Evolution

Evolution: Chapter 48

"Are you going, or not?"

Gwen stood at the doorway of Delia's room, shaky hands folded in front of her. She looked completely different from what she did yesterday, when Sloane sat her down with the grave news of Damien's demise.

My duffel back was already settled on the trunk at the bottom of the bed, "I'm going." I managed to get the words out, turning towards the elderly woman, "Just give me a minute."

I could tell she'd been crying, she hadn't stopped since I got back. I don't even know why I came back to the Ripper manor, but I did. Gwen didn't try to stop me either, I remembered how she just stared at me, still covered in his blood.

Yet, despite her boss being dead, she was still in uniform.

Surprise filled me when her hand landed on my shoulder. It was warm in a nurturing kind of way, the same hand that had raised Damien and Delia. Now they were both gone, I wondered what she would do.

As if sensing my thoughts, Gwen cleared her throat as she went around making the bed, "Damien left the house to us." She surprised me by saying, shaking her head with a slight smile, "What did he think I could do with a place like this!? Don't worry, I'll keep it standing whilst you're away."

"I don't know if I'm coming back." I finally admitted, unsure if it were to myself, or her, "How can you...be here, when he's not?"

It felt like the house echoed now. Everywhere I went in it, it all just felt empty now. I slung the handle of my bag over my shoulder, and lifted my gaze. Pain stung through my face when a palm collided with the side of my cheek.

Stunned, I stumbled back in amazement. I'd just been on bed rest for the last 37 hours from a tranquilizer that was meant to take down an alpha, and now Gwen was smacking me!? Normally, I would have growled at the action, but I couldn't bring myself to.

"How dare you!" Gwen spat at me, storming towards the wardrobe. I watched in confusion as she pulled out a jacket, throwing it at me, "I have just lost the two people who were like my very own children, and now you think you can walk away!? You're a selfish young woman, Selene."

I didn't argue as I slipped into the jacket, "You don't even like me!" I muttered, in no mood to argue. My fingers hesitated over the cassette player, feeling the cool plastic beneath my fingers.

"That's beside the point!" Gwen snatched the cassette tape off me. She stared at it, like it was precious relic, before unzipping my bag and stuffing it in, "You are a Ripper; and I have always taken care of Rippers!"

Moisture gathered in my eyes, and I pushed it back, "I have to leave." I whispered, making her movements stop. Staring at the music box for a second, "I need to make sure Veronica Grave never finds this place."

It was what Damien would have wanted. For this place to be protected, I needed to leave it. To find some way to draw Veronica away, and figure out what to do with Damien's Wold Destroyer.

Figure out how to use it, and destroy Veronica.

Gwen was fluffing out my pillows and released a heavy breath, "Well, when you're finished you can come home," She stated, daring me to argue against her, "I'll cook those meatballs I know you like, and the pork chops. I'll have everything ready for you."

I wanted to say something, to ask so much. Gwen might be the one person hurting more than any of us. She'd been with Ripper since he was a child, helping him grow and constantly scolding him. Even when we were here, I could see the motherly affection towards him.

Now, she had nowhere to place it all. I felt guilt gnaw at the sides of my head, "Looking forward to it." I finally cemented by saying. Maybe all she needed to hear was that I would be back, and I could say it, "What...what will you do, until then?"