"What are you staring at?" Kristian asked, raising his brow at Cora.
Everybody is now seated at the dinning room, eating lunch on a wooden round table. Theseus specifically prepared a good meal for their patient, from the main course down to the dessert.
"Sorry... I just find it amusing that you're actually eating human food," Cora said, still has her eyes still on Kristian then diverts her attention back to her plate.
"Not all vampires are the same. Some of them can taste human food and find it disgusting. Some couldn't taste them at all. And there are those who has the same taste buds as humans, like Kristian for example," Theseus explains, sitting right next to Cora.
"So you crave for both human food and blood?" Cora curiously asked.
"I crave. I have preference. But none of them can provide the rush and energy as much as blood," Kristian straightforwardly answered, nibbling on a piece of steak.
"He's a freakin' beast, I tell you! Steaks, burgers, chicken drumsticks! He'll eat it all!" Kyle teases as he hands over the plate of dessert to Cora. "Donuts?"
"Thanks." Cora grabs the chocolate glazed donut then turns her attention back to Kristian. "You're a very weird vampire."
Furrowing his brows, he puts down his fork then stares back at Cora, squinting his eyes. "Are most Oblivians this naive?" He then turns to Theseus. "Seriously, Theseus. Why does it sound like she's just hearing about vampires like we're some sort of a myth?"
"Krsitian, you must understand. Not everyone outside the wall have the privilege to interact with vampires. With the Highborns being too secretive to protect their own kind, only limited details about vampires are being introduced to the public. We can't blame Cora for asking too much."
The vampire points his fork at Cora. "More reason for me to go with you."
"Wait, what? To where?" The doctor turns to the vampire, eyes widen and raised brows.
"She's looking for her family. She's blindly roaming around Wisteria. I just wanna help." He then turns to Cora. "Where are you heading anyway?"
"A friend of mine told me that I should go to Rosewood District. I don't know why though…" There is a slight frown on her face as she remembers Rick's voice that night. Staring at her plate, she puts down the donut.
"Great!" Kristian excitedly yelled out, smugly leaning back on his seat. "Grandpa lives there. I could take you to him. He might be able to help you."
"You got a point there," Theseus agreed. "However, you must promise me to get back here before the month ends. I don't have enough vials here to last for a month and you must to take your medications religiously!" He points his finger at the vampire. "I mean it! No skipping!"
"Medication?" Cora mutters to herself, furrowing her brows then raises her eyes to look at Kristian.
"Kristian is a sickly vamp. He needs to take his medications daily to heighten his vampire abilities," Kyle explains.
"Yeah." Kristian pushes himself off the table then stands. His tone suddenly went cold. "Probably why dad doesn't want me back…" He grabs his empty plate then heads straight to the kitchen.
There was an awkward silence at the dinning room until they finish their lunch. While Theseus is washing dishes by the kitchen, Cora approaches him.
"I'm sorry…about earlier… I shouldn't have asked…"
"Don't worry about it." Theseus slightly smiles at her then focuses back on his chore. "Kristian is a tough guy. Whatever he felt earlier, he's probably forgotten it by now."
"I hope so…"
After finishing the dishes, Theseus dries his hand then walked towards the kitchen table, grabbing some folded clothes. "I guess you'll be leaving this evening, right? You should freshen up and change before you went on your journey again. These are Kyle's old clothes. I hope they fit you."
Lifting to unfold the shirt, Cora knew it is slightly loose for her but this will do. "Thank you, Theseus."
As she was about to head to the bathroom, Theseus grabs her hand. "Cora…"
"Yes?" Turning around, facing him.
"Please look out for Kristian. I really don't recommend him roaming around, away from this district." Keeping his eyes on her, he slowly let goes of her hand. "I know you are in a very complicated situation. You don't have to tell me about it. I can see it in you. I don't want you to take this the wrong way but I really don't like Kristian being dragged into danger. I also know that it is never your plan to have him around but he seems dedicated to help you out. And once he made up his mind, we can never change it."
