When Darkness Falls

Chapter 28

PHIL'S POV

Breaking. That's all I can feel. My knees cripple beneath me, and I land on the ground. A tiny cry escapes me. At least I think its tiny. Everything is foggy due to the tears pouring out of my eyes as I take in the sight of my dead father on the ground in front of me; his neck twisted at a sharp angle that made my own neck sore just from looking at it.

Every part of me is shaking. I just can't stop crying. My chest is tight, my eyes sting, my head is pounding and I can't seem to move from my position. I hear Dan screaming at Anthony, but still I can't manage to move. My dad is dead. My dad. He's dead. My mom is dead. I have nobody left. Nobody.

"I'm going to ruin everything you love and break your heart, Daniel. Just like you did to me. Watch out. Your little boy toy is next."

I can't even focus on anything that happens after that. My fingers grasp and pull desperately at my scalp full of black hair. It hurts but then again everything hurts. The pit in my stomach feels deeper than ever. Deep enough for me to crawl into and just stay there forever.

My vision is going in and out. Oh god I'm going to be sick.

Dan's arms are around me.

My dad is still on the ground.

I'm being yanked away from him.

I pull with all my might away from Dan's powerful grip, and after a few seconds of struggling he lets me go. My body flings towards my father's until I can touch him. My hands grab frantically at his shirt, shaking, hitting doing anything I can think of to bring him back. "Dad! Dad please no! P- Please you can't leave me too! Dad-" No response. My heart sinks even lower and I can't control the tears and broken cries that crawl out of my lungs into the world.

There's arms around my waist pulling me back again, but this time I don't fight it. "He's gone, Phil. He's gone I'm so sorry. Phil I-I'm so sorry-" Dan's voice cracks and I can feel his tears soaking into the collar of my shirt as he buries his face into my neck to try and soothe me. This cannot be soothed though. I feel this deep inside me in places not even a vampire could reach. I've lost my parents. I have no family left.

We both sit in a big ball crying for at least half an hour and I guess I got so tired and worn out that I fell asleep, because next thing I know, I'm opening my eyes and I'm met with the ceiling of my living room. I shoot up off of the couch looking around frantically.

It was all a nightmare. None of it happened. Oh god, I need to find Dan.

As if on cue, he strides into the room, a drained expression across his features. He looks up at me with a confused expression which is soon replaced with guilt and pity. "Phil.." Desperation plays at his tone as he takes the needed steps to reach me before he engulfs me into a loving embrace.

"I- It wasn't a dream.. was it."

There's a few seconds of silence before Dan sighs and shakes his head. "I'm so sorry Phil."

But I can't say anything. I try and open my mouth to croak something out, but nothing comes. Instead I just gulp deeply and hug Dan as tight as I can. Maybe if we hug tight enough; long enough, It'll put all of my pieces back together.

A few more minutes pass then there's a knock at the door.

"Who the hell is that?" The irritation and dread of actually talking to someone else is obvious in my voice as I glare at the direction of the front door. I wonder if he's still out there.. my dad. Did Dan move his body while I was out? Did he call the cops?

Dan pulls away slightly and looks me in the eyes, his hand grazing my cheek. "Someone to keep you company while I talk to the police and set up his-" he stops for a second before continuing. "His funeral."