The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, but beware the shadows along the way.
"Shay, please!" Alex pleaded, deploying his most lethal puppy eyes.
"No."
I didn't even glance at him, too busy slaying idiotic pixel zombies on my phone.
"You can't be like this!" he whined. "Why can't you just agree?"
Thanks to his drama, I died again in the game. I sighed deeply, praying for patience since I had exhausted even my emergency reserve. Setting my phone aside, I sat up in bed, reminding myself that skinning my favorite werewolf would leave me without a chef for the week. I sighed again, gathering the strength to re-explain just how big of an idiot he was being.
"I have several reasons," I stated firmly. "Firstly, in case you've forgotten, there are vampires rioting across the county. How can we go hiking in this chaos? Secondly, the full moon is around the corner. Do I need to remind you that we tend to go a little wild around that time? And third, we have plenty to do with the two remaining days of this long weekend."
I expected Alex to be upset by the end of my monologue. Instead, he grinned. Clearly, Alex suffered from incurable brain-softening.
"Izzy said we can camp on one of their estates."
With that single sentence, he knocked the ground out from under me, dismantling my most pressing arguments.
"It's too early to worry about the moon, and I think we deserve a bit of relaxation," he winked. "So start packing. I'll call the girls and Ben; they'll be thrilled."
He even had the nerve to command me. I pursed my lips. No matter what I did, Alex wouldn't abandon this perilous plan. My only hope was Coffee. Who would have thought the Ice Queen would ever surrender? Jo was a dangerous human indeed.
"One night," I declared. "Not two, only one night, Alex."
He nodded eagerly, a wide grin spreading across his face.
I grabbed my sports bag, tossed in some clothes, and made my way to the kitchen.
"Kitty cat, kitto, come on," Alex cooed at the trashcan.
From behind the trashcan came a low, menacing growl—undoubtedly from the demon cat. Alex was likely planning to feed it and leave extra food while we were away. I sighed, tossing my bag at him.
"I'll feed it," I offered.
Alex gave me a suspicious look, clearly wary of my sudden generosity. Still, he picked up the bag and shuffled towards the door, peeking around the doorjamb to keep an eye on me. It seemed today wasn't the day to let the pest starve.
I crouched down, nudging the already-filled plate closer to the trashcan. I knew that until the cat ate, Alex wouldn't be willing to leave. The demon cat, straight from the deepest pits of hell, sniffed the air cautiously before slinking out of its hiding spot.
"Eat, pest," I commanded.
Before it began eating, the unholy creature rubbed its head against my arm in a disturbingly affectionate gesture. I could feel Alex's eyes drilling into my back. In which language of hell did "eat, pest" translate to this? Frustrated, I pulled my arm away, and finally, the grey abomination started eating, freeing us to leave.
Less than half an hour later, we stood in the Tesco parking lot, our sports bags packed. Alice was already waiting, and Alex, ever the chatterbox, began listing the snacks he'd brought and the chaotic plans he had in store. I was quietly thankful that he'd found a new target for his ramblings, giving me a much-needed reprieve.
When Jo and Coffee arrived, I couldn't help but feel a little soft. I'd never seen Jo wear such a wide grin before. She practically leaped into my arms, bubbling over with excitement.
Coffee, however, was less sentimental, ushering us quickly toward the sleek black Mercedes. Her servant (?) who also doubled as the driver, began unloading our bags and stowing them in the trunk with efficient precision. After an hour's drive, we found ourselves at the edge of a dense forest.
"The house should be just fifteen minutes from here," Coffee said, as the servant—still looking as stoic as ever—began unloading our things from the car before offering a polite bow and leaving without another word.
Jo immediately protested when I reached for her bag, but I ignored her, taking it from her hands. Alex did the same with Coffee's bag, though I suspect it was more out of politeness than necessity. After all, the vampire girl was likely three times stronger than Alex, so the gesture didn't exactly carry the weight of an obligation.
We began walking along the narrow forest path, and I couldn't help but sniff the air as we moved. The scent of trees, wet soil, and wild animals filled my senses. It was comforting, grounding—nothing that felt out of place. I didn't detect the presence of any nearby monsters, which was a relief.
Alex, too, was taking in the surroundings. I caught his subtle sniffing and saw his nostrils flare slightly. A werewolf's nose never lies, and since he didn't seem concerned, I let myself relax a little.
True to Coffee's word, we reached a small clearing about fifteen minutes later. There, nestled amongst the trees, stood a massive stone house. Its architecture was like something out of a dream—tiny, round windows dotted the structure, and its roof was thick with moss. The walls were covered in ivy, and the peculiar shape of the chimney only added to the house's mysterious aura.
"Wow," Alex breathed, staring at the building in awe. "Amazing place, Izzy."
