Disenchanted Read Online Free

castle emerged from the night,
majestic in its decrepit beauty.
    Two motorbikes stopped, expelling
dust that scattered into the air like exorcised ghosts.
    Casey killed his bike's engine
the same time as Alex. "That's not on the map."
    " Neither's Hell, doesn't mean we should explore it. It's probably Dracula's castle,"
Alex said, poorly imitating Dracula's accent.
    "That's in Transylvania,
dumbass."
    "Like that's a real
place."
    Casey dismounted, removed his
helmet and approached the castle. He struggled through undergrowth that had
formed over the forgotten path like scar tissue. He tripped over hidden rocks,
falling to his knees, a forsaken worshipper beyond redemption.
    "There's something called
daylight," Alex called, shaking his head and following. "It was
invented for seeing things."
    The streetlight flickered then
died, like a broken heart that had stopped beating. Night's satin shroud swept
over them, teasing their warm skin with its chilly caress. Alex tried the big
wooden gate, but overgrown ivy sealed it shut. Thorny bushes concealed the
castle from prying eyes.
    "There must be a way
in," Casey said.
    "And a guaranteed way in to
the police cells for trespassing. Once was enough, thanks. It's pitch black,
freezing and there's not a living soul for miles. This is the perfect breeding
ground for horror movie monsters. I refuse to die a cliché."
    "Hope you're packing silver
then."
    "I'm packing something but
it ain't silver."
    "I'm flattered Alex, but I
don't want to ruin our friendship. Plus you'd never call me back in the
morning, making me regret blowing my wages on that sexy babydoll ."
    Alex laughed. "Jerk."
    Casey battled through the bushes,
tracing the perimeter.
    Alex cursed when a bramble
smacked him in the face. "Anything this well protected must be evil.
Horror films always start with fun-loving friends on an adventure then one of
them messes with stuff they're not supposed to and bang! An unkillable serial killer is on their trail for ninety minutes. Breaking in to a creepy
impenetrable castle is exactly the
kind of thing that graces horror DVD shelves."
    "You'll be the first to die
then."
    " You're the one disturbing the legend."
    "What if we've discovered a
forgotten castle? We could claim it. Casalex Castle.
I've always wanted to live in a castle."
    "Only weirdos and vampires live in castles."
    "No, vampires live in
respectable communities, go to school even though they're hundreds of years
old, only feed from blood bags and woodland creatures and date the new girl in
town. Get with the times."
    "That's what they want you to think." Alex cackled.
"You just dissed the legend. You're gonna die."
    "I'll make it to the
sequel."
    "It might be a new film by
an edgy director and when the audience think you've made it to safety, wham ! You're butchered right at the end
and your eyeball will fly out and hit the camera lens."
    "Not many deaths result in a
flying eyeball."
    "It's growing in
popularity."
    Unnatural silence urged them to
turn back. Casey ducked overhanging ivy then his foot fell through brambles, snagging
his knee. Alex yanked him free, thorns piercing Casey's flesh through his PVC
trousers. Low branches grabbed their hair and jackets, tugging them back to
whisper evil secrets in their ears, the tree's bony fingers stroking their
faces as it held them captive. Alex snapped a branch then pulled out his
penknife and carved the end to a point. Casey raised his eyebrows.
    "Fresh out of silver."
    "Sexy and resourceful." He pretended to swoon.
    They stopped at the big wooden
gate again. Alex swore and kicked it. Casey backed up, staring up at the
castle. He could feel its siren song, luring him in.
    Alex sighed. "Let's find a
pub. I'm starving."
    "I have to get inside."
    Alex headed for his bike, mounted
and turned the ignition. "Count of three then I'm leaving you to the
vampires."
    Casey took one last look at the
castle then reluctantly jogged across the road to his bike.
    "First thing tomorrow,