CHAPTER TWELVE

"You done?". Daniel asked as he came out of the kitchen, a water bottle in hand, and saw Dora halfway through coming down the stairs

She only acknowledged him with a single nod then made her way to the kitchen not before intentionally bumping the tray into his sides

"Dora!". Daniel groaned as he clutched his side. He raised his top a bit to inspect the damage and hears a gasp from Dora

"What?". She stared blankly at her before pulling his shirt down

"You're wounded". She exclaimed in a durr manner

"So? Its nothing new. Just take care of those dishes fast and come along. Mum and dad are waiting". He said before walking away leaving a stunned Dora behind

"Annoying". She muttered under her breath before washing the dishes and returning them to their places, then walked out of the kitchen to meet Daniel who was seated on the couch

"Ready?". He asked not even bothering to look her way

"Hmmm". She answered walking to the back door as he did

"I'm sorry". She whispered as they reached the door and he put his hand on the knob to open it

Daniel held it for a while before turning it to open the door "I deserved it" he told her "and more" he whispered under his breath but Dora didn't catch that

***

"Just close your eyes Violet, you're all alone, no monsters, no werewolves. You're safe". Violet whispered, her eyes closed as she willed herself to sleep but whenever she closes her eyes, the scene where she had plucked a twig into the werewolf eyes comes to mind.

Although it was an act of self-defence, Violet can't help but feel sorry for the werewolf and scared of herself. She has never hurt an animal in her life, the only insect animal she has killed would be mosquitoes and one ant she had mistakenly stepped on when she was 8 and she felt bad for days. Her only consolation to killing mosquitoes is that they could get her sick, but this was no mosquito, it was a huge werewolf, possibly human. The thought of the werewolf that attacked her made her think of the other werewolf, the one with golden eyes. At the thought of it, she couldn't help but smile and didn't realise when she slept off

***

"Eric, Daniel and Dora are here". Monica announced as she turned around at the footage.

"Hmm". Eric nodded not turning around as his gaze was still fixed on the part leading to the lake in the forest

"Mum, dad". Dora and Daniel greeted as they got close to their parents

"I see you're here too Daniel". Eric said as he turned around to face. His voice was as cold as ice, both kids couldn't help flinch

"Dad, I'm sorry. I failed". Daniel said as he fell one knee to the floor and his head bowed

Dora only stared on in confusion. What were they talking about? What does Daniel mean by he failed and what's with this graceful apology, she thought

"You think sorry can take back what happened? There's a reason I always ask you to accompany her, she could have died Daniel, died!". Eric growled as he restrained himself from lounging at him

"Eric, calm down. Don't make rash decisions". Monica tried to soothe him as she rubbed his hand wrapped in her hands

"So your kids can make rash decisions but I can't?". He breathed out in anger

"That's not what I mean Eric and you know it". She said sternly as they both got into a staring competition, non wanting to back down though Eric later sighed losing

"Stand up Daniel, no need for the dramatic apology. Now let's all discuss like adults. We'll all go over to the chair, sit and talk. Okay?". She said looking at everyone and smiled at a confused Dora "and no yelling". She added looking sternly at Eric who just shrugged and let her pull him towards the chairs, the kids in tow

"Sit". Monica said as she sat him down and gestured the kids to sit opposite them once she sat beside him

"So what happened". Monica asked looking between the kids

Dora, avoiding her parents' gaze, looked at Daniel to find him doing the same. Glad he's also not comfortable.

"Dora?". Eric called out. Normally, whenever she and Daniel are both in trouble and their parents try to get them to say the truth, none of them say a thing so she's normally asked to talk. And because she gets nervous being under the spotlight, she spills out everything. But this isn't a minor case like breaking their mother's vase or misplacing their father's watch. This is a serious case dealing with a human's heart

"I'm sorry dad, but I can't say anything". She said meekly. As much as she's angry at her brother, throwing him under the bus in this situation wouldn't do any of them good. It's better if he says it himself

"Dorothy Emilia Devonte!!". Eric bellowed causing her to flinch "you'll tell me everything you know, and I mean everything, you hear me?".

"Eric please…". Monica began but was cut off by him

"You'll not tell me to calm down Monica. These kids need to learn who's in charge, and that would not happen if you keep taking their sides". Eric said frustrated

"I'm not taking sides Eric, and you know it. You very well know why I'm trying to calm you down, or do you want a repeat of what happened again?". Monica said trying to calm her own anger down as she stood up

"That was years ago Monica! And we both knew it was a mistake, a stupid one at that". He answered also standing up

"And why the hell do you think I'm trying to prevent such from happening again. You know how deadly your anger can be Eric, you know what it cost us". Monica said as tears threatened to spill out

Looking at his dear wife. Eric sighed letting his anger cool down. She's right, and that's something he can't forgive himself for. And honestly, since that time, he hasn't gotten this angry

"I know. And I'm sorry. You're right, I shouldn't let my anger rule me". He said taking her in his arms "I'm sorry Monica, for everything". He whispered as she sobbed in his clothes

"It's not your fault". She croaked out still crying "I'm sorry for reminding you, I know how much we both want to forget it"

"Shhh. You're not at fault dear. You're just watching out for me. I'm the one being unreasonable here. You Monica are the best thing that has happened to me". He smiled, taking her face in his palms as he wiped her tears "you're so beautiful". He kissed her forehead

"Stop it Eric". She chuckled embarrassed

"But I'm not lying. You really are beautiful, the most beautiful angel". He grinned

"Eric!". She laughed hitting his chest

Dora and Daniel who had watched the scene go from heated to lovey dovey stared at each other in confusion then shrugged before turning their attention back to their parents

"Uhh.. I know you guys want to keep being lovey dovey and all, but could you please tone down a bit, your kids are still here". Dora finally said to her parents who have obviously forgotten they are present

Monica's eyes went wide at Dora's voice, she got startled and push Eric away

"Oh God Monica, I thought you weren't angry again". Eric whose sides were jabbed into the chair as he fell on the carpet grass groaned

"Oh my God Eric. I'm so sorry". Monica exclaimed going to help him up

"It's alright, no much harm done. I'm fine". Eric groaned as she helped him into the chair

"Are you sure you're fine?". Monica asked concerned

"Don't worry mum, dad's a strong man. He's very okay". Dora who was trying to hold her laughter along with Daniel said

Eric narrowed his eyes at his children and before long all four burst into a fit of laughter

"So now that all is settled. Don't you both think you'll escape questioning, you'll both begin to narrate what happened okay. That was no child's play, you all could have been killed, especially Violet. She came back with the most bruises". Eric said once they had all stopped laughing

"I'm sorry dad but I think it's best Daniel says what happened. It's more of his business than mine". Dora said. At the mention of his name Daniel sighed but said nothing

"Okay then go on Daniel". Eric said to him Monica wrapped her hands around his upper arm, drawing him closer to her. He looked up at her and smiled then winked causing her to blush

"The house is right there". Dora muttered as she stared at her parents before shaking her head

"Why bother with the house when we can make you both to watch just to torture you". Eric smirked making both kids groan and Monica to lightly swat his upper arm

"Now you should better start talking, Daniel". Eric said becoming stern again

Daniel's gaze went to Dora who shrugged, then to his mother who smiled and then his father who gave a blank expression. He couldn't help but swallow a spit before looking down to the carpet grass and then he began talking