Rhea spent the months passing in a deep state of regret and frustration. She didn't know why she had let her instincts take over like that, why she'd fed off Olivia in that moment. And now she was living with the consequences. With every passing day, she'd find herself missing her even more, but she retained from going back. Knowing it would only make things worse. Olivia never tried to call or text Rhea. Everyone around her says she was acting differently, scared, and always on edge.
No contact was made between them the entire time, Rhea kept away, living with the guilt of what she did to the human. The fact that Olivia had changed, behaving differently after she fed on her that night... That night never failed to cross her mind. It only added to her regret and frustration.
Eventually years went by where Olivia and Rhea never talked. The vampire continued to live her life in regret, wondering how Olivia was doing, if she had moved on, if she had forgiven her for what happened. Despite the long period of no contract, Rhea could never forget the human, her memory always coming back to her every now and then, but she made no attempt to reach out.
Centuries go by without a single word or sign from either Rhea or Olivia. Rhea continues to reflect on what she had done, that night always coming back to her mind whenever she's alone remembering the taste of Olivia's blood. She often thinks about reaching out, to at least check on the human, to see if she is still alive after all this time that's passed, but her regret and fears keep her from doing so.
One day Rhea was at home when she got a piece of mail, what was in the mail shocked her, her eyes widened slightly as she saw the name of a funeral invite. Her heart immediately begins to race as she realizes the implications of receiving such an invitation. That would mean Olivia is. No. no. no she can't even say it herself.
Rhea reads the invitation again, taking in the name of the sender, Alex. She recognizes the name as Olivia's brother. The fact that it's him, requesting Rhea to come to Olivia's funeral, only sends her more into a state of stunned shock, a sickening guilt rising in her stomach as the dread of what might have happened settles over her.
She looked at the date of when the funeral was coming and the date of the funeral was set for that night hits Rhea like a blow to the gut, It was happening very soon; and she didn't have very long to brace herself to face what's inevitably coming, but she was also couldn't help but feel an odd mix of gratitude for being informed in time, and guilt, realizing that she had to do this, to face everyone and probably Olivia's family, whom she was sure probably hated her.
After a couple hours of pacing and debating she decides she is going to force herself to attend the funeral, her heart pounding as she approaches the venue where the funeral is being held. She's nervous about seeing Olivia's family and seeing her body. Despite her nervousness, she takes a deep breath and continues to approach in anticipation.
Rhea approaches the funeral ground, and her eyes fall on Alex standing there. She intensely recognizes him, her heart clenching at the sight of how much he's changed since she last saw him. He had grown a lot older, the years clearly taking a toll on his once youthful appearance. However another thought occurred to her, a thought that made her hesitate in her steps- the thought of what Alex would think of her now that he knew she was a vampire.
She knew that Alex noticed that she was there, and she saw him give her a smile, she returned the smile and approached him, relief washing over her at the seemingly positive reaction.
"Rhea" he says in a gruff voice causing her to nod in acknowledgement. His voice was a lot different than what it was before from what she remembers, then again, several centuries have passed and people change, grow older, and it was certainly showing on Alex. "Come give me a hug." he opened his arms, and Rhea was caught by surprise as he suddenly opened his arms. She quickly composes herself and steps a bit closer to him, hugging him gently. It felt odd to her, hugging someone she used to know back then. As they hug for a few moments Alex breaks down in the middle of the hug and Rhea freezes for a moment unexpecting the display of emotion. She awkwardly pats his back, not quite sure how to help in this situation.
He pulls away from the hug and apologies for his emotional outburst and Rhea can sense the pain in his voice when he says life hasn't been the same since Olivia died. Her heart clenches at his words and a deep sense of guilt and regret comes over as she remembers the night she fed on Olivia, when everything changed...
"Listen I know what happened between you two and how you bit her, but I want you to know she forgave you." Alex watches as Rhea's eyes widen as Alex says that he knows about everything that happened and that Olivia forgave her, Shock and surprise fills her at the revelation and a million thoughts come rushing through her mind. She stares at him in disbelief for a moment, trying to say something but is ultimately stunned into speechlessness. "Come on, we have a funeral to attend." He holds out his arm for Rhea to grab.
Rhea is still stunned by the revelation, barely able to process her thoughts as he reminds her about the funeral. She looks down at his extended arm, contemplating his gesture for a moment before tentatively taking his arm and letting him lead her into the funeral.
Rhea allows Alex to lead her into the funeral venue and through the funeral home until they come to stop in front of an open casket. As she looks upon the open casket her heart immediately sinks as she sees Olivia lying inside. Her eyes go wide as she takes in the sight of her still body.
Rhea then uses her heightened sense to listen for Olivia's heartbeat, still unable to believe that she is dead, but no matter how intently she listens, she can't detect any sound coming from her. As she looked down again at her body, she could clearly see that she looked so much older, the passage of time marked vividly on her body. It was proof that Olivia was really dead.
The End.
