Doug was finally waking back up, whining. His ears perked when he noticed Orchid sound asleep next to him.  He managed to nudge her awake.  She slowly opened her eyes and looked at him.  "Bro!  You're okay!" she said happily, wrapping her arms around his neck.  He managed to nuzzle her, despite the muzzle on him.

Dessa glanced at the two of them.  "About time you woke up.  She's been worried sick about ya." she muttered.  Doug growled at her before whining and nudging Orchid again.

"Dessa, be nice!" Orchid said.  Dessa just rolled her eyes.

"You wouldn't happen to have any bright ideas to get out of this place, would ya?  Because-"

She got cut off as Fosc walked in.

"You."  He pointed at Dessa.  She glanced to either side before looking back at him and pointing to herself.  "YES, YOU." Fosc roared.  "Come with me."

He grabbed her chain and dragged her out.  She choked slightly, but quickly followed.  Orchid whined as she watched her friend get pulled out.  "If you're wondering, that's Dessa.  She's a siren.  She's kinda nice once you get to know her." she explained to Doug, who nodded in understanding.

"...so what do you want?" Dessa growled.  Fosc gave her a sharp glare.

"I want you to be part of the gang."

"Excuse me, what?"

"Are you deaf?"

"No, sir.  But why do you want me?"

"Well, you're strong.  You're brave.  You actually survived.  And we need a siren."

Dessa managed a short laugh when she heard his words.  "Never thought I'd hear anyone say that they NEED a siren, unless they're in a trance, or something."

Fosc rolled his eyes.  "The more, the merrier, and we don't have a siren yet."

"Well, I do see how a siren can be useful in doing what you're doing..."

"So will you join?"

".... can I think about it?"

"Fine.  You have until the next blood moon to think about it."

"But that's a week away!"

"Exactly."

Dessa scrunched up her face in annoyance.  She wished she had more than a week to think, but she knew arguing was pointless.  Fosc tugged on her chain again before leading her back to the tent and shoving her in.  She stumbled and fell on top of Doug, who gave a startled, muffled bark.  Fosc rolled his eyes before leaving again.

"What was that about...?" Orchid asked, helping Dessa back up.

"He...he wants me to..." Dessa gulped. "...join the gang." She spat out the words like they were poison. Orchid whined and flinched away.

"But why?!"

"They say they need a siren."

"What are you gonna do...?"

"I don't know. Fosc gave me until next blood moon to think about my choice."

"Next blood moon? That's coming up next week!"

"I know, I know. At least it wasn't next full moon..."

Orchid and Doug both flinched. The next full moon was in two nights, much to Doug's dismay. He hated full moons. When the night was over, he'd always wake up and discover he had practically committed a mass genocide. Orchid, on the other hand, wasn't as hostile since she was only a pup. She killed what she could, but she mostly had to rely on Doug to help her. At least it was illegal for anyone to hurt her, so she was safe.

...for now.

"Why'd you have to remind me?" Orchid whined.

"...sorry, but it's true..." Dessa said with a sigh. "I just don't know what to do."

"I'm sure you'll think of something!"

"You'll help me, right?"

"Of course I will! We're friends."

Dessa managed a small smile. "Yeah, friends."

Orchid smiled, but her smile quickly faded as she remembered her friends back home — especially Fuego. She whined. She wanted to see them again, more than anything else.

"Are you alright?" Dessa asked.

"...yeah, I'm fine.  Just thinking of my friends back home." Orchid muttered quietly.

Dessa glanced away.  "... hopefully we'll find a way to escape.  Then you can go back and see them again."

Doug gave a quiet whine as he looked towards the entrance of the tent.  Were his friends still out there?  Were they waiting for him?  Were they looking for him?  He didn't want to think about all the things that could happen to them while he was gone, especially since the full moon was close, and a blood moon wasn't too far behind.  He hesitated when he remembered Cory.  Cory would be with them on the blood moon.  Even if he wouldn't hurt anyone on purpose, no vampire can control themselves on a blood moon.  Everyone was doomed.

He was snapped out of his thoughts by Orchid cuddling up to him again.  He laid his head down on the ground, keeping his eyes on the entrance.

"Don't worry, big brother, I'm sure they'll find us." Orchid said quietly.  "Everything'll be okay."

Doug's tail wagged slowly.  He wished his sister was right.

No.

He knew his sister was right.