What Meets The Eye

Chapter Eight: He's A Follower

I popped my head into my mom's room and let my dad know I would be back.

At first, he objected, but he soon complied, defeated emotionally and physically.

I took the elevator down to the lobby and entered the parking lot. Damian walked over from his shiny black car and I could do nothing but run to him and embrace him in a hug.

We stood there in each other's arms for what felt like hours, as I felt all of my problems and fears melt away.

"Thank you for coming," I whispered.

"Of course, anytime."

We finally pulled away and walked into the hospital lobby to sit.

"How are you doing?" he asked.

"Horribly. The doctors said there's no cure or anything they can do for more time. I only have a month left with my mom," I said, disbelieving.

"I know, it sucks, Gwen. It really does."

"Why isn't there a cure for cancer?" I cried, desperate.

He hesitated before speaking. "Listen, Gwen. I'm not saying you should or that you have to do this, but you know how vampires can heal quickly?"

I nodded.

"Well, our blood, if ingested by a mortal, can heal their injuries quickly, as well," he began.

"So you're saying there's a cure for my mom's cancer?" I asked, hopeful and desperate.

"Unfortunately, no. People have tried using vampire blood to heal cancer patients, but it doesn't do anything good, it just makes them worse."

My heart dropped and my hopes shattered.

"But if a mortal diesーwith vampire blood in their system, they become a vampire."

I narrowed my eyes as I realized what he meant. "So if my mom died right after consuming some of your bloodーshe wouldn't technically die. She would become a vampire," I said, putting the pieces together.

"Yeah, but she wouldn't be human anymore. Someone would have to kill her. Someone would have to kill your mother," he said, emphasizing each of the three words which made my blood run cold.

I remained silent as I came to a realization that my mother didn't have to die. I didn't have to lose her.

"Gwen, listen to me. Becoming a vampire is not someone else's choice. You should ask your mom first, if she wants it. If not, then..." he trailed off.

I nodded. The decision should be my mother's. It's her life that's on the line, so it should be her who decides how she wants to live the remainder of it.

***

I sat in the chair next to my sleeping mother's bed, staring at nothing while thinking about the proposition Damian gave me.

My mother's eyelids fluttered open to reveal tired eyes and a weak but heartfelt smile.

"Hey, Mom," I said, walking to her bedside.

"Hi, sweetie," she whispered and put her hand on mine.

"How are you feeling?" I asked.

"Better," she smiled. "They gave me some pain killers so my headaches are gone."

"Good. They said rest will help the pain," I said.