Patrick Watson - Where The Wild Things Are

Probably mistakes it's 1:20am 

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Ana's word's continued to haunt me that night and even three nights after that. What did she mean by 'draining?' Albeit she was over the legitimate age to be alive by being a few years younger than Michael's real age. She'd out lived a normal human because she was in fact a witch. But it wasn't something I wanted to hear. 

I didn't want to hear the words. "It's beginning to drain me," or "I don't know how much more I can take." Ana lay it on me hard. She gave me exactly what I wanted. The God honest truth just as I'd asked.

And damn do I regret it.

The blaring horns and shouts of enthusiasm as the start of Wake Me Up by Avicii started playing through the speakers next to the bleachers. I shoved my hands into my denim shorts pockets and sighed.

"What's eating you?" Nate said beside me, squeezing my shoulder. 

"Nothing." I murmured, watching the cheerleaders do chants, cheer and urge the crowd to join in. "Why did I agree to come to this pep rally again?"

"Because your brother is here and he asked you to come. Plus it's dark and we wanted to make sure your brother was safe." His arm wrapped around my shoulders to turn me to the side and look up at the bleachers. 

Michael sat at the front with two other teacher's including Lewis. Callum stood on the opposite end of the bleachers fiddling on his phone; I could see Micah sat beside Laura, who was wearing Damien's Jersey with his number on it and Kate sat on his other side which was a little surprising. Micah was talking to Laura and smiling about God knows what and I could see Katherine thankfully interjecting and talking with them. Micah's smile shone toward her and her eyes lit right up.

"Confusing those two aren't they?" Nate chuckled. "They'll sort it out soon."

"I hope they do. They're beginning to annoy the crap out of me." I smiled. 

As the chorus to Wake Me Up began, the football team flooded onto the field cheering and jumping up and down. Damien and my brother were ahead of the pack smacking their team mate's on the back and laughing. 

"Jock's." I grumbled.

"Hey now, that's not nice." He chuckled. "That's like calling me a Jack because I was in the Navy or calling a cheerleader stupid. Stereotyping isn't nice Evie."

"All I said is jock's," I laughed slapping his chest. "I didn't call them dumb or anything else did I?"

Nate only laughed. 

As the crowd cheered and chanted along with the team the current coach spoke his speech wishing that John were here to watch the team into victory. I glanced toward Mike and winked. He sent me a smirk and a shake of the head before returning to his conversation.

 I watched as my younger brother glanced over the crowd and settle onto the second row with a small smile. I frowned a moment before searching the crowd and landing on a girl wearing a letterman jacket. My brothers letter man jacket.  Her dark blonde hair was pulled up into a large bun on the top of her head and a pair of glasses rested on her forehead. A shy smile spread across her lips as she lifted her hand up into an awkward wave.

"His girlfriend?" Nate asked beside me.

"I've met her a few times with his friends but she wasn't much of a talker. Not sure of her name." How could he not tell me he had a girlfriend! Although... That is sort of awkward... 

"He's eighteen turning nineteen soon. He won't tell you everything. If it's serious he'll introduce you soon. He's turning into young man, Evie."

"But... But-!"

"Leave him be princess." His arm tightened around my shoulders.

"Ew, don't call me princess. When was the last time you called me that?"

"Probably about a year ago. I should start again."

"Please dear God don't." I laughed pushing him a little. "How does my cheek look anyhow? Kate did the make-up."

His finger tilted my chin to the left and right before nodding. "It looks fine. Better than it did a few days ago."

I could finally move my eye without it hurting too much now. Only downfall about it was the slight yellowing around my cheekbone. 

"Hey Evie!"

I turned around in Nate's half embrace and grin at Daisy. "Hey Dais."

Her brown gaze flickered to Nate before smiling at him. "You're Evie's cousin right?"

...what? "Um... He-"

"Yeah, I'm surprised you remember."

...huh? How in God's name... "My-"

"Remember Evie?" He looked down at me with a strained smile. "In the library? Your freshman year? It was snowing...?"

What- oh! Ah hell. "Jaso-"

"James." He corrected with a light slap to my shoulder. "Nice to see you again."

