INTO

CHAPTER THREE

"It's me, calm down," Adam said trying to calm Gwen. He stretched out his hands to touch her but she quickly pulled away.

"Don't touch me!" she yelled. "You're a monster. MONSTER."

"I'm not a monster," he said trying to calm Gwen. His eyes flashed pain but she ignored it. "Your life is in danger here."

The thought of her life in danger seemed to calm her down. "How is my, no, our lives in danger?"

"Yeah, how?" Tina added. "What are you?"

"You guys shouldn't be here," he mumbled running his hands through his hair.

"You think we don't know that already?" Gwen blurted. "Gosh."

"Why are you guys here?" He asked.

"Does that even matter right now?!" Gwen yelled. "What the hell is happening here. What are you?"

"I'm a Drezpire."

"A what?"

"A Drezpire."

"Oh, you're kidding me right. And what's that supposed to mean?" Gwen asked, really really confused.

Adam sighed.

"We don't have time for this now," he started. "What I am doesn't really matter now. All that matters... "

"What are you?!" Gwen yelled at him. "Just explain this, will you?"

"Fine." He said biting his lower lip. "I'm not human. This is all my ancestors fault. My parents weren't humans either."

Gwen shook her head on the verge of tears. She couldn't believe any of the things that were happening.

"Love caused this mess."

"What do you mean?"

"My ancestors were all supernatural beings. Werewolves, Goblins, wizards, Mermaids, Vampires, Zombies; that's what my family was made up of. After a long fight they were all killed and sent to the grave. It was believed that the entire generation had gone into extinction but it was wrong. My great grandfather and some other relatives survived and continued to live among humans. As destiny would have it, he fell in love and decided to get married." He narrated.

"My great grandfather was a merman and the woman he wanted to get married to was a hybrid. He was warned not to get married to her but he was stubborn. They got married and gave birth to a lot of children including my parents. I guess everyone decided to be stubborn as they all got married to different creatures bringing life to us... Drezpires."

Gwen didn't want to understand but everything he said seemed to make sense to her.

"You said love caused all this mess?" Lucy said speaking up after a long time. "And the fights? What caused it?"

"I don't know the full story but I know it has to do with humans. It's just something that has to do with humans. When my ancestors were killed and sent to the grave, a curse was placed on us; once any member of our family falls in love, it awakes a dead from the grave and that dead goes after humans. Its like they get awoken by love and then kill every single human involved," Adam sighed. "The beast in the house right now is one of the strongest and he's surely determined to ruin things."

"This doesn't make sense, how come he's awake? Who fell in love again?" Tina asked. "Apart from your parents...i guess."

"Me," he said before looking away. "With Gwen."

Gwendolyn looked up to look at Adam. Hearing things like that was something she was used to but it was the first time such petty words terrified her.

She was scared, nervous and confused.

"That's why I tried to stay away from you, Gwen," Adam continued. "The day you spoke to me, the beast rose."

"Great. Just put it all on me."

"No. It's not your fault," he grabbed her hand but she immediately yanked it off.

"Yeah, whatever," she muttered. "So what are we going to do? How do we get out of this?"

"I'd be lying if I told you I had any idea," Adam bit his lip. "I'm sorry."

"Great," Gwen nodded. "Do you at least think you can get us out of here? If I'm able to get home safely, I promise I'll forget any of these ever happened."

"I don't know, Gwen," he looked at her with soft eyes. "But I can try. Let's go. Y'all stay right behind me."

He led the way, Gwen sighing as she stood by Lucy's side. "I'm sorry," she whispered.

"I always told you your curiosity was going to get you into trouble," was all Lucy said and Gwen couldn't feel more guilty for dragging her into it.

Gwen, Lucy and Tina walked behind Adam through the long corridors of the house. They seemed to be counting her footsteps as they took each step carefully.

"Adam," Gwen whispered. "Adam?"

"Yeah?"

"I feel like we're followed," she said as she quickened her steps.

"Yeah, I feel so too",Tina said added.

They all stopped walking.

They all continued walking.

They all stopped walking, again.

"Something bugs me," Adam finally said. "Whatever it is, don't scream."

"Haaaaaaa," Gwen screamed as Adam quickly cupped her mouths. He took a quick glance at Tina and Lucy, both panting heavily obviously trying not to scream.

He laughed. In front of them was a big black wolf. It looked funny. A big black wolf with blonde hair.

"Cut it out, Miranda," Adam said amidst laughter. "Gwen open your eyes."

