Unusually Unnatural Love

Oh Father...

I had become uncommonly silent throughout the previous two days. The news of my father being terribly ill was a hard blow to take. When I could, if not training with the vampires, I would spent the rest of the day with my father. He had not the finest idea that I knew about his secret, because Kaila made me swear not to tell him that I had uncovered his secret until the day of the coronation. Although being ill, my father was always fully rested and kept the household running smoothly. He didn't have a worry in the world or he just hid his illness exceedingly well.

It was a few minutes after training with the vampires and I had fallen asleep on my bed. The continual training drained me physically and the nightmares I woke up screaming to every night kept me permantely that way. The only people who seemed to notice were Kaila and Cameron. Kaila knew the reason behind my sudden change of behavior, but Cameron - Cam was left in the dark.

Rubbing my heavy eyelids with the back of my hands, I climbed off of the bed and went to freshen up before walking down the stairs. The closer I got to the kitchen, the louder the voices of my mother and father became and there were other voices. Not really dressed for company, I stepped into the kitchen in an oversized yellow hoodie and a jean short with white ankle-high socks. My curly hair hung wildly down my back. Atleast my clean face and bright eyes made me look somewhat civil.

"Audrey, look at how much you've grown. Good heavens, you are a beauty."

A pair of arms engulfed me into a bone-breaking hug. The man backed away, giving me space to absorb my surroundings. I looked into the face of an elderly Mr Prospero. He looked like he always has just a bit more grey than usual. I moved my gaze and my eyes landed on the tall, muscular boy with creamy blonde hair and sea-green eyes.

Adam Hunter, my childhood friend, was all grown up. He had changed a lot. Those sea-green eyes became more beautiful and forced me to indulge into them and he had definitely grown taller and more slender. The more I stared, the more I saw his pain and grief reflect back at me. It had to be hard, loosing one's sister at such a young age.

"Say hello Adam, you haven't seen her in a year." Mr Prospero clapped together his hands enthusiastically.

Adam and I were not on speaking terms due to the fact that he behaved like a dog when he found out about his sister's illness and he distanced himself - from everyone, including me. The coldness of his nod was enough to freeze my heart. He used to be so alive and free-spirited. Now he was nothing more than a zombie.

"How about some coffee?" My mother suggested and pulled me out of my trance.

"That would be lovely. Here, let me help. I insist, Wendy." Mr Prospero said after my mother told him not to worry.

"Audrey dear, come help us carry the cups." My mother asked as she carried her and my father's cup.

With my typical luck, I was the one to carry Adam's cup. As I encircled the cup's handle with my shaky and sweaty hands, Adam called my name from behind.

"Audrey, I can do that on my own."

The darkness and coldness in his gruff voice made me shudder. I slowly turned around and held out the cup to him. When he folded his hands around his cup, his fingers lightly brushed the back of my hand but he pulled away quickly. I ignored the warm sensation that prickled my skin where his fingers brushed. I walked out of the kitchen towards the living room. The adults were having a conversation when Adam seated himself in the corner, throwing me judgemental glances.

I jumped up so fiercely that my chair shot backwards as I stomped out of the room earning myself confused looks from my parents and Mr Prospero. Adam fell back into the couch he was sitting on as my footsteps died down before my door slammed shut.

"What has gotten into her?" My mother asked confused and her eyes landed on my father who was equally confused at my behaviour.

"Adam, go look if she is okay." Mr Prospero inclined his head towards the stairs.

Adam stood up without a word and went upstairs, coming to an abrupt stop in front of my closed door. He took a few breaths before hesitantly knocking thrice. The shuffling of a pair of narrow feet sounded on the otherside of the closed door before it was pulled ajar and revealed my teary face.

"What?" I asked and gave Adam a death glare.

There was a silence where we only stared into each other's eyes. I cleared my throat to indicate that I was still waiting for an answer. Adam snapped back to reality and slid his hands into his pockets.

"My father asked me to come check on you." He said and his face remained blank and emotionless.

"And why do you care? Since you arrived, all you have done was being an ass," I stated and rolled my eyes to the back of my head, "What happened to you?"

"Oh, I am sorry for being sad because I lost my sister. I forgot, the world only revolves around you."

I had to bite down on my tongue to keep me from uttering something I would regret in the long run.

"Just... Stay away from me. You've hurt me enough." I scowled and closed the door in his face.

I stood with my back against the door and waited for his footsteps to die down to be sure he went back to the living room. I removed my hand from the door knob and slid down to the ground.

**********

"You are the one who should be ill, not your father. He did not deserve this, but you do." My mother said as our eyes rested on my pale father laying motionless in the bed.

The beeping of the heart monitor stopped and the threatening sound of the flatline echoed through my ears.

"No! Don't leave! No!" I yelled and the nurses needed to keep me away from my father's bed as he gave his last breath.

"Audrey? Audrey?"

My eyes opened and I took in my surroundings. I was in my bed with my mother crouching over me. When she saw she had gotten through to me, she backed away and allowed me to sit up straight.

"Another nightmare?" My mother asked sympathetically, "What are these nightmares about?"

"It is not a big problem, mom. It's a thing that happens rarely." I convinced her.

"Audrey, you haven't slept properly in three days. You look like a mess. Are you sure you do not want to talk about it?"

I threw the covers off of my body and moved to the edge of the bed to climb off.

"When it gets worse, I promise I will tell you if that sets you at ease." I reassured my mom.

She placed a kiss on my temple before leaving me to finish up. I had training with the vampires again and I was looking forward to it. It was the only thing that kept my mind from wondering off to my father and his illness.