The Ghost Hunters and The Familiar Strangers

*Laura's Dream**

In a dark forest, Laura found herself running. She felt she was running from something but she didn't know what. Her legs were moving according to their will, it was like she wasn't in control.

Laura ran as fast as her legs could carry her. She didn't know where she was going but she kept running. Looking back to see what she was running from, she tripped. She tried her best to stand up but she was too late as groups of Vampires came closer to her. One of the Vampires grabbed her by the hair, sniffing her neck. The vampire looked at her with bloodstains on his mouth and clothes. Laura was scared to the point that her breath ceased. She tried so hard not to look at the beast. The vampire seeing how scared she was decided to bite her but as his fangs came out of his teeth and were about to chew her neck, the necklace emitted a strange light as the full moon shone onto it.

The Vampire that was holding onto her, got burnt to ashes and disappeared as Laura landed on her butt. The other Vampires couldn't come close to her as the light from the necklace stopped them from moving toward her. It was like the light from the necklace was blinding their eyes. Laura took that as a chance to run. She ran and ran then stopped to catch her breath, having a feeling she was being followed again, she continued. She ran until she felt something or someone pulls her into the darkness. Emerald screamed.

...Reality....

Awaken by the scream, Ashley, her mom, and dad came to Laura's room only to find her panting and sweating. Ashley quickly rushed to meet her sister.

"Laura, are you OK?". She asked but all Laura could do was sob as the tears rolled down her cheeks. "why are you crying?". Ashley asked wiping her sister's tears.

"I.........". she tried to speak but nothing could come out. Jones tried to move closer to her daughter but Martina stopped him because she saw that the necklace was visible and he could get affected and the whole thing would repeat itself and this time, there would be no one to put the kids to sleep.

"I'll take care of her". Martina told her husband who nodded.

Martina moved closer to Laura as she touched her daughter's cheek, wiping the rolling tears. "Another nightmare?".

Laura nodded. " I... dreamt.... of.... Vampires... mom". She managed to say.

"Vampires? ". Ashley asked not believing her ears." but they do not exist, right mom?". Ashley asked her but she was silent. Martina would have said the same thing but how could she when there is a Vampire living here in the house and two Vampires she had just met?

"Ashley, call Evan on Laura's phone". Her mom ordered as Laura looked at her mom and then at Ashley who was also staring at her. "Now!". Martina yelled. Ashley quickly dialed the number without any question. "Why are you calling Evan?". Laura asked.

"because he's in a better position to explain all this". Martina said as the girls looked at one another before staring at their mother where it lingered.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

******

Adam moved closer to Evan asking him about Emerald's weird behavior. "have you tried talking to her?". Adam asked.

"Why should I be the one to talk to her?". Evan asked.

"what do you mean, why?".

"Listen, I feel like she's hiding something but I don't know what it is and I don't want to force her to tell me. Listen.... Maybe you should go talk to her or something".

"I tried Evan believe me but she just doesn't feel like talking to me. I feel something happened to her that night". Adam said.

"I know. Although she tried to hide it I could feel another scent on her".

Adam became confused. "what do you mean?". He asked but as Evan was about to explain, his phone rang.

Evan looked at the caller and was surprised to see Laura appearing on his screen. He excused himself as he went to pick up the call. "Hello, Laura".

"Hello, this isn't Laura. This is Ashley, Laura's sister".

"Ashley, is everything OK?".

Evan could hear the sound of the phone being transferred to someone else. "I need you to come home, right now". The voice said and Evan knew it was Martina but why would she demand his presence so urgently? "OK". Evan said as he ended the call. As he was about to move to the sitting room, he remembered Emerald. He sighed before going into her room. He knocked on the door but there was no reply. He knocked again and still no reply. He turned the knob and surprisingly the door wasn't locked. He entered the room and there she was, shivering. He ran quickly to meet her, holding her close to himself. He touched her forehead and she was burning up. "damn It, Emmy". He said as he looked at Emerald. Her face was looking so pale. Her lips were dried and her eyes looked as if they had lost blood. "what the hell happened to you?". Evan asked but Emerald was too weak to say anything. Evan decided to give her some of his blood. He looked for a sharp object to cut himself with. He saw a penknife, he took it and slit himself on the palm. The blood rushed as he tried to put the blood in her mouth Emerald refused to take it because she knew if she did, it wouldn't have any effect on her anymore because she had been claimed by another. She pushed his hand away, coughing as she placed her hand on her chest.

"You have to drink some of my blood. I know you're angry but you need to feel OK then you can get mad at me again". Evan said but Emerald refused to take his blood.

Adam, Jim, Alex, Chloe, and Sophia walked in surprised to see Emerald in that condition. Adam quickly rushed to her side. "Emerald". He called but Emerald was too weak to even turn to look at him.

"she wouldn't take my blood". Evan told him. Adam collected the penknife and slit his palm and tried to give Emerald his blood but she pushed his hand away too. None of them could understand why.

Finally, Sophia spoke up. "it's obvious she has been claimed, ". she said as everyone turned to look at Sophia. "If she's refusing your blood then it's because they can't be much of help to her. She needs the blood of the one who claimed her". She said.

"that's not possible". Chloe said.

Adam in rage grabbed Jim by the collar. "you claimed her?". He asked him, holding him by the collar so tight that he was choking. Evan pulled Adam away from Jim. "how could you?". Adam asked trying to go close to Jim but he was blocked. "it... it... Wasn't... Jim". Emerald coughed as everyone turned to look at her. She knew how much she wanted to keep this a secret but not at the expense of someone's life or their friendship.

"then who?". Evan asked.

"I.... have.... no.... idea... who...... he...... is..... but if I do see him, I.... can recognize.... him". Emerald said as the tears rolled down her eyes. "I'm sorry Adam". She turned to face Adam who was trying his best to not freak out. "but I belong to another now ". She said as Adam held back his tears.

"He forcefully claimed you, didn't he?". Adam asked but Emerald didn't reply.

"Listen, guys, right now, what's important is finding who this guy is so she can have a taste of his blood, if not, she's going to die. Her system is rejecting his bite and if we can't find him before the next twenty-four hours, she's going to die". "Can you describe him for me?". Evan asked.

"It was dark and I wasn't paying attention. It happened so fast. I have no idea what he looks like".

Evan thought for a while. "There's only one vampire I have seen and I think it's him". Evan said.

"Well, what are we waiting for?". Adam said. He moved close to Emerald. "I'm going to make that son of a lunatic pay for what he did to you". Adam said as Evan and Jim tried calming him down while the ladies attended to Emerald. Evan's mind drifted to Laura. He felt like he was needed at two different places at the same time but who was he going to attend to first?