INTO

CHAPTER TWENTY

It was an exhausting afternoon for Miranda and Adam as they joined Bernard in making his store come back to life. They took part in unexpected cleanings, sorting of art materials and by the time they were done, anyone could tell they had done a good job.

"Thank you, guys," he beamed. "I really appreciate your work here today."

"You have to," Miranda replied him. "You made us work as your maids for a whole day."

"Now don't be dramatic Miranda," Bernard laughed lightly. "It's not the whole day. It's just afternoon."

"It's still pretty much the whole day," she scrunched her nose. "To think Gwen and Tina got the day off. Where did they go anyways?"

"I don't know," he shrugged. "Adam, any idea?"

"Nope."

"And you allowed them go," Miranda shook her head. "Look at you clearly having favourites."

"Is she always like this?" Bernard asked Adam, laughing at her words again. "What do you mean favorites? They told me they wanted to walk around. Was I supposed to force them not to? I bet it's hard for them to be here already so I can't make their stay any harder or more frustrating."

"Right," Miranda slowly nodded. "Being here is hard for them but being here should be easy for us. Right. Your message was passed across well, uncle Bernard."

"Miranda-"

"Just let her be," Adam cut his dad short. "She's just being unnecessarily dramatic. Leave her."

"Well while we're on the topic," she suddenly rose to her feet. "I also want to take a stroll. To you know, make this place a lot easier for me. You won't say no, would you?"

Bernard shook his head. "No, I won't."

"Well, thank you, uncle Bernard."

"I'll come with you then," Adam joined her on her feet. "We'll be taking a stroll dad. See you later."

"Alright, do take care of yourselves."

Simultaneously, they walked towards the door and stepped out, heading to the main road. They walked together in silence for a while until Adam decided to break it.

"Miranda," he spoke up. "You aren't mad, are you?"

"Mad?"

"About earlier," he continued. "With my dad. You seemed pissed."

"Oh, it's nothing," she smirked. "Didn't you also say I was just being dramatic? That's what it was. Just me being dramatic."

"Oh."

She turned to face him, her hands flying to her waist. "I don't know what that look on your face is all about but get rid of it. It's making me cringe."

Adam tried to shake off the worry from his expression. "I just hope you're fine."

"Heck I am," she replied then resumed walking. "I get what your dad meant. Don't mind me. We're probably going to staying here for way longer than expected so they might just as well enjoy their stay here."

Adam knitted his eyebrows. "You seem sure we'd be staying longer than expected."

"Let's face it," she shook her head. "No one knows when exactly we'll get to get out of here. Even the all and mighty Petal seems to have no idea on what next to do regarding the opening of the Petal."

"You can't blame them for not being as bothered as us," he replied. "For them, opening the portal is just a way of getting their revenge so they have all the time in the world to plan it well and make sure it's a success. For us, we need to escape. Priorities?"

"Yeah, right."

"One thing I still do not understand though," Adam folded his arms. "Is why Petal is the leader of their group. I mean I get it that she's bold and all but she isn't even a Drezpire. Stefan and Tyler should have been the ones with so much control."

"I thought so initially too," Miranda replied. "Until I found out the truth about her. She's not just a werewolf, she's the daughter of the Alpha and Luna which automatically makes her the future Luna. So heck, she's just as strong."

"Wait," Adam paused with his fingers. "Aren't they governed by a single king here?"

"You aren't at home cousin," Miranda laughed. "Remember the stories we were told? All monsters lived in unison. After the war, they went back to living like that. Though they're still governed by the king as a whole, every clan has their own ruler. Like the Alpha and Luna for the werewolves."

"Oh," Adam literally shivered. "This is crazy. Look, I just got goosebumps."

"And it's only going to get crazier," Miranda oddly smiled. "Except we get out of here as soon as possible."

"Where are you going?"

They both almost jumped at the voice of an unknown intruder. Immediately both turning, they met Harry from school right behind them, grinning like an i***t.

"What the hell, Harry," Miranda almost cursed at him. "How long have you been there? Were you eavesdropping on our conversation all along?"

"No, no," he raised his hands in defeat. "I promise I wasn't. All I heard was you saying you needed to get out of here so I was wondering. Where are you going?"

"Home?" Miranda said, exchanging quick glances with Adam. "We need to get out of here to head home. You don't expect us to live on the streets, do you?"

"Of course not, silly me," he said with a light chuckle. "Hi, Adam. We've met numerous times. Hope you still remember me?"

Of course, he did. "Yeah, sure I do."

"Very well then," his grin was back. "Since you remember me, you should trust me a little bit."

"Why do I need to trust you?"

"Cause I want to hang out with Miranda," he said, a smirk making its way to Adam's face. "And I kinda need your permission?"

"Have you lost it?" Miranda asked him. "I'm right here, you know? And I pretty much belong to myself."

Ignoring her words, he faced Adam. "Can I?"

"Sure!" Adam exclaimed with a smug smile. "You can hangout with her for all you want. Miranda, I'll be going back to my dad's store. See you later!"

"Adam don't you dare- Adam!"

"Oops," Harry muttered, watching Miranda's eyes widen at Adam leaving her behind. "Guess he's gone. That leaves you with no choice but to hang out with me, right?"

"In your dreams," she replied him, immediately turning in the direction Adam took to head to Bernard's store.

"Why don't you want to hang out with me," Harry whined, walking behind her. "It's just going to be a harmless conversation between friends."

"Maybe cause we aren't friends," she didn't bother to stop to reply as she continued walking.

"Miranda," he held her arm in an attempt to stop her, Miranda immediately yanking her arm from his grip.

"Don't touch me," she said with a cold voice then resumed walking.

He was silent for a while, doing nothing but walk behind her. She rolled her eyes at intervals, knowing he was still following her and just wanted him to be gone.

What was his deal anyways? Why was he so intent on being friends with her when she made it clear she wasn't interested in getting to know him better right from the first time they met.

"Miranda."

His voice interrupted her thoughts and she immediately stopped in her tracks. He sounded unusual. Not like his usual goofy or whiny self but so serious she couldn't help but turn in his direction.

"I know why you don't want to hangout with me," he continued with the same stern voice.

"Excuse me?"

An unusual smirk made its way to his face as he replied. "I know what you are, Miranda."