18

The Guest

"Hey, can I come in." My knuckles tapped lightly onto the door as Louis mumbled to enter. I stood staring at him for a moment as he appeared fragile curled up on the bed as his head buried deep into a pillow. "How are you doing?"

"It hurts more than I ever imagined possible Eleanor, my whole body aches in pain." He sobbed as I sat next to him on the bed, taking his hand into mine.

"I am so sorry you have had to go through this. I want to help take away your pain, but I know there is nothing I can say or do to be able to do that for you Louis."

"Are they back yet?" He sat up as his eyes were red from all the tears. His cheek had the indentation of his knuckles.

"No not yet, whilst they were burying Louisa I believe they were going to feed." I smiled awkwardly as he nodded.

"I'm such a pathetic vampire that I couldn't even do that myself." His palms rubbed into his eyes aggressively as he blew out air. "Not that you can call me a vampire I mean what can I do to be even classed as one."

"Hey, you have the most amazing gift anyone could ever wish for. You have the gift of life Louis, and that I will be forever grateful off."

"It's never been enough for me. I always wanted the speed and the strength, I could never protect myself from other vampires and they knew it. I see the way they would look at me like I was nothing, and they were not wrong."

"Stop taunting yourself like this. You are better than that and Louis, I think you are perfect exactly the way you are." Our exchange of glance began uncomfortable, but his soft smile soon eased that. "All your life you have been made to do what your father demanded, maybe now this is your time to be you. Who is Louis only you can find him."

"You know, for a young girl you are quite clever. I always knew you were from the moment I met you. With your constant questions." He laughed inwardly as I pursed my lips. "How are you feeling about all of this?"

"Honestly, I don't know."

"That makes two of us then."

"What do you mean?"

"This is all to end my father, don't get me wrong, I know he has done terrible wicked things, but deep down he is still in there, the man who would scoop me up into his arms when I fell and the man who sat me high upon his shoulders as we ran through the corn fields. It's difficult to forget all of that." He retracted his hands into his long sleeved shirt as he anxiously fiddled with his cuffs.

"I understand Louis. Nobody was born evil, but I believe the master is never going to stop. First Sitka, then who knows where else he will decide to dominate and kill hundreds of more innocent humans."

"Maybe if I could talk to him, make him see what he is doing is wrong."

"Do you really think he would listen. I truly believe he is too far gone. His power has deluded his mind, some things Louis cannot be saved."

"I guess." He sighed as he outstretched his arms to the sky. "So as my love life is abysmal how is yours going?" His brow raised as his lips curved to the right.

"What do you mean?" I could feel my face fluster as I climbed from the bed, walking to the mini bar.

"You know exactly what I mean."

"Do you want one?" I held the bottle of water in the air, shaking it from side to side as I welcomed the cool from the fridge.

"No and don't change the subject."