I always wake up before everyone else in the house. Like today I woke up at six and still before everyone else. Well before those who were sleeping and the only ones who were awake were Omar, Daria, and Kenji. Omar and Daria came in around seven in the morning while everyone else was still asleep. I slept for only a short while but only woke up because I had a nightmare about that siren.

I looked down into my soggy bowl of Fruity Pebbles and made a face. I was so busy daydreaming that I completely forgot about it.

"Brent, would you like some proper breakfast instead? I'm making bacon as we speak." Daria smiled brightly at me as she ushered her way out of the kitchen. When she looked at me I couldn't help but stiffen up. I saw a completely different side of her earlier and it still haunted me. She was the sweetest and gentlest person that I know and to see her not show an ounce of compassion towards that monster was just scary. I once saw her cry over a snail that Kenji accidentally stepped on for half an hour. That Daria I saw crying wasn't the same Daria from earlier.

"I'm fine. I'm not really hungry." I averted her blue eyes as she continued to look down at me. She knew.

"You're afraid of me." Her meek voice had a hint of sadness in it. She was hurt.

"I'm not afraid of you, Daria. I'm just afraid of what I saw. Not you.... it was just a lot." I picked up my spoon, playing around with the leftover cereal.

"I remember my first time... I saw our mother gouge out the eyes of a Goblin." She smiled reminiscing about her time with our mom like it was a trip to Disneyland.

"That didn't help Daria."

"I didn't tell you to help you, I told you to tell you that the first time in the family business is always the easiest part. It gets worse but you'll be so used to it that it'll be just like doing homework!" She patted me on the back, hard. On her face, she still wore that big smile."Eggs and bacon right?"

"Uhh, s-sure. Yeah." I nodded, wide-eyed at what she just said to me and just the way she was so positive about it. Dear god. She pinched my cheek and turned on her heel to head back into the kitchen. I let out a sigh I didn't even know I was holding in. This family business is going to be the death of me. Literally. I'm gonna fuck up something and die. Oh my god, I'm gonna die. I am going to die. What am I doing? I can't do what my siblings do. I'll die. Oh god, I can feel my chest tightening up already.

"You gonna eat that?" The voice from far behind me made me jump. I spun around to see Frankie stretched on the couch, staring right at me.

"What?"

"The cereal. Are you going to eat it?"

"No. It's kinda warm and soggy. Daria is making breakfast so I'm just gonna dump it." I gestured to my blue bowl that had my name on it. As kids, we used to argue about which bowls were ours and mom got tired of it so she just personalized them so we would shut up.

Frankie sat up with a grunt as he rubbed his face, still tired from earlier. His green eyes were a little red from just waking up but he still stared at me.

"So you're just going to waste it? Do we waste food in this house, Brent? No, we don't. Hand it here." He motioned me to bring it with his hand to bring the soggy cereal to him. He's serious, isn't he?... That's just gross. While shaking my head, I stood up and gave him the bowl. Frankie took the bowl, brought it to his mouth, and drank from it like the beast that he is."It's soggy...and warm..."

"I told you that. I just told you that."

"Why would you give it to me then?"

"Because you told me literally thirty seconds ago not to waste it!"

"...That doesn't sound like something I would say..."

"You just did!"

"Frankie, leave him alone. He's having a rough day. Instead of arguing, eat bacon. Bacon makes everyone happy." Daria came out of the kitchen with two plates that she placed on the dining table. I caught a chill when she looked at me with a smile, a flash of earlier came to me. Her slicing up a monster. My other siblings nonchalantly playing Uno. Me wanting to puke. Good times.

"Ohhhh I will devour that bacon. Fuck this bowl." Frankie stood up and tossed the bowl on the table to eat the lovely breakfast that Daria made. I honestly wasn't hungry but I took the plate with a smile because she didn't have to make it."Where's Kenji?"

"He's working." Daria answered, handing him a fork.

"Omar?"

"Out jogging."

"Wyatt?"

"Doing her makeup."

"Scarlet?" Frankie was shoveling the food in his mouth as I was taking small bites. It was delicious, don't get me wrong, I just don't want to eat right now.

