Dead & Lost: Final Return To Freedom

The Stalker

When Asher woke up, Josiah came downstairs to Rosie, who was making soup for Asher in the kitchen.

"Rosie! He's awake. You should better take the soup to him and stay by his side till everyone comes back. I am going to steal the blood bags". He instructed.

"How will I take care of him alone?". Rosie said.

"Oh come on! He's a guy! Your objections were meaningful if you were asked to take care of ETHAN! He's a simple human who has a high fever and fatigue... furthermore, if you would spend more time with him, the more fast he'll forgive you". Josiah laughed.

"Forgive Me?_ for what?". Rosie asked.

"For breaking his heart". Josiah replied. "You shouldn't hurt the people who care for you because they can even die for you". He told. "What do you think?".

Rosie stood motionless for a while.

"Hey Girl!". Josiah waved hand in front of her eyes.

Rosie shook her head. "I'll take care of him.. Don't Worry". She said and poured the soup in a bowl.

"Hmm". Josiah smiled. "Goodbye then".

Rosie nodded. "Take Care". She said slowly.

Josiah left. Rosie went to lock the door and came back to the kitchen. She placed the bowl on the tray and went upstairs to Asher's room.

Rosie knocked slowly on the room door.

"Come in". Asher said slowly.

Rosie stepped in. "Soup". She placed the tray on the bed side table.

"Thanks Rosie". Asher said roughly.

"My pleasure". Rosie smiled. "How are you feeling now?".

Asher sat up straight. "I'm feeling like if I'm melting down".

"You should better have some soup. It will give you strength". Rosie took the tray and placed it on Asher's lap. "Here".

Asher took a sip and suddenly, coughed it out. "Goodness". He rubbed his chest.

"Is it hot?". Rosie asked.

"No. A bit spicy. I don't like spices". Asher replied.

"I'm sorry! I'll make another one for you". Rosie was about to go when Asher stopped her by grabbing her wrist. "Wait! It's okay, you don't need to do it over again".

Asher was talking roughly. Rosie noticed it but she was unable to say anything.

"I'm sorry for being so rude". She said.

"It's okay". Asher said looking down at his hands. "You don't need to apologize for anything. I was at fault. I shouldn't have talked to you with such frankness. Pardon Me". He continued.

"No! Asher- I was upset because of Alexa and frightened from the Vampires. That's why I got a bit rude. I'm sorry, I've hurt you-". Rosie was cut off by Asher.

"I need to sleep. Can you please turn the lights off? And yes... Take this soup with you as well. My stomach's burning already". He interrupted.

Rosie stood staring at him. Tears dripped down on her chubby cheeks.

"Alright". She said in a low voice and took the tray from Asher's lap.

"Sleep tight". She whispered and went out of the room.

Along with Ryan, and Michael, Jaxon and Henry descended from the cellar.

"How are you people going to combat the Monsters?" Jaxon pulled William's hand to assist him in exiting the cellar as William questioned.

"The task is Ethan's. Whatever he says, we'll follow". Jaxon answered.

"Will you kill them all?" Michael enquired as he wiped the mud from his clothing.

"No Michael... Only the Romanian Monsters," Jaxon gave a head shake. "And keep in mind that Romania is home to the majority of the world's monsters. The primary issue is that Romania is OUR. This land cannot be given to them. They arrived here and settled as soon as Ethan vanished. We have to eject them. Romania is our home, not theirs".

"Hmm". William nodded.

Ryan trembled. "Let's go. This area gives me the chills ".

"Fine". Henry said. "Hoia-Baciu is lovely. Isn't it?". He took in his surroundings' strange trees.

It is "Wildly Beautiful." Henry's statements had a correction made by Michael.

Henry chuckled aloud.

"Let's leave." said Jaxon. "Will you guys walk all the way home? Josiah drove away ". He queried.

"Indeed, why not?". William nodded.

"No need bro". Josiah came holding keys in his hands.

"You're here". Jaxon moved towards him. "He's dying for blood".

"I arrived on time". Josiah said childishly.

Jaxon smiled and snatched the keys.

"How's Asher?". Ryan asked.

"Quite good. Rosie brought some pills for his fever". Josiah replied. "Before coming back, I'll prepare a potion for his fatigue".

"Sure. God bless you". Henry patted on Josiah's chest.

"Let's go". Jaxon said. "It's about to rain".

Rosie was pacing the lawn, waiting for everyone. She heard a sound coming from Asher's. She turned to face the window in his room. It was completely open.

Without taking a breath, she ran. She panicked and rushed as fast as she could till she reached Asher's room.

She opened the room door with all her might.

