Criminal

Chapter 15: Forgiveness

Nick's car drove up the sidewalk in front of the house with him and Cecil running toward me. No doubt, they heard the sirens. I wished I did more to prevent the damage to their house. It's bad enough what happened to their son, but it's over now.

"What happened?" My dad reached me first while Cecil couldn't run fast in heels.

I wasn't sure how far back I should start. Too much has happened since I last seen them. "Bridgett told me Darren killed my mom, so I talked to him about it. His response was lighting me on fire, but his room caught on fire instead. I called the fire department, and they're working on it."

"I'm just glad you're okay." His relief went as quick as it came. "What about Darren?"

I glanced at Cecil, whose lack of makeup and uncombed hair suggested she was already grieving. "Bridgett's blood reverses the vampire effect, which made Darren pass on." Hopefully, they won't be too hard on Bridgett, who's struggling to keep warm in the mid November wind. "He's behind the house by his window." I said, looking at the grass around Bridgett.

"I understand." Cecil strode over there, keeping a false sense of stability.

My dad hugged me, and it still startled me. "You did the right thing. You're so brave to face your mother's killer without hurting him. I'm impressed by how far you came."

"I didn't want to hurt him or see him die, but Bridgett said it couldn't be avoided. Her blood will be at the restaurant tonight, and more people will get that type of blood." I shivered from the short-sleeved shirt I wore. I'd miss some of the vampire abilities.

"I see you drank some of it, too." He rubbed his arms up and down my back to warm me. "With no vampire children, I should turn back."

Bridgett lay curled up with her eyes closed. "She needs to sleep in a warm place." I turned back to my dad. "Could you take me home?" I also needed a shower, and I wonder how he tolerated hugging me.

"Of course." He stepped toward Bridgett. "Can you get up?" He asked the pale girl, who seemed livelier than she looked.

"Hold me." She said boldly with her eyes shut.

Both of us were taken aback, but he carried her bridal-style to the passenger seats while I opened the door for them. I remembered hearing about people's dislike of Bridgett. Maybe that applied to her parents. It must've made her jealous to see my dad hug me.

He started his drive to Fay's house. "So, where's your car, and why didn't you call me?"

"I don't have them. They must be at Alex's house. I was told he had Dr. Sawyer's results, but he set me up to be burned in the woods."

"That's why you stink." He glanced at me. "You're also missing part of your bangs."

"Thanks." I rolled my eyes at him. "The bald spot was Darren's fault." I spoke too fast to realize I shouldn't bring him up.

"Don't worry about Alex, because I'm doing one last vampire thing on him." I turned to him, nervous, as if he'd do what Darren did to Fay. Maybe it was just something an overprotective father would say. He turned to me. "Sorry for what Darren did. He used to be good, but resentment brought him down a dark path. Cecil and I tried to help him, but he got stuck in his ways."

Bridgett has been mumbling words, lying in the back seats. She must've been healing herself with her magic. "Would Cecil recover from losing him? Bridgett is mischievous, but she's not a bad person." She smiled at me as I looked at her, glad I trusted her. I couldn't ignore the fact she saved me twice.

"I hope she will. We'll have to look over her." He saw Bridgett in the mirror, who stopped smiling. "She started this. Darren told me everything. I don't think he would've attacked Fay if it weren't for her. Still, if you forgave her, then I can. Daren's death isn't her fault. It was inevitable."

He arrived at Fay's house, which was mine now. Holding her hands, I pulled Bridgett up, and she followed me inside. Nick went back to be with Cecil. Bridgett followed me into the bathroom. All by herself, she bandaged herself with Band-Aids from the mirror cabinet. I stood there, wanting to help, but she's independent. She didn't need to rest and wanted attention, but I'd let her stay. She must've had a rough life, and I couldn't deprive her of basic kindness. I asked her, "Are you okay with what happened to Darren? Are you lonely?"

"He was the only person who was kind to me, and who gave me any attention. All that changed after we attacked your mom. You're becoming a replacement for him."

I should hate her for all she's done to me, but I didn't. Instead, I cared for her and wanted the best for her. "You're welcome to stay. Since I'm your friend, Gretchen and Kari will become your friends."

"Thank you and I'll stay as I don't want to see my parents after being gone for so long." She nervously rubbed her arms, pushing up her denim jacket sleeves to reveal her bruises. Why would her parents do that to her? So many things I didn't understand about the world.

"I can help you with this. We'll confront your parents this evening." She nodded and smiled, feeling hopeful for my help.

She was a cunning witch, so I didn't understand why she didn't do more to help herself. "Why haven't you done anything about them? You're not manipulating me, right?"

She pulled down her sleeves. "You'll just have to find out." She smirked. "Honestly, it's bad, because they won't accept my power and my essence. I could hurt them, but I choose not to." She left to take a nap on the living room couch. She's complicated and strange, but she'd make a great friend. I may even be starting to understand her better.

Finally alone, I took my much needed shower and threw Kari's gasoline and blood-stained clothes in the trash. Glad to be in my style of dressing, I came into the kitchen.

Gretchen and Kari sat at the kitchen table, chatting until they saw me. "I'm so glad everything worked out okay." Gretchen fixed my hair from when I ripped part of it.

"You know everything that happened?" She didn't seem surprised by my hair or by me being human again.

"I was worried about you with Alex, but when I got to his house, your dad was there. He told me what happened. I brought your car and phone." She handed me my phone.

"Thanks. What about Alex?" I hoped he wouldn't die or attack again. It seemed too much to ask for. Even Darren wasn't so lucky.

"He got a bit roughed up by your dad, who left. He spared him when we saw his wolf abandoned him. It happens sometimes. Without Darren, Alex had no need for his wolf or to hurt you."

"I guessed we're all okay now." Bridgett napped nearby while my other friends sat next to me. "I'll bake bread and chocolate cake. That's what my mom made for me on my birthday."

"Bread and chocolate cake?" Kari spoke. "That's boring."

I chuckled. "Maybe, but I like it." I began taking out the utensils to cook. "Also, I hope you didn't have any attachment to the outfit I borrowed. I ruined your lavender sweater and black skirt."

"Oh," she didn't notice her clothes gone. "It's okay. You've been through a lot. I'm happy you're fine."

I baked my bread and cake to share with the friends I've made during this adventure. The loss of Fay and Darren was devastating, but life wouldn't end there. Soon, I'd finish school like my mom wanted. My dad would help me transition into adulthood. My friendships with Gretchen, Bridgett, and Kari would grow. I couldn't fear any event in the future after getting through this time. I'd have so much to look forward to. It was a bittersweet time, but soon it'd be just sweet.

A/N: Thanks for reading. I plan to add more chapters to this in the future for a sequel. I'm also working on another vampire mystery story similar to this one, but that one will be a historical romance.