Summary: You can't hide everything forever. Sooner or later, the truth comes out. Come clean. You'll feel a lot better. But can Anon face the family of the one he has feelings for? After all, he's met the Patriarch before, and was left with a....less than stellar first impression. Monday 2:45 PM School really drags on when you don't want to be there. Well, I mean, I don't want to be here half the time anyway. But the whole crush being a vampire thing makes it drag on even more, like someone set the fucking time 0.02X speed. Music class wasn't any better, either. Another work packet, and I'm going in blind, guessing on all the questions. I hope Fang can help with the homework. Mr. Jingo was even nice enough to even let me finish the rest of it after school and turn it in tomorrow. Thank god I decided to hide in the library during lunch from Trish. I think she was texting Fang, or texting Reed, Fang never really answered any of my texts either, but at least she saw them from the double checkmark after each message. Come to think of it, Naser's been avoiding me during the transition period between classes, too. Did Naomi get to him? How anyone could deal with that Peach colored motor mouth is beyond me. The day was nearly over. As I reach my locker, and put away the various text books not needed for tonight, the PA soon sounds out. It's a loud voice. Spears. "ANON MOUS. REPORT TO MY OFFICE A.S.A.P." Alright, so I gotta head to the office. Why am I worried? It's the sound of static afterwards. Pretty sure Principle spears broke the receiver. "Please, Raptor Jesus, let this be a quick meeting." I groan as I tilt my head back, before closing the locker, spinning the lock a few revolutions to make sure it's locked. One final test tug on the door, and I head off towards the principle's office. All hope of a smooth meeting go out the door. Ripley, Samantha, Naser, and Naomi are all in there. I immediately duck out the door and back into the hallway. My instinct is to just fucking avoid it all together, and head on home to Fang. She'd know what to do, right? One of my hands press against the wall, as I hunch over, an arm cradling my stomach. I feel like I'm gonna hurl. Soon, I feel a pretty large hand grip my shoulder, and I nearly upchuck everything I ate today. Chemical spill averted, I glance back, and see it's Principle Spears. "Anon. I understand your hesitation. I assure you, you're not in trouble." Spears comments, as I feel the hand grip my shoulder a little tighter. Any chance of me getting out of dodge ends right there. He soon lets go, and I turn around, giving him a nod. Being a private matter, Spears stands guard in front of the door. Can't have the rest of the school finding out, right? As I walk into the office, I Immediately notice Ripley's glare. Fang really did a number on him. He's got stitches, and most of them aren't even removed yet. I really hope he's not gonna do the "I'm gonna do to you what they did to me" to Naser. My gaze shoots to Naser. He doesn't seem happy to be in there either. Hell, even the look on Naomi's face, normally all animated, is nothing more than a look of disappointment. The one I feel bad for the most out of the four? Samantha, Fang's mother. She always has this cheery look on her face, like a sage that believes in you, no matter how hard you fuck up. All I see is a frown. My legs begin shaking. I really should sit down. Nonchalantly, well, as much as I could bluff, I pull up a chair, and take a seat. Like fucking clockwork, Ripley's the first one to speak. "Alright, kid. I want answers." He asks, as he takes a seat behind Principle spears desk, as if he was the new interim principle. I'd rather take a suplex from Spears than a face rearrangement from him. Just as I was about to speak, I began to dig into my pocket, for my phone. Ripley begins to glare, probably thinking I'm dodging the question no doubt. His glare softens for a moment as I slide the phone towards him, making sure to scroll towards that fateful day Fang decided to strike him. Naser quickly moves to stand near his left, scrolling through the messages for his father. Naser knows. I showed him those same messages. I know exactly what he's looking at, when his brows raise. He's looking at the picture Fang sent, of the bitemark on her neck. A worried look is shot towards Samantha, who quickly scurries to his right. A hand quickly covers her snout, and I swore for a moment I saw those eyes open. They were Amber colored, like Fang's. She quickly looks away, her gaze shooting towards the floor trying to hide any sort of sorrow from me to see. Naomi's quick to move to Samantha's side, putting an arm around the smaller Pterodactyl. I didn't