What Happens in the Dark

Chapter 50

"Thank you, so much." I smiled at Arthur. It didn't take much to convince him, but I was thanking Berenice for that.

"Seven we'd love for you to stay and eat with us. We're roasting hot dogs on the fire, and Simone is grilling burgers." The taller woman said.

"Oh Seven, this is my mother, Aspen." Raymond said gesturing to the woman who just spoke. I smiled at her.

"I'd love to join y'all for dinner." I responded parroting the instructions Raymond gave me earlier.

Arthur smiled as he stood up slowly. He was a rounder man, but he looked young for his age. "Let's introduce you to the gang." He grabbed a large wooden cane and walked slowly to the door.

I followed him outside to the field, the sun had gone down now and the fire was glowing in the distance. Raymond walked along side of me as we approached the multitude of people gathered from each mobile home.

"Seven these are my brothers, Rocky, Uhan, Travis, Tyner, Leroy, Valton, Wilder, and Leon. You know Mya, This is my aunt Delilah, my uncle Romone, My cousins Simone, Rachel, Amiah, Fredrick, and Chris-" He named thirty people and I tried to remember everyone's faces, but it was impossible.

"Hello, I'm Seven." I smiled.

"She is our friend." Arthur added. They all said hello to me and Raymond lead me along side of the fire to two chairs.

"Hey Seven." Rocky smiled sitting on the other side of me, "Man you smell like a vampire." He laughed. I could tell he was the youngest of Raymond's brothers. I laughed back.

"Guess that will happen."

"Rocky don't pester the girl." Raymond sighed grabbing a hot dog and a wired straightened out coat hanger to roast it with. Everyone was laughing and talking when Arthur sat down at the head of the fire and smiled towards me.

"Seven has a great destiny she was appointed to appeal, from the great Berenice." He said. Everyone grew quiet and looked over at me. "I know how some of you feel about the Cittadino's but as head of this pack, we will hear them out in light of recent news we've all received."

There were a few mumbles, but everyone mainly listened, and they didn't object to what Arthur said.

"She is our friend, and the Cittadino's are her family, so we will hear them out." He said calmly. Everyone nodded their heads. "Seven, I don't know what Raymond has told you of our families history, but wolves and vampires have been at each other's throats for centuries. A betrayal that happened thousands of years ago started it, when it merely began over a fight of land. Wolves and Vampires are natural enemies considering we hunt on the same prey, animals and humans, but one thing hurt both the Cittadino's and The Cheyenne's, which was the death of Berenices granddaughter Roman. She was a peaceful woman, she saw Raymond as her own, as he was Monroe Cittadino's bestfriend, we knew she was of peace, and you carry her same light."

I smiled feeling honored to be compared to her. All I've heard about her were good things, and when I met her, even though it was for such a short time, she portrayed that light everyone has been talking about.

"We thank you Seven, for fulfilling this legacy of peace, even when you have no obligation." He said.

"A'ho." Everyone chanted. I jumped thinking I was just slut shamed making Raymond burst out laughing.

"That's a word of respect for Native Americans, It means Thank You." He clarified making me blush in embarrassment.

"My family. Seven is currently being threatened for her spiritual gifts, so if she cannot mend the relationship between us, Leonardo will stop at nothing to kill her before she can, which is why it is critical we listen with an open mind, and put our grudges behind us." Arthur continued. Everyone was in agreement which made me smile.

"Thank you Arthur, and thank all of you." I said, "Or should I say A'ho."

"A'HO!" They chanted back laughing and smiling. We carried on with dinner as they told stories and talked about their day, my nervousness was now gone and I couldn't be happier.

When the dinner had ended I said goodbye to everyone and Raymond lead me back to the road. I took a sigh of relief.

"You did amazing, just as I knew you would." Raymond grinned.

"I was so nervous." I laughed rubbing the back of my neck, "I'm glad I made a good impression."

"You did." He smiled back at me. I saw Monroe's headlights pull onto the road and I turned to look at Raymond.

"Thank you for all of this, I don't know how I could've done this without you."

"We're family." He said back. Monroe stopped the car and opened the driver door. His tall figure walked towards us. "So I should be expecting to see you at your Aunt's tomorrow?"

"Yes." I smiled. I'm really excited to go back to Aunt Dana's as much as I love being around Monroe all the time, it was definitely getting to me.

"How did it go?" Monroe asked walking up to us.

"She succeeded." Raymond told him. They both grinned at me and Monroe wrapped his arm around my waist.

"I knew she would. Thank you Raymond." He said.

"It's no problem she did most of the work, but your father will be getting a call from my grandfather soon." He responded.

"I'll let him know." Monroe opened the passenger door for me and said goodbye to Raymond while I buckled myself in and waited for him.

"I am so proud of you. Look at you!" Monroe said climbing into the drivers seat, "I told you not to doubt yourself."

"But now we have to save Roman." I sighed hoping this would be our last obstacle, but I knew deep down it was going to be extremely challenging.