Hey There,

Welcome Back Halloween and PCA fans! Sorry that this chapter took a bit longer than I meant it to. Getting here, but hopefully it is worth the wait. As ever, thank you so much for giving this story and chance, as unusual as it is and making this super fun plot such a trip. Bless you all and hope it's a fun read. It's been a BALL imagining all of this, for me. And thank you so much for coming along for the ride.

And since today is Matt Underwood's birthday, it just seemed like the perfect time to post! Even though I still plan to post this Thursday too! So, hopefully this was a little treat for everyone!

Standard disclaimers Apply! - I don't own Zoey 101, Zoey 102, Nickleloden, MTV, or any of the other trademarked things mentioned. I am mere borrowing all of these things for my own twisted plots, most will be returned unharmed.

Special thanks to the few readers who have placed this story on their story alert list or favorite stories list. Also a special thanks to the few of you who have placed me on your favorite author's list or author's alert list. That is high praise and I hope I won't let any of you down.

Special thanks to my reviewers: [my friend] Rose-Aki (Hey girl! Thank you for taking the time and energy to not only read, but also review. God bless you for that alone. Your friendship and boundless kindness has been an inspiration always. Yes! Quinn was as concerned as James and Logan did lend her something to protect her for sure. I had so much fun including the grim reaper attached to that amulet too. Thank you so much for saying all of their interactions still carried that magic. Their connection and care for one another. That meant so much to me, because I know how far out this plot is and the fact that it's still Quogan and synced up like that… Thank you so much! Also your compliments on including Miles and the reminder of him not being an OC. But a part of the second season. I can't tell you how much that meant too. I felt like a bad fan when I was going back to the bot-war episode and making sure what that kid's name was. LoL! AND that you're looking forward to this next chapter. And the peek back in on Logan's perspective! I hope you're reading, relaxing, and unwinding. Hope you're having a GREAT week! Take Care and Much Love!), And [my friend] AwkwardGurl05 (This story was how I met you and you inspired my second Halloween fic for these two God Bless you! It's crazy to jump back to this fic after so much has been going on and see where it all started. But your friendship has been one of the best things to come from this CRAZY shot in the dark of plot. That I was so worried to even share in the beginning, and I can't thank you enough for that. AND you recommended the 'Wednesday' series too. I will happily chat ANY thing Addams! I'm that hardcore about that fandom. I can now boast of watching it ALL. LoL! Thanks again for that! You mentioned in this review that you were thinking about rejoining, and I know since then that you have! I'm still so glad that you're back and hope you're still feeling welcome! I hope I can one day make it to a fan-con-experience of some type too. They always happen too far away from my home right now. Yes, 2020 was the dark times wasn't it? I see signs from the loved ones I've lost too, all the time. Letting me know they're around and some of them have gotten MAD creative too. LoL! It makes you feel good doesn't it? I'm glad I've got my mom and sis too. I'm also glad you've got your husband, he sounds like a real gem! I'm so calling it Valloween from now on too. Can't wait to decorate for that next year! You're a great listener and I can't tell you what your sharing and openminded, open-heartedness [I think that's a word] has meant to me since we started talking more. It has literally carried me through some dark support has meant the world. I love how even here we were manifesting a series reboot. LoL! And talking about how cool it was to get the movie 15 years later. My sis is awesome for getting me to binge this series the first time. It's so cool how you collect the book series of Zoey too now. I think that's so cool. Yes Quogan's getting a little closer, and this update's gonna FINALLY be from Logan's perspective as promised for two chapters now. LoL! Quinn just kept stealing the show and it's the only time Logan doesn't complain about me not being more meticulous about the pattern set up here. He doesn't mind as much when Quinn keeps telling stories. LoL! It's only when anyone else keeps stealing his shot that he speaks up. Hope that this is reaching you very well! Hope you're having a GREAT day! Take Care and Much Love!)

Dedicated to Olivia! This is a part of your birthday gift too, even if it is belated! winkwink!

Enjoy!

"Monster Movie Mayhem"

Chapter 5 - Ghoul Friends!

[AN: Finally as promised!]

(Logan's Perspective - And yes, he's still dreaming)

I had to hide all of my reactions and play it super cool. Like vampire cool! Which is a thing too.

I had to act like more of a concerned new friend. Who hasn't been around for years, and years… even though where I'm from. We were friends LONG before we started dating. Yes, I really think even back then I liked her a whole lot more than even I knew. Don't sidetrack me. I had to act 'friendly' and 'casually interested. NOT like a threatened, jealous, and LIVID boyfriend. Even though that's really who I am, right now.

Very different vibes altogether… And I - COULD - NOT - MESS - THIS - UP! That would ONLY make matters worse than they already ARE! Make me look crazy and make Quinn even more likely to never want to date ever again. Especially if she has to suffer from another MINUTE of Mark's or Brody's sh*t!

Thank goodness things hadn't been like this when we needed Brody to build us that bot. Back at PCA, when Nicole was still around. It never would have happened, if he'd been this obviously into my girlfriend… Even if she wasn't my girlfriend yet back then. Not at all.

Hadn't he been into Nicole back then? I'm remembering that right, aren't I? She's at this party too… somewhere? Did he not see her? I need to talk to Nicole and see if she's met him. If they've dated at some point or not. If they haven't, that could be the answer to everything. But if she's already been through a night with him in this world too… I'm SCREWED!

Miles was such a boring snob and know-it-all. And he doesn't know things in the cool way like Quinn does either, but in that AWFUL way that only tries to make people feel bad. For not knowing all that he knows, but no HUMAN - BEING - CAN know what he knows. He's like an alien from another planet! Like something prehistoric that died out for a reason! Because it's just WRONG!

Quinn's always trying to help people and better the world. What makes him think he stands a chance with someone like that?! I didn't even think I stood a chance with her. And if their's anything I'm not famous for it's doubting myself. Can you imagine all of the amazing things I had to see Quinn pull off to feel that way? To make a guy as secure as me doubt I can keep up with her?

Oh wait, maybe I should explain things a little bit better. In case, you're just tuning in.

