*********************************EDITED**********************************
Chapter 1
Oh, I love the phrase, I told you so. Why? Because I have said it so often these past few months. I can be shouting it, and it will never get old. Am I bragging? You best believe it. Now, what am I bragging about? That monsters live among us. Growing up, I would be the child who said someone was creepy, or my inner security system would go off. But no one would ever believe me. One day, I was having my obligatory dinner at my parent's house, and there was an emergency alert that the president would be addressing the nation. We all gathered in front of the TV, and the president came on the screen.
I looked at my parents and said, "He looks nervous."
Dad looked at me and said, "I wonder if they are announcing that we are at war."
Then the President spoke, "My fellow Americans and everyone watching from around the world watching this. First, this is not a joke. You are all given the order to stand down."
Mom sat beside Dad and said, "Frank, you may be right."
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The president said, "For the last few years the governments of the world have been hiding a secret from you. The creatures we called fairytales and cryptids are real and they walk among us. They are your neighbors, co-workers and friends. They have been given the word of national leaders that they will not be harmed."
I put my hand up and my Dad slapped all his cash into it and said, "I owe you a few hundred more."
Watching the screen the press was going crazy. Standing up I said, "Well now I am guessing you do not want to get dinner."
My Mom was clutching her bible and said, "Grace how can you be so calm the devil walks among us."
"Mom," I said. "Do you think that anything that's not given praise in the bible is evil?"
"Yes," She said.
Dad looked at her and said, "Mary calm down. What if some of the people you know are not of the human variety?"
"Nice Dad," I said fist bumping him.
She looked at him and said, "How can you be so calm?"
He chuckled and said, "I have a theory on a few people and they are good people. So what if they are different as long as they do no harm what is the problem."
"Frank they are evil the bible say's so," Mom whined.
"Mary that's enough," he bellowed. "Now Grace and I are going to get dinner and if you want to join it us you can or you can stay here and hide. But let me make this clear there will be no hate in this house. You will still go to work is that clear."
Mom ran to her room and slammed the door. Looking at Dad I said, "Mickey Pizza since its just us?"
Dad laughed and said, "You bet kid. Meet me there I have to stop at the bank I have a debt to pay."
Getting to Micky's it was almost empty. When I walked in I discovered why. Sitting at a table there was a family with horns and a few assorted creatures around the restaurant. Waiting to be sat Micky himself came out and said, "Grace my dear you came at a great time."
Micky looked taller and more wide I said, "Okay Micky spill it what are you?"
Dad walked in and said, "God Grace you have no filter. Micky man can we get a booth for two."
Micky laughed hard and said, "Frank my boy, your Grace has had no filter since she could talk. She always asked me what I was. Grace to answer your question I am a Golem. The follow up to your question because I know you I have four hundred and forty years old."
Dad handed me a few hundred dollars and micky raised his eyes. Dad said, "One night at that booth right there we had discussed cryptids and creatures that could exist. I made the foolish bet that you did not exist to pacify Mary. I lost the bet."
"Well now that you know you want to eat here?" He asked.
"Micky you are just not human your still a good man and have the best food around," I said. "So same booth?"
Micky led us to the booth and asked, "Same starters as usual?"
"Yes," Dad said. "Also can you please add a fried calamari. Since it's just us we can have it."
"Where is Mary?" He asked.
"Hiding from the monsters," Dad said. "She is in our house clutching her bible."
"Man I feel for you," He said. "Don't worry I will get them in. Have boxes for Grace at the ready and will be back in a bit to get your mains."
Dad and I sat talking as Micky dropped off our drinks and bread. Looking at Dad I asked, "Dad what are you going to do about Mom?"
He sighed and said, "Grace things have been bad between your Mom and I for a while. I asked her to go to a counselor with me but she won't she is insisting on doing counseling with her church. We went to one session at her church and the pastor basically told me since I was not a man of god it is not a surprise that our marriage is having trouble."
Looking at Dad I said, "That is shit you know."
"I know," He said. "She refuses to go see a counselor outside of the church."
