I'd been kept in the dark long enough.
Everyone in town seemed to have aSterling parental unit sighting but me. I was going to make sure that all that changed. If theSterlings weren't coming to me, I resolved, I'dgo to them.
As the sun set, I took my RBI (Raven Bureau of Investigation) accessories: small backpack, flashlight, and compact mirror. Garlic powder was not necessary and in this case would repel instead of attract the objects of my investigation. It wasn't the first time I'd snuck onto the Mansion's property.
I knew the lawn and grounds better than I knew my own backyard. Still, there was one thing I hadn't counted on: The wrought-iron gate was locked. Alexander had been leaving it open, for my easy entrance. More had changed than I thought.
I was going to have to scale the fence. I reached and tugged and climbed my way up to the top like I was on aMount Everest expedition. I guess sleeping in the coffin for all those weeks during the day didn't do anything for my upper body strength. But I persevered.
I kicked my foot over the top of the gate. A gargoyle stared at me.
I let go and dropped down with a thud. The Mansion appeared to be empty. I was just about to sneak in when I heard a car pull up to the gate and park.
The gate was being unlocked.
I stole behind a bush.
The Mercedes drove through the entrance and up the winding driveway. It parked in front of the Mansion.
Jameson got out and two figures emerged from the car, followed by a third. Was it Alexander? It was so dark I couldn't make out my own boyfriend.
From a safe distance, I followed the shadowy figures as they made their way inside the estate, which became illuminated by candlelight, room by room.
Once again, I was alone.An outsider peering in.In Dullsville, at school, in my own family, and now with my boyfriend's family.
I saw Alexander's attic room light up. I assumed Alexander was painting or maybe dreaming of me as I was dreaming of him.
Two figures suddenly appeared at a window. I flung myself back into a bush against the gigantic house. I craned my neck and strained to see up to the second story. Two deadly pale faces peered out thecurtainless window-like apparitions searching for something or someone they'd lost. The figures Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter,disappeared and the room went black,
I had seen Alexander's parents!
Chapter 10 The Invitation
I coasted my way home and was parking my bike in the garage when I heard the sound of something hovering a few feet away from me. Cautiously I tiptoed toward the door, my flashlight primed for any maverick vampires.
I saw nothing. Just my dad's parked SUV. I was sure it was a hungry raccoon foraging for leftovers in our garbage can.
Then I heard a twig snap.And footsteps.
I decided to make a run for it. Our back door was only ten yards away from the garage. All I could think of was Freddy Krueger. Michael Myers.Or hockey-masked Jason. Crazy horror movie stalkers haunted my thoughts. I'd seen far too many scary movies to shake them from my mind,Think kids shows , I thought.Barney .Teletubbies.Dora . Those images frightened me more.
If I had my keys ready, I'd make it safely inside before anything could cause me bodily harm. I took a deep breath and geared up to charge forth. But before I took my first step, I was caught in a surprising trap. It wasn't Trevor blocking my escape in the shadow from the garage, or even the most nefarious vampire of all-Alexander's enemy,Jagger Maxwell. It was Alexander.
"Oh... It's just you. Thank goodness!" I made my way to hug him, but he kept his arms folded.
"Where were you?" he asked. He stood stern as my father had many times when I'd broken curfew.
"I just went out for a ride," I said truthfully.
"By yourself?At night?"
"It's still early. My bike has a light on it." All true.
"Then what's that for?" he asked, pointing to my flashlight. "Were you searching for something?Or rathersomeone?"
"It's always good to have extra light. I'm not like you: I can't see in the dark." I grimaced, hoping he'd grin back. His stony expression remained fixed.
"I went to your house," I confessed. "Everyone in Dullsville, including Matt, Becky, and Trevor, has spotted your parents. All I had was a vague memory of a portrait you'd painted of them. I wanted to see them for myself."