Amazed

I had forgotten that I hadn't even set up my desktop to my server cabinet. I brought my desktop tower from the den, monitors, and server cabinet out of the closet and set up everything on the dining room table for now. I was plugging in the last cord to my computer when the guys joined me. They watched as I booted everything up. I sat down in front of my computer and looked at the boys, "Have you fed at all?" They shake their heads. "Well, I'm probably going to be here for quite some time." I was trying to hint that I wasn't moving until I entered the equations. "I'll show you guys everything when you get back or tomorrow night."

"You're not in any pain? No stomach pains?" David asked. I know he was asking if I was ready to feed, but I wasn't. I just wasn't hungry, "Nothing. I'll let you know what the hunger pains hit. Although, I am in the mood for some cookies." I get up and go into the kitchen. There's a plate of chocolate chip cookies I baked earlier. I grab a couple and a glass of milk. Paul and Marko snagged two each. I laugh and shake my head, "Goofballs." They both look at me like I insulted them. I laugh a little harder, "Go on. I'll see you guys soon."

They left after that. I spent most of the night entering the data and equations into my computer. So far it looks like they are the ones that brought me here. Reading through the notes, I find out what hardware was needed to bring me here. Considering it is the '80s, it won't be hard to build. However, Matthius probably used some of his vampiric abilities in conjunction with the device and equations. That explains why I was able to drive into Santa Carla instead of walking through an archway just meant for one single being.

I spent a few hours programming my computer to accept the equations. I found I could set up some sort of device using my computer and some things leftover from the electric fence. I constructed a fake doorway on the wall, like when Adam drew a door with chalk on Beetlejuice. My thoughts drifted, 'Maybe I should see if the guys want to watch that.' I shook my head to clear it and pay attention to what I was doing. The doorway was almost finished when the guys strolled back in. Laddie had gone to bed in the guest room he slept in already.

"Woah! You're done?" Paul asked as he touched a few of the wires. He and Marko were standing right in front of the doorway, Dwayne and David stood next to me by my computer. "For now. I'm going to test it tomorrow." I looked at the clock on the wall, "2:45 am. You guys want to watch a movie?" They all looked at each other. David answered, "Some other time." I shrugged my shoulders, "Well, I'm shutting this down for the night. Then I'm going to watch a movie or play some video games before bed." I shut off my set-up and head back into the den and turn on the tv and Xbox. I wanted to play Alice: Madness Returns.

As I navigated Alice through her destroyed Wonderland searching for the pieces of the Mad Hatter, the boys came and sat around the den and watched me play. They were fascinated with the graphics, and the story itself. I can tell Marko loved the Cheshire Cat, both sick and twisted in their own way. When Alice had to fight a monster stronger than herself, she went into Hysteria mode and took the beast down. I didn't realize I was holding my breath as I controlled Alice's actions and was relieved when I won the fight. Once the pocket-watch icon signified that I reached a save point I turned the game off. The boys actually 'Boo-ed' at me. I just laughed, "Alright, I'll see you guys later. I'm off to bed."

Next Day

I woke up to a quiet house. The pups had moved to the foot of my bed and were waiting for me to get up. We start the day with breakfast after waking Laddie up. Then I got back onto my desktop. Sirius and Laddie were playing fetch while Regulus rested at my feet. Finishing setting up the doorway, making sure all the wires are connected to my computer before sitting back down.

Sirius had stopped playing and was near his brother by my feet. Laddie had gone into the den and turned on the tv. I wanted to test and see if everything was entered correctly. I take a deep breath and cross my fingers, "Here goes nothing." I hit enter to bring the equations to life and wait. And wait. And wait.

Nothing happened.

I stood up to check on the doorway, but the chair hit Regulus and he sprang to his feet, bumping into me and jostling the table and knocking a drink over, spilling it onto my computer. The classic mistake of having any kind of fluids near electronics. My desktop fritzed, sparked, and started sounding like it was going to explode. "Oh, this is not good!" Before I could get any further away everything blew up and filled the area with black smoke. I closed my eyes, coughed, and tried to fan it away from my face.

