Dangerous Pearls

Chapter 13

''Hey Matt'' I said as I parked my bike.

''Hi'' he said strolling towards me casually and whistling. I didn't know what was in him today but I didn't want to ask because I felt weird around him.

''Um...your keys'' he said with one arm outstretched towards me and a weird look on his face when he noticed that I wasn't saying anything.

''Thanks. How are you coping?'' I asked the last part with a little wince and looked at my shoes because I still felt guilty for the fact he had lost the love of his life.

''I've been better. Lets not get into this. I can tell that it is as uncomfortable for you as it is for me so I'll just do my job'' he said taking my bike away as I said,

''Yeah, thank you Matt''. He was right, this was an uncomfortable thing for both of us and we both lost someone. The both of us blame me and its ok, I just...I'm not ready to open up and I guess he isn't either and its totally okay. Everybody deals with their pain differently and some people deal with pain quicker than others, while others subdue it until it bursts out. But pain always has a release, it is sometimes death and other times we have to let go and find closure. I haven't found closure yet. Maybe I will when I find the killer but until then, I can't let go.

I took in a really deep breath before going in so that I was prepared if I saw Maia's dad. As I walked down the hallway, I looked at the different paintings my dad put up. There was one of Lucifer falling from heaven, there was one of fire, there was one of sunset right next to a picture of the moon with a wolf howling which was pretty ironic since we were vamipires. And typically there was a painting of him. I never wanted to take any painting of myself and I definitely didn't want it hung up. But my dad had told me, ''When you become the leader of this clan, you'll have to get your painting done, even if its my force'' he said and then added, ''Or they may have to paint you looking like a mouse being chased by a cat''

''Dad, it is 'If I become leader'. I don't plan on you dying or retiring'' I said slumping down on to his bed as he poured himself a drink from the jug he always had filled on the center table in his room.

''I can't be leader forever'' he said sitting down carefully so that he didn't spill any drink from his glass that he had filled to the brim.

''You can dad, its a perk of being a vampire. You get to live forever'' I said with a giggle.

''I guess so, but I have enemies-'' he said but I butted in because I knew he wanted to say something I never wanted to hear

''Don't even think that. They can't harm you, you're my superman'' I told him standing up and giving him a hug before sitting opposite him.

I stopped my train of thought before it got to far down memory lane and I wouldn't get to dad in time. I looked at the picture one more time and felt it before continuing down the hallway. When I got to the stairs, I saw a couple making out under the arc of the staircase and I decided not to disturb them. I tiptoed silently but they still heard me. Foolish vamp ears.

The girl didn't seem to care very much that she had been caught and she just glared at me like I had ruined her chances at getting a job. The boy on the other hand, looked completely shy and kept moving his eyes towards different directions. I felt awkward but I didn't want to make them feel awkward so I said

''You guys should continue what you're doing and forget that I was here. I'm just going to go'' I said and walked up the stairs with a feeling that I had just made the situation worse.

I got to the top of the stairs and just realized that I was still on my tip toes so I corrected myself before knocking on my dad's door. I heard him humming inside and I heard his footsteps coming toward the door and I wondered what he was doing because vampires are usually silent when walking. The door clicked open and I was immediately greeted by a rock song that was blaring on the radio. I wasn't a big fan of rock music but my dad liked it. It was just one of our many differences. Our similarities included our noses that were small but curved at the tip. Our full lips and our cheekbones. My dad had a mole by his right eyebrow and it only made him more handsome.

''Hi dad'' I said walking toward the radio because he didn't seem to hear me and he was now swinging his hips to the beat of the music and closing his `eyes and humming to the music but it all came to a stop with one swift push of the power button.

''Hi dad'' I said again

''Hey'' he said coming toward me, ''Why did you switch it off?'' he asked

''You were distracted and couldn't hear me'' I said statiing facts

''Only a bit distracted'' he said smiling sheepishly and I gave him a look so he said,

''Ok, maybe a lot'' and then I smiled.

''What was so important that you had to come all the way to tell me and couldn't tell me on the phone'' I said offering me a drink which I refused

''I have to keep my head clear'' I said

''It's that important?'' he said putting down his drink and sitting down before offering a seat opposite him.

''Yes dad, it is'' taking the offered seat before continuing, ''I couldn't tell you over the phone because I don't know if my phone has been bugged'' and he had a serious look of concern on his face

''Go on'' he said giving me his attention.

''I had a dream. In the dream, everyone I loved had been killed. Then someone caught me and I don't know why but I couldn't turn to identify him. I knew he was a guy because I heard his voice. He tortured me and poured melted metal on my arm before branding me and whispering to me that  he would find me and I couldn't escape'' I said

''Is there more?'' He asked and he seemed to actually believe me.

''Yes, there is. I woke up in a pool of sweat and it turns out that I also had the brand in reality. And since then, I have been hearing voices in my head telling me to give in or he was going to give in.'' I said feeling emotional but I tried to control it.

''Its ok honey. Show me the brand'' he said with his arm outstretched towards me and he had a real look of worry on his face as I put my arm in his. He rolled up my sleeve and had a look of shock and intense concern on his face. He looked at me before looking at the brand again.

''What is it dad?'' I asked confused

''I know that mark'' he said letting go of my arm.

''From where?'' I asked insistingly as he stood up and started pacing around.

He let the question hang in the air for a few agonizingly long seconds before replying with a look of dishevelment on his face

''That mark appeared on your mothers face before she disappeared'' that sentence rang in my ear for some moments and there was a silence shared between my dad and I that was caused by the fear of what was going to happen to me.