Dracula took us to the Church via motorcycle, or bat cycle as he calls it. He left his jet, aka the bat jet, over in Cheyenne's barn. Can't exactly park a jet in the middle of a busy street.
It was a bit chilly since it was the middle of fall. I huddled closer to Dracula to block out the wind. I could see all the trees covered in brown, orange, and yellow leaves. The streets and roads were still clean, so they haven't been falling in bushels yet.
When we made it to the church, I could see Sofia's minivan parked on the other side of the road. Renfield's gray car was parked in front. Something he bought after Dracula purchased a penthouse apartment nearby. To have a place to stay over the weekends to visit their new human friends.
The church looked like someone tried replicating an old church made from wood, but with bricks. A circular clerestory was at the very top near the roof. For some reason the roof was made of wood, and I don't mean 'yeah it's a regular roof with shingles', like the window was placed in a section that looks like a regular house. If you wanted to make a brick church look like an old style church, why half it? Go all brick.
Brick it up.
Brick up the Church.
Church.
Holy.
Holy water.
Accidentally almost killed Dracula two years ago with the stuff.
Huh.
"Can you even walk into a church?" I asked as he parked the cycle.
"As long as the grounds aren't properly blessed, I'll be alright." Dracula explained. "Luckily for me, religious practices have been changing over the centuries." We got off the cycle and walked up the stairs; that lead to the Church's large wooden doors.
Dracula opened the door to let me in first. I smiled at Renfield who was at the altar with the reverend. Renfield wore a white tux with pink accents, and the Reverend was a thin, tall, old man.
A hiss of pain took my attention from the groom. Turning around I feared the worst when I saw Dracula. "Drac!"
He was bent over as if in pain. His helmet, suit, and gloves hid him completely. I couldn't see what was happening to him. Then suddenly, he stopped. "Just kidding." He got up doing jazz hands.
"You jerk." I punched his shoulder. "You scared the bejesus out of me."
He chuckled and rubbed his shoulder. "Well, I wouldn't be the Prince of Darkness if I can't give a scare, or two."
I rolled my eyes at that. "Come on, you royal pain in the tush. Let's get to our places."
The inside of the Church was smaller than I thought. At the entrance were different types of openings; one was a door with the label 'bathrooms' and stairs going up, another was a door labeled 'maintenance' and stairs leading down. Walls with columns blocked off the entrances, hiding them from view of those in the pew and up the altar. There were only two rows of pews, one on either side of us. At the front of the church, the wall was completely covered with clear clerestory windows. Various red and purple flowers lined the floor of the altar.
We made our way to our respectful sides. I walked down the left side, Dracula the right side. I waved at my friends who were sitting in the left pews. Sofia was wearing a light purple a-line dress, layered with a lace lining, dangling earrings with tiny purple flowers, and makeup to match her look. Harrison wore gray dress pants, a white dress shirt, and a light red tie. Luca and Hans wore brown dress pants, light yellow dress shirts, and maroon ties.
Dracula sat on the right side of the pews. When I walked up to the front pew, Sofia pulled me next to her. "Still with your 'not boyfriend'?" She asked with a smirk.
"Still waiting for that ring?" I whispered in her ear. She squeaked, face bright red, and elbowed me with a mutter. I chuckled softly and set my bag in the pew to take out my high end camera.
Making sure my human friends weren't looking, I grabbed Spider as they stuck their head out. I let them attach to my stomach, to keep out of sight. Taking pictures as an excuse to walk over to Dracula, Spider hopped down and sat next to him. After taking pictures of everyone, I walked back over to my bag.
Sitting down, Sofia whispered in my ear. "Where are the Wishbones?"
"I don't know." I replied. I took my phone from my bag and looked at the time. It was 8:50 am, and they had 10 minutes before Baba walked down the aisle. With or without Frank, who was supposed to give her away. Fay was the flower girl, Max the ring bearer, and the bats and Dracula the Musicians. Dracula was supposed to go upstairs in five minutes, but it looks like there are going to be some changes.
"Does Harrison know how to play 'Here comes the Bride' on the piano?" I whispered to Sofia. Sofia whispered to him, and he nodded. "Change of plans, he's going to have to play. Dracula will give Baba away, and you'll be a flower girl."
"You gotta do what you gotta do." Harrison agreed. He and Sofia went to walk to the back, after telling Dracula the plan. I walked up to the altar and pointed my camera to the entrance. I set it to record.
Soon I could hear the music coming from above. Sofia came into view with a basket full of rose petals. She sprinkled them all over and managed to cover the whole floor with them. When she sat down, Dracula started to lead Baba down the aisle. She had to raise her arm all the way up, just to reach Dracula's arm. Baba wore an old fashioned wedding dress covered in frills, a tiara with matching earrings, and a veil. I noticed her necklace was missing its amulet. Which was strange, but was probably not appropriate to wear at your own wedding.
As they made it to the altar, Dracula passed Baba's hand off to Renfield. "Best of wishes, old boy." Dracula sat back in the pew next to Spider.
Before the Reverend could say anything, the church doors opened. In came the Wishbones along with the bats.
Frank was wearing a green suit with a purple vest and tie, and a white dress shirt. Emma wore an a-line, long sleeved dress, colored white on top and maroon at the bottom, and a statement necklace with red stones. Fay wore a beige tunic dress with gold trimmings along the sides and bottom, and a large gold hair clip. Max wore a brown vest suit with gold buttons with a simple gold chain, and gold shoes with his name on the lip.
Max was having a wardrobe malfunction. His pant's seemed to be missing a button and his pizza pattern boxers were showing.
Emma, holding Baba's bouquet, awed at the couple. "You two look so sweet."
Baba giggled as Renfield held up their joined hands. "This is the happiest day of my life." He sighed.
"Sorry, we're late." Frank apologized with an embarrassed look. Fay shook his hand off her shoulder.
"No late. On time you are." Baba assured them, lovingly pinching Renfield's cheek.
"Fay, put your phone away." Frank hissed at his texting daughter.
"Don't shout, Frank, we're in church." Emma scowled. She stepped back and accidentally stepped on Max's foot.
"Ouch, that was my foot." Max whined.
"My wedding, this is." Baba raised her arms annoyed. "You're now being happy. Pronto." She pointed at them and they stood in attention. "Or else, I will be turning you into-" Renfield gasped and the Reverend tapped her shoulder. He pointed at his wrist to indicate we're on a schedule.
"Sorry Reverend." She giggled. "This isn't the time for cursing," she walked up to them, "this is a time for loving." She pointed to her side at both sides of the altar. "Emma, Frank, you being witnesses." She pointed at Fay. "Fay, you be taking photos." And she walked up to Max. "Max, please try not trip over your trousers." She gently slapped his cheek.
She whistled and walked back to her place. "Now, who wants to get married? We do!" She held Renfield's hands.
I gave Fay room to take photos, she started taking pictures as soon as I stepped back. Harrison finally came back down to sit next to Sofia. The bats started playing "Wedding March" on their tiny instrument. The Reverend started to speak and had the couple recite their vows. Max tried zipping up his pants, but failed to the point of tripping.
Feeling bad, I set my camera on the altar table and went to get my wand from my backpack. I heard Fay bump into the bats and trip. She was staring at something on the camera when I looked up. Before I could secretly cast a spell to fix Max's pants, the church doors opened.
"Now who's coming in late?" Sofia murmured in disbelief.
"Hi!" At the entrance stood a girl around Max's age. She wore a full bodysuit, with the colors white, blue, gray, and an orange 'S' on the chest, with knee high combat boots. As she came closer I could see a bracelet on her covered wrist and a white metallic backpack.
"What is it that you are wanting at our wedding?" Baba asked angrily with her hands at her hips.
"You and you." The girl pointed at Baba and Dracula. Behind her were two giant, white flying drones, with a circular opening in the center, that came in. Those certainly got us all to stand up.
"What is going on?" Sofia asked, holding onto Harrison in fear.
"Why does it look like she's wearing a Starr's uniform?" Asked Hans in confusion.
"I think you are not knowing what it is you are facing." Baba reached for her amulet. She gasped when she couldn't find it. "My amulet!" Her necklace moved towards Max. So I'm guessing he stole it.
Max was on the floor still struggling with his pants. When he noticed Baba glare at him, he gulped. "I know I've got it right here." Instead of getting up, he struggled taking it out of his pocket. "Got it!" He lifted up over his head, then dropped it. Making it roll under the pews.
Baba rolled her eyes in disbelief.
"You are a very rude little girl." Dracula walked up to her. "I suggest you turn around and-" The girl kicked Dracula's legs from under him.
She giggled as he landed on his back. "Why you, who do you think you are?" Dracula asked angrily.
"I'm Mila." She jumped on Dracula's chest before he could get up. She grabbed a hold of his helmet and started to pull it off. "Now let's see who you are."
"What are you doing?" He asked, horrified. Without thinking I ran up to them as she finally pulled the helmet off. Dracula hissed in pain as the sun shined on his now exposed face.
"Dracula!" I slid on my knees as the girl back flipped with the helmet. He covered his face with his gloved hands, but smoke still came from between his fingers. Using my body to shield him from the sun, I pulled his head into my lap and hunched over him. "Are you alright?" I asked worried even though I could see his burns healing.
Dracula looked up to me. "I am now." He smiled at me and leaned into my touch as I held his face. "Thank you, my dear."
"I didn't know Count Dracula had a girlfriend." Mila tapped her bracelet and one of her giant drones flew over us. Claws came out of it and latched on Dracula's four limbs.
"What?" Suddenly he was pulled out of my lap, and the drone swallowed him in a white orb it created in its center. "Dracula!" I cried out and jumped to reach the drone. It flew out of church via the circular window at the entrance.
"One monster down, one more to go." The other drone flew over Baba.
Looking for my wand I glared at Mila. "Stay away from Baba and give me back my Dracula!" I found it on the floor and pointed at her. "Turn this wicked child into something more mild!"
Before my spell could hit her, a dazed Max popped up holding a hand out. "Leave Baba alone!" When the spell hit him, Max's hair was styled back, his green glasses turned silver, his gold jewelry was gone, and his shoes were replaced with plain brown dress shoes. Sadly his pants were not fixed.
"Wow, real magic!" Mila laughed in delight. Max blinked as the smoke cleared. "Too bad it didn't make your trousers your size." She giggled as she noticed his underwear.
Max gave a sound of confusion and turned to glare at the girl. "Who are you anyway?" He asked, annoyed. "What gives you the right to kidnap our friends?"
"Why would I want to tell you that?" Mila brushed back her stray hair. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got a job to do." She started messing with her bracelet again. The drone over Baba retracted its claws, grabbing her arms.
"Not my Baba!" Renfield cried as he, and the Wishbones, jumped to reach her. He ran after the drone that still hasn't closed Baba. "Baba!"
"Stop the drones!" Max shouted. The Wishbones, the bats, and Spider started running after it. "We need to get the controller away from her."
"What is going on?" Sofia shouted. Harrison, Luca, and Hans all asked similar questions.
"I don't even know what's going on." I tapped my head with my wand to think of a spell. Most of them were cleaning spells, repair spells, or art related spells. The most damage I could do is change the drone's color. Hearing Max slip, I decided to finally fix his pants. "Let this ruined outfit be the perfect fit."
When the spell hit, Max got up and ran. "Thanks, Lizzie."
"You can do magic?" Luca came behind me suddenly.
I held my wand up, startled. "It's a long story." I could hear the Wishbones, Spider, and the bats struggling. "And now is not the time."
As I turned around, Frank, Emma, and Fay were down alongside some pews. Renfield, Spider, and the bats were struggling to get Baba loose. Max, hidden behind a pew, had his leg sticking out. Mila tripped over Max's foot and dropped the controller bracelet. Max snatched it up quickly.
"Baba! My snookiepooks!" The drone finally stopped moving, just at the entrance. She cried in pain every time she struggled. That gave me small idea, not something to free her, but to lessen the strain in her arms.
"My teacher is so humble, as light as a bubble." Baba started to float lightly, but the claws still held her in place.
"Just hand it over." Mila ordered. "You haven't a chance against me."
Max started to walk away from her, she followed close behind. "I managed to get the controller. If I can do that, I can do anything."
"Like ordering pizza?" She teased.
Max angrily turned around. "Don't make fun of me!"
Mila took her chance and grabbed the controller. "Let go, pizza boy!" She tried pulling it out of Max's hand, causing them to yank each other around.
"Don't call me pizza boy." Max pulled back hard, making Mila fall on him and roll around. As they stopped rolling, their lips met with Mila on top.
Mila quickly jumped up with disgust. "Ew!" Max started wiping his mouth as he stood. "Yuck, yuck!" They stared at each other awkwardly, then looked away. Max spotted the controller on the ground.
He picked it as soon as Mila saw him. "Give it back!" She lunged at him.
"That's not happening." He threw at his mother and the drone moved.
