I do not own…
The two cops had taken Alex and the others to the police station. Andy and Natalie had called their parents to come pick them up. With Alex she knew better than to call her mom so she called her grandpa. She knew he wouldn't be angry like her mom would. Actually the moment Simon entered the station she could tell he was holding back from laughing.
"Officer Thomason." Simon greeted
"Of hell no. What the hell are you doing here, Dixon?" Thomason sighed
"I'm here to pick up my granddaughter. Alex Dixon." Simon said
"I should have known she was related to you. Why else would she have this on her person?" Thomason said and held out a bag with her switchblade in it.
Simon couldn't help but smirk.
"Kids need to protect themself somehow. With how the world is…no one is safe." He said "She has her parents' permission to have it. And she knows to only use it in case of an emergency."
"Well then you can tell her parents to come down here to sign to get it back." Thomason said
"It's just her mom. The sperm-donor-bastard-of-a-father is off somewhere that I don't give a fuck." Simon scoffed
Officer Thomason gave him a look of understanding but still told him that Leah had to come to sign for it. With that done Alex left with Simon.
"First day here and you got arrested." Simon laughed
"Technically, I wasn't arrested." Alex said
"Well your mother isn't gonna see it that way." Simon said
"Do we have to tell her?" She groaned
"This is a small town." Simon said as they reached his truck. "She'll find out about this one way or another. It would be better if you told her."
Alex groaned as she and Shadow got in his truck. Before heading home they headed back to the Marstein Hill as she had to get her bike. It was still there and Simon placed it in the back of his truck. As he drove off the old man looked at the burn down house with hate in his eyes.
"Why did you come here anyway?" He asked
"The place gave me the creeps since I arrived here. And last night I thought I saw light coming from that place." She explained "After what John told me about the town I guess I wanted to make sure it was nothing."
"And your mother wants you out of this life when you have good instincts." He muttered before noticing that she wasn't wearing her cross. "Why aren't you wearing the cross that I gave you?"
"It's daylight, I didn't think I would need it." She said
" I told you to always wear it. It could help you identify the enemy." He said
Not wanting to argue she just nodded.
"And what did John tell you about this town?" He asked
"That it was once overrun by vampires. And that the head vampires' name was Barlow." She said "You killed him right?"
"I helped brought him down. The death blow belonged to a man named Ben Mears. After what Barlow had done to him he deserved to kill the bastard." He said
"Ben Mears?" Alex muttered before remembering where she heard the name. "That kid Caleb Thomason told me a story about him. When Ben Mears was a kid he went into the Marsten House on a dare and saw the ghost of Hubie Marsten."
"That's the same Mears." Simon said "He and a kid named Mark Petrie were the last to face Barlow off."
"Where are they now?" Alex asked
"Mears retired somewhere in South America. Petrie is a Priest now. He actually works in towns' church. Came at the same time as I did when this place was rebuilt." Simon replied.
Alex nodded.
"What do you think of the new owner of the Marsten house?" She asked
"Check out the name and they're real but that doesn't mean shit." He said "That house and that land attracts those with dark hearts. Humans and monsters, it doesn't matter. We're just gonna have to keep an eye on them."
When they got home Leah was already there and just like Simon said she found out. Alex ended up grounded for a week and all her electronics were taken. The young teen didn't see the point as she knew no one in this small town. With her switchblade, Leah got it from the police station but it was also grounded from her. But without Leah knowing Simon had sneaked Alex one of his own blades. Despite what his daughter believed Simon had a gut feeling that something will happen in this town and Alex needed to be prepared.
The next morning Alex had watched the destruction go down from her bedroom window. She let out a sigh of relief once the house was gone and was now nothing but rubble. But the feeling of being watched never went away. Days have gone by and all the rubble that was left behind was gone and a new construction crew started building.
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.
