What is hidden in the dark will one day seek the light.
It wasn't boredom that led me to spend time with the guy who was too tall for his own good. I had a plan.
I'd caught on—they were hiding something from me. They must have thought I was either blind or stupid for not noticing, but as much as I've been treated like one, I was neither.
It was as though they'd all come to some silent agreement: I was to be watched around the clock. Someone was always there, lurking nearby, like a shadow. I quickly deduced it wasn't because they cared—it was because either there was a bounty on my head, or I was being hunted for some other reason. But if that were the case, I couldn't ask Des. He wouldn't tell me the truth. Hell, he'd probably lock me up to keep me from figuring it out. I knew my brother too well to think otherwise.
So I picked the weakest link in the chain. The wolf seemed naive but his nose was sharp enough to track me, and the cat was a wildcard—cunning, despite his cool demeanor. I couldn't risk him catching onto my plan. That left Tootall. As soon as his attention slipped, I'd slip away.
My fingers curled into fists. I had to find out what was going on. To do that, I needed information. And I knew exactly where to go. In my mind, a blurry image of a bunker flashed—though I didn't know exactly who or what I'd find there, I was certain that was where I needed to be.
We boarded the bus, and of course, I claimed the seat by the window. Tootall didn't try to engage me, and that made my nerves twitch. I shot him a glance, and he smiled, way too nicely.
"Hey," I said, deliberately unfriendly.
"Call me Alice," he replied.
"What?" I raised an eyebrow, confused.
"You've always called me Alice," he shrugged, "It'd be weird if you didn't now."
"Hm." I turned back to the window, unsure how to react to that.
"What did you want to say?" he asked, and I could tell he wasn't going to drop it.
I slowly slid my gaze back to him. "Are you a hunter?"
He nodded without hesitation.
"Des's partner?" I asked, a knot tightening in my stomach.
Another nod.
I couldn't stop the surge of anger. I managed to hate him even more, though I didn't think that was possible. I'd always assumed I'd be Des's partner. Me, not him.
Tootall seemed to notice the shift in my mood. "I think I'd better come clean now, rather than surprise you later," he said, fixing his gaze on mine with a strange intensity. "There's more between us. I'm dating your brother."
My body went still. I froze, my face flushing and paling all at once. Don't ask me how that's possible, I haven't managed to reproduce that reaction ever since.
My fingers curled into tight fists.
"You're the worst," I hissed, voice filled with venom. "I hate you."
I wanted to beat him to a pulp—he would be dead before he could have seen my claws coming. So what was holding me back?
"When your older self found out, I thought he'd react like this," Tootall mused, almost to himself. "At first, you were angry, just like you are now. But then you calmed down. Accepted it. Surprised me, too, how easy it was. Maybe because we'd been friends for a while by then."
I barked a sharp laugh.
"Friends?" I repeated, disbelief lacing my voice. "I don't have friends. I have only Des. And if you try to take him from me, I'll kill you."
"What are you talking about?" Tootall asked, looking almost amused. "You've got Alex and Rolo. What are they if not friends?"
I shrugged dismissively. "There are only two kinds of people around me: those who command me or those who obey me."
Tootall's smile faltered, replaced with an anxious frown. "What happened? What made you so distrustful of everyone around you?"
"None of your business." I turned back to the window, letting the cool glass numb the edge of my frustration.
I didn't have time for this. I needed to focus, but damn, this whole situation was making my blood boil.
We traveled in silence for a while, the hum of the bus the only sound between us. Then, unexpectedly, he spoke again.
"When I met you, Alex was already with you," he said, a hint of nostalgia in his voice. "You were childhood friends..."
"I don't care," I shrugged, barely sparing him a glance.
"You know I'm right," he pressed, the words lingering in the air.
I didn't respond, keeping my eyes fixed ahead. The bus came to a stop, and we made our way off. As soon as we entered Tesco, I was struck by how crowded it was. I'd never seen so many humans packed into one place. It hit me that I was going to have a disgustingly easy time blending into the chaos while I was on the run.
