No Matter How Dark It May Be, There Is Redemption

Eternity And A Day

It’s been over two weeks since Laura died.

Carmilla’s not sure if it feels longer or shorter than two weeks.  Or maybe it feels exactly like two weeks?

Time has passed in chunks, where the first few days are a blur of Perry, Lafontaine, and Kirsh trying half-heartedly to support Richard, Danny, and Carmilla.  These efforts eventually become stronger when presumably the shock of Laura’s death wears off on them, and they double their efforts to make sure everyone is at least eating.

Carmilla has resigned to lounging around on a tear-stained couch in the basement, only moving to drink the blood brought to her in a mug.  From what she can hear, Richard and Danny manage to start walking around about a week or so following the battle.  She can hear awkward, short conversations, and increased bustling activities as the group begins taking two-day shifts at Silas to help clean up.

Meanwhile, Carmilla lies in the basement, telling herself that vampires don’t cry, and yet still alternating between crying, dry heaving, and contemplating using one of the weapons in the house on herself.

During the end of the first week, Lafontaine catches Carmilla with a stake, and after that, Richard moves all the weapons to his office.

A few days later, Carmilla tries leaving the house to go where no one can stop her, but Richard finds her right outside the house and just gives her a very sad look.  She figures that if this man who has just lost his daughter can find a way to keep living, then maybe she can, too.

She spends days trying to find a way.

Eventually, Danny enters to the basement to give Carmilla some blood.  She watches her as she drinks, looking as if she’s trying to say something but is afraid the vampire will shatter if a single word is uttered her way.

“What is it, Xena?” Carmilla asks between sips, her voice raspy with disuse.

Danny hesitates and clears her throat before speaking.  “Silas has been cleared of all zombies and any other lingering threats,” she speaks carefully.  “We’re all heading back in a few hours, and Richard is going to the States on a job tonight.”

Great, everyone is moving on, she thinks ruefully.  “Am I being evicted?” she asks dryly.

Danny gives a small chuckle.  “No, Richard says you’re welcome to stay as long as you want.  You’re also welcome to come back with us.”  When Carmilla doesn’t reply, Danny continues.  “Look, Dead Girl–– Carmilla.  She wouldn’t want this.  She wouldn’t want you to waste the life she gave you, and spend it in her basement.”

Carmilla looks down and hands the mug back to Danny.  “Thanks for the blood,” she murmurs.  “Have a safe trip back.”

Danny sighs, waiting a moment before taking the mug.  “Fine,” she says softly.  “See you around.”

Carmilla waits until the footsteps reach the top of the stairs before flopping back down on the couch.  She allows her eyes to close, knowing that she will just replay that day again.

She spoke Laura’s name, but her girlfriend put a finger to her lips.  Before she could do anything else, Laura pulled her in for the most passionate kiss they’ve had, and just like that, any words that needed to be spoken between them were rendered useless.  Of course, this didn’t stop Laura from one last remark, because of course she needed to have the last word.  And with a quip about heroic vampire crap, she watched in horror as Laura took the Pommel of Azathoth and the Blade of Hastur and charged at her mother.