Liam sat in the living room. He laid himself out on an armchair with his legs hanging off the side, his arms rested across his chest and his head propped up on the other side by the other arm rest. He'd been doing a lot of thinking these last three months since he moved into the Barrett home with Tessa. Among a few of his thoughts were as to who was the man who changed the Barrett family into ghouls, who was Rose Leighton really and what other monsters are out in London. Ever since Tessa started eating from unmarked graves the house has been nothing but a painful reminder of the events that happened a few months ago. Liam still had nightmares about it. Having Tessa around was the welcoming, warm distraction that he needed. When she went out to eat and left him alone in the house, he was constantly on edge. So much so that he often asked to go with Tessa as she ate or, at least that she ate here in the house with him but, she would always refuse. She hated that Liam saw what she was becoming or rather what she had to become, her eating habits always brought a sense of shame to her and she often felt like she needed to shield him from it. Liam understood all to well that she despised being a ghoul, he always sat with her in the late evenings for as long as he could as she never got any sleep or, at least Liam has never seen her sleep. The biggest and burning thought that he'd dwell on the most is if there was a way to help his sister, to make her human once more. He's not sure how much longer she can stomach being a ghoul.
Suddenly the thought of his sister out eating reminded him that he himself needed some food. He lifted himself off the armchair and walked into the kitchen and like every other morning, there was a pot of oats on the stove. One of the many sisterly duties that Tessa possessed was her tenacity to always make sure Liam was fed, despite her appetite for humans she still knew Liam still had to have normal food. He smiles as he opens the pot and is greeted with the smell of oats. He grabbed a plastic plate from the cupboard and served himself some oats. Today he decided he was going to eat in the dining room, three months after the incident should be enough time to get over the trauma. He made his way there and sat in the same chair he sat in that night. There were only two chairs that were set on the table, both on either side of it. Tessa's doing of course, the rest of the chairs were kept elsewhere in the house. It seemed to be her way of making Liam feel comfortable or maybe it was so she herself could forget that night. Regardless of her efforts though he always ate in the living room with her, well he'd eat, she'd watch and make conversation.
As he sat on the table eating his oats he ran his hand on the surface of the table and felt how rough it was. Courtesy of the people Rose and her man Erandel had brought in to clean the place. It felt as if it were sand papered to remove the blood from Lewis that had seeped into the wood. One scar remained on the table though, the wide sword slash mark that was in the center of the table from when Rose cut Lewis in half. The mark acted as a thin gash that went too deep into the wood to be concealed by sand paper, needless to say it was there to stay. Liam didn't know too much about Rose but one thing was certain, she had to be the most beautiful girl he's ever seen as well as scary.
As he took a second spoon full of his oats he had confirmed what he felt in the first spoon full he took that, Tessa didn't put enough sugar in the oats again. He couldn't blame her, it's not as if she can taste it for him. He let out a sigh and got up and headed towards the kitchen. He got the sugar from the cupboard and made his way back to the table. As he sat down and was ready to add the sugar there was a knock from outside. Liam put the sugar down and went to the door.
Once he reached the door he opened it and behind it was a man. He was an average height, looked no older than Mr Barrett was and had a surprised look on his face when he saw Liam.
"Oh have I made a mistake? I was sure this was the Barrett residence." His voice was deep and clear, his brown eyes kept looking Liam over as if he was searching for something.
"It is. May I ask who you are and where you're from?"
"My name is Mr Augustine. I am a close friend to Lewis Barrett and his family. I stay her in Silverlake. Sorry may I ask who you are?" Liam swallowed hard and the hairs on his back stood. After Rose left and they were left with the man she referred to as Erandel. He told them that Rose was a witch who was going to make sure that no town folk remembered the Barrett family except for Tessa and himself. The thing was, the spell she cast only worked on normal humans and it was over the town of Silverlake alone. The fact that this man was in Silverlake and remembered the Barrett family was an indicator that he was much more than human or if at all.
