I awoke to the soft noise of the curtains being pulled back. One of my eyes creaked open and I saw Daniel open the French doors and step out onto the balcony. I smiled sleepily, contentedly stretching under the covers. After watching Daniel for a few seconds, I noticed that his shoulders were shaking, almost as if he were cold. I frowned slightly as I sat up in bed.
"Baby?" I called out to him.
"I'm fine." He answered in a broken whisper.
I could feel nothing, but pain and regret rolling off him. It hit me to the point I felt tears welling up in my eyes. I hurriedly slid on my silk robe and darted to him. When I tried to hug him, he slunk away from me, refusing to look me in the eyes.
"Daniel, please." I implored. "Talk to me."
He only answered me with silence. Something on the floor of the balcony caught my attention. I looked down to see red drops staining the cool stone. He was crying, but what could have been hurting him so terribly? Our connection was barely there; I could only gather feelings and nothing more. Gingerly, I reached out a hand to touch his shoulder. At first, he flinched at my touch, so I gave it a moment and tried again. This time it was welcomed, or at least, he didn't flinch or pull away this time.
I took my time with him, starting with only my hand gently massaging his shoulder. Slowly, I stepped closer to him and wrapped my arms around his shoulders, whispering sweet and calming words of love to him. His shaking began to subside, but he still refused to look at me.
"Daniel," I began gently, stroking his waves of hair, "what's got you all out of sorts, my love?"
I could hear his breath coming out in shaky, but quiet gasps as he was attempting to calm himself. His hand lifted to grip one of mine tightly as he spoke.
"I saw him." He said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Damien. He was here."
My eyes widened at the name I was hoping not to hear. "What do you mean, baby?" I asked. "We killed him. He's not going to hurt us anymore. You were probably just having a nightmare and-"
"No, Sylvie!" He shook his head vigorously. "I was up because...I couldn't sleep. I saw him. He looked like a damned zombie, his skin was falling off, there was a giant hole in his chest." I felt Daniel shudder in my arms and I held him tighter. "He was real, Sylvie. He said he was here because-because when one of our kind feels guilt over a death, that person haunts us as long as that guilt is there."
"You feel guilty for killing them?" I ventured the question in confusion. "But, Daniel, what they did to you, to Edie? I don't understand."
"It didn't make sense to me either." Daniel answered with a bitter chuckle. "My little sister and I were finally free of those two monsters that made us what we are, the same ones that broke Edie's mind and almost had their wish of the 'perfect killing machine' and here I am, feeling sorry for it? Why? Why should I feel sorry for his death?" He fumed, finally turning to me. His eyes glowed a warm honey color as blood red tears cascaded down his cheeks. "Why do I feel remorse for freeing myself from the man who made me a monster, who did the same to poor Edie and almost turned her into that mindless killer that they wanted so badly? Unless-" his fire quickly extinguished, "unless I'm a monster, too. Just like him."
"Not even close, Daniel." I softly chastised as I took his head in my hands. "You are not a monster like Damien or Nadine. Yes, you have killed in the past and, from the sound of it, so did Edie. But you've changed, both of you, and you should be proud of the strides you've both made to do so." I pressed kisses to his forehead, the tip of his nose, and finally, to his lips. "The man I fell in love with is not a monster. He may have been brought into eternity by them, but he is his own being and a beautiful one at that."
I pulled back, wiping away the tears from his face. A tiny smile fought its way to the surface of his face. I caught it for only a split second before he pulled me into a tight embrace. I could feel him burying his face into my hair, sobbing silently. I ran my hands over his back, whispering to him how I loved him and how proud I was of him and everything he had done.
After a few moments, he pulled away, shyly looking down. "I'm sorry." He said quietly. "You must think I'm such a child."
"Not in the slightest." I smirked, wiping away his tears once more.
He looked at me and, this time, I was blessed with an actual smile. He leaned down and kissed me sweetly before I led him back inside.
"Something else on your mind?" Daniel inquired as he stood in front of the vanity, watching me in the reflection.
"I wanted to pop in to the bookstore tonight." I answered, deep in thought. "I haven't seen Mom in a bit. I feel like I should check in on her."
"Sounds like an idea." He nodded in agreement. "I'll stay here, look after Edie."
I turned my gaze to my big worry wort. The only thing I could do was smirk and shake my head at him. My attention went to my armoire, but not for anything fancy. A simple band tee with some dark blue jeans suited me just fine tonight.
"I'll try not to be gone long, but you know how we get." I chuckled as Daniel took me into his arms.
"Yes, I know." He smiled, kissing my forehead. "You dolls have fun catching up."
"We will." I gave him one last kiss before I bounded from the house.
The store was quiet, which I was thankful for. This meant Mom and I would have more time to catch up. As I walked through the aisles looking for any sign of her, a familiar face stopped me in my tracks. Her hair was still long, luxurious, and wavy. Her glasses only added to the sass that her face wore, and she dressed in a way that would make Stevie Nicks weep with joy. She spotted me and we both stared each other down like we were in a Mexican standoff.
