Midnight Crusade

Chapter 11

Vivian sat with a blanket wrapped around her shoulders, facing the window and watching the world outside. It snowed overnight and the town's plows were moving through the streets, removing the inches of snow from the roads. Vivian felt numb. These past few days she's been staying at Kit's place, ignoring calls from Ophelia and only sending her a few texts here and there to let her know that yes she was alive and yes she was staying with a friend. Yet, anytime Elias was brought up, Vivian would just skirt around it. We got home and that was the last I saw him, Vivian lied, unsure of what else to say. Even if she had been able to tell Ophelia the truth, she wouldn't even know where to start.

Turning away from the window, she looked at her tablet on the coffee table, a scene from her graphic novel sketched out, ready for coloring. She had snuck over to her home while Ophelia was sure to be away at work and gathered some things for herself. She felt bad just wearing Kit's clothes, even though they were very comfortable.

She still hadn't really processed the events from that night. She hadn't even been able to think about it. Every time her mind tried to go back to that night, she would freeze up and panic would set over her skin like a heavy, suffocating blanket. So she simply just hadn't thought about it. Even still, it gnawed at her, the memory raging in the back of her mind, desperate to be seen. But she couldn't do it. She wouldn't. But she also knew she couldn't stay hidden at Kit's forever.

Looking up from her tablet, hazel eyes roamed to the kitchen, where Kit currently stood with his back to her. He had been doing something, Vivian not really paying much attention. At least, not until he left the kitchen and rounded the counter, heading towards her with a mug in hand.

"What's that?" Vivian asked, eyeing the mug.

"It is for you." He replied, stopping in front of her and handing her the mug. "Hot chocolate. With marshmallows."

"Really?" She set her tablet down on the table and reached for the mug. "Why did you make me hot chocolate?"

The vampire shrugged his shoulders. "You have been very... down these past few days. I wanted to do something for you that might lift your spirits, even if just a little."

"So hot chocolate?"

"With marshmallows." He added, as if it was of utmost importance.

Vivian smiled softly, looking down into the mug. "Where did you get this idea from?"
"Viktor." Kit admits, shoving hands in his pockets. "They said that humans thoroughly enjoy hot chocolate, especially with marshmallows. So, yesterday I went out and bought some of the mix. I do hope it is to your liking."

Vivian wanted to cry. That was so sweet of him, and so considerate. It smelt amazing, and looked even better. "What did you use to make this?"

"Milk." He replied, pointing to the stove back in the kitchen. "I just boiled some milk and added the mix. That is how it is made, right?"

The woman nodded her head. "You could also have made it with water, but it tastes better with milk." Lifting the mug to her lips, she took a small sip. It tasted just as good as it smelt. She was sure he had to have done something to the hot chocolate, because just simple milk and mix shouldn't taste this good.

Kit watched her, a little impatient. "How is it?"

"It's delicious, Kit. Thank you." She said, and meant it. After taking another sip, she set the mug down on the coffee table and picked her tablet back up.

"What is that?" Kit asked, eyeing the tablet.

"This?" She says, gesturing to the tablet in her hands, and the man nods. "It's a drawing tablet. I can make art on it."