We are standing infront of the building. The park is on the other side.
This is the place. This is where dad...
I can feel my heart tear apart; aching. I'm struggling over this.
I shouldn't be thinking about that now.
"It's okay, Ed", Charlie says wrapping his arms around my shoulder.
I hug him.
We head towards the apartment.
I can feel my body shaking. I don't know how I am able to stand right now. I press the doorbell ring. Someone opens the door. It's an old lady. But she doesn't look like aunt Amber at all.
Wait! Aunt Amber can't get this old in just six years of course.
She steps aside and tell us to get inside. She closes the door behind us and stands infront of us.
"Sit down. I'll get coffee for y'all. Make yourself at home", she smiles.
I tilt my head, wondering why would she even ask that. I don't know why she is smiling? And I clearly don't have any clue about why she would make coffee for us? And how can she just let some strangers get inside her house? I mean it's not safe.
At least not for her.
She won't be able to protect herself even if something bad happens.
Woman, you better be more careful.
I look around. It's well decorated. The curtains are beautifully arranged, and there are some vinyl records too.
Alright. You've got same taste as me. Cool.
There is also a bookshelf.
I like people who reads.
I step forward to see but I catch myself staring at a photo frame.
It's Aunt Amber!
What is her photo doing over here? Is she a relative of her?
Maybe she's her...
Someone grabs my hand. I turn around. It's the old woman.
"You're really that little Edmund", she laughs. "I'm Amber's mother. You can call me nanny".
No wonder she wanted to make us a cup of coffee. She knows me. Aunt Amber is her daughter. I'm so happy. Even a while ago I was so scared. But now I'm feeling happy. Finally I can meet her.
Finally I can have a mother.
I wrap my arms around her. "Ok, nanny".
I can feel tears falling down my cheek.
Now this is embarrassing. But doesn't matter, right?
Nanny gives me the cup of coffee she made. She's smiling at me. She does have a nice smile.
"Won't you introduce your friends to me?" Nanny asks
I sit up straight facing Charlie and Patricia. "This is my nanny. She is Aunt Amber's mother". Then I point towards them. "He is Charlie and she is Patricia".
They smile and greet each others.
I'm curious to know where aunt Amber is. "Where is aunt Amber? Is she outside?"
The smile on nanny's face suddenly fades away.
"They took her away", she responded.
"They?" Charlie asks. He looks as confused as I am. I'm uncertain of what she's talking about.
Nanny stands up, and for a few seconds she stares at the photo.
"The vampires", she says, clutching her chest and appearing to be in pain.
I hold her up from behind. Patricia passes me over a glass of water. She helps nanny to drink water.
"What about them? Why did they take her away?" I ask nanny, hoping her answer won't frighten me.
"They needed a human to give birth to a half vampire and half human child. That's what Amber said to me the last time I saw her", she cries.
Thinking about that is somehow making me angry. They just needed her for a reason. Just an experiment? That's all what she was to them? How can they just need her for giving birth to a child. I wonder what they would do if she fails.
No wonder she just suddenly disappeared six years ago after dad died.
I fall forward and lay my head on my arms, sucking in all the air, straight into my lungs.
My jaw is tense and I'm grinding my teeth together. "What happened after they took her? Did you get any information about her?"
"I don't know anything else. I don't whether my girl is still alive or not out there. But she told me that you would come in search of her. She had this hope", she whispers. "And you really came but... she...". She started sobbing.
I sigh quietly, closing my eyes and leaning against the wall behind me, cursing the universe for snatching away my last hope to find her.
"There's no way we can find her now", Charlie says with genuine disappointment.
I feel a hand on my arm, followed by an arm sliding on my back. Nanny pats on my back. "It's alright". She's on the verge of tears.
I immediately stand up and pause by the front door. "I'll try my best to find her, nanny, I promise".
After several minutes of silence, nanny stands up and hand me over a bag. I open up the bag. I find myself in tears, holding the notebook aunt left for me. This was one of my favorite.
A notebook of 'Edmund Amber lyrics'.
A combination of ours.
Those lyrics are little bit silly. I mean I wasn't good at all. But she was extremely good at this. She used to put all her heart into it. She had a thing for writing lyrics. She once sang a part from my lyrics. I really loved it. I want her to sing for me again. I want to hear her voice again. And I'll do whatever it takes to bring her back. I clench my fist and hold it up to my chest.
I've learned over the years not to allow myself to grow too hopeful, but I'd be lying if I said every part of me isn't praying for her to be safe.
I stare at the photo frame for what seems like an eternity before I open the door and walk out without a word, being followed by Charlie and Patricia.
I turn toward my apartment and my phone sounds off. I pull it out and open my text.
Elora: Sorry! I left you that time and it's been such a crazy day. I hope you didn't mind. I am heading back to my apartment now. It's already midnight. So I can see you tomorrow morning, right? Love ya.
I stare at my phone's screen.
I can't help but smile.
She's cute.