"Sylvia." She greeted with no expression.
"Nanette." I mirrored.
We stood there, motionless for a moment as a familiar song came over the loud speakers. Our eyes never left each other as we both spontaneously broke into dance in the aisle. As the song came to end, our expressions were still unreadable.
"I see you still got some moves." Nanette complimented.
"I see you haven't lost your groove either." I nodded.
After a couple more seconds, we both cracked and started laughing as she pulled me into a tight hug.
"I miss you so much around here, doll face!" She exclaimed. "It's just not the same anymore!"
"I mean, it's nice to visit, but yeah...no." I laughed. "Is Mom in tonight?"
Nanette's face sharply fell. "No, she isn't." I could hear something in her voice. Worry, maybe? "In fact, she hasn't been here in over a week. I want to say even two."
I frowned at this. "What? Does anyone know why?"
"You already know management ain't telling us a damn thing." Nanette rolled her eyes. "You still know where she lives, though, right?"
"Yeah, she was a few blocks away from where I used to live." I nodded. "I'll stop by, maybe she's just taking some time off. Lord knows she deserves it."
"That's the truth!" Nanette exclaimed. "Well, when you see her, tell her I miss her."
"Will do, lady." I gave her a small two finger salute before turning on my heels and leaving the store.
It didn't take me terribly long to reach Tammy's house. The neighborhood wasn't the greatest, but I wasn't scared to be out at night anymore. There used to be a few reasons that I wouldn't go out at night, now I didn't need to be afraid. I seemed to have joined the ranks of the reasons to be afraid.
"How lovely." I chuckled to myself. "I've become the boogie man."
I hopped up the steps to Tammy's house and knocked on the door. I heard angry footsteps storming toward the door.
"I already told you people," came a thundering voice from the other side, "I don't know where she is!"
"Lenny?" I called out in confusion. "It's me, Sylvia."
After a few quiet moments, I heard the locks opening and the door swung open. There was Lenny, red faced and looking distraught.
"Lenny, what is it?" I immediately asked. "What's wrong with Mom?"
"You better come in." He opened the door for me, looking around to make sure no one was with me or followed me.
I stepped inside and followed him into the living room. Lenny plopped down into his favorite chair, putting his head in his hands.
"Tammy went to work about a week and a half ago." Lenny began, not looking up. "It was her same schedule, nothing out of the ordinary. That night, she didn't come home."
"That doesn't sound like Mom at all." I frowned deeply.
"I thought maybe she just went to have a few drinks with Nanette after work and was gonna be late, so I went to bed. When I woke up, though, she still wasn't home."
"She didn't say she was going anywhere?" I asked. "Nothing about an impromptu vacation?"
"No, nothing." Lenny shook his head. "Sylvia, I'm worried sick. I'm hoping they find her safe. I just want her back."
"I want her back, too, Lenny." I sighed heavily. "I'm gonna keep an ear out on my own, but Mom kept my number here by the phone. If something changes, please let me know."
Lenny only nodded at this and I went back into the night. I took the long way home, some silly little part of me hoping that I would run into Tammy somehow. I cursed my eternal optimism for torturing me like that. One thing was for certain, it was going to take the police forever and a half to find her and by the time they did, she would probably be dead.
So, Nancy and Ned are on the case? I heard an amused voice float around in my head.
You know me so well, my darling. I smirked to myself.
I couldn't let you deal with this alone, now could I?
I should sincerely hope not!
A malicious presence behind me slightly ruined my mood. My eyes rolled as I continued my pace.
Company, my sweet? I could hear Daniel's chuckle in my head.
Unfortunately. I sighed with a chuckle of my own. Good thing I'm hungry.
I purposely took a left to a dimly lit street as the presence closed in on me. I felt my arm being grabbed as I was wrenched around. I faced my attacker, looking all kinds of unamused.
"Pretty lady like you shouldn't be out by herself." The man's voice was agitating me greatly and the heavy smell of cigarette smoke wasn't making my mood any lighter.
"Last chance to back the fuck off." I warned calmly.
"What did you say to me, bitch?" My assailant roared.
I looked him square in his eyes as my own shifted. My lip curled back in a snarl as my fangs extended. He hurriedly let go of me, but I grabbed hold of him with a vice grip. He opened his mouth to scream, but my hand clasped over it as my fangs dug into his throat. I drank ravenously as I paid attention to the sound of his heartbeat. It didn't take long for me to get my fill and the man was still alive, though unconscious at the moment. I let him drop out of my arms like a rag doll and continued on my way home. Usually, I cared enough to make sure my prey was in a safe place. This asshole, though? I legit did not give a damn about him in any way, shape, or form. He wanted to pray on the innocent, and now he could see how it felt to have the tables turned on him.
I walked through the door, suddenly feeling a chill so strong, my entire body felt like it was having its own personal earthquake. I braced myself against the wall as my breath started coming out in gasps. I was hoping after that night, I'd never feel this again. Then, realization dawned on me. This was my "gift". This is a feeling I would have to put up with for as long as was my eternity on this planet.
