"This is your chance to at least for once tell the truth and be who you really are."

Camila was laying on her bed and stared in a big bush of her clothes on her bedroom floor. Today was the day she had to pack her whole life in three suitcases and to leave for Montana. To safety.

She was constantly thinking whether she made a good choice. Ever since her little brother Lucas was attacked by a red-eyed monster while he was riding his horse in horse club, her parents tried to convince her to use her celebrity status to find them a safe place to stay.

Truth to be told, Camila didn't know much about vampires. She knew there were two covens, blue and red. Blue ones were good ones while the red coven was made of monsters. Humans didn't know about them for a long time, but as the war between two covens started to get worse, they were discovered. Suddenly, the entire human race found itself in the middle of the eternal war. Camila knew a few famous names from vampire rows, mostly leaders. Now their fight became a serious threat to humans.

Up to a few days before, she refused to use her status to get them out of the possible danger but everyone saw the situation was getting worse for each new day. The human race was running out of options. Soon, they would have to turn to the blue coven for help.

She just decided to do it before everyone else does. After all, she had to use her status.

When the door suddenly opened, she snapped out of her haze and looked toward the entrance.

There stood Kaley, her cousin who lived with them for at least a decade. Her family took her in after she lost both of her parents in a car accident.

"Stop sulking and turn the TV on," Kaley said, already grabbing the remote and turning her big wall TV on.

Suddenly, Camila saw her own face on the screen. Her long brown curls fell over her tanned shoulders, while she was smiling widely to the camera. Her face had a little make-up, only to emphasize her brown eyes better.

The only thing wrong with the entire picture was the title.

8 p.m. Find out everything about Camila Reyes and her boyfriend, singer Jack Maier's break-up.

"It's there for a few minutes already," Kaley interrupted the silence. "They really want to give a good announcement. And I don't doubt they're gonna hit it big with this."

Camila was only staring at the TV, not being able to remove her eyes from a big picture of her happy self. Then, she lowered her head back to the pillow and shrugged.

"Why do you care?" she asked. "No matter what, I won't be here to tell my side of the story. Neither will you or my parents."

She could feel her cousin's eyes moving from the TV toward her.

"Because we both know why you broke up and these media sharks will for sure make the story ten times more dramatic than it already is," she explained. "You should've told the truth as soon as you broke up with Jack."

Camila just sighed. She didn't intend to give any other answer to Kaley so the other girl slowly approached her.

"I don't get you," she stated. "Why are you so depressed over this? You weren't in love with him and you left him. You should be over the moon happy because you finally got rid of that promiscuous idiot."

The singer finally raised her head again.

"Kaley, I appreciate your concern but I don't want to talk about it or think about Jack so please," she paused a little. "Turn off the TV. We have more important things to take care of. Have you already packed?"

Kaley sat down, right up to her body.

"Yeah, I'm ready to go," she responded, her voice soft. "I still think you should give at least one interview before leaving. Just to give them some kind of closure. You know your fans love you immensely."

Camila got up and approached a pile of clothes on the floor. She started to dig through it, to find what she wanted to take in Montana.

"Did you hear what I just said?", Kaley asked her.

For a few moments, there was a complete silence and then she nodded her head, not looking up. That made Kaley sigh.

"C'mon, Camila. Why are you like this?"

"Because I don't want to go," she replied immediately. "I don't want to leave LA. I just wanna make my music and live my life as before all this happened."

Kaley just narrowed her eyes.

"You mean hiding?", she asked.

Camila rolled her eyes as she pulled a big suitcase out of her closet. She simply had too many clothes so she decided to just squeeze everything in.

"No, I just wanna do my thing. That's all."

Kaley helped her with packing.

"Think about it as a new opportunity. In there, you can be who the hell ever you want because you're not gonna be any different than any other human being inside that complex," she explained. "This is your chance to at least for once tell the truth and be who you really are."

The singer only looked in Kaley's eyes. She didn't say anything else. Saying something would be too much.

After they silently packed Camila's things for half an hour, she finally closed the last suitcase and looked at Kaley.

"Will you help me make a video for Twitter?" she asked. "I guess I don't want to leave without saying at least something."

The other girl squealed in excitement. She hugged Camila, jumping up and down in place.

"Of course. I would love to."

Camila had to smile at her cousin's childishness.

But first, they would have to clean all of the mess in her room so they spent a few more minutes doing just that. Then, Kaley put a light makeup on Camila's face, making her look decent. She changed from her loose, soft pants into black ripped jeans and managed to find a decent enough t-shirt.

