𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐮𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐮𝐦 | 𝐜.𝐝 𝐟𝐟

𝙞 𝙙𝙤𝙣'𝙩 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙚.

It was just noon when I got back inside. I went upstairs and got dressed for the day, jeans and a t-shirt, since I was staying indoors. It didn't take too much effort to concentrate on my task for the day, a paper on Macbeth that was due Wednesday. I settled into outlining a rough draft contentedly, more serene than I'd felt since... well, since Thursday afternoon, if I was being honest.

That had always been my way, though. Making decisions was the painful part for me, the part I agonized over. But once the decision was made, I simply followed through - usually with relief that the choice was made.

Sometimes the relief was tainted by despair, like my decision to become a Death Eater. But it was still better than wrestling with the alternatives. This decision was ridiculously easy to live with. Dangerously easy.

And so the day was quiet, productive - I finished my paper before three. The remaining time I spent with Parkinson, brewing potions and drinking tea.

"So, about the Cedric slash Edward problem. You used the Time Turner and used is as a portkey, right? Well, I learnt that the Time Turner could have brought you to another era as well. All the way back to 1918. What do you think?"

"It doesn't matter anymore."

Parkinson paused her stirring, before going anti-clockwise.

"Why not?"

"I decided that I am not going to care anymore. I don't care if he's human or vampire-" at that, Parkinson froze. I continued, "I just want to spend my time with him again." I was thankful of Parkinson trying to unravel the mystery with me.

After that we drank our tea in front of the television. It was showing a boring sit-com, with the laughing track playing excessively. I could tell Parkinson was deep in thought - she didn't criticize any of the characters or made fun of their poor style.

I sighed, "Alright, let me hear it."

"I just want you to be careful."

I went into her mind. No, she wasn't worried about him being a vampire. She was worried about me breaking my heart again.

"Relax Pans. Moldy voldy's dead. He can't hurt us anymore."

You know that's not what I mean.

And, unfortunately, I did. After we graduate from Forks, we'd have to leave. I didn't need to be attached. Even if he did follow me back to Wiltshire, I was a mortal. And him, I don't think so. Either way, we'd be separated. And I'm not willing to let either of us go through that again.

I slowly sipped my tea. Finished. I looked into my cup, unaware that I had finished my cup earlier on. Instantaneously, I was sucked into a vision.

I looked for a date. Many doctors and nurses were rushing in and out of rooms. They were wheeling bodies out and never in. High death rates, disease. Was this the Spanish Influenza? I looked for a name, anything, to tell me where I am. Chicago, the papers read. I wondered around aimlessly.

A familiar face stopped me in my tracks.

"Dr Cullen."

I was compelled to follow the sound of that dying breath. A woman. She did not look weak as she glared fiercely at Dr Cullen.

"Save him!"

"I'll do anything in my power." Dr Cullen promised as he clutched her hand in his.

"You must," she insisted while grasping his hand with so much force. "You must do everything in your power. What others cannot do, you must do to that boy. He is bright and he is alone."