"You too. Anyway, I came over because this guy I met last night has invited me and a few others to the bar across the street want to come?"

I opened my mouth to decline when Nate said, "Which guy? Is he here?"

Daisy tilted her head. "Yeah. Over there."

I glanced over at the guy in question hovering around a group of women. It didn't take advanced sight to see the flare of his nostrils, the hungry smile and his inhumanly handsome looks to know that he was a vampire farmer rounding up his sheep for slaughter.

Nate excused himself and I turned Daisy around to distract her. I listened with only half an ear as I watched over her shoulder. Nate dragged the boy by the scruff of his neck underneath the bleachers. The girls looked confused until Callum popped up out of nowhere to distract them. I smiled. The system worked out between them was hilarious.

"...going to go see Laura. Are you excited to graduate in July?"

I focused on Daisy with a wider smile. "I'm ecstatic."

"Looked for any jobs yet?"

"No, I'm waiting first, you?"

"I've got an internship down in Seattle. I'm leaving straight after graduation."

It was weird. The future. It wasn't thought about much, especially with what was going on. "Congratulations."

"Thanks, Eve." She turned around and waved toward where Laura was sitting. "I'll see you Tuesday."

I watched the girl leave following her path to where they were seated and frowned yet again. But this time I wasn't confused. I was worried. 

Katherine and Micah were sitting stock still in their seats. The crowd stood in some sort of Mexican wave but the two of them stayed seated. Rigid. From Katherine I could see her eyes darting from left to right almost as if she were somewhere else. And Micah... It might be an automatic reaction but he'd gone into his bag, pulling out a pencil and a book. His hand scrawled over the paper in quick brisk movements, Katherine still staring into complete space. 

And then they both jolted slightly back, almost like they'd been nudged. Kate's hand covered Micah's as she looked down at the notepad on his lap. Her face paled.

They'd seen something.

I weaved in and out of the crowd, aware that the pep rally was coming to an end and if I didn't hurry I wouldn't be able to get to them.

Just as I'd thought it, the rows began to stand, each blocking my way and view of the two witches, dammit. I stopped by the stairwell glaring at every face, looking for a pair of sunglasses. 

There on the other side! But before I could make a move, a hand grabbed mine to stop me. "Where are you going?"

I looked up toward the familiar voice and briefly smiled. "To find Katherine."

Michael smirked. "You can find her later. We should get home." 

"But I think she and Micah saw something."

He released my hand and pulled out his phone. "I'll text her, she'll reply later. Now, why don't we get home." As the crowd moved, Michael nudged closer to me, his hand skimmed across my waist. "Come on."

"What about Callum and Nate?" I hid my smile.

"I told you they won't come to the house unless there's an emergency. So... Let's make use of our alone time."

A boy in front of us turned around and stared at me with a raised brow. 

My cheeks burnt a bright red at the small amount of recognition in his eyes as he looked at Michael. Great. Now people were going to find out! Oh, God. I couldn't even begin to imagine.

Before I could elbow or slap Mike, he leaned forward, eyed the boy and mumbled in an incredibly persuasive voice, "You didn't hear anything did you?"

He shook his head.

"Then carry on- ow! What?" 

"You can't be compelling kids out in the open, what are you an animal?" I shook my head, the thought of Kate and Micah forgotten for now. "I'll punish you later."

His laugh rang out through the slightly chilled night. Lewis glancing over toward us with a small grin before turning back to a student. "You better make it count, Dimples."

**

Later that evening, I did make it count. He's teased and tortured me enough times but I've only had a fair few amount of times where I would have control over him. Of course it took a great amount of restraint on his side, but I managed to drive him insane with my endless teasing and my attempt at tying his hands above his head with the tie from his neck. 

He could get out of it anytime he wanted but he relented all power to me. 

For ten minutes. 

Asshole.

Hours later, maybe 3am, I awoke tangled in between the sheets sprawled over Michael's side of the bed. Empty side of the bed should I say. The bedside light illuminated his back; the phone firmly pressed to his ear as the ripples of his naked back tensed.

My eyebrows furrowed at the jeans hanging from his waist. Why was he wearing jeans?

