Halloween Monsters

AN!

Hello, everyone! Been a hot minute huh? If y'all ever feel like I've been gone to long, check the notes on my most recently updated fic. I try to keep y'all updated like that.

Thank you everyone for stopping by to read even though I don't update that often. Please check out the rest of this series that can be read independently, and those that follow it, some exciting news! A new installment will be posted next as we enter a new fandom!

On a sidenote, I promised a reader this would be out like two days ago, but I had to restructure due to formatting and shorten the chapter and then I had house issues, just, ugh. RIP my fucking honor i guess. Anywho, special sorry to that commenter.

Again, thanks to everybody who is reading and commenting. Means a lot 💙

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TRIGGER WARMINGS! We hear about some child abuse, see some physical assault, plenty of verbal and emotional abuse, and some attempted sexual assault where a character gets felt up, but nothing beyond that. If that's too much, you might want to skip everything after Nyx enters the alley behind her cafe. Things get dark, although that section is pretty plot heavy.

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"Oooookay," I snarl, my grin manic, "we have Halloween heaven up in this bitch!" I slam my palms down on the counter, making Jeremy, Daemon, and Stefan inch away from my madness. "We have themed cookies, cakes, Kaddu ka Halwa, Jazarieh, Kabocha Dango, Calabaza en Tacha, damn near every other orange, red, or black desert in existence to fit the vibe, and, ugh, pumpkin spice coffee and lates, for you abominations who are into that."

Remy shoots me a look full of judgement. "You made a stupid amount of pumpkin flavored desserts from at least 5 different continents, and you draw the line at pumpkin spice?"

"It's an abomination and I shall not hear otherwise," I hiss, shoving an eyeball cake ball into the kid's mouth to silence his blasphemy. "In my home no less!"

Stefan laughs openly, but is also silenced by a coffin cookie with a nice bloody looking jam inside. Daemon laughs as well, but smartly placed his hands to guard against sudden food attacks. For his cleverness, I hand him a blood themed shake, finding myself hysterically giggling at the fact that I was feeding my vampire friends vampire themed snacks. Stefan huffs as he finishes chewing, aura alight with amusement, but also concern. "Nyx, as wonderful as this all it, when was the last time you slept? And what the hell does you blood sugar level look like right now?"

"I'll sleep when I defeat The Grill. They think they can throw a better Halloween event? Not fucking likly! Not with them fries!" I spit vindictively, mixing some ghost pudding with force, completely ignoring the second question, mentally noteing I'd be the equivalent of a pixie stick to any hungry vampire daring to try it.

"Nyx," Remy says, laughing and ducking the witch themed dounut I chuck at him. "Nyx, you love the Grill. I saw you eating their burgers yesterday!"

"But today, we are enemies! Mwahahahaha-" my friends dissolve into laughter as I sweep through the kitchen like a hurricane, throwing various ingredients about, enjoying the chaos.

"Are you sure you don't need us tonight, Nyx?" Stefan asks gently as I swish past. "It's gonna be busy."

I wave him off, grinning. "Get lost, ya brats. Have fun at your party. Besides, Jenna and Zack are gonna be here to help. We'll be dancing and eating yummy things, so have fun with your wasted, vomiting friends."

"Ugh, you're ruining this for us," Daemon mutters, and I cackle at the looks on their faces. "I probably won't stay the entire time, though, so expect me later tonight."

"Sure, sure. I'll save you the sweets you like." I tell him. "Now, watch my kids and the register. I need to get ready real quick."

I dart past, making sure to leave flour steaks on my friends for my own personal amusement, I head upstairs, cleaning myself up and changing, snickering at my own dumbass humor that has influenced my costume for the night. Quick as a flash, I bounce down the stairs, zooming in front of friends and twirling for them, grin growing wider at the way Stefan and Daemon double over from the force of their laughter as I show off my fake fangs and cape. Jeremy just shoots them a confused look. "A…vampire? What's the big deal?"

"Don't worry about them, Dear. I have something for you," I dismiss, smirking at the wheezing men as I beckon Jeremy into the kitchen, remembering to give him his Halloween bonus. Jeremy takes the check, pulling me into an unexpected hug, and I note the hint of anxiety and sadness he was giving off. My sugar high evaporates instantly. "Jeremy? Are you alright, kiddo?"

