Please Be Normal

Chapter Sixteen: Us

My eyes opened. I am in a dark space, possibly a box or a crate. I can immediately tell. I push the lid open and look around. I must be back on the plane. I grabbed my phone and checked it. It's now 6 pm. I have a few messages but I do not have time for it right now. What happened?!

I look around to see a few other crates were lying empty around me. I climbed out of my crate and stumble down into the seating area. The plane is on the ground, at least. I looked out the window and saw that we are back in the private airport that we had left in a few nights ago. I went to the open door and walked down the airstair. I heard voices talking.

"...I just hope he is fine" Aurora finished speaking.

"He hath risen" Sonja said in a mocking tone, looking up at me.

Malcolm practically bolted over towards me and threw his arms around my sore body. I could feel his heart hammering in his chest.

"You had me worried, my friend" He said, pulling away to look back at my face.

"You fought bravely, soldier" Sonja said, giving me a small smile.

Aurora pushed Malcolm out of the way lightly and threw her arms around me too.

"Don't you ever frighten us like that again!" She said, sounding very stern.

"I'm not planning on doing that again anytime soon" I said, smiling and hugging her back.

She pulled out of the hug and kissed me on my cheek.

"Where are the others?" I asked.

"Left already" Aurora answered.

I felt Malcolm's eyes on my the entire time.

Sonja stepped forward and handed me a red marble.

"It's a Travel Stone. I spent the entire plane ride creating them. Just think of where you want to go, crush the marble and it will take you there instantly" She said.

I took the marble from her hand.

"Give your family my regards" Malcolm said, smiling at me.

I did exactly as Sonja told me. I thought of home and crushed the marble between my fingers. The world turned red for a second before it faded back to it's natural color. I was standing in front of our house, looking at the door. I turned the handle and went inside.

"I'm home!" I called out.

"Johan!" I heard Gregory call out in excitement somewhere in the house.

He then came running down the stairs and flung himself into my arms and threw his legs around my waist. I chuckled at the little monster. He smiled very widely.

"I missed you so very much" He said in a baby like voice.

I kissed his little lips.

"The hero returns" Marisol said, smiling at me.

"I see my sidekick survived" I said, smiling a teasing smile at her.

She frowned at my comment.

"I am no one's sidekick" She said, crossing her arms.

I put Gregory down on his feet and he whimpered in disappointment.

"Where is our newest vampire?" I asked.

"She's still down stairs in the basement" Gregory said, taking my hand and pulling me towards the kitchen.

Tabitha just came out of the basement when we entered.