22. A Note

Chapter twenty-two

A Note

A s I hesitantly push open Hendrik’s door, I’m greeted by an unexpectedly unique space. The room extends upward, revealing the hidden expanse of the attic area, its ceiling towering at twice the height of the other rooms in the house. In the center stands a triple bunk bed, an architectural marvel in itself, each level adorned with its own set of cozy, inviting bedding. The walls are adorned with an eclectic mix of posters and artwork, ranging from abstract designs to landscapes, giving the room a vibrant yet personal touch.

Scanning the room for Hendrik, I find no trace of him at first glance. My eyes are then drawn to the top bunk, where a tail flicks back and forth off the edge, signaling his presence. The room has a peculiar charm to it, a reflection of Hendrik's own unique character, and I can't help but feel a sense of intrigue as I explore it with my eyes.

Climbing up the ladder to the top bunk, I sit down cautiously. “Hendrik?” I call out softly. Before me is a forlorn, patchy- patterned cat, his eyes meeting mine with a mix of sadness and reluctance. Gently, I stroke his head, trying to offer some comfort. “I’m sorry I didn’t know. He must have been really important to you.” As his tail halts its movement, I sense a touchy subject has been broached. The room's quirky decor now feels like a backdrop to a more somber story, one that I'm only beginning to understand.

“I might not have the full story, but your reaction earlier spoke volumes. Were you able to trust him with your secret?” I ask, my legs dangling over the edge of the bed. In this moment, the room feels like a sanctuary, a safe space where secrets and vulnerabilities can be shared without judgment.

Transforming back into his human form, Hendrik lays his head in my lap. I continue to run my fingers through his hair, which oddly retains a feline texture. It's a comforting act, and I find myself feeling a deep, brotherly affection for him. In this room, under the high ceilings and surrounded by the remnants of Hendrik's unique world, I feel a connection that goes beyond mere housemates or friends. There's a bond forming, one that feels like it could grow into something akin to family.

“Yeah, he knew,” Hendrik responds, his voice tinged with melancholy.

“So you were close then.”

“As close as you and Oliver,” he retorts, causing me to tense involuntarily. “I figured as much. When you mentioned your fear of vampires, I suspected Oliver would be drawn to you.”

“Why’s that?”

“He distances himself from his family for more reasons than one. Sure, he’s an anomaly in their world, but I also think he despises being a vampire. Can’t blame him, especially with a family that’s quick to eliminate his friends.”

“How often has that happened?”

“Technically, four times. But effectively, three.”

“What do you mean by ‘technically’ four?”

Hendrik hesitates before revealing, “I’ve kept my secret from the others because of what happened to a previous friend here. He was a shifter too.”

“So, there were more like you here?”

“Yeah, he was a wolf shifter.”

I can’t help but smile at the mention. “Ah, there it is. I knew wolf shifters would come up eventually.”

The revelation from Hendrik hangs heavy in the air. “Yes, well… it’s pretty much taboo for different shifter races to get involved. It’s not like we could have offspring or anything, but it’s about being available for our own kind. Technically, shifter packs, whether feline, canine, or any other kind, are expected to be ready for arranged commitments.”

“So, you and your brothers are essentially pre-engaged?”

“Looks like it’ll happen eventually.”

“That seems so unjust. You should have the freedom to choose your own partner.”

“I agree. But about your situation with Oliver and his father… I fear Mr. Pierce might try something drastic. If you flee, he’ll track you down. And the consequences he’ll impose on finding you will be far harsher than simply facing him now.” Hendrik shifts uncomfortably. “How’s it going between you and Oliver? I know he struggles with physical contact.”

“We’re managing. He’s definitely making an effort.”

Hendrik hesitates, then says, “I have to confess something. This morning, Oliver asked me to ensure your alarm wouldn’t go off. I had to guess your phone’s password. He instructed me not to let anyone know he’d left.”

A chill runs through me. “Left? Where did he go?”

“He needed time to process what’s happening. He plans to resolve it alone.”

“Alone? How? Where?”

“I don’t know. He left a letter for you in his room.”

Before I can ask further, Hendrik assists me down from the bunk, and I rush out, heading straight for Oliver’s room. I pass Hugh and Valentine on the stairs, who informs me Oliver isn’t there. I bound up the steps two at a time, bursting into Oliver’s dimly lit room. Desperate for light, I yank open the blackout curtains, flooding the room with sunlight - something Oliver would probably despise. It takes me a moment to notice the handwritten letter on the piano, a couple of folded pages that hold unknown truths. My hands tremble as I reach for it, bracing myself for what Oliver has written.