"What are you going to do Dad," I asked.
Sighing he asked, "Do you have room in your house for your old man?"
"You can have the apartment over the garage," I said. "I just have to move the boxes stored in there to the main house. You can paint it and it has a kitchen, bedroom, living room and bathroom.",
He laughed and said, "Yeah I may just come by and paint it this weekend. Grace when I get home I am going to give your Mom one more chance to see a professional counselor. If she declines I will walk away until I see my lawyer and get the I's dotted and T's crossed."
"Well I am off tomorrow so I will get it cleaned out," I said. "Did you want me to leave the furniture?"
"Yeah," He said. "I was planning on giving your Mom the house and half the savings. But knowing her she will get the church involved and they will come after me for everything."
"Well Dad my job is going good and my house is paid off," I said. "You taught me well. Besides my art and writing are picking up momentum. Besides I have some shows coming up."
As we talked the little boy with the Demon horns came over clutching a book. He said, "Excuse me."
Moving to the end of my seat I was sitting at I turned to face him, "Hi sweetie what's up?"
"I do not want to bother you," He said. "But can you sign my book?"
Getting excited I asked, "You are reading one of my books?"
He smiled and said, "I love your series The Hidden Ones. I just got your newest one and my Mom watches your website to see when more of your books are coming out."
Reaching into my bag I asked, "What is your name?"
Smiling he said, "My name is Sam."
Taking his book I wrote inside and signed the book. Handing it back I said, "I am working on the next book now Sam and once it is ready I will have it announced."
He said, "Thank you"
Turning back he headed to his family. I caught her Mom's eye and she mouthed, "Thank you."
I nodded and she got excited when he returned and showed her my signature. Micky came over with our starters and he said, "Thank you Grace. With our kinds coming out and no longer using glamour I worry for our children. You made that boys day. But if your in a signing mood. I picked up Wicked Wishes for my wife as a gift and I would love for you to sign it. Now what would you like for your mains?"
We ordered our mains and we heard Micky go into the back and call it out. As we ate Micky cam out and I wrote a note inside the book and signed it. We started eating our food and the watched as more people came in to eat. I smiled because Micky deserved to have no problems with the announcement. After we finished eating Dad packed up all the leftovers and handed them to me. After saying our goodbyes Dad walked me to my car and he said, "I will call you tomorrow but I am guessing I will need the apartment over the garage."
Giving Dad a hug I said, "I will get it cleaned out. Just buy whatever colors your want. Swing by on your way home and see me. Let me know how it goes."
Getting into my car I waved to my Dad and headed home. When I pulled up in the driveway I saw my neighbor Mr. Mack outside sitting on his porch. He called over, "Obligatory family dinner?"
"You know it," I said.
"Grave you have a moment to talk with an old man," He asked.
"Sure," I said. Placing my food on the hood of the car I went over and sat next to him. Looking up I asked, "Are you alright?"
"I am a Fay Grace," He said.
"Alright," I said. "I am a human and your an awesome neighbor who I worry about."
"Oh Grace," He said. "I am glad your not bothered by all this. A few other neighbors will be coming to seek you out as well."
Smiling I said, "Mr. Mack when they are ready I will be there to talk with them."
He patted my hand and he said, "I will never be as young as you again. But be prepared to see me look like I am in my forty's alright."
"No judgement here Mr. Mack," I said. "But out of curiosity how old are you?"
"In human years I am 2300 years old," He said.
"Well you look great for your age," I said. "But I have a busy day tomorrow so I am going to go eat the desert Dad got me and head to bed alright."
He took my hand and said, "I hope everyone will be as understanding as you."
I waved goodbye and grabbed my food. Going into the house I placed the leftovers in the fridge going up to my room after locking the house up. I flipped my TV on and laid in bed falling asleep with tomorrow looming ahead of me which I know will be busy.
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Waking up later than I expected the next morning I saw a text from my Dad that read, "Well Grace love I tried talking to your mom last night and I am going to pick up paint for the apartment. She refuses to see reason and told me she was quitting her job if there was other worldly creatures. I told her she best have a way to support herself because I will not provide her money. I spoke to my lawyer and he is starting the divorce paperwork now. I stopped at the bank and moved half the savings to an account in my name already and shut off her use of my credit cards. As of today she will have to make her own way."
