Dead & Lost: Final Return To Freedom

Monsters? For Real?

Michael was sipping his coffee while standing on the balcony. The door was pounded by William and Rosie.

"Come on in". Michael permitted and went into the room, placing the coffee cup on the table resting beside the bed.

"Hey". Rosie grinned.

"H-hi". Michael was perplexed to see them both. "Is everything okay?". He queried.

"Y-yeah". William had a peek at Rosie. "Why do you think that way?". He spoke looking back at Michael

"It's fairly late at night, that's why". Michael continued. "You may take a seat.

"We knew you'll be up". Together with her brother, Rosie sat on the couch.

"I couldn't fall asleep". Michael uttered.

"Nobody is able to fall asleep. Even Ryan and Asher ". William lowered his head and cried. "I am solely to blame for this. I should have picked a different city ". He added.

'No, no, no' Michael gave a headshake. "Please don't put the blame on yourself. Everything that occurs,does so for the best. That is my opinion".

"Yes, but you forewarned me before we arrived. I should have heeded your advice ". William uttered

"It's okay,alright?We'll shortly locate Alexa ". Michael consoled.

"God-Willing". Rosie gave her brother a back pat while grinning at Michael.

William blew a sigh. "yes". he said gradually.

Silence prevailed for a while.

"Umm.. what about forgetting everything and playing parchisi?". Rosie said.

"Yeah! That's what we used to do when we performed bad in exams". Michael chuckled.

"But we don't have the board". William objected.

"I brought it with me. Wait a minute". Rosie said and went out to bring the Parchisi Board.

Someone rapped on the door in the morning. Asher got out of bed and went to investigate. He let the door open. Arriving were Josiah and Jaxon.

"Hey Jaxon! It's you ". He grinned.

Asher was thoroughly examined by Jaxon and Josiah. "You were still dozing off". said Jaxon. "Right?"

"Uh, yes, I was," Asher guffawed.

"Extend an embrace. We've become pals ". Asher received a bear embrace from Jaxon once he drew nearer.

"Whoa! Jax, you are so resilient!". When Asher touched Jaxon's powerful body, he was taken aback.

"Certainly, I am". Jaxon grinned.

Asher then moved over to embrace Josiah.

"Nice scent, Josiah". Asher remarked.

"You desire it?". Josiah enquired.

"No, I mean, it's good, but I think it's kinda WILD". Asher answered.

"Aww! If so, stay away from me since I'm wild. Josiah chuckled.

Asher led them to the living room. "Please take a seat."He spoke. Josiah and Jaxon took seats on the couch. Where is your beloved younger brother?". Jaxon enquired.

"He's in his room. I'll call him. Excuse me". Asher grinned before calling Ryan from upstairs.

"Haha!". Josiah laughed out loud. He believes it to be a perfume odour_ So sad. The aroma is that of BLOOD". He laughed.

"Hey! Talk slowly. He'll hear you". Jaxon mumbled.

"No, he went upstairs. His breath is audible to me". Josiah condemned.

"Have you given the blood bags away?" Jaxon enquired.

"Yep. Prior to Time". Josiah nodded.

"Did he said something?". Jaxon asked.

"No. Jax, he is in excruciating pain. Help him, please. I can't bare his screams". Josiah remarked.

"Not to worry. It's about to end ". Jaxon gave Josiah a shoulder pat.

Ryan arrived downstairs following his brother and met the men.

"Please give the others a call as well".

"Excuse me." Asher said and then went outside to call William, Rosie, and Michael

After some time, Asher returned. "They are having breakfast". He informed the men.

"Alright".Josiah nodded. "Asher, tell me a bit about yourself. What do you do?". Cross-legged, he sat

"I'm Asher Stewards. I am a Cardiologist in a hospital here". Asher introduced himself.

"Which hospital?". Josiah raised his ears.

"Nicolae Stăncioiu Heart Institute". Asher replied.