His hand shook slightly as he lifted it to run through his hair and my heart plummeted into my stomach. "Michael?"

His head jerked toward me briefly before he lifted a hand. "In a few. Okay." He hung up and turned fully toward me. My gaze roamed over his tight facial features. His lips were thin, his pupils dilating.

"What's going on-?"

"Can you get dressed we have to go somewhere."

"It's... Three o'clock in the morning."

"I know. Please, Evie. It's important."

 His tone of voice was worrying. It was detached. I'd heard it before, when he spoke of his family. Was someone hurt? 

I dressed quickly, throwing on a pair of jeans and one of my burgundy SFU hoodies. As we settled into his car, I pulled my hair away from my face into a loose bun. 

Michael didn't speak a word as he drove. The streets of Vancouver oddly quiet despite the vampires. We drove for what seemed like forever, his hands clenching at the wheel as we drew obviously closer to our destination. 

The winding private road we were on was dark, only Michael's headlights were our guide. It seemed familiar but I couldn't tell. Nothing around me signalled where we were going. Only trees.

"Mike, where are we?"

Still nothing. He'd been broodingly quiet and it was killing me.

"You're making me nervous, please."

"You were right." He murmured beneath his breath. "Micah and Katherine did see something earlier at that pep rally."

Shit.  "What did they see?"

Michael stopped the car and looked over my shoulder. I turned with him. The exhale of breath that escaped my lungs as I stared at the house wasn't one of relief, no. It was one of pure and utter fear. Terror coursed through my veins as I glared at the brightly lit house I hadn't been to in so many weeks. 

My numb legs carried me swiftly outside of Michael's car. Him calling my name passed right through me as I took two steps at a time up to the door. I turned the handle, thankful it was open before running up the next flight of stairs to get to the living room.

I was greeted by Katherine, Nate, Pamela, Ethan, Nicholas and Lewis. Kate stood but I ignored her and advanced to the stairs leading to the study.

"Evie, don't-"

Obviously I ignored them. My mind working at full speed at the possible reasons for them being here early. Could it be the baby? Could something be wrong with Amy? I wouldn't know until I'd seen them.

As I took the last step into the study, a small female shout of pain made me halt in my footsteps. 

John and Micah stood by the piano. 

It was odd seeing John so... Helpless. I didn't know what to think. The happiness of seeing him for the first time in over a month was diminished immediately. He was pale, his eyes what were once a vibrant hazel were now a dull hard brown. The flecks of green were barely visible.

His sad eyes darted to meet mine and they widened. "Evie."

I didn't know what is was but suddenly I was wrapped up in his arms. John was the immature dad before all of this. He'd give me advice about Michael and I'd give him advice about Amy. I loved John like the older brother I didn't have.

"Where?" I murmured after removing my arms from him.

Micah stepped forward. "You can't-"

"Where is she? Where's Amy?" My voice rose and shook as I darted between the doors in his study. 

"Evie?" A voice called behind the door to my left. Celia's voice. "It's fine, Micah. In here."

I floated toward the door; my hand twisted the cold metal doorknob until it clicked. I didn't know what to expect when I'd opened the door. I didn't know whether to expect Amy to be standing there all happy and excited with a beautiful baby bump. I didn't know whether I was expecting her to be doing a Bella from Twilight and to look frail, skinny and unhealthily pale. 

So when the door did creak open, the worry I felt when I saw her sitting at the edge of John's bed only looking slightly pale having lost her tan and her usually fuller face slightly bonier was in a way replaced with a little relief. I'd rather be only a little bit worried than completely terrified. Amy didn't look... too bad.

She looked better than expected. I suppose one of the sources of my worry was the way Claire tucked a stethoscope away into a bag, the way Ana was flipping through a sketchbook that resembled Micah's, and the way Celia petted Amy, smoothing her hair away from her face and speaking in hushed tones as if she were her own child.

Amy's clouded gaze moved from Celia to me and she smiled. "You're a sight for sore eyes."

"Sore eyes indeed." I replied staring into her swollen eyes. I approached her cautiously, my gaze on her large pregnant stomach. "Twins maybe?" I tried to joke.

And thankfully it worked because her beautiful crooked smile graced her mouth. "God, I hope not."