Waking up I went to start coffee and clean out the apartment over the garage. Thankfully it was mostly just extra boxes from the holidays and took them up to the attic. As I sat down to eat some of last nights leftovers my phone rang. Looking at the screen I saw it was my mom. Picking up I said, "What's up Mom?"
"Do you want to have lunch with me I just quit my job," She said.
"Mom are you crazy why would you quit your job," I asked putting my food back in the fridge.
"Because my boss was a monster," She said.
"Really mom what kind of monster?" I asked.
"It shouldn't matter but she is a Dragon Kin," She said. "Like she can turn into a Dragon."
"Okay so you had a bad ass boss and you left a job that you have worked at for over thirty years, months before you could retire," I said. "Because a woman you knew almost the entire time can turn into a kick ass dragon. What the hell is wrong with you?"
"Grace," She said. "You are as ungodly as ever."
"Hold on Mom I got a call coming through," I said as I switched the line. "Hello?"
"Hello is this Grace," the voice asked.
"It sure is how can i help you?" I said.
"Grace my name is Amira you moms Boss," She said. "Your mom went into a rampage today when she found out what I was."
"Oh the kick ass Dragon lady?" I said.
She started laughing and said, "Well I see you do not share your mothers out look."
"God no," I said. "I was just giving her the third degree for quitting."
"Can you please tell her she will lose the full payout from us for her retirement," She said. "But for employer contributions she will still will receive 60% package from us. Its the best we can do since your mother went crazy in the office and damaged a lot of things. We will also not be pressing charges but she cannot ever come back here. We will be shipping the paperwork and her belongings to her house. Please tell her she has to sign them and return them back to us in seven days and the over night envelope will be provided."
"Amira," I said. "Thank you for your generosity. I will tell her now when should everything arrive?"
"Later this afternoon I am sending it via currier," She said. "Thank you Grace for your assistance. Also may I ask are you the Grace Martin that writes the Hidden Ones?"
"The very same," I said.
"My kids love your books," She said. "But I will let you get back to your mom just please know that church your mom is with is horrible. They are more of a cult instead of a church and the feds are looking into them."
"Thank you for the heads up," I said. Switching back to my mom I said, "You still there?"
"What took you so long Grace," She said.
"Mom I do not agree with how your acting," I said. "So let me get this all out. Your EVIL Boss just did you a solid and got you 60% of your retirement package. You deserve nothing after the damage you caused in the office. Now you have 7 days to send it back in the provided envelope and you will have an early retirement. But let me make this clear you have turned into a monster since you started that church. A church which I heard is being investigated. So you have a choice either your family or church but we will NOT bail you out when you get fucked over by them is that clear."
"How dare you young lady," She yelled. "I am your mother."
"The very same mother who caused my fiancée to die in a car crash because he was trying to pick you up from that church," I said. "What did you say to me at his funeral. It was gods will. Fuck you mom he was a good man who tried to get you since you were bitching about having to wait for the bus. If you would have chosen me instead of the church service you would have been at my engagement party and he would still be here today."
"Grace," She said.
"No not Grace Mom," I said. "You want to call people who are different monsters. But you dear mother are the monster and until you get your shit together do not call me."
Hanging up on her I sat there fuming for a few minutes. The doorbell rang and I opened it to Dad standing there. He looked at me and said, "Grace love what's wrong."
He put down his bags and opened his arms and I stepped right into them. After I cried my eyes out he steered me inside and placed the bags on my kitchen table. He sat me down and asked, "What is wrong?"
Taking a deep breathe I said, "Mom called. She told me she quit her job because her boss is Dragonkin. Halfway into our call I get a call that came through and it was her boss. She gave Mom 60% of her retirement package and gave me instructions to give Mom. Dad she destroyed the office she is lucky she was not arrested. Then she yelled at me for taking so long and I unloaded Dad. I mentioned Tom and reminded her that its her fault he died because she chose that church which by the way is being investigated, instead of being at my engagement party I told her not to contact me until she gets her shit together."