"Lizzie, just tell us what's happening." Sofia yanked my arm, causing my wand to fly out of my hand. "How are you doing magic? When did you start dating Dracula, thee Dracula?"
"First of all, I don't even know what's happening. Second of all, it's a long story." I went to look for my wand. "And third of all, I'm not dating Dracula."
"I get the first two, but like even I heard you say "my Dracula."" Hans pointed out.
"Who cares if she can do magic!" Luca threw up his hands. "We have been teasing her about Drake, who is Dracula, for like a whole year." He nervously started tapping his chest. "Dracula, a vampire that could suck us dry of our blood!"
Harrison patted him on the back. "Could be worse, she could've turned us into frogs."
"I'm not turning anyone into frogs, and Dracula doesn't drink blood!"
When I found my wand, Max finally used the controller to get Baba over the altar. The claws released her and Spider softened her fall. It seemed like the spell wore off. Renfield helped Baba up, but the claws grabbed all four of her limbs. Spider still clinging onto her.
Max looked at his empty hands in confusion. "Right here pizza boy." Mila held up the controller as she walked away. The drone closed around Baba, who was screaming, and Spider.
"Spider! Baba!" I shouted in horror.
Renfield ran after the pod. "Baba, my snookiepooks!" He latched onto the drone. "I'll save you!"
"There's no way he's human either." Hans exclaimed as Renfield managed to stay on.
"Keep this man above as he tries to save his love." Even though Renfield was technically immortal, I didn't want a chance for him to fall.
"Going somewhere?" Fay crossed her arms. She and her parents blocked the entrance.
What no one expected was for Mila's bag to grow wings. As she started to fly, Max grabbed her legs. "What are you doing?" She gasped as the sudden weight lowered her. "We're going to crash, you're too heavy." The Wishbones tried grabbing them.
"Okay, so I could lose a few pounds." Max sounded offended. "But you could also let go of our friends."
She spread out her arms and flew through the window. The drone flew close behind. Before I could go after them, someone turned me around.
"Lizzie." Sofia stopped me. "It's too dangerous, just let them go."
"I don't have time for this, I need to save them." I could hear Emma tell the bats to give chase. Sofia didn't let go.
"We've been friends since you moved here." Sofia looked at me with sad eyes. "We've shared a studio for five years. Why didn't you tell me you're a witch?"
"Technically I did, on the day I was turned into a witch." I vented and went for my bag. There was nothing I could do for Dracula, Baba, and Renfield now. "It's not my fault non-monsters can't tell the difference."
"Wait, so the Wishbones are monsters? But they look human." Hans sounded confused.
"They are human, they were just turned into monsters for a while." I picked up my bag and walked towards the entrance. "Look, it's a long story. When we have the time I'll tell you."
Footsteps echoed as I walked where Emma stood, holding open one of the doors. "Can't you just tell us now?" I heard Sofia ask.
"Yeah, I mean it's not like we'll be able to catch that girl anytime soon." Hans reasoned.
"Besides, isn't Dracula supposed to be evil?" Luca reasoned. "How do we know he doesn't see us as a food?"
Turning around, I faced my friends. "Dracula isn't like that. You've all known him as Drake for almost year." I pointed out. "He's my friend and he's just been kidnapped. I'm not going to waste my time arguing." I stormed towards the entrance.
"And we're not your friends?" Sofia shouted.
I growled in frustration. "You're not in danger, Dracula, Spider, Baba, and Renfield are! Stop being so selfish just because I don't tell you all of my secrets." I pushed open the door. "If you were really my friend, you wouldn't be trying to guilt me during a crucial time."
"Lizzie." Sofia sounded hurt.
"She's right," I heard Harrison, "you've been trying to pry Lizzie while she was helping her friends." He let out a sound of frustration. "You even knocked her wand out of her hand, while she was trying to stop that girl."
"So it's my fault now?" Sofia screamed in frustration. "I wasn't the one keeping secrets."
"Everyone keeps secrets," Harrison sounded angry, "even you." As I walked down the church's steps , I felt a hand on my shoulder. "Lizzie wait, I want to help-"
I heard Sofia scream and felt a gust of wind shove me down the stairs. Harrison wrapped his arms around me as we went down. I could see dark swirling clouds in the sky and green lighting.
"Harrison!" I heard both twins screaming, their voices coming closer.
A familiar feeling went through my body as we hit the ground.