A week had gone by and it was the day of the Washingtons' BBQ neighborhood party. When she was at the party Alex did her best to mingle a bit. The girl didn't see the point as she was already branded as a delinquent to some of the neighbors after what happened. She had met the Washingtons' kids. They were okay but neither were the type that she would hang out with. All of them were athletes and overachievers thanks to their parents. Carrie and Emma are twin sisters that were around Alexs' age and are both into swimming sports, A.P Math, A.P Science and took Latin classes. Their son, Eric, is the eldest kid of the Washingtons' and he's the captain of the football team, captain of the Debate team, and was also in a lot of A.P classes that their parents put him in. Alex could tell that he hated it all and just wanted out but he wouldn't say anything.
"So how about you Alex? Do you play any sports or do any clubs?" Carrie asked
"I've done fencing and gymnastics since I was three." Alex shrugged
She has also done Jiu Jitsu and Kickboxing thanks to Simon. It was the only compromise Leah would agree with.
"Well…our high school has a good cheerleading team…that's kind of like…gymnastic." Emma said
"Have you ever thought of swimming? It's great for your arm muscles?" Carrie suggested
Feeling like Alex had nothing else to talk to them about, she excused herself. She texted her mom that she was leaving and she decided to head home. When she got to her house Caleb was there waiting on the porch.
"Hi." Caleb said as he stood up.
"Hi." She said "How did you know where I lived?"
"My dad. I…I wanted to apologize for getting you in trouble." He said
"You didn't get me in trouble. I went there on my own." She said
"The drugs…" He replied
"Not my first time. You have nothing to apologize for." She smiled
Caleb shyly nodded and adjusted the backpack that he was carrying. It was quiet for a moment before Alex asked him if he wanted a soda. He agreed and she let him inside. There were a few Cokes in the fridge and she took out two. They headed back outside and sat under the tree with the rope swing. Shadow, who was in the back, saw them and ran up to greet them. When they sat down the dog headed back to his dog house but kept an eye on the new boy. The whole time Caleb kept looking at Marsten Hill. The house was already being built but only the wood outline was set.
"Sorry, that you didn't get to see any ghosts." Alex said "Your dad wasn't hard on you, was he?"
"He's always like that. He doesn't approve of my…interest." He said
He slid off his backpack and opened it up. Inside were a bunch of comics books and other paranormal magazines.
"He doesn't care for the supernatural?" She asked
"He thinks it's all kid stuff. He doesn't say it out loud but I can tell he wished that he had a different son." He said "Someone that doesn't read comic books, anime or believe in ghosts."
Seeing that sadness in his eyes Alex asked what kind comic books he had. He said that he had loads and he wasn't kidding. He had Marvel, DC and some horror comics. She picked out one that had a black character that was dressed in all black, wore shades, wielded a sword and was baring fangs.
"Who's this?" She asked
"That's Blade. He's one of my favorites. He's a dhampir. You know a half human and half vampire. He has all their abilities but none of their weaknesses." He smiled "After his mom was killed by a vampire while pregnant with him, the vampire virus turned him into dampire. So he devoted his whole life to rid the world of vampires."
"Huh…never heard of a dhampir before." She muttered
"You never saw his movies?" He asked in disbelief.
Alex shook her head and kept looking through his collection. X-Men, Spiderman, Hulk, Captain America, Superman, The Flash, Wonder Woman and many more that had special abilities.
"You really like heroes with superpowers." She commented
"I guess you can say that I relate to them." He said with a weak smile. "Being different and all."
Alex could understand that.
"There you are!"
Alex looked up and saw that it was the girl from the Multiplex, Cleo, popping her head over the fence. She unlocked the fence door and entered the backyard.
"My brothers' not bothering you is he?" She asked
"Brother?" Alex asked Caleb.
"She's my twin sister, Cleo." Caleb smirked, "The amature film artist."
Cleo smiled before flipping the bird at him.