"Oh so nice!". Josiah exclaimed happily. "You can help me in Stealing the Blood Bags".

"What?". Ryan was confused.

"Stealing the Blood Bags?". Asher asked.

Josiah's happiness faded away. He swallowed and looked at Jaxon helplessly who was starring at him.

"He means DELIVERING the Blood Bags not STEALING. Actually, we are living in Romania for a long time. That's why his English vocabulary is a bit weak". Jaxon slapped on Josiah's neck.

"Still, Delivering the Blood Bags? To whom?". Asher asked again

"To some Thalassemia patients_ at their homes". Jaxon instantly replied

"But that's illegal!". Asher objected.

"They're kinda _ registered my pal". Jaxon shrugged with a laugh on his face.

William, Rosie and Michael arrived after a while and took Jaxon and Josiah to the place where Asher found Alexa's pendent.

"This place is a few kilometers away from Hoia-Baciu". Josiah estimated.

"We found Alexa's shoe at the foot of the forest".

"Who saw her the last time?". Jaxon inquired.

"Me". Rosie replied.

"What was she doing?". Jaxon re-asked.

"She was playing outside with her doll. I also told her not to go far".

"Did she responded?".

(Rosie looked at William and Asher)

"Well, she didn't". She shrugged.

Jaxon looked at Josiah. In a state of anxiety, he rubbed his forehead and looked up.

"Is anything wrong?". Ryan asked.

"Once again, you'll be bothered". Jaxon's voice was soft.

"We are here for you". Michael said.

"Take us to the place where Rosie saw her last time". Josiah demanded.

The group took them back to the lawn where Alexa was playing last morning. "Alright". Jaxon sat down on his knees where Michael found the doll. "The grass is covered in blood". Michael said.

"It's not blood". Jaxon replied.

"Then what is it?". Asher asked.

"This sticky looking substance isn't blood Asher". Josiah looked up at him. Rubbing the red sticky thing in his fingers.

"One day has passed. If it was blood it would've been dried till now". Jaxon added.

"Hmm". Ryan nodded.

"Do you understand something?". William asked.

"No.. nothing right now. But if they're confirmed whom I suspect, You'll get your daughter back soon". Jaxon stood up.

"I think, the strigoi did it". Michael said. Jaxon and Josiah stared at him.

"Come on Michael! It's a Folklore". Ryan laughed.

"This place is loaded with VAMPIRES. Why don't you understand?". Michael asked.

"If Vampires did it, why do you think Alexa disappeared?". Jaxon became angry at Michael. "Listen to me, Vampires only care about Blood. They have nothing to do with the victim's body. You understand?". He shouted.

"Hey Bro! Calm down. He's just giving his opinion!". Josiah told Jaxon.

"He shouldn't give a WRONG opinion". Jaxon looked at Josiah.

Meanwhile, an old lady came to Asher and asked him what happened.

(Following conversation is translated from Romanian for convenience. This conversation was only understood by Asher, Ryan, Jaxon and Josiah).

"What happened son?". The old lady asked.

"My friend's daughter has gone missing". Asher replied.

"The little girl who was playing outside last morning. Are you talking about her?". The lady enquired.

Jaxon's eyes widened. "You saw her?"

"Yes dear. I saw her playing here when I was watering the plants".

"Do you know anything else about her?". Jaxon said.

"She was playing with a ball which had a strange creature in it". The lady's words made Jaxon more worried.

"Are you sure?". He confirmed.

"Yes I am".

"Anything else?". Ryan asked.

"No! That's all".

"Alright. Thanks for your help". Jaxon smiled at the old lady.

"My pleasure Son".

The lady left.

"Who was she?". Rosie asked

"She's our neighbour. Aunt Ana-Maria". Asher replied.

"What was she saying?". William asked.

Jaxon replied. "She gave me my confirmation".

"About What?". William asked.

"William! Your daughter is with the monsters". Jaxon said.

"MONSTERS? A Criminal Gang?". Michael wondered.

