Undercover Ghouls

Chapter 2

I sure as hell hope I don't regret this, Frankie thought while she sat alongside Draculaura, who was jabbering on with Clawdeen. Cleo, on the other hand, was typing away on her i-coffin while Ghoulia was sitting beside her typing away on her laptop. Frankie thought Clawd and his friends would come but it turns out they were going out to a party of their own.

"You would think she would be on time if she was hosting a little get-together. Especially if you have me as a guest for such a small gathering. But no, she's late" Cleo huffed, impatient by every minute she was being convinced to wait. Ghoulia groaned in an attempt to reassure her that Katerina would come soon.

"I'm sure Ghoulia is right, she's probably on her way right now as we speak" Frankie declared, trying her best to keep Cleo with them for a long as she can till Katerina arrived. As much as she thought the ghoul was nice, she doesn't want to end up alone with her. At least, not until she gains enough information to trust the ghoul so she wasn't so paranoid. "Besides, she should be here by now"

"I am"

Everyone yelped out in surprise as they spotted Katerina's cloaked figure standing atop one of the stone pillars down the last couple of steps of stairs. If things were like a tv show, there would have been a blowing wind dramatically flapping the ends of her dark cloak. But of course, that's ridiculous.

"You almost brought me back to life!" Draculaura stepped slightly behind Clawdeen in surprise.

Katerina chuckled, "Sorry, I just needed to pick up something before we go to my house. Shall we ladies?" She jumped off the stone pillar and started walking off-campus. Frankie was hesitant for a moment before taking a breath, mentally giving herself a short pep talk, before following Katerina with her friends close beside her.

They walked along the fence that makes up the front perimeter of the school and kept going down until they come to the end; where the thick forest expands around the whole campus. Clawdeen stops when Katerina strolls into the first line of trees.

"Why are we entering the edge of the dark woods? I thought we were going to your house. Not into...here." She held Draulara back before they took another step. Her ears flicked back in caution, looking back and forth from the woods to the ghoul that was about to lead them into it.

Frankie was relieved that Clawdeen had the instinct to stop them. She knew to go to this little party was bad news but she didn't have enough reason to say anything about it. Now was her perfect chance to suggest going back home before it was too late.

"Katerina, it was really sweet of you to invite us to your house. But maybe we could come over another time. You know, when it's sunnier and on a weekend? Just so we don't oversleep during a school day." Frankie tried. Her friends murmured in agreement, which made her happy to know that luck was on their side for once.

Katerina turned to them; though even with the limited amount of facial expression that is covered, by big sunglasses and hood, Frankie can tell she was...conflicted. Then an easy smile spread on her lips.

"I know its a little weird but you have to trust me,  you are perfectly safe."

"Of course, we can trust a random ghoul we just met into the dark spooky forest. It looks very welcoming and not at all suspicious.", Cleo said, dripping with sarcasm and hiding behind Draculaura.

Katerina bit her darkly glossed lip, "There isn't any way I can gain your trust? Not even the slightest bit?"

The group fell silent for a moment before Draculaura spoke up, "What about your hood? we've never seen your face all this time during class. It's a little odd."