Lydia was taken from Quinn, while she was recovering from her rebirth. James was attacked and hurt badly when Lydia was taken. So after fixing whatever she could for James. Quinn went on a little field trip to get Lydia back from Miles Brody.

Yes, the Miles Body aka our replacement bot builder who lived in the library (Not really, I just never saw him any other place really). In this black and white world Brody's the mad scientist of Halloweentown and resident doctor there. Since he's assigned the one-dinky-city practice in the one place like that… that means Quinn beat him out as the MADDEST doctor of all, too. Her reign is over ALL monsters. Haha! Chow on that, CHUMP!

My Dracula character has even more twisted history of dealing with Brody than I do. That all came out when he was mentioned and my mind was rushed with a ton of horrible memories. Some of that history I still don't know about. So I'd just warned Quinn about him the best I could and armed her with my most powerful protective magical amulet.

An amulet so lethal, it has a grim reaper tied to it. A reaper who was a good friend I could depend on and who ensured Quinn would be protected for her entire trip. Even if she needed me specifically because this reaper could teleport me there to the scene in Halloweentown. Day or Night! A trip I would have gone on with Quinn if the sun hadn't been out. SCREW the MONSTER freaking CODE! Of ONE monster per BATTLE! If heroes get to team up, so should we!

If this all hadn't began during daylight hours, there's no way I would have let Quinn go alone. But Kelly the Reaper did a fantastic job of not only protecting Quinn. But telling me everything he could when he returned, especially the things Quinn hadn't mentioned. But as good as his coverage was… I feel like there's still some things missing in all of that feedback.

When Quinn was finally back, safe and sound, from all of this. Lydia too, and James was already looking so much better. I had to act my a$$ off. I used to be such a GREAT actor before this. I know that I was! My dad hadn't just been pumping up my ego when he said I was good. Chauncy either, even though he was rolling his eyes, at the time.

No! They had been serious and I had been good. I know I was.

I could act anything, any time, anywhere… Whatever my dad needed, to fill in the gaps on any of his projects. I was his guy, just as much as his kid. I could direct, I 'had vision' for that kind of work, I took a hint, I could act, dance, anything he'd needed! Where did that guy go? And how did I get here?

I fell in real love with the real Quinn, and dream Quinn feels NO different. She's still the only colored thing about this whole boring world. And now I couldn't act like I'd used to. When I felt things for her before we were dating. I'd been mean to her on purpose, picked fights with her, called her names, and acted like a jerk. So I would still get to talk to her, but I didn't do anything stupid… You know, like showing her how much I actually liked her.

That couldn't work NOW! I already know what it's like to have her as a girlfriend and I'm worse than spoiled. I'm ruined for anyone else. I can't even look at other girls the same anymore. They're all just there now.

Given this is all a dream and I'm likely to still be a good actor when I get outta here. I can be that guy again when I wake up. But Count Dracula me… a shambles of a person, might as well add CAN'T act to the pile of "can't"s for extra credit. Just a wreck! I'm really hoping it's that he can't act when it comes to Quinn. Because what Dracula can't lie? It's kinda part of the role!

I did still have to act though, no matter how unbelievable, I was. Because the whole time Quinn had been gone with Brody. I didn't feel like I could take a full breath. Not till Quinn was finally back to stay. For good at Lola-vira's Castle and not teleporting between here and Halloweentown anymore. Till she was safe and sound, miraculously without making ANY kind of deals with Brody! Brody who's contracts are way worse than my dad's. And my dad's been compared to Hades in this life as well the real one for his Hollywood contracts and legal team.

Hmph, Brody!

What a snake, what a prick!

Kelly the reaper, told me all about him trying to bait Quinn into taking off the protective magic I'd sent her wearing. Trying to get her to take off the amulet that enabled my reaper friend to follow and protect her. He also warned me that there had been no shortage of flirting from Brody, as he'd tried his DAMNEST to come on to Quinn. And how all of his efforts were SHOT DOWN! I wish I could have caught more of his instant replay on those epic fails. One by one, but I know I'm the jealous type just as much as all forms of Quinn are too. So it's probably better that I didn't see and put my fist or foot through someone's projector screen… again.

I wish that I could boast that I had been the reason Quinn had kept dodging him. That she was with me. That she was my girlfriend like she is the real world. But this Quinn doesn't even know my real first name. She calls me 'Drac' and she'd never date more than one guy at a time. Even when she'd been with Mark, she was faithful, and wouldn't even think of anyone else… why couldn't he treat her the same? It wasn't hard at all, I should know! After nearly a year with her… It had been as easy as breathing for me.

But this Quinn, Monster Quinn… INSANE mad scientist Dr. Quinn! The only colorful thing in this whole black and white world has been hurt so terribly. By Mark that she's not interested in dating ANYONE ever AGAIN! Not even me! And I know that I'm not easy to turn down like that. Not constantly! How? I own mirrors, and I've seen myself. Plus, I've never treated her like Mark did. Not even as a friend I treated her better than he EVER did… Since we started dating. That stuff before had been more about hiding feelings than anything else.

But I knew better than to push her into ANY thing she doesn't want to do… I had to be patient. Even if x-rays have confirmed that I don't have a single patient bone living in my whole body. Undead or alive! I HAD to!

This would all still be so much easier if Mark weren't a complete douche and if I had been here to help Quinn get over that breakup when it had first happened… not a century later. I don't know if that's the actual count on how late I am. It feels close, it's probably ballpark.

Kelly also said that Brody had told Quinn some absolute bullsh*t about me giving her 'Kellyscythe' to wear (the name of the amulet). He'd said it was basically me 'staking' a claim on her, romantically. Trying to say she was mine. What a crazy lie! He must have wanted at her bad! And hated not having a chance at her, not if he likes living this afterlife.

I mean, I'd like to say she's mine, of course, I would.

But not yet! Not before she's ready to hear that! And DEFINITELY not before it's her idea.

