Trails of Intertwined Stars: Chapter 74 {Part 1}

~Chapter 141: Father and Daughter~

Edward staggered down the corridor of the manor, he wasn't thinking, his legs were just taking him without thought. Like it had become second nature. He reached the nursery, and pushed the door open weakly, his breath heavy and laboured. The room was dark, with curtains shut with the faint daylight outside illuminating the room. He heard the faint yet familiar giggle, and saw the little girl waiting for him, sat under the window she used to all those times. Upon seeing him enter, the toddler beamed, and held up her drawing for him to see.
"Look, Edward!"
Edward staggered towards her, his eyes filled with tears," Leora..."
But when he arrived, she vanished, and he was simply grasping at the air. A sob escaped his lips as his shoulders shuddered, and he fell onto his knees, desperately trying to feel for the warmth he'd once held so close to him. He couldn't understand why people were so scared of ghosts. For at the moment, all he wanted was to see her face smiling at him.
"You promised to read to me, Edward!"
The four year old called out, sat on the bed at the end of the room. Edward glanced up at her, shakily, seeing the memory of the four year old holding a fairytale and smiling at him. He crawled over to the bedside, as the little girl watched him.

"You will, won't you?" Leora whispered," Stay in my room tonight? I can't sleep."
"Don't sleep..." Edward shut his eyes, trying desperately to not cry," Please... don't...sleep...not tonight...Leora..."
When he opened his eyes the memory of the four year old had disappeared. Instead he found the five year old skipping over to the doorway, waiting for him there.
"Let's go play," Leora hummed.
Edward pulled himself to stand, and slowly made his way over to the little girl. She disappeared behind the door, giggling. When he peered around, he found the six year old looking up at him with a fond gaze; clutching a toy close to her chest.
"Let's go!"
She skipped down the hall, and Edward forced himself to stagger faster; clinging to the wall to steady himself, as he followed her.
"Leora... don't go so fast..." He whispered, his gaze blurred with tears," Please, wait for me."
The seven year old ran down the stairs, beaming; her steps determined. Edward gritted his teeth, trying to fight the aching in his chest that threatened to tear him down, trying to catch up to her. As they turned the corner, the eight year old tripped, and fell onto the floor. Edward gasped, and reached down to grab her wrist, but as he did so, he found he was simply grabbing nothingness.

"Leora?" He sobbed, looking around desperately for her.
"I'm over here, silly," The nine year old giggled, standing at the top of the next stair case," Come and get me!"
Edward staggered over to her, his eyes painful from the burning tears that spilled down his cheeks. Leora swayed on the spot waiting for him.
"Why can't you...take my hand, Leora?" He whispered, pleadingly.
Leora tilted her head and smiled, plainly. As soon as he came close, the girl disappeared down the staircase. The ten year old hopscotched down the stairs, and Edward felt his throat close.
"Leora, I told you to be careful down the stairs, you could hurt yourself," Edward murmured, his head throbbing.
The eleven year old glanced up at him, beaming," I'm still here, aren't I?"
Edward laughed, miserably," I suppose..."
The twelve year old bounced down the final step," And I'm not hurt, am I?"
"Ah...yes, of course," Edward forced a smile, as tears dripped down his cheeks.
The thirteen year old skipped down the corridor, leading him forward, to wherever they were going. Edward felt heavy, with grief, like it was a struggle to hold his body up. Like it was plaguing him.

"Edward, are you ill?" The fourteen year old tilted her head, glancing back at him.
"No, dear," The butler shook his head, trying to put on a brave face," I'm just so...so...so tired, Leora."
The fifteen year old hummed, crossing her arms as they walked down the dark corridors.
"I told you Edward, you should let me help you with your work more. You wouldn't be so tired. I don't want you to collapse, silly!"
Edward chuckled weakly, tears dripping down his face at the chiding she used to give him," I know you don't, but I have to look after you, don't I? If I don't... I'd feel so empty Leora. But either way, it's not that kind of tired dear."
"Oh?" The sixteen year old tilted her head," Then what kind of tired is it?"
"A...numb tired. A tired in my heart, an emotion."
"Oh, that tired," The seventeen year old muttered," That's...a sad tired."
"Yes, Leora, a very sad tired."
"Why is Edward so sad?" The eighteen year old asked, as they turned into a corridor.
"Because..." Edward tried to not cry,"... you're gone, Leora. And I don't want you to go. I can't lose you. I love you, so much. And to lose you, I think I'll have lost myself."
The nineteen year old, the Leora he'd last seen, stopped at the door and turned to face him. She tilted her head kindly.

"But I'm not gone, Edward, see?"
She gently held her hand out to him. Edward's breath hitched, and he reached out to take it, once more. He shut his eyes, ready to feel that empty feeling of cold. Of not feeling her warmth. Of her smooth, living skin. But, he felt it. She smiled, and gently squeezed it. Leora gently pushed back against the door, taking Edward into the ballroom, and swaying softly with him. Yes, Edward remembered this now. They never spoke of it, but he and her, had done this a lot when they were younger. When he found out that her father used to do this with her, so to comfort her, he used to do the same. How bitterly ironic that the last time they'd do this, was to comfort him. They gently waltzed to the faint lullaby. Leora looked peaceful, and something about that was incredibly comforting to Edward. But despite that, he tightened his grip on her, as tears slipped down his face.
"Please don't let go..." Edward whispered.
Leora smiled," I'm not going to. Even if you can't see me, I'm still with you."
"Don't..." Edward shook his head," Don't talk like that. I can only act so strong, but if you talk like that... I'm bound to fall apart."

Leora hummed, hugging him as they gently swayed. Edward clutched her, desperately, inhaling her scent, committing her touch to memory; scared to forget. To forget her. It was stupid, as he knew he never would, but he was terrified of losing her.
"So much pride..." Leora whispered.
Edward chuckled, weakly," It's to mask the pain..."
The girl pulled back slightly, to look at his face. Her hand found its way to his mouth, gently tugging down to reveal the fangs of a demon. Edward glanced away, self consciously, but didn't dare to remove her touch.
"An angel..." Leora whispered.
The demon glanced at her, with wide, teary eyes. Leora smiled, kindly.
"A misunderstood angel. You protected me, Edward. I love you."
Edward clutched her close," I love you too, Leora."
"I'm so tired..."
"I know...rest now, okay? I'll be there when you wake up. I'll keep you company. I promise you, Leora."
Leora let out a ghost of a breath against his shoulder, and when Edward opened his eyes, he found his arms were empty. He let out a choked sob, sinking onto his knees, and hugging his chest, trying his best not to wail in agony. He let out a shuddering breath.
"Sweet dreams, my daughter..."