Chương 4: 4 Creepy Creatures
"He has red irises. He was as pale as nothing I've ever seen. And he has...has fangs." I observe his reaction, waiting to see that glimpse of recognition, but it never came.
"There's no such thing honey. I understand that all of these must be too much for you."
"I knew what I saw!" I shout, shaking my hands up everywhere. Feeling all my frustrations building up inside of me. Why wouldn't he believe me?
"And you know too there's no such thing as red irises and pale and - fangs!" His voice trembles at the end.
"You don't believe me." I feel betrayed. Hurt spreads through me like wildfire threatening to burn my last hope. Of all people, I thought he would believe me.
"What if I tell you strange things happening to me lately?" I clear my throat.
His eyes narrow and shake his head, a sign of disagreement.
"Dad..."
"There is nothing wrong with you! Dammit!" He yells. As if realizing what he just did, he runs both his hands over his hair and face. "Sorry honey."
My dad usually is a calm and collected person. Sure, he has some angry moments but he never once cursed at me, so this is a first. Seeing him act anxiously, my instincts kicked in. I could not help but press on for more. There is something he isn't telling me.
"But--"
"Amber forget it... You are a normal teenager. Stop this bizarre story of yours. You sounded like your mother having these silly thoughts of -" He pauses and lowers his face on his palms again. "You know what, let's go home. It's a long drive."
"No." I lift my chin stubbornly. "We both know I am not making up stories."
I turn my back at him and walk opposite from home, out of the cemetery.
"Look, honey, I'm sorry." Dad resigns.
But I continue walking away until I reach the pavement.
"Where are you going?" He calls out.
"For a walk. Go home without me. I'll just find my way home later."
By now, the cemetery is almost empty, I head toward the exit, wanting to clear out my mind by walking. It helps all the time. There is a black car on the other side of the road and Meredith is standing by the passenger door, tapping her foot repeatedly, as if she is waiting for me all this time.
She is smiling brightly and waving. I ignore her and continue walking.
"Miss Taylor, wait!"
"Can we talk to you?" She quickly asks while looking around. "In private."
I arch an eyebrow.
"Who's we? Oh sorry, now is not a good time." I reason out. "Maybe next time, bye!"
"Miss Taylor, you don't understand, this is very important." She pleads.
"Save it." I wave my hand instead of turning around, fastening my steps. I hug myself feeling lonelier than ever.
The pavement is endless with no directions, no houses either, just trees on the side of the road. It is eerily quiet except for the occasional cars passing by.
Sounds of heavy footsteps echoes and I turn around only to see Dimitri meters away behind me. He is handsome in all black which keeps me wondering if he attended mom's funeral too. And, he was looking at me.
"Are you following me?" I ask, he halts when I stop.
"Are you always this rude?" He counters and a small smile forms on his lips.
"Depends on people," I reply, shrugging.
"Really?" He catches up to my side and we start to take a slow walk.
"So you are following me." I accuse him, narrowing my eyes.
"Nope." He speaks.
"No?"
He tucks his hands inside his pockets. "No, I am not following you miss, because I am walking with you."
"Same thing for me," I mutter under my breath.
"Oh well, if you look it that way." He gestures with his hand and mumbles something like 'stubborn woman'.
"Dimitri, right?" I cannot imagine the looks Rosie will give me if she learns I converse with this man.
"You know my name." He says amuse. I can't help but notice his smile turning into a full grin.
"I heard miss Evans called you that, and please do me a favor, do not flatter yourself too much."
"Ah, you wounded me, sweetcakes." He put his hand over his chest, dramatically.
"So, what are you doing here?" I ask, feigning ignorance of his flirting.
"Uhm, the thing is I am with my aunt. We attended your - uhh mom's funeral." He scratches the back of his head.
"Oh.” I look down and sigh. "That."
"I'm sorry for your lost." He sympathizes, his grin is gone, pressing his lips together. "It must be hard for you."
"You don't have an idea," I say bitterly. I may look fine on the outside but that's because I'm projecting a calm demeanor, a facade to hide the chaos inside.
"I think I do." It is my turn to look at him with curiosity. He moistens his lips as he stares ahead. "My parents, well, they were killed when I was ten."
"I'm sorry." Losing both your parents I guess is hard. At least in my case, I still have dad.
"But that's a story to tell another time." His respond. "Remember I told you I came here with my aunt?"
"What about that?"
"She was the woman on the side of the road, the one you refused to talk to."
"Meredith Knight? Mom's relative?" He must be the 'we' she was talking about. So, I ended up talking to one of them after all. I should have known; Dimitri will not go here on his own just to talk to me.
"Yes, except the relative part. She was more like an old acquaintance of your mom. Sorry for that part, she shouldn't have lied."
"Damage inflicted. I don't trust twice." I admit. "What does she want now or more like what do you both want from us?"
I still cannot believe that woman had the guts to fool me and dad. I knew my instinct is right, she is up to no good.
"As I told you before, you shouldn't be alone. It's not safe. There are creatures lurking in the shadows." He emphasizes 'creatures' with distaste. As if they have done something terrible to him to cause such hatred.
"Creatures?" Curiosity laces in my words. Maybe dad is not the only one who could give me answers. I knew what I saw that day of the accident. I cannot be wrong.
"Yes...vampires." He says carefully, observing my reaction, his forehead creases, maybe he finally realized that I am not laughing my heart out or looking dreadfully pale.
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