That's not what Kelly's protection detail is about at all! I mean… not really… I just wanted to make sure wherever she went without me, she was still safe, and had a way back to me - I mean, her lab, her creation, James, and the party. Or a way I could get to her quickly, and track her while I was still locked away avoiding the sun. When I was caring for James in her place. Just while she was gone. Taking turns with Vince who wasn't the smartest monster in this realm. But even in real life he has a real knack for taking care of people. He is training to be a first responder. A paramedic, when he's done with school.

I wanted Quinn to go without having to worry about anything else. But finding Lydia and bringing her back to James. Because that was ALL she should have been worried about at the time.

And she'd done that, James was fully recovered in a couple of days.

Lydia's eyes finally popped open the following day.

Everything about her was black and white like all the other monsters… except for her electric blue eyes. They looked like electricity was always in her irises. And that current looked bright blue… some people couldn't look her in the eye because of it… So I always made a point of looking her in the eye when I talked to her.

I had been in the lab when it happened… when she woke up. James and Quinn had been there too and we all were so glad to see she was alright. The three of us were so relieved to see her wide and monstrous eyes looking back at us. It had been a really cool moment. But while Quinn had hugged James just fine… she was a little funny hugging me, the end of that hug had felt so weird… even James had been making a face at me. Like, "What was that?"

Like I knew? I was just as clueless.

Lydia was even tilting her head at us, like we didn't make sense to her… When NOTHING was making sense to her. How low is that?

Since then, Quinn and James have been diligently working with the new Queen. To get her up, moving, talking, and expressing herself… functioning like all of the monsters surrounding her. They're not trying to rush her, but they are hoping to help her establish all of these things as soon as possible.

Like seriously no one's seen either one of them, outside of the lab much. They've both been so hard at work with Lydia. And I guess she really needed all of it. I've been still helping as much as I can. But I knew when to quit… and circle the party still happening.

Which Lola-vira's Party had reached NEW levels of celebration. As this new queen came officially ALIVE, this Frankenstein-like creation had finally graced this realm… a female one. And there were now WAY more monsters arriving from Halloweentown. Monsters who wanted to thank Quinn, for her help when she'd been on their turf. And all of them end up staying for the party. Leave it to Quinn to leave here with one goal in mind. And STILL win over a whole bunch more people just being herself. It was just like everything else she does… Amazing and Inspiring, and she's just being herself.

How could I not love her? How could I not want her all the time? It's just something I can't do anymore, not like I used to before… no matter how much I try.

But with all of this work on Lydia and James… I haven't had even a second alone with her since she came back from Halloweentown. No matter how I've tried to help or contribute to the cause in the lab. I can never get her out of it anymore, she won't really talk to me anymore, or even look at me when she speaks anymore… WHAT is THAT?

And those of you thinking. Well, she's busy. She's basically helping a baby the size of a full-grown woman learn how to function. It's gonna take time… you're right, but you haven't seen what I've SEEN. And I can read my girlfriend's actions and body language like a book after nearly a YEAR of watching her. ALWAYS watching her, even when I don't mean to because I can't help it.

Whatever Brody said to her. Whatever other things Kelly isn't even telling me. They've put her on guard with me more than anyone else, and I can't even get a minute with her to explain how he's LIED to her. She won't hear it even if I try right now.

Yes, she's busy. Lydia and James may be her primary focus. As they should be right now. But there's also this HUGE wall between us right now… A wall I would give anything to tear down or climb! She's giving me the Heisman, the brush off.

Which would be fine, if I'd dealt with it before now… BUT she DIDN'T do this BEFORE!

I know she's scared! I can feel it!

In my world, I know Quinn so well. Her every sign and tell is so OBVIOUS these days.

Sometimes I know her better than she knows herself. And she knows me just as well.

She's. Avoiding. Me.

I have no clue WHY! But I can't even fix it! Cause I don't KNOW what it IS!

And she's calling it 'caring for her creation.'

More like not wanting to get her heart broken again… and now I'm scared of losing her.

Scared I won't be able to get her to see… I would never hurt her… ever.

That she won't let me ever touch her again, or kiss her again.

I'm just… terrified… of this more than anything in this freak-filled Castle. And Freddy Krueger, just took up residence in the cell next to mine! Theirs even a legion of chainsaw welding killers that just arrived too… and this is still scarier than ALL of them!

Just as I'm about to go in the lab for another night of 'keep away'… Where she won't even look my way! And I'm doing EVERYTHING I can THINK of to HELP her ANYWAY! Getting NOTHING back!

I find Nicole sitting on some dead-looking flowers as a small fairy. She was the size of a ping pong ball surrounded in a dozen guy fairies that same size. It took me a full thirty minutes to ask her if she'd ever dealt with Dr Miles Brody? But, OF COURSE, (the way this day's ALREADY going) she HAS already dated him before. So that plan's a total BUST.

As if things needed to get worse, Nicole shared a quick blurted story. About spending a decade trapped in Brody's greenhouse. He'd trapped her there and there were no flowers in the whole place for her to rest on. Which is a criminal offense for fairies like her… doesn't sound very spooky but I took her word for it.

I find Michael the Pumpkin King playing a very sad tune on his flute not far from the laboratory entrance door. Back home he at least does things like this in our closet, not out in the open...okay, when he does it out in public. Chase always swears it's a cry for help… and I don't know what made me stop and ask him, "What's up with you?" But I did.

He sang to me, like this was a musical, (Why disney… just WHY?) "Oh! Go on your way, Count Dracula. Go on to the lab, Help the GOOD doctor. It's nothing important."

I should have listened to him, I should have kept going. But Chauncy's warning floated back to me from the back of my mind. 'To win Quinn's heart all of our friends needed to be matched up correctly. For her to find happiness, everyone around us had to find their happiness too.' And as I thought about it, the only times I've had breakthroughs with Quinn, in this life, this dream, or movie… WHATEVER this IS! Had been whenever that fact was true. Even for the length of a dance on the dance floor. So maybe this was where my focus needed to be… tonight, anyway.

So I took the hook and asked Michael to "Tell me what's on your mind."

