Sometimes a smile means "I like you"
And sometimes it means "I'd like to kill you"

-unknown-

===

Charles drew circles on his wife's palm in attempt to calm her nerves. Both of them were trying to recover from the shock that Theo's arrival had brought.

"She's his mate, isn't she?" Elise asked her husband.

"Judging by the way he looked at her? I guess she is." Charles rubbed his face and sighed.

Elise laughed dryly, "We tried so hard to keep her hidden away from the supernatural world. And she just got swept right back in by the moon goddess!" She threw up her hands in exasperation.

Charles shoulder sagged, "Fate can be cruel somehow,"  he whispered.

"I just....I just want her to be safe," her voice trembled as she spoke. She could feel tears prickling her eyes.

Charles pulled her into his chest, rubbing her arms up and down in a soothing way.

"We've kept her safe all these years didn't we?"

"But...but now she's involved with the supernatural world! People would start hunting her down! I can't bear to lose her......I can't.....I can't....."

Elise sobbed into Charles's shirt, her voice getting weaker and weaker.

"We won't lose her. We'll keep her safe. We will." Charles said.

At this point, he wasn't sure if he was trying to convince himself or his wife. Fear was definitely churning inside his stomach, making him feel sick. Elise steadied her breathing. Now is not the time to cry, she told herself. They had to come up with some sort of plan to keep Aurora safe.

And they definitely needed help from other people inside the supernatural world to do so. They were reluctant to get help from anyone as no one could be trusted once they found out about Aurora's true identity.

The old couple were deep in thought when a knock on the front door was heard.

"I'll get the door," Elise took a deep breath before standing up.

She wiped her face to clear any evidence of tears before opening the door.

Charles could hear his wife opening the front door and greeting the visitor.

"Hello, who are-"

Suddenly, Charles heard a loud crashing sound coming from the front door. He shot up and immediately ran towards it. His eyes widen in horror when he saw Elise laying on the floor groaning in pain, bits of shattered glass scattered all around her.

Charles rushed to her side, "Elise? Honey?"

Elise whimpered, she was in too much pain to form words.

The visitor worn a black cloak, the hood was up which hid the face completely. The cloaked figure entered the house slowly, taking tentative steps, avoiding the shards of glass on the floor.

"Who are you?! What are you here for?!" Charles bellowed, glaring at the visitor while cradling Elise protectively.

The visitor paused and slid the hood off her head.

Charles gasped, "You!"

His facial expression quickly changed from shock to anger. His body shook with anger as he glare at the intruder with immense hate in his eyes.

"What are you doing in my house?!" Charles questioned through gritted teeth.

The intruder smiled. She enjoyed watching Charles fuming with anger. It fuels her with excitement watching the old couple's peaceful life destroyed by her.

She wanted to tear them apart.

She wanted to hurt them.

"Hello Charles, it's been a long time."

===

The two red eyed creature inched towards them slowly. A bloodcurdling sound emitted from their throats making Aurora frozen with fear. Theo pushed her behind him protectively. He crouched slightly, ready to pounce anytime the creatures decided to attack. He released a low growl, barring his canines at them, a warning for them to back away.

NOAH! TWO ROUGES SPOTTED! SEND THE GUARDS, NOW! Theo yelled through the mind link.

WE'RE ON OUR WAY! Noah responded immediately.

Theo walked backwards as the creatures kept advancing on them. His grip on Aurora's arm tightens as they moved closer and closer towards them.

"Theo... Wha-what's happening?" Aurora whispered, her voice trembled with fear.

"I don't know. Just stay close to me, " Theo growled at the rouges once again.

One step.

And another.

The creatures were out of the shadow and in the clearing. Theo's throat instantly went dry at the full view of them. Aurora turned from pale to green, ready to throw up at any second.

The creatures were made out of skeleton. No skin, no flesh, just bones. Their red eyes full of vengeance never once left the boy and the girl. Its heart could be seen through its ribs, pumping vigorously, making a nauseating squelching noise.

They were not rouges.

They were demons.

===

The women picked up the photo frame placed on the small table beside the sofa. Her lips curled in disgust looking at it. It was a picture of Charles, Elise and Aurora at the beach ten years back. Charles had Aurora on his back. Their bright smiles could compete with the sun.

"Amelia, what do you want?" Charles asked through gritted teeth.

The women - Amelia walked about the living room, picking up photos, examining them before putting them down. She acted as if she was at a museum.

"Hmm... Can't I visit my old friend?" Amelia flashed a fake smile at Charles.

"This house doesn't welcome you," Charles sneered.

Amelia gasped, putting a hand on her chest, "Why? I'm hurt Charles. Aren't you happy to see me?"

"Get out. NOW!" he bellowed, pointing towards the door.

Amelia opened her arms wide with her palms facing up, "Make me then. Or... You still can't bring yourself to hurt me?"

A sinister smile appeared on her face as she watched his face turned red with anger which confirmed her words.

"If you are after the girl, she's not with us," Charles grunted.

"Oh I know," she tutted, "Told you I'm here to visit an old friend."

Charles visibly relaxed after that. Amelia held her palms close to each other and a ball of purple light appeared between them. The crackling noise increased with the diameter of the purple ball of light. She moved her hands in circular motion, toying with it.

"And... I've already sent someone else to find her for me." she added.

Charles tensed up at her words. Before he could make a move, she send the purple ball of electricity towards him, sending the old couple crashing against the wall.

"Opps, my bad."

Amelia walked over to the couple who was now laying unconscious on the floor.

"Tsk, pathetic."

With that, she pulled up her hood and left.

===

A/N

This is it! The last chapter for 2018.

See ya next year~

Happy new year eve 🎆🎉🎊