Liam's mind was pacing back and forth trying to figure out what this man was or if he was even who he says he is. At that moment he catches the man's eyes this time fixed on him, his face was more tense than before. It was as if the man was coming to the notion that Liam may know something about him and was switching his demeanor, Liam immediately realized that he left the frightened expression on his face as he was in his own head; his first mistake, he couldn't allow another. He had to give this man the impression that Liam was another oblivious human who knew nothing of the supernatural. He had to throw him off, any indication of his fear or knowledge of him would force the man's hand and Liam began to suspect that he must be a ghoul just like Lewis. "Oh my name is Liam. The Barrett's have taken me in to help around the house. Although, they aren't here right now but will be back very soon."
The man's facial expression was still as tense as before, "Ah where did they go off to?"
Liam had to think of a good lie, something a ghoul may want to hear. "I was here with another boy like myself. They decided to take him to an orphanage near the woods. They all went as a family and said they'd send me to the orphanage as well some time this week. There used to be four us young orphans who stayed with the Barretts. So it'll be sad when I have to go next. I asked to go with them but they said I should stay here and my time to go will come."
Mr Augustine's face relaxed and he began to smile. "Oh I see. You are fortunate indeed aren't you Liam. The Barretts are nice people to help you boys the way they are."
"Of course, I hope I get to stay with the Barretts still. I like it here." It worked. Mr Augustine bought into the lie. He probably thinks that's how the family is eating nowadays and they were out devouring another child in the woods. There's no orphanage in Silverlake. It wasn't the best lie Liam ever told but he didn't want to make a habit out of lying either. He had to keep him comfortable and not suspicious of him. At least until Tessa arrived, she was the only one who could help him right now. So if there ever was a good liar deep down inside him, he had to bring him out now.
"I'm sure you do. It's a long way from town and back to this place. Is it okay if I wait inside?"
"Of course." Liam made way and let Mr Augustine pass him into the house.
He followed him into the dining room. "I apologize. I didn't know you were having breakfast." He then sat in the other chair at the table opposite Liam's as he sat where he sat before.
"No it's really okay sir. Can I get you some oats as well."
"Oh no. Thank you but I'm fine."
"How about an apple?" Mr Augustine's body stiffened for a brief second as he looked at Liam.
"Pardon?"
"I was asking if you'd like an apple. Mr Barrett grows the best."
"Oh of course he does. I'd like an apple thank you."
"I'll go get you one in the kitchen." Liam stood up and felt Mr Augustine watch his movements all the way to the kitchen. He had his back turned to him but could feel his eyes on him from the dining room. Liam knew he messed up. Subconsciously he offered an apple which might have aroused Mr Augustine's suspicions a bit more. He had the idea of running and following the trail to Tessa but, he knew ghouls were strong but, not sure how fast. He didn't want to risk it. If he was going to run he'd need a large head start just in case.
"My what happened here Liam?" Augustine called out from the living room. Liam quickly grabbed an apple and took a knife from the kitchen drawer hiding it in his pocket. He then makes his way into the living to see Mr Augustine tracing his hand on the mark Rose's sword left. "What happened here do you know?"
"No. It was like that when I got here." Liam then tossed the apple towards him and stood by his seat. "If it's all the same to you sir, I'll go into the woods and tell them you're here."
Mr Augustine kept his hand on the mark on the table. "No. I don't think that's going to work for me Liam." Liam became unsettled.
"I don't understand."
"Well I'll explain it to you then Liam. I appreciate the effort but, Lewis was supposed to meet me and my friends a few times; once a month really and, it's been three months and he's skipped all of our meetings. I know Lewis and I know he would never skip them because that would make our master really upset. Lewis brings master the apples that he grows. Admittedly, we've all become very fond of them actually. So much so that he agreed to bring us all a bunch every month.You'd imagine our frustration now that we've gone three months without apples. Can't you Liam, do you understand now that I know Lewis and his family are dead? I can't smell Lewis' scent in this house at all, not even the faintest of a trace. He must have been dead for months. I get the feeling you can help me understand what happened here. I'd hate to find out that you had something to do with my friend's disappearance."