Not knowing (though I probably should have, by now… I've been here FOREVER) that this question would send Michael and all of the other inhabitants of Halloweentown. Into a full Broadway-sounding song explaining how Michael wants Lisa to be his 'Ghoul Friend.' I'll spare your ears, the way I couldn't save mine, and just leave it at that.

((AN: To anyone wondering… I was imagining a creepy version of *NSYNC's song "Girlfriend" changed to "Ghoul Friend" LoL! It's just where my mind took me! Not to mention Michael could have worked that swag! I have full faith in that!))

When the performance was finally over, I asked him. "What's wrong? Doesn't she like you? Have you tried asking her out?"

He almost sang his answers to me, but I got him to stop and he explained. "I tried, but she's already got a boyfriend."

I asked, "Who the hell is he? Who can upstage anything I just saw? You're the Pumpkin King, aren't you? King of Halloweentown?"

"Why, YES! Haha, Yes, I Am the Pumpkin King!" He'd bowed to me, "Thank you Count Dracula! I will try again. And THIS time, I'll make it so good she won't be ABLE to think the word no. HahaHA!"

But as soon as he was walking away. I remembered how Michael had gotten with Lisa in the real world. It hadn't been me who had gotten them together… it had been technically Zoey's doing and Chase's nearly crushing Lisa with his out-of-control go-kart. Since Michael's a Jack Skelington ripoff in the world. And this wasn't happening anywhere near Christmas just yet. I figured this was the better bet to lead with. Micheal and Lisa's story instead of Nightmare's stolen Christmas plot… if it doesn't work, we can always wait till then.

I'll probably still be here! Doing my part, challenging Chase to a race of somekind! Only this time I'll WIN!

The rate things are going right now, SOMETHINGS gotta go right for me EVENTUALLY! Why can't it be winning a race I should have won in the first place?

So first I clued in Zoey and the other girls (besides Quinn) to Michael's interest in Lisa. Then I challenged Chase to a race.

Only instead of racing go-carts in this old-world place. Which would have made no sense at all… we were making this a race among monsters, in Lola-vira's radioactive moat that surrounds this decrepit-looking castle. It just seemed like the best way to channel the same race… and hopefully results. The other monsters were all excited about watching it… And I'm not gonna lie. I was really planning on winning this time, before all of that other crap happens!

Hey! I can dream, right?

If my boat fails, I'd made sure to say we could use our magic. So. I could still turn into a bat and fly the whole race and win! If I can! Knowing I wouldn't lose this time! And I knew Quinn was way too busy to help anyone build a boat or anything else. So CHASE was on his own! HA! This win would be a cakewalk!

But then it turns out that JUST like our world. Michael's second attempt to ask Lisa out went just as horribly wrong. (Yeah, he even hurled again too) Making her accept another werepanther monster from the crowd. She started dating him on the SPOT and calling him her 'little love-panther'… Eww! Michael didn't take it well at all.

He was playing his flute all sad when the race was starting.

But JUST LIKE that race, I lost to Chase in the real world…

SOMEHOW even though she's too busy to look ME in the EYES!

Chase showed up with a boat that Quinn hadn't JUST built for him and his special brand of monster magic. BUT she was in the boat with him when he came up to the starting line. And she'd stepped out with help from Wolfman Vince by taking his hand.

And I felt just as FURIOUS as I had felt that day on the track. Only this was WAY worse! I was so JEALOUS I was seeing waves of RED RAGE and ENVY GREEN at the edges of my sight!

I mean, how the HELL!?

Because Quinn hadn't been my girlfriend yet when this had happened before. Now that real Quinn had been with me… it felt like a twisting knife in my gut and BACK!

But she COULDN'T see me that ANGRY!

Thank goodness I was wearing a helmet that hid SOME of my reactions. I couldn't afford to make this rift between us WIDEN anymore. I'd NEVER get home if I did. Do you know how hard that actually was for me? How hard and how crazy? I had to basically not TALK at all! I had to nod through everything. And keep my face concealed as much as possible but also prove that it really was me up there… Not a stand in.

As if I need more frustration in my life…

Just like that race too, I COULDN'T win. No matter what!

And when Chase pulled it off again! SOMEHOW Winning by a landslide! AGAIN! Leaving me in the DUST! I knew it wasn't any talent on his end of things… Nope it was because of the GENIUS powering his boat, that was ALLLLLLLLLLLLL Quinn! You can't tell me otherwise!

And just like before, he lost control! Right after he won it!

Just like before he crashed! Only I think this time was WAY more epic and monstrous.

His boat slammed into a huge rock pilar, destroying an entire footbridge. Which had only been just standing thanks to that rocky structure, leading to one of the many entrances of Lola-vira's Castle. And it just so happened to be the bridge that Lisa's possessed voodu doll body had been standing on. Michael saved her just like he had in my world, while her so-called boyfriend left her for dead. When Michael caught her and she realized he'd saved her from dying… you know, again. Just like in my world, she just kissed Michael and they were officially together.

Just like that.

BOOM!

How did they make that seem so damn EASY!

BAM! Face smoosh! AND we're done here, Goodnight everybody! That's a wrap!

Some people have ALLLLLLLLLLLL the luck!

Zoey went to check on Chase, and pull him outta the radioactive waters. Glowing and oozing with mutated lifeforms even Quinn can't indentify. His wrapping all needed to be changed out. And even AFTER all his wrappings were new, he was STILL glowed for a whole week afterward. Not even Quinn could fully figure out why that was.

But like the way she'd been avoiding me, before the race.

I stopped going to the lab every night or every spare moment like I had been doing before. After the race, I just didn't know what else to do… I was mad, HURT! I felt like my heart was bleeding out in my chest a little more with every agoninizing moment. Even if it couldn't beat here, it could still BLEED! I didn't know how to fix this… ANY of this…

And I was so close to giving up and just planning on spending eternity in this life… Mateless, hopeless and gutless!

But just as I was about to give up…

I climbed into my coffin and didn't plan on climbing out again anytime soon… AGAIN! Real Quinn's words reached me… somehow.

