Days melted into weeks, and weeks transformed into months. Three months had passed since the haunting night that changed everything for Imelda. Despite the passage of time, she had managed to slip back into her regular routine, dividing her days between work and the solace of her home.
However, these months had not been as uneventful for someone else. Harvey, too, found himself ensnared by the memory of that night. As dawn painted the sky in hues of orange, he discovered himself wandering the empty streets, his wounds tended to. "What is she?" This question reverberated in his mind, echoing the confusion that had plagued him since that fateful night.
Harvey sat in silence on the balcony, his mind clouded with thoughts when his elder brother Arnold approached him. Arnold's voice, deep and commanding cut through Harvey's reverie. "I've told you to stop thinking ," he said, his eyes searching Harvey's troubled expression. "For weeks, you've been unusually quiet. What's troubling you?"
Arnold was more than just a brother; he was Harvey's confidant ever since their mother's sudden disappearance. Handsome and composed, he had an air of elegance that belied his authority.
"I've watched over you since the day you were born. I can sense when something is amiss. Tell me, what is it?" Arnold's coaxing tone filled the air.
"I met a girl," Harvey confessed.
"Ah, so you've fallen in love?" Arnold teased, but his laughter faded as he noticed the deepening worry in his brother's eyes. "Hey, I didn't mean it that way. I thought you liked someone."
"My spells didn't work on her, Arnold. I tried twice," Harvey said, his gaze fixed on his brother. The revelation left Arnold dumbstruck. Harvey went on to recount the events, trying to make sense of the inexplicable situation he found himself in.
When Harvey fell silent, Arnold stood abruptly, heading towards the door. "Arnold! Where are you going?" Harvey called out, but his words fell on deaf ears.
Two days passed in a blur, with no sign of his brothers, especially the typically reclusive Steve. Something was amiss, and Harvey's mind was a whirlwind of confusion. After breakfast, he took a solitary stroll around their vast villa, hoping the fresh air would clear his thoughts.
The villa was a sanctuary, its gardens filled with lush greenery and vibrant blooms, enhancing its natural beauty. Harvey wandered to his favorite spot, the statue of Dracula near a magnificent greenhouse garden. The serene ambiance offered him solace, a respite from his troubled thoughts.
Standing there for hours with his mind numb, Harvey eventually retreated inside. As he approached the study, he heard hushed voices, whispers of conversation that seemed laden with seriousness. Intrigued, he stepped closer, finding his brothers deep in conversation. The moment they noticed him, their discussion ceased.
"Did I interrupt something?" Harvey asked, seeking an explanation. Arnold sneered, refusing to acknowledge him while Steve gestured for him to join them in the study room.
In the dimly lit study room, his brothers were seated smoking cigarettes, their faces shadowed by the faint glow of the tobacco embers. Arnold wore a serious expression, a departure from his usual jovial demeanor, while Steve's irritation was palpable.
"You have a task to complete Harvey," Arnold instructed, his voice weighted with seriousness. Arnold was rarely this grave; his typical lightheartedness had vanished, replaced by a sense of urgency.
"What task? What is going on?" Harvey inquired calmly, though confusion and concern danced in his eyes.
"You don't know about the prophecy?" Steve's irritation was evident. Harvey's bewildered expression confirmed Steve's suspicions. "He knows nothing about us yet boasts about being a vampire," Steve muttered under his breath.
According to the prophecy, Steve explained, a powerful child capable of resistance would be born, becoming our ultimate enemy. The mere thought of this child sparked fear in our hearts and we would become the passive prey, terrorized by an inexplicable danger. Ultimately, we would be eradicated from the world.
Harvey couldn't comprehend the gravity of what he had just heard. What child? Could she be the one? His mind raced with questions.
"You have to find out everything about her kind and report back to us. If she refuses to reveal anything, be patient, gain her trust, perhaps even feign love. Only then will she open up," Arnold's husky voice resonated with intensity, his words hanging heavy in the air.
Overwhelmed, Harvey rose from his seat unable to process the weight of his brothers' revelation. He walked to the window, drawing the curtains aside. The golden afternoon sun streamed in casting warm patches of light on the floor. His heart raced and he muttered to himself, trying to make sense of the situation. "I'm scared. Why am I so scared?" he questioned, combing his fingers through his hair in frustration.