"You'll be tasty, " the wolf said as Gwen held on to Adam tighter.

"Gwen."

"I'm sorry," Gwen said as she quickly broke free from Adam. She bit her lip nervously thinking about how she made a fool of herself.

"Okay, Miranda."

The wolf moved backwards as light shimmered on it. A girl with blonde hair stood up as she flipped her hair. "Hey?"

"Miranda?" Gwen said in disbelief.

Miranda arched an eyebrow.

Miranda Caesar. One of the most popular kids at school and quite naturally, hated Gwen. The feeling was mutual though, Gwen hated her just as much.

"Gwendolyn Patterson? Seriously, cousin?" Miranda said, full of disgust. "You fell in love with her?"

"Yeah," Adam replied, awkwardly.

"Miranda, I never imagined you could be..."

"Ewwww," Miranda said cutting Gwen short.

"What ewwww?" Gwen asked confused.

"I can't believe my cousin fell in love with you," she replied, obviously disgusted.

"And what's wrong with me?" Gwen asked her hands on her waist.

"Everything."

"Everything?!" Gwen yelled. "I'm perfectly fine and there's absolutely nothing wrong with me."

Miranda looked like she swallowed laughter. "She's dating Kareem, Adam," Miranda reminded him.

"I know. I know."

"Even though it's one of their dumb relationships that barely lasts, it doesn't make a difference." Miranda stated.

"I'm beginning to get offended, Miranda," Gwen spoke up, actually beginning to get angry.

"You should know me better than thinking I actually care about your feelings, Gwen."

"Gwen, it's okay. We don't have time for this," Lucy said before Gwen could reply.

"Who's this?" Miranda asked, referring to Lucy.

"My friend," Gwen replied. "Why?"

"You don't have friends outside your friend circle at school."

"I'm her personal assistant," Lucy spoke up.

"You have a personal assistant," Miranda laughed. "How lame."

"Oh my God!" Miranda seemed to be having a good time. "Timid Tina, I totally did not expect seeing you here. I'd have gotten you some getsomeconfidence pills."

"Miranda," Adam finally spoke up. "Stop. We really don't have time for this."

"Fine fine," she laughed. "So what do y'all plan on doing? What do you plan on doing, Adam?"

"I don't know. Don't you have any idea how we can stop this?"

"How should I know?" Miranda was laughing. "You know I never got myself involved in all this family bullshit. I'm outta here."

"So are we all just supposed to die or something?!" Gwen yelled at her.

"Oh, shut it, Gwen. You came here on your own will," Miranda reminded her. "You weren't brought here, you came on your own will. If you weren't here, things probably won't have gotten this way and yet you're complaining?"

Adam sighed. "Miranda-"

"Yeah I get it," she cut him off before he could say another word. "You're in love with her and this was prolly going to happen anyways? I don't care, Adam."

"So we're really all prolly going to die," Lucy muttered. "Thanks, Gwen."

Gwen ran her hands through her hair in frustration. "Adam, just lead the way as you were doing. Let's just all leave here."

Miranda smirked. "Good luck with that."

They continued tiptoeing down the hallways. Gwen was walking next to Adam, Lucy and Tina next to each other, Miranda sashaying around.

They had almost gotten to another stairs when out of nowhere a man suddenly appeared in front of them. Cold shivers ran through Gwen's spine as Adam immediately squeezed her hands tightly.

The man was short and had grey hair. His grey beard was trimmed neatly on his round face. He wore a black cloak covering his whole body except his head.

"Oh what do we have here?" He asked staring at Adam. His eyes drifted towards Miranda and he smiled.

"The man was short and had grey hair. His grey beard was trimmed neatly on his round face. He wore a black cloak covering his whole body except his head.

"Oh what do we have here?" He asked staring at Adam. His eyes drifted towards Miranda and he smiled.

"Adam, Miranda!" He exclaimed giving a little evil laugh.

"How do you know me?" Adam asked, his grip tightening on Gwen's hands.

"Oh, sorry for the late introduction. I'm Caesar. Your great great grandfather."

"Oh."

"Yes. Wow, Adam, Miranda what are you doing around those mortals?"

"We live?" Miranda replied. "As normal humans."

"Ah, that foolishness," he laughed. "Bernard was like that too. Kept on insisting he was a human and his son was too."

"Because we've chosen to live as humans."

"Every decorated donkey is still a donkey, kids," he walked closer. "No matter how hard you try to hide it, you're still what you are. Living among those mortals or adapting their lifestyle doesn't make you human. Y'all should just come back to your senses and let's end this once and for all."

