When You're Gone
Four months have gone by and Vlad hasn't spoken to me since that day. School was ending and all my friends had made plans for how to spend our last day as sophomores. Henry told me that today was the day Vlad was going to release him.
Over all this time I would go over once in a while to talk to Otis but the moment Vlad saw me, he would leave to his room. Casimir was not happy that I ventured into D'Ablo's clutches without letting him know. Jonathan had constantly asked me if he could go talk to Vlad and have him take back what he said. But I kept him at bay and Henry tried to help my mood any way he can.
But not talking to Vlad was just as bad as last year when I shunned him for three months. It hurt and it pained me. So as I followed Henry up Vlad's porch I felt my stomach sink.
Vlad answered the door and Henry was almost bouncing in joy. "Let's go up to my room so we can talk before...well, you know." Vlad said sadly and let Henry in. I also entered the house and I could feel the tense wall that Vlad built to keep me out. I sighed and tightened my grip on Tomi as I watched them walk upstairs to his room.
"Mina?" I turned when I heard Nelly's voice. I put on a fake smile for her.
"Hey, Nelly. Is Otis here?" I asked her as she swung her arm towards herself to show me to follow her into the kitchen. I saw Otis sitting at the table as I walked in and Nelly returned to a pot and began stirring.
"Nice of you to visit, Mina." Otis said with a wide smile. I chuckled as I watched Nelly serve him a large bowl of soup. I sat with him and Nelly turned to me.
"Anything I can get for you? Some blood or soup?" I shook my head but then I pouted in thought.
"Actually some warmed blood would be lovely." I told her and she brightened as she went to get the glass. Otis met my eyes after he watched her for a moment and I smiled at the warmth in his eyes. "I brought something with me that I think you would like to see."
"And what is that?" He asked and I placed Tomi on the table. "What's this?"
"Epitomize. Casimir got pictures of paintings and he also found old pictures of me. It's all about Elizabeth and Murray. He left a lot of room for me to fill in my own story and pictures." I caressed the cover gently. Then I pushed it towards him. "I want you to see it."
He lifted the cover but didn't open it as he gave me a thoughtful look. "Are you sure?" I nodded and he looked at the open pages. Nelly came back and gave me the drink. I sipped it slowly as I watched Otis's face as he looked at Tomi. He didn't show much emotion but I knew he was thinking. When he got to the section about me he paused and looked up at me.
I nodded softly and he continued. He then silently slid an open letter to me that I had not noticed before.
"It is from Vikas." He muttered without taking his eyes off of Tomi. I took the letter out of the envelope and unfolded it. I read it over and over and each time I did I felt my smile growing wider. By the time I was done reading it for the fifth time, Otis was finished with Epitomize and I stood and hugged him. He stood with me and wrapped his arms around me. I felt tears of joy over flow and I could not help but constrict him in my arms.
"I see you told her the good news." Nelly said with a bubbly voice. I grinned and jumped in happiness and hugged him again.
"You're staying!" I squealed. "Oh I can't believe it! Casimir will be so glad to hear about this! Then he wouldn't have to have his sons watching after me all the time!" I grabbed Tomi and held the book close to me. "Also Vikas will be here! Oh, Casimir will be so happy!"