Liam began to panic and his breathing became frantic. "Well sir. I..." At this moment he knew he was found out. If he had to guess this man was sure enough to make a meal of him here. The jig was up. He hand no other lies to tell. From here on in it was action and results, the time for talking was over. As Mr Augustine had his hand on the table Liam drew the knife from the kitchen and stabbed his hand, jamming the knife deep into the wooden table. He howled in pain and changed, he looked up at Liam with that same grey skin and bloodshot eyes. Liam wasn't going to freeze up in fear this time, he couldn't afford to. As Augustine went to remove the knife from his hand Liam took the chair from behind him and swung it at his head. Liam heard Augustine's skull crack against the wood of the chair and this time he roared in fury. This was his chance, he dashed for the back door and got out the house making his way to the woods were Tessa was.
He was outside, he felt the dirt under his bare feet as raced down a path that led to the forest. He was already one hundred or so meters out and away from the house when he heard the inevitable. He heard the back door swing open and took a glance back to see Mr Augustine taking chase after him. There was one bit of good new and that was that he didn't seem to be all too fast. Liam began to pick up his pace, and despite what he saw before when he looked back once more. Mr Augustine was no more than fifty meters away. He had picked up in speed, maybe ghouls were a bit faster than he thought.
Now in the forest surrounded by trees, Liam heard Mr Augustine right on his heels. He'd been gaining on him for a while now, a few more meters and he'd eventually catch him. Something caught his eye in the distance. It was a white animal and as it got closer he saw his sister on it's back. As soon as the animal saw Mr Augustine chasing Liam, it then broke into a sprint. It drew closer to Liam within seconds and as it got closer it leaped over him and Liam heard a huge thud behind him. He turned and saw his sister dismount the animal. The white beast standing over Mr Augustine.
"Hello Liam, You brought trouble or did trouble find you?"
"He's a ghoul. He came to the house asking for Lewis. What is that?" Liam said gesturing to the white beast.
"Oh well. That's Anoki. Not sure exactly what he is though, he didn't tell me."
"Where did you find it?"
"He's not an 'it'. He's a he. Anyways, this must be one of dad's friends. The other ghouls. Great job Liam, we need him."
"Huh. need him for what?" Tessa went over to Mr Augustine who was pinned down by Anoki.
"Anoki can you take his head for us please?" Anoki then dug his teeth into Augustine's neck and his head came off, rolling away from his body. Augustine grunted in pain.
Liam looked in disbelieve. "Is he still alive?"
"Yes. With ghouls you need to destroy the head to kill them." An unfamiliar voice said to him and, Liam looked up to see a naked boy covered with blood at the mouth and he stood close to the now headless body of Mr Augustine.
"Wait. You're Anoki?"
"Yes. Nice to meet you Liam."
"Now this makes a bit more sense. Nice to meet you too Anoki." Liam took off his pants leaving him in his underwear and threw it at Anoki.
Anoki caught the pair of pants and started putting them on. "Thanks. Your sister did the same thing when I saw her in the forest earlier. I take it you both aren't used to being nude. You're human, aren't you surprised as to what I am?"
"My sister is a ghoul, so unless you also have a knack for eating people. I think you're okay Anoki." He got to his feet and saw Tessa wrap Mr Augustine's head in her jacket. They heard the muffled sounds of him speaking in her jacket. "So what do you want to do with him?"
Tessa turned and looked at her brother. "He'll know where the master ghoul is and maybe we can stop the ghouls once and for all. In London that is."
"How?" Anoki chimed in. "We're so young. I can ask my mother and father to help. The ghouls in numbers are strong."
"No worries. We'll take this ghoul to the vampire. He'll know what to do."
"The vampire?" Both Anoki and Liam said.
Tessa laughed. "You may not have noticed but, the tall man that came with that girl Rose that night, he's a vampire. I could smell it."
"Oh I get it." Liam said
Anoki looked at Tessa. "Oh you mean Erandel?"
A surprised look came over Tessa. "You know him?"
"Of course. I know both Miss Rose and Erandel. My father is the groundsman for Leighton Manor. We live on the estate."