The City of Darkness and Blood

Chapter 30

Jason's POV

I sat in my living room, the muted morning light filtering through the curtains as the news played on the TV. The reporter's voice was steady, but the content was anything but ordinary. "Breaking news: The newly elected Mayor of Solomon City, Gregor Parlor, has been identified as the notorious vampire Dracula. Authorities have revealed his involvement in a series of heinous crimes, including the transformation of terminally ill patients into vampires and the manipulation of city officials." I leaned back, a heavy sigh escaping my lips. It was surreal, seeing it all laid bare. Everything we'd fought against, everything we'd discovered—it was out in the open now.

A knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. I opened it to find Silver looking as stunning as ever but with a troubled expression. "Silver," I said, stepping aside to let her in. "Hey, Jason," she said quietly, her eyes not meeting mine, "We need to talk." We moved to the couch, the news still playing in the background. I turned it off, giving her my full attention. "What's going on?" I asked. "I'm leaving Solomon City," she said bluntly, and my heart sank.

"What? Why?" I asked, my voice edged with disbelief and dismay.

"All of this, Jason... the vampires, Gregor's twisted plans, putting you in danger—it's all my fault," she said, her voice breaking, "If I had known who he really was, I could've stopped him a long time ago."

"Silver, none of this is your fault," I said firmly, "You couldn't have known. What matters is that Dracula is dead, and the city is safe, thanks to you."

She shook her head, tears glistening in her eyes. "I don't know who I am anymore, Jason. Am I human, or am I a monster?"

I took a deep breath, preparing to tell her something that might change everything. "Silver, Kendall and I did some investigating. We found out about a woman named Paula Hughes. She was a prostitute who came to Solomon General Hospital heavily pregnant and left after giving birth to you. The hospital staff remembered her. She committed suicide in her car the next day."

Silver's eyes widened in shock and pain, knowing she is part vampire and part human. "Paula Hughes... my mother?" she whispered, tears streaming down her face, "Why didn't anyone tell me?"

I reached out, taking her hand. "I'm sorry, Silver. I thought you deserved to know the truth."

She looked at me, her expression a mixture of sorrow and resolve. "Jason, run away with me. Let's leave this city behind. We can live a life of excitement, romance, and adventure. Just the two of us." The temptation was strong, but I knew my duty. "Silver, you know I can't. Solomon needs protection. I can't just leave," I declined. She nodded, her eyes filled with understanding and sadness. "I know. I just... had to ask," she said. We leaned in and kissed, a lingering, bittersweet farewell. "Take care of yourself," I whispered. "You too," she replied softly before turning and leaving.

As the door closed behind her, I felt a profound sense of loss. My first love was leaving, and I didn't know when or if I would see her again. Last night's events made me think deeply about my life and choices. I looked at the picture of Chloe on the mantle and knew what to do. It was time to make amends with my family, the family I had shut out after Chloe's death. With renewed determination, I grabbed my keys and left to visit them, hoping for forgiveness and a chance to rebuild what I had lost.

I stood outside my parents' house, my heart pounding with hesitation. It had been long since I had seen them and even longer since I had willingly knocked on their door. Taking a deep breath, I lifted my hand and rapped on the door, each knock feeling like a step towards healing. The door creaked open, revealing my father stood there with a look of surprise. "Jason?" he said, disbelief evident in his voice, "What are you doing here?" I swallowed hard, my emotions threatening to spill over. "Hey, Dad. Can I come in?" I asked. "Of course, son," my father replied, stepping aside to let me in, "Come on in." As I entered the familiar warmth of the house, memories flooded back. My mother appeared from the kitchen, her eyes widening in surprise. "Jason?" she said, her voice soft and hopeful. "Hi, Mom," I said, trying to keep my voice steady, "Can we talk?"