"I'm fascinated with how just a little makeup makes out of you a thirty years old woman while you're just about to turn twenty," Kaley commented, applying the last layers of mascara on her eyes.

Camila just shrugged her shoulders and tried not to blink.

"You just changed so much after entering the celebrity world," she continued with her monologue. "You were much more fun when you weren't singing your pretty little heart out in front of thousands of people."

Camila thought about Kaley's last statement. She had to admit she herself noticed how tired she was getting for each new day. She was always so focused on making everyone happy. Her fans, her parents, her boyfriend. So much, that she didn't even realize when she became unhappy in between all of this. Making music was her true passion and gave her so much reason for joy but lately, even that wasn't enough. She knew she was on edge and that she needed a break.

Kaley was, in some weird way, right. This was her opportunity. Maybe not to completely open herself up but to take a break and sort things out.

"We're ready, Kaley said with Camila's phone in her hand, snapping her out of her thoughts. "One, two, three."

Camila put her best, widest smile on her face, waving to the camera.

"Hey, guys," she said, her voice hyper and cheerful. "I hope you all are having a good day. So, I was hanging out with Kaley when I got an idea about making a video for you. To be completely honest, lately, I just feel like everyone is trying to put words in my mouth. The words I didn't say. I suppose you already know where I'm heading with this," she was talking to the camera, not removing a smile from her face. She wanted to keep a positive vibe around. "I just feel like I have to tell my side of the story. You already know Jack and I broke up a week ago. Since then, I've probably heard ten different stories or reasons why. All of them, of course, are complete lies."

She took a few moments to put the story together in her head, before speaking again.

"We've been together for two years and honestly, I felt it's enough. For the last few months, I was constantly on the road, touring and singing and I've had so little time for him. I guess we just drifted apart. I haven't cheated on him, he hasn't cheated on me, or anything like that. What I'm trying to say is that I simply don't feel well and I need time to sort things out and decide where I want to take my life and my career. Alone. And to do that, I'll have to prolong my break and take some time just for myself. I'm really sorry about this but I just feel like it's for the best."

She gave the camera a soft, appreciative smile, hoping this would be some kind of consolation for her fans. Camila really wanted them to understand.

"When I get back, and I will get back, I'm gonna bring a bunch of new songs and, of course, an album. This is a promise, babes. I'll see you soon. Enjoy your day."

Camila once again smiled and then Kaley gave her a few more moments to wave goodbye to her fans. Then she turned the camera off.

"I'm so proud of you for doing this," she said. "They deserve this for all the amazing support they're giving you."

"Yeah."

It took them a while to rewatch a video and then put it online. Camila was quite satisfied with this. But no matter what, she turned all of her notifications off. She didn't want to see the reactions just yet.

Instead of tweeting, they both continued with packing and getting ready for leaving. The evening was approaching soon and Camila knew they didn't have much time left.

Her parents soon came home from work. On their way, they picked up Lucas from school. A little boy immediately ran to Camila, who, in the meantime got down from her room. He threw his small arms around her legs.

She instantly felt a lot better than before. Her brother was so precious.

"Hey you," she greeted him with a big smile on her face. "How was school?"

He jumped up and down cheerfully.

"We had lots of fun. But they told us they're gonna close it after this week."

Camila took a deep breath. She knew the chances to find herself eye to eye with a red-eyed vampire is getting bigger but she honestly hoped the kids would have enough time to at least finish this school year. It seemed this wasn't the case after all.

"How do you feel about it?" she asked, being genuinely concerned and interested in Lucas's feelings.

The boy seemed to need a few moments to think about it. She smiled again. Even though he was just about to turn nine, Lucas was very smart and observant for his age. He developed a lot of talent for painting and he understood a lot of things which were happening in the world, while some of his friends were still oblivious to most of it.

"Well, I am sorry because I'm not going to see my friends and Mrs. Patterson for a long time but I understand. They want us to be safe. And I'm still scared."

Camila caressed the side of his face.

"I'm sorry, pal," she replied.

Lucas shrugged his shoulders.

"Mom says we're leaving tomorrow night," he suddenly changed the topic. "Cami, where are we going?"

Camila paused for a little. She wanted to give him a proper answer but, truth to be told, she herself wasn't so sure of where exactly they were about to go.

"Somewhere in Montana?" she asked more than she answered.

Lucas looked at her eyes.

"Are we going to be safe there? Are those people going to help us? And what's gonna happen to your concerts?"

Of course, Lucas was full of questions. The singer was simply too confused to give him the right answer.

"Well, I'll have to postpone them for a while."