Jeremy nods, face still tucked into my shoulder, one of my obnoxious pigtails draped over him. I pat his head gently, worry brewing, but after a moment, Jeremy pulls away, a pained smile on his face. "I'm okay, it's just… Vicki will probably be there. And, … maybe her dealer friends."

"Ah," I murmur, realization setting in. "You're worried about relapsing."

My youngest and first friend winces, but nods shamefully. When I first met the kid, back when I was still living in my parents house, often chained up and tortured in that fucking basement, I found Jeremy high out of his mind and delirious in the street. I'd dragged him into the second floor of the cafe and left him to come down safely once I was sure he didn't need the hospital. The next day, the boy had broken down and spilled everything, and since then, he's worked for me, our relationship one of honesty and mentorship. The kid had come to confide in me, looking to me for advice and the harsh truths when he needs them. I don't really push my opinion on him, but he's grown to recognize the dangerous path he was on through my outside perspective. It had only taken me gently pointing out that a relationship between a 19 year old and 15 year old, if the genders had been reversed, would have, should have, been seen as a lot more messed up, for Jeremy to recognize the fact. After a while, he'd accepted it and came to the conclusion that he had to make some changes. No using drugs as a crutch, and no Vicki Donovan. He has sworn of everything but the occasional weed and alcohol, and even that has eased as more time has passed. It's fortunate that he managed to get himself together before he developed a full on addiction.

That doesn't mean it's been all smooth sailing. There have been some bad nights where I've found the kid shaking and crying at my door, high as a kite. There was even a night I got very close to taking him to the hospital, thinking he had overdosed, but he's gotten a lot better the last few months, a lot more grounded, and even happy.

And now he is going somewhere we both know his resolve will be tested.

Sighing, I gather the kid close again rocking us from side to side, Remy having to hunch due to the frankly hilarious height difference. I ruffle the kid's hair, before placing my hands on his shoulder and pushing him away so that I can look him in the eye as best as my weak eyes can. "Listen, kid, if you're asking if I think you should be going to this party, the answer is no." He flinches, but I continue. "You aren't weak, or anything stupid like that floating in that head of yours. It's just that being presented with that stuff and Vicki right now will be painful for you, whether you can resist the temptation or not."

Jeremy nods, eyes down cast, and I par his cheek, drawing his attention again. "However, if you do go, I believe you can handle it. And if you can't, you will learn from it, and my door will be open to you regardless."

I wasn't Jeremy's guardian. I wasn't his sister, no matter how much it felt like it sometimes. That was Jenna and Elena, whom I am in open contact with about him. But, right now, Jeremy didn't need a parental or sibling figure, someone to set boundaries for him or do what's best for him. He needs someone to guide him into making his own good choices, someone to offer advice and comfort, but freedom, too, so that he could grow. And that was me.

Jeremy ponders for a moment before making a decision. "I'll go for a bit, but I won't stay or engage Vicki and her crew. When I'm done, can I…"

I smile, proud. "See if Daemon will give you a ride since he is coming back early, too. I'll save your favorites as well. I'm really proud of you, kid."

He smiles, something small and fragile, and I ruffle his hair again. He perks up suddenly, and grabs my hand, tugging me back over to Stefan and Damon who are pretending not to have heard anything. I wince, having completely forgotten they were there for that entirely too personal conversation, but there isn't anything I can do about it now. "By the way, I have something for you, too." I blink, genuinely taken aback. Why would he- Jeremy hands me a box that was on the table by the two vampires. "Happy Birthday, Nyx!"

An odd, strangled noise leaves my throat, mind going blank as I take in the delicate bow and weight of the box. After a moment, I manage to sputter out a response, although it's nonsensical and isn't what I meant to say. "What- box? Huh? How did-" I flail my arms a bit, mind boggled and unable to articulate.

Jeremy laughs openly at me again, and I can feel the burning gaze of two supernaturals boring into my skull. My face heats and I wonder if my darker skin tone has allowed me to escape the embarrassment of blushing. "I saw it when I was going through the employee files for you. I can't believe you weren't going to say anything! You should expect something from Jenna, too."

