The movie, unlike the initial buzz, went pretty lazy for me since my mind wandered away from the scenes, often. Thus, with my half-filled caramel popcorn and Stephen's buttery one; I dragged him out of the hall and looked at the posters once again to see what other movies were playing. His groans were simply distracting, "don't let it be a romance, don't let be a chick flick", thus for the fun of it I wondered if I should select the cheesy romance one I saw earlier but knowing well that, it won't interest me in the least; I dropped that idea. 

I found my date. A smiled brightened up my face as Stephen lazily picked one from his box and then from mine. When I tugged at his sleeves, he looked at me then groaned. A supernatural movie called, 'Possessed' was playing right now.

I hastily yanked him into the movie with lots more to eat since I tend to eat when I am restless. Though he was groaning a lot, Stephen kept a straight face right through making it obvious; he wasn't the tough guy. Alright, this should be fun.

To be honest, I had doubted my pick that if this movie will even surprise me a bit. Surprise, surprise; my suspicion was right. I was bored to death. Nonetheless, I have to agree, the movie edits and effects were spectacular with many horror scenes jumping without notice which got many of us shriek alike. Once that pop of heart calmed down, Stephen and I laughed. As the thugs we are, we screamed once again when the hall was too quiet; making others jump and scream. That got many more people to laugh nervously.

That was the only fun thing happened during the exaggerated hours.

However, I knew movies would have been a bad idea since my mind was preoccupied with what will happen now that I am at the last clue. I know the details mom gave me in the letters were a fib, since, let's face it; for a mere map that which may or may not lead to some treasure land, these stupid people won't wait and run like headless chickens for all these years. It has to be something far more sinister, far greater than important. I remember mom warning about something like that. Damn! Why does this have to be so problematic?

Phew, suddenly a gang of friends laughing distracted me. The girls and boys looked carefree and energetic. Damn, there is no way, I can walk into my classes again or I can complete my graduation with such short attendance. But, a part of me wonders... I mean, I don't know, with Tom's grace, will I get a chance so that I wouldn't have to waste a year more; but honestly, this whole school drama is least of my worries. Seriously!

What if I screw up major time? Will I die? Will someone else die because of my stupidity? Is this the way my life was supposed to end? Being a scapegoat for someone else and then die meaninglessly?

I sighed and rubbed my face as Stephen gorged on pizza talking animatedly, in fact, explaining how stupid the film was. Indeed! It did give him a fright. If he is not crashing in one of his friend's house, then he will be sleeping in my room, tonight. I bet on it.

"I see... you are really worked up. Let me check, you want to know when the full moon is right, well..." Stephen stopped munching like a cow and pulled his phone out.

I am not sure what he was doing but I am sure, it will be something stupid to find the answers. He should only ask Google but he will pick someone from his contact list and demand an explanation with the answer. He argues a lot that Google is obnoxious and way too proud of his liking. Yea, right!

I was playing with the cheese; pulling and pushing to see the glazed stretch, watering my mouth enough to row a boat. Immersed in my own foolish thoughts, I felt someone tap on my shoulder. I turned around curiously to find an unfamiliar face, smiling at me. I think I have seen him from somewhere.

"Hello stranger," he said, realizing I didn't recognize him.

"Oh... hi," I greeted him and awkwardly stood there for a while, debating if I should hug him or not. He had grown a beard since I last saw him, making it hard for me to catch him. But his voice remained just the same. After a while, he simply side hugged me and sat down next to Stephen, making him scoot. Stephen's eyes held mine, in a teasing glance, but clearly disliking the man who just made Stephen scoot.

"Well, umm, he and I met... umm, on the run," I said to no one, stammering for no apparent reason.

"Actually, we are still strangers, and you never called me." He looked at me accusingly.

And that got me on my guard, back on track. "Well, I wasn't really in a frame of mind to converse with strangers. Besides, I didn't even catch your name. So, now that you are here, I can properly save your number with a name and decide if I can keep company with a total stranger." If he noticed my cold snarky tone, he didn't show it. Instead, he simply flirtatiously said, "Ah, so, you missed my number." He was so close to pouting but smiled hearing my reply.

