2 Ch 2

After Zadie’s finished eating dinner, Mrs.Greenhouse has cleaned up the kitchen. She then heads home for the day. “There are leftovers in the fridge for the weekend while I’m away, have a good weekend. See you Monday.”

Zadie waves goodbye as she exits the house. She watches as Mrs.Greenhouse walks down the sidewalk, taking a left out of sight.

Zadie shuts the curtains, knowing Cree and Angie will be up soon, putting a wildlife movie in. But, unfortunately, she doesn’t have time to check on the Slayer again.

Thirty minutes later, Zadie hears the stirrings of Cree and Angie upstairs. As Cree enters the room, he asks,

“How was your day?” With a joyful smile while fixes a button on his shirt.

Zadie shrugs, “About the same as always.” She replies with a dull voice, not meeting his eyes.

Zadie looks away from the tv that sits atop the fireplace to Cree. ”When can I go outside?”

She already knows the answer but hopes for a different response.

“You know your father’s rules Zadie; you can’t leave the house.” Cree sits down across from her.

“But I’m not a child anymore, so why do I still have to go by those rules?” Zadie observes him knowing she’s right.

Cree thinks about it for a moment, then nods in agreement. “You're right. I’ll give your father a call and see what he says.”

Cree pulls his thin see-through cell phone out of his pocket walking into the kitchen. Zadie does a tiny squeal of excitement.

“Do you ever watch anything else?” Angie complains, looking at the TV with her arms crossed.

Her hair is damp, evident she just got out of the shower.

“Yeah, I would if you guys would buy me some new stuff to watch,” Zadie tells her, a little irritated with her snide comment.

Angie laughs, “You got a point. Guess I’ll be making a stop at the store for you then.”

Cree walks back into the living room as he runs a hand through his hair. “Well, boss says we can’t kill the Slayer.”

Angie throws her arms in the air with anger, “Why not?”

Cree meets Angie’s eyes. “He says if we kill him, the Slayer Organization would be alerted. Apparently, they put some type of device in Slayers now. So if we kill one, they are automatically alerted and given their location.”

Cree sits back down on the couch, looking down at his hands.

“That’s bullshit!” Angie walks to the front door, knowing the sun has completely set now. “Well, I’m going out; see you in a few hours.” Angie rushes out the door slamming it behind her.

Zadie watches Cree unsure how he feels about the situation. But at least the Slayer boy is safe for now. Meaning Zadie doesn’t have to worry about his demise. Cree looks up, seeing Zadie staring at him, his red eyes lock with hers.

“Your father said you still can’t go out... Sorry kid.”

The fleeting hope she had faded away. She stares down at her lap, feeling empty. She hears Cree say something but doesn’t pay attention. Zadie knew deep down her father would say that, but she always had hoped he’d change his mind; she hasn’t even seen her father in years. The most she gets is a short conversation on the phone every few months. Does he even truly love her as a father should? Or does he wish she was never born so her mother would be here instead?

“You alright, Zadie?” She looks up; Cree has a hand on the Slayer boy's shoulder.

She gives a fake smile, “I’m fine.”

Blade stares at the strange vampire with purple eyes. Why had she looked unhappy a moment ago?

“I’m taking this one to the bathroom, and then he’s gonna eat.” Cree leads him out of the living room, down the hall by the staircase to the bathroom.

A couple minutes later, Cree sits Blade on the couch across from Zadie. She notices his hands are no longer tired. He wears black pants, a plain black shirt that’s under a black jean jacket. “Don’t move or else, Cree warns him.

“Yeah, yeah, I got it,” He replies with an eye roll.

Cree walks into the kitchen, opening the fridge. Zadie watches as the slayer’s eyes dart around the room, probably looking for an escape route. His eyes linger on the fire poker next to the fireplace for a moment, then he looks up at the TV.

Zadie pushes with her mind as she stares at the boy. “I wouldn’t bother trying to grab that fire poker if I were you.”