"You flatter me," Coffee said coolly, her fingers already reaching for the key in her pocket.
Jo, practically bouncing on her heels, couldn't contain her curiosity. Her excitement was almost infectious, and for a moment, I found it oddly endearing.
The lock clicked softly as Coffee turned the key and swung one side of the double doors open. "Please, come inside," she invited with a calm, inviting gesture.
And just like that, our little adventure was about to begin.
Jo was the first to rush in as if the invitation was merely a formality. But I couldn't help but feel the subtle pulse of magic tingling against my skin as I crossed the threshold.
The first floor of the house was grand—filled with antique mahogany furniture, a plush leather sofa, a towering fireplace, and an enormous TV that seemed to dominate the room.
When Coffee opened one of the cabinets, I noticed it had a built-in fridge tucked inside, where Alex, Alice, and Jo immediately began unloading the supplies they'd brought. Meanwhile, Coffee, ever minimalist, only brought a thermos. My curiosity spiked as I wondered what it contained—coffee or something a little more... intriguing? A bet with Alex was forming in my mind.
"The rooms are upstairs," Coffee said, her voice breaking through my thoughts as she started up the stairs.
We followed her, and soon enough, we divided up the three bedrooms. Alice asked if he could sleep alone, which wasn't an issue at all—Alex and I shared a room at home, so it was no big deal. At that moment, I didn't understand why Alice didn't want to room with anyone, but it wasn't really my concern.
I heard a warm chuckle from another room. Jo stepped out with a bright smile, her laughter like music to my ears. There was something in the way her smile reached her eyes that stirred something deep inside me. I could feel my senses prickling with something I couldn't quite name.
"Hm?" she asked, raising an eyebrow as she caught me staring.
"Nothing," I replied quickly, feeling a slight heat creep up my neck.
"Then, are we going to check out the backyard or not?" Coffee interjected, swiftly breaking the moment.
The backyard was stunning, far exceeding my expectations. The forest that bordered the cottage ended just beyond the garden, giving way to a breathtaking panorama. We could see the entire city spread out below, its lights still muted from the early hour. Even from this distance, I could make out the mosque and the cathedrals towering above the skyline.
"My God, this is beautiful!" Jo exclaimed, her eyes sparkling.
It was one of those moments when I felt like I should reach out and hold her hand, or maybe kiss her. When our eyes met, I thought she might have the same idea. But before I could move, Alex flopped onto the grass with a contented sigh, inhaling the fresh air. Coffee seized the opportunity to pull her down to the grass.
I followed suit, though I couldn't help but notice the subtle shift in the atmosphere. Coffee probably hadn't expected me to sit next to her cheerful little friend, but there I was, sitting next to Jo.
As Coffee casually unscrewed the top of her thermos, the rich scent of black coffee hit my nose, sharp and inviting.
"Hey, guys," Alice's voice broke through, and I glanced over at him, eyebrows raised.
Alice flashed a grin before holding up his phone, which was aimed directly at us. "Dude, no," I groaned, already dreading what he was about to show me.
"This seems like a good one," he said, fiddling with his phone before turning it towards me. The screen displayed a magnified image of my head, complete with an absurd expression. Alice's grin was as wide as ever, and I couldn't help but scowl at the ridiculousness of the picture.
It wasn't exactly my finest moment. And that meant Alice was about to pay for it. I didn't hesitate—I lunged for him, and Alex, ever the accomplice, joined in with his usual enthusiasm. Alice's grinning face quickly turned to one of mock surrender as Alex pinned him down, and I wasted no time in tickling him until he was gasping for breath. It was childish, sure, but I couldn't deny—tickling was the best form of harmless torture, and it never failed to get the job done.
After a while, we returned to the girls, drawn once again by the breathtaking view and the mystical shapes of the clouds. Jo leaned her head on my shoulder. I gently stroked her hand, and we stayed like that, silent, yet comfortable.
It wasn't long before Coffee, her patience running thin, announced that it was time to start collecting wood. Alex seized the opportunity and grabbed my arm, his grip firm as he began pulling me toward the forest.
Once we had put enough distance between ourselves and the girls—far enough to be out of earshot, or what I assumed was a vampire's general hearing range—Alex stopped. He picked up a few branches from the ground and flashed me a mischievous grin.
"So, is the ice finally breaking today, my friend?" he asked, patting my shoulder with his free hand. "It's about time."
I blurted out, as if he had accused me of something.
Alex frowned, confused. "Not?"
"Of course not!" I snapped, irritation creeping in as I picked up some branches.
"Why not?" He sounded genuinely curious, and there was a hint of amusement in his voice. "Everyone but you can see that you two are crazy for each other."