"End this?" Adam asked.

"Oh, yes," he replied. "You might not be aware but you Drezpires are the strongest of us all and there are so many of you scattered around the human world all pretending to be human. If you all could come back to your senses we could end this and rule again. We monsters can rule again."

"We have no intentions of living as monsters," Adam balled his fists.

"Sure sure," Caesar laughed. "You can tell that to yourself all you want. I hate humans. The whole lot of them and that includes your little friends behind you. I was awakened for a reason and I have to fulfill that before coming back for them so if you love them, make sure they're out of my site forever."

"What?"

"Sorry asking them to get out of my site prolly won't be enough. I might be lenient on you but trust me, the moment someone else sees them, they're gone," he gestured with his hands. "For now, I have other humans to kill. Another one of you fell in love with a human."

"And you're off to kill that human?" Miranda asked, eyeing Gwen.

"Yes," Caesar replied. "I need a little sunshine to awaken my senses. Once I step out, I'll be able to find the human in a few seconds."

Miranda turned to face Gwen. "Gwen, you really want to end this, don't you? You want to leave her, right?"

Gwen felt weak in her knees. "Miranda, don't you-"

"You won't need to go out for a little sunshine," Miranda said, cheerfully. "The human's right here."

"Miranda!"

"Sorry, cousin," she winked at Adam. "You know me. When I hate someone, I hate em."

"What do you mean by that, Miranda?" Caesar smiled, walking towards them. "The human's here? Don't tell me-"

"Yes, you're right," she replied, looking at Gwen. She saw fear written all over her face and it made her glad. "Adam's the one. He fell in love with a mere mortal."

"Miranda! How could you!" Adam yelled, unconsciously letting go of Gwen's hands. She was literally shaking, tears already about to fall from her eyes.

"So, it was you, Adam," Caesar cackled. "Ah, you really do take after your dad, don't you?"

"Go away, Caesar," Adam said through gritted teeth. "I won't allowed you do anything to them."

"And if I do not listen?"

"You'll have to get through me first then," Adam replied, getting nervous himself. "This is crazy. Just stop it."

"Ahhh," Caesar massaged his wrists. "I guess you'll be tasty too then."

"You can't eat a Drezpire," Miranda said. "You can't."

"Why?" he smiled. "Scared of the consequences? Come on, this family has never been one to be scared of consequences. Adam, you definitely know that right? Your dad's a perfect example. Bernard was such a fool."

His dad. What he hated the most was people talking loosely about his dad. He got into a fight for the first time in middle school when a guy made fun of his dad for having elf-like ears.

He missed his dad so much. After his sudden death, an emptiness he had never felt filled him. He watched his dad die and disappear right in front of him. He couldn't hug his dead body or bury him. He just disappeared immediately he died.

That was supposed to be more than a sign to Adam that he didn't belong here but he ignored it. His dad ignored all signs too and stayed in the human world. He had to have had his reasons and whatever they were, he was also going stick by them.

His eyes met Caesar's, his screaming pleasure. He knew he was no match for him, no match for any monster actually. There was no way he was going to defeat him. He glanced at Gwen, Lucy and Tina. All Gwen did was exist and it was his fault for falling in love with her. All Lucy did was follow a friend and now she was going to have to pay a price. Tina just wanted to prove she was brave to Gwen and now she wouldn't be able to do that even once before she died.

He wished his dad was still alive. Maybe if he was there at that moment, things could be better. Maybe if he didn't die, things wouldn't have gotten wrong. Just maybe.

More than anything he just wanted to be with his dad. He just wanted to take them all away to a place where the monsters would never find them. A place where they could live without fear of a monster eating them alive. A place where he could be himself without worrying about the consequences of the little things he did. A place where...

"What just happened?"

Gwen's voice interrupted his thoughts. "What do-"

He ran out of words to say as he realized what Gwen meant. What just happened?

"Oh my God, where are we?" Lucy asked, looking around her surrounding. Tina seemed to be too confused to comment. "Are we dead already? Is this the after life?"

Adam looked around again realizing the place seemed familiar but he still had no idea how he got there. It was the place he always saw his dad in his dreams whenever he missed him.

Then it hit him that he had wished to be with his dad. To be in a place the monsters would never find him.

But it didn't make any sense. Wishes didn't come true that easily, did they? Especially extremely unrealistic ones.

"Adam," Miranda was the one to interrupt his thoughts this time. "Just what have you done?"