Welcome back to Hello Charlotte everyone I'm glad everyone enjoyed the first chapter. Please remember to COMMENT and VOTE, it means a lot to me. Plus I like talking to you guys and hearing your opinions. Also, remember to watch the video it goes with the chapter. The song is: Creatures by Shinedown ~XOXO BUTTERBALL~

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-Charlotte-

I woke up with a start the sound of my own name being called echoing in my ears. I let out a groan covering my ears as a strange buzzing began to grow in my ears. I glanced to my left to see Ivo sleeping on the couch, he'd offered it to me but I chose to sleep on the floor instead. The living room was slightly illuminated with the moonlight that streamed through the windows.

"Shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up..." I muttered softly as I pushed my hands harder against my ears.

For all, I know this noise isn't even real.

A sudden creak on the steps caused me to look over, I saw a silver glint in the shadows as I sat up. However, as the glint of silver reached the middle of the stairs I let out a sigh of relief.

"Oh its just you," I mumbled as Lorithia climbed down the stairs.

She froze for a moment her tail sticking straight up as she slowly looked over at me. "Y-you're still awake?" She stuttered out as she gave me a wide-eyed look.

Slowly I lowered my hands from my ears as I drew my knees up to my chest. "Who could sleep in a house like this?" I sighed.

Lorithia looked away before slowly coming over to me. "What's wrong? Is it insomnia? If so I can use my magic to make something that'll help you sleep." She offered her voice taking on a friendlier tone.

I flicked my tail out as I narrowed my eyes. "No amount of magic is gonna calm me down in this place," I grumbled.

"You don't know until you-"

"When you went to the bathroom earlier, Delilah tried helping me calm down using the pollen from one of her plants. It did absolutely nothing so please don't start with that bullshit," I hissed.

She flinched but then looked over at Ivo. "That monster is really sleeping peacefully." She sounded shocked.

She turned towards the front door before looking back at me. "If he's asleep then you can leave. Just come with me I'm sure I can do something about the markings on us at least until we get back to Kessel."

For a moment I just sat there glaring at the floor and gritting my teeth. Slowly I looked up at Lorithia, I felt my scales roll over my skin briefly as my claws dug into my palms. "I trusted Kessel with everything I had. When I used to live here, at the time he was the only one I could depend on. Even after I met Ivo, a small part of me somewhere still believed in him. But now I don't care if that bastard rots. When he shot me he knew full well what he was doing. He didn't aim for Ivo, Delilah or Atlas, he turned that bow directly on me without a second thought," I let out a small humorless laugh. "Then he had the nerve to teleport me here, to trap me. Well, I'm done trusting him."

Lorithia flinched again. "It had to be a mistake, the whole room was filled with smoke, I could barely see, why do you expect Kessel to be able to? Plus he really misses you, the way he talked about you around me, you're his daughter."

At her words I froze, as an ice cold rock settled in my stomach. Memories of a different more peaceful time in these very mountains ran through my head like they were taunting me. "I don't have a father," I whispered as I turned away to face Ivo.

He's sleeping so deeply, he must've been running on empty this whole time.

"I'm going to see if there's a weakness on the further stretches of the barrier," she informed me.

I didn't say anything in response.

"Y-you're not going to stop me?" She asked in a confused tone.

"I don't have to. The mountains will, just try to make it back so that I don't have to worry about Ivo or I dying." I informed her.

"I'm part of the aveon foundation I think I can find my way around some mountains." She replied.

As I heard the front door open and close I let out a little sigh. "She'll come running back in the morning."

I reached out and gently grabbed one of Ivo's hand. Just holding his hand in mine sent a soothing feeling through me. I yawned as I laid back against the couch.

Very soon I found myself barely able to keep my eyes open, as I closed my eyes and relaxed I could've sworn I felt someone stroking my hair.

I forced my eyes open a little and caught sight of purple and black scales.

"Don't worry...Charlotte...I'm still here..." A familiar voice echoed around me.

