Chapter 4: Vampires?

Dawn is about to come to an end when Jet woke up. He immediately stood up, finding himself above the hay which was used as a bed. How did he fell asleep? As he can remember, he's finding someone last night. His memory stopped when he's at the doorstep. He took a glance at the table where Raze slept yesternight; he's not there. Like a flash, he immediately stood up to find his missing partner. 

"Raze? Raze!" Jet screamed. His head turns left and right, hoping to see Raze. Unfortunately, after some calls, only silence answered him.

"Shit, how did I fell asleep?" he asked himself. Jet searched for his partner around the hut but he saw none. He's getting nervous and scared. This place is so spacious and they're not secured from any harm in the environment. He's on the verge of breaking down when he heard a snore somewhere. Not wasting any chances, he took steps to where the sound is coming from. With hopes in his mind, Jet is getting closer. 

"Tanginamo, wake up." Jet shook the sleeping Raze who's lying down on a log under the tree.  It's still a bit dark but Raze's white shirt and jeans made him easy to find. Jet felt relieved, at least his partner is safe.

"What the? I'm still dreaming, Jet." he groaned. His peaceful sleep was ruined. Bad timing, he just started to dream about foods.

"Fuck you. I've been protecting the two of us since last night and looked for you when I woke up. Now that I found you, you'll act like this. You made me worried for nothing, Raze." Jay's getting annoyed. His patience is as long as as a caterpillar right now.

"I didn't asked you to take care of me, Jet."

Without a reply, Jet left. He's hurt by Raze's word. He's just concerned to his partner for he knows how careless Raze is. They might be at the same age but Raze is still a child at heart. He might not show it but he still craves for companion and support which he never experienced when he was a child. Jet knows a lot about him because they're always the tandem when it comes to missions like this.

He felt disrespected and invalidated. Jet is a tough-but-soft kind of guy. He might be intimidating but he's really caring to the people around him. He's also sensitive in a way that he gets hurt easily. But to maintain his tough mage, he doesn't show it to anyone. Raze's reply felt like a knife stabbed on him.He stopped himself from throwing a hand at him or say inappropriate words that might hurt Raze. His partner is right, he ruined his sleep but he's just worried about Raze getting in danger. He distracted himself by going to the riverbank and sat for a while. The sound of gentle flow makes him feel relaxed. Nature is really a great companion in times like this.

Raze silently followed Jet to where he's heading to. He kept a distance to give Jet a space until they reached the hut. Silence enveloped the two, both of them minding their own things. They packed their things and got ready to get out. They'll try to find a way to escape and go back to their families despite the confusing answers they received yesterday. They waited until the sun got higher and the surroundings brighter. 

From the table, Raze keeps glancing at Jet who's busy arranging his things. He felt bad. He realized his rude response earlier. It's normal to get annoyed when someone wakes you up from a good sleep. But after recalling how his partner cared for him, he reflected on his mistake. He shouldn't have said those words. He should be thankful instead.

"I was with someone earlier. A guy," Raze breaks the silence between them. He suddenly felt the urge to explain something to his co-worker. 

"He was at the front door, guarding us. He's wearing a black coat that time. At first, I got scared but that changed when he said he's protecting us from wild animals," he continued.

"Who is that person?" Jet asked.

"I-I don't know. But he's kind. He invited me to have a walk when he noticed I can't sleep properly."

"What's his name?"

"I don't know. We didn't talked the whole time, we just walked and walked. His presence feels so comfortable, I never felt threatened the whole time" Even though Raze can't see the man's face that time, he can say that he's not an evil or someone who will do him bad. He enjoyed his company as if they were close friends. 

"And that's a stranger? How could that be? We're in the middle of the woods for heaven's sake!" Several 'what ifs' start to fill Jet's head. Are there a lot of people living in here? Is there a community or a tribe?

"I don't even know," Raze frowned. He just realize the situation he's in earlier. He could've discovered something if he investigated that guy. But he didn't for he enjoyed the stranger's silent accompaniment.

"Maybe it's a ghost?" Jet murmured. 

"I can't see ghosts. I don't have a third eye, Jet." Raze said, chuckling. He finds it funny when he's friend is being scared. Good thing, Jet's cowardice and fear isn't that visible because of his serious face. 