"Girl or boy?"

Claire sighed. "We won't know until she's given birth."

I sat beside Amy and took her cold hand in mine. Her fingers squeezed with as much strength as she could obviously muster and I looked at her. Amy was strong. It was one of the things I admired about her. Ever since she'd come here in September last year she'd gotten stronger. John was her rock as she was his. They both needed each other and I couldn't see either of them with anyone else.

"Why are you here a week early?" I finally asked.

The room grew silent and so did the light chatter outside of the door. Freaking vampire hearing. 

"Celia, Ana, Claire, if it's okay can I talk to Evie alone? You can tell John all is good."

Claire nodded her head along with the other two and immediately, my overactive imagination worked to figure out what the hell could be going on!

The other's left swiftly, each giving Amy a kiss or a hug. The door clicked shut and I turned my full attention onto my pregnant best friend. Her hand rubbed over her stomach almost unconsciously as she swallowed and inhaled. "Put your hand right... here. Quick."

Before I could even move, she placed our intertwined hands on top of her belly. I waited, and waited... and waited a bit more... and then I felt it. The small kick from a tiny foot. I was mesmerized. The movement was astounding considering she was only three months pregnant. The little munchkin in her stomach prodded at our hands before turning and relaxing again.

"Got a lot of Harris in him." I smiled genuinely.

"Him?" She looked up. 

"Or her." 

"I don't mind which to be honest. As long as the baby is healthy with ten fingers and ten toes." 

I stared at her again. Seeing her in person compared to on camera really was a complete contrast. Her chocolate eyes still looked lively and vibrant but there was that tired twitch to her brow. She darted her eyes to mine just as the smile slipped from her lips.

"Why are you back a week early, Ames? I thought everything was going okay."

She took my hand again. "Chelsea saw me."

My eyes widened and I gasped. I mean really gasped. A gasp that actually caused me to choke. "She saw you? How? When? I thought-"

"I ordered a pizza, I don't know I went to let up the delivery guy and there's Chelsea. Standing there holding the damn pizza."

I ignored her curse. "...Does she deliver pizza?"

"No! She took it off the delivery guy and paid him an extra twenty! She fainted!"

I know I shouldn't have. But I laughed.

"I wasn't laughing." She shook her head. "John had to carry her in."

I kicked my shoes off to get more comfortable but didn't release her hand. "So what happened. Does she know?" 

"Yeah, she knows I'm pregnant. She also thinks I was pregnant during Christmas too. She knows you knew and is pissed. She left in a huff. She's tried to call me about a thousand times since I've come here."

"Wait, when did this happen?" 

"Three days ago."

I frowned. "I don't understand. Is that the reason you're here early?"

Her stare darted to my throat. "No."

"Then..."

"Evie... I've been having these episodes. Celia explained it to me a few weeks ago but it wasn't supposed to happen this early." She started. "I'm losing blood, I'm hungrier, I'm losing weight, I'm throwing up everything I eat. John's blood isn't doing much to sate the baby anymore. I'm supposed to have eight weeks left of pregnancy, but Claire says I'll be early."

A cold feeling swept through me at the symptoms of her 'episodes.' "Has Celia said anything about you...?"

"Turning?" She finished for me. "Yes."

I waited for her explanation but nothing came. And as if she'd read my mind, she shook her head. "I don't want to tell you, Eve. Because, I hear from a little bird, that maybe you and Michael are considering having a kid."

Katherine will die a fiery death. "We're not sure."

"Well, I'll tell you how it goes if you want any encouragement." She winked and yawned. "Do me a favour. Everyone downstairs is worried about me, can you just let them know I'm fine but I'm going to get some sleep."

I didn't know whether Amy really didn't care or whether she was maybe mentally prepared for what was going to happen in a few weeks. I couldn't pin point her emotions. Her eyes gave nothing away, not even the few shaky squeezes to my hand seemed to falter in her confidence. 

"You're really prepared for this?" I asked her, taking both of her hands. "To have a child? To... be a vampire?"

"I have no choice in either do I? I wanted to be become a vampire in a few years but it's come sooner rather than later. A child before I turn, I suppose, is a bonus. I wouldn't be able to conceive as a vampire so maybe it's a small blessing in disguise. John and I could be a family with an addition."

