Blood

Chapter Eight: Family concerns

I walked through the front door, expecting a to be greeted by Ava but Instead, I was greeted by my frantic parents.

"Ethan, oh my god, are you hurt?" my mother exclaimed, rushing to my side. She frantically touched my face, arms, and chest, searching for any signs of injury.

"I'm fine, Mother. Father. Please, stop worrying," I said, trying to calm them down.

My father's eyes narrowed. "Where have you been? You've been gone for hours. Did someone attack you again?"

I evaded the question. "Where did you two go out to today? I didn't see you when I woke up."

My mother exchanged a glance with my father before answering. "We went to...take care of some business. But that's not important right now. What's important is that you're safe."

My father's expression turned serious. "Ethan, we know who attacked you. They're called Shape Shifters. Beings with immense powers, capable of injuring us in ways our healing factor can't repair."

I frowned, intrigued. "What do you mean?"

"If a Shape Shifter injures a human, the wound will heal at a normal pace. But if they injure a vampire...the wound won't heal at all. It's as if our bodies recognize the injury as a threat and refuse to repair it," my father explained.

My mother added, "We went to confront them today, to ask why they broke our pact. Centuries ago, we promised to stay out of each other's affairs, to avoid another war but they broke that pact by attacking you. No matter the reason, it's unacceptable."

My father's gaze turned cold. "And where is Emily?"

"She left," I replied, sensing a sudden tension in the air.

"Good," my father said curtly. "I don't ever want to see you near her again."

I felt a surge of anger. "Why?"

My father's expression didn't change. "Because I said so."

With that, he turned and walked upstairs, leaving me with more questions than answers.

"Don't mind your father. He was just really worried about you. You see, different people show concern differently and that's just him being him. Even centuries of existence can't change that." My mom smiled and patted my shoulder. "But I agree with him on one thing. I don't want you near that girl again."
"Why? You can't just tell me to do stuff without telling me the reason." I retorted, anger showing visibly on my face. "What's wrong with her? Why do I have to avoid her?"
"The moment she came into our lives, things have been crazy. We never had an encounter with the changelings until she came along." My mother started. "You were never interested in racing until she came along..."
"Ava told you?"
"She didn't have to tell me anything. Do you think it's possible for you to join a sport without me knowing?" My mom chuckled. "You really underestimate me. I just don't want you to see her again, and that's final."

My mom stood up and proceeded to leave for the stairs.
"Is it because you couldn't wipe her memory?!" I asked and this made my mom stop in her tracks before resuming her walk to the stairs.

Something is definitely off. Why couldn't they wipe her memory? Why did they suddenly want me to avoid her?

There's many things I need answers to and I know just how to find them. How convenient is it that I have a sister that's a master in the arts of sneaking around.

I went to Ava's room and just stood by the door, staring at her as if trying to communicate with my eyes. She noticed that I was there and staring at her but didn't look at me.

"Whatever you're thinking, no... Don't do it." Ava said, still engrossed in her phone. "And don't expect me to help you do it."

"Come on, you don't even know what I have in mind." I said. "Aren't you curious?"

"Curiosity won't keep you alive. That's why I've decided not to do anything because I'm curious."

"Jeez you're difficult." I went inside and sat on the bed next to her. "I'm gonna tell you the plan and you're gonna tell me whether you're in or not."

"You're wasting your time."

"Don't you want to know where mom and dad went to yesterday and why they suddenly want me to stay away from Emily?" I asked, "Don't you want to see a changeling for once in your life? Don't you want to know why, Emily-a normal human could not be brainwashed by two vampires with centuries of existence? Emily might not be human and there's only one way to find out what she might actually be. I have a plan, just a stealth mission. No one has to know, we'll be done before you can say Jack Robinson."
"Fine." Ava sighed. "You're right. I'm a little curious but we can't go after Emily. If she's actually not human and could shut mom and dad out, we would not stand a chance if there was any confrontation."
"There won't be. She likes me so even if we get caught, I could just lie that I was stalking her."
"...and me?"
"Just turn to a bat and fly away."
"You know I can't do that."
"It's never to late to start learning."
"You're sick."
"I'm a vampire, I don't get sick."
"Whatever." Ava replied. "So what's the plan?"
"I delay Emily in school while you search her house for anything hinting at her true nature or just basically anything out of the ordinary. When she's close to her house, I'll send a high pitched sound so you'll know to get out." I said. "If we can't find anything helpful, we'll move on to plan B."
"What's plan B?"
"Start thinking about plan C."
"You're sick."
"I didn't devise a plan B because I knew that plan A would work so rest assured, we'll find out what we need to find out about her tomorrow or die trying."
"Speak for yourself. I have more centuries of life to live."
"I was joking of course. I'll give you the sign when it's time to move to her house." I started. "Use her scent to track the house."
"We're forgetting one tiny detail."
"What's that?"
"What if her parents are home?"
"Oh, I didn't think of that."
"You're an idiot."