And she told me (Real Quinn), "Don't give up… don't lose heart… and don't you DARE quit on me! I know you're exhausted. These feverish dreams are draining and merciless in any fighter. I know it seems neverending this dream you're probably feeling trapped in. But if anyone can win, it's you, baby. You can do it, you can beat anything you set your mind to. And you find a way back to us, as fast as you can... but to all of us who care about you." She sounded closer and softer spoken as she said, "Find a way back to me... Please..."

When the sun went down, I climbed outta my coffin with a clear head and mission. I had to get back to my baby. Or die trying! What had I been thinking? I can't loose heart or quit! I just needed a new plan… I had no idea what that could be, but I just needed to wrap my head around things a little differently and figure out this new scrimmage.

THAT was when I remembered, how many times did both Quinn and me think this was over. In the beginning when we were so embarrassed to even be dating each other? Before those first 'I love you?'s? It had felt like a hundred times, while we'd been keeping it a secret. That I thought she wanted it over, or she thought I was gonna end things… OH MY GOD! It's still the same! This HAD to be mimicking those times, and thoughts… it was just the only explanation that worked!

With Michael happily part of a pair and Chase a lot closer to it than he EVER was in life (at this point, anyway). I started to work on the other pairs around the place. Even though I wasn't sure who was avoiding who anymore. Quinn or me, cause I wasn't looking at her and she wasn't looking at me.

Was Quinn avoiding me? Or was I evading her? I didn't want to make things worse, even when they were looking so bad, right now… So I focused on the other couples around us. Hoping that could somehow help us clear the air… eventually.

I got Stacey to agree to a date with the invisible man 'Mark.' I have no idea how they'll even see each other but… Whatever, it's progress, as long as they both show up… and speak up about it. I guess that's the only way they'll know the other's there. Stacey swears Mark isn't invisible to her, she sees him like she sees the rest of us, but I don't know if I buy that… because I have no idea how that works.

Next one to need help was Vince, who had been hanging around the labs as much me. Before I'd stopped going, he'd sort of picked up the slack when I'd left too. He'd stopped me to let me know, "Lydee's asking about you all the time. She misses you and how happy doc gets whenever you come around too."

"Is she speaking yet?" I'd asked knowing that had been the HUGIEST hole on her progress during all of my recent visits. The injuries her kidnapping had caused to her throat, shoulder, face and chest stitchings. Making speech impossible.

Vince had said, "No, but she always finds a way of letting her thoughts be known. Even without using the sign language we've all been teaching her." He'd chuckled at some memory.

But I was glad he'd started this little talk. Tempting fate a second time, I got him talking about what was going on. What could he be avoiding… Cause he was clearly ducking out on some of his own problems with Lola-vira. And it turns out, I'm Right.

Together we worked on getting him to tell Lola-vira what he was feeling.

I got Vince to tell Lola-vira that he wanted to be in a more serious arrangement with her.

He wanted to be more to her than just her ghoul friend for this party.

He wants to stay by her side, even when this party ends. And this had freaked her out like no beast in this whole place ever could. She'd panicked and I'd had to pull my best bestie card and try to help her out… even though the REAL Lola and me wouldn't have gotten through a word of this conversation seriously. Not without insults or bloodshed.

Lola-vira's the Party Queen of the Underworld! The Hostess with the Mostest! The Monsteress Majesty of the Masquerade! And whatever other crazy titles she gave herself in this life.

It fell to me to assure her. "That letting this wolfman love you 'seriously' isn't just alright. But expected when it's so obvious that you love him too."

Something that would have NEVER flown in the real world.

Lola doesn't turn to me for things like this AT ALL! But this Lola had been so vulnerable and almost shaking scared as she'd gripped my arm digging her bloodred fingernails into my arms, truly terrified of letting someone into her heart like that. Even a monster she obviously loves… a lot! And couldn't help but wonder, had the real Lola ever felt this insecure… EVER. I couldn't even picture it… she's always so sure of herself… but the same could be said about me, and I know I've had my doubts… Why couldn't the real Lola talk to me like this one?

Lola-vira even revealed, still gripping me like that, "I'm not used to anyone… really wanting to stick around me like he does. Or even like you have, for these parties we've attended together. No one ever thinks so much of me, besides I throw an awesome party and then I disappear… you know?"

"I never saw you like that." I had to tell her. "You're my best friend in this whole monster world, right? So doesn't that count as something?"

Lola-vira insisted, "Yeah! But he wants to be my boyfriend in a committed thing… I've never done that before… really. What if I mess it up… he's really great… for real! Not just in bed either, but in every way!"

I had to say, "I won't lie to you, that could happen. But what's worse? Trying and things and it not working out? Or never trying and totally missing out on something GREAT? Way better than anything you've ever had before. Lola, you love him… you know that, right?"

"I don't know?" She said so unsure sounding… she sounded more positive saying, "I might… I think I could. He's definitely the best I've ever dated… he's the most considerate, loyal, and protective… Even when he's shedding all over my sheets. Or he has that wet dog smell going everywhere."

"Then spend tonight partying with him, spend the whole night with him, if you dare. Let me run the hosting bit for a while. Spend as much time as you can with him and see how you're feeling after that. Then tell him your decision-"

"You sure, you won't mind lending us Dracula level hosting abilities for an evening?" Lola had asked nicely. Sorry but I still can't get over this friendship more than almost ANY other part of this world.

I waved her off, "Sure. What are you afraid I'll upstage you?" I challenged her.

She'd laughed in my face, a real laugh before she'd said, "Oh! I think I'd like to see that, Dracky! The hosting reins are all yours… for now."

"Then go give that dog a bone." I'd said suggestively and she'd gone off still laughing. But ran back and hugged me saying, "Thanks bestie!"

Then she really left.

She actually took my advice too. Lola! Did something I suggested, and let me host till I couldn't anymore (sunrise). Treating all of her guests to a Dracula-level party experience for one night. And I had every monster in the place swearing the next time I throw a party. They're ALL gonna be there.

After a few hours more of partying together. After SO much talking and laughing together… (the things I do and go through for Quinn, man? Watching this stuff and not gagging…even a little). Lola-vira finally agreed to be Wolfman Vince's steady ghoul friend too. They were making plans of where they would go when this party ended… like they could see an end that I couldn't!