"Sleeping and so is Marcia. Less talking, more eating." Daria giggled as she turned to me and messed up my hair before leaving.

"Hey, Brent... Brent... You gonna eat that?" Frankie munched away on his food while I barely touched mine. He didn't even finish eating and yet he wants my food. He is a greedy ass man.

Before I could answer, our front door was met with a series of knocks. Like there was more than one person. Frankie and I froze as we stared at the door because none of us were expecting company at this hour. Frankie slowly stood as he removed the gun from his waistband. Should I be worried that he sleeps with his gun? Whatever, I guess.

I slowly got up and crept behind him as he walked over to the door. He looked out of the peephole then glared at me as he unlocked it. What did I do?

Suddenly, I was ambushed by a group of people, nearly knocking me off my feet. Coming to, I realized that the people were actually my friends. My best friends. Valentine, Spider, and Poppy. Each of them was hugging the life out of me.

"BRENT!" Val squeezed me. Spider and Poppy also hugged me but just not as tight. Spider smiled at me as he messed up my hair even more than Daria did while Poppy jumped up and down... I think that they missed me a little.

"Dude we fucking missed you. I know it's been a week but we missed you!" Poppy smiled at me while I was being suffocated.

"You were gonna see me tomorrow!"

"We couldn't wait!" Spider laughed as they finally let me go as Frankie glared at me from the corner. They all turned to look at him as he continued to glare."Ohhh. Sorry we were knocking so loud, we were just super excited."

"It's fine. I just didn't know that Brent had friends. I'm his brother, Frankie." Frankie waved with a smile as all my friends waved back.

"We're really sorry about your mom. She was amazing." Val smiled sadly as my friends agreed with her. My mom absolutely adored my friends because none of them were troublemakers. They were just great friends.

"Brent! You brought friends!" Daria smiled bringing out more plates."It is nice to see you all again. Here!"

"Likewise! Thanks for the food, Daria. What would we do without you?" Poppy grabbed her plate with a smile as Spider and Val denied it because they all just ate but that wouldn't stop Poppy. They had to chance to meet Daria back in Sophmore year when she stayed with us for a month to help mom with a case. Like everyone else, they thought she was sweet.

"Man, I was up all night playing Fortnite. I was gonna ask you to play but I wanted to give you space to like... grieve and stuff so I didn't wanna bother you...and stuff." Spider placed a hand on my shoulder to comfort me and I just smiled at him.

"Thanks, man but you know I'm down anytime to kick your ass. Who did you end up playing with?" I asked as Val crept up from behind and placed her chin on my shoulders.

"Meeee and I kicked his ass." She giggled as he rolled his eyes.

"Brent, have you seen my watch? I can't find it anywhere." Wyatt came down the stairs in her red satin robe that she left here. Her long black hair was perfectly curled at the bottom as it bounced against her shoulders as she walked down each step. There she stood, earning the undivided attention of Spider.

"Holy shit...who is that, Brent?" Spider whispered, not taking his eyes off her.

"That's my older sister, Wyatt." I sighed, embarrassed at how my friends were gawking my sister. I looked back at Wyatt who gestured to me, waiting for an answer."Kitchen table."

"That's your sister? Oh. My. God. I think I'm looking at an actual angel." Spider croaked out as he continued to stare her down.

"Great." She strutted down the stairs to retrieve her watch. She swiveled her head to my group of friends, a playful smirk across her face. Why is that whenever she smirks, I get a little scared?" I see you have company over, that's so cute."

"So that's Wyatt...Damn. She's fucking hot." Poppy smirked as Spider nodded his head like he was in trance.

"She's very beautiful." Valentine smiled at me.

'Hello Brent's friends, I'm Wyatt. His big sister." She gave them a smile showcasing her admirably white teeth. That just sent Spider into a tizzy. I think he's gonna faint.

"Poppy. A longtime friend of this nerd." She playfully elbowed me to which I elbowed her back.

"I'm Valentine, it's nice to finally meet you. Brent talks about you all the time, saying how cool you are."

"As he should be." Wyatt chuckled as she hugged me. Spider just continued to stare at her until she finally caught him."Stunned by my beauty, it happens all the time. I'm just kidding, honey. What's your name?"