Tootall moved through the aisles, picking up this and that—mostly the basic necessities—but he kept glancing back at me, making sure I was still following.
"Shay..." he called, his voice trailing off uncertainly. "Shay!"
I looked up, disgust etched across my face.
"Do you like pudding?" he asked, completely out of the blue.
"I don't hate pudding. Why?" I replied, uninterested.
"You were just staring at them for a bit too long," he said, his smile bright and unbothered.
I shrugged, not particularly bothered by his observation.
"Which one would you like?" He stepped closer, starting to sift through the various desserts with a childlike enthusiasm.
"The chocolate one," I answered flatly.
"That's one of my favorites, too!" he grinned, torn between two options as he held them both up.
"Which one do you prefer, Shay?" he asked, looking at me with expectant eyes.
"Shay!" His voice cracked suddenly, almost sounding panicked, causing a few people nearby to glance over. But his attention wasn't on them—it was on the empty space where I'd been standing just moments ago. I was already gone.
(...)
It was almost too easy. I was surprised at how effortlessly I managed to slip away. Stepping out of the supermarket and into the cool night air, I set my sights on what I hoped was the direction of the grey bunker-like house. Though I suspected it was still a long way off.
"Where are you going?" The voice sliced through the night like a blade, and I froze.
Slowly, I turned toward the translucent figure, my heart hammering in my chest. No scream escaped my lips—perhaps because this ghostly presence felt so both familiar and unfamiliar.
"Who are you?" I asked, the words slipping from me before I could stop them.
The ghost smiled softly, a sad, knowing smile. "Simon."
I didn't respond. Instead, I turned my back on him. "Don't even try to stop me," I said, voice tight. "I know everyone's hiding something from me."
I clenched my fists, preparing for a confrontation.
"I'm not going to stop you," Simon said, surprising me completely.
He stepped closer, his presence both calming and unsettling, and I looked up at him, eyes wide. To my shock, Simon reached out and took my hand, the action so simple yet profound.
"I'm simply going with you," he said, his smile deepening, "even if it's to the end of the world."
For a moment, my heart felt like it was shrinking, crushed into something small and fragile. Something about that gentle smile and his words made a dull ache settle in my chest. I wanted to pull my hand away, to yank myself free, but I didn't.
"So where are we going?" he asked, his voice soft but sure.
"Why?" I whispered, almost too quiet for even him to hear.
"Why what?" he asked, a slight confusion coloring his tone.
"Why did you say that?" I asked, almost angrily now, the weight of his words pressing down on me.
I glared at him, my eyes sharp enough to make anyone else step back. But Simon, that foolish, willful spirit, met my gaze with a look of quiet indulgence, as if he hadn't even noticed the threat in my stare.
"Because I'm your friend," he said, his voice steady and calm in the face of my fury.
For a moment, there was a flicker—just a tiny spark—in his dead eyes. It could've been my imagination, but it felt real enough to make my breath catch in my throat. Then, as though lost in thought, he turned his gaze toward the horizon.
"Because you gave my existence meaning."
My heart stopped. My eyes widened, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I couldn't find the words. My lips trembled, but no sound escaped. Simon's hand squeezed mine gently, and when I looked at him, his smile seemed more sincere than ever.
He crouched down in front of me, his cool presence unwavering. "I will be by your side until your last breath," he promised, his voice low, almost reverent. "Because there is no place for me in this world but by your side."
I stood there, frozen, unsure how to respond. His words stirred something deep inside me, something I wasn't ready to face. And yet, despite the freezing cold of his touch, I didn't pull my hand away. Instead, I let my gaze soften, tracing his form, fragile and translucent. I feared that if I squeezed his hand, he would disappear. It was as if he were dying... yet this foolish spirit merely looked at me with his dead eyes, as if to convince me that he really meant what he said.
"Will you tell me what's going on?" I asked finally, my voice quieter than before.
