We All Still Die

16|A New Life as a Vampire

Viktor and Lyra

Lyra had gone back to her dorm once she saw Eros approaching Sage's grave. She didn't trust him, but she didn't want to leave Sage either. However, her fear of the vampire was much stronger. 'I'm sorry, Sage. I'll come back and visit when Viktor comes.'

She found her dorm room open, and Lyra saw Viktor lying face down on her bed. Gently, she closed the door and went to her desk.

Viktor was softly crying to himself, and once Lyra heard this, she approached him and sat next to him, gently. He was hiding under the blankets. "Viktor? Are you okay?" she asked him calmly.

Viktor's voice was muffled against the pillow. "No..." He huffed and sat up. "I need a hug..... Please."

Lyra let out a small sigh as she pulled him to her. "Let it out," she soothed. Curious as to why he was crying, she asked, "Why are you crying? Did Eros say something?" 

Viktor hugged back. He didn't normally hug people he just wasn't a very touchy person. "No, no I just..." He sobbed quietly against her shoulder. "God... I miss her"

Lyra wanted to say, "Of course you miss her. Even I can see that, from time to time." But she didn't. Instead, she rubbed his back and caressed him calmly.

Viktor was able to calm himself as he remembered something. He went towards his bag. "I um, I had a meltdown earlier..."

Lyra looked at him curiously. "You did?"

Since he was up, she decided now would be a good time to give him something she'd been working on. She stood and went to her desk, grabbing a box. 

Viktor had pulled out a letter with the Cassidy symbol on it when he noticed her at her table. "What is that?" he asked as he noticed the box.

Lyra smiled, turning to him. Shyly, she replied, "It's...it's for you." She held out the box, silently worried that he wouldn't like it.

Curious, he gently took the box from her. It was a small, dark green box with a red ribbon wrapped around it. Viktor untied the ribbon, then opened the box. An item was wrapped inside with white tissue paper. He pulled the paper out, and found a miniature of Rose carved from wood. It was so realistic looking, down to the last curve of hair. 

Viktor felt his eyes watering again, but out of happiness. It was so beautiful to him. "Thank you.." he whispered, looking up at her.

Lyra smiled and shrugged slightly. "Oh, it's. You're welcome." 

Viktor hugged her, and as he did so, the paper he held in his hand was laid on the table next to them. Lyra looked down at it.  "What's that?" she asked him.

He pulled away from her, using his thumb to wipe his eyes. Viktor looked at the letter and saw his cousin's handwriting. "Oh, no," he muttered irritably.

Raising an eyebrow, Lyra asked, "What's wrong?"

Just as he was about to answer, Viktor remembered something very important. "Sage!" He hurried out of the door, using his vampiric speed and leaving Lyra behind. 

"Wait for me!" She called after him, running after him.

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Lilith made her way outside to Sage's grave, grateful to see Eros was still standing guard. She didn't see Viktor, which made it even better. Lilith sat down against a tree, leaning her head back. She was annoyed, and Eros seemed it too. She didn't blame him; she was late. 

 "Sorry," she apologized, a bit bitterly. "I had an annoying run in at the school."

Eros frowned at her. Of course she had something more important come up, he thought bitterly. "Whatever. Next time, don't be late to important meetings."