"Alex, you don't understand," I said, frustration lacing my words. "It's not that simple. There's a reason I don't get involved with humans."
"So, what's the reason?" His tone was light, but there was an underlying certainty that he could solve whatever problem I was facing.
I took a deep breath, choosing my words carefully. "I'm not a shifter, Alex," I explained quietly. "Sometimes, I'm tempted, you know?"
His expression shifted, and I could tell he didn't quite get it. He was probably thinking about some other kind of temptation, but this wasn't the same.
"Sometimes," I continued, "I want to hurt her."
Alex's face softened, his confusion turning into something else—maybe concern. But he didn't interrupt, waiting for me to say more.
"Alex," I said, my voice thick with emotion, "humans... they just wouldn't be able to handle the monster in me. If I get too close to her, I might lose control. And I... I could devour her."
A shifter, a vampire, or any other monster could resist, fight back, or even run away. But Jo? What would she do? I watched Alex, hoping for some kind of understanding, but he didn't speak at first. Instead, his eyes softened with compassion, but he didn't try to lay a hand on my shoulder, and I was grateful for that.
"I didn't consider that," he admitted quietly. "I don't know much about the vampire's thirst, but... when I'm in my wolf form, sometimes I feel that urge too."
He scratched the back of his neck awkwardly, pulling his lips into a sheepish grin. I was taken aback. I never thought Alex would openly acknowledge the monster inside him, but there was something about his vulnerability that made me feel less alone in my own struggles. I was relieved by what he said. If even a guileless monster like Alex felt the urge to taste humans, maybe I wasn't the worst bastard in the world after all.
I couldn't help but chuckle, the weight in my chest lifting slightly. I patted his shoulder and offered him a half-smile, a flicker of relief flashing across his face. "Let's get this bloody wood."
For a moment, I forgot that Alex and Coffee were monsters too. We all struggled with the same bloodthirst, the same dark urges, and we all hated ourselves for it. For once, I didn't feel like the only monster in the room.
Soon, flames erupted from the fire, casting flickering light across our faces. Alice began expertly sharpening skewers for everyone, his movements swift and precise. We skewered our bacon and sausages, and even Coffee, with an air of theatrical patience, tried her best to look like someone truly savoring the moment, eagerly awaiting the food.
Alex, of course, went straight for the bacon, immediately spearing six slices on his skewer. To this day, I have no idea how he managed it—he must've made some sort of pact with the devil himself to pull it off. Meanwhile, Alice was tossing cellophane-wrapped potatoes and onions into the embers, the scent already making my mouth water.
Jo, however, seemed like she was experiencing this for the first time. She fiddled with the bacon on her skewer, trying to get it just right. But, as she held it over the fire, the meat slid off, tumbling straight into the flames. Jo's eyes widened in frustration, almost on the verge of tears, as the small piece of bacon was devoured by the fire within moments.
"Here," I said, offering her my skewer and swiftly swapping it with hers.
She looked at me as if I had just saved her life, and I couldn't help but chuckle. I placed a slice of bacon and a sausage on her skewer to replace the lost piece.
"Keep it a little higher," I suggested, gently guiding her hand with mine to position the skewer above the flames.
I lingered—unwilling to let go. When the silence between us started to stretch too long, I grabbed the bread. After cutting myself a slice, I handed one to Jo as well.
"It's tastier if you let the grease drip onto the bread," I explained, demonstrating the process.
She hesitated at first, but then with small, stiff movements, she imitated me. It didn't take long before she was roasting her own bacon and sausage, her confidence growing with each turn.
"It's nice sitting around a campfire," she said with a soft smile, gazing into the flames. "I've wanted to try this for a long time."
"Is this really your first time?" Alex asked, clearly astonished.
Jo nodded, still watching the fire as though it held some secret she couldn't bear to miss.
"My father's always been too busy. He never really had time for things like this," she said, her voice softening. "I had private tutors until high school, so I didn't have many friends…" She quickly added a grin, pushing back any bitterness that might have slipped through. "I guess everyone has to start somewhere."
Alex's eyes widened in disbelief. "It's unbelievable you've lived without bacon like this all this time!"
Then, as if to make a point, Alex tore two slices of bacon from his skewer with his teeth and promptly complained about burning his mouth. Jo laughed, a sound that made my heart race a little faster. Her laughter was pure and unguarded, and it hit me harder than I expected.
I don't know when Alex pulled out his infamous pálinka, but soon enough, we were all a little tipsy. Well, almost all of us—Coffee stayed sober, keeping an eye on us from the sidelines. Despite her attempts to control the situation, what shouldn't have happened, did: Jo drank herself into oblivion.
The night blurred from there. I barely remember the moments after, until suddenly, I found myself with Jo in my arms, her lips pressing urgently against mine.