Simon nodded without hesitation, his expression softening even further. I took a deep breath, then gently cupped his cold, translucent hand between mine, focusing on warming him up. His eyes widened, then flickered with understanding.
"Thank you," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.
When I released his hand, the ghost's form seemed a little more solid.
"I'll expect an explanation when we get home," I said, my voice firm, and Simon nodded.
Tootall stormed out of the supermarket like he was being hunted by a horde of mountain trolls—at least, that's how dramatic it looked.
"Shay!" he shouted my name with a level of urgency that seemed a bit much for the situation.
He rushed over to me but only seemed to settle when he saw Simon standing beside me.
"Oh," he said, as if he'd just realized we weren't alone, "Hi, Simon."
"Hi," the ghost replied with his usual cool demeanor.
"What are you doing out here?" Tootall asked, looking a little confused.
"I just needed some air," I answered quickly, eager to get moving. "Shall we go?"
Just as I was about to turn away, Tootall stopped me with a sudden "Wait!"
He proudly presented the contents of his nylon bag, as if he'd uncovered some great treasure. On top of the random assortment of items, there were two puddings—both chocolate-flavoured. I raised an eyebrow.
"I couldn't decide which one you'd like, so I bought both," he said, like it was the most reasonable thing in the world.
Hmpf. Idiot.
"Let's go home," he said with that annoying, yet oddly nice smile of his. "The others must be waiting."
I nodded, forcing myself to move past him. Even though I could feel his gaze—always kind, always on me—my eyes stayed glued to the pavement. Simon, in his usual eerie way, vanished into thin air, but I knew he hadn't gone far.
"Alice," I began, glancing at him out of the corner of my eye. I caught his expression, wide-eyed in surprise, but didn't feel like making eye contact.
"Yes?" he asked, his voice laced with a smug satisfaction I couldn't quite place.
"Why are you by my side?"
The question hung in the air, and for a moment, Tootall was silent, the only sound the crunch of our footsteps against the pavement.
"Because I like being around you," he said finally, his voice softer than I expected.
"Is that the reason?" I asked, quieter now, unsure why his simple answer had such an effect on me.
"Yes."
For some reason, that reassured me, more than I wanted to admit.
When we got home, the kitchen was spotless. Rolo's eyes were sharp on us as always, but it was Alex who jumped in front of us, practically bombarding us with questions, demanding to know why we'd taken so long. Des, however, was the only one who noticed the subtle shift in the air. His eyebrow quirked in knowing satisfaction. I caught the look immediately and pulled my lips away.mHe walked over to me, his hand ruffling my hair in that way he knew would annoy me.
Alice, finally deciding he'd had enough, retreated to the living room. I shoved one of the puddings into his hands and sank into the other side of the couch, keeping a distance between us.
"I don't like that brand," I muttered, "so you can eat it."
"Thanks," he said, and we both let the moment go.
I got lost in my thoughts, so much so that I didn't notice Des sneaking a spoonful of my pudding.
"Hey!" I exclaimed, shooting him a glare.
"Your fault, little brother," he grinned, his eyes sparkling mischievously. "You let your guard down."
Just then, the doorbell rang, its sudden sound cutting through the chatter. All eyes turned toward the door. I glanced at Des, who shrugged, and then at Alex, who was already on his feet.
"I'll get it," Alex said, heading for the door.
A few moments later, Alex returned with a visitor in tow—a girl with striking features and an air of authority. She carried a small bag in one hand and an unmistakable aura of power that immediately put me on edge.
She was stronger than Alex but maybe weaker than Des, I noted silently.
"Hello, everyone," she greeted us politely with a nod.
I blinked, trying to place her face. There was a nagging familiarity, but I couldn't remember her. That was the moment her gaze found me.
"Shay?" she asked, her voice a mixture of shock and concern as her eyes settled on me. "What happened to you?"
I looked up, momentarily startled by her question and her intense gaze.
"Who are you?" I asked, my voice steady despite the unease I felt.