Asher looked up. He was sitting on his bed with a puppy on his lap.

"Are you okay?". She said. Her heart was racing.

Asher ignored her question and said: "Meet Rubble. My cute little pup". He combed the pup's hairs.

Rosie looked down and took a long breath. She nodded.

"Why are you standing over there? Come here, shake hands with Rubble. He loves guests". Asher said.

"I'm allergic". Rosie denied.

"To Me?". Asher became angry.

"No... Dogs". Rosie condemned.

"Go away then.. Rubble hates you from now on because you didn't shake hands". Asher looked away.

"A-Alright...". Rosie moved to Asher and shaked hands with Rubble. Suddenly, she sneezed.

She closed her eyes for a while with her hands on her mouth.

As she opened her eyes, Asher was holding a tissue paper in his hand. "Take it". He smiled devilishly.

Rosie took it reluctantly. She wiped her nose when:

"Hahaha!". Asher laughed out loud.

"W-What?". Rosie asked.

Asher didn't replied and kept on laughing. He looked into her beady eyes and smirked like a devil.

Asher suddenly sat up from the bed which scared the hell out of Rosie. She ran out of the room.

Rosie ran downstairs where she bumped into Jaxon.

"Hey! Hey!". Jaxon grabbed her arm when she was about to fall.

"Rosie! Are you okay?". William asked.

Rosie looked up to everyone.

The guys came back from the forest.

Rosie swallowed and bursted into tears.

"Rosie...". William moved to his sister. "What happened?".

Rosie was unable to say anything. Her breath stuck.

"Bring some water". Jaxon ordered.

Ryan ran to the kitchen to fetch some water for Rosie.

After a while, when Rosie caught her breath back, she talked to her brother.

"He scared me! I wanna go home". She cried.

"Who?". William asked.

"She's talkin' about Asher". Jaxon told.

"What do you mean?".

"His gaze was so scaring. He laughed like a devil... I wanna go back home Bro.. please". Rosie insisted.

"Rosie calm down. I'll talk to Asher". Ryan said and ran upstairs to Asher.

"Bro! Are you crazy? What did you do? She's so scared!". Ryan said as soon as he opened the door.

Asher looked at him with curiosity. "Who are you talkin' about?". He asked.

"Rosie". Ryan replied, leaving the door knob and stepping in.

"What happened_ to her?". Asher asked.

"She complained her brother about your behavior". Ryan said.

"What?". Asher laughed. "Behavior? But I didn't do anything! Trust me".

"You scared her by your laughter which used to scare me as well". Ryan said in a strong voice.

"I_didn't meant that... I didn't wanted to scare her". Asher lied.

"But you did it!". Ryan exclaimed.

"Where's she right now?". Asher asked.

"She's downstairs, drowned in tears". Ryan said.

"I don't care... She pissed me off. I'm avenging myself; 'cause you know, I hate forgiving". Asher smirked.

Ryan stood expressionless. "You're taking Revenge from a GIRL? Unbelievable". He took some steps backwards and went away.

For Asher's suffering, Josiah made a potion. He gave it to Asher after bringing it back to his house. Asher was doing fine.As for the scars, they won't disappear.

In the night, Jaxon, Josiah amd Henry left, telling William that when the right time arrived, they'll send them to collect Ethan's powers.

Everyone went to sleep.

Late at night:

Rosie pretended to have a headache while locking herself in her room.

She was observing herself in the bathroom mirror while standing there. She recalled their chat in the woods with Asher.

"Well, I didn't say anything particularly bad". She made a shrug.

She walked downstairs in search of water because she was thirsty when all of a sudden, the lights went out. She walked slowly while scanning the hallway.

"Coming downstairs right now was inappropriate." She told herself.

She finally walked into the kitchen.

Moonlight entered the kitchen through the window. To simply search the kitchen for everything, that moonlight was plenty.

She drained a glass of water from the water bottle and drank it all at once. When she noticed someone, she turned around after setting the glass on the shelf. To stop Rosie from upsetting William and Michael with her scream, the "SOMEONE" placed a hand over her lips. "Shh!". He spoke quietly next to Rosie's ear.

The distance between them was just one inch. The man's eyes sparkled in a moonlight ray. It was Asher.

"I arrived to inquire about your issue". He said, removing his hand from Rosie's mouth.

Rosie inhaled deeply and steadily. "Phew! You terrified me! ". She said angrily.

"I'm not a ghost Rosie." Asher murmured. His voice was powerful.

"What do you want?"?. Rosie queried.

"Why did you complain about me?". said Asher.

"Because you frightened me." Rosie answered.

"Oh! You were thus frightened by my gaze! ". Asher chuckled gradually.

