Ren Vampire Spy (Book 1 of the Ren Series)

TO SEE OR NOT TO SEE

Ren and Grandpa got home in time to tell Mother that Father would not make dinner tonight but he would “get a bite to eat on the road.”  Ren laughed at the implications of the  comment.  Jeremy would never attack a human for food.  That's what blood banks were for.  He would however chase down a deer or a cow for sustenance.  Ren always laughed when she thought of her Father running, you see he had a bad hip and kinda looked like a duck when he ran.  His toes always pointed out instead of straight ahead and Ren thought he looked like a guy trying to run in clown shoes.

Larissa looked at her daughter and said, “Ren that's not nice.”

Ren sprung her head up and said, “What?”  She knew of course what her mother was referring too.  She thought better of her comment and said, “Sorry Mother.”

Larissa smiled at her daughter saying, “Thank you Ren and he does look like a guy trying to run in clown shoes.”  They both laughed.  Knowing the joke had to remain their secret. 

Ren went to her Grandpa's lab and found him working on a potion of some sort.  “What's it gonna do Grandpa?”

Her Grandpa looked up from his work and smiled, “It's an invisibility potion.  I know we can't make someone totally invisible but we can force people to not see the person we are trying to hide.  That plus our speed should be enough for our needs.” 

“Cool,” Ren said evaluating her Grandpa's work.  “Can I help?”

“Not at this point.  I'm winging it at the moment.  But when I get it working we can form an assembly line and mass produce this stuff.  My guess is we are going to need a lot of it.”

“I'll bet your right.”  Ren plopped down from the stool she sat on.  “Grandpa, why does Mother  not ask any questions about what happened today.  She just seems to accept whatever answer anyone gives her.”

“Your Mother Ren is a special women.  You see she understands your fathers work is important and sometimes he can't discuss it with even his family.  She has accepted that and just doesn't ask questions.  It's called patience little one.  Patience is what we are trying to teach you as well.  It's our hope that one day you will learn to wait for thing to come to you.”

“That just takes to long.  If the answers are out there we should be able to get them now.  I don't understand why people don't just say it then everyone can help.”

“That is a nice thought but there are evil people who if they knew they would try to stop them.  Do you understand?”

“Yes Grandpa.”

“That's good.  Just be patience and the information will come to you in the end.”

Mother poked her head into the lab.  “Dad is she being a bother?”

“No dear, she's helping me.”

“Ok.  Ren be sure you don't get underfoot.  Your Grandpa is doing important work for VIC.”

“I know Mother.  I'm just talking to him.  If I'm a pest he will just kick me out.  Won't you Grandpa?”

“You can count on it little one.”  All three smiled and laughed.  Mother left the lab and went to the living room to read.

After another hour of working on the potion Grandpa said, “I think it's ready.”

“Cool,” Ren shouted.  “Do you need a guinea pig?  I'll volunteer.”

After a moments thought Grandpa gave in and handed the small vile to Ren. 

Ren took the stopper out and drank down the liquid. 

“No complaints about the taste?”

“Well Grandpa this is important to getting the were-bear back so a little but of yuck is worth it if it works.”

“Ren you are really growing up.  That was a very adult attitude.  Now Ren walk out into the living room and say hi to your Mother.  Don't scare her to bad.”

“Ok Grandpa.”  Ren started to move from the lab tot he living room.  She didn't try to sneak she just walked in and said “Hi Mother.”

Larissa jumped out of her chair swinging her head from left to right looking for the source of her daughters voice, “Ren is that you?”

“Sure is Mother.”  Ren laughed as Larissa looked around the room, under the furniture and in the closets.  “Ren did your Grandpa shrink you?”

“Nope, I'm full size.  Grandpa just finished his invisibility potion and I'm testing it for him.”

“This is amazing Ren.  No one has ever been able to perfect an invisibility potion.  Leave it to your Grandpa to think of a way.”

Larissa walked into the lab.  Finding Grandpa working hard at his desk she said, “Dad, that is amazing.  How long will she be invisible?”

“I expect it to last an hour or so.  Then she will be fine.”

Ren said, “Well we had better time it so we know for sure.”

“I already am.  Ren,” he called out.

“Yes Grandpa?”

“I need you to stay in the lab so we can time the effect of the potion.” 

“Right I'll just hang here in the comfy chair.”

“Good girl.  As soon as we can see you again you can go have fun.”

“Don't worry Grandpa, this is fun right now.”