Graven reappeared inside his father's study room, the old man was currently reading the newspaper.
"Father!" he said.
Sir Nicholas looked at his son. "What's wrong, son?" he asked. In the early days when Graven pulled this kind of stunt appearing and disappearing in front of him in the blink of an eye, he always had a fright but through the years he already got used to it. But under normal days, his son always uses the door... unless there's an emergency going on.
"Father you have to watch this!" he said. He waved his hand at the wall, and seconds later, the massacre in the village caused by the vampire bats played like a movie in front of them.
Sir Nicholas watched the bloody scene in shock and horror. "I got it! How much time do we have?" he asked calmly.
"Father, the bats may attack the town anytime. They might be already heading this way, better be safe than sorry," he said.
Sir Nicholas nodded his head. "Okay. I'll gather everyone including the servants, we will hide in the basement," he said. The basement below the mansion was equipped with a food supply that can last up to one month and it also had bunk-style rooms that can accommodate up to 50 people.
"Okay, please do that, Father!" Graven said.
Then Sir Nicholas remembered Sarah and his grandchildren. "Son, how about Sarah and the kids?" he asked worriedly.
"Don't worry about them, Father. I will go there right now and bring them here!" he said.
"Okay, son! Hurry up!" Sir Nicholas said feeling worried about his grandchildren.
A few seconds later, Graven disappeared from the study room.
He reappeared outside Rebecca's room and knocked on the door. No one answered, she might be in Laura's room.
He went to Laura's room and knocked on the door.
Rebecca opened the door. "Graven..."
"Girls, we have an emergency!" Graven said and entered the room. He looked at Laura briefly. He waved his hand to the wall, and the carnage in the village played like a movie.
Laura gasped after seeing a large number of red-eye bats attacking people everywhere and there are so many of them. A few minutes later, bodies drained of blood scattered inside the houses, on the ground, and everywhere. "What's going on?" she asked Graven in a horrified voice.
"Calm down... there is nothing to worry about. This mansion is equipped with a basement that has bunk accommodation with a food supply that can last up to one month. Ladies... just go and find my father and hide with them in the basement, understand?"
The ladies nodded their heads.
Graven looked at Rebecca. "Guard them with your life!" he commanded.
"Sure!" Rebecca replied calmly.
Graven watched Laura's face for a few seconds, his gaze spoke volumes. Then he disappeared from their sight completely.
Laura glanced at Rebecca. "The bats can enter the house if they saw a hole, right?"
"Yeah...which means all the holes in this mansion should be covered immediately!" Rebecca said. She looked at Laura. "Calm yourself and find Sir Nicholas and hide with them in the basement! I will try to find all the holes in this mansion and see what can I do!" she ordered.
"Okay!" Laura went to the closet, grabbed her backpack, dumped her book, comb, toothbrush, toothpaste, pillow, some clothes, and underwear on it, she's ready to go! She exited the room followed by Rebecca.
~
Meanwhile...
Graven can be seen exiting the carriage that he rented outside the gate of Sarah's property. The guard opened the door quickly.
"Where are Sarah and the kids?" he asked.
"They're inside the house, Sir!" the guard answered.
Graven marched towards the entrance of the house and entered. He found Sarah in the living room with the children. The boy, Nicholas was playing on the floor while baby Nikka was in her crib.
"Sarah... I need to tell you something important," he said.
"Sir Graven...what is it?" Sarah asked and went to his side.
They walked away from the children.
"A village outside the town was attacked by vampire bats. These ferocious animals suck humans blood dry. The entire village was annihilated in just a few hours. I am afraid that anytime from now, the bats will find their way here in our town. My father's mansion has a basement that is safe for hiding, it is equipped with a food supply that can last up to one month. Bring only the important things with you. A carriage was already waiting outside for you and the kids. Please...hurry up!" he said.
"Oh, m...my God! Okay, I w...will gather the children!" Sarah said in a trembling voice.
"Go now, I will inform the servants so that they can go with us, no one must be left behind including the guard," Graven said and turned around going to the kitchen and the backyard.
One hour later.
Sarah and her children, the servants, and the guard were already boarding the two carriages waiting outside.
The horse-drawn carriages were now moving towards the main road heading to Sir Nicholas's mansion, as the four big bells strategically placed in the different part of the town continue ringing, echoing its important message, alerting the people of the incoming disaster.
