Chapter 2: The Monsters

Anise finally meets her new monstrous roommates.

I pushed the intruder off of my bed as hard as I could. There was a large thumping sound as the intruder landed on the hardwood floors. They hissed as the pain from the fall set in and I made my way out of bed. I ran out the bedroom, shutting the door behind me to buy some time.

My mind was running haywire, trying to figure out what to do. There weren't any weapons that I could use in the house. At least, not within my reach or within a few feet. I was pretty sure that the intruder wasn't human either so mundane weapons wouldn't work that well.

Magic was the only way I could defend myself. I didn't want to use it because mustering up all of that energy without any tools can be exhausting but I rather be tired than dead.

As I ran down the stairs I began to conjure up some energy within myself. I could hear heavy footsteps close behind me. Just as I was about to turn and cast my fire spell I ran into something hard. I began to fall back from the collision but something caught me just before I hit the ground. Or should I say someone.

I looked up to face a well-built man with a silver side-part hairstyle, an eye-patch over his right eye and some scruff on his chin. His skin seemed to be deathly pale almost to the point that it seemed green.

"I'm very sorry about this, Ms. Devane. I told Draugh that he would scare you like this if he tried to introduce himself the way that he just did." The man apologized. I didn't respond. I was completely frozen.

The stranger that bared fangs and was chasing after me was breathing in heavily from the run. "I thought that she was already asleep, alright? If she hadn't opened her eyes then my plan would've worked."

The man that stopped me from falling loosened his grip on my waist and backed up to give me some air. "Are you okay, Ms. Devane? Draugh didn't hurt you, did he?"

"Quit calling me by my last name! My first name is Endrian and doesn't sound as lame and outdated as Draugh." Endrian raised his voice. "And I didn't hurt her. Not yet at least."

I shuddered at the foreshadowing threat. A new pair of hands were placed on my shoulders from behind me and I jumped. "Aw, did my little Anise get scared by the ugly vampire? Should Cassi comfort you?"

"Stop it! Don't touch me!" I screamed, pulling out of the stranger's grasp. This person had long, flowing purple hair and alluring pink eyes. His skin was fair and clear except for a small mole that decorated the bottom corner on the far side of his left eye. The detail that gave away that he wasn't from this world was the two, light brown horns that grew from his head. The left was sloped down and lifted up at the tip, the other was broken closer to the base.

"Who's the ugly one now, Mister Pretty Boy?" Endrian mocked. He had short, fire-red hair and sharp blood-red eyes. He was pale as well but not like a sickly pale, more like albino pale. A beauty mark sat just under the arch of his left eyebrow.

"Everyone just shut up!" I yelled once more. "Who are you people? What are you doing in my house?"

They all grew silent and didn't make eye contact with me. "Someone answer me before I cast my fire spell towards all of you!"

The eye-patch guy held up his hands to try to calm me down. "That won't be necessary, Ms. Devane. We'll- Or should I say I will explain everything. Shall we sit in a living room while I make us some tea?"

Despite his shady and overall appearance, I couldn't help but feel calm and grateful for his suggestion. I nodded and made my way to one of the nearest living rooms. Endrian sighed. "I guess I'll get the dog and Phantom of the Opera."

"I'm here." I quiet voice spoke up from out of nowhere. A boy floated into the room and hovered just a few inches above the couch. His white bangs covered his left eye, leaving only a gentle lilac eye for me to see. He didn't meet anyone's gaze and placed his hands politely in his lap. Upon further inspection I came to the realization that he was also slightly transparent.

This boy was a ghost.

I turned to the guy who called himself Cassi. "Seriously, what is going on here?"

He gave a seductive smirk and draped his arm around me. "You are one very special girl, My Angel." He simply said. I shrugged off his arm and sat down in an armchair adjacent to the couch.

Endrian returned to the room with a tall, shaggy haired guy with two wolf ears sticking out among his chocolate brown locks. He yawned and took the seat on the couch that was closest to me. When his friendly forest green eyes met my sapphire ones he lit up and a tail behind him began to wag.

That would explain the fur I found outside my bathroom door.

Eye-patch Guy came back with a silver tray and seven cups of tea. I looked around, searching for a seventh guest.

A window facing the garden opened up slowly and a girl with sepia skin, lavish rose pink hair and sunflower yellow eyes peeked in. I was shocked that she made an appearance considering that this living room and window was on the third floor of the house. She was handed a cup of tea and she gave a warm smile. "Thank you, Zamuel."

Eyepatch Guy who I finally learned was called Zamuel nodded and passed some more teacups around. As soon as I was handed my cup I cut right to the chase. "Who are you guys? Why are you all in my house?"

Zamuel started to answer me. "To spare you all of our backstories I'll answer you with simple answers. We are all monsters of some form or another that are trapped within this house or town. Some of us were cursed, some of us simply died and some of us just grew up here and may never leave. Your grandmother was trying to find a way to help us all until she suddenly passed away."

"She was using a lot of her own energy for her magic in order to save us. She was already old so it was no surprise when she finally kicked the bucket." Endrian crudely spoke.

Zamuel frowned at him but didn't scold him. "Before she passed away she mentioned that she had an idea but it would involve you, her granddaughter. We all waited for your arrival to ask if you have any information regarding the idea your grandmother had. Our introductions weren't ideal and for that I apologize."

I set my teacup down to let the information settle in. "This wasn't expected, I have to admit. But, I suppose that all that matters now is finishing my grandmother's work to help you all. She didn't mention this to me at all so of course I was surprised. She may have something written in one of her books in the Witch Room."

"Great!" The werewolf boy exclaimed, jumping up from the couch. "We can just go down there right now and grab all of the book from the shelves to see if there's a last message! You're so smart, Anise!"

