I Hate Myself but I Love You

Chapter 61

Carmilla's POV

Everyone splits up into smaller groups: LaFontaine and JP, Mattie and Perry, Kirsch and Danny, and Laura and me. She's clutching my hand as hard as I'm clutching hers as we sprint away from the crater and towards my cabin. The ground beneath our feet quakes like it's about to collapse, motivating us to use our vampire speed. We're the first to arrive, out of breath and panting.

I hold the door for Laura, knowing that even in this stressful time it'll make her smile. She lets out an "aww" and thanks me, pressing a kiss to my cheek as I slip inside after her.

Papa Hollis stands from where he was slumped on a chair. He makes his way over to us surprisingly fast, considering he's human.

He wraps Laura in a hug, extending his arm so I can join. I do, and he squeezes us both tighter for a moment before stepping back. "Hey, sweetheart. Carmilla. Are you both okay?"

My mouth drops open slightly, surprised he's worried about me too. I know I'm his daughter's girlfriend (I'll never get tired of thinking that), but I guess he has his daughter's kindness.

Laura glances over at me, looking me up and down worriedly until I squeeze her hand.

"Yeah, we're fine." I reassure him.

"Good." He breathes out a sigh of relief. "And Perry and the others?"

"We'll explain everything when everyone gets here, Dad. They should get here soon."

Papa Hollis looks from me to her, still concerned. He takes in our mostly calm expressions and nods. "Alright, and don't spare any details. I want to know exactly what happened, please."

LaF and JP walk in, shaking off what looks like... snow? How is there snow? We're not that close to the mountains and it's much too warm outside.

"Is it snowing out there?" Papa Hollis asks, sounding as dumbfounded as I feel.

"I have no idea what it is." LaF murmurs, picking some from JP's hair and staring at it intensely.

They immediately move over to the desk, where my laptop and their science equipment are. They take their microscope and immediately start fiddling with it.

"Hello, Mr. Hollis." JP says after he takes off his shoes. "It's nice to meet you in person."

"Nice to meet you too, kid." He grins, reaching out his hand for JP to shake. He does so hesitantly, I guess he still isn't used to human contact.

"He's technically older than you." LaFontaine remarks from where they're intensely studying whatever fell from the sky.

"Oh, I know. I did watch Laura's videos." Papa Hollis reminds us.

Before anyone else can say anything else, the door opens again and the rest of the group comes in.

"Bros, it's snowing." Kirsch sounds awed.

"That's not snow, puppy brain." Mattie sighs, waltzing in and sitting on the most comfortable chair. We all look expectantly at her and she sighs again. "If it were snow, it would be cold and melt." She mutters insults in her native tongue and I have to stop myself from laughing at some of them.

"What is it then?" Laura wonders aloud, picking some from Perry's shirt and studying it.

"I'm not sure," LaF tells us, leaning back in the chair. "It looks like the cells from a dead organism, but it's a compound I've never seen before."

"It's from Lophiiformes and the Dean." Perry says, making all of us look at her. "From what I understand, they were vaporized by that black light and that's what's left of them, falling from the sky."

I feel the second most dangerous feeling in my chest, hope. Could she really be dead? Could her reign of terror really be over? Could I really be free? I move closer to Laura and she smiles gently at me, knowing that I don't want to talk about it right now. Could I really be free... and finally have the chance to be with Laura and not fear the wrath of Mother?

"Are they really gone?" Danny sounds doubtful, like she thinks like I do and we can't get rid of them so easily.

"They're really gone." JP confirms.

We all turn to him, and I'm surprised that he's on my laptop (I never told him the password). He points wordlessly to the screen, where there's a news station reporting on Silas. From the video, it looks like they're in a helicopter. He turns up the sound.

"... We're coming to you live from what used to be Silas University. Our sources have confirmed that there has been a pit since as early as last semester when most students and staff evacuated. There was a mandatory evacuation of everyone just a few days ago. I'm getting word that there used to be a... Carl, are you joking at a time like this? This is the news, and- oh. Apologies, it seems that there used to be a giant fish in the crater. It doesn't seem to be there now. There are a few rescue helicopters here that are searching for anyone that might have been hurt, but so far they haven't found anyone."

"Thank you, Jill." It cuts to some newsroom. "We'll continue to update you on this breaking news when we receive more information. Now for the weather with Frank. Frank?"

"Yes, there seems to be white falling from the sky, but I can assure you-"

JP turns it off. "It's over."

"What are we supposed to do now?" LaFontaine asks.

That is the biggest question in my mind, too. I've never lived without having someone constantly watching me. To have the freedom to do whatever I want... I just want to be with Laura. That's more than enough for me. I squeeze her hand, looking at her with what I know are "heart eyes" as LaF puts it.

"We can do whatever we want." Laura says, grinning at me. "We could travel."

Kirsch whoops. "Road trip! Bro, that sounds awesome!"

"I don't think she meant with us." Danny punches his arm.

"We could take the next year off and travel." I announce, liking the idea. "We could all use a vacation after all that."

"Dude, does that mean we're invited?" Kirsch really does remind me of an excitable puppy with the way he's bouncing up and down on the heels of his feet.

"Yes, it does. After that... like the cupcake said, whatever the hell we want."

The others start eagerly discussing where we could go and what we could do (Mattie can pretend not to be interested but I know she won't put up much of a fight).

Laura turns to me, amusement sparkling in her eyes. "Are you ever going to stop with the nick names?"

"Never, buttercup. You can't deny that you love them." I say playfully, smirking slightly.

"I can't deny I love you." Laura retorts, making me suck in a breath. I'll never grow tired of hearing her say that.

I give her a quick kiss, a genuine smile spreading across my lips and preventing us from kissing longer. "I love you too."

What a cutesy fluffy ending! Props to anyone who catches the 100 reference! This is the last chapter... Wow. This is so much longer than my usual chapters (this took me two hours to do). Thank you for all your support and kudos, it's been a fun ride! :D Thanks for everything and stay awesome!