markdown-monster-club/chapters/chapter_12.md

# Chapter 12

“Abraham, you listening?” Michelle asked sharply. Abraham’s head snapped up to attention. He had been so lost in his thoughts that he hadn’t heard Michelle speak to him. The entire club was seated at the table and were just finishing up breakfast. Michelle had apparently been addressing the entire table to give an announcement.
“Sorry,” Abraham replied sheepishly, “just a lot on my mind.”

A week had passed since Katie’s return and Asher had displayed his devastating abilities. For all respects and purposes, it seemed as if the house had returned to normal…for the most part. Living in Tamil’s room was nice and quiet, if a little dank. Tamil often joked that Abraham didn’t need to worry about snoring or noises…because it was quiet as a crypt when he slept. Abraham had laughed at this, but the first night that he’d slept in the room, he noticed that Tamil hadn’t been joking, the nights in the Monster Club were extremely quiet. Perhaps it was from all the excitement with the return of Katie, but somehow everything seemed deathly quiet at night.
Also, to Abraham’s surprise, he felt a slight twinge of discomfort whenever Asher was around. Of all the members of the club, it was clear that Asher was the most powerful and deadly, and though he knew Asher was his friend, Abraham couldn’t help but feel very uneasy. That night when Asher had fed on the hunter, Warren had horrified him, and he couldn’t help but feel as if Asher would just as easily decided to do the same to Abraham. He tried not to let his discomfort show around the others, but it was hard not to wince a little when Asher walked into the room. Abraham couldn’t help feeling guilty about his feelings on the matter…and that meant he couldn’t tell Michelle about them.

“Well, regardless pay attention.” Michelle leaned back and looked around at everyone else. Katie was coiled up at the far end of the table, unable to sit in a chair. Michelle looked in her direction as she spoke. “Katie has now officially recovered, which means that our schedule is going to return to normal from here on out.” When she finished saying this she looked around at everyone and sighed. “However, we’ve expended most of our medical supplies and food, which means we need to make a store run.” There was a murmur around the table at this news. Tamil and Calypso both perked up excitedly while Asher just shrugged. Sarah and Katie exchanged a look and nodded to each other. Solomon, the only one not at the table, was behind the kitchen counter wiping up some spilled tea.
“I’ll put together a list of things you’ll need to pick up.” Solomon said, before vanishing into thin air, the rag he had been using, falling on the counter. Abraham couldn’t help but notice how unaffected he was by this sight. Rather, he’d grown quite used to such things by now. Abraham watched as the table came alive with movement. Sarah went to the counter and picked up a couple of dish rags and began picking up dishes while Katie wiped down the table top. Asher stood up and nodded at Abraham (causing a shiver to run down his spine), and then made his way upstairs. Calypso watched him go and climbed to her feet as well.
“Michelle, I’m gonna go get myself ready to go.” She said quickly before hurrying off to her room upstairs.
“So Michelle,” Abraham spoke up, “how do you go shopping? What happens?” Michelle stared at him and laughed.
“Sorry, I keep forgetting that you’re new to our routines.” She stood up and walked to the den, motioning for Abraham to follow. “Well, when we go shopping, Tamil, Calypso, and myself go to the store together and pick up whatever Solomon puts on the shopping list…after all its his money that we’re using to pay for our necessities. Today, you’ll be coming with us too. It helps to have an extra set of hands.”
“What about Katie, Sarah, and Asher?” Abraham asked.
“Katie and Sarah stick out like a sore thumb.” Michelle explained. “Usually they’ll go and do something together while we’re gone. Asher can’t leave the house in the daylight, so he stays here and sleeps or just does his own thing.” Abraham nodded in understanding.
“Alright, I’ll come with. So what do I have to bring?” Abraham asked.
“Nothing,” Michelle answered, “just give the rest of us some time to get ready. See what you can do to help out…actually, go up to help Tamil get dressed.” Abraham stopped and stared.
“Tamil is going to get dressed?” Abraham gasped. Michelle giggled.
“Well of course…what do you think people will say if a mummy just walks in the store?” Michelle inquired. “Just get going.” Abraham nodded and ran upstairs to his room. Tamil was sitting in his bed, staring off into space with pair of long pants in his hands. He sat up at the sound of Abraham walking in.

