Quinn loved being home. She had kind maids, a cosy bed, and good food. All she could really ask for. Rehab had been a drag. She'd been forced by Lydia to go after she overdosed on the living room floor a few months ago, in front of the old woman herself.
But the months flew by and now she was back, despite the terrible timing of her dad dying. Trust him to make it inconvenient.
Her attention was pulled back to Viktor who was making a toast in honor of Vikor. She rolled her eyes, subconsciously reaching out for a drink. She paused, realising there was none. She glared at Lydia, who'd locked up all the liquor cabinets.
"I'll miss his silly tales and exciting stories," Viktor continued, referring to when Ernest used to tell the three adventures of creatures he'd make up and the strange and exciting worlds he'd craft in his mind. She wasn't sure where the old man got his imagination from, but it always made for a good bedtime story when they were young.
There was the sound of footsteps and Ronan grumpily made his way downstairs, hands in pockets. He took a seat, refusing to look at Viktor, who'd paused mid speech. He fidgeted before grabbing the bottle Viktor had set on the table, pouring himself a drink.
Lydia and Olga had both left now, leaving just the siblings on their own.
"His imagination was wild," Viktor continued, slightly flustered. "Some stories he'd tell of magical lands far from here, where faeries and gods lived happily together. Others of monsters and vengeful creatures. Sometimes he'd make you forget they weren't real in the first place."
Suddenly, a door slammed open angrily and the three sharply turned their heads. Stood there, wrapped in a cloak was a dark figure that towered above them. The hood was too pointed and didn't shape around the head properly. Quinn couldn't quite make out the stranger's face.
Had Olga invited him in? Was he here for the funeral?
Quinn straightened up from where she'd been lying upside down on the chair. Ronan had been digging into his drinks along with Viktor having the occasional sip.
She wondered if this man drinks. He seemed like a lightweight.
"Where is Ernest?" The voice spoke. It was low and gruff, shaking the walls violently.
Viktor stepped forward from where'd he'd been relaxed on the couch. "Sorry, I don't believe we've met?" The figure barely acknowledged him. "Were you a friend of his?"
His demeanour was polite but Quinn could tell he was cautious.
"Where is he?" The voice demanded.
"He's dead, guy," Ronan responded.
"Ronan!" Viktor snapped.
"Who even are you?" Quinn asked, stumbling off the couch, making her way over to the strange man. "Did Olga invite you in? I don't know what she was thinking of inviting you in, looking like that. Why's your head so long?"
"Quinn, he might have a deformity!" Ronan pointed out, far too loud.
"Shit, are you?" Quinn turned back to the figure who hadn't spoken for a second. "Anyway, we're busy mourning our late papa so if you please…"
"He's dead?" The figure rumbled.
"Yeah," Viktor said, persistent as always. "But if you don't mind telling us who you are—?" He was interrupted.
"Are you his offspring?"
"That's not any of your-," he tried.
"Adopted actually," Ronan corrected. "But yeah."
Viktor hissed at him to shut up again.
"You will do," the figure concluded, before reaching up to his hood with long clawed hands. Too long for any normal human.
Then he released himself.
He was no human.
With long spiked horns jutting out from his head, dark scaled skin no human could have and piercing white eyes he finally looked at them. His mouth stuck out like an animal but he resembled no creature Quinn knew of. Where he'd once keen standing on two feet he now crouched down on all fours… sixes…?
His body was long and a tail curled around behind him.
As quick as sound, the creature lunged forward, tackling Viktor off his feet. He screamed in pain as the creature's claws dug in. He fumbled for his gun as Ronan rushed forward, jumping into its back, trying to pull him away.
Quinn jumped away from where she'd been standing close to this strange man… thing.
"Yeah, what's that going to do?" Viktor grunted as he fired at the beast. It had no effect. The bullets simply bounced back off.
"The hell?" Ronan grunted from behind the monster. He was quickly thrown off and hit the floor with a loud thud.
Blood quickly poured from his head.
Quinn stood still. Unsure what to do.
She wasn't in the right headspace. Nothing blended together. She tried moving her feet but it was no use.
Then it hit her like a bullet.
Not the creature but something else she couldn't see. Everything slowed down before it became completely dark. Pitch black. Only for a moment. Then colours lit up her eyes. Colours she'd never seen. Space and time moved around her simultaneously until with a jolt she was back in the room.
The sound of choking caught her attention. The monster's long talons coiled around Viktor's neck began to squeeze. Viktor wheezed in pain as he tried grabbing at the talons, but to no use.
"Pathetic mortals," the monster scoffed. "Always getting in my way. First your father. Now you three."
All that did was confuse Quinn even more. Her father had nothing to do with monsters. If he did, he'd tell them. Or at least Viktor.
"Over here!" Ronan called, trying to get the beast's attention.
It glanced at Ronan attempting to be a decoy. But it was focused. It was going to kill Viktor.
Its arm extended, ready for one final swipe of the claws, enough to end him.
The monster was knocked back suddenly, collapsing against the bookshelf. Viktor wriggled away, gasping for breath.
Quinn stepped forward, suddenly transfixed. Extending her own hand, the creature froze in mid air. It thrashed and twitched but could do nothing.
"What is this?" It rumbled as Viktor moved away, clinging onto Ronan, who could only stare at Quinn in amazement and a little horror.
Quinn gritted her teeth before with one final yank of her arm she threw the monster across the room, out the building and far away.
"Holy shit!" The boys gasped.
"Holy shit!" Quinn agreed before her head began to ache and with a thump she passed out on the floor.