shadows - lashton

Chapter 10

*Luke's P.O.V*

The gasp was more sudden than I expected, his face had paled and lip quivered uncontrollably. Ashton glanced at me, then at the wall, and then back at me again. "W-what is this? Ho-"

Right from the start I should've known better than to doubt my instincts, leaving the door unlocked? First big mistake. Thinking about my mistakes rather than getting him out as soon as possible? Second.

"You need to leave, now." My reaction was blunt, being the only words I could force past my lips. But what and why I said it was insignificant now, as it proved to have been uneffective in removing the shaking boy from the room that was only ever intended to be private.

I wiped my face on my sleeve to clear my skin of evidence of tears and proceeded to the door, dragging Ashton along with me. This was only due to his sudden inability to control any part of his body, and I was surprised that the physical contact failed to make him fight against my pull. He didn't demand answers either, odd behaviour to say the least, but he seemed focused on staring at the words behind me for as long as he had the chance.

Once out, I locked the door. Willing mysef to remain calm and collected in the presence of an already perhaps unstable 'friend,' I pushed him gently towards the top of the stairs and pointed to the front door. "Please, go."

He walked down the stairs and towards the exit as instructed, his movements stiff like a robot and face emotionless. Having opened the door, Ashton turned back to look at me as though we'd never met each other, before stepping into the street and letting the door swing shut behind him.

Sighing loudly and covering my face with my hands, I slid down the wall and tried desperately to regualte my breathing once again. The entire day had turned out far worse than I could ever have anticipated, all I seemed to be able to do was put him in danger. So why did I want him around me so much? It was clear that my emotions were everywhere and I was far from able to think straight. I was still unsure what I felt towards Ashton, symapthy? Was I desperate for a friend? Or was it something else altogether?

There was a lot I was prepared to sacrifice, everything to be completely honest. It wasn't like I had much to live for: parents who don't even know their son is undead; an entire school who can't bear to have me around; a boy who somehow seems interested in me and I life I just wasn't content with anymore.

If there was a way to end the pain I would be long dead by know, forgotten by everyone who once loved me. But there wasn't, and something kept nagging at me, telling me to stay alive because I had a purpose. And for the first time in forever, a part of me was finally starting to consider that maybe it was true.

Running a hand through my already ruffled hair and climbing shakily to my feet, I thought the situation through carefully before running to my room and fetching the diary. Never had I been so desperate to read something, but I had the motivation to do so this time. I needed to save all of the people I ever cared about. I needed to save Ashton.

I turned immediately to the following page, growing desperate. It was dated March 4th 1934, over one month over the first entry.

Dear Luke,

Yes, I know your name. I also know how overwhelmed by emotions you currently are, and frightened by how I seem to know everything about you through nothing more than an old diary. But you shouldn't be worrying about any of that, only the Council. They're all that matter, Luke, growing ever more powerful by the day and on the verge of undefeatable. You, and only you, can defeat them.

You may feel alone and unable to trust anyone, but you must fulfil your mission no matter what the personal cost. Two worlds hang in the balance, so learn to embrace your true self rather than resist it. Victor.

As my eyes wandered over the final few words, the diary slipped from my grasp and tumbled to the floor. I would have been stupid to have not expected an entry more dramatic than the first, but what was written still paralysed me with shock. The most powerful group of vampires to have ever existed, and I had to defeat them.

This man was a stranger, his only means of communication with me being entries he left over 80 years ago. He seemed to have so much faith in me, yet I'd never done anything to be worthy of such a great responsibility like saving lives.

The name was still so familiar, there have been many famous vampires throughout history so maybe I'd heard it from someone at the club. was Victor Humberg even still alive? When I next saw him, it would likely be a good idea to ask Jake, maybe gain his trust first so my questions don't seem suspicious. I needed all the help I could get, the fun and games were over.

I stuffed the diary under my pillow where I knew no one would find it, and then collapsed onto my bed. Subconsciously, given the events that had just occurred, I began to fiddle with the key that hung on a gold chain around my neck. It was always hidden under my top and very few noticed it, but my secrets weren't so secret anymore.

Ashton had seen and stood inside the one room that defined me. There was a reason why I kept it locked and always had the only key pressed against my chest, and why not even my parents had ever seen what was hidden in the four walls. It was my place, my place to be myself without drowning in lies and distrust.

Then there was the word on the wall, perhaps not especially peculiar at first glance. That was because Ashton didn't understand the way that those seven words could ground me, protect me and scare me all at once.

Judging by Ashton's reaction and his lack of knowledge regarding my kind, he thought I had scribed the word in red paint. But I knew better, the smell of blood was distinctive and rather appealing to me. Not human, however, I'd never gone as far as shedding the blood of an innocent. Animal blood was easier to find, and less dangerous to use in any situation where human interest is a possibility.

But my cravings were slowly growing worse. Since meeting Ashton, something inside of me had began to mutate, and when I looked at him I saw a beating heart and blood rushing through his veins. I had yet to figure out whether I really did want his blood, or whether I was suddenly being reminded of my new self.

Either way, I had a strange feeling everything would only go downhill from now.

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A/n: Heyy so I finally updated, it took me longer than I had hoped sorry

I'm so amazed with how many reads and votes this is getting so thank you so much, and if you have any suggestions please say I really want to know how to improve this (I know I'm not the best writer, but please stick with it)

Thankooooo for reading x