“Abraham?” He asked. “You are here to help me?”
“Do you normally need help getting dressed?” Abraham asked. Tamil laughed darkly and then shrugged his bandaged shoulders.
“Do not wear clothes, Abraham.” Tamil joked. “Not used to them.” Tamil slipped up the pants over his bandaged legs and then began feeling around for the button down jacket on his bed. Abraham stepped over and picked it up for him.
“Here.” Abraham proceeded to help Tamil find and put on his clothes, which consisted of long jeans, a button down shirt, a coat, and a hat. He then watched as Tamil carelessly removed some of the bandages around his head so that parts of his face were showing.
“This way, I just look like I get in accident.” Tamil explained. “I can handle rest.” Abraham smiled and then opened the door to go into the hallway, but was stopped short as he nearly ran into a figure standing in front of him.

“Whoa!” Abraham had nearly run right into Michelle. “In a hurry?” She asked.
“Sorry!” Abraham cried. “I didn’t see…I mean…”
“Don’t worry about it. I actually needed to talk to you for a moment.” She said calmly. She walked back down the hallway and passed the bathroom where Abraham could hear the shower running.
“Who’s in…”
“Asher’s getting a shower…which is why I wanted to talk to you while he can’t hear us.” Michelle muttered. She stopped at her room and opened the door, allowing Abraham in. Abraham looked around and was surprised to see just how nice it was inside. It was rather normal looking, but of course Abraham wasn’t quite sure what he expected a werewolf’s room to look like.
“What do you wanna talk about?” Abraham asked. Michelle sighed and rubbed the back of her head.

“Abraham, I noticed it going on all week,” Michelle groaned, “something’s been bothering you, and it has to do with Asher.” Abraham stopped and stared at Michelle.
“How do you know that?”
“Come on,” she smirked, “wolves smell fear…and you stink of it.” Abraham moaned and nodded.
“Okay, yeah…you’re right.” Abraham said.
“Abraham,” Michelle said kindly, “please understand that I understand how you must feel. You’re living in a house of monsters…and after that whole thing with Katie…and of course the Warren incident…I can understand that you’re uncomfortable.”
“Really?” Abraham asked, relieved that Michelle seemed to understand.
“Of course,” Michelle answered, “but you also need to realize that this is what we are. Every night, Asher goes out too feed…he’s a vampire and it’s what he does. Can you live with that?” Abraham looked at his feet and shrugged.
“I’ll try…it’s just…” As he spoke, they heard the water go off in the other room and Michelle silenced him.
“We’ll discuss this later when we’re alone…let’s go downstairs and get ready to leave, please?” Michelle hissed. Abraham nodded silently and followed her out the door. “Go make sure Tamil is in disguise please?” Abraham turned and ran into his room to find Tamil, who was no fully dressed and sitting on the bed.

“Is all well?” Tamil asked.
“Yeah,” Abraham answered, “we’re just getting ready to leave…I wanted to make sure you were good to go.” Tamil stood up and made his way to the door. For being blind, his ability to navigate through the room was excellent. Not once did he have to slow down or check where he was going.
“I will see you downstairs then.” Tamil stepped carefully around Abraham and out into the hallway. Abraham followed him out, when he suddenly heard a voice from downstairs.
“ARE YOU GUYS READY TO GO YET!?” Michelle shouted. “I got the list! We’re leaving in 5 minutes!” As she spoke, Asher stepped out of the bathroom and grimaced. He had on a shirt and boxers, and his body was still a little damp from the shower.
“Do you have to howl so loud?” He growled. “Please keep it dow-”
“Oh no! Don’t leave without me, Miche-EEP!”

