She Talks to Angels | {BOOK 2}

88|Dean's a Vampire?

"So, Eleanor, where's Dean been lately?"

I was at the café with the ladies from the PTA group again. Maddie was playing at Aurora's house again, and Dean had been gone longer than he said he'd be.

"Oh, he, uh, he had a last minute family emergency he had to take care of. I would have gone with him, but we didn't want Maddie to miss school."

"Family emergency? Oh, I hope it wasn't anything too serious," Denise gasped.

"No, uh, nothing serious," I shook my head, keeping my gaze on my untouched food in front of me. "He should be home soon. He said it wouldn't take long."

The ladies all murmured stuff that I didn't register, getting lost in my own head. I was vaguely aware of Amelia beginning a story for the others, but I wasn't processing a single word. I only snapped out of it when Diana placed her hand over mine on the table.

"Are you sure you're alright?" she whispered, so the other ladies wouldn't hear.

"I'm fine, Diana," I nodded. "I guess I'm just tired without Dean around to tag team Maddie. Don't worry about me."

"Well, if you need me and Hannah to come over any time to keep you company while he's away, I'm sure she'd love to spend more time with Maddie."

"Thanks, Dee. I'll think about it."

She gave my hand a reassuring squeeze and turned her focus back on the chatter from the others. I simply tuned back out, wondering what was keeping Dean, and unable to stop my mind from drawing the parallel to when my dad left and never came back.

 ⁘

I woke up, gasping, and covered in a cool sheen of sweat. My nightmares had increased since Dean left. Taking some deep breaths, I ran a hand through my hair and reached over to turn on the lamp. There was a hiss, and I looked over, startled to see Dean standing there, shielding himself from the light.

"Dean?" I asked.

"Hey," he grunted.

"Hey. I was expecting you back a few days ago."

"Yeah, yeah... I know," he sighed, coming over to sit on the edge of the bed.

"What's up? Are you okay?"

"Listen..."

I furrowed my brow, realizing that something was wrong.

"What's going on?" I inquired.

"It doesn't matter," Dean shook his head. "But, I need you to know... You and Maddie... just, uh... I'm sorry. Okay? And thanks for everything."

I slid out from under the covers, my heart beat picking up as I moved closer to him.

"Dean, you're scaring me."

Dean's jaw was clenched tight, and right as I moved to touch his shoulder, he stood from the bed, moving further away.

"Oh, God, I'm Pattinson..." he muttered.

"What?" I asked, confused.

"Nothing," he dismissed me. "I... I gotta go..."

I got angry then.

"No, you can't just show up here like this and-"

"Believe me, I wish it was different," Dean cut me off.

"Just stop, and explain to me what's going on out there."

"Ellie, I can't bring this crap home to you."

"You mean hunting," I translated. "Dean, we've been hunting side by side forever. You don't-"

"I'm talking about my life. It's ugly... and it's violent... and I'm gonna die- soon."