In my haze of trying to calm myself, I didn't even notice Daniel had made his way to me. My knees suddenly gave way from under me and he dashed across the hall to me, catching me just before I hit the floor. He cradled me in his arms with ease as he carried me up the steps to our room. He set me down gently on the bed and sat next to me. Through my tremors, my hands clutched tightly at his shirt as my head lay on his chest. They finally subsided after what felt like an eternity and I could hear my heartbeat returning to normal. After a few calming breaths, I was finally able to lift my gaze to Daniel's, who was looking all sorts of horrified and concerned.
"I went to the bookstore." I began, slowly releasing my grip on his shirt. "I ran into Nanette, but Tammy was nowhere to be seen."
"How long has she been gone?"
"Over a week. Almost two." I answered. "I went to her house, to see if she just took some time off from the store, but Lenny said he hadn't seen her either. Apparently, the police have been breathing down his neck since he notified them."
"They think he did something to her?" I simply nodded, and he continued. "Well, did he?"
"No, Lenny could never do something like that." The very thought disgusted me, and I found myself shuddering all over again. "Even if he wanted to, Lenny's COPD barely lets him walk from one end of the house to the other without needing his nebulizer. He wouldn't have been able to do anything."
"It doesn't make any sense." Daniel frowned deeply. "Did she need a getaway or something? Like, to go off the grid for a bit?"
"If anyone needed it, it was definitely Tammy." I nodded. "But if she was leaving, Lenny would've known, and she would have at least told me." I sighed heavily, laying my head back on Daniel's chest. "Something isn't right. I need to look for her."
"Well, for now, I want you to try and rest." He fussed gently, kissing my hair. "I'll take the first round of searching tonight."
I looked up at him, wanting to protest. The look he gave back, that "you know I'm right" look, stopped me, though. As much as it pained me to admit it, he was right. Even with the lovely "meal" I had earlier, I was in no state to go anywhere right now. I wordlessly threw my hands up in defeat and nestled myself into my pillows.
"I'll keep connected with you, darling. I promise." He assured me as he rose from the bed. "That way, as soon as I know something, so will you."
I gave him a tiny smile at this promise, knowing he wouldn't let me down. I blew him a kiss and gave him a little wave on his way out. "Stay safe." I called after him.
"I always am." He called back.
Rest finally came to me after many hours, but it wasn't without much resistance from my mind. I tried not to assume the worst, but after what happened to Shane, it wasn't the easiest thing in the world to do. I tried to convince myself that staying awake and worrying wouldn't do a thing to help anyone, but apparently my brain didn't know how to listen to logic. Go figure.
Stop torturing yourself, metuka shelli. A gentle chuckle floated to my ears.
You might as well tell the moon not to rise every night. I smirked to myself. That one might be a tad easier.
I'll put it on my list of impossible things to try out before I die. I could hear a heavy sigh coming from my darling. Sadly, I have seen nothing. I even went to Mikhail and asked if he knew anything, but no dice. He is having people keep a lookout though.
The very mention of Mikhail made my stomach do a back flip.
I know, I know. Daniel chuckled again. I think I'm going to be handling all our dealings with him for a while.
Oh, my god! Please do! I agreed, probably a bit too quickly. If I get told I remind him of Flora one more time, I think I might-
The emotions I felt coming from Daniel made me stop short. I knew that Mikhail was his friend and had been for ages, but now I felt like there was a rift quickly forming between the two of them and that rift was me.
No, metuka sheli. Don't you start that. Daniel gently scolded me. You've done nothing wrong.
Good luck getting me to believe that. I smiled wryly. Stop letting me distract you. A good detective always needs to keep their wits about them, Mister!
Whatever you say, Nancy. Ned out.
I genuinely smiled at the nickname. I hadn't been called anything close to that since Mom was alive. Though, back then, I was formally known as Fancy Drew, just like Nancy, but with better fashion sense. I used to wear that mark with pride, especially since it was Mom who crowned me with such a prestigious name.
My heart sank a tad as I thought of her. Of course, not a day went by where she didn't cross my mind. The woman who was my rock, who I saw work two jobs, raise two daughters, and do all this while putting herself through school. She was everything I ever wanted to be and then some, even though she always made me promise that I would be better than her. I never understood what that meant because, how could I ever reach that level of amazing? I had the rest of eternity to figure it out at least.
The sound of my room door opening broke me from my thoughts and in walked my love, looking slightly disheartened. I donned a sympathetic smile as I opened my arms to him. He crossed the room and closed the curtains before making his way to me, nestling himself into his place by my side.
"It's okay, darling baby." I crooned, as we both lay there. "You did your best and that's all that matters. We'll go together tomorrow. Cover more ground that way."
He nodded, letting out a large yawn as the sound of his shoes hitting the floor echoed through the room. I stared up at the ceiling for a few moments more and, before I knew it, I was fast asleep again, my love resting peacefully in my arms.