"I know Ivo, you're always there," I mumbled as I began to drift off to sleep.

~~~~

I woke up to Ivo softly shaking me, while he did look well rested he also looked concerned. "Huh? What is it?" I asked confused.

It seemed like it was earlier morning, the sun was streaming in through the curtains giving the dim room some light.

"You're not hurt are you?" He asked me a bit frantically.

I rubbed a hand over my eyes. "If I was hurt you'd definitely know." I reminded him.

He grabbed my arm gently and held it up, for some reason my scales were up but the ones on my right arm were oddly bent and slightly lifted up. It almost looked like someone had tried to pull the scales off of my skin but gave up.

For a moment I just stared in shock and confusion.

"How in the hell..."

Ivo sighed. "That's not the only thing."

He dropped my arm as he pointed toward the floor surrounding me. I looked down and when I did I scrambled to my feet as a chill rolled over my skin. Where I had been laying down was covered with a large dark red smear that led all the way to the front door.

"What the hell is this?" I asked as I looked around.

"It was there when I woke up, at first I thought it was coming from you," Ivo informed me.

I let out a sigh as I dragged a hand down my face. "That idiot went up into the mountains," I blurted out.

As if on cue a loud scream echoed from outside. Ivo's eyes widened before he disappeared, teleporting outside.

"I told that idiot that the mountains would stop her," I grumbled as I walked over to the front door not bothering to put my scales down.

When I grabbed the doorknob a small zap struck my hand, leaving behind a stinging tingling feeling across my skin.

"Ow, what in the..." I froze as I looked at the doorknob it looked different somehow.

Maybe some static electricity.

However, when I tried to open the doorknob again I received that same zap almost like I was being rejected by something.

"No dragons allowed..."

A voice whispered echoing from upstairs. For a moment I looked down at my scales, the familiar purple glinting back at me in the dim light that streamed through the window. The crooked scales had fallen off but had already started to grow back, little purple spots were visible just beneath the smooth skin.

Just looking at the scales sent a strange feeling of disgust over me almost like I couldn't stand the sight of them. "They need to go," I whispered. I slowly reached up dug my claws into the scales on my neck, gripping the scales tightly but not breaking the skin..

"Charlotte? What was that noise?"

I jumped slightly as I blinked slowly, I turned to see Atlas coming down the stairs looking like he'd just woken up.

I frowned. "Is Delilah still asleep?" I asked.

"Huh? Oh yeah, she was really tired so she fell asleep the moment her head hit the pillow. I can't blame her though," he told me a slight smile on his face.

It wasn't Delilah's voice...Ivo said he killed Rebecca. But he didn't eat her, I planted her skull on the fence but her body... oh, right we stuffed the rest of it in a wood chipper?

I massaged my temples as I let out a sigh. "I'm still tired, that idiot went into the mountains but came running back," I told him as my scales went down.

I opened the front door this time without a problem, as I walked outside Atlas followed me. "You mean Lorithia went into the mountains by herself? Why would she do that?" He asked the shock clear in his voice.

"Apparently despite what Delilah told us yesterday, she figured that she'd be able to find a weakness in the barrier near the outer edges," I explained.

Another scream echoed from across the street as Ivo appeared dragging a struggling Lorithia behind him from within the forest.

"Would you shut up! I'm telling you there is no monster!" He snapped in at Lorithia.

She was streaked with dirt, leaves, and twigs were tangled in her hair. "I saw it! You didn't, it was a weird furry giant!" She yelled back at him as she tried her best to get out of his grip.

I let out a snort as I crossed my arms. "I told her the mountains would bring her back screaming."

"W-wait there's an actual furry monster up there?" Atlas asked me quickly.

"Nah, she probably ran into a big bear they love these mountains."

However the moment I said it, I couldn't help but frown as Atlas and I looked at each other.

This barrier needs something to feed off of to sustain itself.

Atlas seemed to have the same train of thought as me. "I'll go wake up Delilah real quick, okay." He told me as he ran back into the house.

Ivo let out a huff as he approached me, Lorithia right behind him. He looked at me. "Charlotte, why didn't you wake me up when she was going to leave?"