Once again, a heavy load of guilt hit her. Just like that, Kristian added up to the list of burdens she has to carry along the way. A part of her wants to just run away and leave the vampire behind. But there is no doubt that he will be able to catch up soon.
Forcing a smile, she reaches out to lightly pat his shoulder. "I'll keep him safe. I promise," she lied. She hates making promises. She already broke at least two promises since this journey started and she knows that she might break this one soon too. But she has to make this work. Kristian has a mind that once set can never be broken. And having him around is really an advantage.
Though the wary feeling can never be shook off that easily, Theseus sighs in relief. For some reason, there is an impression about this girl that assures him about Kristian's safety. She may look like a frail normal human but he sensing some strength in her.
Cora headed straight to bathroom to take a shower. It has been a while since water this warm has touched her skin. Water back in Oblivia never get this warm unless they manually heat them. It's soothing. Too calming.
While taking a shower, she tries to stir up everything she learned since this journey started. Trying to clear her thoughts. As tilts her head up, facing the shower's flow, she tries to recall everything. Toto, Kalvick, Stella, Rick, Willa…even Kristian… The list of guilt is piling up and they're getting really heavy in her chest.
Lifting her palms to cover her eyes, she starts crying. This is the first time she broke down since she got here. Losing everyone. Almost dying. The feeling is really overwhelming. Horrifying. She wished she's stronger than this. She can easily fake the tough image but not her emotions.
A part of her wants to blame Toto for all of these. All those secrecy. His dangerous hobby that got his daughters in danger.
But Toto didn't ask them to go on a wild goose chase to track him down. They did it in their own will. She is the one who suggested the plan. It's all her fault.
Behind the wall, just outside the bathroom, Kristian could hear her sobbing. He carefully slides his back down on the wall, sitting on the floor, trying to feel her emotions. He didn't mean to snoop but he can't help but hear her voice, her heartbeat pounding in his ear.
Kyle walks towards him, keeping his voice down. "Are you sure about this?"
"Yes."
"You know this could end up badly, right? For both of you."
"I know. I have my reasons…" Lifting his head up to face him. "And Kyle…"
"Hmm…?"
"Don't tell Theseus about it."
Raising his right hand, chin up. "I promise." He then leans down, messing the vampire's hair. "Now get up before she catches you eavesdrop--"
The bathroom door creaks open as Cora comes out wearing Kyle's old clothes.
"Awkward…" Kyle said in a small squeaky voice as he excuses himself and headed straight to the other room.
Kristian immediately gets up, trying to keep a straight face. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to--"
"It's okay. Don't worry about it." Cora's eyes seemed swollen from crying. Her voice tear-stained. She headed towards the sofa, taking a seat. Leaning down, her palms resting on her face.
Kristian takes a seat beside her, keeping his eyes focused on the wall opposite him. "My father never wanted me…"
She slightly turns to face him.
"He never said it. I just felt like he does. I don't know why. Maybe because my brother is already enough to stand as his Scion. Maybe because I did something bad when I was a kid. Or maybe because I'm a defective vampire. All I know is that he never wanted me back in the Paramount." He takes a deep breath. "My father… Kameron Pope… He kept so many secrets from me since I was a kid. As a matter of fact, I am among his secrets, that's why he kept me on exile. Far away from him." He forces a chuckle. "I really don't know if I should get mad at him or understand him."
Finally lifting her head up, she starts to speak. "Our father kept so many secrets from us too. Secrets that are trying to get us killed now. Secrets that has kept us naive since we were kids."
"I guess our fathers are both assholes then."
"I guess so…"
He leans back on the sofa, tilting his head to face her. "I grew up in the Rosewood District. I know the place and the people by heart. And whatever Theseus told you, forget it. I'm not your burden, okay?" He then turns, looking up to the ceiling. "Like I said. Superhero complex."
Leaning back, she softly chuckles. "No, you're just a weird vampire." She smiles at him.