Wind slapping the window ripping him out of his dream, the chimera rubbed his eyes. It sure was stormy since he returned to Italy. But, maybe such was a good thing. Those pesky neighbor kids would dial it down for a change. Rain some more, they were in need a permanent rainy season. Thunder every day, baby!

But, the hyena quickly retracted such statement. Never mind, if there was lightning every day, that would be a nightmare. Letting out a yawn, the fatigue was ready to eat the food enthusiast up like a plate of ziti. Food ghosts were appearing around the world, what should he do if he's sent to an even farther country? Reaching for his phone, he opened his browser.

Tapping on the anonymous food blogger's website, the chimera squinted at the new entry posted on the front page. Header reading, Beware Birthday Party of Death, the young adult gazed at the dooming text in front of him with a groan. Even throwing parties for anniversaries and birthdays wasn't safe now? It was a miserable world out there. Zooming the page out, he read carefully.

<Beware, Birthday Party of Death.>

Anonymous.

"It would seem there have been reports around the world from parents and caterers alike that there have been hauntings at birthday parties and anniversary celebrations. Especially heavily decorated chocolate cakes are turning into monsters while being decorated or store bought cakes have begun to attack guests. Be wary, and whatever you do, do not bake any chocolate cakes right now. Avoid putting candles at all costs. It is highly recommended to make a vanilla cake or anything else. A safe option would be cupcakes. It is best to not take the risk if your life depends on it. We have no idea what might happen. If possible, avoid bringing cake to celebrations altogether until further notice.

And to the investigation team, if you would like to get involved in this, leave a comment beneath this post, and I will contact you when I best get the chance to do so."

Rest of the post being nothing but nonsense, the chimera's fingers hovered over the comment button. But, he refrained from typing anything out. Should he really join another investigation this soon after going on one? Maybe he shouldn't. Closing his phone, he let out a yawn. He didn't have time to read this person's daily life as a faceless blogger.

Hearing a knock on the door, the hyena let out a groan. If Deigr was demanding to use his bathroom again, she can eat a sock! Why can't those two just go back to their boyfriend's house already? Removing himself from the covers, he quickly reached for the tablet. Whoever it was, he needed to prepare himself for anything. Speeding off towards the door, the knob twisted in a slow manner.

"Morning, kiddo," Pira greeted, tone chipper. "Our next door neighbor's been asking for you all morning. She's waiting for you in the den."

Neighbor mentioned, the college graduate groaned. Come on, now, not this. What could she possibly want to talk about? Her kids really wanted to learn how to bake scones, didn't they? Why did it have to be him? They're going to scream his ears off the entire time! No, thanks. Count him out! But, he knew he couldn't say that. Scribbling away, his stylus strokes almost made the letters become something else.

[I'll be with her in thirty minutes.] Slow sliding text across his tablet said. He then scribbled some more. [What do you want for breakfast?]

"Varg said he's been craving some quesadillas, but anything's good, kiddo," Pira responded. He then stepped away. "I'll tell her to wait a little longer."

Fixing his summer quilt, the hyena stomped off towards his drawers. Why couldn't this lady wait until his odd jobs business opened up to bother him about the scones? The website wasn't going live in four days! But, no, she must think he has nothing better to do than to make sweets all day. Ah, well, he supposed that last bit was true right now anyway.

Clicking the lock closed on the bathroom door, the young adult grit his teeth as loud feet stomped towards the door. Can Coiote and Deigr make like a lambchop and just leave him alone? Didn't they have jobs or something to attend to? They sure had nothing better to do than to be an inconvenience every single day. How were these two almost forty?

"Come on, I was just about to go in there!" Coiote barked on the other side of the door.

Pesky older sister screaming and stomping her foot like a child, the chimera rolled his eyes towards the ceiling. He ought to put a password lock on this door. How many times did Leah and Natalie have to tell her that this restroom was not for her? But, no, this was the good bathroom. Go use her own! Silence soon kicking in, he jumped towards the tub.

As the rushing head plopped down upon him, the food enthusiast could not help but think about that message he received yesterday from that anonymous blogger. How in the world had that person know his name? They had to have IP loggers or something baked into their blog comment system. What a strange thing to do. But, he supposed they wanted to keep track of disingenuous commentators on their page.