"I figured she wouldn't trust what you said so I let her find out on her own. For someone so smart I thought she'd know that it's not a good idea to go stumbling around in the mountains at one in the morning," I explained.

"I-I thought that you meant that I'd get lost! Not that there was a giant monster up there!" Lorithia exclaimed.

"You know that you probably just saw a fat bear right?" I pointed out.

Lorithia hissed at me her tail standing up as the fur bristled on it. "It wasn't a fucking bear! It had two horns and this weird shiny stuff on its stomach! Stop dismissing me and listen!" She snapped her hands clenched into fists.

"Ivo, maybe we should go check. Even if it is just a weird bear it could also be what's sustaining the barrier," Delilah told him as she and Atlas came outside.

Ivo crossed his arms as he looked toward the mountains. "Even though I doubt that something like a bear could sustain a barrier of this strength. We should probably go look." He agreed.

Lorithia's eyes went wide. "Wait am I coming along too?"

Ivo shook his head. "Delilah and I will go check. Atlas can you do me a favor and look after Charlotte for me until we get back."

"I don't need a babysitter," I protested.

Ivo looked at me. "You've been acting strange since you woke up, not just that your thoughts are also weird, to say the least. You know how bad of an effect this place has on you so just sit tight until I get back. Hell, drink yourself unconscious if you want, just stay here."

Despite wanting to protest I knew that Ivo was right, ever since we'd stepped foot inside this house I'd felt strange. All the familiar whispering voices and odd noises were making me further on edge.

"Fine, I'll drink and watch tv or something," I said as I smiled slightly.

"Good girl."

"I left some fruit and vegetables on the kitchen table last night in case anyone got hungry," Delilah informed us.

"I'll cook breakfast then," Atlas said as he stepped back inside.

I watched Delilah and Ivo disappear into the nearby forest before I went back inside.

I guess I am hungry, I'll help Atlas cook.

Walking into the kitchen I saw Atlas digging through one of the kitchen drawers the gentle clang of silverware moving echoing in the room. "The knives are in the drawer next to the fridge," I told him as I walked over to him.

Grabbing a nearby strawberry I popped it into my mouth letting out a soft sigh as a sweet taste filled my mouth. Almost instantly my stomach growled.

"We didn't exactly eat anything yesterday so of course, you'd be hungry." Atlas chuckled as he grabbed a knife out of the drawer.

"True we didn't have time to eat while planning our castle siege. And yesterday I wasn't exactly hungry after I took an arrow to the stomach." I said as I also picked up a knife.

"You should be resting Charlotte, I don't want you to reopen your wounds or anything." He said as he turned to me.

"Oh not you too, thanks to the extra power boost Lorithia gave Ivo it just scarred up. The scar probably won't go away though but that doesn't matter. If I don't do something I'll go stir crazy," I informed him as I grabbed one of the vegetables off the table.

He smiled at me. "Yeah, it is kinda stuffy in here. I'm getting more flight crazy though, but even if I did stretch my wings the barrier would stop me from going too high. I'm really surprised that you don't feel like flying either."

Eventually, we settled into a nice calm quiet, the sound of the knife hitting the cutting board and counter echoing through the kitchen.

I stopped for a moment as the hair on my tail stood up. It felt as though someone was staring at me. I turned towards the kitchen door only to see Lorithia standing there watching us. She looked like she had just taken a bath, her hair a dark shade of gray instead of the usual silver. I couldn't help but notice something twitching beneath all her hair.

"You have cat ears," I said aloud.

"Eh, yeah you don't?" She asked her eyes going to my tail.

"I'm a chimera, so I'm not gonna have every animal that makes up a part of me," I reminded her as I resumed chopping vegetables putting more strength into it. Something about her just irritated me.

"Hey...can I ask a question?"

Atlas looked at her. "Sure go ahead, if I know the answer I'll try to help."

Lorithia glanced at me before turning to Atlas. "Um...why are there chains underneath the bathtub? Did that therion put them there?"

At her words I froze mid-chop, my full strength coming down on the knife. A loud snap entered my ears as it shattered. My chest felt tight almost like I wasn't bringing in enough air.

"Charlotte, your hand!" Atlas exclaimed.

I glanced at my hand to see that my scales had come up on my hand, the broken shards metal from the knife stuck in my flesh by just the very tip. I ignored it as I slowly turned to Lorithia.