want to see any of their emotions at that point, so I just glance at the name plate on Spears' desk. Silence fills the room. Ripley slides the phone back in my direction, as he leans back in the chair, his hands resting on the back of his head. He's deep in thought. Fucker probably thought I did something, and with that alibi shown, he's probably trying to reload. "....How's Reed?" Ripley soon asks, tilting his head down to look at me. He's trying to read me like a book, looking for any leaks in my story, isn't he? "...I'm serious, Anon. How is he?" Fucking mumbling..... "He's okay last time I saw him. Shaken, but okay." I answer. I shoot Naser a glance, and he nods. "He was actually sober for once." Naser comments, rubbing the back of his head, trying to lighten up the mood. A reaffirming nod escapes the older Pterodactyl, leaning back in the chair for a moment, before leaning forward, resting his DGA golf swinging arms on the desk. "I want a straight answer out of you, boy. Have you seen Fang at all since Friday?" Fuck. How do I answer this? "Be straight with us, Anon." Naser soon comments. I mumbled that out loud again, didn't I? I sigh, tilting my head up to look at the lights on the ceiling, groaning for a moment, before I regain composure. "....Me and Naser found Fang at Reed's place. If I had to guess? She probably planned on staying there after she....swiped at you, Rip." I comment, as I began to piece together what I figured happened to the best of my ability. "Naser dropped me off back at my apartment, and not long after, I kept hearing this tapping noise on my window. It was Fang. She probably got spooked. She....." Fuck, do i tell her what she did to me? My hesitance was quickly pounced on. Only this time, it was by Samantha. "..What...What happened, Anon. What happened to my pirate queen?" She asks, that sweet carefree chime her voice had is replaced by this forceful demanding tone. I glance at her, and frown. Do I spill the beans now? Fuck it, what do I got to lose? "....I think she was bitten by a vampire." There's dead silence in the room. I have half a mind to let Naser step in, and explain the rest, but I'm pretty sure there isn't anything he's said that needs reconfirmation from me. So I continue. "Like I said, she was pretty spooked. Looked like she hasn't slept for about a day. She decided to crash at my place, and well.....She..." I trail off again. Samantha has this look of desperation, while Ripley begins glaring at me with malicious intent. Naser soon joins in. Hell, I swear Naomi's grinning out of the corner of my eye. I can't even say it. So, instead, I slowly pull my collar down on the right side of my neck, exposing a hickey that has quite a bit of bruising on it. Trish already saw it, and her reaction wasn't all that great. Should I expect anything better? I should've put some money down on that. The look on Naser's face was probably the worse, as he holds a hand up to his snout. He only got a glimpse earlier today in between classes. I don't think he had enough time to get a proper look. Naomi has a look of shock on her face, Samantha's mouth soon nearly drops, and Ripley's is a look of shock. Rip honestly surprised me the most. If this were a different circumstance? My head would be three hundred feet on the fairway right about now. "That doesn't mean...." Naser's hands began to dig into one of his pockets, probably reaching for that crucifix. I soon cut him off. "I still have a pulse, Naser, and I walked to school today. I didn't combust." Naser's fumbling soon stops, and the hand exits his pocket baring nothing. This wave of relief soon washes over me, after I explained everything. I really wish Spears was in here listening. He got that maturity he expected from me. At least I thought so. Ripley leans back in the chair, tilting his head upwards to stare at the ceiling again. "I assume Fang's still residing where you live?" He soon asks. "....I sent her a few messages today. She's seen them, but never replied. Rip, she's going through a lot right now." I had to turn the tables on this little interrogation. If I'm going to win the respect of him, I had to show him I cared. Right? "....She slashed you, didn't she?" I soon ask, glancing at the stiches that litter the side of his face. "....She didn't mean to. Whatever bit her.....it's in her head. I'm not even sure who or what it is, but I promise you, she'll return home soon." I comment. I even found myself standing up. The shaking in my legs disappears. My hands even plant themselves on the principle's desk to put a little oomph in those words. Naser soon chimes in. "...He means well, Dad. If he didn't help me when we confronted her at Reed's....I