The Cost for Freedom

Chapter 12

Outside of Tyler's door, I hesitated. My hand hovered over the doorknob before I brought it back down to my side, over and over. I didn't know whether or not he was inside and I still couldn't decide if I should tell him. I didn't even know what the conversation was about. All I knew was that Cecil was lying to us about something, and covering that same thing up. Something that the guards may not believe, but us kids would.

No, if I tell Tyler anything, I have to be able to find out more. A touch on my lower backside causes me to jump forward, twisting around into a defensive stance.

It was only Tyler, "You ok?" he seemed confused at my reaction.

"You scared me, sorry," I relaxed my stance.

He was still reserved, holding his hands up to calm me down from whatever had me so hyperaware. "No, it's my fault. I snuck up on you and we teach you to be defensive...

I offer a small nod then look down at my hands.

"Is something on your mind?"

"No," I say too quickly.

"Mhmm. Nothing...bothering you?"

"I-uh nothing. It's nothing."

"Right..." he frowned, continuing to be suspicious.

"It really is, ok!" I say a little too quickly, and loudly. "You just, scared me is all."

"Yeah, you said that already," he opened up his door and walked inside. I was finding it increasingly difficult to be near him, growing anxious simply because I just overheard his father, and I had no idea what it meant. I really had to get over it. But still, he already knew something was up. Maybe I just needed to be straight with him.

"Hey," I call to him, taking a pause before continuing and following him inside. "About this whole thing... I don't think it's a good idea for me to keep sleeping here."

He stopped walking, his posture straightening at my words, yet he still faced away. "You don't have to sleep here tonight then," his gaze lowered down and to the side as he spoke.

I frown, unhappy with his reaction. Maybe I had hoped he would fight a little more? Well, we really should be having this conversation then. "Fine. I can go back to my room then... I just think it would be for the best. I-"

He rounded about, stepping very close to me very quickly. Well he was upset now. "Where is this even coming from?"

"Well, I-" I continue to struggle with my thoughts. "It just really doesn't seem like the best idea. And we never talked about it."

"Bad idea, for you or me?" He says as he throws his hands up, "And talk about what?"

"The fact that you're a VAMPIRE!" I scream.

He doesn't say anything, only nods at me as he goes to his bathroom and slams the door shut. I flinch at the loud noise and I hear the water turn on soon after.

Damn you Cecil. I hated that he was the reason I was pushing Tyler away. But I didn't really have a choice. Tell Tyler I think his dad is planning something? No, he'd never believe me, I had to find out more.

I turn and make my way over to the side of the castle I was more familiar with, going downstairs through the main foyer to the bathrooms. Walking all the way inside its expansive locker rooms helped me unwind. I took a long soothing hot shower as I thought about what I had overheard earlier. They were lying... but what about I didn't know. I ran the conversation through my head over and over and still found nothing.