Wind rattling the windows, the hyena could feel a chill down his spine. Was there a medicane coming? He remembered during his stay in the United Flop Of America, tornadoes were a common point of concern during the spring and summer seasons. Was he in for a day of danger for the rest of the week? He needed to watch out.

Pressing the knobs as his locks dripped, the chimera reached for the towel. Gazing at the window, he shivered. Could there be a shampoo ghost waiting for him somewhere in the restroom? If there were food monsters, who was to say there couldn't have been more varieties out there? He needed to be cautious.

Bright green shirt with cut up bottom fringes with a chive on it and text that read, leek my secrets, the young adult put on a wool floor length green skirt beneath it. Fluoride ready to chill his teeth into next week, he reached for the hairdryer. How many minutes had it been since he stepped in here? It had to have been about a half hour by now. He'd better hurry up and finish, or that neighbor would talk his ear off.

Hair put into a low ponytail with green triangular shaped hair tie, he wondered. Did this make him look like a chive person? Maybe he should have curled the ends a little. But, he knew there was no time for that. Any minute later and he would be tossed in a garbage bin. Hurrying back to his room for a moment, he grabbed the jewelry box.

Matching chives hairpins and earrings clicked in haphazardly, the chimera dropped the tablet into the back of his skirt pocket. He had to hurry, had to be quick. Reaching the den at lightning speed, he huffed and puffed. Auburn haired neighbor looking at him with a warm smile, he kept a blank look in return.

"Oh, Siorc, there was no need to hurry on my account, I'd have waited for you!" his neighbor cried.

Neighbor brushing her hand down as she spoke, the chimera broke into a sweat. This lady sure was patient, wasn't she? How long had she been waiting for him already? Reaching for his tablet, he prepared himself to scribble down. If she thinks for even a moment he's baking scones for a cheap price, she can forget it. Hand writing up a storm, he steeled himself for any annoyance ready for action.

[What do you want to talk about?] Slow sliding text across the screen asked.

Neighbor's eyes wandering towards the stairs, the chimera placed his fingers on his chin. This lady, why was she looking over there? Did she have some secret she wanted to tell him? Maybe she knew about the food ghosts. If she did, what should he say? Maybe he should brush it off. It was best to not get this woman involved in this.

"Is there somewhere private we can talk?" his neighbor asked. "I don't want anyone to overhear us."

Hearing such, the hyena rose an eyebrow. What was so important she didn't want Pira to hear? Was she planning a surprise party for her children, or something? If that was the case, why ask here? Trudging towards the stairs, he wondered. Would that empty room on the second floor settle for somewhere private? Leading the way, his thoughts raced as he closed the door behind him in the office of emptiness.

Neighbor lady looking directly at him, the chimera could feel a chill drop down his spine. Why was she gazing at him with such a serious look? She saw him go out at four in the morning, didn't she? Oh, no, what is she going to think of that? She's going to assume he's doing something troublesome, isn't she? Ugh, he's an adult, not a child, she needed to keep her nose out of his business!

"My husband said he saw your house at four in the morning, is everything okay?" his neighbor asked. "I've been hearing a lot of nasty rumors lately that young adults have been going out in the early morning hours to meet strangers online and never come come home."

Rumor buzzing his way, the chimera grit his teeth. Ugh, he forgot that his neighbor's husband was a early riser. Maybe he should avoid going out in the early morning hours if that anonymous blogger gives him a food monster mission from now on. Or, maybe he could just go the other direction. He needed to make up a convincing falsehood, but what? Scribbling away, he could feel the white face paint ready to decorate him.

[No, it's nothing like that. I just wanted to go for a walk at dawn, that's all.] Slow sliding text across his tablet said.

"I see, but if you're ever in any trouble, don't be afraid to contact us, we're here to listen," his neighbor said, hands folded. "I know you're an adult now, but you can't be too careful."

Warning coming his way, the looked into the lady's eyes. Maybe she didn't know about the food monster thing after all. Hands quivering, he hovered over his tablet screen. She came all this way to ask him if everything was alright. Maybe he could backtrack on not baking scones for those pests. Scribbling away, he knew he was about to regret this decision in a moment.

[Thank you for your concern. I'll try to be careful.] Slow sliding text across his tablet said. He then scribbled some more. [If you aren't too busy, I wouldn't mind helping your sons bake some scones today.] But, such had been met with a ray of sunshine too quickly.

