My Anti-hero Fairy System

"I'll be out in a minute, Mom," Sylvester called, still trying to process all the information Hagrit had just dumped on him.

"Okay, Cara. I'll be waiting for you in the dining room—we have a lot to discuss," Arlene replied before walking away.

---

[Why do you think you're screwed?]

'Because you just said vampires—who already crave blood—are going to crave mine even more because it's like cocaine to them. Which means just a whiff of me is going to draw them in like flies to a corpse.'

[That's why I'm here—to guide you. Just take it one step at a time.]

'I'll try.'

[By the time dinner is over, your new missions will be ready.]

---

Sylvester descended the stairs and made his way to the dining room, steeling himself for whatever awaited. The table was scattered with remnants of a meal everyone else had already finished. Only Arlene remained seated, her watchful eyes on him. Across the table sat Travis, looking annoyingly cheerful—like he hadn't just begged to jerk off to Cara's naked body earlier.

Sylvester slid into an empty chair, grabbed a slice of pizza from the box, and bit into it. He polished off one slice, then another, savoring the cheesy flavor while everyone stared at him like he'd grown a second head.

"Honey, you must be starving," Arlene said, eyebrows raised. "You barely finish two slices, and here you are devouring a third. It's so unlike you."

Sylvester froze for a moment, realizing he needed to act more like Cara, who apparently was on a diet.

He forced a smile and shrugged. "I guess dying and coming back to life works up an appetite."

Arlene chuckled, her expression softening. "Maybe you're right. I'm just happy you're here with us."

Sylvester finished another slice, wiped his hands on a napkin, and asked, "Mom, can I have my phone?"

Arlene shook her head. "I don't have it, but Rudy does," she said, gesturing toward the mayor.

Rudy leaned back in his chair, his demeanor calm but calculating. "I'm keeping it safe, just in case the police need it for their investigation."

Sylvester didn't need to read Rudy's mind to know he was lying—but he did anyway. The man's thoughts screamed louder than his words: *I need to unlock that phone and find out what she knows.*

Sylvester decided to test him. "Investigate what?" he asked, feigning innocence.

Rudy hesitated, his composure faltering for a split second. "In case they need to know who sold the drugs to you," he finally said. A clever deflection, Sylvester thought, but not clever enough.

"I was hoping to use the phone to jog my memory. I barely remember anything besides my mom," Sylvester said, his voice tinged with vulnerability. "That phone might help me remember more."

Rudy opened his mouth to respond, but Sylvester cut him off. "And I promise, if there's anything on it the police need, I'll make sure they get it."

For a moment, Rudy's calm exterior cracked. He studied Sylvester with the intensity of a chess player calculating his next move. "You don't need the phone to remember anything," Rudy finally said, forcing a smile. "We're your family. We'll help you piece it all together. And if, by the end of tomorrow, you still don't remember, I'll give it to you."

Sylvester noted the forced grin and steely undertone. Rudy was a master manipulator, but Sylvester wasn't about to let him win.

"You seem really intent on holding onto that phone," Sylvester said, his tone shifting to challenge. "Almost like there's something you don't want me to see."

Rudy's expression hardened. "What are you implying?"

Sylvester leaned back, keeping his voice casual. "I'm just saying, if the police really needed it for their investigation, they'd have it. Not you."

The tension in the room spiked, thick enough to cut with a knife.

"Rudy, just give her the phone," Arlene interjected, her voice firm. "If it'll help her remember, let her have it."

Cornered, Rudy stood abruptly, plastered on another fake smile. "Fine. I'll get the phone, just to prove there's nothing I'm hiding." He left the room, his movements brisk.

'Yes! I freaking won,' Sylvester thought triumphantly.

[You sure did,] Hagrit chimed in.

'Wait, I thought you were on a break?'

[No, I am not. I was just observing quietly. Do you want me to step away? Like block me out?]

'Yeah, take a breather. You've earned it.'

[Alright, I will do just that.]

---

The moment Rudy left, Ashley turned her sharp gaze on Sylvester. Her lips curled into a disdainful sneer. "What a shocker. Cara antagonizes my father for simply doing his best. I guess some things never change, even when an ungrateful brat loses her memories."

Before Sylvester could respond, Travis spoke up. "Come on, Ashley, give her a break. Cara literally just came back from the dead."

Sylvester blinked, surprised by Travis's defense. Was this douchebag seriously trying to score points with him? Does he still think he has a chance with Cara?

Ashley's irritation flared. "Of course, you're taking her side. Ever since these people moved in, you've done nothing but coddle them and excuse their behavior."

Arlene's tone turned icy. "By 'these people,' I assume you mean me and my daughter?"

Ashley didn't hesitate. "Exactly. You two came here and turned everything upside down. You're nothing but leeches."

Arlene's nostrils flared, but before she could retort, Sylvester interjected. "I don't remember much, but I don't think anything justifies insulting me and my mom. Tell me, Ashley what exactly did I do to offend you? Was it simply moving in here with my mother?"

Ashley scoffed, her anger simmering just below the surface. "So, you really don't remember?"

Sylvester tilted his head, already reading her mind. Her thoughts gave her away before she spoke.

"You don't remember how you moved in and, within a week, stole the love of my life?"

Ah, so all this hostility was over a man. Sylvester fought the urge to roll his eyes.

Gleaning deeper into her mind, he uncovered the full picture. Her heartbreak had shattered her self-esteem, leaving her bitter and defensive, but emotionally fragile. Sylvester smirked internally. This could be useful.