Cessian, Gregor, and Viktor arrived back at Silas's house.
"When was the master supposed to arrive?" Gregor asked as he walked towards the front door.
It went quiet.
"The master didn't appoint a time." Viktor said as he unlocked the door.
Cessian walked in, but as Gregor was about to walk in, Viktor stopped him.
"You're not bringing it inside."
Gregor was confused, but then he saw where Victor was looking.
James.
Covered in dried saliva, dirt, and all kinds of grime.
It was understandable that he didn't want this thing inside, Gregor didn't want to bring it inside either.
What would the master say?
Viktor and Gregor looked at each other for a second, then Viktor's eyes lit up.
"I got an idea, wait here."
Viktor ran off towards the garage, he returned a few minutes later with a plastic tarp.
He laid out the tarp on the ground and told Gregor to lay down James in the middle.
Then he wrapped the tarp around him, not leaving a single opening.
It was air tight.
After using a few ropes to secure the whole thing, he told Gregor to bring it inside.
Cessian was already sitting on the couch inside.
He watched Gregor throw down the tarp in the middle of the livingroom, and as it hit the floor it made a grunting sound.
Cessian felt his lips twitch.
"Is that… James?"
Gregor stretched.
"Yeah."
Viktor walked in behind him and glanced at him with a look of disgust.
"You've carried that disgusting thing, go wash off or I'll wrap you in a tarp aswell."
Gregor rolled his eyes, and mouthed what Viktor said as he walked upstairs.
Viktor gritted his teeth, but then smiled.
"The shower is not up there, that's only the master's shower. Are you going to use that?"
Gregor stopped in the middle of the stairs, then turned around and walked down.
Seeing him like this Viktor indulged.
"The shower is through there, and down to the right." He said and pointed towards the corridor.
Gregor ignored him and walked out.
Viktor grinned and sat down beside Cessian.
Cessian shook his head and refocused on the tv.
James who was laying wrapped up in the tarp heard their conversation and felt that even hell couldn't be worse than this.
The saliva was causing his entire body to itch, but he couldn't move.
Or to be more exact, he didn't dare. What if they thought he was trying to escape? And then they tortured him even more?
Just the thought sent chills down his spine.
Also… a vague smell was starting to ooze from him.
The half dried saliva, dirt, and other mysterious things mixed together couldn't smell good.
Back at the Cullen house.
Silas had just finished eating when Carlisle walked in.
"Silas, are you staying for the night?"
Silas looked over towards the entrance and smiled.
"Yes."
A relieved smile spread across Carlisle's face.
"That's good, in case those three return, and so you don't get ambushed."
Silas nodded.
Then he thought of something.
"Didn't you call for reinforcements? When we were supposed to meet James and Victoria, and the three?"
Carlisle hummed.
"I did, but I later called them up and said that they didn't need to come."
Silas put on a confused expression.
"Why?"
Carlisle walked up and sat down next to him.
"If all of them came before, I thought that with the overwhelming numbers, no one would die."
He paused.
"But with these three… we might win, but I don't think we can win, and everyone survives."
Silas pursed his lips.
"You thought it was harmless before, but now you fear that they might actually have to make a sacrifice?"
Carlisle lowered his head.
"Yes."
A quiet spread across the dining room.
Carlisle tapped the table and stood up.
"We're all gathering in the living room to play some card games, come and join us."
He started to walk out.
"The more the merrier."
Silas narrowed his eyes and turned to look at Alice.
To be honest. He couldn't agree.
Maybe he was too ruthless, but to ensure the survival of his own, what does others' sacrifices matter?
How can acquaintances' mates and family be more important than your own?
Of course, the precarious situation only exists inside the Cullen's heads.
With him here, there would never be a true precarious situation.
But if it were to pass… he would never sacrifice his own so others could live well.
Alice reached out and grabbed his arm.
"Help me carry the dishes, and then we can go and play cards."
Silas smiled.
"Sure."
One hundred and fifty kilometers east-southeast of Forks.
Roughly 30 minutes after her escape from Gregor.
Victoria was making her way through the forest.
"Damn, damn, damn, what whould I do?"
He mumbled under her breath.
She had to save James, or at least avenge him.
She wasn't naive enough to believe that they would just keep him around.
He… he might be dead by now.
The idea pained her, but what hurt even more was the thought of his murderers living, and being happy.
The very idea of them laughing infuriated her.
She had to kill them! Had to!
A minute later she arrived outside Seattle.
She had to hide, make a plan for revenge!
There was no way she could rest if they were alive and happy out there.
The Cullens, the three ancient vampires, their elusive master.
They all had to pay!
Back at Silas's house.
Gregor and Cessian had just discovered that Viktor liked to watch bad reality shows and were making fun of him.
"Hahaha, you actually like this crap!? Does the master know?" Gregor laughed.
Cessian was much more discreet.
"You've got quite peculiar tastes."
Their laughter echoed throughout the house, painting a warm atmosphere.
Back at the Cullen house.
"Boom! Straight flush! I win!" Silas said and threw his cards on the table.
The Cullens started at them intently.
"How! How did you win again!? That's three times in a row?" Ella exclaimed.
The other Cullens shared her mentality.
The way they were looking at Silas changed, now full of suspicion.
Was he cheating? No, not was. How was he cheating!?
Silas just smiled.
"Hand me the chips."
Jasper reluctantly pushed the pile towards Silas.
The pile in front of Silas painted a picture of monopoly.
Nearly the entire case of chips was in front of him, ninety percent of the economy was in his hands, how were they supposed to play?
Emmett saw this and started to laugh.
"Now it's finally not me losing, but you lot!"
The laughter was contagious and soon everyone was laughing.
"Let's start over." Esme proposed.
Silas shrugged his shoulders.
"Fine by me."
He pushed his chips towards the middle and everyone started to sort them out for the next game.
The atmosphere here was also very wholesome.
The only one's suffering were James and Victoria.
One was wrapped in tarp, and swimming in dog saliva.
The other was licking their wounds, scheming.
Would the snakes take their chance, and if so, would they farmers be ready?
...
Another chapter! Thanks for your patience.
Enjoy. Mwah~
CHAPTER END.