"Sp-Spider. My name's Spider." He started to blush really hard when Wyatt started to look at him directly with those big green eyes that could make anyone silent.

"Your name is...Spider?" She looked at him with her head tilted to the right trying to understand what she just heard.

"It's just a nickname. My real name is Peter." He revealed something we all knew but this was news to Wyatt.

"How'd you get it? Is it Spider-Man related?"

"Because I'm deathly afraid of spiders... My nickname didn't come from a good place at all."He shook his head. His older brother, Paulo, came up with his nickname because he used to find spiders to chase him around with and started calling him Spider as a way to taunt him. And yes, his older brother is an asshole. We've met him.

"Well, it's better than my nickname." She shrugged leaning against me.

"What is it?"

"Slut." She said causing Spider to turn a bright red. I couldn't help but drop my head into my hands at her bluntness. Everyone else laughed but I was dying inside."You get used to it."

"You're funny and pretty. Marry me." He said rapidly but I was able to catch it and so did Val because she glared at him.

"What?" Wyatt chuckled at him as Val still stared daggers.

"What? I didn't say anything. Hey, Brent your room is upstairs so we should make use of the stairs and...use it." He pointed and ran up the stairs while we just watched him as he disappeared.

"What an odd child. I'm just shocked I never met Brent's friends before." Wyatt tightened the strings on her robe as the three of us stood in front of her.

"Because you were never around." I said but then realized exactly what I said."Since you were super busy with work and all not that you didn't want to be around— because you obviously did! You just didn't have the time or-or you had to do stuff at work while-"

"Brent. Relax. It's alright, I get it. Just go and hang out with your friends, okay?" She patted my head as I nodded. Wyatt was always kind of motherly to me. Frankie hated that she babies me so much but it's just because she felt like she had to for some reason. I admit that do feel closer to Wyatt than my other older sisters but it's because I see her as a mother figure. She's the next best thing to mom and I love her.

"Got it. Daria made breakfast." I smiled as she she smiled right back at me before I ran upstairs with the rest of my friends. I opened my door to see Spider, sprawled out on my floor, face down."You alright?"

"No.... I made an ass of myself in front of your goddess of a sister." He said as Valentine continued to stare at him but then rolled her eyes as she made her way to sit on my bed. Poppy threw herself into the blue swivel chair by my desk.

"I doubt she cares. A girl like that needs a real man. Or a real woman like myself." Poppy winked at me as I scoffed.

"First of all, Wyatt isn't some cougar. Yeah, you two are 18 but she doesn't like them young. She usually dates guys her age or older. Her last long-term boyfriend was awesome and he was like three years older." I told them as took a seat on the floor by Spider.

"Well, like I said she's very gorgeous. And your brother Frankie is really cute." Val said and Spider sat right up the minute she said that."But Omar still holds a place in my heart."

"You think they're cute?" Spider scoffed at her words, crossing his arms as she smiled."I mean...they're both okay."

"That's a lie. I mean, I swing for a different team but Brent has some good looking brothers. They're all handsome." Poppy said reaching into her leather jacket, taking out a stick of gum.

"They really are." Val sighed dreamily as Spider glared at her then pouted.

"I swear if you guys keep talking about how 'hot' my siblings are, I'm gonna puke. It's...weird." I announced, shaking off a shiver because it was honestly weird to me.

"You're weird." Spider said as he looked at the closed door then back at me with a mischievous glint in his eyes."Did you get to see a monster last night?"

"SHHHH! My brothers and sisters will kill me if they overhear that I told you guys about what we do. I wasn't even supposed to say anything."

"It's fine, I'm a Keyholder anyway so we can talk about it. We just choose to do it in front of normal people." Val smiled once again, messing with one of her braids. Yeah, I know, I'm a big mouth. I just had to tell my best friends about the stuff my family do. I'm such a snitch."So how was your first time?"

"I saw the siren!" A chill ran up my spine as my three best friends grinned at me.

"You're not a monster virgin anymore!" Spider clasped his hands together as Poppy cringed.

"Dude, that doesn't sound right."

"How doesn't it sound right?"

