Deep in the night, Nico snuck down to the basement. His dad usually sleeps right at 11 pm so he was in the clear. He can finally uncover the truth.
He tightly clenched the torchlight as he moved closer to the basement door.
It was left open to his relief. He snuck in and climbed down the cold stairs. Last time he didn't notice it but the basement was pretty deep underground.
He flashed the torch at the walls. The walls were translucent blue in color. 'blue?' he touched the surface. It was very cold.
The thing he previously thought of as a rock or a boulder was actually frozen permafrost.
Permafrost, a layer of ice deep underground the arctic that never melts. It was natural that this old castle had one. Many houses had this. it was to store meat. it acted as a natural refrigerator.
But none of the wells dug up to permafrost was this deep or this spacious.
It usually looked like a small well where people climb down and store meat in earthen jars.
'Come on, stay focused.. You're here to meet her,' he lightly slapped his cheeks bringing some blood flow. It was really freeing in here.
He walked over to the same connected room as before. The blood stench still remained there.
But...
The coffin was no more.
It was not there.
He ran into the room, searching for it. There was not even a trace left behind by it. "no... I saw it. It was right here! It's... mom... it was mom... she must have woken up. Mom! You here! hey.. I'm your son! You... you don't know me right..."
His desperate voice echoed in the deep dark room.
Only the cold gust of wind gave him a gushing reply.
"A-are you hiding? or.. are you even real? I saw the coffin. If you are hiding, please don't. I like you too. I really wanted to know you. it's okay you can come out of the dark,"
He flashed his torch everywhere. There was not a trace of the person in there.
It was just a dead end.
Biting his trembling bottom lip, he ran upstairs. If not, the basement, she must be in the rooms somewhere.
He desperately ran from room to room searching for her.
In the end, it was pointless.
She was not here.
Panting he held his knees in a tight grip. His eyes were tearing up.
'Miracles don't exist... she... she's gone.. why was I even excited for. I never knew her... I don't miss her...' he wiped away the unshed tears.
"Nico?" his dad came up behind with him a candle. "kid? Are you okay? You're panting... were you running around?"
Nico threw himself into his embrace. "Am I crazy dad... am I?"
"What happened? You're not crazy Nico. Just tell me what happened dad will solve it for you hmm.." he gently wiped the tears off his pale cheeks.
Nico sniffled softly. "is... is mum really dead?"
"Oh dear," he hugged him tightly, patting his back. "she.. she is in heaven my little Nico. She is overlooking you. God, she must have been rolling around laughing at your silly antics..." he let out a throaty chuckle. "But she is always here with us."
Nico shook his head, pushing away from him. "is she alive? My mum... please at least once tell me the truth. Don't I deserve that.. Please,"
"she is.. no more."
Nico froze. "Then what.. What was in that place....."
"Forget about that house Nico, you never should have stepped foot in there in the first place." he led him back to his room.
While he was still in a dazed state, he tucked him into bed and kissed his forehead. "forget about everything, Nico.. when the time comes dad and your mum from heaven will protect you..."
Kieran's eyes turned a bright shade of blue as he peered into his sons. "now sleep."
Nico closed his eyes and fell asleep instantly.
Kieran sat by his bedside with a hand over his aching head. "Honey.. what are we going to say to him... look at him.. he is barely holding on… Honey.. if you are listening please protect our son well. he needs us. but... fate is cruel sometimes."
He gently caressed Nico's soft hair and left the room.
Nico opened his eyes. His father's hypnosis never worked on him. but he always pretended it did..
He touched the spot his father kissed him. "so mum is not alive... who was in that coffin then? Where is that fucking coffin? It's not like old man can pull up a huge ass coffin on his own."
His father was a vampire but even vampires have issues after they got old. especially one as ancient as his father.
He had chronic back pain. He could barely lift a few kilograms.
That coffin must have weighed almost thirty kgs.
'it's definitely hidden somewhere down there. Maybe I should go and explore more,;
The next morning he woke up refreshed to explore the basement again.
But...
It was fucking closed.
Nico kicked the door in frustration.
"Dad, we need to talk!" he shouted running to kitchen. "what else are you hiding...'
He noticed Rue standing beside him, munching on some cookies. "yo,"
"What are you doing here?"
"Hi, pretend mate? We are supposed to make our social debut today. Come on, go take a bath and get ready. We have to pristine and prime to handle those envious eyes," she flipped her black hair behind..
Nico peered at her. "You're really annoying.. everyday I'm thankful to sun god that I don't have a sister," he tottered over to the stairs.
"ohhh cranky so early in the morning go brush your teeth again. And please you would be happy to have a sister like me. I'm cool~" she shouted behind him.
"Yeah she is like your sister now," his dad chimed in.
Nico glared at her playfully. "Dad she smokes! Reprimand her!" he shouted and ran away.
Rue awkwardly looked at Kieran.
"So....do you smoke?"
"Yea occasionally."
"oh my god, do you know how bad smoke is for your lungs? Even though you are a werewolf doesn't mean that you can neglect your health. You should ear healthy and always stay away from alcohol and tobacco..." he nagged for a long time.
Hiding on top of the stairs Nico giggled. 'yeah take that. you want to be my sister, you have to deal with that ear drum bursting nagging. Hehe...'