KOTA 

"There's good and bad news." Matto declares once in the car. He looks to the rear-view mirror at the three in the back. "Kayla isn't sure she can aid us...but her grandmother is a Spell Bender."

Kota was made aware of this due to his special hearing, but his sister and Grandfather are oblivious. The old man sucks in a breath. "Her grandmother??!" He's speechless. "Did the child mention her name?"

"No."

The tension of his forehead muscles express his brooding. "Very...strange! Two of my kind wandering about, when there is a pact to remain isolated."

"That's what I assumed." Odina states.

"As you said, this is great news." He beams at his grandson. "We are close to an answer."

"How close?" He asks his father through the mirror.

"The girl will call soon...just have patience."

It feels as if I've been waiting forever to receive a solid answer. It seems I'm always waiting. Maybe restlessness is getting the best of me. The fact that I'm so close to the finish line is torture. Kota takes a slow breath and accepts that he has to hold on a little longer. Kayla can't fulfill my tribulations in one night. Especially with her being new to spelling.

I wish I could have been there speaking with her. Hearing her voice without seeing the magnificent face it belongs to bothers me. Kayla is a real-life Disney princess. Someone meant to be explored in artwork. A goddess of angelic beauty. Even the way she dances. She creates her own wind. The motion of her tutu. An angel in action. I doubt she'll ever see me this way. The look on her face when noticing me in the crowd was...doom. I can't get my hopes up thinking she's infatuated as I am with her.

KAYLA

I've never seen such a dazzling guy. Maybe the fact that he's a vampire amplifies his beauty. I wonder how he looked as a human. It couldn't have been a huge change. Could it? The ashy skin of his has a hint of bronze...his pale eyes aren't dead. There is life to them, despite him being deceased. There's a softness...a kindness. Kay admires his uncanny good looks. Wondering how his voice sounds. Is it dark or light? Angelic? Or demonic?

She debates while rummaging through her dresser drawer for a pink walkie talkie. It's bedazzled, same as her pager. Kay holds button. Static emits from the radio. "Triplet squad unite. Copy?" Kayla sits on the fluffy carpet of her bedroom floor.

"Copy." Mya replies first.

"Yep, that's a copy."

"There's so much to tell!"

"I don't know....how freaky is it? Because last time was..." Mya's voice trail off.

"Yeah...last time was too much!"

"It's not as weird." Kay assures them. Her coco eyes glue on the bedroom door. "I left the party because of what I saw." She mumbles low.

"What did you see?" Jia's voice squeaks.

"Please don't say a monster...I'll have to sleep with my night light on." Mya laughs nervously.

"No...it's nothing like that. It's more so bizarre. There was this portal..."

"Portal???"

"To where?"

"I'm not sure." She answers them both. "But...there was a man and woman on the other end."

"NOO!! This is creepy! Why did you lie and say it wasn't!" Mya's voice shivers.

"As opposed to entering another dimension??" Kay scoffs. "How is this creepier?"

"It just is!"

"What did they want??' Jia is obviously biting her nails.

Should I creep them out even more by mentioning that vampires are real? That the people I saw need my help with their immortal son? "They..." She reworks it to not give the two a heart attack. "Need my help with something."

"So, they're good guys? Not evil??" Jia's voice trembles.

"No...they're not evil."

"What do they need help with??" Mya stammers.

Once again, Kay struggle to address the existence of vampires. "I'm guessing something from the world of strange. What else could it be?" She plays dumb to spare sending her girls into hysteria. Last time my crew got so distressed. I'm not sure if they can handle the word vampire, let alone that I'll be near one. These beings are considered blood sucking demons. Although their son didn't appear vicious. Or wicked. Is the evil label a stereotype? Are all vampires bad?? Are they all horrible sins of Satan?

"You still there?" Mya whispers.

"Yes...I'm still here."

"Why did you get so quiet?"

"No reason." She says too quickly. Mya picks up on the lie.

"There's something you're not telling us!"

"No." She lies, holding the back of her neck.

"You're a bad liar. I bet you're holding your neck."

Kayla quickly drops her hand. "Am not!"

"What aren't you telling us??!" Jia inserts tension.

"It's been a long day."

"Tell us!" Mya asserts.

"I scared you two enough for one night."

"I thought you said it wasn't as weird, why are you avoiding??"

I'll tell you the rest at school, I promise. We can meet on the roof. Deal?"

"Deal."

"Okay....deal." Mya says in an eerie monotone.