Just as Lucas was about to ask another question, Camila's phone ringed. She pulled it out of her jeans and looked at the screen.

It was James, her manager. She immediately realized what this call was about. Her video.

Camila: "Hi, James."

She could hear an angry puffing from the other side of the line.

James: "You announced a break without consulting with me before?"

Camila was thinking about the best way to get out of this. She knew James wasn't the person who would give up just like that. Her manager was angry.

Camila: "Technically, I was already on break. I just prolonged it for a bit."

James: "Look, we agreed on not telling anybody about you leaving to live with the blue coven. We had a deal, Camila and you just broke it. The world is already going all crazy over your little video and I can already see headlines. How am I supposed to take care of your career when you don't want to talk to me about it?"

She was already annoyed.

Camila: "Have you actually watched the video? I haven't mentioned I'm leaving for Montana or blue ones. I know you're angry because of this bumpy hole on the road but I can't help it. Everyone is looking for a shelter. Luke's school is closing. We're in a deep shit, James and I'm not going to sit with my arms crossed, watching my family getting hurt by them."

She was panting from talking fast. Then, she just heard a sigh.

James: "Some of us aren't so lucky to find a shelter like that."

Camila: "So that's what this is about? You're jealous?"

James: "Of course not. You know I love you, kid. I'm just...please, tell me before you do anything like that again, okay?"

Camila rolled her eyes.

Camila: "No matter how much I'm grateful to you for caring, I think my career is the last thing you should think of right now. James, the war is in front of our doors. Take care of yourself."

There was silence for a few moments.

James: "I won't let it stop my life. Life goes on. You're leaving tomorrow, right?"

She nodded her head but then remembered James wasn't able to see her.

Camila: "Yes."

James: "But we're staying in contact, okay? You promised your fans you're gonna come back and I don't have any intent to neglect your career."

She smiled. It was crazy how they could go from fighting over some stupid thing to laughing in just a couple of minutes. She loved her manager. For the most of the time, James was a sweet and caring guy. But sometimes, he was taking her career more serious then she herself was.

Camila: "Thank you for everything, James. I'll call you."

James: "Take care, kid. See ya soon."

After he hanged, she just chuckled. This crazy old man. She would never change him for another manager. Not even if the world would stop spinning.

Kaley coming from the upstairs snapped her from her thoughts. Camila noticed she was dozing off a lot lately.

Her cousin approached Lucas who was still standing there and ruffled his hair.

"Hey, Luke-boy," she said. "What are you up to?"

The boy slapped her hand away.

"I literally just came home. I haven't even had time to decide what I want to do next," he smart mouthed her.

Camila almost burst to laugh.

"Don't you get sassy with me, kid," she replied and frowned. "Your sister being like this for all day is enough."

"Hey!" Camila yelled.

"Well, maybe you should start using your brain cells a little," Lucas said and stuck out his tongue, making Kaley gasp and Camila literally laugh her ass off.

"I'm going to get you and you're gonna pay me for this," Kaley shouted.

Lucas's eyes widened and he immediately ran to the kitchen. Kaley chased after him.

Camila was still laughing. God, she loved her brother. She let them be childish and decided to find her mom. She went back upstairs, knowing her mom was probably in the laundry room.

After a short walk, she finally saw Maria Reyes bent over the pile of dirty laundry.

"Hey mom," she said, entering the small room who only had a washing machine and a dryer. She mother looked up, giving her a soft smile.

"Do you need any help?" Camila asked.

She shook her head.

"No, I'm just going through it. I'm not going to put it in," she replied.

Camila nodded her head and looked at the floor.

"What's on your mind?"

"A little bit of everything," she answered, chuckling a little and keeping her eyes on the floor. She could hear her mother moving from the pile to her and then a hand raised her chin and she found Maria's soft brown eyes. The same color as hers.

"Everything is going to be fine, honey," the older woman tried to console her. "Have a little more faith in God."

Camila was just looking in her eyes. After a couple more moments, she finally let a small, sincere smile on her face.

Her mother caressed her face.

"Have you talked to James?"

"Yes. He actually called me before a few minutes. He was going all crazy over the video I posted for my fans," Camila replied.

They both got out of the laundry room.

"You have to understand him," Maria said again. "He's just worried about your career. And he's right."

Camila let out a frustrated sigh.

"No, he's not," she replied, raising her arms in the air. "The whole human race is in danger. We all could die and the last thing I want to discuss right now is the next concert."

"I know, honey. But trust me, things will sort out. Sooner or later."

She shrugged.

"I hope so."

