After collecting the loam, Annabelle hurriedly left the store. She couldn't believe what she heard.
There was no way the vampires were still roaming the streets of Malcony.
What would happen now? No one is safe in Malcony. She believed that the vampires stopped visiting.
She eyed the people walking with her on the streets warily. Any one could be the vampire.
Breathing a sigh of relief, as she got to her house. She went straight to the backyard where the garden is.
She needed to speak with her grandmother, but that would be after she was done with her work in the garden.
She smiled as she saw the already grown roses, she would be collecting for her grandmother when she was done in the garden.
Originally, the backyard was her father's workplace. Where he does his experiments and other things.
They did think about having a small garden like this one, but her mother never really liked flowers. She hated flowers, and so they couldn't have a garden.
But when she returned with her grandmother, Nana started this garden. "I could leave my house for Malcony, but i cannot leave my flowers." Nana said, the day she started the garden.
Soon enough, it became a beautiful sight. If Annabelle could not go to the library, she would bring her books and read in the garden.
Aside the library, she also saw this place as an escape. What better place to relax and meditate, if not in the midst of lovely flowers.
After thirty minutes, of mixing dirt, soil, and flower seeds, Annabelle was done with her work in the garden.
That meant she could go to the library. Not before having a discussion with her grandmother though. She's curious about why Alora was at her house earlier today.
Taking the cutter, she gently plucked off the roses for her grandmother. After discarding her gloves, she went into the house through the back door.
"Nana?" She called out, as she got inside. "In here Anna." Her grandmother's voice rang out from the living room.
Annabelle walked to the living room, massaging her neck and arms. She really does need to rethink working on Saturdays.
"I got the roses" Annabelle said to the old woman. "Ahhh, go get a vase." She replied, abandoning her crotchet pin and wool.
"Uhh ok" Annabelle obeyed, walking to the kitchen and getting the vase. "They smell beautiful." Her grandmother gushed, as she smelled the roses.
Annabelle sat in front of her grandmother, as she watched the way she dressed the rose. Finding a new home for it in the vase.
"That reminds me Nana, what did Alora come for?" Annabelle asked.
"Always so curious Anna, you took after your father. He was always this cur_"
"Nana You're stalling." Annabelle said, cutting her grandmother off.
Nana chuckled darkly, and continued dressing her rose. Annabelle could tell her grandmother was keeping something from her.
She felt the tension lingering in the air. But, she sat patiently and waited for her grandmother to speak.
"I had a stroke yesterday, when you were at the library. I called Alora yesterday and she gave me some medicine." Her grandmother revealed, refusing to meet her eyes.
"A_a stroke?" Annabelle whispered rhetorically. This couldn't be happening. What did she ever do to deserve this?
First her parents, and now her grandmother? What exactly is happening? Did she make a mistake by coming to life?
Or maybe this was a punishment. Annabelle kept thinking about everything. "I'm fine now child. She only came to check on me." Her grandmother said, knowing Annabelle would be worrying already.
"I_i_i should have been here. Oh Lord." Annabelle muttered, a tear slipping down her face.
"No Anna. It's not your fault child. You deserve to have a good life, and you were doing what you love. The time was not right." Her grandmother said
"I don't think I deserve anything Nana. First my father and now you. Why does this keep happening." Annabelle cried out
"I have said this countless of times, you're not to be blamed for Caesar and Lorreta's death." Her grandmother said
"But I am. He died trying to safe me." Annabelle sobbed, her heart squeezing as she cried. She doesn't cry, she didn't want to show weakness.
"Do not cry in front of others, it's pathetic and weak." Her mother would always snap at her when she cried.
She doesn't cry, she doesn't laugh. She just endures. Why cry when it won't change anything. But her grandmother's confession really opened old wounds.
"Do not blame yourself Annabelle. Caesar loved you and he did all he could to keep you away from this harsh world. It's sad that he died while trying to" Her grandmother told her, her own eyes watery too.
"I just wish father got into the carriage with us. I wish he didn't have to be a hero and safe anyone." Annabelle whispered
"It's just how he is. That man would do anything for others, that shows how selfless he is. You had a very amazing father." Her grandmother smiled slightly.
Annabelle got up from her chair and ran into her grandmother's arms. As usual, it was warm and had a homey feeling.
She could tell her grandmother was hurting too. Her son died after all. He was the only child she had. She saw how devastated her grandmother looked when she got into the carriage that day.
She looked like she knew that would be the last time she would see her son. "I miss him too child. But I have to stay strong for you." Her grandmother said, as she nuzzled into her neck.
"Are you sure you're fine? I wanted to go to the library, but I'll stay." Annabelle muttered, after they broke from their hug.
"Oh no, you need air. Go dear, I will be fine." Her grandmother said, with a grin.
"Nana, did you know about the vampires?" Annabelle suddenly asked, remember her conversation with Adam.
"What are you talking about?" Her grandmother replied. Abandoning her roses on the small coffee table.
"Adam said he had to sell all his goods, before the vampires show up." Annabelle explained
"I really don't know where he got that information." Her grandmother shrugged. Deep down Annabelle thinks she knows something about it.
"Well he did tell me that. I figured you'd know about it. I guess I was wrong." Annabelle said, as playing with her fingers.
"I'll ask Alora if she comes tomorrow." Her grandmother promised
"Okay Nana. Are you sure I can go to the library?" Annabelle asked, not sure if she should leave her grandmother alone.
"I will be fine child, go and read your old boring books" Her grandmother said, and they both laughed.
"I will be going then. I really smell disgusting." Annabelle scrunched up her face, and walked to the door.
"Annabelle" Her grandmother called just as she was about to leave the room. "Yes Nana?" She answered.
"Be careful child. I'm still recovering from Caesar's demise, I don't think I can handle it if anything happens to you." Her grandmother said
"I promise Nana, I'm not going anywhere." Annabelle said, with a grin. Her grandmother's waved her off, and she left to get ready for the library.
-
On her way to the library, Annabelle kept thinking about her life. Was she cursed? Could good things never happen to her?
She really did miss her father. In situations like this, where she gets confused and tired, he'd assure her that everything will be okay.
But nothing is actually okay. She could remember clearly, the first day her grandmother had a stroke in front of her.
She was afraid and devastated. She didn't want Her Nana to die. She wanted the only family she had left to be alive and strong.
"Do not let him go" someone shouted. Annabelle scrunched her eyebrows as she hurriedly walked to the middle of the road, where people were gathered.
Annabelle tried to squeeze herself in between the bodies of people. She knew what she was doing, was the total opposite of staying out of trouble.
She got to the front, and saw two tall and muscular men shouting at a black haired boy that looked like he was her age.
"Where is your partner" the one on the right snapped, at the boy that looked like he was seconds away from shitting his pants.
The boy being yelled at, looked through the crowd to find his supposed partner. His brown eyes stopped roaming, as his eyes met hers.
"She is the one, my partner." He pointed at her, earning gasps from the crowd as everyone's attention was on her.
The two muscular men holding him, also turned to look at Annabelle. Annabelle took note of their whitish/pale skin and bright blue eyes.
'It's them, the vampires.' She thought to herself. Her eyes growing wide as she took time to process what the stranger on the floor said.
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