The pack meet on the terrace on the roof of the lavish school. The garden is bright green, complete with benches and stone ponds. The pathway is pebbled by white stone. Kayla peeks out of the door, checking the stairway in case someone followed them. No one did. They snuck away as everyone went for breakfast in the cafeteria. She huddles with them around by the pond. "We weren't followed."

"Why are you being so secretive??" Mya dubiously sizes her up.

I should just spit it out...so I can express the dilemma I'm in. "Don't scream....don't run." Jia holds her breath. Mya goes still as a statue. "Nod once to agree..." They do so without speaking. Kay's warning riddled them incapable of forming words. "Okay...so." She clinches her shoulders to her neck. "Vampires are real...I've seen one...well two. One in a vision and...one last night. In the audience. I think he's our age. The man and woman I saw in the portal were his parents. They need my help...I don't really know why yet. I have their number." She holds up the note with ten digits on it. One she asked the receptionist for on her way out. "I'm calling to understand why I'm involved."

Neither Jia nor Mya blink...or breathe. This is worse than Halloween night. At least they were responsive. They ran and screamed. Now my girls are silent as corpses...and just as motionless. I hope they don't get sick to their stomach. Mya looks like she's going to vomit. Jia's teeth rattle violently. "I don't think all vampires are evil." Kay lightens her voice to somewhat baby-talk the two into a comfort zone.

"Those don't exist..." Jia emphasizes in a quiet tone. She's in denial. Mya is in so much shock that she can't form words. Her mouth opens and shuts as if she's a malfunctioning robot.

"I thought that too....but I've seen them with my own eyes."

"This could all be in your head." Jia croaks.

"Then how did you two see the dimension??"

"Maybe we're all crazy..." She goes on with utter denial.

"No...the Spell Bender books date back to B.C. My grandmother is flying in to train me. My ancestors and grandmother can't all be insane." This silences them both. Kayla twiddles her thumbs. "I know how it sounds...but our reality is a lie. For all we know, everything from folklore is true. It might help if you assume fairytales are real." Kay hopes this solution will break her friends out of the comatose state they're in. "Look...I can't do this alone. I need my girls with me on the call. Someone has to walk with me. Please."   

KOTA

The kitchen phone trills. Kota is the only one in the room. He eyes it, hoping he can speak to Kayla. I still feel that we should meet. Hiding me from her is a bad choice. She has no idea who's she's helping. Or how much I appreciate it. Kota move in on the phone, only for his father to round the corner. "Everyone to the kitchen, now!" He summons. Kota conceals his urge, none of them notice how eager he is to pick up the phone.

Matto answers. Those without special hearing hunch their ears to the speaker. Kota stays put. "Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Ahoka." Kayla greets. A hotness submerge his dead heart. As if it has a temperature. As if it's living once again. The symphony of her voice awakens a whirlpool in the dull organ. Huh? What??? How is that possible?? I'm dead.... What is happening?? "I would love if more was explained so I can understand." The sharp frequency of hers is hard for Kota to disregard. His heart inhales every musical note escaping her mouth.

"Share any questions, we will answer all." Grandad is tender.

"What exactly did you need help with?"

"We're hoping to locate a cure..."

"A cure?"

"Yes."

"For vampires?"

"Yes."

"Is that even possible??"

"The earth provides natural cures, our hope clings to this option." Grandfather explains. "This is the best way, since Kota is new and has not completely lost his humanity."

"Our son hasn't always been this way. This curse is current." Matto takes over the conversation.

"How current?"

"He was human two weeks ago."

"Oh..." Kayla mumbles sullenly. "I'm sorry to hear that."

"Thank you, dear." Odina express gratitude. "Not just for calling, but for wanting to help as much as you can. We appreciate you involving your grandmother."

"You're welcome."

"When can we arrange a meeting?" Matto asks.

"She flies here in 2 days; we can meet then."

"Please share her name."

"Gloria."

"Hmmm..." Grandad knit his brows together. "I recall the name..."

"Huh??" Kayla is lost. "How do you know her??"

"It seems to be a small world...I am also a Spell Bender."

"You are?!"

"Yes."

"Wow... there must be loads of us, then?!"

"No...unfortunately, our coven is small."

"Oh..." She murmurs. "Still...it'll be so cool to meet you. My grandma will be surprised."

"Please arrange a time as soon as possible," Odina pleads.

"I will, I promise."

"Any more questions, Miss. Harris?"

