars were finally pulling away. Not only did they clear the building of non-tenants at the landlord's sleep deprived demand, they checked for any signs of holding they suspected. They were lucky to have finished flushing everything before the cops could kick the door in. But there was a bigger reason they showed up, they were inquiring about a series of new open cases. Her brother was one being questioned…
Stepping back into the living room, Cassi returned to the couch and dove back into the soft melody of the composition. Beautiful notes carried into the night. Suddenly, a gust of wind blew the balcony curtains wildly, and the high-pitched wails sounded closer than before. Her eyes squinted shut at the force when suddenly the balcony light burned out, the living room lamp burned out and even the electricity to her keyboard went off.
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Another recoil finally shot her down. Though there was no pain, she didn't question it and struggled to stay on her feet, clutching the red wound on her shoulder. Then another came and another. Coughing and dizzy, Marina fought her way through until her feet couldn't carry on. Fully ready to fall in a mess of blood, something stopped her. As her knees grazed the ground, a force pulled her back up.
It was flesh. It was a body. A person.
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The curtains flapped around her while the wind whipped her hair and stung her eyes. Groaning, trying to push the balcony door closed, the wind almost seemed to force it back open. If the electricity is going haywire, is a storm blowing in? What was mistaken for howls of wind was feint ominous laughter as Cassi struggled to push harder.
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All the gun fire, carnival music and smoke finally faded away. Even her steady vision was lulling back into her as her cheek rested to their firm chest.
"I've got you" they reassured. Such a sensual voice… it was a he.
The dream didn't fully let her see the face. She didn't question it though, because she had finally reached a sanctuary. He didn't even mind the blood dripping down her form. Finally returning the embrace, her arms took to his neck. Being held up, she finally felt safe but the bleeding hadn't stop.
Why was this happening...?
Her breathing still haggard but he only held her tighter. Nuzzling her neck as shivers ran through her spine. More of her blood spurted out between their forms but he still paid it no mind.
"It won't stop…"
"Shhh, it's alright." His fingers ran the lengths of her dark hair while the other arm held her up. "You're safe with me"
"But…" It puddled around them but there was still no pain, only confusion.
She believed his words but reason told her something was still wrong. "No, I-I'm losing blood…" she couldn't finish as his lips covered hers. A pleasurable sensation ran through her. His tall form pushing her back until suddenly they both fell into the blood.
A feeling of falling and hitting her aching ribs and shoulder on the bed, Marina gasped in pain and shot up. Panting and frantically feeling for bullet wounds, what she thought blood was only trickles of sweat and the pain from her bruises. Her eyes scattered around now cold and windy room, desperately trying to adjust to the darkness. Something may or may not have passed behind the clattering blinds of the open window.
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The sliding door slams shut when the wind relented out of nowhere, leaving Cassi stumbling at the force she had put in. Something passes over her vision, only to be blocked by the curtain settling back down. Brushing it fast out of the way, there's nothing but the black sky.
Marina too quickly closed the open window.
Checking left to right; they were on the 3rd floor, nothing could be out there.
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Although in different rooms, both girls sigh in relief before settling back the way they were. Marina was flushed and in utter confusion at the nightmare. But it brought back the reality of everything that just happened, so it's not a mystery where it might have spurred from.
The two lights and keyboard had come back on. Wow… Cassi almost imagined something would fly in. She still had goosebumps. As the clock ticked by, signs showed it would be a grey morning outside. She thought about playing her student's tutorial music again, but didn't find herself in the mood for it.
(Start playing Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin but a piano version)
It doesn't look like anybody will be back up. Her hands gracefully maneuvered over the notes on the keyboard. This song she knew by memory and something just inclined her to play it in their tribute. From what the police let them know, all signs point to the worst.
"…There's a lady that's sure. All that glitters is gold. And she's buying a stairway to heaven"
A few tears brimmed in the corners of her eyes. The condition outside really fit the mood after their discovery the night before. Cassi had grown close to Debbie in her time here. She was one of the few genuinely friendly beach girls
"...When she gets there she knows…if the stores are all closed… with a word she can get what she came for" Frank was one of her brother's closest friends, so she can't fully say how he's taking the news about what might have happened to them so far.
"Ooo… And she's buying a stairway to heaven" The mezzo soprano voice fit the song and setting well. She didn't sing aloud that often, but it was just her there.
There are 14 others, as far as they know, on the list of victims and who knows if a body will turn up. Whether this will affect the rest of Santa Carla's activity at such a busy season is hard to say. Unlikely. Most people in this town are night owls, but at this early a.m. hour, several happen to be awake.
Marina could faintly hear Cassi playing from the other room. She still couldn't get back to sleep. Just hours earlier she was frustrated that Kelsey hadn't been there to help her get them off the hook and now… she's missing. With hefty evidence of blood in her car…
They presume she's dead.
Sighing, her hands covered her eyes but she knew she wasn't going to get anymore sleep. Marina finally stood, zipping on her sweatshirt and brushing through her hair with her hands. As Cassi was delved into the beautiful melody, Marina walked out their front door to try for a morning jog.
Why was all this happening?
Ooo… it make me wonder
Marina went out as Johnny entered their front door, hoping to find anything they could munch on before taking in the sounds of Stairway to Heaven. Not too far down below, Grant was sitting past the dunes and into the sand, staring at the gray beach sky. Nearby were several of the squatters and other youths sleeping on the beach. When the wind carried the music to him, he could tell it was Cassi that was playing upstairs.
