"How dare you go through my things." Amelia plucked the card from my grip, eyes wandering to the ruined pages of my medical file. "You know?"

Mum intervened and plonked the glass onto the table, splashing water over the rim. "Amanda, you should know by now not to leave important documents lying around for others to get their unwanted hands on."

"It's Amelia." Her tone raised. "And the file strictly has 'Private & Confidential,' written on the front."

Johnathan rushed into the room. "What's going on?"

Amelia shared a look with Johnathan. His face remained deadpan when he saw the ID card in her hand. "Isobel, do you think you could spare five minutes? I want to get more information on Richard."

Mum rolled her eyes, grabbing the half-empty bottle.

Once they left the kitchen, Amelia closed the door. "Did she see?"

Inclining forward, I furrowed my brows. "See what?"

"The file? Did she read it?" She asked.

I shifted in my chair. "No, she didn't."

"Great." Amelia blew out a heavy sigh, running her fingers through her mousy tresses. She had taken out her plait, leaving delicate waves trailing past her chest. "The less she knows, the better."

I couldn't agree more.

"Spill the beans. How do you know Ethan?" I asked, composing myself for the answer.

She popped the apron on and tied it around her waist. "Ethan's my brother, half-brother, actually."

What?

"We have different fathers." She removed the catheter from my hand, keeping her head down.

Now she had mentioned it, both Ethan and Amelia shared the same button-shaped nose.

She said, "You know about Richard and how he escaped Shadowbrook, so you must know that he wouldn't want you to find him."

Shaking my head, I dug my nails into the side of my thigh. "You're wrong."

"Am I? Why do you think he left you at the hospital?" Amelia covered her hand over mine. "He is protecting both of you."

I shook off her failed attempt at offering comfort and stood up, holding onto the edge of the table for support. Black dots invaded my vision as the room caved in.

"You need to rest." Amelia seized my arms, keeping me upright and lowered me back onto the chair. "No sudden movements. Okay?" 

"Mm-hmm." I couldn't believe her—I didn't want to. Everything my father did was to protect me. He wouldn't give that up and leave at the first hurdle. We were in this together. "How did you escape?"

Amelia grunted and ripped off her apron, removing her gloves in one swift motion. "I didn't escape per se, but they allowed me to leave due to my career choice. Hence, the ID card. It's only a temporary issue. I have to go back every three months to get my leave validated for the next three months, and so on."

I perked up from her revelation. "What happens if you don't return?"

"You know the answer. Look at Richard." She washed her hands and rubbed them on her overalls. "It's been a long day. We can talk more about this tomorrow."

"Take me there," I said with enthusiasm. "There's got to be a reason why my dreams keep sending me there."

Sooner or later, I have to face my fear, whether I like it or not. Dad can't protect me for much longer. It's my turn to protect him.

Amelia pinched the bridge of her nose. "Are you crazy?" Crossing her arms over her chest, she pursed her lips and shook her head. "Everything we did today was to protect you. Now you're jumping straight from the frying pan and into the fire."

"They won't stop until they have him, Amelia. I will not sit here and let him sacrifice himself." After everything he did to protect me for seventeen years, it was my job to do the same.

"Absolutely not." Johnathan's voice echoed from the other side of my bedroom door.

I threw clothes into the black bin bag and any sentimental objects I valued. The flowery marble photo frame diverted my attention. The photograph was from the summer of 2016 on our girly trip to the beach. Cassie's yellow-lemon bikini was radiant against her olive complexion, and her damp hair frizzled in the searing sun. She had one hand on her hip and the other making a peace sign behind my head, pouting for the camera.

It was one of my favourite photographs of us together because of my broad smile and shoulder-length hair. I looked happy. I was happy. 

Life wasn't complicated back then.

My smile faded as I was one step closer to leaving my best friend and putting my old life behind me.

I shoved the photograph into the duffel bag. "I won't change my mind, Johnathan. So, you can stay there all you want, or you can help me?"

The door creaked open, revealing a dishevelled Johnathan. "I was afraid this would happen." He walked in, standing awkwardly as if this was the first time he stepped into a girls' bedroom.

Grabbing a few polaroid pictures, a hairbrush and my trinket box, I filled up any capacity left in my duffel bag. My eyes landed on the vacant space next to my pillows. A part of my childhood had already vanished as the disappearance of Cuddles was still a mystery. Perhaps Johnathan was too much in a hurry to notice him lying on the hospital bed.

"I don't think you could pack more even if you tried," he joked, trying way too hard to make conversation.

Sitting at my desk, I checked the drawer for my phone. Dad hid it in a place for when I came back between cycles.

"You aren't going to talk to me now?" Johnathan said, swaying a little from side to side. "I know what I did was wrong. It was either that or watch you die."

Letting Johnathan's words fall on deaf ears, I searched in the next drawer, sliding the loose pieces of paper.

Bingo.

My LG Town GT350 was at the back and out of charge. "Do you know why the vampire found my blood disgusting?"

Johnathan scratched his forehead, bringing his hand to the nape of his neck. "If I had a theory, it would be because of cancer. You have fewer red blood cells, so your blood is less appetising."

At least I'm not their first choice of snack, then. 

He changed the subject, bringing me back to the present. "Is there something I can carry?"

I gestured to the hefty bin bag and watched as he hauled it over his shoulder. "Johnathan?"

He turned around, looking at me bleary-eyed.

"Thank you for saving my life, but next time, tell me," I said. "No more lies and secrets."

"I'll see you downstairs," he said, smiling on his way out.

That left me with the difficult task of saying goodbye. One look in the vanity mirror and I slung the duffel bag over my shoulder, closing my door for the last time.

I will be back, and next time I won't be alone.

"Is it true? You're leaving tonight?" Mum rose from her seat. "Can't you leave tomorrow morning?"

Now's the time she wants some Mother/Daughter bonding. It's about twelve years too late.

Amelia had our cover story lined up. "The ward is expecting us tonight. We're lucky we got Erika a place."

"I will call you as soon as I arrive," I said, wringing the straps from the continuous lies that piled up. "Michael will drop in to see if you need anything."

Michael, Dad's friend, said he was more than willing to help while the search for Richard continued. It wouldn't be long before the police reported him as a missing person.

Mum wrapped her arm around my shoulder, bringing me closer. I stiffened from her unusual behaviour. "Take care, Erika. We will find him."

Swallowing the hard lump in my throat, I patted her shoulder. It was something I had missed in my adolescent years. "Give up drinking, Mum. For good this time."

I wished I could be here for her like Dad was, but we had been through this many times before. It was like a vicious cycle on a loop.

She let me go and nodded, lip quivering. "Goodbye, Erika."

"Bye." Gripping onto the strap, I focused on each step as I walked into the night.

A goodbye hurts, but the flashbacks haunt me forever.

A/N

Word Count: 1,414

Amelia is Ethan's half-sister. Did anybody guess that they were related?

Will Isobel find out what's going on relating to Richard? Will she find out about the vampires?

Was Erika right to forgive Johnathan for giving her vampire blood to heal her injuries?

Have a fangtastic day!

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