"No... I was terrified by your actions." said Rosie.

"And your conduct HURT me." Asher grew grave.

"Asher, I didn't say anything inappropriate". told Rosie.

"You have! You detest me ". Asher muttered with despair.

"I do, indeed". Rosie took a straight stance. "What are you able to do? I even said sorry ".

"I don't think you shouldn't apologise! I avenge myself ". Asher clutched Rosie waist.

"Revenge?". said Rosie. But you said everything's ok!".

"I don't forgive anyone else, except for you". Asher spoke and stepped away from her waist. "I'm sorry for the way I acted and the idiotic thing I asked in the forest".

After giving her a long look, Asher left the kitchen.

Without blinking, Rosie stood in the kitchen and stared at the door.

The vampires returned to the forest. Ethan was shouting loudly. Henry tried putting corks in his ears, but nothing happened. "Goodness!". He sobbed.

Jaxon was gazing down at the surface. He stood up while still holding his fist. "I was away for all those years because of this! I can't bare his screams". Looking at Josiah, he remarked.

Josiah was softly massaging his chin with his hands. He inhaled deeply before standing up and adjusting his collar. "We ought to visit them as soon as we can. Enough already! Even death is impossible for him. What sort of penalty IS THIS? 75 years have passed; how long will this take? ". He spoke greatly.

"Fletcher will free him soon". Jaxon said.

"Look AT him! Oh dear". Henry weeped.

"I guess we should better send them to the flea market tomorrow morning". Jaxon bit his nails.

"And what about the museum? And the Research Centre?". Josiah asked. "How will we find the girl?".

"We have to make a plan before sending them to the Research Centre. You know VERY WELL that I have personal issues with The Hawleys. I want to ruin them I'll burn the research centre". Jaxon replied. "And as for Alexa, we are sure that she is with the Monsters".

"How?". Henry asked.

"When you weren't here, Asher's neighbor told us that Alexa was playing with a ball which had a strange creature inside it". Josiah told Henry.

"You mean the Chenvan? ". Henry said.

"Yep". Josiah nodded.

"The secret weapon which takes over the person's body". Jaxon added.

"Her brain was working but her body wasn't... She's too young but she's intelligent! She threw the pendant and her shoe on the way so that her father comes to know where she went and how she disappeared". Josiah told.

"Oh I got it". Henry smiled thinking about Alexa's intelligence. "How old is she?".

"10 years". Jaxon replied.

"Wow!". Henry said. "She really IS intelligent".

"Let's wait for the sunrise". Josiah rubbed his hands together.

Rosie made her bed and laid down. She was about to close her eyes when she saw someone near the room's window. The person kneeled down.

"What the_?". She said in her heart. "Am I being stalked?".

She stood up slowly. Her hands were shivering. "Oh God! What now?". She sat down beside the bed and picked up her phone. She dialled a number.

"Do you know what time is it when you're calling me?". Asher spoke from the other side as soon as he picked the call up.

"What do you think you are doing?". Rosie said in a low voice. "Shame on you Asher. How can you stalk a girl?".

"What are you talking about?". Asher was confused.

"You were here at my window a few seconds ago". Rosie told.

"No way! I am in the bathroom, taking a shower". Asher said.

"Then who was it outside my window?". Rosie asked.

"What? Are you saying that you're being stalked?". Asher became worried.

"I don't know but I'm sure I saw someone. I'm not lying". Rosie started sobbing.

"Alright don't panic. Take a deep breath and hide. I'll have a look". Asher replied and hung the call up.

Rosie looked up at the window,there was still someone standing. "Jesus Christ". She whispered.

Jaxon, Josiah, and Henry were playing poker when Josiah raised his ears and Jaxon looked up at him.

"Something's wrong?". Henry asked looking curiously at both of them.

"No no no!". Josiah stood up. "We can't afford getting stalked". He cried.

"Rosie's being stalked". Jaxon told Henry. "She's too afraid. Let's go". He said.

Three Vampires left the cellar and ran towards the city.

Asher slowly opened the door of his house. He narrowed his glance to see clearly.

"Ryan". Asher said. "Ryan can help".

He ran to Ryan's room and woke him up.

"Wake up Ryan". He shaked Ryan violently.

"What is it?". Ryan asked lazily, still keeping his eyes closed.

"Wake up I need your help". Asher asked.

"What?". Ryan sat up. "Did pooped your pants? I'll not help you clean the mess you created on the bed".

"Very funny. But let me tell you, it's not the time to joke. Someone's stalking over Rosie". Asher said.

Ryan's sleep ran away. His eyes widened. "Yo what?".