With effort I manage to shut my hanging jaw, carefully setting the gift down and unwrapping it. My breath catches as my fingers find smooth leather. "It's beautiful," I mutter a bit teary as I pull the black, hooded jacket from inside, taking in the silver details and fur lining. This was the first present I'd received in this life. "I- Thank you, Jeremy."

I pull the kid into a tight hug, trying to get control of myself. Jeremy squeezes me back, albeitbit confused by my strangely emotional reaction, and I immediately slip the jacket on under the cape I was wearing and over the short mock gothic dress.

"Aren't you ruining your costume like that?" Remy teases, smirking.

I glance at the Salvatore brothers seated next to us from the corner of my eye, and bite my lip to keep from laughing as I note that both are wearing leather jackets. "Nah, if anything leather is more accurate."

Both brothers snicker, and we wave Jeremy off to go home and get ready for the party. No sooner had the door chimes gone silent then I found each of my arms entwined with one of my vampire friends and my toes above the ground. I yelp as I'm promptly dragged back behind the counter and to the relative privacy of the kitchen. "What the hell, guys? Finally decided to eat me or something?"

Arms crossed, and sporting surprisingly similar scowls, I squint warily at the them. With a heavy sigh, Stefan speaks up, sounding surprisingly hurt to my alarm. "Why didn't you say anything about your birthday?"

Daemon huffs sulkily. "Okay, I know you don't really count me as a friend, I get it. But, I am trying."

I grimace, jumping to refute that. "No! I know you are-"

"And I consider you my best friend in Mystic Falls, but I had to find out second hand that it's your birthday," Stefan adds, running a hand through his hair frustratedly. "Maybe I'm just a shitty friend for not asking."

"NO!" I yowl, bewildered by this chain of events. "No! By the gods, it's nothing like that!"

"B-By the gods?" Daemon repeats, incredulous. "Who even says that? Also, did your accent just change?"

"It does that!" I throw my hands up in exasperation. "Look, it is nothing like that. My birthday…"

I hesitate, trying to find the words. It would be easier to lie, but it's not something I like doing to my friends. And their little display just now was a solid reminder that these two actually did give a damn about me, a surprising developement for Daemon considering his… Daemoness. I know that friendship requires supporting one another in vulnerability and that I can't expect them to lean on me if I refuse to do the same. With that in my mind, I sigh and decide to give them the truth, even if it isn't a pretty one. "My birthday isn't something I really celebrate."

Daemon seems to catch the undertone, but Stefan remains blissfully oblivious. "But, surely your family would have…" He stops abruptly, seeming to read something in my countenance. "Nyx?"

I smile softly, patting his hair. "My birth in this world was not something to celebrate."

Stefan reels back, seemingly struggling with that, but Daemon just nods, something understanding and knowing in his aura. "Do you still feel like that?"

Stefan stiffens, and I tilt my head consideringly. "…No. This world has become a lot less lonely." I grin, squeezing their shoulders comfortingly. Their surprise turns into something warm and soft, and Stefan abruptly gathers me in a bone crushing hug, and the desperation of it is obvious. I huf fondly. "Don't be sad, silly. Everything is okay. That said, I'd ask a favor of you two." When they nod, I continue on carefully. "Even if someone claims to be my parents or something, don't let them near Nico or Thea without checking with me first."

Their expressions darken, but since I'd already revealed this much, I might as well recruit their help for my siblings sake. Stefan nods, quickly excusing himself and I frown worriedly, but Daemon unexpectedly tugs on one of my ridiculous pigtails. "He'll be fine. He just needs time to process."

I can understand that.

Daemon, face more solemn than I've ever seen it, waves as he turns to leave. "I'll see you later. And Nyx? Happy Birthday."

I smile softly, going back to my preparations tonight, grimly satisfied with the results of that interaction and the added protection for my family, and hoping that their increased knowledge of my circumstances will bring us all closer together.

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"Nyx! The band is ready!" Jenna calls cheerfully as she appears next to me, nearly getting a pudding cup chucked at her head for her unintentional sneakiness. Considering the women had just given me a wonderful pair of leather combat boots, matching Jeremy's gift, I would have felt pretty bad about it.

I laugh anyway, my good mood, (and what might be another sugar high), has returned as the cafe continues to fill up with patrons. "Tell them to go ahead and start whenever they are ready. Is Mrs. Garcia all set upstairs with the kids?"