When I opened my eyes, I had to do a double-take. I was in the driver's seat of my blazer, Sirius was next to me in the passenger seat, Regulus was in the backseat, and my Blazer was packed with all my stuff.

I turn to look out the windshield. I recognized we were on the highway as the creepy fog rolled in. "What the hell?" I whisper to myself. I look at Sirius, then Regulus. They seem to be okay, not freaking out like I am. My Blazer exits the fog, and I see the familiar sign, "Welcome to SANTA CARLA". I look in my rearview mirror as we passed the sign, and see the oh-so-familiar phrase, "MURDER CAPITAL OF THE WORLD". Even the same song was playing through my iPhone. I pulled into the same gas station when I first got to Santa Carla, it was the same, creepy and dark with the homeless kids sleeping near the dumpsters.

I shut off my Blazer and take a moment to recap what happened. And it clicked. I have gone back in time to when I first arrived after my desktop blew up. So in a way, it worked but not how I wanted it to. Makes me wonder if Matthius was playing with me.

"Hullo dear," Speak of the devil and he shall appear. I turn to see Matthius petting a growling Regulus. "This is your doing?" I snarled. He had the nerve to laugh under his breath, "In a way. I wasn't expecting you to survive as long as you have. No matter. In the end, I decided I wasn't done having a bit of fun. Good luck." And he was gone again. Great, just great.

Sitting there for a moment before getting out. My pups didn't need to go to the bathroom this time so I left them in the Blazer, but I did need gas. By the time I got back into the Blazer, the envelope that appeared last time was already there. So I went straight to the Boardwalk, I wanted to see if the Lost Boys remembered or not. If they didn't, then I think I'm going to do things differently this time. All I know is the next time I see Matthius I am shoving a stake through his heart then cutting off his head.

We arrived at the Boardwalk. I park the Blazer and let my pups out, clipped their leashes onto their collars, and we continue on our way. Keeping an eye out for the boys. If they see me and recognize me, I'll go up to them, if they don't I will keep on walking. I look down at my pups, "Even if you remember, don't show it. They may not remember us. Okay?" They both whine a little and nod. They had grown attached to the vampires, and it would hurt if they didn't remember them. I scratch them both behind the ears since they are on either side of me. "I know. We will be doing things differently this time. Maybe staying in the background was a mistake. Come on. Let's head to the concert. We'll stay beside Star and Laddie the whole time."

Making our way through the crowd surrounding the stage, we spot Star and Laddie climbing to their spot. We follow them and stand close by. I was on the opposite side of Star, next to Laddie. Sirius was within reach of Laddie. I look down and see Laddie reaching to pet Sirius but then he was pulled away by Star. She looked scared of my pups. I smile, "It's alright. He can pet Sirius." Star and Laddie look at each other, she nods her head, and Laddie smiles. Sirius scoots closer to Laddie. Sirius is just eating up the attention. I notice Michael is staring at Star once again. It really is going to happen the same way again. She and Laddie take off and we follow them. Seriously getting a case of deja vu.

We stay close but not too close. I don't want to creep them out like Michael has. Star catches me off guard, "Are you following me?" I hold my hands up in surrender, "Not really. I'm new in town and you seem pretty cool to hang with." She narrows her eyes, "Well, don't." Star turns back around and walks faster, dragging Laddie with her. I continue to walk in her direction but at a slower pace. I can see Michael ahead of me. He must have passed me after Star turned and walked off. I sigh, "Come on. I kind of hope none of them remember."

In no time at all, I watch as Star climbs behind David on his bike. She looks back at Michael and gives him a half-smile. I look at each of the boys. So far, Marko, Dwayne, and David don't recognize me. But Paul seems confused. Like he does recognize me but is unsure if he should approach me. I lock eyes with him, and his expression changes. His eyes widened, but it was too quick for anyone else to notice. I did though.

Paul remembers.

Short chapter. I am not dead. I will finish my stories.