Those Who Live in the Shadows

Chapter 15

Camelia had two other sessions with the psychologist in the past week. Camelia couldn't tell her about Nightmares without sounding like a mad person, and the psychologist was sure she had tried to kill herself due to an abusive boyfriend. But it was the opposite: I had saved her from Ally and loved her with all my heart.

I loved her so much... And it really hurt that the humans considered her like a suicidal freak. It hurt because I knew that it wasn't true. But how to convince everyone? It was impossible.

Camelia didn't seem to mind the sessions. She didn't care, as long as I was with her. She only lived in the present, one day at the time. And I thought all the time about the future. She would remain blind forever, if she wanted to live with me. She wouldn't be able to have a normal job.

If I was immortal, and forever young, she was mortal and aged quickly. We were opposite by nature. And even if I wanted more than anything to stay with her, I knew that it would be difficult.

I emerged from my thoughts when Camelia came back in her bedroom after having supper with her family.

"Hey," I greeted.

"Hello again. I hope I wasn't too long," answered Camelia.

"No, don't worry about it. Can I ask you something?"

"Sure. Why do you even ask if you can?"

"I see that your biggest wish is to recover your sight. Is that really what you want most?"

"Yes, of course. I would do anything to see again." She sighed. "I take every medication the doctors give me, without any result. But I want so bad my eyes to heal, to recover sight, even if it might be impossible. Then I would be able to see you for real, Desire, not just in a dream." She smiled sweetly. I took a deep breath. She had answered as I thought she would. Then there was only one thing to do.

"I have to go feed," I announced her. I would need as much energy as I could get for it.

"Good night then," she wished me. I hugged her and kissed her passionately. I now understood why humans kissed their loved ones. There wasn't a better feeling than to kiss the person you loved.

"What was that for?" Camelia asked, smiling.

"Tomorrow, I'll give you a present," I said softly, enlacing her tightly, caressing her soft brown hair. I had taken my decision. And I felt as if my heart was shattering.

"That's so nice of you!" she exclaimed happily. Such a fragile smile... I wanted to protect her from everyone, but I couldn't protect her from herself.

"Just remember that I love you, okay?" I whispered in her ear. I let her go and slipped away by the window.

"I love you too," I heard her murmur.

I felt a single drop of water slowly come down my cheek. I touched it, surprised. It wasn't raining... Then I realized it was a tear.

More tears kept falling on my face, out of my control. Camelia was the only person who was capable of making me cry. I loved her so much... And that was why I had made this choice. Now was the time to assume it.

I knew I couldn't live with her all her life. But it was still painful. I took a deep breath, wiping my tears off my face. I had to do this. For her. For Camelia. For the human who made a Nightmare fall in love with her.

I wanted Camelia to be happy. Whatever the price was.

I would do anything for her. And there was one particular thing that I could do for Camelia.

I could give her a future.