Love Is Hell

Epilogue

A YEAR LATER VALETINE'S DAY

((John's Point of View))

 My life was dedicating to slaying. That's all I ever did when I wasn't at school or slept, which I hardly did.

I was distant from everyone, even Nadia.

That didn't mean she gave up on me, no she tried to get me to move on. Nothing she tried ever worked though. The pain was still there. Like it probably would be forever.

I had moved out of my parents' house and into Elizabeth's. Everything reminded me of her there. Instead of torturing me, it gave me a tiny bit of peace. To know that I could still have a small ounce of connection to her.

It wasn't quite enough though. I wanted her by my side again. To keep me from losing my mind. If I hadn't already lost it that is.

I killed with a cold ruthless heart. None of it mattered any more. The more I killed the less there were in the world.

Sometimes I would see her. Or rather, what I thought was her. I would go chasing through the city at night, running after her. But it wasn't her. It was never her.

I lay in my bed wide awake after a dream of that one night that changed everything exactly a year ago. The dance was tonight, everyone was excited about it. I could care less.

Nadia and Trevor tiredlessly tried to convince me to go with them, saying that I would have a great time. I knew I would be a third wheel though. A burden.

The front door creaked open. I quickly grabbed my stake off of my bedside table. I hid it under the covers, waiting for my attacker to come forward. I would have the upperhand in this battle.

A beautiful girl walks in. She wears a long white dress, her barefeet poking out from underneath it. Her curly blonde hair cascades down to her waist. She smiles at me with perfectly pink lips. Her intoxicating eyes stare at me.

"I'm dreaming." I said.

"Well then you need to wake up." she said in an angelic voice. Almost as if a heavenly harp had went over.

"You can't be real."

"But I am, John." she said, walking closer.

I backed away, off the bed and against the wall. "Get away from me."

Hurt crossed over her gorgeous face. "I need you."

"Where were you when I needed you?" I asked harshly.

"In hell." she whispered softly. She looked as if she were about to cry.

"I needed you, and you were gone." I said, a tear drop falling down my cheek. "You were gone and it was all my fault."

"It was not your fault. I have never thought to have blamed you. You could never have known." she replied.

"I should have checked. I should have looked at a watch or something."

She sighed. She glided towards me, more graceful than any human being could ever be. Her eyes never left mine as she stopped right in front of me. Her hand outstretched to touch me.

I shied away from her touch.

"I missed you." she whispered.

"I missed you." I replied. "But I can never forgive myself. And your not real. I'm just imagining you again. When I wake up from this hell of a nightmare you'll be gone again. Burst into flames. Be stakes. Or something. All because of me. That's all that ever happens when I'm asleep. Nightmares of you."

"This isn't a dream. Or a nightmare." she told me. "I'm here. For real."

"No, your gone. Lost to me forever." I said.

She walked towards me again. This time grabbing my arm before I could get away again. Her pale icy skin chilled mine.

"You are wide awake, John." she said.

"Prove it." I replied.

Her lips were on mine before I knew it. The same static shock charged through the passion that was held within the kiss. Like I had remembered it exactly.

This was no dream.

No, she was here. Right now, with me.

I pulled her into my arms tightly, never wanting to let her go. Her arms went around my neck. We pulled away to momentarily look at each other then went back to kissing.

After a while we pulled away. That's when I burst into tears. I buried my head into the crook of her neck and cried. She rubbed my back with one hand, ran fingers through my hair with the other, trying to comfort me.

"I'm here now. Everything will be all right." she said, holding me tightly.

"Only if you forgive me." I said.

"There's nothing to forgive, John." she said, stroking my cheek.

She put her lips to mine again. This one was slow and sweet, not exactly as passionate as the others but much more comforting. One that we needed to share. The sweet taste of her filled my mouth. Fulfilling every tastebud wish I had desired over a year.

We pulled away from each other, taking comfort in just being in each other's arms. Being held tightly. Seeing what the other had on their mind in each other's eyes.

"I love you, John." she said.

"I love you, Elizabeth." I told her, meaning it with my entire heart.

She kissed me again, only a short sweet peck this time.

"Forever and always." I added.

"Through hell and battle." she agreed.

"Together at last."