Darren sat down at the table. Kuri was already there, having come over to talk to him right away.
Darren's mom slid his omelette off the pan into his plate. Kuri watched everyone's every move. Darren ate a bite.
"Mom, this is the best omelette I ever had."
His Dad couldn't help but smile. Good move. Mom is pleased, but knows she's being manipulated. As Kuri stifled a laugh, Darren shot her a look.
There was A knock at the kitchen door. Kuri got up, opened the door to reveal: Steve.
"Hey, girlie, where's the idiot?"
Kuri motioned Steve in. He stopped short when he see everyone else. He quickly recovered.
"Hi, Mr. Shan, Mrs. Shan. It's nice to see ya."
Steve got several less than welcoming looks...
The two left the table with Steve and went to Darren's bedroom.
"What was that? Everyone acting like they don't know me. Did I walk in on something?"
Darren closed the door and got to the point.
"What happened last night?" Darren looked at each of them in turn. "Both of you."
"Nothing. Kuri passed out. I helped her home." Steve lied smoothly.
"I-I'm sorry Darren, I don't know. I blacked out." Kuri murmured sadly. The truth was just too hard. Her own sister!
"Sorry about the way I acted. I'm sorry I pushed you."
"Don't worry. There's, you know, no bad blood or anything like that."
Kuri flinched at the words.
Steve, next to her, had a similar reaction. "What?"
"I-I said don't worry." Darren amended quickly.
"No, You said bad blood. I never heard you say something like that before." Steve pressed.
"W-What are you, the word police?" Darren said nervously.
Kuri's breath hitched. He was digging himself a bigger hole.
Steve gave him a look. There was a weird tension in the air. Darren glanced at the bandage on Steve's palm, and changed the topic.
"Wanna see that new game I got?"
"Sure..."
Kuri's breathing returned to normal.
Darren stepped over, starting his computer up. While waiting, Steve saw the digital camera on the dresser, and picked it up.
"I gotta get one of these."
Kuri sucked in another breath; intuition never lies…
Steve switched it on. Something occurred to Darren too late...
"Let me see that—"
On the screen was the photo of Madame Octa. Steve twisted around to keep the camera out of Darren's reach.
"It's Madam Octa." Steve hissed.
"I…took it at the show." Darren attempted.
"Liar. Look at the background." Steve pointed. "This got taken right on your desk."
Darren was caught. They just stared at each other. Kuri stared at the two.
Having enough, she went and got Madame Octa. Darren gasped.
"How did you—"
"I know lots of things." Kuri said mysteriously.
Steve looked uncomfortable, wondering if she too knew about his conversation with Crepsley.
But there was a massive spider on the desk, no time fo lose on worries. Madame Octa was in her cage, on the desk. Darren and Steve looking her over. Kuri petting her and feeding her.
"How'd you do it?" Steve breathed.
"They were loading a van outside. I, I just took her." Darren burst out.
"Just like that..." Steve whispered, then realized with a cry, "You stole from a vampire you know?"
"Just because he had a coffin doesn't mean he's really a..." Darren said hopefully.
Darren trailed off, realizing his error. Steve realized Darren saw the coffin.
"You were there, weren't you?" Steve said, then looked at Kuri. "And you, were you awake?"
"I might as well have been."
The two of them didn't question her. She knew things sometimes.
"You heard what he said to me? That I was evil?" Steve growled angrily.
"I didn't believe it." Darren said emphatically.
Kuri was shaking her head. "There's no way."
Steve studied them, hoping that it was true.
"I heard what you said to him, too." Darren continued, as Kuri deadpanned—did he have to push Steve like this? "That you wanted to be a vampire."
Steve didn't want to talk about it. He looked at Madam Octa.
"How do you think he made her do what he wanted?" He asked in wonder.
Darren opened his desk drawer, pulled out the flute.
Kuri didn't bother to mention that she had no problem communicating with the spider. Too weird.
"I wish I knew how to play it." Darren said.
Kuri grabbed it and slowly pushed it to his lips, taking his fingers and putting them on the holes. "Now blow, and think of what you want her to do."
"So it is telepathy…?" Steve breathed.
Darren followed her fingers with his, blowing, and thinking hard.
Madame Octa swayed back and forth, dancing like she did in the show! And then, and then! She came out, dancing for them.
Steve smiled, gave Darren a little punch in the arm. The tension was loosening.
They continued like that for a bit, playing with Madame Octa, until there was a sound.
Annie burst in.
Kuri moved her body between the spider and Annie hurriedly. Madame Octa leaped—
She recoiled from Kuri as if smelling something foul, and landed on Steve, sinking her teeth into his neck.
Steve surged upward, his shout dying in his throat. He stiffened, eyes snapped wide, and then crumpled, Kuri catching him in her arms..
Darren blew hard on the flute, ordering Madame Octa back into her cage.
Kuri lifted her head and glared at Annie. "Go for help! I'll do what I can…"