"What did you say?" I asked slowly.

"I-I said that there were chains underneath the bathtub. But shouldn't you worry about your hand?" She repeated.

I pushed past her as I quickly left the kitchen. Behind me, I could hear Atlas's footsteps as he followed me. Quickly I climbed the stairs nearly running as I approached the top.

The moment I set foot on the second floor a strange chill ran over my skin as though I had walked into a freezer. I continued my path to the bathroom that sat at the end of the hallway.

"Charlotte what are you doing?" Atlas called out after me.

I opened the bathroom door with more force than necessary causing it to bang against the wall. Ignoring Atlas's continued questions, I knelt down next to the bathtub and began to feel around underneath it.

It took a second but my hand eventually came into contact with those horrifyingly familiar cold metal chains.

Slowly I dragged the chains out, as they scraped across the tile it sounds like nails on a chalkboard causing my ears to ache.

I let out a gasp as I looked at the chains, they were covered with clumps of dirt and grass.

"Charlotte, please it's okay, here let me take a look at your hand it's bleeding," Atlas pleaded with me.

Slowly I turned to face Atlas, I could feel the warmth of my own anger in my veins. The taste of charcoal lingered in my mouth as my fire tried to crawl it's way up my throat.

"What's wrong?" Lorithia asked as she appeared in the doorway.

She looked at me and frowned. "You..."

I felt my scales roll over my skin for a brief moment as I stare at her or rather behind her. I could see a familiar small form, short red hair, cat ears, and tail. That disgusting smug smile.

"You cat bitch! You fucking did this!" I roared.

I took a deep breath as I gathered my fire. I saw Atlas's eyes widened a brief second before I opened my mouth. My flames met the bathroom door with a loud whoosh as they illuminated the whole room.

I was left panting and out of breath as my fire quickly extinguished themselves. I walked over to the door dragging the chains behind me as slammed the door open nearly ripping it off the hinges.

That bitch was standing there a smug smile on her disgust face as her orange eyes stared at me.

"Ready for round two daughter dearest?"

Her voice made my skin crawl and my stomach flip, my ears seemed to itch and burn with every word she spoke.

"I'll kill you!" I roared.

Rushing forward I wrapped my hands around her throat a gleeful smile spreading across my face as she struggled and gasped for air. Her pain was my greatest enjoyment and I sure as hell was going to savor it.

My chest felt tight like I couldn't breathe but it didn't hurt in fact I barely felt it.

Then suddenly something cold covered my skin, completely washing over me and my vision seemed to snap back into focus. The world around me crackled to life as though my body was a tv tuning into a new station.

I could hear Atlas saying something, slowly I looked down. I was on top of Lorithia my hands were wrapped around her throat and she was struggling violently.

Slowly I released her and sat back my hand going to my now wet shirt as I pulled something out of it. The object was cold and slippery in my fingers.

"An ice cube..." I whispered.

"Thank god that worked," Atlas's sighed with relief.

I looked at Atlas who let out a shaky humorless laugh as he looked at me. "There was no way in hell I'm strong enough to pry you off of Lorithia. But you don't do well in cold so-"

"Ice water." I finished slowly.

Slowly I got to my feet staring at Lorithia as she coughed and rubbed her throat the whole time she glared at me.

"I'm...sorry," I whispered.

Her left hand had transformed into a large dinner plate sized paw. "T-thank you Atlas," she gasped out.

Slowly I looked around the hallway a bowl was on the floor on its side, I turned back toward the bathroom taking note of the charcoal-like streaks that now lined.

"You shut the door in my face right?" I asked him.

"Yeah, there wasn't exactly anywhere to run when you shot that fire. Charlotte please be honest with me what was that? You just went crazy after you picked up those chains," Atlas asked.

"I saw her, I saw Rebecca she was standing here smirking at me. She brought the chains inside..." I told him.

"Charlotte are you sure?" Atlas's asked carefully.

"Ivo and I buried these chains together in the backyard. The only way they could've gotten in here is if someone brought them in. But only Ivo and I knew where they were!" I snapped as I held up the chains.

Atlas frowned as he took my injured hand into his. "I know, those chains are the same ones you showed me back then," he reminded me gently. "This place does feel strange, if anyone would know about there being ghost here it would be Ivo right? Even if we can't see them for some reason they're still souls."