Zoey even agreed to meet up with Chase for a sort of date together…. Just as the glowing finally started to fade on his newer changed wrappings…

AS - IF, she's set on some secret cue I don't know about… AFTER WEEKS of radio silence. Dr. Quinn came down from her labs and joined the party. I did wish she had chosen the night I had been doing the hosting for Lola. But we can't have it all, can we? And since I wasn't busy running this party… I was free for her to sit next to and say a timid, "Hey?" to.

She still wasn't looking at me, but she had spoken to me. So I said, "Hi." Not looking at her either.

Wanting to say anything to keep this going and being truly curious. I asked her, "How's Lydia?"

She said, "Ooh… she's really progressing well, but still not talking, unfortunately."

"Still? Is it from those popped stitches in her neck we found?" I asked. Even though Vince had sort of already filled me in.

She'd sighed in a still angry huff, "Yes! But she's somehow still very vocal. Even if she can't speak yet…she-" Quinn laughed, "She has a very unique and distinct way of expressing herself from day one. She misses you, ya know? She asks about you all the time."

I had to admit, "I miss her too, I'll swing by and see her when I can." Before I turned and zeroed in my focus on her and asked what I had been DYING to ask her all this time. "Is she the only one living in the labs who misses me?"

She grinned, looked me in the eye for the first time in WEEKS and said, "No."

"Really?" I asked crossing my arms.

"Of course, she isn't. No." She'd turned to face me too folding her legs up under neath her the same way mine were. "James and Vince have been telling her all about the party. And how you've been helping out around the other monsters…"

"Yeah, I've got some new friends out here too… just none like you." I had to admit. Before I finally asked her, "Why have you been avoiding me?"

She warned, ""I haven't wanted to talk about it. Because it just feels so stupid. All of it… my logic deduced he was lying to me the entirety of my stay in his labs… But still- Nope, this is ridiculous!" She almost got up and left, I saw that.

I had to keep telling myself, inside my head. 'Stay right here… don't rush her… don't scare her… let her talk it out… let her come to you…' But it was HARD! I wanted to run at this chance, keep her here by any means. Pull her off someplace more private if need be. We NEEDED to talk this whole thing out! We'd never get any place better till we did!O could accept anymore steps back.

But I just couldn't risk it. Even though I couldn't see myself, I knew I was tense and nervous mess. Sitting too straight, shoulders all rigid, I probably looked like I'd turned to stone. Like one of the gargoyles protecting the castle.

Before I even realized the significance of what I was saying, I told her, "Come on, talk to me."

Like I have one other time in particular. And just like that time, on 'our' bench on PCA's campus. She had been facing away from me and thinking about leaving then too. But when I said those words, she turned back to face me, and eventually her whole body turned towards me too. She said what she needed to. In the moment…

Just like then, she turned to face me and look at me that same way. But instead of saying "Mark had broke up with her."

This time she'd said, "I can't do this anymore."

That's kinda vague, so I asked, "Can't do what anymore?"

She pushed her glasses up her nose, "I can't keep thinking all of the things I've been thinking."

"Like what?" I couldn't take it anymore I scooted closer to her and a few monsters partying passed us at a distance. But we were so far off to the side, no one bothered us.

She let out a deep breath and I could tell this was the thing she'd been clinching on. Deep inside of herself, all this time, "Brody kept asking me… were we a thing…you and me, ya know? Were we a couple? Had I told you about 'my chosen next to nun-lifestyle of celibacy?' And no matter how many times I told him 'no,' that we weren't together like that, and confirmed that you're aware of my wishes and respect them. That I have no desire to date anyone right now, probably ever, and you're my friend. He kept asking me over and over… And he seemed convinced that there was something here… between us."

She said pointing between us and when she'd wagged her finger back and forth between us I leaned in closer to her. Before I had a chance to stop myself. It's like she was reeling me in, even if she didn't know it. With just a wave of that little finger.

I wanted to tell her how completely GONE I am. I've ALWAYS been. For her. But I just knew she wasn't ready to hear it yet.

I asked her, "Does it really surprise you that he doesn't get it?"

"No… it shouldn't, I guess." She's said, but she'd leaned closer too. And we were just not touching. It wasn't just me getting pulled across the distance. She had her arms folded around her so tightly too, "Why do so many monsters, feel like they need to tell you what they think, all the time?" She'd asked sounding miserable.

"I don't know," I'd shrugged. No idea how I'm not touching her yet.

"He said you made me wear the Kellyscythe to say I was your mate or something too-"

I couldn't keep that in anymore, "Which is complete bullsh*t. It's the most powerful protective amulet I have with me and I lent it to you to keep you safe from him. Just like I said, I knew he'd want to keep you as one of his prizes and that's no life for anyone. You don't know how many of his pets, humans, and unlucky monsters I've made him release through the years."

"No, I don't," she admitted, looking relieved. "But I'd gotten a glimpse of his collection while I was there and it was frightening…I want to make him release all of those beings. IMMEDIATELY."

"I know how you feel." I had to say, "I've gotten him to release hundreds, but he's keeping thousands… it's awful."

Quinn said, "I'm glad you have, I can help with that I think… in the future…"

"I'd like that." I'd love it really, but I'm trying to watch it.

She did this little thing with the way she was sitting, that twisted and seemed more like she'd been before all this. And she admitted, "I've been hoping all of this time since I got back that Brody had lied… had been making all of that up, about you."

"He wanted you to take it off… he was trying everything he could think of to trick you into it… while flirting probably. If you had, not only could he steal you away if you had, and keep you. To build all the females he could ever want, but he'd try to steal Kelly too, all in one swipe." I explained. Wanting so badly to pull her folded arms apart and hug her. She was hugging them so tightly to herself, so uncomfortably, and I wanted her to quit it. And hug ME!

"Where is Kelly when no one's wearing the amulet?" She'd asked. Even though she didn't look like that was the question she'd wanted to ask. "I'd never spent so much time with a reaper before… not without him killing something then departing."

