I had Tiberius check what items or tools needed to repair the hospital and bought those only. Then I bought everyone's debts and forgave them. The banker was screaming bloody murder the entire time but I ignored him as a rule. The people who were drowning in debt thanked me profusely. I walked by a new cake shop owned by a sugar plum fairy. She was as tall as me. Her skin was cream and roses. She was dressed modestly. Her wings were see through and glistened with a mother of pearl sheen. The next was a hardware store owned by a retired soldier. He was polite and curious. He didn't hide his prosthetic leg. He happily flaunted. One of the many newest residents. I walked to the library to see the map depicting the town at the present time. It left out nothing. The new cake shop, the garage, the hardware store, the new clock tower under construction and the new fried chicken place had somehow drawn itself. Tiberius came and took the map. He replaced it with an ordinary one. Apparently the enchanted one was on loan. He took it back and Mr Crane came in his motorcycle. I asked him to transport me around town as the headless horseman. The motorcycle caught fire and the surrounding area turned black. After a sound like canon fire the darkness receded. Everyone saw the headless horseman and stood frozen. He extended his gloved hand to help me up. I sat in the front of him with both legs on one side. I held on to the saddle as he took off. As the hoof struck the asphalt I saw sparks fly. The horse was snorting fire. The locals were staring with a mix of admiration and fear. I ignored everyone on principle just enjoyed the ride.
The next morning after hurling practice Tiberius gave me the enchanted shotgun before I stepped out with Cleopatra and Rhaevor for a walk. The rift opened as we walked past the patisserie. The leash snapped and both Cleopatra and Rhaevor grew to impossible sizes and attacked the creature that came out. I only saw that it was a malnourished looking creature made of shadow with multiple eyes covering its head. It didn't last eight seconds. Once the rift closed both of them shrunk and climbed up my extended hand. Cleopatra stood on top of my head. Rhaevor chose to stay on my shoulder. I walked into the used book store and searched the collection. I felt someone approaching. I turned to see someone trying to figure out how to touch my scorpions. I explained in a matter of fact tone, "They don't like strangers. Their sting will kill you. There is no antidote. So I suggest you busy yourself with homework." They stared for a moment and walked away. I walked towards the park when a bunch of teenage boys grabbed me and threw my scorpions into on coming traffic. They started inflating like a balloon at a heart stopping rate the second they were flung. The drivers hit the brakes screaming. Once they reached the maximum capacity they turned to ones holding me and they approached with intent to attack. They pointed their stingers already dripping with black venom. Their pincers were snapping with malice.
They let me go and ran. It took a moment before they shrunk again. We went to the park and enjoyed the shade while Mrs. Erebus came with a basket of food. She heard what happened and she sent Atticus to handle it. Atticus has no restraints whatsoever it means those children are going to end up on the evening news. A notice arrived announcing to visit the town hall. By now everyone in the estate was starting to feel annoyed by these summons. We went to see what was going on like good law abiding citizens. As we walked out I saw the front garden was decorated with skull caps, snap dragons, skull orchids and Celosia. A few feet away I saw a glimpse of the other plant life nurtured in this estate. They were doll's eyes, ghost plant, red spider lilies, black bat flower and devil's claw. This wasn't a public meeting but a private audience. The mayor wanted to apologize for the almost property damage and was wondering if I could donate more money to his campaign. He also promised the boys in the town will be warned of the consequences of harassment. The newer residents are being informed of my role in this town. Tiberius interjected that I will not be paying for his campaign since he has done a pathetic job in his term. He transformed into Dracula as he explained his lack of faith in the current administration. Zilmera lifted her veil and her eyes started to glow a ghostly blue. He apologized for interrupting my duties as he ushered us out.
As I was discussing how to integrate my duties to the arrivals a rift opened in the town square. So Dracula laughed, "No time like the present." He summoned the war horn and blew. Everyone gathered and watched as I flicked Tiberius's walking stick. It turned into a sword. The blade alternatively glowed red and purple as I slashed the creature. The creatures had a swollen human head with wild black hair and beady eyes. It had the body and legs of a spider. He advanced till I slashed his legs. Then I used the stringless bow to kill it. It caught fire and skittered back to the hole. I saw a man covered head to toe in bandages called out in Draconian, "Collaborate with Tenebrae and be annihilated" I retorted, "Collaborate with the anarchists, destroyers and enslavers and be annihilated" he froze and Dracula laughed maliciously. Mrs. Erebus threw a handful of glitter. The rift actually screamed before it closed. Reality repaired itself but not before it spat out a Cerberus. It walked forward drooling. Everyone froze as I whistled a tune and it started calmed down. Upon close inspection I saw it was injured and flamed fetters wrapped around him like it was holding him back. I used the sword to cut the chains off and used water from the gourd to heal him. He stood still for a moment in confusion and then he shrunk to become a normal puppy.
Everyone gasped in shock and awe. I corked the gourd and gave it to Mrs. Kol. I scooped up the puppy and Dracula laughed delightfully, "Blackwell will love this." Mr. Crane came as the mysterious motorcycle rider dressed in all black with the usual black helmet. I shook my head and he changed into the headless horseman. Everyone was yelled in fear. I climbed aboard. I leaned against his chest as his horse sensed his surroundings as it snorted fire. Dracula explained to everyone present, "This young girl on the fire horse is the official guardian. She joins a long line of women who risk life and limb to keep dark and dangerous creatures from coming out and killing all of you. She fights at a great personal risk. She has been chosen to have abilities and wield weapons to fight them. We may look macabre but the ones on the other side look much worse and have an invested interest in ruling this world while enslaving or murdering every single one of you. Either help us or get out of our way." Everyone nodded their heads to agree. He changed into Tiberius and nod his head the horseman took off. I enjoyed it and so did the Cerberus. After the trip I named him Edgar. The dog happily barked as it followed me without question. Blackwell tried to take him to his cottage on the edge of the cemetery but he refused. So I scooped him up and took him inside. I checked the candles and they didn't change color at all. Tiberius was awed that I noticed. He merrily explained that the flames will change to red if an unwanted person entered despite the high protection. The person can only enter if permission is given by me. I asked how to identify a person who is unwanted. He gave me a monocle to wear when answering the door. Mrs. Erebus drew me a bath but I bathed Edgar first. As I soaked in the tub filled with black and floating snap dragons and skull orchids he barked cheerfully as he explored my room.