"I need your help. He's stalking her, you'll stalk him". Asher replied.

"Great. I was missing it". Ryan got up from the bed and wore his shirt.

They arrived downstairs and looked through the window. The street lights were off and there was darkness everywhere. "You always think about her". Ryan chuckled.

"Shut up! She called me thinking that I was the one who was stalking her". Asher said.

"What?". Ryan bursted into laughter.

"Ryan! It's not funny. She'll be dying inside!Help me otherwise I'll go out on my own. I want to reach her asap". Asher was worried for Rosie.

"Don't worry". Ryan said. He turned off all the lights of the lamps in the lounge and got out in the lawn from the back door.

"Gimme your pistol. In case I need it". Ryan said to Asher.

Asher nodded and opened the drawer of a small table resting beside the backdoor. "Here". He handed it over to Ryan. "Be careful".

"Sure". Ryan pulled the trigger. "Inform William and Michael but tell them not to worry. The Baddest Ryan has got this". He said and went away quietly.

Asher stood at the window, spectating everything. He called William and Michael. They were alert now.

He dialled Rosie's number. "Rosie". He said.

"I'm too afraid Asher! He's still there". Rosie cried . Her voice was too low.

"Don't worry. Ryan's on his way to help you. Your brother's alert as well. As soon as you hear commotion, grab that vase which is resting on the corner of the room and smash it into the stalker's head. Vampires will be here soon". Asher instructed and hung the call up when he heard the first bullet fire.

"C'mon Ryan you can do it". Asher shouted and came out of the house. The stalker was injured. "Rosie!". Asher signaled Rosie to drop the vase.

Rosie opened the window and threw the vase on stalker's head who was getting up after being fired. The vase smashed his head and he fell unconscious.

Rosie heard a knock on her door. "My dear. Open up". It was William.

She ran to open the door and hugged her brother tightly. "I was so scared". She cried.

"It's alright". William rubbed her back and kissed on her forehead. "you're safe now". He smiled.

Meanwhile, the Vampires arrived.

William, Michael and Rosie heard them out side so they headed out.

"Wow". Josiah applauded. "Nice shot Ryan".

"You people sorted it out before we arrived!". Jaxon was impressed.

"Yeah. You people are quite intelligent! And look at you Asher. He's standing as like if something never happened to him in the woods". Henry giggled.

Asher grinned. He held the torchlight firmly, eager to see who the stalker was.

Rosie came out with William and Michael.

"You alright Rosie?". Jaxon moved at her.

"Yes". Rosie nodded. "Thanks to Asher. He helped me a lot". She said looking at Asher. But Asher pretended to be still angry at her so he didn't replied.

"Hmm. Brave guy". Josiah gave Asher a back pat. "You proved to be valiant again".

"Thank you Josiah". Asher smiled.

"Let's see who this stalker is". Jaxon said and grabbed the torchlight from Asher, focusing it on the guy lying on the cold ground.

"What? No way!". Josiah exclaimed in surprise as he saw who it was.

"Do you know him?". William asked.

"It's stefan. Josiah's enemy". Jaxon replied.

"His stalking is connected to Josiah". Henry said.

"Is he a monster?". Michael asked.

"Yeah". Josiah nodded.

"What really happened?". Jaxon stood up facing Josiah.

"I don't know! I didn't saw him for some weeks". Josiah shrugged.

"But he followed Rosie because of you". Jaxon said.

"Maybe he knew that Rosie is somehow-". Michael was interrupted by Henry.

"Connected to Josiah? Yeah". Henry nodded. "He tried to use Rosie to find Josiah".

"How did it happen?". Ryan asked.

"I know". Josiah said. "When Rosie went to the pharmacy to get the medicine for Asher, he might have saw her there".

Asher was astonished to hear that Rosie went to the pharmacy to get medicine for him on her own.

Rosie's eyes widened. "I got it! You called me to tell me that you have to go back to the forest to feed Ethan with Blood. Maybe he was there in the pharmacy and might have heard me saying your name". She told. "I'm sorry. I just forgot that you're a Vampire and that you are at enemity with the monsters". She looked down.

"No! It's alright Okay? You shouldn't blame yourself. Because of you, I will finally get rid of him". Josiah smiled.

"But he may have ruined our plans to save Ethan". Rosie was feeling guilty.

"It's okay!". Jaxon said and turned to Henry. "Carry him to my home". He ordered.

"Your home? You have a home as well?". Ryan asked surprisingly.

"Yes. I'll take you there sometime". Jaxon winked and turned to go.

"Goodbye everyone. We'll see ya tomorrow". Josiah waved and three of them went away with the stalker.