"Well come here I got us philly cheese steaks and then I am going to paint the apartment," He said. "You channel that rage into your writing."
I laughed and asked, "Oh I will after I get some stuff around here done. Dad I will write a report for your lawyer and I will also see if Amira can write one as well."
He asked, "Thank you I would apreciate it."
We sat and ate the cheese steaks Dad brought with him and we were talking until Mom called. I sat there listening as he said, "I cannot believe you quit your job due to the hate you have. Mary you need to understand that because of everything happening and the way you are acting I am filing for divorce."
He pulled the phone from his ear as Mom started screaming at him. He said, "Mary stop right there. You have been very hateful since you joined that church. I will be moving out as I have a place to live and I have already consulted a lawyer. I don't want this but we cannot do this anymore you need to come to terms with what happened and finally feel remorse."
A few minutes later he continued, "Mary you need to stop with that church it has ruined your family and they are more of a cult instead of a church. You can stay at the house and I will own it until you buy out my part. I will be filing this week."
He rubbed his temple as he listened and said, "I will be moving out when you are not there. If I have to I will be officers and Grace with me. You cannot change the locks and keep me out and my boss who by the way is a vampire will not be tolerating you causing drama. Now excuse me I am preparing the apartment I am moving into."
He hung up and said, "Grace I am gonna put this in the fridge for now and go paint."
"Okay Dad," I said.
When he went to the apartment I walked into my office and called Mom's boss. When she picked up she asked, "Grace did your mother have any questions?"
"Amira," I said. "I need a favor."
"If I can," She said. "What's up?"
"I need you to email me everything that happened today with my Mom," I said. "My mother has been advised by the churches attorney to take everything from my Dad. He has a lawyer and is filing for a divorce."
"May I asked what happened?" She asked.
I told her everything starting from the death of Tom to what happened the night before. I ended it by saying, "That church has corrupted her and I believe she may try to use the divorce as a way to fund the church."
"Grace I will not only email you a written statement," She said. "But I will also send you the video feed from the office."
"Thank you," I said. "Can you send it to Grace@writingislife.com?"
She said, "I will have it to you by later this afternoon."
"Thank you Amira," I said. "I cannot believe my Mom has turned into a person like this. She was never like this until she joined that cult. I went with her to one service and walked out when they told me my writing and Blog was not godly enough. I feel for my Dad he truly loves my Mom but her hate has spoiled her relationships with everyone."
"I am afraid with the revelation of all the unexplained creatures there will be new forms of hate crimes," Amira said. "You know you have a platform you can write about this. Many people visit your site why not use it to show the world peace and understanding."
Chuckling I said, "Amira you are not clairvoyant are you. I was thinking of the exact same thing."
"Well when you start your posts send me the links," She said. "I will share them. Also my daughter said she wishes the new Hidden ones would come out sooner she is excited."
I let out laugh and said, "Well tell her a announcement will be coming soon."
After hanging up with Amira I cleaned the house and went back to the computer with the notebook I had been making key points on for my first article on my blog about acceptance and peace. The first post was not one of a personal nature but me asking my readers to not live in a world of hate but be kind to all the ones who have taken the brave steps to reveal themselves. After editing and posting the article I sent Amira the link and set my alerts to on so I could see what was being said.
Checking on Dad I told him about my post I placed on my Blog and he read it. He looked up and said, "Grace are you following the replies?"
I said, "I know I am getting a lot. I put my phone on silent and am going to the office to start replying in a few. I also want to have my screen ready for IP addresses incase I have to send any threats to the police."
"Smart girl," He said. "Protect the brave ones who have come out."
Going to my office with a cup of coffee I went to all the comments. Most were kind and sweet rallying behind the ones who came out as a member of the unexplained. There were a few that bothered me to the point that I made a file with their IP addresses and was going to silently send those to the authorities. I was looking through all the replies when I heard the door bell ring. Going to the front door I found a officer and a man in street clothes.
