She Came From the Shadows (James and Tera: book 2)

19

I had tried calling Tera but she didn't pick up. I realized then that she was probably Changed for the night. She usually does on the weekends. I didn't like the idea of going to Victoria's alone. I was afraid if I'm being honest. I'm going to a vampire's home without any protection. Not the best idea.

I could've just refused and told her last night I would come another time, aka when Tera was free. But I was too nice when I should just be cautious instead. I'm dating a werewolf if that's proof enough, but I don't see her as that. I only see Tera as herself, as just her human self who has a conscience and personality.

Victoria had given me an address through text and I had pulled up to a driveway. It was on the edge of town, just at the limit. I didn't see any cars or any signs of anyone living there. It was dark inside through the windows. I parked my car and turned it off.

I stepped out of my Jeep into the cold evening and started up slowly towards the door. The porch needed some work with a few broken boards and some paint. The hedges nearby could use some trimming too. There was always someone to cut the grass at the vacant homes but it needed it this time around.

The sound of bells that chimed with the wind echoed faintly. I knocked on the door and waited for a while. Maybe this isn't her house? Or maybe she wasn't coming out due to the sun still being slightly out? I was confused and had no idea what to do. I was about to leave but tried the doorknob for some reason. It twisted and the door slowly opened with a push.

I was reluctant at first before taking a slow step inside. I was met by the smell of cardboard boxes that filled the house. There were boxes everywhere of different sizes. Some were closed and some were open. They held things like plates and bowls and silverwares. It was enough to make me even more wary of whose house this might be, but seeing as there was nobody here slightly calmed my nerves. SLIGHTLY.

There was dust everywhere and the walls needed some painting, and maybe these floors needed replacing. I looked around until I found a staircase. I climbed it and made my way through the area upstairs. Nothing but a bathroom and two bedrooms. Nothing. I made my way back down the staircase and turned the corner to find the kitchen. In it there was a door. When I opened the door, it showed a staircase going down.

I wasn't much for basements. Don't get me wrong, I've seen some basements that were completely normal, mostly holding spots for hanging out and whatnot. But even then was I uncomfortable. I don't know why but I always held some small phobia for basements.

The floors down here were concrete and it was pitch black. I pulled out my phone and turned on my flashlight, which didn't do me much good. There were more boxes down here. Like the others upstairs, some were closed while others were opened. I only saw candles before what I came upon next shocked me.

I had never seen one outside of a funeral home or before being lowered into a grave, but here it was, a coffin, sitting in the middle of the floor of this basement. I felt cold, and the hairs on my arms stood. As I took a step back, the light spread, and I noticed two more coffins. One was opened.

At that exact moment, I thought I would have a heart attack and drop dead like a rabbit. I felt something, an arm, wrap around my waist. Now the hairs on the back of my neck stood along with every other hair I had. I grunted in fear as I tried to run, but I was kept in place by whoever or whatever was behind me.

"It's not nice to trespass." Said a girl's voice behind me. "Besides, your knocking woke me up."

Amara.

"Relax." She told me, slightly loosening her grip on me. "You're just warm is all. I like it."

"Uh... Thanks..." Was all I managed to get out.