WARNING: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS MASS AMOUNTS OF PROFANITY. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED. Don't like, don't read. Enjoy!

  "So. I've never done any type of this 'partnering up' shit."

"...I figured. Seeing as you were extremely against the idea of doing so," Willis rolled his eyes. Marcie had to admit, that was kind of attractive. "Just stay with us and help us fight or whatever, dumbass."

"Okay, well, who in Lleh starts chasing a vampire to get them to join you after helping them? That's just creepy."

"Touché. But no one with actual manners would be so rude to tell their savior to 'fuck off' and fail to at least say 'thank you,' you know."

"Maybe I don't have manners." Marcie childlishly stuck her tongue out at him and gave him the middle finger.

"Wow, real mature."

"Let's stop bickering for a second, shall we? You guys should help me navigate this forest." Feris interrupted.

"No one asked for your opinion," Marcie and Willis retorted in unison. Feris sighed as the two started arguing again. Was he the only responsible one here? With all of the noise they were making, someone was likely going to find and catch them.

"So tell me about yourself, gorgeous," Willis changed the subject.

"Don't call me that." Marcie hesitated. "Sexy," she added, mocking Willis. Feris almost choked. Willis smirked, his eyes shaped like crescents. Wow, this guy is unfairly attractive. Even his teasing grin is hot. It's infuriating.

"Guys–"

"Why thank you, but you haven't told me anything."

"What do you want to know? Like, my trauma or my sex life?" She snarked.

"Do you even have a sex life?" Feris chimed in. "I wouldn't think so, looking at how much you trust us."

"Oh, wow, thanks. You're saying it like you would have a sex life. But if you want to know about me, fine. I'm Marcie, I'm 21 years old, and I'm a vampire." The two others sighed with a dead face.

"Wow. I feel like I know you SO well," Willis said with a monotone voice.

"I know. I'm a pro at giving introductions about myself."

"Okay, guys–"

"To who exactly? With your trust issues, I don't think that's possible."

"Okay, I know that I contributed to the conversation ONCE but CAN YOU GUYS HELP ME?" Feris growled. "This map isn't very clear... and Willis hasn't told me if he wants to walk along the main road or cut straight through the forest and get lost... again."

"WALK ALONG THE MAIN ROAD?!" Marcie almost screeched. "YOU GUYS SAVED ME, and you want to WALK ON THE MAIN ROAD?! That's suicide! Literally anyone can scoop you up and send you to those fake 'rehabilitation' centers and mind control you! We are walking through the forest, dumbasses!"

"Why not? We're not wanted," Willis shrugged. "I can just trick people. I've hypnotized many." Marcie gaped, and Willis seemed to understand why. "I have a strong affinity with magic, so it doesn't take as much of a toll on me," he explained. "Which also means magical effects last shorter because it's easier for me to remove them."

"Oh. That's kinda cool. So what about brainwashing?"

"I'm more conscious than most vampires during brainwashing... I can get out of it easily. But I usually just stab myself instead of using my magic. You know, being discreet about my magical skills and all that," Willis sighed. "I guess I just got lucky with life."

"More lucky than others, you mean. You're still a vampire."

"Being a vampire isn't unlucky," Feris chimed in. "It's just unfortunate... now..."

"Shut up Feris, you're literally a werewolf. You're on the other side of this race war right now, which is also the side that's winning, unfortunately." Marcie rolled her eyes. Willis chuckled.

"What do you have against Feris? You have some serious trust issues."

"Oh sorry, it's not like I saw King bitch Jackolope in front of me when I was a child and watched my parents die because of him."

"That was an unnecessary but helpful trauma dump. Fine, you're justified. But Feris is a good werewolf. I promise." Willis smiled and turned to said werewolf. "Right, Ferry? Who's a good boy?? Awww, of course you're a good boy!! Yeshhh you are!" He squished his cheeks.

"Oh m' gawd. St'p it." Feris turned red. "I'm not a pet dog! And don't call me 'Ferry,' that's so gross." He smacked Willis' hands away.

"Aw, but don't you see? It worked. Marcie isn't glaring at you anymore," he smiled. Like an attractive bastard, Marcie thought. "And haven't we bonded so much, despite her shitty and negative attitude? I'd say it's been a successful conversation!"

Marcie's grumpy, frowning face lifted into more of a deadpan one. 

Maybe these weird guys aren't so horrible.

HALLOOOO MY READERS! It is I! This chapter has been sitting in my drafts for a week and a half now... I've just been putting off posting it. And yet, I haven't revised or looked over it at all- I literally wrote this in like 2 days and kept it in my google docs. But, I'm glad that I got to doing it just like I said I would!

But tbh. I feel like my writing is kinda,, like awkward?? ig. Like I haven't been writing at all for 2 years (or less, idrk) so I just need to like, pick up the flow/feeling of the story... after all, this was originally a sixth grade project of mine. 

As always, comments and votes are appreciated! I'll try to start writing chapter 4 soon, maybe?? Who knows, I'm unpredictable.

love u guys! ❤️❤️

— kai

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11-29-2022