"Yes, I just brought her the drink she wanted. She said she was happy to be secluded but still able to enjoy the music and that she was willing to do this for you anytime," Jenna affirms, as she heads past with another tray.

"This place is packed tonight," Zach comments bemusedly. I smirk, all smug satisfaction and giddiness. At this rate I'd have enough money to hire live bands regularly, and perhaps, enough to support the expansion and a down payment on a house for me and the kids within the year. I haven't felt this elated since I first bought the cafe, and perhaps never before then, as it had been my first ray of hope in this life.

Of course, that's when everything up and goes to hell.

"NYX!" I flinch instinctually, horror slamming into me as I recognize two disgusting auras, and my limbs begin to tremble involuntarily, ice water in my veins. Out of the crowd a couple approaches. The woman is small and curvy, beautiful with dark hair, golden skin, and hazel eyes. By her side was a blonde man with dark eyes and sharp features, his poisonous smile matching that of his bitch wife. Said evil bitch reaches out to wrap her hand around my limp arm, long pointed nails digging into my new jacket, but for once, unable to draw blood. The thought amuses me even through the dread and rage at their presence, the haziness of my mind clearing just a bit. It's like Jeremy's friendship is protecting me. With the thought in mind, I brace myself, breathing deeply.

"Hello, Mother. Why are you here?" My tone is flat and cold, and I watch her eyes narrow.

"Can't I visit my daughter? It seems like business is going so well." I stare blankly, easily deducing they are here for more money. In exchange for being able to keep Thea and Nico with me at all times, I have to pay this bitch and my step-douche a substantial amount every month. It's why the kids and I sleep in the second floor of the cafe and showered at the gym next door. It pisses me off, but it is all I can do to keep my baby siblings safe until I can get custody and kill them off without incurring the attention and wrath of someone very troublesome. Now these fuckers dared to step foot into my cafe, my home and safe space. It makes my blood boil.

"Oh, Nyx! Are these your parents? I'm Jenna! It's so nice… to meet you?" My "parents" smile, but there is so much disdain and cruelty behind it that it could hardly be called that. By the abrunt way, Jenna falls silent, the older grad student is more perceptive than I thought. Zach is also quiet at her side. Not wanting this to get ugly where my customers and friends can see, I decide to intervene. "Let's talk in the back."

And with that, I hasten to the back door, stepping out into the crisp autumn air, my parents following me without complaint. No sooner had the door shut, then I was being grabbed by the collar and slammed into the brick wall of the building.

"You fucking bitch!" Bolodenka Black, or Bob as he likes to go by, snarls in my face, Eastern European accent thick in his rage. "Stupid whore, who taught you to be so arrogant? Telling us what to do?"

I hiss at the hand he fists in my hair, gritting my teeth against the pain. I ignore his usual nonsense even as my heart begins to pound in preperations for the pain headed my way, cutting to the chase. "What the hell are you two doing here? I already paid this month."

The sharp smack to my cheek sends my heard to the side. I taste blood, but I'm not particularly surprised by the act. Bob pulls at my hair again, spittle flying in his rage and the reek of alcohol on his breath. Sarah, my egg donor, pushes him aside to rage at me herself. "You filthy piece of shit! I'm the reason you're even alive. God, I should have smothered you when I had a chance. You've ruined my life!"

I twitch, the tiny part of me that grew up m this world without access to my past life memories, the small, hurt child locked in a dark, dirty basement that formed part of my personality cried out in pain at the cruel words from my mother. But, the larger part of my personality stamped it down, reminding myself that I'd heard and felt it all before, that I had lived through far worse. That part sneered in disdain wondering if that's all she's got and if I really can't get away with killing her yet. I breathe through the constricted feeling in my chest and the panicky twisting of my gut, gritting my teeth. "What. Do. You. Want?"

She jerks her hand, my head connecting with the bricks behind me. Flipping her hair, she scoffs, heels clicking as she moves to lean against her shitstain husband. I have to clench my fists, nails digging into my palms in a desperate attempt to keep the roiling magic beneath my skin. Patience. Patience. You know what will happen if you snap and kill them too soon. You don't need that old bastard sniffing about. My mother continues on, sneering."You're making more now that this dump is doing well, so you need to start paying us more."