"Jet"

"Hmm?"

"Sorry about earlier. I was just startled that's why I gave you that reaction. I didn't meant to hurt you," Raze apologized. Jet gave him a smile of forgiveness. 

"It's fine, I understand."

"And thank you." Jet froze. He felt Raze's sincerity with his words. Jet becomes soft when it comes to these situations. He gets pissed off easily but he can't contain anger for a long time. 

"Thank you for taking care of me, Jet"

"No worries."

The environmentalists exchanged smiles. They are about to leave the hut when something caught Jet's attention. Did he saw someone standing upside down on the tree?  When he looked at the same direction for the second time, the person is gone. Jet just shook his head, maybe it's just an illusion.

"What's that?" Raze curiously asked.

"Nothing. I think I saw an illusion." Contrary to what Jet answered, he believes that what he saw is real. Things are getting weirder and scary as they stay longer in the forest.

"What did you saw? A boar?"

"Don't mind it. Besides, you won't believe me if I'll tell you." Jet replied, avoiding Raze's possible naughtiness. He knows what on his mind.

"I'm interested"

"I saw someone standing upside down on the tree. I think he's sleeping. His position is kind of similar with bats" Jet said. Raze was surprised with what he heard. He started questioning himself, maybe, mythical creatures are true.

"Is it a person?"

"I'm not sure. But I remember his denim jeans and jacket. Has a black hair and fair skin."Jet caan completely remember the person's figure. Who would forget that?

"You know what? After what happened yesterday, I'm starting to believe that vampires are true." Raze recalled their encounter with Silas, Saint, and Magnus yesterday. Especially, the fangs. Unlike those in the movies, Magnus' fangs were short but still manage to exude a scary aura.

"Uh huh?"

"I'm serious! To be honest, I think the one who's with me earlier is a vampire," Raze said, half-joking. Jet shook his head and stood up. Raze did the same.

"Let's stop this nonsense, Raze. We need to go home." Jet called. 

"You already know the exit?"

"Not yet. But we'll find the way."

Jet and Raze made their way out of the house. The sun is brightly shining, got a feeling of hope.

Going back to the castle of the Reds, Hail's voice is echoing.

"You made us worry, SIlas!" The five of them are in the living room. Hail, Claude, and Magnus are standing while Saint is sitting on the sofa beside Silas, comforting his sibling.

"I'm sorry. I thought you already know where I am," Silas' voice is almost inaudible. Being scolded by Hail or anyone older than him comes once in a blue moon. He's wishing to disappear right now because of the stares he is receiving. 

The household was in panic earlier when they haven't seen Silas around the house. They can't contact him because he left his phone in his room and he did not informed his brothers where he'll go. Silas just paid a visit to Winter's grave, their deceased messenger. 

"You know we trust you, Silas. But knowing that there are strangers wandering around our place makes me nervous for you. You should've brought one of us if you'll go to the grave that early."

Hail is about to burst but Claude patted him in the back. Silas frowned, apologizing. They never seen Hail being this nervous and angry since they were kids. Hail is known for being calm, supportive, understanding, and a humorous brother. Because he's the eldest, he's also like a father to the four vampires.

"Sorry. I won't do that again." This time, it is Saint who's patting Silas in the back. Silas is shaking, holding his tears. Hail sat beside him and gave him a hug. He also didn't expect the tone he let out earlier. He's just worried about his brother for they are his life.

"Promise me, promise us. We'll never know what will happen if they found out who we really are. We should avoid them as much as we could, okay?" Hail clarified. They all nodded and gave each other an assuring smile. As usual, Hail and Claude cooked their breakfast: bacon and eggs, paired with loaf bread and milk. Saint and Magnus started remain silent.

While Claude, Hail, and Silas are still talking about humans and their mistreatments to nature.

"Not only they destruct our home, they're also an enemy. Remember our rule," Claude strictly said. They may look like outdated because of their distance to the city but they know everything. Humans' actions are slowly killing every single species. Are they choosing extinction?

"No human shouldn't keep in touch with a vampire," Saint at Silas replied at the same time. 

"That's right. Now let's eat"

After eating their breakfast, Saint and Silas went to their study room while Magus, Claude, and Hail headed to the ministry to submit reports.