"No Michael. Real living monsters". Josiah replied. "This sticky substance is no doubt, Terry's saliva. An invisible guy. A MONSTER".

"What?". William shouted.

Everyone was surprised.

"Your daughter was playing with Terry. The ball which she had was a toy of the monster world. It's very attractive. Children find it very interesting and proves advantageous for kidnapping them". Jaxon explained.

"What will you do?". Ryan asked.

"We'll tell you soon". Jaxon looked at Josiah and smiled.

The Night Prevailed. Jaxon and Josiah left. They didn't said anything about THE MONSTERS.William was very stressed after hearing that the monsters had his daughter.

"My daughter was so innocent! Why did they took her?". He said as the group had dinner.

"God knows better bro". Ryan shrugged.

William put the fork back on the table and sighed. "I hope she's okay". He stood up and went away.

Asher chewed the meatballs slowly, looking at him going away.

"He's taking a lot of stress". Michael said

"He's a father Michael & a father becomes MEAN when it comes to his children". Asher replied.

"Hmm. Right". Ryan agreed.

"Let's wait for them to come back again. But this time, I won't let them go without knowing everything". Ryan was annoyed by Jaxon and Josiah's behavior

"I agree". Asher nodded.

Rosie was eating dinner quietly next to Michael when he turned to look at her. She caught his gaze, and Asher grinned, but then abruptly yanked her eyes away, making him feel bad.

Josiah entered a hospital by a back door where no one was able to see him. He moved into the hospital lawn and quietly passed by some workers without getting noticed. He was looking like a thief. Once he passed all the CCTV cameras inserted at the corners, he opened the door and went into the hospital building.

STAFF ROOM

Josiah went into the Staff room and put on some lab coats and goggles. He then went into the laboratory

"Buna ziua (hello) Josiah. Do it quickly". A lab technician whispered into his ears.

Josiah nodded.

The girl went out as soon as Josiah entered.

Josiah opened the door of a room where the blood samples were placed. He peeked into a cabinet and grinned.

There was a bag placed in the cabinet. He picked it up quickly and went out, closing the cabinet.

As he came out of the lab, the same girl was standing there. "Josiah! I need to tell you something". She stopped him.

"What? Say it quickly". He whispered turning to her

"I cannot help you anymore Josiah. The hospital authorities are noticing the absence of blood bags". She replied.

"Don't worry. It's the last time today. I'll search for another hospital in the city. Thanks for your help". Josiah spoke.

"You're Welcome Josiah". She smiled and went back in the lab.

Josiah looked at his wrist watch. It was 12 in the morning. New day had started; 14 October 2017.

"75 years of stealing blood bags". He smiled and headed towards the exit.

Asher was still awake. He stood in the balcony, thinking about something. Someone knocked at the door.

"C'mon in Ryan". Asher knew who it was.

Ryan opened the door slowly and came in.

"Everything alright?". Asher asked.

"Yeah". Ryan nodded. "Why are you still up?".

"I'mma bit stressed". Asher replied

"Is it serious?". Ryan enquired. "Don't tell me it's about Rosie".

"It is". Asher smiled. "How do you know?".

"Hey c'mon! I'm your brother! I know you like her". Ryan giggled. "What happened? Does she ignores you?".

"Yeah I guess". Asher nodded. "I mean, she was alright yesterday but today, she was acting weirdly".

"How can someone ignore YOU?". Ryan said

"What do you mean? I'm not Zayn Malik". Asher shook his head.

"Yeah you're not. You're more cute and handsome then him". Ryan patted on Asher's back. "She's just worried about her niece. After getting to know about the MONSTER thing, she became more stressed"

"Hmm". Asher was sad.

"Don't worry bro. Once we find Alexa, we'll work on it". Ryan laughed.

"Ok". Asher forced a fake smile. "Go get some sleep Ryan".

"Yeah sure. You should sleep too. Goodnight". Ryan said

"Goodnight". Asher replied. He looked at the sky and sighed.