"I believe I do. I am sorry like I said, I wasn't at my leisure. And remember, we are still strangers."

"It's fine, give me your number, I will call." I loved how this guy smoothly changed his tone to one of that was the concern.

"Umm, I don't even know your name," I said, unsure to give him my number or not. I eyed Stephen who had his eyes on the phone but was listening to us with that stupid teasing smile on his face. That dork! He looked up briefly to let me know he knows that I know... you know... whatever!

"Kris, Kris Hemsworth, nice to meet you..." stranger smiled warmly at me and then looked at my goofy brother.

"Lillian," I said.

Kris looked at Stephen again unsure how to feel around him. When I realized he thought Stephen might be my boyfriend, I was about to rectify it when Stephen decided to play that way, looking into my eyes with the signature twinkle and crinkle.

"What do you actually want with my girl?" his face was stone cold and severe.

Kris wavered, looking really fidgety, "um, nothing, I just met her and I want to be friends. That's all."

"So, what, you meet and then you want to be a friend? Just like that, huh!"

Kris looked flustered. He scooted away from Stephen and started, "I... look," he was stopped by a more intense Stephen. "No, tell me..."

"Look, man, I don't want to be with this blasted joke, I just met her and... look, I don't want your girlfriend dude. Alright," Kris shook his head and raised his head in surrender. When Stephen glared at him; Kris was about to get up and go when Stephen and I burst into laughter. He looked too damn confused. Umm, did I say that made him look irresistibly handsome and cute? Well, yea...

I slapped Stephen hard on his arm and said to Kris, "This dork here is my brother. Gosh, he did a nice job in making you blush hard. Ha!" I slapped on the table and laughed again.

Kris ran his hand through his hair smiling sheepishly, sporting beet red ears. Finishing pizza, Stephen got up and walked out, saying he will be back and that I should wait for him here.

"My, that really got me..."

"Yes, it did," I smiled and played with my food. I wasn't quite myself to be talking with him now that I was alone with Kris. He ordered something for himself and waited for me to say something.

"Hey, you are not talking. Should I leave? Are you... umm, are you..."

"No... it's... it's not that. Ah, look, I am not that talkative person you met that day. I was in a very different temper and... you saw me the so not-me version. The...uh, I mean, the me-version is actually quiet, snarky, sarcastic or both. Sorry, if this doesn't make any sense."

"Oh, I get it."

"No, you don't."

"I think I do. I think, yes... well, did you crack any more punching bags?"

"Come on, I didn't puncture it, I punctured me that day."

"At that rate, if your body didn't shut down; I seriously planned to buy another one for myself."

"Ha-ha, very funny."

"It is, trust me, it is..."

Once again, we plunged into silence where we didn't know what to talk. His food looked scrumptious but my pizza was still cold and begging on my plate. I chewed my food slowly.

"So, that day about your uncle... well,"

"You remember that? Wow!" I leaned back in my padded chair, "but, uh, sorry, I don't want to talk about it. However, I can tell you this; that crazy nightmare isn't over yet."

"Oh... ok," I can tell he wanted to pry and get every juicy detail. I can see his reporter gaze on me but I chose to ignore them and ask him something else. Asking about the full moon, won't throw any unhealthy secrets away, now, will it?

"Hey, listen; do you know when the next full moon is? I am kind of interested in that thing, you know."

Suddenly a drunken man on my side asked, "Are you into the occult?" Kris and I were silent for a few minutes before his and my eyes glinted dangerously.

"Yes, she is in and she wants a volunteer to get her fill on the night. She drinks blood and eats men like you for breakfast, you know." Kris said in a very perilous tone but the man perked up. Ah, Kris and Stephen are a tad too much similar, coming to pranking people.

"Ah, I am interested. I will submit myself to the stupid devil stuff if this lady is at the other end." He chuckled as he licked his lower protruding lips, showcasing yellowish crooked teeth.