There was an exclamation of shock and a squeal as Calypso came running out of her room fast, wearing a lovely sundress. She came out too fast to stop herself and tripped over her two feet, flying head long into Asher, who turned just in time to catch her as she slammed into his body. The house went deathly quiet as they looked to see Calypso in Ashers arms…pressed against his body. Calypso hesitantly looked up at Asher, a deep blush on her face. Asher stared down at her and, to Abraham’s surprise, he was blushing too.
“I…um…hi.” Asher stuttered nervously.
“…..H-hi….” Calypso whispered. The two stared awkwardly at each other for a moment, before Calypso finally looked down, unable to keep her eyes on Asher’s.
“Um…are….are you okay?” Asher asked. Calypso nodded in reply, unable to speak back. “Th-that’s…that’s good.” Abraham couldn’t quite believe what he was seeing. This was the same creature that had ruthlessly destroyed a monster hunter, and had singlehandedly a rampaging werewolf…but he was stuttering and blushing, unsure of what to say…like all the self-confidence he had been knocked out of him by Calypso. He looked nervous…embarrassed…scared. Calypso wasn’t any different. Her blue tinted face was now glowing a deep red and she couldn’t even make eye contact with the vampire.

“Hey, let me know when you two are done making out, and then we can leave.” Michelle laughed from the top of the stairs.
“Oh, are those two at it again!?” Sarah’s voice echoed out. “Can I go get my camera!?” Asher and Calypso both flushed and moved away from each other, as they brushed themselves off, trying not to look at each other.
“Did they kiss yet?” Tamil asked.
“No, but I wish they’d just get it over with.” Michelle joked, nudging Tamil in the side with a giggle.
“Would both of you stop?!” Calypso whimpered back, clearly embarrassed. She then turned and looked at Asher, but didn’t quite make eye contact with him. “Um…th-thanks for catching me Ash…” She whispered to him. She opened her mouth as if to say something else but then squeaked, blushed, and ran off to go downstairs. Asher tried to call back to her, but she was already gone. He groaned under his breath and shot a dirty look at Michelle and Tamil.
“Really smooth guys…thanks.” He snapped and then turned to go back to his room. Michelle only laughed back.
“Yo Abraham,” Michelle chuckled, “did you think that scene looked a bit like something out of Twilight?” Asher stiffened at this and growled back at Michelle.
“Don’t even get me started on that shit!” He snarled. Abraham couldn’t help but chuckle a little. He hated the Twilight series…but he had never considered how a real vampire might feel about it. To see Asher’s response to it was not only funny…but the truth was that Michelle was right…it DID make him think of a Twilight joke. Asher then turned and walked into his room, blushing furiously as Michelle and Tamil both roared with laughter. Abraham could only smile sheepishly.
“Yeah, Asher isn’t nearly as mean as he seems. He’s a big softy for a certain fish.” Michelle whispered to Abraham.
“I heard that!” Asher’s muffled voice shouted from inside his room. Tamil and Michelle both burst out laughing.
“We’d better go before he goes on one of his rants again.” Michelle took Abraham and Tamils hands and lead them to the stairs where Calypso was waiting for them down below. Sarah was standing by the door with Katie at her side. Sarah was holding a coat out for Abraham.

“It’s going to be chilly out there, you’ll need to bundle up.” Sarah said as she handed Abraham his coat.
“That goes for you too, Michelle.” Katie said as she handed a second coat to her. Abraham followed Michelles lead as he put on the coat given to him.
“Thank you.” Michelle giggled. “I suggest getting outside and enjoying the sunshine…it’s a beautiful day outside.” Katie nodded happily.
“That’d be so nice!” She laughed. Michelle then motioned to the door.
“Alright, let’s get this pack of misfits moving!” Michelle called out. Calypso and Tamil both followed with Abraham closely behind them. Michelle had been right. The sun was shining brightly and glowing down on them. The air was alive with a slight breeze as the bushes and trees swayed in its breath. Calypso and Tamil beamed at it while Michelle seemed to be much calmer under the suns embrace.
“This is the nicest weather we’ve had in a long time.” Calypso informed Abraham. “It’s a good sign. I think today is going to go perfectly.”