Summer of 1976

"Tell me again, why are we helping Max move all his work stuff?" Ophelia asked, carrying a box outside of the store, setting it down for Marko to move.

"Because he asked us too".

Ophelia bursted out laughing at David's comment.  David looked at her unamused while Marko smiled, looking like a golden retriever who was just happy to be there when he looked from Ophelia to David.

"Since when did you become so polite?"  Ophelia raised an eyebrow to David.

"He's my creator.  All of our creators-I know he's not yours-"

"I don't like him David".  Ophelia told David seriously, her eyes holding concern.  "Every time I'm near him his energy is bad and I get a weird feeling in my stomach". 

"Maybe you're pregnant".  Paul commented, walking past her.  Ophelia only glared at the back of his stupid rats nest he calls hair.

"That wasn't funny Paul!"  Ophelia hissed.

Dwayne whacked Paul on the back of his head when Paul entered the store.

"Ophelia-"

"No, David".  Ophelia wanted him to just listen to her.  "This has happened before with certain people on the boardwalk. It's like I feel the negative energy off of them and it's like a warning". Ophelia tried to explain.

"Maybe it's her thing".  Marko chimed in, looking to David.  "We can manipulate people to see things that we want and she can tell if someone is bad or not".  Marko took in his own words, furrowing his eyebrows together, not knowing if that was correct.  "Or something like that"

"Isn't it if you kill the head vampire then you become the head vampire?" Ophelia turned back to David.

"Ophelia". David said in a warning tone.

"What? He's not even here".  Ophelia crossed her arms over her chest.

Each year it seemed that Ophelia was gaining their habits.  She was becoming more rebellious and started to develop a sharp tongue to her where she spoke her mind.  Killings were starting to become easier but she still did them on her own conditions.  It seemed that the vampire lifestyle was changing her.  For the better.  It was making her stronger.

"We all know you would be a better head vampire.  Hell, you're basically one already".  Ophelia gave David one last comment and then headed back in the store, moving past Dwayne and Paul to continue move boxes.

David watched her figure retreat, not saying anything.  Of course he was thinking about what he said but he already made up his mind.  He felt that he owed Max for everything that he's done for him and the rest of his brothers. 

Ophelia continued to put vinyls, cassette tapes, and even track tapes in boxes.  Words were barley spoken between everyone as they worked faster so they could just leave and get on with their night.  Ophelia suddenly stopped as she felt goosebumps on her arms and her head start to spin slightly.  She already knew who just came in the shop without even hearing the voice.

"You all move fast".  Max spoke to them.

Yeah, no shit.

Ophelia didn't say anything as she looked at another vinyl before putting it into the box, and picking up the box before heading out, not saying a word to Max as she passed him.

On her way back in, Max grabbed her arm, stopping her.

That's when Ophelia's stomach started to do flips and his touch felt like poison. 

"Let go".  Ophelia glared up at the man.

"Ophelia, you do know I like to be treated with respect".

"Then you should know not to touch a lady like this".  Ophelia tilted her head to the side slightly.

The two only looked at one another now.  Words were not being exchanged but it was clear that Ophelia didn't like him and didn't want to follow his orders while Max just had about enough with her.

It only made sense that she acted this way.  Max wasn't her creator, she didn't feel the need to pay a debt like the others did.  But when she thought about it.  She wouldn't even help Antonio. Not to mention if her power. She knew that Max wasn't even good enough to lick the dirt off her roller skates.

"Max. We're gonna head out. Fireworks are starting soon". David finally spoke up, not wanting anything to escalate.

"Sure. I've got the rest from here". Max said, his eyes not leaving Ophelia's.

Ophelia tugged her arm from his hand, heading out. On her way out she saw a vinyl with The Monkees plastered on it. She swiftly grabbed it, placing it under her coat, walking away from the store.

"Are you crazy?"  David questioned her as he followed after her.

"I just want to enjoy my night".  Ophelia was over it.  She handed the vinyl to Dwayne.

"The fireworks are starting soon and I want to be on the Giant Dipper when they do". She told the boys, heading over to the coaster, making her way to the line. Surprisingly it wasn't that long.

She felt more people join, waiting in line behind her and then a feel grunts and voices.

"Hey! No cutting".

Marko and Paul soon joined her side, not saying anything. They moved silently. Paul was the first one to finally speak up as he asked a question that was plastered on the wall.

"What's your favorite boardwalk snack? Well, that one is easy". Paul laughed which caused Ophelia to shake her head, a smile slowly creeping up on her lips.

"I got her to smile!" Paul wrapped his arms around Ophelia's head, pulling her into his chest.

"Paul". Ophelia swatted at him playfully.

"We don't like seeing you sad. It makes us sad". Marko said to Ophelia, looking at her softly. And he meant it literally. They felt each others pain with the bond they all shared.

"I just wished David listened to me". Ophelia whispered still in Paul's embraced.

"He does". Paul gave her a finally pat on the head and let her go.

They were silent a bit more as they got closer, finally seeing the ride in front of them.

"How many?" A young girl working asked.

"Three". Ophelia answered.

"Row 11 and 12".

"Back row. Hell yeah". Paul nodded happily as the three of them walked over and stood behind the barriers. Ophelia and Marko were behind row 11 while Paul was behind row 12, waiting for the next cart.

"I just feel that something bad is going to happen and Max is a big part of it". Ophelia finally told them.  "I get that feeling when he's near".  Ophelia looked from Marko to Paul, the two not knowing what to say.  Could she be right? 

The barriers opened and they climbed inside.  The cart soon going as they made their way out into the dark night.  Ophelia looked at the boardwalk below them as Marko did the same and Paul behind them was lighting a joint and then sticking it between his lips.

The coaster went from left to right, up and down and then up again.  As the cart was reaching to the top, the fireworks went off.  Lighting the night sky as people on the cart cheered.  Ophelia watched the bright fireworks pop and then down came the drop.  She didn't feel happy about the fireworks. And when they finally dropped, all she felt was dread.

Why do you cry?

What did you learn from the Tillamook
burn?

Or the Fourth of July?

We're all gonna die

Ophelia be like to Max: