Neckbeard Vampire: Nightbeard Rising
Page 35
Fantasia, Kara, and Cruxx joined Chad’s mom in the kitchen to prepare dinner, with the strength of four they assembled it in record time. The guild feasted on roast chicken, grilled vegetables, mashed potatoes, and washing it all down with an evening dose of the red pill.
“What’s wrong, Chad?” Johnathan suddenly announced to the table. “You’ve hardly eaten anything. You look tired, are you ok?”
“Huh?” Chad looked up from his virtually untouched plate of food, “Uh. Yeah. I’m fine—just tired. And a little nervous about tonight.”
“Don’t worry, Chadwick,” Dex reassured him, “Paxton and I have assembled an excellent plan. But you needn’t be nervous.” He said, “You won’t be joining them.”
“What?! Why not?!” Chad was suddenly alert, stuttering in surprise.
“Because you’re not needed there tonight.” He said, matter-of-factly, “I won’t be going either. In fact, only the immediate guild members and Paxton shall be attending.” He looked to Johnathan, Randall, and Kara.
“Together we will defend the safe house. It is possible, however unlikely, that she has spied out our place of rest, and it is extremely important that, should she come here—we be ready for her. It is of utmost importance that she not discover that we know the locations of her body pillows.”
“Sundown is in two hours,” Dex suddenly announced to everyone—changing the subject—you are all to be fully dressed, equipped, and ready to leave by precisely then. Clear?”
The members of the guild looked to Dex and to one another, affirming their readiness.
At that moment, the Doctor burst down the stairs, greeting the team and motioning to speak with Dex privately.
Chad paid close attention as they moved to a distant corner of the basement, speaking in animated whispers. Occasionally a word or exclamation could be made out, Chad distinctly heard the doctor ask, “are you sure?!” as he cast a sidelong glance at Chad. He shot a wink to him, and smiled.
Chad turned away, trying to avoid suspicion. Chad wondered if they knew. Impossible, he assured himself. No one knew. He had been too cunning, too clever—they would never suspect. But maybe…a moment of fear fell upon him for a moment, but he dismissed it quickly.
The doctor and Dex finished their conversation, shaking hands and walking away—the doc, presumably back to his lab.
“What was that about?” Chad found himself asking Dex, before he even realized what he was saying. He stared hard at Dex.
“Oh it was about the Furry sample.” Dex said nonchalantly, “…and the mark,” he added. “The doctor thinks he’s close to a cure—or a way to make the mark and the red pill work in tandem.”
“Ha. Impossible.” Chad exploded before catching himself, “I mean…that is, it must be difficult.”
“Yes,” Dex responded, staring back at Chad—not without suspicion. “Get ready everyone. The time has come to prepare.” He turned to the guild.