But I humored her anyway, "He's off doing what grim reapers do. He has normal duties to keep up when he's not helping us out."

"Ah, good." She'd said making one of my eyebrows go up and she'd shrugged. "I hoped it was like that and the poor guy wasn't just waiting around here somewhere in your room. Waiting for the amulet to be used again. That would be weird."

"And he'd hate that, it's too boring." I'd said but I'd finally put my hand on her arms and was tugging them apart, unable to stand it anymore. And just like magnets, the moment she stopped clinching her arms so tightly together in front of her. We came together like MAGNETS and hugged both of us letting out a BIG breath.

With her arms around me, I asked straight out, "Was that why you've been avoiding me?"

"Part of it," She came clean, as her cheek pressed against my shoulder. "Brody said I shouldn't lead you on, it's just cruel and you'll get hurt. That it isn't fair to you and he's right. You shouldn't be- We! Shouldn't be wasting our time like this. You should be really trying to find your mate… and I shouldn't even be here now. I should be down there with Lydia and James, making sure she's okay-"

"She's with James," I reasoned, squeezing her tighter. "She's fine."

Out of no where Stacey appeared and said, "Lydia is fine."

Quinn and me both jumped a foot and only remained standing because we were holding on to each other.

Quinn yelled, "STA-CEY!"

I (Logan) told her, "QUIT - DOING - THAT! DILLSEN!"

She said "Sorry," but didn't sound sorry at all and told Quinn, "James has put your creation to bed now. He says he's hoping he'll get her to sleep the whole day this time. Without any mishaps AND be a part of the party tomorrow night. After the sun goes down again! He told me to let you know you should stay in your room tonight, or with Drac, if you like. But between you and me. I think he wanted some alone time with his mate, not that he wants alone time the same way as most. Just I think he's starting to turn on the romance a little bit. Just a little, ya know?"

I had to ask her, "Do you ever stop talking? EVER?"

She went, "Hymph!" In my face sending an icy cold feeling at me. Before she'd turned back to Quinn, telling her… "I'm heading to bed today too. The sunlight makes me hard to see! I'm almost as invisible as Mark! Everyone thinks Lydia's doing AMAZINGLY, Quinn. Calling her a real triumph! You really should rest and do it outside of the labs. If that's too lonely, stay with Drac, or some of the girls! And get some real R&R. I'm out!" Then she flew straight up into the ceiling."

I saw my cue, I took it. "Why don't you stay with me tonight? Since we've gotten all of that stuff outta the way now?" I was still holding onto her. I didn't want to give her up yet.

I could literally see her arguing with herself in that brilliant mind of hers. And she said out loud, "No… I shouldn't… Brody may have been wrong about most of the things he said. But he was right to say everyone's starting to think we're a thing and that can't be helping you with your bridal prospects any… chances of finding a good vampire bride of your own… And that's why your father wanted you to come here, wasn't it?"

It was, but she was here, I was still holding on to her and I couldn't bare it to let her go again. Not Yet! So I was talking fast. Anything to convince her this was the place to be. Here with me! That she could come here and just keep me company. Or to give James and Lydia time to bond and flirt, and you know. Do all the things I wanted to be doing with her, really!

I finally got her to say, she was leaving to get changed for bed but she would be back. But she clarified, "I'm only doing this as your friend, you're very platonic friend."

"What do bombs have to do with this?" I asked her dumbstruck, she smelled too good. And she felt too nice and soft. Even through her starchy stiff lab coat, and smelling good for vampires that's a real plus.

She'd giggled, "I said pla-ton-ic, not a-tom-ic… silly!"

"Hmm?" I'd asked as we both crashed into her door. "What's the difference?" I'd asked snuggling her.

"You know the difference, you KNOW chemistry." She accused.

"Yeah, but I can't think of it right now. What is it?" I'd said, because really, it was all greek to me right now. After all of this 'keep away' she'd been putting me through lately.

She said like she was looking at a dictionary, "A-tomic is related to atoms, bombs and nuclear reactions. Pla-tonic is a relationship between friends, who are just friends. Not romantic at all."

"Not at all?" I'd flirted and she'd told me.

"One more look like that at me, buster. And I'm staying in my own room tonight."

"Why?" I'd asked grinning, because I knew why. But she told me anyway.

"Because nothing about that look just now was platonic… at ALL!"

"Come on it was friendly." I'd tried to persuade.

She let me know, "TOO - Friendly and TOO Flirty!"

"Hey, I'm a vampire, we can't help it." I'd shrugged and she'd told me with a smirk.

"TRY!" She said all comically. "I'm only coming as a friend… and that's it. Go change and get into your coffin." She told me like she was telling a kid she was babysitting to get back in bed. I was up past bedtime.

But I wanted her to come to me, I wanted back into these normal games! I could FINALLY keep going with this, wearing her down again! I said, "Fine, go change too. But seriously you've gotta quit with wearing nothing but scrubs. ALL the TIME."

"What?" She said yanking on blue-colored, shapeless things she was wearing. Underneath all of white coat. She tugged at one of her pants legs and her top underneath her white lab coat. "Doctors always wear scrubs, these are perfectly acceptable for my profession and position here."

"Well, yeah when your on duty or up for a game of doctor." I flirted again making her skin pinken. "But otherwise, I liked it better when you were wearing those party dresses and nightgowns more often."

"Your making me not want to change, in sheer protest now." She'd said, as if that would serve me right. Her staying with me all night, uninterrupted was bad, and never leaving… let her go on thinking that, torture on doc! But she HAD to get OUT of those stiff and uncomfortable things, and relax better. Step one had to be changing.

But just before she went behind her door, she'd kissed my cheek. And just like home, while she was still close, I'd grabbed her waist. Pulled her back to me and kissed her for real. The relief I felt in that moment and felt rolling off of her too was so strong. We kinda fell together against her door and I'd almost followed her into her room. Thank goodness I hadn't, I could have burned when the sun finished rising in her room full of windows.