-

Amelia sat next to Damien in the big transport helicopter, looking at the four warrior trainees who sat next to each other. All of the younger vampires looked incredibly confused. Amelia and Damien exchanged glances before she got up and stood right in front of them.

"Okay, guys," she started. "The four of you were the best in yesterday's challenge. It's time for the reward."

Amelia looked each of them in the eye. Max looked confused and little scared, Electra and Faye were both excited while Gill looked like he was going to throw up in any moment.

"What's the reward?" Max asked, making Amelia smirk.

The helicopter took a sharp turn and Amelia tripped a little but she managed to stay upright.

"We're now going in Hot Springs," she said. "You're going to be the first trainees of this year who's gonna try "cleaning"."

"What?"

"Yes, finally."

"Are you fucking kidding me?"

Those three sentences were the only thing Amelia and Damien heard. She raised her hands, trying to let them know there's nothing to worry about.

"Amelia, you can't be serious. We're not ready for this," Max reasoned but both female vampires from their group stood up.

"Speak for yourself, man," Electra replied. "I'm more than ready."

Amelia nodded her head and the helicopter soon stopped, flying calmly over Hot Springs.

"Okay, this is it. Let's go," Damien said, opening massive metal doors.

He and Amelia both jumped out of it. Amelia felt a firm ground under her legs and she crouched a little, amortizing her landing.

"Where are they?" Damien asked.

She looked up and saw them jumping out one by one.

"I've told you they're not going to chicken out," she said with a big smile. "You owe me fifty bucks."

The four trainees walked to them. Amelia saw a little bit of fear and curiosity on every face. They were waiting for further instructions.

As soon as the helicopter noise decreased, she took one more moment to adjust on the darkness surrounding them and looked at them one more time.

"Hold your eyes wide open, guys," she said. "You never know where they can be around here. Follow us."

All of them started a silent walk toward one of the familiar buildings. It was Amelia's favorite one because this was where red ones were sleeping and resting between fights. She discovered this valuable information after one night and the other whole day spent in Hot Springs. She got stuck there after the fight and had enough time to explore around.

"Do you guys remember what "cleaning" is?" she asked.

There was silence for a couple of moments.

"Yes," Gill finally answered. "It's locating red ones and their positions, eliminating them and taking over their positions."

Amelia smiled, feeling very content.

"Great," she replied. "Cleaning" technique?"

Suddenly, Electra was on her right.

"We're doing it in pairs. It's important to protect each other."

She nodded.

Soon, Amelia and Damien stopped in front of one of the houses that looked abandoned and creepy. Not a place where anyone would be living.

Once again, Amelia smirked, pointing her finger to the house.

"This is our destination for tonight," she started. "As you can see, the night is quiet and calm. It's shouldn't be a problem for you to do this task quickly and quietly. You're going in pairs," she paused a little to see their reactions. All of them were quietly listening. "Electra, you're with Gill and Faye is with Max. I've estimated there could be around fifteen red ones inside. You have to eliminate them all, drag their bodies out, prepare them for the sun rising and then secure the area. You understood?"

All of them nodded their heads. Damien didn't talk. He just stood right next to Amelia with his arms crossed over his chest.

"Do you have a weapon?" she asked.

Electra pulled her gun out of its holster.

"Whenever you're ready, Gill," she said.

Amelia could see Gill swallowing hard but he didn't make any move. She knew he would do his duty.

"Listen," she started to talk again, this time more seriously. "Don't forget this isn't a hologram. In there are the real red ones. Please, keep your eyes open and all of your senses at the highest level. And don't show fear because they literally can smell it and then, you're done. If one of you gets in trouble, the other is there to help you. Do you understand me?"

Max shook his head.

"I can't do this," he said but Faye quickly slapped his shoulder.

"Get your shit together," she said under her breath.

"Let's go. The stage is yours," Amelia finished.

All of them waited for a few more moments and then just looked at each other, before regrouping and getting in.

Both, Amelia and Damien were observing them until they disappeared in the darkness of the house. Then, her cousin faced her.

"So, how much time do you give them before one of them starts to scream?"

She laughed, throwing her head back.

"Thirty seconds," she replied just as the first shot was heard.

"And here it goes."

-

Author's note:

Hello, guys. Another update day. I hope everyone is having a good day.

So, in this chapter, we have more introducing. You had a chance to meet Camila Reyes who is one of the most important characters. This chapter is the last of introducing chapters. The next one is actually the one where the story really begins.

If you liked it, please don't forget to vote or comment. I'd really love to hear your opinion.

Next update: Sunday!

Stay true to yourself and have a nice day!