"Oh boy," Kris muttered under his breath looking at me with his eyes wide, stifling his laughter.

"Look, I don't drink sexily like that in the movies. That's bulls*it. The way I do... let's see, I will rip you apart first, limb from limb, skin for skin, and shred your juicy bones in a blender to get the right consistency for my fill. And then I will leave you bleeding to death with your screams filling my gloomy dungeon. It's going to be sexy." I smiled as evilly as I could.

I looked pretty serious and the drunken man was silent for a while. Either his drunken state was a child or he was indeed a child because his lips whimpered and he got up running away screaming girlishly.

Kris and I had a laugh, snitching our sides. The tears didn't stop falling even when our laughter seized on our lips in crooked smiles. I saw another couple two tables down laughing. I awkwardly smiled at them.

But when all of that subsided, and Stephen wasn't calling yet; I was out of topic and kind of stuck with Kris here. It's not like I was always a talkative person. He noted my hesitation and had his doubts.

"Look, I can leave if this is making you uncomfortable."

"You say that because you don't know me. I am always like this. I don't talk much; I hate it."

"Uh, but... I can't believe it since last time I saw... you were, uh," he stopped, scratching his temple, looking down.

"I understand. But, like I said, I was not myself that day. Heck, I am not myself lately, but..." I sighed heavily looking outside feeling utterly devastated. Tears pricked my eyes for no reason but I do have a reason, right? Everything just tumbled down on me like a freaking avalanche crushing my peace.

Who the heck is my mother? I would so love to smack her right now.

A warm hand curled through my fingers, looking at me softly. Kris reached out and wiped the tears from my face. Embarrassed, I wiped it myself looking away.

"You don't have to be embarrassed to be crying. You are a strong woman. I have never met a girl who comes to smack a punching bag when angered and then eat s*it loads enough to fill a cow. That sure does count for something. You are brave and strong if you don't know about it."

I genuinely felt touched. I deeply thanked him with my small smile unable to utter a word. Lately, I have been leaning myself to whoever that said good and soft words to me.

Once again I sighed audibly, irritating myself with the stupid sound. Kris looked into his plate and offered me his half-filled plate with a scared look. I laughed at his childish behavior. I declined his offer, though. Shrugging he started to finish it saying he doesn't like wasting food at all.

I was sipping water, listening to him chat when I got a message.

'Come to the back alley, I am waiting for you.'

The message came from Stephen's phone, but it felt off. To receive something as clipped and to point from him wasn't exactly Stephen. Since he always messaged me quirkily with lots of emoji or something beautifully insulting. This was not Stephen. Kris, noticing the frown on my face asked me if I was alright. When I explained, he said he will come with me.

Paying, I got up and walked out first with Kris closely behind me. Walking to the back alley of the building didn't feel right as the place was crowded with the wrong lot but, it was crowded. Once, reaching the back alley, I only heard a gunshot and a body falling down.

It took a while to realize it was Kris who fell to my feet, squirming. I looked ahead to see Stephen in the hands of some bulky thugs. The leader, who shot, smirked at me.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" I snarled as I looked around for someone to call for help.

"I didn't want company," he said like he was saying, nice jacket.

"He knows shit, he and I only met now, you stupid lamppost."

"This girl knows tongue." His gang laughed.

"The fuc* I know. Who the hell are you and now why do you want that sack in a gag like that? Aren't you capable of holding a man still?" I said pointed my brother as I pulled out my phone.

"Don't test me, girl. I want the treasure your mother who*re sacked."

"Well, get this thick head. I haven't received that yet. Thanks to my mother bi*ch for making it damn hard for me; now, leave that guy go and let me help this guy. When I am able to get hold of it from wherever that cu*t of a woman have stashed it; I will get it for you. If I ever come out of there alive, that is. I heard she has explosives stuffed in that place if something goes wrong."

"You are a talker. What makes you think I will wager?"

"Now, I am not going there. I have said what I need to. Let me at least help this guy here. He ain't anybody." I mentally apologized to Kris. It was me who brought him here.