Thankfully she'd said, "Go! Where we can catch up and you'll be safe." Before she did go behind her door and I had rushed back to my room. The sun was about to shine now. So I had been rushing, and threw myself behind the safety of my door. As fast as I could…

If I hadn't been rushing… if I hadn't been so distracted with what tonight COULD bring. Maybe I could have seen the signs and saved myself. Maybe I could have seen some of what had been waiting for me leaking under the crack in the door. But because I was rushing, happy, and not paying closer attention. I threw myself into a trap! That not only could have ruined EVERYTHING, but it was dangerous for more than just me!

My room was unusually pitch black! As I'd entered, and had shut the door before I realized. This darkness shouldn't be possible in my room. When I'd left my forever-lit candles and fireplace for my return (candles and firewood that are magically enhanced and always lit themselves when I returned).

I'd been in the middle of taking a big breath, trying to calm down too. Before I realized that my room had been absolutely filled. From the floors to the to the ceilings with 'Vampeen Plumb.' A chemically and magically spliced FOG designed to make Vampires rabid with the littlest of exposure. And my entire room was nothing but this stuff!

My vangs wouldn't retract, my throat was on FIRE and usually my synthetic blood won't help this level of thirst (don't ask me how I knew that, it had to be this characters memories and not mine). But I'd tried to down the rest of it anyways and it didn't help! My fangs were just out after that breath and they would be till I'd bitten someone.

And before my brain could start recounting my enemies. To figure out who could have done this. A magical porthole opened up on my wall. As the fog was working its way into my body… even though I'd stopped breathing after that breath. The magic was forcing the rest of it down my throat. And I was fighting it and not winning!

The porthole on my wall showed the face of the pleased Miles Brody. Looking down at me, greeting in a pissy tone. "Good morning reigning Dracula, I see you've discovered my gift for you. This all could have been avoided if you hadn't insisted on trying to take what should already be mine."

I couldn't talk, I was still getting strangled by the fog, forcing it's way into my body and making me more wild by the second and uncontrolled. Brody kept right on talking too. "Hope you enjoyed that last kiss you've just stolen… it will be the last, I've seen to that."

Since I still couldn't speak, he kept going. "You now realize that some of those new arrivals from Halloweentown are loyal to me. And made this all possible, I have been waiting for the chance to get back at you for some time now. After you've ROBBED me of SO many precious pets and minions these hundred years since you coronation. But I never would have suspected that such a glowing chance would present itself in my pursuit of a possible mate or pet… haven't fully decided yet. What she will be for me, but that doesn't matter. I have plenty of time to sort that out, the point is that SHE! Is! MINE! ... I have set my sights on her LONG before this insipid party, and since you refuse to stay out of my way. This is the only way to get you to look elsewhere. To make you turn on her and to bite her. Then she'll never speak with you again. And I'll be in the clear to make her come to her senses and this time you and your reaper won't be able to stand in my way."

First I let out this loud growl that was all vampire, it wasn't a sound I remembered ever making before. I could feel my eyes glowing with red power as I promised him. "You've picked the wrong monster to piss off." My voice was so venomous... It didn't sound like me. It sounded like a snarl, the whole thing I got out.

"No Drac!" Brody leveled, "YOU picked the wrong monster to cross and now it's time to pay the piper."

I growled past my fangs, "Quinn will NEVER be yours! Or ANYONE'S! She doesn't BELONG to ANY one besides herself!"

But Brody leaned in and corrected, "No! She… IS… MINE! She'll see that soon enough, she won't even be able to help it, in the end. Once all my careful planning has seen fruition. You'll be a distant memory to her, and I'll have a mate who can make me better ones when I grow tired of her. Such a better future than toiling away in some great black castle. Drinking blood with you for all eternity."

Then he totally spilled that HE'D tampered with my synthetic blood chemicals months ago. That was why I was color-blind and Quinn was the only color I could see. This fog had made it where not only do I have to bite someone. But I have to bite Quinn specifically, or I will only remain this way. MADDER than she's ever been, and if she came near me, I'd probably bite her before I even knew what I was doing! It's a black and cursed magic, and when you're an undead monster. The effects never die out until the specific details are ALL met. So bite her or wither the ONLY way out this now is to bite Quinn and in my current state… I'll definitely hurt her and not even mean to. Bordy left me whithering and fighting myself down to the ground. WILD with bloodlust and bloodthirsty.

How the HELL was I gonna get out of this?

My door flew open and closed itself and Mark The invisible man jumped on me. Helping hold me here, Stacey appeared next to him telling me. "DRAC! I smelled the plumb and heard the whole thing! I wasn't evasdropping or anything but I was concerned when I smelt the plumb and figured there's foul play! It's gonna be okay! You hear me? It's gonna be alright! Miles won't win!"

Mark tried to get me to hear him too, "Drac! Can you hear us?"

"Drac!" Stacey tried again, "We'll figure this out. You won't have to bite Quinn. I know we'll beat this!"

Mark yelled to Stacey, "He's too raverous, he probably can't even hear us! Go get help, the strongest you can find, I can't hold him much longer and warn the doc!"

Thankfully, Stacey came floating closer to my face and she tried to assure me, over the roaring in my ears. Trying to take it completely over. "DON'T - WORRY - COUNT! I'LL - GET - HELP! JUST - STAY - ON - THE - GROUND! I'm GETTING you HELP! I'll warn QUINN too!"

The next thing I knew I was being weighted down in heavy chains made of silver. It pays for something like this to happen in a location full of beings who know how to restrain and not hurt a vampire. I would only be able to move when someone let me now.

That was all I remembered before the plumb took full effect over all of me and I blacked out.

That's all folks!

Well, for this post anyways! Time to switch to (dream) Quinn's Perspective! But don't fret, the next chapter is nearly done. It only took forever to get this lead up to that one perfect! It been getting written right beside this one and should be up soon. I hope this was worth the wait. Worth the peek and brought those Zoey feels along with the Halloween thrills. That's the goal here! I hope this is reaching you all for a little early Spookiness, and getting you all as excited as I am for FALL! Bring it! I hope you're all having a GREAT week and staying Spooktacular! Take Care and Much Love!

~DarcyBeDippy85!