nna and Daniel arrived at the airport in Staffordshire and boarded a taxi. “Where are we going?” he asked. “To a town named Leek,” Anna replied, smiling warmly. “That is where I grew up.” As the taxi drove through the market town and past the mills, Anna’s eyes welled up as she fondly recalled her childhood. She could see herself in her little dress excitedly running to The River Churnet to play, spending most of her time in her imaginary world of fairies and unicorns. The taxi dropped them off at a cottage as the sun was setting. “If we had come before the summer solstice, we would’ve seen what is called a ‘double sunset,’ Anna said, looking toward the orange horizon. “It is astonishing to behold.” Daniel regarded Anna as she beamed with excitement. They checked into their room. “Maybe we can stay here for a couple of days before going back to the States?” Anna remarked. “Sure,” Daniel replied. “I can see that this town means a lot to you.” “It does,” she sighed. “I had happy memories here, and I’m glad that you’re here to share them with me,” she said.
Samuel and Billy arrived in Scotland. “It’s not too late in the day,” Samuel said, checking his watch while grabbing his luggage. “Maybe we’ll be able to stop by my home after we’ve checked in at the bed and breakfast. “I’m a bit anxious to see how my parent’s estate has fared in all these years. It was quite lovely when I last saw it.” They boarded a waiting taxi, arriving at a picturesque bed and breakfast at dusk. “I hope Queen V is okay,” Billy said as he sat his luggage down in their suite. “She seemed sad to see us leave.” “I noticed it too,” Samuel mused. “This is the first time that we’ve all separated after all our years together. It would be a bit jarring,” he said. “How long did you want to stay?” Billy asked. “Maybe a day or two,” Samuel said. “I’ll see once I’ve seen my home.” “So where is your home?” Billy asked.
“Along the border of England,” Samuel replied. “It was built during medieval times.” “Cool!” Billy said. “Maybe we can eat first before we go,” Billy said taking out a couple of thermoses containing animal blood. “I’m starved. Brilliant idea, mate,” Samuel said.
After leaving Cody who took a layover flight to Kansas, Lisa and John arrived at the Indiana airport. It’s been so long since I came back here,” Lisa said, remembering how she hurriedly packed and climbed out the window of her house to escape early in the morning. “The last time I returned, I found out that my mother was dead.” “I’m sorry,” John said softly.
He took a breath. “I have no idea what I’m coming back to,” he could still hear his father’s harsh words toward him echoing in his mind. “Did you want to get a room together?” Lisa asked. “We might as well.” “Okay,” John said awkwardly. “We can get a room with two beds if that makes you feel better,” Lisa said smiling. “It’s no problem,” he said, his voice cracking.
They went to a hotel near the airport and paid for a single room with two beds. “Does this satisfy you?” Lisa asked as they walked toward their room. He nodded his head, smiling slightly, the tips of his ears red, opening the door with his keycard. “I’m hungry,” she said, taking out a flask filled with animal blood from her duffle bag and gulping it down. John felt queasy watching her. “How can you drink that?” he asked, wrinkling his nose. “John, I’m a vampire— what did you expect.” “Well, I’m going to go look for a vending machine to get some snacks,” he said. “Whatever you say,” Lisa said, plopping on the bed and turning on the radio. “I wonder if Queen V and Cristian have arrived back in New York yet,” she thought.
Randi pulled her car up on the curb at her apartment. “This is my home,” she said, turning off the engine. Rafael got out the car and stretched his legs. “C’mon,” Randi said as she opened the front door, stopping at the mailbox to check for mail. She opened the door to her apartment. It was spacious with wooden floors, a sofa and chairs arranged near the huge windows, and an entertainment system and table centered in the living room. A landscape scenery portrait depicting a sunrise hung on the wall. Curious, Rafael leered at the portrait to see the signature of the artist. The signature was from West Collections. “Humph,” Rafael snorted. “So you’re telling me that Cristian West painted a portrait of a vampire?” Randi asked. “Yep,” Rafael replied. “The painting is missing now,” she said. “It’s been in the news and in the newspapers.” “If that’s the case, then the vampire could make a return from wherever she went.” Rafael thought. “All I have to do is bide my time.”