"You should have told me you were coming here. I needed to talk to her." Cleo said
"About?" Alex asked
"Well I was able to talk to my boss. Stacys' friends did work…as I warned him they won't. He's willing to give you an interview on Monday if you still want a job." Cleo said
Alex was glad to hear that and agreed. After Cleo telling Alex what time the meeting was and what she would need to bring, they headed off. They would have stayed longer but their dad was picking them up. The man honked his horn telling them that he was there and two left. Caleb only stopped for a moment to hand her one of his comics. It was the one she looked at, Blade. He thought she would like it.
And to her surprise she actually did. Blade was an interesting character. He had the same strength and speed as the vampires. His only weakness was his thirst. He tries to suppress the thirst with a serum. She wanted to learn more about him.
Alex remembered that there is a comic book store in town and made a mental note to check it out. She turned one page and there was a side where a child vampire was feasting on a grown man. Alex looked at it with wince as she took a huge chunk out of the guy's throat. Then she winced in pain as a flash rushed passed through her brain. The comic book fell to the bed as an image was fuzzing through.
It was her, around age four and a man around his forties approached her. They were in a park, right next to a river and it was snowing. For some reason she was alone. The man looked friendly but it was the way he was looking at her. She didn't like it. She wanted to go home.
'Kill'
'Let me out'
The man started caressing her face and saying how pretty she was. He stepped a bit closer and she started hearing something else. It was coming from him. It sounded like thumping. His heart was pounding. But how? How is she hearing it?
'Kill'
'Let me kill'
When he tried to caress the rest of her body everything went black. She could hear the man screaming and there were some crunching noises. Then the next moment everything came back to vision and she saw the man lying on the ground. Throat nearly ripped off and his chest was opened up. Alex looked at herself and she was covered in blood.
"Alex!"
The little girl looked up and saw her mom running towards her.
"Alex!"
"Alex."
Alex snapped her head up when she saw that it was Leah. She was sitting on her bed, hand on her shoulder and looking worried.
"Honey, what happened?" Leah asked, "Are you okay?"
"Yeah…just a migraine…I think." Alex groaned
"I'll get you some pain killers." Leah said
She came back with four motrins pills and a tall glass of water. Alex took them and Leah just looked at her with worry. Leah looked down when she noticed that she was sitting on something. She raised a brow when she saw what it was about.
"Since when do you read comic books?" She asked
"That boy, Caleb, came over and gave it to me." Alex said
"You brought a boy in the house?" Leah asked in disbelief
"No, mom. We just hangout in the backyard and just talk while reading comic books." Alex said dryly. "Don't worry, we didn't have sex if that's what you're worried about."
"Maybe you should sleep early? Rest that migraine off." Leah suggested
She placed the comic book on the nightstand and helped her get in the covers. Alex's head was throbbing so much pain that she didn't fight back. What Leah really wanted to do was burn that book. She was worried that it would give Alex ideas or worse…memories. Memories that she and Simon tried to erase.
"Did you take your meds today?" She asked
"For fuck sakes mom." Alex groaned
"Just answer me." Leah said
Alex would have rolled her eyes if her head didn't hurt so much.
"Yes. I did." She said
Leah wanted to double check and check the mini fridge. But she knew it would bring out more questions. She just had to make a mental note to do so before turning off the lights and left the room. So to calm her nerves she headed downstairs and went to the kitchen to get some wine. She poured herself a large amount and took a long sip. It was enough to ease her nerves a bit but the worry was still there. After a few more sips she walked to the living room and turned on the T.V. She picked a random show before turning the volume up. Leah took another sip of her wine before glancing at the stairs. She knew Alex wasn't up so she took out her phone and called Simon.
"Leah? Is something wrong?" Simon asked
"No. It's just…" She let out a light laugh. "I don't know why I'm calling. I'm probably overreacting over nothing." She sighed
"Did something happen with Alex?" He asked
"No. I don't know, honestly. She was…she was reading this comic book about Vampires and…when I went into her room she was clutching her head and…had this look on her face." She said and looked at the stairs. "It looked like she was in a trance. And…I don't know…I could have been seeing things but…I could have sworn I saw a little red in her eyes."
