CHAPTER 10: Dead

**ALICIA**

"Alicia, what happened to you last night?" My father asked me while we were having breakfast. "I didn't know what time you came home and you weren't answering the phone."

I bowed my head. "I am sorry, Dad. I need to finish something for our club so I went home a little late. When I checked your room, you were also sleeping so I did not wake you up."

I lied. And, perhaps, they also lied, because I don't remember seeing them when I came home, which makes me think of what secrets are my family hiding, too.

No, Alicia. Of course, if you are vampires, then you would know?

What am I, then, when the power of being compelled by vampires doesn't affect me?

"Hey! Sister!" My brother snapped in front of me, making me go back to my senses.

"Ah, sorry, what was it?" I asked.

"Are you sure about it? Are you okay?" My mother said as she checked on me. "What happened to your knees again? You seemed to be bleeding a lot these days."

"It's nothing. We were doing some rehearsals for our film, and I was being clumsy." I explained to them as I faced my food.

I immediately drank water to stop myself from vomiting upon seeing my brother put a red sauce in his chicken. I wasn’t sensitive before, but after seeing everything last night...I felt scared of anything red.

"Alicia, I told you to be careful and don't let yourself bleed." Dad warned me. "You don't know the danger that awaits when you let yourself bleed."

"What, Dad? What do you mean by that?" I raised my brow. "It's just a small bruise, Dad. You don't have to worry. I was able to stop the bleeding."

"Still, remember to take care of your body, Alicia." Dad held my hand. "Now, start eating, dear. And, don't forget to drink your tea to calm your nerves." I nodded and reached for the tea.

I hate its taste but my mother had been giving it to us since I was a kid...that I got used to it.

"Uh, Dad. Have you heard of anything weird last night?" I asked him. "I mean, when the police are patrolling? Are there any reports?"

"Reports of what?" My brother asked.

"Like, some commotion or fight. I was on my way home when I heard someone scream...and there's some people running." I lied, but it seems that they aren't aware of what happened last night.

Are we inside an illusion or another world last night? How come people didn't even hear my scream?

"Didn't you hear it, brother? I thought you were practicing in the university. I didn't see you, though." I faced him.

He coughed a little. "Oh, that. I went to my friend's house and stayed there. So, yeah, I didn't hear anything. But, maybe it's the night class since they're the only ones roaming at night."

I nodded. "I see. I thought there's something. But, I guess so...it might be the night class."

"Just be careful at night, Alicia. And, let us know when you come home. We might come home a little late because there's a lot of cases that I need to finish." My Dad said.

"About, what, Dad?" I curiously asked. "I thought there's nothing in this town. Isn't our town safe?"

"It is, dear. I am not talking about our town but the other town. The head of police asked for my assistance as there are a lot of missing cases reported for the last few days in the town." He explained. My father worked in the police department as the head of the criminal investigation.

"Are you going to come with him, too, Mom?" I asked my mother who works as a forensic detective and paramedic, too.

"Yes, they need me in case these missing people appear. I might need to check it." She said to me, "Don't worry, we will not be late."

"By the way, I already fixed your arrow." My brother told me. "You can now use it."

I smiled at him. "Thank you, brother."

I badly need something to defend myself against those vampires.

"Please, be careful, too." I told them. If I am right, then the vampires are the reason for their disappearance. "You don't know what you were after, right? Is it a serial killer?"

"Don't concern yourself with these kinds of things, Alicia. It's better for you to go to school now." Mom said. "Don't worry about us, okay?"

I nodded. "But, Mom..." I sighed.

I don't know what I should do. I want to tell them about it, but I am afraid Akihiro will do something to hurt them.

"What if they weren't humans? How are you going to stop them?" I curiously asked.

My brother suddenly laughed. "Hey, what movies did you watch to conclude that? If not, human, then what do you think it is?"

I shrugged. "I don't know. I am just wondering about it."

"Oh, don't tell me vampires," Dad jokes. "I remember you asking about vampires before? Come on, did you finish your film or you want us to give new plots?"

"Dad, I am being serious." I raised my voice which made me stop. "I am sorry. It's just, I am just worried about you. It's been months since there's a report of a missing person, yet you haven't found anyone. What if..."

"Vampires aren't real." My brother assured me. "Don't put your film into reality and don't deal with Mom and Dad's work. Okay? Study."

I sighed. "I am sorry." I smiled at them. "Don't stay up too late, huh?"

"Of course, dear. Hurry up and finish your food now so you can go to school."

Just then, the doorbell rang.

"Do you expect any visitors?" My Dad asked me.

"Uh, no, Dad. I don't—" I paused when I realized something. "Ah, maybe, it's Ross?" I immediately stood up to check who it was.

My heart was beating so fast as I walked the hallway through the main door. I opened it, but there was no one around.

I blinked. What...the...

Due to my fear, I was about to close the door when someone fell from the roof of the porch.