"She can't wake up just yet." One of the dream demons hissed.

"Oh and why is that?" Freddy demanded shoving me behind him protectively.

"We have yet to give her the details concerning her new job." One of the other dream demons hissed.

"What new job?" Freddy demanded looking at me and then over at the dream demons.

"She is to go to this address first thing in the morning. You are not to disturb the master of this address but are to get straight to work. A list of chores that you are expected to do will be on the table upon your arrival. Once these chores are complete you are to leave immediately. If you are found in the house after sunset you will suffer the consequences." The dream demon hissed before disappearing.

With that a paper floated down from out of nowhere. I stared at the paper for a moment the words were written in blood red ink. 66 Elm Street. Last name Alucard. Freddy placed a hand on my shoulder startling me. "Don't go."

"I have too. I promised that I would. I never go back on my word."

"Why would you do that?"

"To stop you from killing Charity."

"Why didn't you let me kill the Witch?" Freddy demanded irritatedly.

"I couldn't let you kill her, she's family."

"She has never treated you like family. You didn't have to make a deal with them you know. I would have let her go if you had asked me too." Freddy replied.

"You would have?"

"Of course. Your my precious little princess, my perfect little kitten.  I'd do anything for you." Freddy replied. Then he glared at the Dream Demons "I don't want her going to that house."

"A deal is a deal Kruger. And a deal with us is eternally binding. You know this." Freddy swore under his breath letting out a low growl. He then turned his attention back to me.

"Promise me you'll wear a crucifix. The Alucard family is no one to trifle with. If you ever find yourself in trouble close your eyes and call my name. I be there instantly." Freddy replied whispering in my ear and quickly kissing my cheek before disappearing.

"Good morning Catherine did you sleep well?" My father asked as I sat down at the table.

"Like a baby." I replied with a smile causing Charity to frown.

"No bad dreams?" She asked starting to push her food around nervously refusing to make eye contact.

"None that I couldn't handle." I replied with a smile. Later when we were alone Charity approached me but still refused to look me in the eyes.

"Catherine can I talk to you?" Charity asked after her father had left for work.

"Ok, but make it fast, I have somewhere I have to be in just a few minutes." I replied looking at my watch.

"I... I. That is I'm..." Charity stammered looking down at the ground figiting with her dress.

"Charity why won't you look me in the eyes?"

"I can't." Charity replied her voice filled with regret.

"Charity look at me. I said look at me." I replied with a growl. "Now what is it you want to say?"

"I'm so sorry about last night." Charity finally replied quietly.

"Which part?" I replied.

"What do you mean which part? I shouldn't have to explain. Why can't you just accept my apology? You know what, just forget it." Charity said angrily.

"No. Go ahead. Tell me what is you sorry for ? Is you sorry for saying that I'm not family?"

"No. I meant that." Charity replied.

"So then you sorry for pulling me into your nightmare?"

"I..." Charity shuffled her feet and looked down at the ground. "Why didn't he kill you?" Charity demanded crossings her arms in irritation.

"He didn't kill me because I made a deal with his bosses. Great, now I'm going to be late. Thanks a lot sis." I replied as I rushed out the door.

Upon reaching the house I found a note that read as follows: Dear Catherine, here is your list of chores to do. I expect them all done by sunset. Mr Alucard.

You are to:
Clean all bathrooms
Sweep & mop all floors
Vacuum & shampoo all rugs
Clean the dust off everything but do not disturb spider webs.
Feed and water all plants
Organize the refrigerator
Feed all animals including wildlife
Do the laundry
Mow the lawn
de-weed all garden areas.
Clean all dishes & put them away.
Wash all windows
Take trash & recycling out
Organize the books in the library by subject & author alphabetically.

I groaned. How was I supposed to get all this done before sunset?  Well staring at the list wasn't going to get me anywhere. I'd best start working. I decided to do the outside stuff first. This took longer then expected and as the sun began to get lower in the sky I groaned. I hadn't had time to start on very many of the inside chores.

I rushed inside eager to finish the list. I still had so much to do and time was running out. I sighed in relief as I looked down at the list. Only a few more things to do. I still had to dust, organize the refrigerator and feed the plants and animals. It had taken me a lot longer to do the Library then I had wanted.

I was working on cleaning the refrigerator when I heard someone clear their throat behind me. "Good evening." Someone said behind me in a heavy Transylvanian accent and I swallowed hard. I looked at my watch and groaned. The sun had set and I still hadn't finished the list and now the Alucard family was home.

"Good evening." I replied turning and looking down at the floor.

"Allow me to introduced myself my name is Draco Alucard. You must be Catherine. My father told me he had hired a maid but he failed to inform me that you'd be here when I awoke. Had I known I'd have made myself a little more presentable."

Draco said flashing me a creepy smile. I wanted so desperately to call out for Freddy but I knew that he couldn't help me. I began to tremble and I couldn't help but begin talking like a toddler.