There was a knock on the door and Michael poked his head in. His eyes strayed from me to Amy and he smiled. "Amy,"

"Mike! It's good to see you, it feels like it's been forever. How's John out there?"

"Worried about you of course. If it's okay, do you mind if I take Evie home? I know you two want to catch up-"

"Go ahead. We can catch up tomorrow I'm not exactly going anywhere." 

Michael left the room as Amy and I kissed and hugged each other but just before I left, I watched her through a sliver of the door. She could put on a facade in front of us all she wanted but I knew that girl. The pain that etched onto her face as controlled tears rolled down her cheeks broke my heart. Her hand's massaged around her stomach as she took deep breath; her top lip twitched almost as if she were holding in her grunts. 

I turned away from the door, controlling my own emotions with as much power I could gather. I didn't really converse with anyone before leaving the house. I spoke to John promising to see him tomorrow but not much with anyone else. 

Even in the car, Michael and I remained silent, our thoughts somehow filling the silence. His hand's weren't as clenched as when we were driving there, his jaw had somewhat unlocked itself.

Just as he turned down his road he said, "She's in pain."

"I know." I replied.

"She'll probably be at least three or two weeks early." He continued. "Amy's a fighter, but she's not strong enough for this. John's almost ripping his hair out. I didn't know things had gotten this bad. I thought they were on schedule."

I turned to him. "So did I. But not everything can be planned down to a T, Mike. Celia may have been perfect in her birth but who's to say Amy will be?"

"I know, I know." He huffed a sigh. "The only thing we can do is be there for them until it happens. And you understand as soon as Amy turns, you cannot see her for a while."

I unclasped my seat belt and met him by the front door with a slight scowl. "I'm aware."

"What are you angry at me for?"

I shoved the front door open. "I'm not angry at you."

"Then why are you being so sharp with me."

"I'm-!" I exhaled sharply wiping away the treacherous tears. "I'm not angry at you. I'm angry in general at... at everything. At the whole situation with Florence and now with Amy having a baby in the middle of it."

He sat on the arm of the couch with a horribly calm expression. "It's not their fault they're pregnant."

"No, I know it's not I didn't mean it like that. It's just.. unfortunate for timing. And it hurts me to see her in pain. It hurts me to see her like that. I think the worst pain I'd seen Amy in was when she broke her ankle years ago. That is absolutely nothing compared to this. I love all of you. Every single one of you. But with Florence interfering... Under different circumstances I would love this. I'd be supportive. I would care for Amy like a sister would." I held my hands to my head, the sudden headache making me want to rip my hair out. "I can't..."

Was I having a breakdown? Had I even been prepared for all of this? Sadistic vampires, witches? Baby's and deaths? Was it all suddenly hitting me? A noise that resembled a sob escaped my lips but it was almost hysteric. It'd finally happened.

I'm finally having a breakdown.

A pair of hands rubbed over my shoulders before guiding me through the living room and up the stairs. I was laid down and gathered into a pair of warm loving arms and slowly, my tears began to subside. I didn't know whether I was being selfish or not. It wasn't just me going through this. Everyone was. 

"Evangeline, I promised to love you and protect you from everything that comes our way. Taking you away from this right now would be stupid... But I am going to ground you."

My eyes popped open. "What?"

"You're staying with John and Amy. Or at least we are. It'll be better to be around them instead of having people coming in and out of the house all the time. Classes will help distract you as well especially with finals coming up soon. I can't have you moping around here anymore messing with your head. I've talked to John and Anastasia about this and they think it's a good idea. It'll be good for both you and Amy to be around each other. She needs normal human interaction."

I didn't have a reply to give. Because in a way I agreed. I would love to be around Amy for her last weeks. I needed to be around people and having people coming in and out of the house wasn't helping. This would be a good thing.

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Intense update. BUT I UPDATED. Proud of myself. PLEASE ENJOY. AMY AND JOHN HAVE RETURNED AND WILL BE IN IT WAAAY MORE.

Tell me your thoughts. Was Evie's mini breakdown expected?