"Oh, really, you will?" his neighbor asked. "That's really nice of you."

[When should I come over?] Slow sliding text across his tablet said.

"Anytime you'd like. My boy's won't be using the pool today," his neighbor responded.

[I'll come at around noon, then.] Slow sliding text across his tablet said. [See you later.]

Neighbor excusing himself, the chimera huffed a breath. This family sure was perceptive, weren't they? Maybe they did know about the food ghost rumors going around. If that lady and her kids were to be in danger, it would be his fault, wouldn't it? He needed to remain cautious while baking today.

Scooting towards the kitchen, the chimera lathered his currently human hands. Remove the quesadilla ingredients, he placed his hands on his chin. How many should he make? Varg said he was craving them, wasn't he? Maybe he should make three whole serving sizes worth. But, he shook his head. No, that would be way too much food for three people, wouldn't it? Maybe two per person would do.

Gazing at his phone clock, the food enthusiasts eyebrows twitched. It was already ten o'clock. Two hours to go until the scone nightmare would eat him alive. Going to his recipe folder, he looked for a nice, meaty quesadilla recipe. Maybe a pulled pork one would do. Removing tins of meat and cheese from the bottom of the fridge, the college graduate cracked his knuckles. It's time to get cooking!

Skillet soon removed and set to a medium high preheated setting, the chimera took out the tortillas. Spreading the margarine onto the bready goodness, the hyena could feel the confidence drop to the bottom of the ocean. He spread on way too much, didn't he? Maybe he should lay off a little on that.

Meaty filling added, a small layer of peppers had been put on the outermost shell. Varg liked his food a little spicy, right? He remembered when he was young, he'd always complain there weren't enough spices. Adding in some for good measure, he sprinkled down the cheese in boatloads.

Folding the tortillas, the chimera plopped them over the pan. First two's cheese melting, the hyena flipped them over. Hurrying to the next batch of two, he could soon hear the annoying footsteps barrel towards the dining room again. But, he tuned such out rather quickly. Whatever Deigr and Coiote had to say, they can can it.

"How can you make meat every single day?! Don't you get tired of beefing up?" Coiote complained, groaning. "Put more vegetables in your food! Going vegetarian is in right now!"

"That's right! Stop putting pork and meat on everything! Haven't you heard, red meat will make you die young and reincarnate into a pig!" Deigr shouted in an annoyed tone. "You know that everyone is just being nice to you, right? You're not good at cooking at all! I bet that college couldn't wait to get rid of you!"

Furiously flipping the next set of quesadillas over, the chimera's eyebrows twitched. Excuse him? How dare these two say all that nonsense again! Did he have to remind the two of them he was the valedictorian again? He probably did! But, no, forget them, they would never understand. Putting the last bit of quesadillas on the plates, he scribbled away quick.

[I've already told you a dozen times now that hyena chimeras like us cannot go vegetarian. We need a lot of meat in our diets. But, sure, if you want to malnourish yourselves and be trendy with your human boyfriends, be my guest, I don't care.] Slow sliding text across his tablet said. He then scribbled more. [Enjoy your instant coffee, because I'm not making you a thing.]

"Ugh, Deigr, forget him, babe's here!" Coiote cried. "We'll have him buy us coffee!"

"Yes, let's!" Deigr exclaimed.

Party of two stomping off, the hyena was ready to rip his hair out. Man, these two were so immature. When were mother and father going to come home and kick them out of this home? Both of them were going to be in their forties soon.

"Don't worry about setting the table, kiddo, I got it," Pira said, placing the napkins and utensils down. "I'll clean up, too. You're helping the boys next door make some scones, right?"

Seating himself, the hyena nodded. These walls sure were thin here, weren't they? Great, he probably heard the whole thing about him going out early this morning, didn't he? If he had anything to say about it, he was an adult now, thank him very much! But, he knew he had to keep quiet.

"Ya mixed the pep'ers in mine pre'ey well, Siorc," Varg said in between bites. "Ya shoulda made more!"

[Sorry, I'll make more next time.] Slow scrolling text across his tablet said.

"Dun't worry 'bout it, yer going to help th' neighbor kids bake today, right?" Varg asked. "I'll man'ge just fine with two fer now."

Slipping back into his room for a bit, the hyena gazed out the window. Let the scone nightmare begin.