One Big Happy Family

Chapter 9: Fire!

It was six o'clock sharp. Drogo's eyes flew open. He had allowed himself to relax the entire night, in preparation for the following day's activities. And now... it was morning and the roosters were crowing outside.

Drogo sniffed the air. His nostrils were invaded by the smell of crispy bacon. He sighed — that used to be one of his favorite foods when he was human.

"If I could drool... I would," he thought to himself, as he got out of bed.

Quiet as a mouse, Drogo crept toward Nicolae's bedroom. He cracked the door open, without knocking. Nicolae was already up and dressed. He was sitting in an armchair reading a book. Drogo signaled to him with his hand. He pointed downward. Nicolae nodded and stood up.

As they exited Nicolae's room, they ran smack into Peter. Drogo widened his amber eyes and pulled a face. He then twirled his index finger by his temple in circles, indicating his exact thoughts to Peter. Peter narrowed his eyes and used an entirely different finger in response. Nicolae grinned broadly but didn't make a peep.

The three brothers tip-toed downstairs and toward the kitchen. Drogo stopped in his tracks and turned around, putting a hand up. The others ceased walking as well. Drogo pointed toward himself and then to the kitchen. Peter and Nicolae nodded in agreement and remained put, while their younger brother disappeared behind the kitchen door.

Nicolae and Peter exchanged worried glances while they waited. Soon though, Drogo's hand reappeared from the kitchen, giving them a thumbs up. Peter puffed his cheeks out and sighed. Nicolae ran a hand through his long, chestnut hair. They continued standing in the hallway. Drogo was taking longer than expected. Nicolae started to chew on his lip, while Peter tapped his fingers over his thighs, anxiously.

Nicolae mouthed: "What the hell is he doing?" He shook his head despondently.

Just then, they heard a piercing scream coming from the kitchen. Drogo burst through the door and tilted his head toward the staircase, without stopping to speak. Peter and Nicolae quickly followed him, all the way to Lorie's room. Drogo swung the door open. His brothers entered after him. Nicolae closed the door behind them.

"What did you do?" Nicolae whispered angrily.

"Nothing... I mean... I did what I said I'd do," Drogo replied.

"So why did Ana scream like that?" Peter asked, a look of horror on his face.

Drogo chuckled. "Well... I went into the kitchen. The bacon was still cooking, but Ana wasn't there.... I don't think she expected me to show up, because she suddenly appeared... buck naked."

"What?" Nicolae almost chocked.

"Jesus," Peter mumbled.

"Yeah... it was shocking... for both of us," Drogo scoffed. "To be honest... I'm not sure which one of us was more... surprised."

"Anyway... what did you do?" Nicolae prompted him.

"As soon as she saw me, Ana bolted back into her room... after screaming bloody murder," Drogo explained. "So... once she left... I dropped some bacon grease over the open flame."

Nicolae and Peter both stared at their younger brother. When he didn't elaborate, Peter asked: "And? Did it work?"

"Of course it worked," Drogo replied, looking slightly insulted. "In fact... wait for it..." He lifted his index finger up in the air. Within seconds, they heard a second panicked shrill coming from the kitchen. "And... there it is," Drogo said, a satisfied smile on his face.

"Fire! Fire!" Ana was screaming at the top of her lungs.

"Go!" Nicolae looked at Drogo.

"What, me again?" Drogo scowled.