CHAPTER 9

**AMY**

Hours had passed since I entered the room, drowning in a deep sadness that seemed to consume every fiber of my being. The tears had dried, leaving only a feeling of emptiness and despair, a crushing weight that settled in my heart and refused to disappear. I lay on the bed, my eyes fixed on the ceiling, as I drowned in my dark thoughts.
The sound of the door opening cuts through the silence, and I slowly turn my head to find Aaron standing in the doorway, his worried gaze fixed on me. A wave of conflicting emotions floods me when our eyes meet—a mix of gratitude and guilt fighting for my attention.
“How are you?” 
His voice is soft, laden with genuine concern. I take a deep breath before responding:
“I’m… trying to deal with all this.”
He sits next to me, his touch gentle and comforting as he examines my injured wrist. 
“You shouldn’t blame yourself so much, Amy. None of this was your fault.” 
I don’t respond, unsure of what to say. My mind is in turmoil, my emotions a furious storm threatening to engulf me completely. I nod in resignation as he suggests tending to my injured wrist, allowing him to do what needs to be done.
Aaron finishes bandaging my wrist carefully, and for a moment, the heavy silence between us is almost deafening. Then he breaks the silence, his voice laden with sadness as he mentions the arrangements for his mother’s funeral. 
“I plan to bury her in the family cemetery tomorrow. I… I can’t believe she’s gone.” 
His eyes fill with unshed tears, but the pain is evident in his expression. I immediately offer my help, knowing it’s the right thing to do, even though my heart is shattered into a million pieces. 
“I’ll be there to help, Aaron. You don’t have to go through this alone.” 
He nods, gratitude shining in his tired eyes. 
“Thank you, Amy. That means a lot to me.”
I ask about Elara, worried about the impact her grandmother’s death had on her. Aaron confirms my worst suspicions, saying she reacted poorly to the news. I think about my own story—my mother, whom I never knew, and my true father, who is a vampire. There are still many confusing things I don’t yet understand in this world.
I lift my head and observe the somber expression on Aaron’s face, his eyes filled with sadness and a spark of anger flickering behind them. I can feel the intensity of his emotions—the whirlwind of feelings threatening to consume him from within. He is battling invisible demons, a fight I know he cannot win alone.
Sitting beside me, he begins to talk about his mother, sharing memories and stories that paint a fuller picture of the woman she was. I listen intently, absorbing every word with silent reverence. I never had the chance to know her well, but through Aaron’s stories, I feel as if I’m beginning to understand who she was.
As he speaks, I feel a lump form in my throat—a mix of sadness and compassion that threatens to overwhelm me. I wish I could do something to ease his pain and bring back the smile I know he has lost. But I know there is nothing I can do except be there for him and offer my support and presence amid the darkness surrounding us.
“She seemed like an amazing and very brave woman…”, I whisper, and he nods. 
“Yes, just like your mother was, Amy…” 
When our eyes meet, I sigh softly, a sense of peace seeping into my being as I lay my head on his shoulder. I close my eyes, allowing myself to sink into the comfort of his arms around me. We remain like this for many minutes, enveloped in a comforting silence that speaks more than a thousand words could express.
When I finally lift my head, my eyes fix on his lips, and an almost palpable intensity passes between us. I can feel the pain he carries, the open wound in his heart that refuses to heal. I blink, wishing I could take all that pain away and do something to ease the burden he carries.
Part of me longs to touch him, to share a moment of intimacy that goes beyond words. I want to kiss him again, feel his cold lips, and let our kiss become an anchor amid the storm surrounding us. But I hold back, knowing it’s not the right time and that we have much to face before we can give in to the desire burning between us.
So I just look at him, lost in his eyes, lost in the whirlwind of emotions enveloping us. 
“I’m so sorry.” 
“It’s not the end yet; we’re vampires, but that doesn’t mean our life lasts forever.”
The next morning is Aaron’s mother’s funeral, and I put on a black dress before leaving the room. I descend the mansion’s stairs with a heavy heart, wearing a somber black dress suited for the grim occasion awaiting us. Each step feels like a solemn journey towards the inevitable, and I strive to maintain composure under the crushing burden weighing on my shoulders.
Reaching the first floor, I find Elara sitting on the couch, also dressed in black, a dark princess in her own pain. Her sad gaze meets mine, reflecting the anguish weighing on my own heart. Without a word, I approach and hug her tightly, trying to convey comfort and hope, even when my own words feel empty and insufficient.
“It will be okay, Elara.”, I murmur, wishing I could believe those words as much as I want her to believe them. I hold her hand as we walk together outside the mansion, where we are greeted by the soft raindrops falling from the cloudy sky. 
The previous night was a solitary vigil, sleepless, dominated by anxiety and grief.
As we approach the cemetery, I see the cars lined up in front of the house, a silent demonstration of support and condolences. The sound of wet tires against the pavement echoes in the morning quiet, amplifying the weight of the loss we all feel.
When we finally reach the cemetery, I am met with an unexpected scene: some vampires talking with Aaron. A chill runs down my spine, a mix of distrust and apprehension. I don’t know what to expect from these supernatural beings, especially considering the role they played in the tragedy we face.
We walk towards Aaron, my hand holding Elara’s firmly, seeking strength and courage in her presence. Aaron greets us with a silent nod, his eyes revealing a mix of sadness and determination. He introduces us to the vampires, some of whom are distant relatives and friends of his family. I take a deep breath, trying to keep my mind clear and focused as we prepare to face the final goodbye to Aaron’s mother.