Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
That night while Alex sat up guarding the ancient book, everyone else was asleep. She sat on the small leather couch while she insisted that Kevin slept on the bed. It was hard not to sleep without any entertainment, she found herself pacing the floors while the book rested on the cushion “It’s all your fault! Stupid book…” she muttered, “I’m missing my favorite TV shows because of you. Now I’ll never know whom the bachelor chose. You’re probably happy now.”
“Alex?” Kevin rubbed his eyes tiredly “Are you still up?”
She turned with her arms on her hips “No, I just like to sleep while I pace around!”
“Go to sleep, I’ll watch the book for you. There’s no use in having you being tired and grumpy.” He pulled the covers off and walked over to her.
Alex quickly reached for the book as she wrapped her arms around it “It’s okay, I’ll look after it.” She darted around him and onto the bed. Throwing the book next to her, she covered herself in the blanket.
“You don’t trust me?” he asked hurtfully.
“Honey, the world is going to end if I let this book out of my sight, I don’t care if you’re my momma, I don’t trust you or anyone in this house.” She replied hastily.
Kevin smiled “I’m glad you’re taking this more seriously.”
“How could I not? Have you looked at that thing lately?!” she pointed to the ceiling.
He quickly winced “Don’t remind me that it’s there.” Raising his hands in defense “That thing is going to give me nightmares.”
“Welcome to the club.” She replied sarcastically. Kevin shook his head as he laid down on the couch on his stomach, trying to get comfortable but it was too short for his long legs “Kev…” he looked up with questioning eyes “You’re not mad that I don’t trust you right? It’s just…”
He laughed, “Alex, I could never be mad at you. Just remember that. I don’t want to make this harder for you.”
She smiled gratefully “You’re the best.”
“I know.” He sighed before falling asleep.
Alex made herself comfortable while her right arm wrapped around the book. It didn’t take long for her to fall asleep. Within minutes, she fell into a deep sleep and was dreaming about the traitor sneaking into her room. She tried to fight and call for the person to stop but there was no sound. She tried to call for help but couldn’t get her mouth to open. In her dreams, she managed to get off her bed and walked towards the door but suddenly she fell limply to the ground. The person emerged from a hidden corner and stabbed her in the neck with a needle causing her to disappear into an unconscious stage.
“No!” she sprung from the bed and realized her face was drenched in cold sweat “Oh…it’s just a dream.” She sighed to herself. She saw Kevin stirring on the couch “Did I wake you?” she could see him shaking his head as he turned his body around and went back to sleep. Alex yawned as she turned to check on the book, it was still there. Closing her eyes, she bounced back onto the pillow and returned to sleep.
The following morning, Alex woke up from a chime in the distance. It sounded like a school bell ringing. She stretched her arms and pushed her feet on the bed as she peeked outside the circled window above the wall on her bed “What a nice day.” She sighed, “Come look, Kevin.”
She turned to see that he had woken up before her. Worried, she checked her bed for the book and indeed it was still there. Her eyes wandered around the room and she looked up at the ceiling, to her surprise, the creature had moved. It was no longer gawking at her, instead it was cowered into its wing. A shiver ran down her spine and she jumped when the door opened “Good Morning, Miss Alexis. Would you like to join the others for breakfast?” the messenger asked politely.
“Don’t do that! Didn’t anyone ever teach you to knock before you enter?” she scolded haughtily.
He bowed his head respectfully “As you wish.” He closed the door and knocked it three times.
“Come in!!” Alex bellowed.
He opened the door “Is that better?”
“Much better.” She got out of bed and walked towards him “What’s your name by the way?”
“I do not have a name.” He didn’t move from his position as his head nodded towards the book.
“I have to take it with me?!” she asked incredulously as he smiled “What a drag.” She groaned. He led her down to the shared restroom, it was made of stone and a hole that was dug into the ground “Ew…don’t you have a toilet in here?”
“As you wish.” He waved a hand as the light appeared to shine through the stoned room and changed it to gold. A 19th century toilet sat against the wall “I cannot conjure up a more current toiletry, please forgive me.”
She gaped at it in shock “How did you do that, Howard?”
“I beg your pardon?” he was confused.