"Wulf, please calm yourself. That may wait until tomorrow when Ms. Devane has a chance to settle in. It's already late and she must've been through a lot tonight."

Wulf suddenly sat back down and pouted. "Yeah, I guess you're right, Zam."

"I am really tired and all of the chaos that happened before this meeting didn't exactly help me feel refreshed. I would still like a more formal introduction though." I admitted.

"Of course." Zamuel responded. He bowed like a gentleman and took my hand. "I am Zamuel, a butler that works around here. I'm a zombie but I would prefer it if you don't use that term to describe me. Zamuel or Zam are fine names to call me by."

I could feel a shy smile form on my face. His uncovered steel-grey eye was kind and comforting. "Nice to meet you, Zamuel."

"I'm Beofur Wulf! Beo is just fine though. I'm a werewolf and I don't do much around here except running and talking with the locals." Beo excitedly presented himself. His tail was wagging as fast as a race car.

The ghost cleared his throat and spoke with a soft voice. "Danton Ghothel. I'm a ghost. I-"

"Cassius Faren!" Cassius interrupted. "But you can call me Cassi, My Angel. I'm an incubus so that means that I'm the hottest one around here and the most fun to be around, if you know what I mean."

Endrian rolled his eyes and pointed his thumb towards himself. "Endrian Draugh. Vampire. Don't bother getting to know me because I'm not interested in making friends."

There was a tisk from the girl from the window. "You shouldn't be so mean, Endrian. I'll show you how to make a nice greeting."

She turned towards me and gave me a bright smile. "Hello, I'm Mystis Lodyga. I'm a nymph that resides in the garden. It's a pleasure to meet you, Anise."

I gave her a small wave from my seat. "Likewise. Well, it's only polite if I present myself too even though you all know who I am already. I'm Anise Devane. I'm a witch and I hope that living with all of you until I find the way to free you all is peaceful and enjoyable."

As all eyes were focused on me I could feel my heart quicken its pace. I gulped and chugged the rest of my tea. "I think it's time for me to go to bed now! I'll see you all tomorrow! Bye."

I rushed out of the room to head to my bedroom. A sigh of relief escaped me as I closed and locked the door. The idea of living with a bunch of strangers that were mostly men was finally settling in. My nerves were beginning to get the best of me as soon as they all stared at me. I could tell that they were already judging me and forming expectations.

I hoped that my grandma left some note for me, otherwise I would have no clue how to start helping them.

That was for tomorrow. Or at least in a few hours. For now it was best to get some sleep and be ready to get to work as soon as the moving truck comes in.

Waking up a few hours later was hard for me to do since I ended up staying up so late. Part of it was because I was thinking about my new monster roommates and the other part of it was about me thinking of places where grandma may have an answer to restore their humanity.

I rubbed my eyes and knocked the blanket off with my legs. A thought suddenly popped into my head and I looked down. Heat rushed over my cheeks as I realized that I was having the conversation last night in only a long shirt.

A knock sounded from my door and I subconsciously pulled my shirt over my legs. "Y-yes?"

"Excuse me, Ms. Devane. I have breakfast ready for you and your moving truck is here. I told them that they can get started with the unloading and you will be down shortly." Zamuel informed.

"Okay! Just give me a second to get ready to come down." I dismissed. The idea that I had a butler made me feel weird. Even if it was only for a short time and this was his job I still felt guilty for making him wait for me and feeling obligated to make breakfast.

I got out of bed and began to get dressed in some old jeans and a black tank top. It was best to dress in something comfy and allowed me to be flexible while moving furniture. Once I was dressed, I grabbed my hair tie from last night and fixed my hair up into a loose bun.

Before I left the room I examined myself in the mirror. My taupe brown skin was clear of pimples and zits. I looked at my freckles on across my nose and cheeks. Was I getting more freckles? Maybe I should apply some sunscreen before helped unload the truck.

A loud bang on my door startled me. "Hey, Princess! Get your butt out here! Zam won't let any of us eat until you're at the table!" Endrian shouted. Judging by his tone it was best not to keep him waiting.

I left my room as Endrian was already heading down to the first floor kitchen and dining room. I followed behind him, making sure I was several feet back. Out of all of my new roommates Endrian was the most intimidating by far. Him being a vampire and the fact that he was ready to drink my blood last night made it worse.

My eyes landed on the dining table that Zamuel set up for breakfast. I had no idea where he got all the ingredients to make such a scrumptious breakfast but I was glad that he found them. Zamuel pulled out a chair for me to sit in at the head of the table.

"Good morning, Anise!" Beo cheerfully greeted me. "If you don't want your bacon I'll be more than happy to take care of it for you!"

I suppressed a giggle. "Noted. You guys didn't have to wait for me. I don't usually eat breakfast all that often so if you were all waiting for me on a day that I don't eat I'd feel terrible."

"Nonsense, Ms. Devane. From now on as long as I'm in this house then you'll eat a breakfast every morning. It's the most important meal of the day and you'll need the energy to search for any notes your grandmother left behind. I'll take care of the moving truck and movers so you can focus on what's most important. Would you like tea or coffee to go with your french toast and bacon?" Zamuel explained.

"Coffee please." I simply answered.

While my coffee was being prepared for me I noticed how full the table was. Almost everyone was seated at the table, even Danton who I think couldn't actually eat. Still, he sat with everyone, reading a book. Mystis was enjoying breakfast outside the open window across from us.

I didn't think I would have so many people in my life so soon. I thought that I was going to be eating alone. Despite my nervousness and my introverted personality, I was a little happy to be surrounded like this.

I couldn't help but think that it would be nice if everyone could be like this for a while.