Another entered to raid the fridge while Johnny slowly approached Cassi who didn't pay their scrimmaging any mind.
"And its whispered that soon, if we all call the tune.
Then the piper will lead us to reason.
And a new day will dawn for those who stand long,
and the forests will echo with laughter"
Leaning against the patio window, he watched her finish the song before it would oridinarily enter its faster tempo. "Good to know you still play."
Sighing, Cassi was finally able to quirk a smile that morning. "Remember we all use to. My mom, dad and Grant." The melody continued.
"Yeah... This would probably be the section where the drums come in, but it's been a long time since Grant's played." He sat on the chair set across from her keyboard. "He's still down there" he motioned outside.
"Are you guys gonna sleep at all?"
He shook his head. "Naw the buzz is gone. We'll prolly just chill today. Then maybe get on the waves later…"
"Still have surfing to think about" The one from the kitchen noted.
"How can you even think about the competition at a time like this?" Cassi ceased playing, staggered by them.
"Maybe it just takes time to sink in." Johnny tried to amend. "I don't know how to process it. A lot of us don't, but it's healthy to stay distracted and busy than just grieve…" his voice quieted while the pantry was now searched.
Cassi sighed, touching over the keys once again. "Well it's good to let it out too…"
"You're pretty good. You perform?" the older guy from the kitchen walked over beside Johnny.
She turns off the keyboard. "Not really. Just teach."
"She has before though" Johnny notes.
"If you're ever looking for a gig, my buddy schedules acts on the boardwalk." Both Johnny and Cassi weren't expecting this.
"Whoa, you mean the concerts on the beach?" Johnny noted. Remembering the concert she saw there with Scarlet, there was no way in hell she could imagine that.
"Yeah, but not the big stage." He chuckles, turning back towards Cassi. "I meant he has some weekday morning slots available for the mini stage on the boardwalk."
Johnny chuckled, to which she shoved him playfully at the mocking. Now that makes more sense. Something safe and modest for the families and early birds.
"What? You should go for it"
Rolling her eyes, Cassi slipped on her sandals. "I'll think about it."
If the wind and weather was anything like it felt earlier, her brother should come inside soon. Its hard to imagine them surfing when it's not hot and sunny.
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The sight on the beach was very unexpected. Not only was the weather and wind nowhere near as strong as before, grey but quite calm, actually. Her brother sat in the sand, beer in hand with a struggling expression. Maybe reality did sink in for some.
"Did the police say anything else?" She lowered to the sand beside him.
There was a long silence, rubbing his eyes towards the bridge of his nose before he sighed. "They'll keep looking for the bodies."
She couldn't tell if the red eyes was from the emotion or from getting high. They weren't much like that earlier when he was questioned, thankfully.
"…I've known Frank since I first came here… We stayed with him."
"He was a cool guy. And Debbie was my friend too." Cassi blinked away the tears wanting to brim her eyes. Seeing her brother this way hurts, but they just stared at the grey sky over the ocean.
"This matches our eyes, sis" He noted at the colors. Their eyes, gray-blue, she agreed but it also felt like a depressing characteristic. "Look, you should go upstairs and sleep your condition off."
Grant kicked the sand with his feet "The place is trashed, isn't it?"
She didn't respond, only groaning internally at recalling. She'd have to figure that out after work…
"That's another thing." He went on, looking down to her. "I haven't really been the best brother to you have I?"
She stared back confused for a moment. "I wanted you to come out here this summer and have the fuckin time of your life… but I've only been dumping crap on you, haven't I?"
She shrugged, unsure how to take what she's been waiting for him to own up to.
"I'm sorry." Reaching into his bag with other beers, he pulled out an unexpected sight.
"Here, I got this for you."
He found it for her? It was the latest Heart album record she was looking for. Rubbing his brow, "It kinda sounds different from their earlier stuff."
She shrugged, knowing there was a little more pop now. "Yeah but, loyal fan for life." It was the female Led Zeppelin, after all. "You especially should know how music can evolve"
"Yeah… But I'm fried, so let's not delve into the whole punk rock vs new wave vs glam disaster." Agreed!
Cassi finally smiled, hugging her brothers arm. "Thanks, Grant."
"I'm gonna try and get my act together. And make the best we can of the rest of the summer."
Let's hope it can all go without any more gang brawls and missing people.
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Though hidden behind clouds, the sun had officially entered the sky. A series of sonic screeches, flapping and dark laughter had returned to their undead resting place with new information and antics to share. Until the next sundown…
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So yes, minus David, it can be deducted that it was the guys that were causing the uproar at the apartment. Somebody did intervene during the nightmare; others did cause the electricity malfunction and wind. They haven't been invited in though, so they couldn't really enter. That sliding door technically is the barrier. Lol.
Update if your Re-Reading this chap. I previously had that the bottle was contaminated with garlic. I meant to edit that out but the word completely slipped my mind. I debated having garlic work in this portrayal because I need a... vampire weakness... that is intended for later use. But I decided against it. There's something else that was put into the bottle Scarlet drank and I'll reveal it in the future. 'Garlic Don't Work boys [and girls]' lol.
Next chapter there will be several One-on-One meetings, maybe two cameos, plus some 80s decadence! lol My writing descriptions aren't that…. Explicit so I don't think it will be necessary to change the rating when it does come up. I'll let you guys be the judge of that next time. I'm busy but very excited to write more. Please Follow/Favorite/Review