“Oh, I just named you. This is incredible. It’s prettier than my bathroom!” she exclaimed while her hand draped over the white marble sink and the mirror was trimmed with a gold frame.
He smiled “Only for you.” He winked and closed the door to give her privacy.
She emerged to find that he had left. Taking the book with her, she dragged it with her to the kitchen where the group were getting acquainted “Alex, you have to see what Mila can do.” Tammy got up from her seat and rushed towards her.
Alex whipped the book away from Tammy “Don’t touch me!”
Tammy’s eyes crunched innocently “I’m sorry.”
“What’s with psycho woman?” Kyle nodded at Kevin.
“Leave her alone, she barely had enough sleep last night.” He stood up for his friend.
“Thank you.” Alex nodded, she took a seat far from the group “I have never been responsible for anything in my life, well except for my fashion trends and my hair…it’s actually hard to maintain and make it shiny every day.” She expressed.
Mila shook her head crazily as she tousled her hair with her fingers “Does mine look silky?” she asked with a mysterious eye while her hair draped over her left eye.
Christian stifled a laugh while the rest shook their heads as they continued to eat the croissants and tea that was served “What’s so funny?” Alex snapped at him.
He looked around the table at everyone “Me?” he pointed to himself.
“I’m looking at you aren’t I?” she asked heatedly “Tell me, where were you last night? Did you sleep well?” her eyes narrowed suspiciously causing everyone to turn in unison at Christian.
He snickered “The bed could be a little more comfortable but I slept very well, thank you for asking.”
“Did someone come into your room, Alex?” Jerry asked with curious brows.
She shook her head “No…Well, I thought I heard someone.”
“I hear that all the time.” Mila waved her hand with a laugh.
Alex looked uneasily at her “Yeah, whatever. Where did Howard go?” she arched her neck toward the kitchen.
“Who’s Howard?” Tammy asked.
“You know…that guy…Mila’s dream guy.” Alex rolled her eyes at the naïve girl. She got up and carried the book with her “I wonder what’s in here.” She reached for the doorknob and suddenly the messenger appeared behind her.
“You are not allowed inside.” He instructed coldly.
She spun around and stepped back “I didn’t know.” Her eyes widened as she returned to the table in a hurry.
“Howie, so what’s next on the menu? Another unidentified bird or some more blood for us in place of wine?” Christian waved his gun playfully, it never left his side.
He laughed merrily “You mean you did not enjoy my little joke?”
“Oh yeah, I loved it!” Mila cooed dreamily.
“Down girl.” Alex eyed her carefully “Don’t you have activities for us? You can’t expect us to live here for…God knows how long and not be entertained?”
“I agree with the psycho woman.” Kyle pointed his thumb at her.
Ann began gesturing her hands ‘Is there a library in here?’
The messenger smiled with a nod “Great idea, Miss Ann.”
“You understand too?” Alex pointed at him “Am I the only one that can’t understand mute girl?”
“Alex!” Kevin shook his head as he turned to Ann “I’m sorry for my friend, she was not taught with manners.”
“Yes, I’m a spoiled little rich kid.” She added sarcastically. Turning to Howard, she asked “So what was such a great idea?”
“Follow me.” He nodded while motioning for them to come along.
“I didn’t even get to eat!” Alex whined.
Mila picked up a croissant and tossed it to her where she caught with her free hand “Stuff that in your mouth.”
“Yeah, do us all a favor.” Kyle muttered.
Alex narrowed her eyes at him as he passed by her, she muttered incoherent words “What are you doing?” Tammy asked with a small smile.
“Cursing him.” She replied casually “But it already worked, he is balding.”
Kyle moved his eyes up as he touched his forehead carefully “That’s evil.”
“Yeah, that’s what they call me.” She giggled victoriously before jogging up to Kevin “I know who the traitor is.” She whispered.
He turned to her with a look of shock “Who?!” she laughed while he lowered his voice “Alex, do you really know?” she shook her head but was still laughing.
“You should look at your face. I thought your eyes were going to pop out!”
“That’s not funny, Alex.” He grumbled.
“Of course it is! That’s why I’m laughing.” She pointed to herself.