don't know where I would be." The only bad part, is I can hear Naomi swooning over Naser. Raptor Jesus so help me, Fang and I will never end up like these two. Samantha soon speaks up. "Anon. Promise me you won't harm Lucy. Promise me she'll return home in one piece." Her frown returns. A wave of guilt washes over me. This was all because I didn't answer that fucking text. I can't change the past, but I can try and change the future. I soon nod. "I promise. Rip. Sam. I'll do everything I can." I can hear sniffling coming from Samantha, and soon enough, she quickly moves around the desk and throws her arms around me, pulling me into a tight embrace. My arms remain at my sides for a moment, before they pat her back a few times, careful to avoid the cresting of her wings. Ripley gave Naomi a nod, and she moves to exit the office. I can hear her speaking to Spears. Samantha holds me in that hug for a few minutes. It felt....Nice, to be honest. I can't even remember the last time my own parents hugged me like that. The shorter Pterodactyl soon lets go, as the Taller, more menacing one taps her on the shoulder. The two also head out of the office, leaving just me and Naser. He's got this smug grin on his snout. I think he knows I probably won both of them over. Well, Ripley mainly. I think Samantha was more open with me being around anyway. "We got this. Anon. Keep me updated." He gives my shoulder a pretty heavy tap as he soon exits the office. A heavy sigh escapes. Not only did I make a pretty big promise to Fang's parents that I'd bring their daughter home. I inadvertently set myself up for a crash course with a vampire. Great. "A vampire, huh?" A deeper, heavy voice soon muses, as the door behind him closes. Great. Fucking mumbled that, too. "I envy your situation, Anon. It's not often a young adult has to answer the call. Let alone answers it." Spears makes his way back to his desk, and plants himself on the leather chair. "You clearly have feelings for Fang, don't you?" He soon asks. I half expect him to be joking, but the serious look on his face tells me he's not. I slowly nod. "...I......I think I do, Spears. It's like me and her....connect. She's this....completely different person." A small smile forms on Spears' mouth. "Don't think I haven't noticed, Anon. Dr. Fernsworth tells me you two are pretty good lab partners. Fang was on the verge of failing Science until you were assigned to be her lab partner." I feel this warm feeling in my cheeks. Am I fucking blushing? ".....She's helping me pass Music class, too, Spears. I know next to nothing about music, but she....she makes it so much easier to understand." Spears gently strokes his chin, as if he was deep in thought. Is he contemplating something? Whatever he was thinking about, he quickly puts it on the back burner. "Anon, you're dealing with dangerous creature. Your math teacher, Mr. Carldewskii will be able to help you." A look of confusion soon washes over my face. Is he serious? "Damn serious." The mumbling again, Anon! "I'll speak with him tomorrow morning. You're free to go." Spears gives me a subtle nod. I grab my phone on the desk, and as I stood up and began to head towards the door, Spears soon chimes again, as my hand rests on the door knob. "Anon? You've come a long way since January 6th. Don't sell yourself short. You're going to make it far in this world, as long as you give it your all." A small grin forms on my lips, before I turn the knob, and head out the door into the hallway. Glancing down at my phone, it's nearly five. Fuck, Fang must be worried. To my horror? Fang sent me a text. Fang: I gotta leave, Anon. He's looking for me. It's too dangerous when he does that.... I'm sorry. - 4:45 PM. Great. Alone again. At least I don't have to worry about any unwanted visitors..... But I did enjoy that bite she gave me. Don't tell Naser that. Or Ripley. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Monday: 8:00 PM Homework's done, a few threads derailed, and I managed to get banned from a Macedonian Military forum all within the span of an hour. I still got some time to kill before bed, so why not a few rounds of Rock Ring on the old Xrox? If Reed stayed home, he's probably got the jump on things. I'm sure he wouldn't mind me tagging along, right? Only one problem. He hasn't logged on since Thursday night. Four whole fucking days. That's not good. I quickly shoot him a text, while I sit Idle on the main menu screen. Anon: Reed? You okay? You weren't at school today." I soon see the double check mark. Cool, he's at least alive. Right? Give him some time, don't rush it, Anon. As I jump into a lobby and get the queue set up, my phone soon vibrates. Text back