"Hello," I said. "How can I help you?"
The man in street clothes said, "Are you the owner of the blog Writing is life?"
"Yes I am," I said. "I swear you all must be reading my mind I was just going to contact the local precinct."
"Why?" He asked. "Also my name is Detective Conner and this officer is Nelson."
"Well Detective Conner and officer Nelson," I said. "I posted an article about acceptance and peace. Most of my followers have responded with like minded responses but there are a few that worry me. I captured IP addresses and wanted to pass them on."
Officer Nelson said, "Well you made our job a lot easier."
Moving aside I said, "Please join me in my office."
Walking into the office the took a seat as I sat behind my desk. Detective Nelson looked around
and said, "My Nieces love your books. They will be jealous when I tell them I met you."
Officer Nelson said, "My son and daughter will also be jealous."
"How many nieces do you have detective?" I asked.
"Three," He said. "I normally get your books when they come out as gifts. They each have their own set."
Officer Nelson laughed and said, "I do the same with my two because it stops the fights."
I went into my desk and pulled out five of the newest character journals and signed one for each of the kids. Handing them to each of the men I said, "Well you can be the awesome Dad and Uncle and give them these. They are Character Journals and collectors pens I take with me when I visit the hospitals and see the kids. Now I am going to assume you need those IP addresses?"
Officer Nelson said, "No arguments?"
"Not at all," I said. "My neighbor is a 2300 Fay and my favorite restaurant is owned by a 440 year old Golem."
Officer Nelson said, "I love Mickeys! My kids love their pizza."
"If you want to give me fifteen minutes I am going to go through more comments," I said as I brought the comment and IP page back up. "Most of the comments are kind and sweet. Now here is one I flagged which bothers me. They need to go back to where they came from or there could be trouble. Stuff like that I reply they have been here long before us and have equal rights to the land we are on. That is not right and I reply most of the unexplained have been here longer than we have been."
I went through another thousand comments and occasionally took down the comment and IP address. When I was done I made a hard copy and printed it handing the Detective what I found so far. I said, "I will keep going through comments and will be posting more articles. If I get more I will be glad to provide the IP addresses to you."
Detective Nelson nodded and said, "Thank you Grace. I will get these to the task force that has formed to protect the unexplained. Here is my card and feel free to pass anything else you find to me via the email or text. If you find anything that really worries you call me asap no matter what the time."
Officer Conner said, "Come on Nelson lets go drop off our cool Dad and Uncle items to the kids on the way back to the precinct."
Showing them out Dad came out and said, "Good job Grace. We need to protect those who are in danger."
"I agree," I said as I turned off the alerts on my phone. Seeing a text from Mom I opened it and saw a message that said, How dare you protect those monsters. My church will deal with these ungodly creatures.
I sent a screen shot of the message to the detective and provided the church information. I received a reply back a few minutes later from the detective saying, "They are already being looked into but this message helps thank you."
Sitting at my desk I worked on the new book for the hidden ones. I did not realize how late it had gotten until my Dad knocked on my door and he said, "Hey kiddo I am done painting the apartment. I am going back to the hotel for now and will be arranging to go get my stuff from the house tomorrow. I already spoke to the police department and they will escort me to get all of my belongings. I do not mind paying the watch fee and your mom will have to let me in to get everything of mine."
Sighing I said, "Remember to check the attic and basement because she hides things in both places. Also check my old room she would never let me take some of my stuff from there but she may have hidden things in there."
"Good call," He said. "I expect this to be a fight. Mack is gonna go with me and run boxes out to a moving truck because I plan on taking some furniture along with the guest bed. She will be a handful I see it now."
"Do you want me to talk with her?" I asked.
"No," He said. "I will tell her to call you when I am there so you can distract her."
Grace Martin- Main Writing is life
Frank- Dad Mary-Mom
Tom- deceased Fiancée
Detective Conner and officer Nelson
Micky- owner of pizza place, Golem 440
Mr Mack Neighbor- 2300 elf
Amira you moms Boss
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