The Ghost Hunters and The Familiar Strangers
The Danger Of Being Claimed By Another Vampire

"I love you, Laura". Reed said again as Laura almost lost her balance. She wasn't expecting this.

She opened her mouth to say something but nothing was coming out.

"I know it's a shock to you but I've been in love with you right from the moment I set my eyes on you... please accept my love for you". He moved closer to her stretching his hand to touch her but Laura moved back a little.

"Reed.." she managed to replace her voice as she stared into his eyes. "... You've been an amazing friend to me and I appreciate everything you've done for me but I don't love you the way you love me". She looked at him making sure he could see that she meant those words.

"Because I'm a vampire?". Reed asked. She scoffed.

"Evan is also a vampire, Reed". She told him just in case he had forgotten.

"So what is the problem then?". Reed asked.

"I... i....". that's a good question she thought. Why can't she love him? or could it be her heart belongs to another?.

She shook her head to get rid of the thought. "Reed I can't deal with this right now.... can we talk about this some other time?". she asked.

"Can you assure me the answer would be a positive one?". he asked her but Laura said nothing. "I'll wait on you then". He said as he turned to leave. "My regards to Evan". He told her as he left.

Evan heard everything but he didn't understand why Reed would do this knowing fully well he loves her. And why didn't Laura tell her she loves him? or doesn't she? was it just his imagination all along? The door swung open. Laura laid down on her bed face down as she screamed right into the pillow.

"Stop taking your anger out on that poor guy". Evan said as he moved closer to her, turning her to face him.

"Tell me you heard all of it". Laura asked when he successfully turned her over.

Evan sat down next to her and nodded. "I guess you are worth falling in love with". Evan chided.

"This ain't funny Evan. Right there I wished the ground would just open and swallow me up and vomit me after three days". Laura said in frustration.

"Then you will be the Jonah of our time". Evan joked. After a few minutes of silence, Evan decided to ask his question. "Why didn't you tell him?".

Laura turned to look at him in confusion. "Tell him what?".

"That you're in love with me". Evan said looking at her and demanding some answers but Laura had no answer to give. She was speechless. Why is today a day for her to be asked questions she can't answer? "Laura". Evan called waving his hand in front of her face.

Snapping out of her thoughts, Laura looked at him ready to answer his question but before she could say anything, his phone rang. Evan didn't want to pick it.

"It might be important". she told him.

Evan brought out his phone and the caller turned out to be Adam. He picked up the call immediately. "Adam, what's up?". He asked but the voice he heard wasn't that of Adam. "Evan you need to come here now". Chloe said over the phone.

"What's wrong? where's Adam?".

"I can't explain the whole detail on the phone and you should see this yourself". She told him and immediately without waiting for any more questions, she hung up.

Noticing the worried look on his face, Laura moved closer to him touching his shoulder. "Is everything OK?".

"I don't know. I have to go now". He stood up and was about to take his leave when she stood up and rushed to meet him.

"Mind if I come along just in case you need any support as you gave to me earlier today?". She was talking about the support he gave to her when her mom and dad were arguing. Evan nodded. Who knows he might need the support. "But I have to do something, are you up for it?". He asked.

Laura nodded. What could he possibly do? she thought. Immediately they left the house, Evan carried her and zoomed off in a flash.

Arriving at Evan's house where the teams are staying, Evan and Laura were surprised to see that the atmosphere wasn't so conducive. The air was different.

Evan rushed to meet Chloe to ask her what was up.

"Emerald is in a critical condition". Chloe explained all the details to him and Laura was sure she heard everything. She didn't know if she had any right to speak so she kept mute.

If you're loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! "What about Adam?". Evan asked.

"The guys are trying hard to calm him down. I've never seen anything like it Evan".

Laura didn't like the way she was feeling. Maybe she shouldn't have come here in the first place. As if sensing she was worried, Evan went to her and held her hand. Laura smiled because she knew she needed that.

"Let's check on Adam first". Evan told Laura who nodded. Although she wanted to check on Emerald that way she wouldn't have to face Reed she knew she didn't want to go alone. Who knows a vampire can just walk in and give her a bite. Evan opened the door for her to come in as he shut the door behind him.

"Yo man!". Jim greeted them as they hugged. "Hey, Laura".

"Hi Jim. How's he doing?".

"Reed help to put him to sleep". Jim yawned.

"I guess you need some of that too". Laura told him as they smiled.

"We've been up for hours attending to them". Jim was about to leave when he turned back to tell them something. "Have you gone to see Emerald?". He asked. "Only vampires are allowed. Her state is quite critical and it could affect someone who doesn't have vampire blood running through his vein".

"Is it that serious?".

"what do you expect?". Jim asked. "It's wrong to claim someone that has already been claimed but when two already claimed people try to claim each other, you can imagine the disaster".