~
Meanwhile, inside Sir Nicholas's mansion.
The servants were busy finding holes in and out of the house to make sure that no bats can enter the mansion.
Two hours later.
Everyone gathered in the living room.
Sir Nicholas addressed them. "Let's go now inside the basement!" he said. He looked at Cooper.
"Don't worry, Father, I'll wait for them. The moment they arrived, I will bring them to the basement immediately," Cooper said.
"Okay, son, I'll leave them in your hands!" Sir Nicholas replied. He moved towards the entrance of the basement situated near the living room.
Laura, Rebecca, and the servants were following him from behind carrying their bags.
A few minutes later, Sir Nicholas and the others entered the hidden door located behind the cabinet.
Fifteen minutes later.
Two carriages entered the gate of the mansion. Sarah and the kids finally arrived.
They exited the carriages and Graven escorted them inside the house while the servants brought their bags inside.
Cooper scooped his son in his arms and looked at Sarah holding baby Nikka in her arms. "Follow me!" he said.
Cooper moved towards the cabinet and pushed open the door of the basement. They stepped into the stairs and went down.
They finally landed on the floor of the basement.
Laura stared at the boy that Cooper was holding in his arms, her eyes landed at the face of the pretty woman that is holding a baby girl in her arms. Something tells her that Cooper and the woman had a relationship and they were carrying their children in their arms.
Laura and Cooper locked eyes. He tore his gaze apologetically away from her.
The boy looked at Sir Nicholas. "Grandpa!" the boy shouted.
The smiling Sir Nicholas went to the boy and took him in his arms. "How are you, grandson?"
"I'm fine, I miss you!" the boy said.
Sir Nicholas laughed happily. "I miss you too!"
The happy scene confirmed Laura's suspicion.
Cooper immediately brought the woman and her baby inside the room that can accommodate four people.
Laura went back to the room that she and Rebecca shared. It only has two beds, a small cabinet and nothing else. She sat on the bed and arranged her blanket, her book, her comb as well her clothes and other stuff inside the cabinet mounted on the wall.
Rebecca entered the room and sat beside Laura on the bed. "That was surprising!" she commented of what she saw outside. She looked at the silent woman beside her. "Are you okay?" she asked her.
Laura sighed. "I know what you mean. Cooper has a hidden family..." she said.
"I think... based on the children's age... they were conceived before you came into Cooper's life. They were his hidden family and now that the town is in danger they were brought here to hide in the basement with us," Rebecca declared her theory.
Laura nodded her head. "Yeah, that what also comes up in my mind the moment I laid my eyes on them," she agreed.
"How is your heart?" Rebecca asked about her true feelings regarding the whole situation.
Laura shrugged. "I'm happy for them!"
"Really-?" Rebecca raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah... anyways... I don't love Cooper and I'm going home soon. No need to feel sad for the happy couple. I'm glad that after leaving Cooper he has his family to turn to and comfort him," Laura said.
"Good! I like your attitude. This case is closed!" Rebecca said with a grin and lie on the bed.
A few minutes later there was a knock on the door.
Rebecca got up from the bed and opened the door. "Cooper..."
"Can I talk with Laura for a moment?" he asked.
"Sure!" Rebecca replied with a smile and left the room.
Cooper closed the door and sat on the bed facing Laura. "I'm sorry that I didn't tell you about Sarah and my kids. I feared that you won't marry me after you learn of their existence," he said apologetically.
Laura sighed. "Honestly, I have no problem with your hidden family. You already have them in your life before I meet you. Their existence is no big deal to me," she responded calmly.
"Are you sure?" Cooper asked in surprise. He was expecting Laura to get angry at him but he found no trace of anger and sadness in her eyes which astounded and at the same time bothered him.
"Anything else? Can you please go out now, I'm going to take a nap," she requested politely.
"Sure! Thank you for being understanding, my dear. I'll take my leave now," Cooper stood up and left the room.
Outside the door, Sir Nicholas was waiting for his son to come out. "How is it, son?" he asked, wanting to know if Cooper and Laura's conversation went well.
"She's not angry, Father. She understood my situation completely," Cooper answered with a smile.
"Good! I'm happy to know that," Sir Nicholas beamed.
They retired into their respective room to rest.
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