We're Almost Home

the bittersweet

Selene never felt this anxious in her life. Her daughter's eyes went wide. The girl stared at her blankly as if she were trying to remember something. I just hope it wasn't too rushed, and that it wasn't a mistake. The woman thought worrisomely and held her breath.

Although she has been dreaming of this very moment, imagining it in different variations over and over, Eve was not prepared for it at all. A wave of shock and excitement went through her. All she could do was vigorously nod and smile widely at her mother.

The vampiress sighed, finally letting all the air she held hostage go. She grabbed Eve's face and kissed both of her cheeks. She pulled away, "Well, this was exhausting," she said half-jokingly, half-serious.

They sat comfortably, nestled together on the couch for a long time after that - their faces illuminated by the soft light of the fire.
They talked and talked, about everything and nothing in particular. The time they spent away from one another, seemed to have melted away.

The girl and her mother would have gladly stayed that way for many hours more. But suddenly, the teenager became drowsy. She rubbed her eyes, which were beginning to burn from the effort of staying up for way too many hours that day.

"Let's go to sleep, shall we?" Selene suggested while getting up from the couch. Exhausted, Eve obeyed and just went straight to change into her sleepwear. I do not have the energy or will to wash myself today, she thought.
The woman followed in her daughter's footsteps. She rinsed her hands and face quickly and changed her clothes.
Eve came up to the woman, looking rather worried. She timidly asked, "Would it be okay... if you slept with me tonight? If not, it's alright too. I can take the couch." She looked down and stared at her bare feet.
Selene touched her cheek and looked at her child with a warm expression, "Of course, my girl," she said reassuringly and signalled her to get into the bed. She pulled a big, soft blanket over them both and waited for Eve to get comfortable. The child laid close enough for Selene to stroke her head and play with her beautiful, long hair. Before she knew it, her daughter was asleep, a soft smile painted on her face.

When she finally let her head hit the pillow, it felt like heaven. The vampiress was so worn out, that she could not tell whether the bed was that comfortable, or it was the exhaustion taking.
She did not think much of it though. The moment she closed her eyes, she was asleep as well.

Selene and Eve agreed to leave the next day. Even though both of them were anxious to go, they decided it would be good to spend one day together, before their journey back to the coven.

The young girl eagerly showed her mother around. Explained how she learned to keep a vegetable garden and what she had growing in it. She showed Selene her crossbow and described how she would go hunting and patrolling the perimeter.
"How do you think I knew you were here so fast?" Said the girl, giving Selene a questioning glance. "I heard a twig snap a while before I saw the images in my head," she giggled.

The woman looked at her daughter, amazed at how alive she was. Despite her life being so difficult and traumatic, Eve smiled and laughed almost constantly. She had the happiest, bubbliest personality Selene's ever come across. The vampiress could not resist chuckling herself.
She's so sweet and spirited. And that laughter of hers, it's downright infectious.
The teenager went on to show all the books she had in the house, scattered and stacked on every vertical surface. "Oh look, from this one I've learned all about natural remedies, herbs and such," she said excitedly, "and this, this is my favourite story so far." She stated, waving a copy of The Hobbit in the woman's face. "Have you ever read it?" She asked.
"I've heard of it quite a few times. I never read it though," she answered. Killing and hunting lycans, I never had time for such frivolities. The young girl continued to talk about all the little things she enjoyed, but Selene could not focus on it much. She was submerged deep in the memories of her old life, contemplating how much it had changed.

The day came to an end in the blink of an eye and Selene found herself planning their trip to The Eastern Coven. "Eve, if you are planning on taking anything with you, think of it twice and try to pack lightly," the woman instructed, "As you know, we'll have quite a march ahead of us," she added. "Actually, I wanted to show something to you," said Eve, "Although I don't know if it'll be of any use." The girl led her mother outside to a padlocked shed. She opened it to reveal an old Jeep and multiple canisters of gasoline. "Does it work?" Asked Selene, raising her eyebrows. "I don't know. It did around a year and a half ago." She answered and let the vampiress through to check on the vehicle.

As she looked at the red car, Eve remembered its owner. How his lifeless body hit the floor, his eyes still wide open, blankly looking at her, how difficult it was to move him. The young girl's lower lip quivered as her eyes welled up with tears, her chest heaving with the effort to hold back her sobs until finally, a single tear trickled down her cheek. Eve wiped it quickly and shooed the painful memories away.

Deep in thought, she would have stood there like that, staring for hours, but the roars of the engine snapped her out of the trance. "It's working!" Exclaimed Selene, leaving the shed and putting her arm around Eve. "I've got good news for you, love. You can pack all the stuff you'd like." She announced. "And if we leave early enough, we will arrive in London by nightfall."

Bittersweet - the best word one could use to describe how Eve felt when morning came, and it was time to leave. The hybrid girl felt happy, yet there was sadness lingering in her. The prospect of going home with her mother excited her, but leaving the little cottage she got so accustomed to made her feel uneasy.

The soft morning light made the cottage look prettier than it usually did. The girl stood in front of it, trying to memorise its appearance. "Come on!" Shouted Selene, throwing the bags Eve packed the night before into the trunk. "Eve, get in the car. We should go now."

As they drove away she stared at the little house and watched it disappear behind the trees. When she could not see it anymore, she turned to Selene, "Mum, I think I'm going to miss this place..." she quietly said and rested her head on the window.
Selene's brown, before-focused eyes went suddenly wide. Her lips - involuntarily parted slightly. She.. she hasn't called me 'mum' ever before. The vampiress opened her mouth to speak, but when she looked at her, she realised that her child was fast asleep. She took a long, deep breath and sighed loudly.
I will do my very best to give this child a place she can call home.