CHAPTER 14: Phone

**ALICIA**

"What's happening outside?" I panicked. I looked outside my window that's overlooking the streets. "Is that the police?" I said as I saw uniformed men running towards the direction of the university and it seemed they were following someone.

"Are they hunting someone? We need to check what it was!" I said, but my brother stopped me.

"No, Alicia. You stay here and I will check what's happening. It's dangerous to be out there right now." He walked out of my room and I followed him as he went inside his room to pick his duffel bag.

"Brother, what are you going to do? You cannot leave me alone! Mom and Dad are also out there…what if the vampi–" I paused. "They might be in danger, please…let me come with you."

"No, Alicia." My brother assured me. "I will come back alive and you are not trained for this. It's better if someone will stay at home in case something happens. We need you to be here. Guard the house."

I raised my brow. "What do you mean guard the house, brother? It should be people I am looking after and not our house. Are you being crazy?"

"You will understand why you have to do it in the future, Alicia. For now, continue your research about vampires." He held my hand. "I promise, we will all come back alive so you have to wait for us. Okay?"

"But…" My lips were already shaking and my knees are getting weaker as I imagined the danger that awaits them. "Brother, I cannot just let you."

"The police will handle the serial killer. You don't have to worry." He said as he hurried to the order. He was already on the porch when he looked back at me.

"Don't let anyone get inside our house. Remember that, Alicia." He warned me. "No one. Only us can enter our house. And, you cannot invite anyone until we come home."

He left me.

What…was that?

Does it mean my family knows about vampires? What are they hiding from me?

I obeyed my brother as going against him might risk their life, too. I will wait, but I will not sit tight. I have to know what's happening.

I locked all the doors and windows. I made sure nothing can be used as an entrance. I am relieved and this is for the better as I am sure that vampires cannot come in without invitation.

There's nothing inside our house. I have been living in this place since I was a kid. However, it occurred to me now that I don't have any memories before I was in high school.

I am not sure if it's part of growing hard, but I couldn't remember a thing. Although, it isn't the time for that. I have to unleash the mystery of my family.

But, how?

Our house is a two-storey Victorian house with a porch and is surrounded by gardens full of flowers my mother had planted.

There are only six rooms, excluding the attics where I put some of my things and spend most of my childhood time. Other than that, I don't know any secret place where my parents would hide something from me.

Why am I even thinking that they are hiding something from me?

"Ugh, Alicia. This isn't the time to doubt your parents." I whispered to myself.

I picked up my phone and started calling my mother. She didn't pick up her phone but it was ringing. It was the same with my brother. While my father picked up on the first ring.

"Hey, sweetie? Is there something wrong?" My father asked. I could hear something from the background but it wasn’t clear.

"Dad? Where are you? Are you okay?" I asked him, concerned.

"Sweetie, I cannot talk right now since I am in the middle of an operation. But, I am okay. We are trying to catch the killer now. Please, don't leave the house." Dad hung up.

The killer? Does it mean vampires? But, who could it be? I don't want to. It's getting late...and dark outside. What if...what if something happens to them?

I decided to call Ross when I remembered he's up for this kind of event. However, he's not answering his phone.

Damn! What is happening to them?

I could only hope that Akihiro would answer his phone as he is my only hope. I am not even sure if these are his real digits but I still tried.

Again! He didn't answer.

Oh, my gosh! I cupped my mouth. Are they fighting against each other? That's the only possible thing I could think of right now.

I immediately went back to my room to look what's happening outside. Unfortunately, there's nothing. The street is also quiet and no one, even our neighbors, are outside. The whole town's sleeping...like a ghost town.

The clock is ticking. It's now eleven in the evening.

Calm down, Alicia. If you go out there, you have nothing. They might kill you.

"Damn!" I cursed while moving around the house. The silence is deafening.

I called my brother again, but still the same. Akihiro isn't answering, the same with Ross. And, it seems like everyone's gone now.

I cannot stay here. I have to do something!

I went to the kitchen and looked for some tools but I am sure it wouldn't be any help at all. I went upstairs and checked my parent's room but it's clean, there's not even a trace of the gun my father was using.

I could only find my brother's baseball bat and nothing. I sighed. Then, I remembered my bow and arrow. I immediately picked it up and prepared to go out.

I don't have a plan, but I'll die waiting here.

"Ross! Answer the phone! I need help!" I sent a voicemail to her as I kept calling him while going down the stairs.

My hands were about to rotate the doorknob when I heard a phone ringing outside. I turned to my phone, it's still calling Ross and when I turned it off, the call outside also stopped.

My heart skipped a beat...Ross?