It was then I truly became aware of my nakedness, for smiled a bit as she noticed. I tried to move to conceal my excitement, but my movements were res...ricted by the shackles.“Do not be embarrassed, boy. In fact, it’s a good sign that fear has not clouded your ability to become aroused. Otherwise, the Countess would have no need for you…and what she does not need, she cuts off.”I didn’t like the sound of that. “W-why am I here? Where am I?”She produced a key from I don’t know where, and unlocked. .” Leksi said quietly as the four of us gazed up at some of our ancestors.“That’s dad as a young boy, isn’t it?” Leenah asked.“And our grandparents,” I replied with a nod, having seen some images of them. “Enoch and Erydah Kidravia.”“She’s beautiful! Both of them are.” Lucia said.Although the rows of sharp pointy teeth were a little terrifying, still, I couldn’t disagree with her. It was a formal family portrait, and as such everyone was dressed up, albeit not in royal garb. Ateru and Erydah. ’ I stepped back and smiled at her. ‘My parents won’t be home tonight. We can go to my place.’ She took my hand and we snuck out of the bathroom without being seen. Coming down the steps, I spotted my friends standing close to my locker, like they were waiting for me. Tamara and I stopped a few feet away from them and looked at each other. I handed her the keys to my van and kissed her cheek. ‘Go ahead,’ I told her. ‘I’ll catch up.’ ‘Okay.’ She let go of my hand and walked outside. I took a. The other doors open and I can see a light at the top of the ramp. I start my run, every step bringing me closer and closer. Slowing as I near the opening, so that I simply walk through. The cheers from the crowd now roar like thunder in the loudest of storms. The sunlight washes over me, turning , viewing the spectacle of the mob, as my eyes now adjust to the light. Looking over the crowd…my eyes dart. Something ..is.. not as it usually is. There is something different. There! In the third.