no doubt. Drop the game Anon, you remember what happened last time you didn't answer a text. I soon sigh, and quickly leave the matchmaking queue, and glance down at my phone. It wasn't a text back. Reed was actually calling me. I soon raise a brow, and quickly swipe the phone. "....Bro. He got Trish." .....Fuck. This is a joke, right? Reed doesn't even....sound like Reed. He's....He's sober? No sigh, no chuckle, no words of wisdom. Nothing. "What? Who got Trish?" I ask. There's silence. Soon I hear Reed answer. "Grimald." Before I even get a chance to ask who the fuck that is, I get the dial tone. Did he seriously just hang up on me? I move the phone from my ear and look at the screen. Call ended. Rude much? Then, the reality of the situation sets in. That wasn't the name of......Oh fuck. And he said Trish. I begin piecing the the puzzle together. A Trigglet was attacked by a vampire. A trigglet who hates me. A trigglet who swore revenge on everyone who laughed at them during that concert. A trigglet whom probably now has powers a vampire has. FUCK. This is bad on so many levels. I begin hyperventilating. "Come on Reed, pick up." I mutter. I gotta make sure he knows not to panic. Nothing. Alright. Time for a text. Anon: "C'mon Reed pick up." I soon hit send. No more than twenty seconds later, Incoming call: Reed. I soon sigh in relief. I swipe right. "Reed?" I call out. What I'm met with next nearly causes my heart to skip a beat. "Skinnie!" The voice is feminine, and it sounds real fucking familiar. It's Trish, and she sounds....way out of character, like she's happy to talk to me. That ain't natural. No fucking way. "...T-Trish? Where are you? Why're you calling on Reed's phone?" I ask, a little bit of hesitation garnishing my voice. She soon speaks up on the other end. "Oh don't you worry about Reed. He's.....resting, but he'll be up soon! I met Fang's new friend." I soon swallow. Fang's new friend. Please Raptor Jesus let it not be.... "You're pretty quiet over there! What's wrong? You're not....scared, are you?" There's this....twist in her voice. Like she's playing some kind of game, like it's an invitation or something. That's not Trish. Trish would never be this nice to me. Hell, I almost thought it was Naomi. "Trish, what did he do...?" I soon ask. I think I have a pretty good idea, and I don't need a picture sent to my phone for confirmation. "Oh don't worry what he did to me, Skinnie. I think YOU should worry about what I'm going to do to you~ I know where you stay~ How about I.....come visit you?" The sirens in my head are going off. Abort! Abort! I quickly swipe left on the screen, and hang up. I begin hyperventilating. My apartments about to be raided by a rabid trigger. Think Anon, Think.... Naser! I quickly scroll through my contacts, and pull up Naser's number. Tapping on the green call button, it begins ringing. Naser picks up on the third ring. "Naser. Drop everything you're doing and get here. Stat." I quickly demand, worry littering my voice. "....Why? What's going on Anon?" He asks, I can hear someone else in the background, is that Spanish? "Whoever bit Fang must've bit Trish, and she's coming to my apartment, Naser." I can soon hear some fumbling, and what sounds like a door slamming open. "Fuck, stay put Anon! I got those super soakers filled with Holy water, don't let anyone in!" I soon sigh in relief. Naser really is a bro..... "Naser. Be careful. This is Trish we're talking about, she nearly gored you, remember?" I say. "Don't remind me. Just sit tight, I'll call you when I'm outside your apartment." He then hangs up. I soon toss my phone onto my bed. Alright. I gotta prepare. I shut the Xrox off, and immediately head into the fridge. The pickled garlic is still there. Perfect. I think all those hours playing Turok: Evolution are about to pay off..... [NOTES] It's nearly 3 AM, and I feel pretty damn good about this one. It started with a simple paragraph at first, but something kept motivating me to finish this part. Anon is still pretty bothered by the fact he didn't answer Fang's text in the first chapter. Without an intervention, it would clearly keep eating away at him. There's one more part. Part C, and that's going to involve Naomi and Naser. Rosa will make a little appearance too. After all, how're you gonna fill a super soaker with holy water and not have Rosa involved? I'm still exactly set on how many total chapters are going to be written, but I'm shooting for at least 8 main chapters. I may model a few extras based on the bonus chapters you unlock during Snoot game, too. One in particular is going to involve Mr. Carldewskii himself, and if you've watched ATHF, you'll get a kick out of it.