Vampire Emeritus (Part #3) ✔

Chapter 17: Final Goodbyes

Thomas immediately stood up and grabbed a gun. Now that he's found he had a thing for guns, his every solution boiled down to firing it.

Ian's hands dropped on the arms of the chair. His expression was tired, his eyes red and teary, and he looked like he wasn't in a condition to fight me. Well, too fucking bad.

"This is all your fault." I repeated, my voice shaking.

Ian's face distorted and for a moment, I thought he would cry, "Chloe, I'm sorry."

"You turned me into a vampire!" I shouted. "You brought those vampires into my house, you pissed them off, you decided to act against them. And now my best friend is dead!"

"Chloe." Thomas grunted.

"Stop pointing that goddamn gun at me!" I hit the sides of the couch. Pain spread through my wrists up my arms. "Stop it!"

Thomas's hand wavered, but he didn't put the gun away.

"Chloe, I'm so sorry." Ian's expression twisted into pain. "I'm so fucking sorry!"

"That doesn't cut it!" I stomped like a child, angry, bitter tears running down my cheeks. "Sorry isn't going to bring her back! She's dead! Gone! Just like that."

Ian walked towards me and stopped, "What do you want me to do?"

"Bring her back!" I demanded. "Someone bring her back!"

Ian's expression softened, "I'm so sorry, Chloe."

With all the anger I've had boiling inside of me, I slapped him. Hard. Ian's head snapped back, a wince fell of his lips, but he didn't move.

I slapped him again. Ian staggered back.

He simply stared at me, understanding and regret and pain shining in his eyes. I cherished the anger that overwhelmed.

I curled my hand into a fist and punched him for everything he's done. For turning me into a vampire, for inviting this evil into my life, for leaving me alone in this cold world, for making me love him despite everything he's done.

After the second punch, Ian stopped my hand mid-air and I broke down.

He pulled me towards him and hugged me tightly. I sobbed and cried and screamed into his shirt while his strong arms prevented me from collapsing on the ground.

"This is all my fault." I blubbered.

Ian held me against his chest, "No, it's not. It's not your fault."

"I tried to bring her back, I- I tried."

"I know." Ian whispered. "I'm so sorry."

Exhausted and sad beyond comprehension, I pulled away from him, "Where is she?"

"We put her in the lab." Thomas jumped in. "It's cold there and she couldn't stay in this heat."

My limbs itched and I felt another wave of anger and desperation climbing up my spine, but I needed to channel it into something constructive. Otherwise, I'd lose my mind.

I glanced around my living room. Papers were scattered all over the glass tables, papers that Ian used as the means of communicating with Caiden while the cultists were here. Their hearing was way too good to risk talking.

"Where is Tina?" I wiped the tears.

"She ran away with the tape." Thomas answered. "A cultist vampire ran after her, but she's managed to escape. She'll return by morning."

"Good." I gulped the pain. "We need to start working on a plan."

"Chloe..." Ian uttered.

"Don't." I stopped him. "Gosh, we need to call the cops."