I Met a Vampire Down in Santa Carla

Chapter Fifthteen

I wake up groaning the memories of last night hazy. I remember a mess and yelling. I couldn't piece anything together. Did I drink myself stupid last night? That isn't like me but in light of recent events with Steve, I can't say I blame myself but how the fuck did I get back here. I sit up head pounding. I go downstairs not expecting to see Mom on the couch along with two cops. My mom spots me and stands coming over arms open for embrace. "Oh thank god," She lets out a sigh of relief. "I thought you were with your friends still" 

"No, I came home drunk," I groan. "What's going on?" Mom takes me to sit down. 

"It's Steve. Last night he was mugged and murdered," Mom says plainly with little upset. I instantly put the pieces together. I was at the shack and David discovered that was the last memory of the previous night. They killed him. I was floored I hug Mom not sure what to do to support her. She hugs me back causing me to yelp in pain. Mom scoots away asking what is wrong the officers are also concerned. 

"My ribs hurt," Mom lifts my shirt and is horrified. I hear the police call for an ambulance. "It's okay" I tried to brush all the commotion off but it was too late. 

"How did that happen miss?" The female officer asks. 

"Steve," I look down ashamed. "He would frequently beat us." 

"Do you know if he had any enemies?" 

"No. He always played up the good church-going man in public. I have a report on him or had one."  The ambulance pulls up and two paramedics come in. They check me out listening to my heart and hooking me up to EKG. They advise a trip to the hospital for imaging would be best. I decide to go without the fee of an ambulance ride. Once the police and paramedics leave Mom drives me to the hospital too worried about me to let me drive or to let me be by myself. The whole trip took three hours. I was okay nothing serious luckily. They gave me some pain meds and sent me home. Once home I try to piece more of what happened together but couldn't. Mom helps me to the couch and there is an eerie silence. Mom and I both stare at the blank screen trying to process everything from this morning. Suddenly she starts laughing. I look over as if she has finally broken and gone insane. 

"We're free," She laughs harder. "He can't hurt us anymore." She barriers her head in her hands tears staining her face. I place my hand on her shoulder. 

"Mom?" I mutter softly so as to not disturb her already-falling mind. She looks up and covers her mouth seeming just as shocked by what she said as I was. 

"Oh God forgive me," She looks down. "I just. It's just he is gone and I don't have to worry about you or myself. I know it's wrong but damn am I happy. I thought just for a second that I was about to do it myself you know. I had planned it all out but someone got to it first. I don't know what happened last night. We were yelling and then it's just blank. I try to put together what happened but I can't not for the life of me. I must sound crazy." She looks at me pleading that her mind hasn't been lost. 

"No, I know what you mean. I don't remember coming home. I left and had no intent on coming back. You're right we are free." I smile "I just wish you didn't feel the need to kill him. I'm glad you didn't I couldn't handle losing you." I admit. "Why didn't you ever leave." She leans back shaking her head. She reaches into her purse and pulls out a cigarette lighting it.  She takes a long drag before resting her head on the back of the couch and sighing. 

"I thought about it. I did at one point. The night he sent you to that youth camp. I never cared that you were a lesbian or bisexual. For all I knew you were a kid just trying to work through hormones and trying things out. If it came that it was who you were I'd love you no matter what. I do love you no matter what. But he came for me and threatened he'd take you fully away from me. A single mom with no place to live and no income I had no choice but to come back." She looks at me. "I wasn't as strong as you are and I wish I'd been a better mom for you," She gives a sad smile.