Amelia, I know this is probably not the outcome that you were hoping for, but in order to make sure that you stay safe, I've decided to go and speak with my father. I'm not sure what his final decision is going to be, but I assume that it's not going to end well for me. I'm sorry I didn't say goodbye, but I didn't want you to worry. If it's true that vampires are resurrected in a later life, I promise I'll look for you. Until then, ask Nolan to hide you somewhere safe. Since it's mostly me that he's after, I'm hoping that once he's done, he will forget about you.

You’re my world, Amelia, and I’ll die happy to keep you safe.

Eternally, Oliver

As I stand there, frozen, my legs feel like they’ve turned to stone. Numbness spreads through my fingers, still clutching the note tightly, unable to let go. The world around me blurs into a haze, my heart pounding in my ears. Slowly, my knees buckle under the weight of the revelation, and I find myself sinking helplessly onto the stool beside the piano.

Through the mist of my shock, I notice another sheet of paper peeking from behind the first. It’s lyrics, different from the ones we’ve been rehearsing, accompanied by scribbled notes and keys. The title, ‘Eternally, My Love’, echoes in my mind, but I can’t bring myself to focus on it. Not now. Not when there’s so much at stake.

A surge of urgency propels me forward. I need to find Nolan. Does he have any idea where Oliver might have gone? How do I ask him without arousing suspicion or concern that I might recklessly chase after Oliver? My mind races with questions, yet no answers.

With a deep breath, I fold the letter and its companion sheet, tucking them securely into my back pocket. There’s no time to waste. I need to act, and fast. Oliver’s safety, and perhaps my own, depends on it.

I bolt down the stairs with a reckless urgency, nearly tripping over my own feet in my haste. My mind is racing, heart pounding in my chest as I weave through the scattered clusters of guys lingering between the kitchen and the living room. Spotting Nolan and Hugh engaged in a hushed conversation in the corner, I make a beeline towards them.

“Nolan.” I interrupt them. “I was just wondering, because Oliver mentioned that vampires can't go out in the daylight, where exactly do they all hang out? Like his dad must live somewhere pretty dark.”

“His father lives by the docks, but conducts all of his so-called business inside one of the shipping containers.”

“Really? But aren't those like, heavily monitored?”

“Pier sixteen used to be heavily monitored but once his father bought the whole place they rarely have any security.”

“I'm assuming that a lack of security doesn't mean we would be able to go and get Seth without them noticing?”

“Absolutely not. Even if we drove with the traffic that's about to hit us, we would take too long to get there. Once the sun starts to set, we're on their turf. Unfortunately for us, none of us are strong enough to defeat one vampire, even as a group. Even if I were to let loose, I might kill Seth as well in the process.”

“Okay, no harm in asking. I just thought that perhaps with Seth he might be able to tell us a way out of this mess.”

“Seth simply predicts what's going to happen, but he can't always change it. Once a decision is made, that's it, everything changes.”

“Wait, so you're saying choices will impact what happens in the future?”

“I mean, that's how he explained it to me. If you decide to throw a ball and it happens to break somebody's window, then that was the cause that happened from you picking up that ball. But if you go and pick up that ball and decide that you don't want to throw it and you simply drop it on the ground, then you don't break a window. Apparently, there is an expected path that we all take, but the ways that we get there can alter and differ. When Seth concentrates on someone hard enough, he can see their path.”

“Do you think if he saw Oliver dying today, he would have said something earlier?”

“We're not gonna let Oliver die today. But Seth knows he can't alter the future like that. He has explained it to us many times before, and we've agreed that if we're destined to die on a certain day that we shouldn't know about it. The fact is, nobody should know when they're going to die. Of course it's going to hurt us, but we can't just expect him to warn us whenever something bad is going to happen.” It's completely fair of him to say that, and I totally understand it, but I absolutely hate it.

“Alright, I understand.”

“Speaking of, where is Oliver anyway?”

Hugh speaks up, “That's what I was just trying to tell you. He's not upstairs.”

“Oh, he is now.” I lie. “I think he was just in the bathroom or something, but he's upstairs now. He doesn't seem well. Maybe you guys should go check on him.” They both exchange a concerned look before walking themselves upstairs. I'm a terrible liar and I hope they don't immediately assume that I'm doing this to hurt them. The moment they're out of sight, I open the front door and I run.