I didn't know how long we sat like that, Sebastian holding me tight while I sobbed into his shoulder. I ran out of tears at some point, and my eyes were burning, but I couldn't stop myself from crying like a baby. Not even when a hesitant knock rapped on the door.

I didn't move as Sebastian quickly stood and sat me on my bed. He was somehow able to make me release his suit, then he walked over to the door and opened it.

I glanced up to see a startled Jasmine staring up at Sebastian, who was giving her his innocent smile. She then turned to look at me, saw my red face and tear stained cheeks, and rushed over.

"Chrystal? What's wrong? What happened?" she inquired.

I was silent. I couldn't tell her. She couldn't know about what was going on.

To my relief, Sebastian had come up with an excuse. "I noticed she had been up here quite a long time, and came to check on her. When I got here, she was thrashing about in her sleep from a nightmare. I woke her, and she's been like this ever since."

"A nightmare?" Jasmine questioned, looking to me. I avoided her gaze and nodded. "Do you need to talk about it?"

"I-I can't remember it, really," I spoke softly. "Just s-screams... and b-blood..." I held my face in my hands. It may have been a lie, but my brain automatically started to picture the massacre that would be my family if all of those demons found us, and it brought fresh tears to my eyes.

I felt Jasmine's slender arms wrap around me. "Well, whatever it was, it's gone. It was only a nightmare. Nothing to be so worked up about."

I didn't respond.

"You have been up here quite a long time, you know. It's nearly three. Why don't you come downstairs and have a snack? That should help you calm down." She pulled away and smiled brightly at me.

I gave a sad attempt at returning her smile as I nodded. "I'll come down in a few minutes. I don't want to worry the others by letting them see me like this."

Jasmine nodded, then her face lit up as she gasped suddenly. "I know! Thomas and I will run to town and get some of those cupcakes you like! Those always make you feel better!"

I felt my smile brighten. Jasmine was the best friend I could have ever asked for.

Seeing my smile, she beamed back at me. "Okay, it's settled. We'll be back in about twenty minutes."

I nodded, and she hugged me one last time before leaving the room.

Once the door had closed, Sebastian came over and held me again. I lay my head on his chest and closed my eyes. My brain played the images of my family's massacre again, and I cringed at the sight.

"When do they leave?" I asked, unable to keep my voice from quivering.

"Tomorrow afternoon," Sebastian answered softly.

Good, I thought with relief. The sooner my family left, the sooner these images would hopefully leave my mind. I couldn't take much more of them.

I pulled away from Sebastian and gave him the best smile I could muster. "Go ahead and tell everyone to meet in the kitchen for cupcakes. I'll come down once Jasmine and Thomas get back and tell them about the trip."

Sebastian nodded and stepped back, then produced a small stack of papers. "This contains their travel tickets and information on where they will be going. I suggest looking it over in the meantime."

I nodded. They'll think I was the one to come up with the idea and plan it. I needed to at least know where I was sending them. "Thank you, Sebastian."

"Of course, My Love," he bowed, then gave me one last concerned glance before leaving the room, closing the door behind him.

***

"A month in Hawaii?!?!" Maia screamed over her chocolate cupcake as she looked at the paper in her hand.

I had handed out their tickets and a rough itinerary. What they wanted to do was up to them, but Sebastian had been kind enough to give many suggestions.

Sarah stood, her strawberry cupcake forgotten beside her. "Chrystal, you can't be serious. We can't leave you here by yourself with everything going on."

"I won't be alone," I told her. "Sebastian has volunteered to stay here with me." I paused for a moment, staring down at my own chocolate chip cupcake. "You all never get to get away and have fun, and I'm worried you all are stressing over this whole situation more than I am. You need to go relax."

Jasmine, who had already devoured her cupcake, stood. "I doubt any of us are more stressed out than you. You've barely left your room. We're all so worried."

"Which is exactly why I want you all to take this opportunity. You all need to stop worrying about me. I understand that you care about me, but you need to also take care of yourselves. I don't want to see you wither away under the stress."

They were all silent. Thomas was staring at all of us, speechless. Sebastian was behind me, probably smiling sweetly like he always did around the others.

"Please," I begged. They had to agree to leave. If they didn't, they would be annihilated just like me and Sebastian. I couldn't let that happen.

"I'll go," Maia spoke up finally. "You're right, Chrystal. You'll be safe with Sebastian, and you can always call James if things get out of hand. I trust you. Besides, I've always dreamed of going to Hawaii."

I smiled at her. "Thank you."

She nodded, and then Thomas stood, letting us know that he trusted my decisions and would go as well. Jasmine and Sarah were still doubtful.

I stared at them pleadingly.

After what felt like an eternity, Sarah sighed. "Fine."

Jasmine gaped at her, but I felt myself smile. "Really?"

Sarah nodded. "Yes. I'll do as you ask. But you have to promise to call us if things get rough and you need us to come home."

I nodded. That was a promise I could keep, because I wouldn't need them to come home. They were going to live through this.

We all turned our gazes to Jasmine. "I don't want to leave you here..."

"Jasmine, please, go with them. Have some fun."

Jasmine's eyes welled up with tears, but she eventually nodded. "But you have to promise me you'll be here when we get back. Safe and sound."

I hesitated. I didn't want to make a promise I couldn't keep. My hesitation, however, brought Jasmine's tears down her face.

"I knew it. You're sending us away because you don't want us to get hurt."

I stood a little too quickly. "Jasmine-"

"What are you not telling us?" Jasmine yelled accusingly. "What are you trying to protect us from? Last time I checked, we weren't the targets here."

At that, I exploded. "No, but you could become one if you stay here and try to protect me! I don't want any of you getting hurt! Sarah told me she didn't want to see me kill anyone to save you all. This is the only thing I could think of to make sure that didn't happen." I felt my tears come back. "My nightmares are filled with all of you being slaughtered. I don't want those dreams to become a reality. I love you guys so much. Please go on your vacation and be safe."

There was silence for a moment, before Sarah gently interjected, "Why don't you come with us?"

I shook my head. "They'll follow me anywhere. I need you all far away from me."

Jasmine then approached me slowly, taking in my scared and saddened state. A moment later, she had wrapped her arms around me. "Fine. We'll go. But I want to hear from you often. Please, stay safe."

I hugged her back and promised, "I'll do the best I can."

Jasmine pulled away and nodded. "I guess we should go pack our things."

"Yeah, you're flight leaves tomorrow afternoon."

They all nodded, then went off to their rooms to get ready for their trip, and I sat back with a sigh of relief and finished my cupcake.