I nodded then shivered as I realized how cold I actually was. I shook myself trying to get what water I could out of my clothes.

"Sorry about that," Atlas told me.

"It's not your fault it's mine." I turned to Lorithia. "Listen I'm really sorry if I had known it was you-"

"You don't have time apologize." She cut me off." For a long moment, she just stared at me. "Kessel told the four of us about you. The...stuff you experienced here...I'm not happy I got strangled but you couldn't exactly help. So yeah," she said carefully and slowly.

My eyes widened at her response.

When we got downstairs I let out a loud sigh of relief. "Lorithia do you want me to look at your throat it looks like there are a few bruises," Atlas asked her.

Lorithia shook her head. "I'm just healing slower because I haven't had any sugar lately. But there's fruit on the kitchen table so I'll be fine. I'm the Aveon foundation head medical researcher, so I can take care of myself." She looked at my hand. "Do you want me to help you with that?"

I looked at my hand it didn't really hurt outside of a faint stinging. "I'll be fine if I just take the shards out."

"I'll help you, if it's not done properly Ivo will probably eat me," Atlas said.

Lorithia eyes went wide as she looked at Atlas. "I thought you two were friends, would he really just eat you like that?"

"Well, he nearly killed me last time Charlotte got hurt on my watch," Atlas chuckled.

"I was dying in your arms apparently from what Lawrence said. Not to mention Ivo and Delilah didn't want us to go alone in the first place," I reminded him.

Atlas let out a snort as him and I sat down on the couch. "How could I forget, Kiree-Kiree village was one of the worst experiences of my life. Not to mention you scared me half to death," he said as he began to carefully pick the shards out of my hand.

I could hear Lorithia rummaging around in the kitchen. I let out a yawn as the cold seemed to sink into my bones, Atlas wrapped one of his wings around me.

"Your wings are scaly so they can't conduct warmth well." He said.

"As soon as my clothes dry I'll be fine. I'll probably just lay in the sun to speed it up." I told him.

"I could've sworn that I saw a dryer back near the back porch." He said more to himself than me.

"It...it's on the um, first basement..." I whispered.

Atlas glanced up at me but said nothing as he continued to treat my hand. Which each shard of metal he removed the skin closed up right behind it.

For moment or two things were quiet then Atlas spoke to me. "I want you to promise me something, it's the same thing you told me back in Kiree-Kiree village. Promise me that you won't bottle it up, that you'll tell one of us, be it me, Delilah or Ivo before you just buckle underneath all of the pressure." He told me softly.

For a few moments, we just looked at each. I was the first one to look away, my tail flicking out as I stared at the floor. "I...promise," I whispered.

"I couldn't hear you Charlotte," he said immediately.

I flinched my face heating up as I thumped my tail against the couch. I knew damn well he had heard me.

"I said I promise!" I nearly shouted.

A smile spread across Atlas's face. "There you go loud and clear."

I let out a huff as looked away. "When did you get so assertive?" I mumbled.

"I learned from Ivo that's the only way you'll actually listen to someone," he told me.

I rolled my eyes. "Oh god, like I need another Ivo in my life."

With my free hand, I reached into my shirt and pulled out my flask. Uncapping it with my teeth, I took a sip then held it out to Atlas. He looked at it confusion.

I smiled slightly. "A long time ago someone taught me that dragons seal promises with alcohol. Usually, they drink in their human forms then let out a big gust of fire into the air in their dragon forms. But since you can't do the fire thing we'll just do the alcohol part."

Atlas took the flask from me took a sip only to immediately start coughing afterward. "Holy shit that stuff is really strong. What even is it? Is this what asthma feels like?" He gasped out his face twisting with disgust.

"Huh, oh it's rum, whiskey, vodka, and moonshine mixed together," I said as I took the flask from him and took another gulp.

That familiar warmth ran across my skin leaving a prickly sensation as it clashed with my cold clothes. I shuddered slightly.

"Considering how small you are I'm surprised two sips of that doesn't immediately knock you out," Atlas said as he turned my hand around in his. "That's all the shards."

I closed my flask and tucked it back into my cleavage. Then I stood up and began taking my shirt off fumbling with it a bit as I pulled it off one of my wings.

