Chapter Text
“Joe, why are we up this late again?” A young, black haired girl asked, looking at her device to check the time while walking. “It’s so cold out here, too.”
“Ryoko, you remember we promised Sara we would make sure she doesn’t kill a person, right?” Joe, a brown haired teenager, replied. “And do you want my jacket? So you don’t freeze?”
“Wouldn’t you be cold then?” Ryoko raised an eyebrow at Joe.
“I’ll be fine,” Joe said reassuringly, with a grin on his face.
“No thanks, maybe I’ll get used to it,” Ryoko answered.
“Suit yourself.”
The two continued walking until they found an abandoned building in town. They (mainly Joe) figured Sara would at least be here because nobody is to really be expected here. Joe approaches the door to the building and carefully opened it, making sure it didn’t make any loud noises.
Upon entering the building, they noticed Sara straight, but it looked like she was talking to someone. Joe and Ryoko looked at each other and nodded, making an undiscussed agreement to keep quiet. They silently walked near her so they could get to hear the conversation. From the angle they’re at, they can at least see Sara and a young child wearing cat ears with a cat plushie.
“...big sis Sara I wanna go with you, meow!” the voice they heard was high pitched, and it sounded like a child was speaking to Sara. Ryoko and Joe gave confused looks to each other. How in the world was this kid involved?
“As long as the others are okay with it, Gin,” Sara replied.
“I don’t really care, as long as someone has him under their watch,” this voice sounded like a slightly older female, maybe in her early 20s. “What do you say, Sou?”
“I’m okay with it. Miss Sara is very trustworthy. And besides, someone has to keep her in check!” ‘Sou’ answered, chuckling a bit at his own joke.
“I’m getting better at that you know,” Sara defended.
“No offense, Sara, but Gin is doing a better job at controlling his urges than you,” the other female stated.
“Reko’s right you know, Miss Sara,” Sou said. “A middle schooler is doing a better job than you are.”
Sara let out a defeated sigh, rolling her eyes. “Alright, what’s the plan for tonight? I wanna go over it again just in case.”
“Just do what do you every night. But keep an eye on the alleyways. Gin, since you’re going with Sara, make sure she doesn’t do anything reckless, or anything that can get her seriously hurt,” Reko explained.
“I’ll try my best, big sis Reko meow!” Gin said, standing upright right and putting his hand on his forehead, saluting Reko.
At this point, Joe and Ryoko were leaving so they could meet Sara outside. However, Reko had caught notice of them.
“Hey! Who the hell are you two and what’re you doing here this late at night?” Reko yelled, pointing at then. The others turning around to see what she yelling at.
“Oh! Uh… we were just leaving! Didn’t mean to disturb you guys… and gals,” Joe replied, feeling terrified.
“Did I not…” Sara muttered, pulling out her phone from her pocket and checking her messages, specifically with Joe. She realized she never sent the message she thought she sent hours ago. “...that explains it.” She put her phone back into her pocket.
“Explains what?” Sara showed Sou her phone. “Oh. So I guess those are your friends down there?”
“Yes they are,” Sara replied to Sou, then turning to Reko. “Reko relax, it’s just my friends. I thought I sent them a text, turns out I never sent it.”
“At least you know them, because I probably would’ve scared them off or something.”
“If you don’t mind me asking, Sara. Who are these people?” Ryoko asked, pointed to Gin, Sou, and Reko.
“I guess you can call them my vampire friends. I met them two weeks ago and I’ve just been hanging out with them on most nights ever since. I’ve been planning to tell you guys so you don’t have to come get me anymore, but I keep forgetting,” Sara replied.
Sou would’ve called her out on the lie, but decided it wasn’t important. “We can take a few minutes to let you talk to your friends before we separate if you want, Miss Sara,” he offered, adjusting his scarf.
“Please do, I promise it won’t be long,” Sara made her way down to her friends, motioning to the both of them to go outside.
Once outside, Sara took in a deep breath, and let it out, turning to her friends. “I guess this is kinda my fault for not letting you guys know ahead of time. I thought I sent the text, but I was wrong.”
“Don’t be sorry you goofball! We were just concerned for you, that’s all,” Joe said. “I think we would’ve came looking for you regardless of you’d sent that text or not.”
“I don’t know if I can say for myself…” Ryoko jokes. The three of them share a quick giggle, before she continues, “Being serious, I would have come looking for you regardless.”
“Well, thank you guys for your concern, hopefully you don’t have to worry as much anymore,” Sara said, a small smile appearing on her face.
“Well, friends have each other’s backs, don’t they?” Joe nudged Sara’s arm softly, the latter pushing him away lightly.
“I guess… see you at school tomorrow?” Ryoko stated, shrugging her shoulders lightly.
“I guess so,” Sara replied. She was about to say something else when Gin walked outside. She noticed him and asked, “Gin, why are you out here?”
“Big sis Reko wanted me to tell you that your friends shouldn’t leave yet woof!” Gin responded quickly.
“Why not?” Joe asked, feeling slightly concerned.
“Tell me in my ear Gin,” Sara crouched down to Gin’s height so he could tell her properly. Gin covered the side of Sara’s ear that was facing Joe and Ryoko, as he whispered something into her ear. “What?! I thought they wouldn’t be back another month!”
“That’s what Sou said, too meow! Big sis Reko said we need to keep them they here until they’re done woof, because she doesn’t want to risk them being killed or turned into vampires like us woof!” Gin explained quickly, now catching his breath.
“Come on you two, we gotta find a place for you guys to hide at,” Sara instructed, indicating for the two of them to follow her.
The four walked back into the abandoned building. Thoughts of worry and questions were going through Joe and Ryoko’s heads.
“Who are ‘they’?” “Why do we have to hide?” “Why would they kill us?” Were only some of the questions going through their heads. However they decided to wait until after whatever was about to happen to ask those.