"Because monster virginity sounds like he fucked a monster for the first time." She responded and he thought about it for a while, seeing if she was actually right or not.

"It does sound wrong." Val sided with Poppy as Spider rolled his eyes."What happened with the Siren?"

"It was pretty... violent. It got into a big fight with Wyatt and Frankie before they brought it to us and then Daria... She-... Dude... I'm still traumatized by what she did. She basically dissected the siren while everyone else played fucking Uno." Honestly, I'm still in shock about the whole situation. How could they just be so calm while something was screaming for its life?

"Uno?... Who won?" Poppy asked as I shot her a look causing her to stop laughing."What did the siren say?"

"Well, before she killed it, it told Wyatt that the black was going to kill us all and that it'll see her in hell. And then I spewed my dinner all over the floor." I told them as they groaned in disgust at my vomit story. Hey, I have a weak stomach! It's not my fault!

"I knew you would throw up. You always throw up." Val giggled as the others laughed. That's not even true!

"That's a lie!" I defended myself because I rarely throw up... Only on rare occasions.

"You threw up when I broke my leg sophomore year." Spider piped up as he went into his pocket to take out a box of Nerds. Those still exist?

"The bone was sticking out. It was gross."

"You threw up when you saw an up-close picture of a parasite." Poppy made a point.

"It looked disgusting. Who wouldn't?"

"You threw up when you first saw Cupid Jalloh." Val smirked and I could already feel the butterflies in my stomach just by the mention of her beautiful name. Is this actually butterflies or am I going to puke again?

"I had... a bad reaction."

"A bad reaction... to lurve!" Val mocked the word 'love' to me as they began to chuckle like idiots and I couldn't help but laugh too. They make me want to laugh, especially with the week I've had. I needed this laugh."Why don't you just ask her out?"

"Because I'm a nervous wreck all the damn time. Have you ever seen me not panic?"

"Well, I've never seen you panic.......at the disco. If you did, I'd have to close the goddamn door." Poppy cracked up at her own stupid little joke. I grabbed a pillow from the foot of my bed and tossed it at her but she sadly caught it before it could hit her head."Ha! My love for Brendon Urie prevails once again!"

"Whatever but look Brent, you should ask her to hang out sometime. It'll be a great way to get close to her- and don't even ask 'but what if she doesn't like me?' because that's horseshit. The way she looks at you in Chemistry is just like how you look at her every day. I wished someone looked at me like that..." Valentine smiled down at me as Spider took a quick glance at her but then looked back at his phone. But was Val right? Could Cupid actually like me back? I mean here's this girl who was wicked smart, absolutely gorgeous and amazingly sweet and then there's me: the orphan twin with the mismatched family. I used to get bullied about it all the time in middle school but my siblings always stood up for me. I remember once they showed up and confronted (semi-threatened) the kids and after that, they left us alone. I love my family a lot but during that time, I felt ashamed because I was adopted. I felt like I was unwanted but Frankie always told me not to feel unwanted because I was picked. Those kids parents are stuck with them.

That helped with my self-esteem and confidence a lot but I still can't seem to talk to this one girl without wanting to pass out. I get tongue tied, I get sweaty, I feel like my heart is going to fall out my ass— just because she smiled at me.

"I'll try. Soon." I nodded as Valentine dug through the pocket of her denim jacket.

"Shit, I left my phone in your car, Poppy." She sighed, jumping off my bed to her feet."Come with me to go get it."

"Ugggggh, I'm already comfortabllllle. Fiiiine." Poppy whined as she hoisted her lazy ass out of my chair as she followed behind Val, exiting the room.

"You gonna tell her anytime soon or just keep avoiding the whole shit altogether?" I asked the minute I heard them go down the stairs. Spider looked at me as he let out a loud groan before throwing himself back on the floor.

"Not this again. Look, It's... complicated. I have feelings for her, yes, but I just don't wanna say anything."

"Because you're a pussy."

"Says the guy who can't even talk to Cupid...who is hot as hell by the way. Not hotter than Wyatt though. She is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. And I look into the mirror every day." He laughed. Spider was always laughing which always made me want to laugh. It's always a good thing to have friends like that.

"You know you pissed her off with how you were drooling over my sister right?"