"Yes...who are Spell Benders hiding from?"

Grandad answers this one. "You've seen him in your visions. The blonde demon with red eyes."

Kota eyes bulge. Once again, he piece together the riddle. His grandfather mentioned this man before. He thought maybe it was a coincidence. This time he doesn't keep quiet. "That sounds like the one who attacked me..." He stares at his parents. Who must have forgotten the description their son gave them. They tried hunting the animal down and failed. So naturally they forgot the details.

Grandad is startled by his words. "The possibility is slim..."

"What if it isn't? What if we can locate him using Kayla??" Kota speaks her name for the first time. There's a tone of attachment in the depth of his gentle voice. A slither of admiration peeks through. "She's seen him!" A hint of vengeance fuels him. His eyes glint red, stirring the fiend in him.

"This isn't about revenge, son."

"This isn't revenge...it's justice." Kota combats his dad.

"Sometimes both blur into one..."

"THAT THING IS A MURDERER!!"

"CALM YOURSELF!" Matto chastise him. Kota stews in anger. Why won't he hear me out? Even if the description is a coincidence, he should be on my side. Helping me!! Why can't my father support me?!

Odina rummage through a kitchen drawer, taking out a pen and paper. "Maybe we should listen, dear." His mother hands him it. "Draw what you remember of the creature...that way Kayla can confirm the truth." This eases Kota. He appreciates that his mother is with him on this...yet is still wounded that his father isn't. The vengeance in his soul settles some. Odina gazes at the phone. "Miss. Harris. Do you have any more questions?

KAYLA

I'm too distracted by what was just said. I can't fathom to think up more questions. I guess that's all for now. Our next meeting will be another chance to take the floor. Plus, the bell just rang. "None that I can think of. I'll let you know when I have more. Goodbye for now."

"Yes...goodbye for now." Mrs. Ahoka bids her farewell.

The line buzzes. The trio stand inside a phone booth, their ears around the phone's speaker. Kayla stares at the receiver, wondering if Kota is right. I did see him and the evil vampire in an exact order. As if the sequences were linked. Was that more than a coincidence?? She hangs up the phone, then peers at her posse. "Thank you, I owe you big time.".

"Yeah, you do...I'll have nightmares." Mya is stiff as a board.

"I can't believe this is real??!" Jia stammers.

"I know...I thought the same too. I questioned my sanity. But it's all true...and I feel that this is just the beginning."

Mya breathes jaggedly. Kay assumes that her heart is attacking her. That she's having an anxiety attack. Her breathing is hoarse and fast. "Breathe! Deep breaths in and out." Kay coaches her. Jia goes along to comfort Mya, although she's just as shaken up.

"No!" Her raspy inhales grow louder. "We need to get to class." Mya rushes out. Jia runs after her.

Kayla holds her head, distraught. I wish this was easier for my girls. I wish they could adapt to this odd universe as I did. I was scared for a bit...before adjusting myself. Was that because I decided to ignore it and press on? Or because my bloodline has been exposed to it for centuries?? Strangeness is part of my history. Ironically, history is my next class.

The topic is the same. I guess The Vampire Dugout is the assigned subject for this month too. I bet there's some huge final assignment to sum up all the studying. Kay finds herself more and more intrigued by the dugout, now that she knows the truth. Today the class utilize VCN ExecuVision, a computer presentation software. The students are in the library on white, hump-backed computers, using slideshow tools. They use text boxes to sum up the assignment. 

The chalkboard reads: PREPARE A NEWS REPORT SCENEARIO. CHOOSE THREE TOPICS TO DISCUSS ON CAMERA.

Cliff raise his hand. "What is it, Mr. Cliff?" The plump man heaves a sigh.

"A news report. Why are we doing that?"

"To place yourselves in the past. You'll also dress accordingly and speak in 1918 dialect. "But you'll have plenty of time before the video is due. As of now, I'm arranging a educational trip to Belgium."

Kayla tugs her mouth to one side. A trip to Belgium? To a place lurking with immortal creatures??? The Ouija board revealed what's beneath the surface. The red eyed, blonde villain who spooks Spell Benders. Kota's conclusion wasn't wrong. I've seen who killed him...and possibly know where the beast is. I can't wait for the meeting so I can confirm this. I don't need a picture drawn to verify the truth. The only issue is how my words will promote danger. The fury and pain Kota has will lead to a fight. This demonic vampire murdered him and damned his soul.