Slayer boy looks around the room but doesn’t see anyone else here. His eyes settling on Zadie with a questionable look on his face. “Yes, I am the one speaking to you in your mind. You’re not going crazy.”

Zadie rolls her eyes, remembering the first time she did this to Cree when she was about five. He had thought he lost his mind until she assured him it was her.

“How is this even possible? Can all vamps do this?” He asks her with his thoughts.

Cree puts something in the microwave, pushing a button.

Zadie shakes her head, “Nope, only me.” Zadie informs him proudly.

Blade stares at her, hiding the terror he feels. This girl was the most terrifying vampire he has ever encountered.

“So do all Vampire Slayers wear black?” She inquires, appraising his attire.

“No, not all of us. I’m not telling you anything, so don’t bother asking.” Blade looks back at the TV.

“Are all human males this mean?” Zadie questions hurt. Cree walks into the room handing the Slayer a bowl of spaghetti.

“Try to stake me with that fork. It’ll be in your eye.” Cree warns him as he sits down next to him.

Blade raises his eyebrow in response then begins to eat. Cree grabs the TV remote from the coffee table, “Let’s watch something else.”

Zadie moves in her chair with excitement as a smile spreads across her face. Cree punches in a code, and the tv switches to cable. He begins to look down the list. Then, finally, Cree spots something, a smile forms on his face, “Have you seen Guardians of the Galaxy before?” Cree looks to Zadie for confirmation.

“No, what is it?” she asks, brimming curiously, as she did whenever Cree let her watch a movie with him. It’s always something she ends up loving.

Blade looks at Zaidie in disbelief that she has never seen this movie. “You're gonna love it, trust me.”

Cree plays the movie, watching Zadie’s reactions as the film plays out.

Zadie stands up, clapping once the movie has ended, “I loved it!” Zadie says energetically.

“I can’t believe I cried because Groot died, but then he was okay, turning out to be a baby tree. He’s so cute. Rocket is so funny and cute too.” Zadie starts pacing back and forth, rambling about all parts of the movie she loved.

Cree stands, forcing Blade to stand along with him. Cree had taken the bowl and fork from him as soon as he was finished bringing it to the sink. “Alright, now Zadie, calm down. If Angie sees you like this, she’ll know something’s up and tell your father I let you watch a movie without his permission.”

Zadie stops calming herself. She doesn’t want to get Cree in trouble when he’s been generous.

“Sorry, thank you for the movie.” Zadie hugs Cree in thanks.

He’s taken aback but returns her hug with his free arm. Zadie pulls away with a beaming smile stuck on her face.

“Since we can’t kill this Slayer, I’ll have Mrs. Greenhouse look after him starting tomorrow.” Cree starts to lead the Slayer back towards the basement.

“Mrs. Greenhouse doesn’t come here on the weekends anymore, remember?” Zadie reminds him.

Cree turns back to her, facepalming. “Damn it, you're right.” Blade watches the situation with little interest.

All he cares about is making it to the next day. Cree looks back up at Zadie. “Guess I’m going to have to trust you to take care of him, Zadie.”

Zadie gets a look on her face that’s a little too excited for Crees liking. “‘Do you think you can handle it? If not, that’s okay. I can ask the boss to hire someone so they can watch him instead.”

Zadie loses the excitement, becoming serious. “No, I can do it! I promise.”

Cree studies her for a moment, still unsure, “Alright. This means no drawing the curtains back tomorrow. We can’t let anyone know he’s here, and whatever you do, don’t let him out of your sight for a second unless he is securely tied down.” Cree advises her, she nods in understanding.

Cree then walks him to the basement, “When I get back up here, I expect you to be in your room.” Cree calls just before he enters the basement.

Zadie quickly grabs her book heading up the stairs to her room. Zadie takes a shower then crawls into her large bed. Luckily the Slayer boy has long bangs. Otherwise, Cree would've noticed the bandage on his forehead and would have certainly had her father hire someone to look after him instead of her.

Opening her book, she reads just a couple chapters before officially going to bed.

(This is a work of fiction, Any similarities to persons, groups, or incidents are purely coincidental.)