"What makes him special?"

"That... he is a human while you are not. Now, if I may, please..."

He was silent for a while. That line must have touched him or enraged him but I was ready to beat his thick head. I don't care. Suddenly Stephen kicked the guy on his shin and turned around to kick the man's gun from his hands. Seizing the moment, I held Kris on my shoulder and walked out to the street. Good thing the bulky man lost his aim since the bullet had only grazed on his biceps. It must hurt like hell, nonetheless.

Few boys, dressed as bikers, from the other end, came running to me and helped Kris. They got mounted him in one of the bikes and drove him to the hospital. When I ran back to help Stephen, the rest of was finishing it for me.

Though the situation was tackled and Stephen did beat the heck out him, another man held him while another one punched his stomach like Stephen was bob. Enraged, I charged towards the man, jumped and knee kicked on the man's head. He was short and bulky. Then held his head and punched again and again until he felt limb in my hold. I kicked to his stomach and slapped his cheeks hard.

"F*ck with my brother again; I will fuc*ing kill you," I yelled as a parting gift. Then I kicked on his groin. Leaving him there on the ground, whimpering. Stephen was helped by the gang.

"Girl, you can beat some ass."

I just smiled at the handsome biker man.

"Teach us ladies a few beats, yo." That was when I realized the other manly dressed guy was, in fact, a woman. With her shaved head, chiseled cheeks and piercings, I mistook her for a guy. She looked muscular and beautiful. I was really surprised. I have seen ladies looking manly and tomboyish but have never seen one too strong looking like her. I smiled at her, "I am no expert. I am... I just learned a few self-defense beats."

"That as amazing, that ain't self-defense!" she retorted sarcastically but I can tell, she was inwardly impressed.

"Thanks, but..."

"Can you or can you not?" she asked finally.

"I haven't got the time, sorry," I said.

"Cool!" she surprised me by hugging and giving me her card. In fact, a simple advertisement card for some spa scratched and written her number like a toddler learning her first written letter, "You should call me."

"Yes, I will. Once the heat of my temperament is lessened, I will surely call you."

The biker man hugged her sideways and walked away asking for the countless time if we need any help. I smiled and pushed him away.

"I just got out... to smoke and that bastard held me," he spoke difficulty as I revved up his beauty.

"Don't talk."

"He wanted to know where the treasure is. Fuc*..."

"I said, don't talk."

Stephen lightly chuckled, "I said my treasure is inside the diner," he coughed lightly, "On a date..."

"You dork; poor thing got shot because of me." I was not that angry but worried since Stephen was really in a bad shape. He was coughing so much. It really worried me.

He sat straight and caught my shoulders, "Nothing is happening because of you. Everything happens, just because it happens, alright."

"Yes, everything happens because of that bitch."

"Hey, the Lillian I know will never speak like that."

"Stephen, you tell me then. This is all happening because of her. Who were those men, dude? Oh my, poor Kris..."

"Its fine, I know that biker gang. They are good people. They will take care of him."

"Oh..." no wonder why they came to rescue immediately, "well, how did they..." I began, but he cut me to it.

"When I was forced to message you, to come you know, I message them immediately first and then messaged you. They were late but anyway, they helped us. Kris is in safe hands."

"Alright... do you want to go to the hospital?"

"And risk getting seduced by lovely nurses? Nope," he smiled cheekily.

"You never change!"

"As if I want to," He retorted then coughed again. He sat straight without flinching; that is good, right? But then he groaned lightly; sigh.

By the time we reached the mansion, it was late. I cannot believe we were out for the whole day. Just us; enjoying being teenagers, I love that feeling but I know it was going to end soon.

Like right now.

As we were about to enter the gates, Stephen sighed sadly and said, "Ah, I never told you, Lil." I cut the engine, giving him my full attention. "Full moon's tonight."

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Sorry for the long gap, Was off the world for a while. But I am back. Hope you like this and the rest to come :D

About three-four chapters more :O :((

Hooolllllaaaa, do comment guys :)