"Leah, calm down. You know how you get." He said as he waited for a few seconds before continuing. "Now…has she been taking her meds?"
"She said she has but I can't be sure. I couldn't check as she would ask questions."
"Leah…I know you don't want to hear this…but there is a possibility that her body is getting immune to it." He said "She needed to know."
"Dad, no. We…we talk about this." She glared
"Leah, we can't keep hiding this from her. Sooner or later she will find out the truth. And who knows how she'll take it." He said "We could have prepared her. Train her on how to control her abilities."
"Daddy. We…were doing this for her. The meds were to contain it and keep him and her away from her scent." She said
"Yes, but nothing stays buried forever. Seti, he's a persistent bastard. He wanted Alex. He wanted her more than the other children he created." He replied "Who knows where his spies can be."
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Los Angeles
The man looked down upon them as sat on his throne, swirling his drink in his hand. They were all dancing. Not giving a care to what's around them. Wearing relieving clothes that showed a lot of sink. Drinking whatever was given to them. Hoping to court towards whoever caught their eyes.
Cattle.
That's all they were to him. Nothing but food to superior beings such as his people. He only created these clubs to entertain him and his brides. They always enjoyed watching them make fools of themselves before hearing them scream in terror. But now…they are becoming boring. Los Angeles was becoming too predictable and easy for them. And hunters are beginning to notice. He didn't mind. He hoped it would bring some entertainment for them. What brought him out of boredom was his cell phone that was his desk. He didn't bother to get it as one of his lovely brides, Talia, got up from the king size bed and answered it.
"Hello Mallory. What do we owe for pleasure?" Talia said
"I want to speak to him." Mallory growled
Talia looked over at her beloved and could see that he was uninterested.
"He's busy right now. If you want his attention you better have something good to tell him." Talia smirked, "Is the place ready?"
"You know it'll take a few more months." Mallory hissed "Humans take too long work. I had offered them extra pay just to work at night."
Lucy, the second bride, got off the bed and walked over towards their beloved. She caressed his shoulder before getting in front of him. They looked at each other with lust in their eyes as she started dancing in front of him.
"Then is Daniel in trouble?" Talia asked
This got his full attention. He was very protective of his children.
"Dan's fine. Still mad that we moved here. But he'll get over it." Mallory sighed "No…I've been watching this family. And I think it's the one he's been after. The one that he's been looking for."
Their beloved stood up and took the phone from her.
"Alex? You saw her?" He asked
The third bride, Evie, sat up from the bed as she heard the name. Talia and Lucy looked at each other with a smile. Mallory sighed in relief as she heard her beloved voice.
"I believe it's her. But…she doesn't smell like Daniel or the others." She said
Evie got up from the bed and was about to leave till their beloved snapped his fingers. Mentally telling her to stay put. She glared at him and looked like she was about to defy him. When he growled and showed his true form she sat back down on the bed.
"You said Simon is there. It has to be her. Keep an eye on her. Find out everything about her." He ordered
"Of course, my love." Mallory said
"And find out what's keeping her scent from me." He said "And when you do…destroy it."
With that said he hung up. He looked at his two wives and caressed their faces.
"Feed. Enjoy yourselves." He said
"Aren't you gonna join us?" Lucy asked
He looked over at Evie, who was pouting.
"We need to talk." He said
Talia and Lucy understand and leave the two to talk.
"Why are we waiting? It has to be her." Evie said "Cronus, it has to be our…"
Cornus shushed her as he stood in front of his wife. He knew how sensitive this subject was for her. Simon, Leah and John took their child away before they could even hold her.
"I know, my love." He whispered and took her hand into his. "But we need to make sure. And if it is her. We need to find John next. And all those that he loved."
He pulled her to him to stand up and gave her a heated kiss.
"We'll make him watch as we feed upon his boys."