I laugh in disbelief. It had been a while since I'd seen such audacity. "Ha. Fuck, no. Not a chance."

There is a moment of deafening silence. Ah, shit. I hadn't meant to say that out loud. Once again, my big ass mouth is gonna lead to troublesome things.

"What was that, stupid bitch?" A hand wraps around my throat, slamming me back into the wall, and this time I see stars. Distantly, I worry for my new jacket, internally reminding myself to put some protective charms and runes on it. "Who the fuck do you think you are, huh?"

My world narrows to the danger in front of me as a fist finds its way into my stomachs, forcing the air from my lungs. I grunt, the pain sharp in my ribs as his meaty hand tightens. "You owe your existence to us, you pathetic leach, and you don't think we deserve more?" Something dark and vicious glinted from him, and I already know that we've gotten to what he wanted from the start. "Maybe I should take our due from between your legs instead, whore? And you will take it if you don't want us taking those useless brats back. Maybe we should use them to make up the money instead?"

My stomach rebels violently at the thought and panic starts to overwhelm me as his hand drops to my outer thigh, starting to slide under the hem of my dress. Distantly, I hear the silky voice of my so-called mother, who just scoffs. "Make it quick, and shut her up. There are people everywhere."

"Try it!" I spit blood at him, smile unhinged in my fury, letting it overtake the terror, forcing my wild magic into the ground beneath me and concentrating on funneling it into protective charms and runes all around the cafe so that it can't rip these bastards limb for limb on its own. "Fucking try it! I have a stack of evidence documenting everything you've done to us in the last few years. You'll be in handcuffs before you even reach home! All it will take is a scream or one of my friends wondering what's taking so long back here."

The hand around my neck starts crushing my windpipe, and I start preparing to fight back. My mother's cold laugh surprises me, though. "Oh, sweetheart, I thought you were at least smarter than that. Don't tell me you think it would be that simple?" Her laughter sends fear rippling along my spine even as I mentally fight myself over the reaction. It's the same laugh she'd make before pulling out a belt or locking me away for days on end. "Even if we did get locked away, you know Laszlo will get us out. And then he'll skin you alive."

Fuck, she's got me there. Laszlo is Bob's father. And also a literal mob boss. He's the reason I've had to be extra careful. See, Jenna got custody of Elena and Jeremy, both because the kids and her were older, and also because there was no other relative to contest it. Meanwhile, I was almost 7 years younger then Jenna and my kids were babies. Technically, on paper, it would make more sense for the kids to go to their grandfather where I would probably never see them again. I had to make myself look as financially stable as possible before killing them off to give myself the best chance of retaining custody. That meant biding my time and doing whatever to stay under the radar of everyone, especially Laszlo who would question his only son and daughter-in-law's sudden deaths.

I could and would take the mafia on if it came down to it, but I'd really rather not risk it, not when so much could end up going wrong.

I shove at Bob, trying to put distance between us as my biological mother watches amusedly. Monsters always did come in every shape, size, and form. Sarah Black is beautiful, educated, and even decently well off. But, she used pretty, painted lips to spit vicious words that manipulate and hurt. She used delicate hands to scar and polished nails to make her own blood children bleed. She dressed in fine clothes to impose herself as superior to others, all while cursing her kids for every cent spent keeping them alive. And here she was, happily watching her husband try and rape me. Yes, some monsters were dreadfully beautiful.

Spiraling, eyes desperately searching for some way out of this without exposing any of my abilities or bringing attention to this horrific situation, I struggle against vile grasping hands that made me want to escape my own skin. In the dark trees around us, I catch two pinpricks of light. Are those lights… red? I squint, clinging to the sudden distraction my poor eyesight is providing me with. Wait, are those… eyes?

I sense the presence of death just before a figure slams into Bob, throwing him several feet into a tree. Sarah's scream is cut off abruptly as a hand connects with her face, tossing her into the bricks next to me. The vampire growls, wrathful glowing eyes turning towards me.

"What the fuck is this, Nyx?"

"D-Daemon," I stutter, leaning on the wall to steady my shaky legs. This is very, very bad. Fuck! Out of everyone, Daemon is the last person I'd want to witness this. He is quickest to kill, but right here and now, that would spell doom for my little family. "Daemon, don't!"

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