Author's note: I haven't updated this story in a long while and I apologize for that. I'm dedicating this chapter to my dear nightingale Gegebib. I am very proud of you. Continue being the strongest person I know. 

With love,

Your dearest friendly cake monster

***

"Lullabies are meant to make children fall asleep, but up to what extent?"

***

A week passed them by as the trio traveled by road to the private airport where their ride would be. There was no haunting, which had put the three at ease. The night before their departure was another story.

The place where they decided to stay was decent. It was an old cottage and for once, there was no ghost lingering on there. Night time came and the three of them decided to watch a movie, a comedy one with plane rides as a feature. Neva was still warming up to the idea that men could fly on "steel birds".

"Of course you'd choose Mr. Bean" Matthos grumbled as he sat down beside Neva who was confused with Mr. Bean's actions

"Anything to make things light. Besides, didn't he once save a plane from crashing?"

"Planes crash?" Neva suddenly looked like she'd pass out any second

"Not always" Barney tried to fix it but the damage was done

"We don't have any choice, we're going tomorrow and that's final" Matthos told Neva whose intense glare looked like that of a child who just finished her tantrum

The old box television they were watching on was in good shape. Neva looked worried about the enormous thing. Just when the movie was about to end, the TV turned off.

"Fudge" Barney sat upright from his position as Matthos stood up

"No power guys, might as well sleep" 

Suddenly, the power went back but not on the house they're staying at. It was their temporary neighbors'. The big window behind the television had its curtains drawn, so they could see the other house through its window.

Just like the house they were staying at, the walls of the other house were a sunny yellow. It was about a yard away, but you'd still be able to the piano. There was a player, but they couldn't see who. 

Barney stood up and saw that the other houses around them didn't have power just the same. The piano player started to press random keys before setting into a tune of a lullaby. 

"Hush little Neva don't say a word" 

It was a beautiful voice, if only it would give a beautiful message

"Matthos!" Neva screamed as Matthos ran to her side and held her. 

"We should run right now" Barney commented and ran to the door and opened it. There was no house in view now, just plain darkness. When Matthos glanced at him, he closed his eyes and urged his friend to come close.

"Or I will do to you what I did to Byrd"

"Who is Bird?"

"That mockingbird you kept won't sing, that is why it had to die with a swing"

By now, Neva's face was drained of blood. Her eyes were closed as she buried her face in Matthos' chest. The other two were forced to watch it all. It was too risky to run out of the house.

"Remember the iron rings turned rust, little beings gone to fill blood lust"

The player stopped and then finally came into view. It passed through the window of the other house and just stood out of their window.

"What in the-" Barney couldn't finish his sentence as the being came into view. 

Its face was visible and they wish it wasn't. Where eyes should be were just black holes, and a smile where there's no teeth, only gums with bits of blood in it. Its black hair was so long Rapunzel would've envied it. For someone with no teeth, its amazing how her words were coherent. Then again, beings. 

"Come little Neva, let's go play" 

"No!" Neva tried to move her head but Matthos kept her in place

"Why not?" the being pouted

"I don't like you"

"Come on, you love lullabies, don't you?"

"I DON'T!"

"Oh, would you like to hear another one?" the being's head moved left and right as if it was jamming to a tune. She touched the window glass, trying to push it up, but couldn't. 

"I can't come in" the being pursed her lips, which didn't look any better

"Great" Barney fist bumped with Matthos in relief. The being scowled at them but her face then brightened

"She knows where you are, you know. She's just toying with you. You're a fun victim, you see? You also attract men who want to be nights in shining armor. You're perfect" The being grinned once more and Barney had to fight the urge to barf as he saw the small holes in her gums that were filled with blood.

"Thy blood shall be spilled in time, to appease thine being your existence has caused drought for our side. These dandripats of yours would die. Is that what your heart desires?"

"Look here, creepy lady with no teeth" Barney barked and the being stared at him in awe "No blood will be spilled, not yours and certainly not ours. The only thing her heart desires are answers. Tell your fucking boss to actually save dying children. She's wasting her time hunting for a girl who will never do anything against her" 

"FOOLS! Hearken, she is not as innocent as she seems. I will not put up with your contumely defense. Give her to me or you shall pay for it dearly"

"We won't be giving anyone up, so you should give up. While you're at it, buy yourself some decent teeth and fake eyes to be presentable" Matthos was doing his best to find humor in their situation, and the being itself was a gold mine for it

The being pouted and then vanished. The duo weren't foolish enough to open the door. They had to wait for the day to arrive. They glanced on the grandfather clock and winced. It was 3 am, the time when beings are at their strongest.

"Why did you save me that night?" Neva muttered and her breath tickled Matthos' skin as she was still holding onto him.

"This isn't the time to ask that question" he was trying his best not to laugh at the situation they were in

"Aren't you going to ask me why I'm saving you?" Barney teased as they all sat down

"I see the way you look at me" that statement made his eyes widen while Matthos held his breath

"You see me as a fragile sister, your instinct says so"

"Glad you're not seeing me in a romantic light" Barney laughed

They didn't know when they fell asleep. The alarm startled all of them. It was time to leave.

"Baguio, here we come" Barney took a deep breath. Their last trip there gave them haunting memories. But they had to, for Neva. 

Once they were past the security, they all went to a different route and boarded the plane in Gate 21. Matthos took this time to sedate Neva as she was about to throw a tantrum. Once it worked, the two of them carried her inside. 

Strangers often ask the security and staff why they don't intervene in abduction-like circumstances in this certain area. The staff all learnt from their seniors' mistakes. People will believe what they choose to believe. Give them proof, a solid one, and they'd still find a way to go past that. Anything to normalize everything. Trouble is, the normal world they see today is much darker than that. 

It would be a long journey, and they were ready for it.