The Red Rose

Chapter XXIII

While Carmilla and I were deciding on the plans to follow and how to approach the situation, already into the early morning, Juanpi was typing furiously on the keyboard, seemingly searching for flights to our destination.

"When do you want the tickets?" Juanpi asked me.

"Um... As soon as possible," I said firmly.

"We have to pack and prepare. We don't know what might await us there," Carmilla said, placing her arm on my shoulder with concern.

"We?" I asked.

"Don't be silly my love, I'm going with you. I won't let you go alone, I couldn't bear if something happened to you," she responded seriously.

"And your spy work?" I asked again.

"I think I've done enough. I have a hunch that, at this point, our paths have crossed to deal with a threat that no longer allows me to separate from the one I love the most..."

Carmilla's point was valid. Besides, I wanted to be with her, even though I still had internal conflicts given our chaotic experiences. I guess I am hopeless romantic.

"I suppose extra hands wouldn't hurt," I replied.

Carmilla gave me a warm smile and kissed my cheek. Juanpi had already printed the flight tickets and handed them to me. Then he said:

"I imagine you understand that I won't be able to accompany you. I have the impression that the things ahead of us far exceed what an ordinary human like me could contribute. Don't worry, I have enough at home to provide you with the necessary information and I'll be online for anything you need. This will be my remote work," he smiled.

Juanpi gave a big yawn and stretched, then, scratching his back, grabbed his backpack and said:

"Well guys, it's 6 in the morning, and I should go take a nap. I need more sleep than you guys, you know? I tend to be a night owl, but staying up all night isn't my thing at thirty years old."

"Bah, it's not like you're an old man, don't be so dramatic," I joked.

The three of us laughed in unison, but it was too funny to see how Juanpi avoided Carmilla's gaze when she smiled. Her fangs really made him uncomfortable.

"Goodbye guys, good luck. We'll stay in touch online." He waved his hand and, without realizing it, slipped on a pencil and hit his nose on the front door in a very weird and amusing way, almost cartoonish.

"Ouch!" He exclaimed, the moment he struck his head against the door.

"How do you trip over a pencil?" I asked, laughing.

"Oh, crap..." He looked at himself, his nose starting to bleed. I ran to give him some napkins I had nearby.

I turned around and saw Carmilla take a deep breath. As she looked at us intently, she licked her lips a little. I immediately noticed her change and almost put myself between her and Juanpi, looking her straight in the eyes, murmuring.

"Don't do it, you're better than this, I know you can."

As her eyes began to shine more intensely, she nodded and nervously moved away from the room, locking herself in the bathroom.

"I'm going to use a wet napkin, Micky, I think it'll work better," said Juanpi, noticing Carmilla's strange behavior.

After covering his nose with two papers, Juanpi, already at the front door, joked:

"Wow. Your girlfriend acts as weird as Clara, now you get why I had to cut contact!" He laughed.

"Ha ha! Luckily your beta reader isn't a vampire, otherwise imagine!" I laughed.