Rekindled Hope

"Hey Mom, I'm gonna go read in the park."

"Are you sure? We just got here and..."

"Yeah I'm sure. Besides, it'll look weird if I just stay inside all day, right?"

"Well... Alright, but be careful."

"I will, Mom."

"And don't forget your scarf!"

Vivianna rolled her eyes as she adjusted the scarf over her face before heading out. It was a bright and sunny day and she hated wearing it, but she knew it was better to be the weird girl with the scarf and jacket than to be the bloodsucking monster who got chased out of town. Especially when you'd only just moved in two days ago.

As luck would have it, her neighbor across the street happened to be the "Creature Catcher," Mr. Bradley. She tried to avoid him when she could, but it didn't seem to matter. He always assumed his equipment was malfunctioning when it went off around her, and she was in no hurry to correct him. Eventually he might get suspicious, but for now she just wanted to get some fresh air.

"Perfect spot! Now if only I could loosen this up a little..." The scarf was infuriating! She couldn't seem to get it just right, to where it hid her but let her breathe freely...

Ah, there it went!

"Now where were we?" She sat hidden behind a bush in one of the shady corners of the park, where no one would bother her. The book she held was a new one by her favorite author Grendal Spinx, a horror writer whose work reminded her of home. It was funny... He was always great, but this one seemed so... Realistic, like he had ACTUALLY met bog monsters and lived to tell the tale!

Nah. He must've just researched them really well.

Her peaceful reading was soon interrupted by cries of panic and the sound of many feet fleeing the scene. And beneath the screams of the humans... Something very, very familiar...

"AAAHHHH!"

"MONSTERS! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!"

"It's going to eat my BRAAAAAIIN!"

"Huh?!" Vivianna jumped up, heart racing. "Monsters? HERE?"

"Somebody call the Creature Catcher!"

Sure enough, the park was suddenly crawling with creatures of all types, from slime monsters and skeletons to werewolves and...

Was that...?

No, it couldn't have been.

Shaking her head, she squinted at the winged creature heckling a blonde kid on a skateboard. What was that guy's name again? Nermal, or something. Something with an "N."

The kid, in his panic, wound up running into the base of the park fountain, which effectively catapulted him into the water. With a delighted cackle, the vampire transformed and bared his fangs menacingly at the humans nearby. Without thinking, Vivianna dropped to her knees out off his sight. Part of her wanted to call out, to see if it was him, because it couldn't possibly be him, could it? But her throat was dry and she felt faint. Her heart nearly leapt out of her chest when she felt a hand fall gently on her back and a soft voice ask,

"Are you okay?"

She gasped and looked up into a pair of warm blue eyes. Her mouth opened to reply, but nothing came out. She could see clearly through the creature's disguise: a blue hoodie did nothing to change the fact that he was transparent. But the people of this town hadn't shown themselves to be very observant anyway, so she guessed it worked for him here. When she didn't respond, the ghost smiled reassuringly.

"Hi. I'm Casper."

"V... V... Vi-"

"CASPER!"

They both jumped, and Vivi clutched her heart and winced. She swore she'd bruise the inside of her ribcage if she kept this up!

"...Vivi. Vivian-" She stopped. The ghost was gone. She pushed part of the bush aside and peered through to see him out of his disguise and talking to gargoyle who was gesticulating angrily. The ghost nodded sheepishly, glanced in her direction, smiled nervously when they made eye contact, and waved when the gargoyle's back was turned. Then he was gone, and Vivianna scrambled away on her hands and knees, afraid to be seen.

Why? Wouldn't it be a GOOD thing if they saw her?

She shook her head, and it wasn't until she tumbled through her own front door that she realized she'd left her book behind. No matter. It was perfectly justifiable to have fled from those creatures. But... If she went back, she might run into...

It probably wasn't even him. And if it was, what're you running for? What a pansy.

After mentally telling herself to shut up, she pulled the hood of her jacket over her head and ran for the park. Luckily she managed to sneak past the few remaining creatures, dive for her book, and abscond before anyone knew she was there.

Like a freaking ninja.

And the rest of that Saturday afternoon was spent huddled in her closet, trying not to hyperventilate and scolding herself for freezing up when she should have said something.

"...I should've saved the casserole for tomorrow night and made the meat loaf instead. Is everything alright, dear? You burst in here earlier like those hunters were on your tail again, and nearly gave me a heart attack!"

"Sorry, Mom. I left my book in the park, and... Yeah..."

"I heard there were creatures at the park earlier. Did you talk to any of them?"

"No. Well... Yes, but, I don't think he knew. He was dressed like a human, and he seemed pretty friendly." She shoved another forkful of casserole into her mouth to avoid saying anything else about... Him.

Should I tell her?

What if I'm wrong?

"Something wrong, dear?"

"No, no, I'm just... I... I still miss them. And I miss him."

Bethel eyed her daughter knowingly, but didn't push her any further.

"Take a warm bath then, and I'll take care of things here. We'll talk in the morning."

Vivi nodded gratefully, and slipped into the bathroom.

After her shower, Bethel tucked her into bed and kissed her forehead. But the moment she was gone Vivi reached under her pillow and pulled out a picture frame containing a "family" portrait. Her parents stood beside his, and there they were in the front, side by side. They looked awkward from being forced to stand still in those stiff, fancy clothes, but the memory was a fun one nonetheless.

...Well, for them anyway. Not for the artist.

I'm gonna stake your little feet to this lawn if you don't stand still!

Stifling a giggle, she smiled sadly and kissed his image in the picture. A permanent smudge stained the glass over his face from years of Chap Stick lips touching the spot, but it was a nightly ritual and she couldn't sleep without it. It was her only way of wishing him luck and safety from where she was, and it comforted her. With a sigh she tucked the portrait away again and closed her eyes. Sleep engulfed her almost immediately.

I'll find you some day. I promise.