"Me so sowwy. Me know Me was supposed to have this list done by now. Me was a little late today. Me pwomise Me won't let it happen again."

"No apology needed my dear. May I see the list?" Draco said holding out his hand expectantly. I didn't reply instead I looked  down at the floor as I handed him the list.

"It is I who owe you an apology my dear. It seems you were given far too much for one person to accomplish in such a short time. Tell me what else needs to be done on this list?" Draco asked with a sparkle in his eyes.

"Me still have to dust and feed the house plants and animals."

"Is that all?" Draco asked raising an eyebrow. I nodded looking down at the floor once more.

"Impressive. Most impressive." I shall leave you to your business then. Oh and once you are done please join my brother, my best friend, my father and I in the dinning room so that I might properly introduce you." Draco said waving his hand towards the dining table.

"Thank you so much but I should be getting home. It's getting late and daddy don't like me out after the sun goes down."

"Understandable. Someone as beautiful as you should never be allowed to roam the streets unprotected after dark." Draco replied with a smile.  "Perhaps, my father's coachmen should give you a ride home."

"Me be otay, it's nu faw away."

"Nonsense I insist. I shall go see to the arrangements." With that Draco disappeared.

I had just finished dusting when I felt someone grab my arm and whirl me about angrily. "Who are you and what are you doing in my home?" A young man demanded his eyes flashing angrily.

"Me sowwy."

"So your the new maid. I thought our instructions were clear. You were supposed to have finished your chores and had left before we arose. Clearly you don't know how to follow simple instructions. You must be incompetent or just plain stupid. There is no way you got this entire list done on your own! Who helped you?"

"No one. Me almost done. Ms just have to feed the plants and animals. Then Me go home."'

Young Alucard's eyes flashed blood red in anger and he slapped me across the face leaving a red palm mark on my cheek. "Your not going anywhere! Don't you dare lie to me girl! Who helped you finish this list!" Young Alucard demanded angrily.'

"That was uncalled for brother." Draco said as he came into the room.

"Mind your own business! I can punish our new maid as I see fit! No one lies to me without paying the penalty!" Julian replied shoving his brother who shoved his back.

"Pwease stop. Pwease... Stop." I replied tearfully as memories of my parents arguing flashed through my mind.

"How dare you raise your voice to us! Perhaps this will teach you some manors. Come here girl!" Julian demanded his eyes flashing angrily. "I'm thirsty and since you've spilled my drink I'll just have to drink something else." He growled baring his fangs at me. Just as he was about to bite my neck he was tackled from behind.

"Run!" Draco yelled at me as he held brother back but I was frozen in fear.

"How dare you interfere with my meal! I'll kill you for this brother!" However, Draco easily dodged his bother.

"You'll not harm a hair on that girl's head!" Draco growled in response.

"Enough!" Boomed the voice whom I could only assume was Mr. Alucard. "What is going on here?"

Mr. Alucard spotted me cowering in the corner. I began to shiver as he approached me. "Please forgive my sons. They can be so childish sometimes. I hope they didn't frighten you."

"The fault is mine. Me knew me was supposed to leave before sunset but Me chose to stay and finish the list you left me. May I go home now?"

"But of course." Mr. Alucard replied with a wave of his hand. "I shall see that you are rewarded for all your hard work. I hope this little incident hasn't made you change your mind about wanting to be our maid."

"No. Me pwomised that Me clean the house and Me don't bweak me pwomises." I replied.

"Good. Then I shall bid you Good evening my dear child. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow. Oh and free to stay as long as you want. This whole leave by sunset thing is foolishness. There is no reason you can't continue to work after the sun goes down as long as you feel comfortable returning home after dark."

After I left Mr. Alucard turned to his sons and hit them upside their heads. "Idiots! Are you trying to raise her suspicions? Do you know what she could have done if she realized the truth about us? Your grounded for two weeks! That means no hunting, no playing with the wolf pups. You are only to be out of your coffins for our family dinner time and then you are to return to them immediately afterwards. Neither of you are to disturb our new maid under any circumstances do I make myself clear?"

"Yes Father." The boys replied with a sigh.

Julian glared angrily at Draco "this is all your fault." Draco ignored Julian instead he hurried to catch up to his father.

"Father,"

"Yes Draco what is it?"

"Our new maid is a foster child right?"

"I believe so yes. Why?"

"I think I'm in love with her."

"In Love? Don't be silly boy. You've only just met her. You couldn't possibly want her to be your bride." Dracula replied with a chuckle.

"No. I want her to be my daughter. I want to adopt her."

"We can discuss this another time. Both of you are to stay away from our new maid and are not to interfere with her chores. Is that clear?"

"Yes father." The boys replied with a sigh.

"I'll make you pay for this brother." Julian growled as he watched his brother talking to their father. "I swear I shall have our new maid for my own make no mistake about that! Her blood is mine!" Julian whispered as he watched me head home.