A few months had passed, and the group finally returned to Whispering Hollows after all their training. But something felt off the second they arrived.
"Where is everybody?" Zoey said, looking out the RV window.
"It's too quiet," said Jada, frowning. "Some houses are empty."
"People are missing... and the ones we do see look weaker," Zoey added. "Even the animals and kids are acting strange, like they're hiding from something."
Everyone nodded in agreement, feeling the weird energy hanging in the air.
Suddenly, someone ran into the middle of the street. Jada slammed on the brakes. Everyone leaned forward, staring.
Zoey's eyes widened. "No way... is it really him?"
"Can y'all see this?" she asked, her voice shaky.
"Yeah, we see him," said Mya.
"Who is that?" asked Jace.
"My dead brother," Zoey whispered.
"Wow," Jace said, watching closely.
"Yeah..." Mya added slowly. "But something's wrong with him."
Zoey opened the RV door and stepped out carefully.
Her brother just stood there at first, then his eyes turned pitch black. His mouth moved.
"The Hollow One is closer than you think," he said, voice creepy and distant then he lunged at Zoey.
She jumped back, startled.
"Drive, Jada!" Zoey yelled.
Jada hit the gas and the RV sped off. Zoey ran inside just in time, her heart racing.
Inside the RV, Zoey's powers began to spark out of control. Fire danced on her hands.
"Zoey!" yelled Alina.
"I can't stop it!" Zoey screamed. Flames shot upward, burning a hole in the roof.
"Calm down!" Mya shouted.
Zoey took deep breaths, trying to push the power down, but it was hard.
They finally made it to the house and got off the RV. But something was still wrong.
The house looked dark... empty.
"Where is everyone?" Zoey said, stepping toward the porch.
Mya looked around. "I sense another vampire nearby. Watching."
Jada pointed at the trees. "There's claw marks... fresh ones."
The group stood close together, eyes scanning everything around them.
Zoey clenched her fists. "Something's here. And it's watching us."