"I'll never get used to these things. I'm gonna go dry my shirt this cold is getting on my nerves." I sighed.

However, Atlas grabbed the shirt out of my hand his eyes looking everywhere but me. "You said it's in the basement right? I'll do it."

Before I could say anything else he approached the door on the side of the staircase.

He practically ran out of the room.

Lorithia walked back into the living room holding a bowl of strawberries and grapes. "Um...why aren't you wearing a shirt? Wait were you and Atlas-"

"He went to go dry my shirt in the dryer because the cold was making sleepy," I told her immediately cutting her off.

"Oh." She sounded like she only slightly believed me.

I sighed. "We're friends, it's Ivo and I who are really close like that," I told her.

She jumped her tail standing straight up. "You and him? How, I mean how can you trust a monster like that?" She asked it like it was the most impossible thing in the universe.

I rolled my eyes as I crossed my arms and looked at her. "How can you trust Kessel?" I shot back.

She opened her mouth but immediately closed. "It's different." She whispered after a moment.

"By the way...I've been meaning to ask you something. Do these contracts markings ever disappear?" She asked me as she stared at her own contract markings. They looked similar to mine except smaller in size. "I never got the chance to study the contract Demon stuff up close and personal. And Kessel only told us the stuff he wanted us to know."

I frowned. "They disappear when both sides of the contract are met. You gave Ivo what he wanted by giving him more power, now he just has to fulfill what you wanted the moment the contract was made." I explained.

As I spoke Lorithia stared at my contract markings her eyes going from my throat, all the way to my stomach. "Yours are twice the size of mine, mine stops at my elbow. You must've wanted something you could never take back." She whispered.

I stretched letting out a small purr when I felt my back pop. "I've had a lot of people tell me that. It doesn't matter though, what I did to get these markings was worth anything under the sun and I'd never change that for anything."

I walked past her and into the kitchen to finish fixing breakfast. I heard soft footsteps behind me as Lorithia followed.

"Do you want me to help?" She asked as she watched me.

I shook my head, grabbing the knife on the cutting board I began cutting the vegetables. "I got it, I'm just going to make soup or stew anyway."

"Okay," She said softly.

I heard her footsteps softly fade away as she walked back upstairs. I looked out the kitchen window and frowned. Above the rooftop of the neighboring house, I could just about make out the bell belonging to the church.

I wonder if it still looks the same. This house feels untouched almost untouched by time.

I couldn't help but frown at my own thoughts.

Now that I think about it there's a lot less dust here than there should be.

Slowly I walked back into the living room to check something. However, when I looked down at the floor I froze.

"The blood smear from this morning is gone..." I whispered aloud.

That's right Atlas never asked about it, neither did Lorithia or Delilah. So when did it just disappear?

As I tried my best to recall the last time I'd seen it my head began to hurt.

"That smear of blood appeared this morning but it should've already been there. Just like the bloody handprints on the door..." I mumbled to myself. I shuddered as I walked back into the kitchen.

What is going on with this house? I feel like I can't trust my own memories anymore.

After a minute or two Atlas came into the kitchen. "Here you go Charlotte, sorry it took so long that dryer is really old." He said as he held out my shirt to me. He was looking at the refrigerator instead of me.

I reached out and grabbed my shirt, as I put it on I couldn't help but let out a sigh of content as warmth enveloped me. "Dryers are the best invention in the world," I purred.

Atlas let out a small laugh as he watched me. "Even better than magic?"

"Magic has nothing on dryers and heaters," I said instantly.

He let out a snort. "I don't know if Delilah would be sad or glad to hear you say that."

"I'm talking about things involving fire and clothes so probably happy," I replied as I returned to cooking.

With Atlas's help, we were able to finish making the stew just as Ivo and Delilah came through the front door.

"I told you it wasn't worth it. Those mountains are horrible just navigating them is like being a fish trying to find your way out of a plastic bottle," Ivo grumbled.

"Well, I told you to let me lead the way. I was asking the trees what direction to go." Delilah sighed.