Coffee's eyes softened slightly, though her demeanor remained composed. "It's me, Isidora."
Alex stepped forward, attempting to bridge the gap. "He lost his memories," he explained quickly. "We're still trying to piece everything together."
Coffee's expression turned from shock to a cold determination. "I see," she said, turning her gaze back to me. "Well, I brought cocoa. I thought it might be a nice treat." She handed over a small package wrapped in fine paper.
I took it cautiously, my eyes never leaving hers. "Thanks," I mumbled, still wary.
Des, sensing the tension, stepped in. "How was the meeting?"
Coffee nodded slightly. "It was as tedious as ever. But we reached an agreement, for now."
Her eyes flicked back to me, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of something—compassion, perhaps?—before her usual composed mask slipped back into place. As the evening wore on, she sat in a corner, watching over us with her characteristic stoic calm.
Later, Alex decided to make use of the cocoa Coffee had brought. He bustled around the kitchen, gathering milk, a pot, and mugs. The smell of rich, warm cocoa soon filled the air, making my stomach grumble slightly.
"Here," Alex said, handing me a steaming mug. "I think you could use this."
I took it cautiously, my hands wrapping around the warmth of the mug. I took a tentative sip and found myself pleasantly surprised by the creamy, sweet taste. It was comforting, like a hug in a cup.
"This is good," I admitted, looking up at Alex.
He smiled, looking relieved. "I'm glad you like it."
We sat in a comfortable silence for a while, sipping our cocoa. Coffee remained in her corner, observing quietly, but there was a sense of peace in the room that hadn't been there before.
Coffee's gaze lingered on me for a moment longer. She sighed, her usually composed demeanor cracking slightly. "I should have been here sooner," she admitted quietly, her voice tinged with regret. "If I had known..."
I blinked, surprised by the raw emotion in her voice.
"You were at the council. It's not your fault," said Alex.
She shook her head. "I would have left the Vampire Council right away if I'd known what happened. I'm sorry."
Alex stepped closer, his expression softening as he placed a hand on her shoulder. "Izzy, it would have jeopardized your future position in the council. That's why Shay didn't call for you. He knew he would need you in a strong position in the future."
Coffee's eyes flickered with a mix of understanding and lingering guilt. "But still, I feel like I should have been here."
Alex gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "Shay knew what he was doing."
I nodded slowly. "I always know what I am doing."
Coffee's eyes softened, and she seemed to gather herself. "Alright."
(...)
I waited vigilantly for Simon to come to see me, and he did indeed come in the middle of the night as promised.
"You're late," I remarked, even though we hadn't agreed on a precise time.
Yet Simon didn't seem angry about it, he just sighed wearily.
"It took time for everyone to fall asleep."
I nodded, and for a few moments we just stared at each other. To my credit, I was really patient, waiting for moments before I called out his silence.
"You promised," I reminded him.
"I know," he replied and hovered closer.
He sat down on the bed beside me and I was again confronted with the otherworldly chill of his nearness. But perhaps he knew it too, for even if I stubbornly showed no sign of being bothered, he soon wrapped the blanket around me. Simon cared for me like never before or since. Perhaps he felt I needed it most at that time—and indeed, that was true.
"You're king," he declared suddenly.
His words were sudden in themselves, yet it was his meaning that stunned me the most.
"What...?" I breathed.
"You are the Fifth King, Shay," he explained, "You were cursed by a Wraith, that's why you turned into a child."
"So..." I began vaguely. "You mean to say that... I'm a king. Like, say, Crimson?"
"Yes," said the ghost, twisting my world out of itself.
"But... but how is that possible?" I asked almost desperately.
I think he didn't know the answer to that so he started talking about something else instead.
"Members of your court are trying to protect you because you are vulnerable at the moment," he explained, then stopped for a moment and looked at me with concern, "Shay, are you okay?"
I did not answer.
"Shay..."
I didn't answer. I didn't answer, no matter how many times he said my name.