"Wait, when did your relationship with Layla get to the level of going on a date?" I asked Ryan, feeling surprised.
"Well, what can I say? I'm just that charming," Ryan said, stroking his chin with exaggerated pride.
"Shy boy finally got himself a girl," Blake teased.
"Well, I guess he's no longer a shy boy," I added with a grin.
"I was never a shy boy," Ryan defended himself. "I just wasn't interested in any girls."
"So, what are we doing next?" Bassam asked, drawing our attention away from Ryan.
"Well, there's not much to do for now," I explained. "Sam and I decided we'll talk about how to stop the vampires a day before the full moon. For now, we just have to prepare ourselves."
"How many other things do we still not know about that are going on? Soul beasts, vampires, altered humans... What else are we missing?" Blake asked, his voice tinged with frustration.
"You're not the only one surprised. One of these anomalies was right in the woods, in this town. Jeez, it gives me chills," Ryan said, shivering slightly.
"That's the Ryan we know, always scared," Blake scoffed.
"I'm just concerned about our safety," Ryan shot back defensively.
"We might not know everything about the beasts and other stuff, but our current problem is the vampires. We should focus on that for now. We'll figure out the rest later," Diana said with calm resolve.
"That's right. Let's focus on what's in front of us and leave the rest for later," Bassam agreed.
"No! I thought we were going to leave the rest for the past," Ryan joked, laughing at his own pun.
"Shut up," Blake snapped, hitting Ryan on the back of the head.
"What's your problem?" Ryan yelped, rubbing his head.
"Your problem is my problem," Blake replied with a smirk.
"Ethan, have you completed your daily tasks?" Bassam asked, changing the subject.
"Yeah, I have. I can accompany you if you want to complete yours."
"I should go meditate; I haven't done it today," Diana said as she walked out of my room.
"Do you want to do the tasks now?" Blake asked Bassam.
"Yeah, let's just get it done."
"All right, let's go," I said as we all began walking out of the room.
Ryan dragged his feet, his shoulders slumped. He sighed dramatically, as though the very act of walking was too much to bear. "I don't think I have the energy to start running today. I'm going home," he muttered, rubbing his eyes like a child who hadn't slept in days.
I looked at him and shook my head. "You wouldn't dare."
"First of all, where's your bag?" Blake asked, eyeing Ryan suspiciously.
Ryan patted his back, his eyes widening. "I think I forgot it inside your house," he said, scratching his head awkwardly as he tried to slip back into the house unnoticed.
"You're not good at lying," Blake said, grabbing Ryan by the collar before he could escape. "Didn't you hear when we said we were going to help Bassam complete his daily tasks? You walked out with us, and now you're trying to bail? Not a chance. You're finishing this with us today."
"Let me go! I haven't eaten yet!" Ryan protested, flailing as Blake pulled him forward.
"Don't worry. I've got my wallet with me. I'll get you whatever you want after we're done. And if I don't, Ethan will, right?" Blake said, glancing at me with a mischievous grin.
"R-right," I replied awkwardly.
"These guys... I never get tired of their banter," Bassam said with a chuckle.
"You can't get tired of it," I said, laughing as we both walked faster to catch up with Blake and Ryan.
"Don't worry, Ryan, I'll buy you ice cream," I teased.
"I don't want ice cream! I just want to go home!" Ryan wailed as we started to jog.
Meanwhile, Billy walked into Layla's house.
"Wow, you look terrible," Layla giggled as she noticed him.
"It's not funny," Billy grumbled, his face set in a deep frown.
"From the look on your face, I can tell Ethan's the one who did this to you," Layla said.
"He's the werewolf we fought the other night at my house," Billy confirmed.
"I already guessed as much, but I had to hear it from you. Now that you've confirmed it, what are you going to do about him?"
"I was sent here to capture him, and that's exactly what I'll do," Layla said confidently.
"Why not do it now? He's not as strong as you are—you could catch him easily. He's growing stronger, though. I can feel it," Billy said, his voice rising with urgency.
"The night of the full moon will be the best time to capture him. That's what I think."
"You...! He's going to be even stronger under the full moon! How are you going to capture him then? And those people from the force are working with him. We won't be able to defeat them alone," Billy shouted, his frustration boiling over.
"I already said what I had to say. We fight them on the night of the full moon. If you think we can't win, go and create more vampires. And don't ever shout at me again," Layla said with a smile, her voice sweet but laced with threat.
"I hate you!" Billy yelled, storming towards the door.
Boom!
Billy groaned as an invisible force slammed into him, sending him crashing to the ground.
"What did I just tell you?" Layla asked, her voice still calm but dangerous.
"I'm sorry!" Billy gasped, struggling under the pressure.
"What did I just tell you?" she repeated, her voice ice-cold.
"You said I shouldn't shout at you," Billy groaned.
"Good. I'm glad you remember," Layla said as she released him.
Billy stood up shakily, catching his breath. "I'll be taking my leave now," he muttered as he walked out of the room.
"Bye!" Layla called out after him, giggling to herself.
"I should probably find something nice to wear for my date with Ryan," Layla said to herself as she got up from the bed and walked to her wardrobe.
Billy, who had just left the house, smiled darkly as he walked down the street. "I'll go create more vampires, as you wish," he muttered to himself, his grin widening .