Atlas and I walked into the living room as Lorithia came downstairs. "I could have gone with you two if you really had that much trouble," I told them frowning.

Delilah turned to me. "It's more of the fact that Ivo wouldn't listen to me. I swear he spent half his time eating and half of it completely ignoring my directions."

"Maybe I would've listened to your directions if half the trees you talked to weren't dead as fuck," Ivo mumbled under his breath.

Lorithia froze as she glanced at him. "So there was actually someone up in the mountains?" She asked Delilah.

"Why would you think that?" Delilah asked a look of confusion crossing her face.

"Well, you said he spent half the time eating," Lorithia said softly.

"Oh wait, no Ivo didn't eat a person, he ate three bears and two deer," Delilah explained quickly.

"Eh?" Lorithia squeaked sounding confused.

I shrugged. "Meat is meat."

"See Charlotte gets it, Delilah. While I didn't see anything I did sense something weird in those mountains, something strong. The problem was that we just couldn't get to it, every turn we made seemed to put us back at square one." Ivo sighed as he ran a hand through his hair.

"We could all go and I'll lead. I'm the only one left who knows how to actually navigate those mountains," I offered.

"Absolutely not," Ivo said automatically.

I rolled my eyes. "Oh for fuck's sake Ivo our options are pretty limited. Either I lead and we'll find what we're looking for or someone else does and we get nowhere."

"She makes a good point." Atlas pointed out.

Ivo crossed his arms as he glared at Atlas. "Be quiet bird boy." Ivo tapped his foot as he closed his eyes.

For a few moments, he was silent.

"If Charlotte's the only one who knows the way then it's probably the only option we have to find that weird monster," Lorithia said quietly as she stared down at the floor.

This only seemed to irritate Ivo further. "Goddamnit, fine! First thing in the morning we'll trek back up there!" He snapped.

"I'm sorry Charlotte. We probably could have found what we were looking for if we tried hard," Delilah told me in an apologetic tone.

I shook my head. "It's okay unless you know the way you're absolutely guaranteed to get lost. It's kinda why tourist weren't allowed up there."

"Breakfast is ready, well technically it's almost brunch," Atlas said.

"I'm starving. Spending time alone with Ivo can be exhausting," Delilah sighed.

"I'm right here tulip brain I can hear you," Ivo reminded her as he sat down on the couch.

"Good cause you didn't seem to hear me when I was trying to get us through that forest," Delilah said as she went into the kitchen.

After I grabbed my food I sat down in the recliner next to Ivo.

"Tell me what happened Charlotte," Ivo said the moment I sat down.

"How'd you know something happened?" I asked softly.

He gave me a small smile. "When I was in the mountains I couldn't breathe for a little bit and my hand started stinging. I figured you were either having a panic attack or finally snapped and attacked Lorithia. Not to mention the moment Atlas saw me he seemed like he was on edge, like he thought I might eat him or something."

I looked down. "The chains we buried...they showed up in the bathroom. Lorithia found them and I went upstairs, honestly, I thought I was crazy...but when I picked them up I saw her that slimy disgusting bitch in the hallway. I just snapped, I had to destroy her," I said softly.

"The chains that we buried were in the bathroom?" Ivo asked frowning.

I nodded. "They were covered in clumps of dirt and everything."

For a moment Ivo was silent as he got up. "Let's go check the backyard real quick," he suggested.

I nodded and followed him outside. We entered the backyard, the grass was thigh high, overgrown and littered with weeds.

Ivo and I stopped a little ways before the middle of the yard. Right before us sat a medium-sized hole, overturned dirt sitting at its side. A chill rolled over my skin covering me like a disgusting film as I wrapped my arms around myself.

"Charlotte, look at me I need you to breathe."

Ivo reached out but I flinched away. "Don't you get what this means? She's here! That bitch is actually here!" I snapped.

"Listen to me, any number of things could've done this, any number of animals. We're in the mountains for fuck's sake," he said crossing his arms.

Immediately I glared at him. "An animal....you think a fucking rabbit can pick up a pair of hundred-pound chain and just hop them inside!" I shouted.

Ivo let out a loud sigh. "You know what I mean Charlotte. I haven't seen anything, or anyone other than us. No weird souls-"

"If you won't help me get rid of that bitch I'll do it myself," I growled under my breath as stormed back into the house.