"Did you not hear her fawn over how Omar had her heart?! Or how Frankie was 'cute'?! That's bullshit!"

"Dude, are you jealous?" I smirked taking his box of nerds for myself as his face turned a bright red.

"Pffft no, fuck you, I'm not jealous! This is a jealous free zone! There's no jelly here!" He folded his arms across his chest as he pouted for a minute. Not jealous my ass.

"I don't get it, you guys are obviously crazy about each other but you won't do anything about it."

"I don't wanna ruin our friendship. I've known her for years so I just can't say 'Hey Valentine, I've been in love with you for four years! Date me!' It doesn't work like that. If something between us happens and it doesn't work out—Friendship done. I can't lose that, man." He shook his head, staring out of my window."You'll understand when you're older."

"You're older than me by a few months, idiot." I chewed away at the candy that would surely make my teeth hurt but I didn't care.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever you say, squirt." He laughed with me for a second before the room was filled with silence. He looked at me for a few seconds then gave me a sad smile."How are you holding up, man?"

"Barely. My mom is dead, monsters are loose and something is trying to kill everyone. Two weeks ago, everything was normal. The only good outcome of all of this that the family is back together but it shouldn't be like this. It shouldn't." I looked at my hands as Spider scooted right beside me, slinging an arm around my shoulders.

"I know me saying 'I know how you feel' is bullshit because I wouldn't ever know. I didn't go through the things you went through but what I can tell you is that I'm with you. Whatever goes down or happens, I'm right here with you. We all are, man." He gave me a one armed hug as we just say there on my bedroom floor.

"That means so much man. Thank you. I'm just terrified by all the shit that's out there."

"I would be too. Dude wait.....are there any like....giant spider monsters?" He asked to which I playfully nudged him. His phone vibrated and he lifted it up to his face to check it."The girls said come down. We're going to the woods."

"By the school?" I asked to which he nodded."I already took my shower and everything so I just have to throw on some jeans. Or is it more of a sweats kind of day?"

"I don't fucking know. Just throw on your shit and let's go." He stood up first and helped me up right after. I went into my drawer, picking up the first pair of dark blue jeans I saw. I wish I could just wear these South Park pajama pants. After putting them on, I slid my feet into my black vans and made my way out the door with my phone and keys in hand.

As we both walked down the stairs, we could see Wyatt and Kenji, talking intensely on the couch.

"-it could be a good place to start since we wrapped up the last problem." I caught the ending of Kenji's sentence when we made it to the landing. They cut their conversation short to look at us."Morning Brent! Hey Spider. You guys heading out this early?"

"Uhh, yeah, if that's cool with you. They all just kind of showed up to see me so I just wanna hang out with them for a few." I gestured towards Spider, who tried to shield his face.

"Of course it is, just be careful you guys....And get a jacket." Wyatt pointed at my regular black T-shirt as I gave her a smile.

"I'll be fine, Wyatt. I'll check in with you all from time to time to let you know everything's alright. Bye guys!" I called out to my other siblings in the kitchen that said goodbye to me. Spider stood there, waving sheepishly.

"It was great meeting you, Wyatt... I just wanted to let you know that I am in fact eighteen so if you-" He started but I cut him off by pushing him towards the door.

"You're done. Later!" I ushered my best friend outside as the girls waited for us in my driveway.

"Let's go to the woods!" Poppy said from the drivers seat as Val sat in back.

"Even though I think it's a terrible idea to go there, I'm just gonna say- Shotgun!" I yelled hopping into the empty seat next to Poppy as Spider glared right at me as he dragged his feet to walk to the back seat of the car. I could see him pouting from the rear view mirror."Speak up next time."

"I'll get you for that....Hey Val." He smiled to which she turned her head to ignore him."Really? It's like that? You're kinda hurting my feelings."

"Good." She crosses her arms still not looking in his direction but that didn't stop him from smiling. He continued to scoot over to her side more and more. Each time he moved, she tried to hide a smile."Peter."

"Valentine." He smiled as they started to giggle with each other, still close together. I couldn't help but smile because I liked seeing my friends happy. I just want everyone to be because we don't know what The Black is truly planning.