Chapter Thirteen
1211 Words
We sat a while in silence. Helios stood looking out the window. Then I broke the silence.
"I really am sorry. I'm sure Helios is too." I said, looking at him displeased.
"Its alright. I understand. He cares about you very much. I can see that. I think he's somewhat jealous." Helios turned to her and smiled.
"Now, why would I be jealous of you? You're not worth my time."
"Helios?! Be nice, won't you?!" I said.
"Then why are you so protective of him?"
"That is none of your concern."
"Please! Both of you stop it!..." I said getting up from my chair. I continued.
"You're acting like little children! Just for my sake, please just try to get along! Get to know one another! Maybe you'll learn something... Helios!" He smiled and turned back towards the window. She just rolled her eyes. I sighed in frustration and sat back in my chair.
"I think i should go. Clearly, your friend doesn't like me and would rather I leave." She said, standing. I stood up as well.
"Please forgive his demeanor. I don't know why he's acting like this."
"No worries. I do hope to see you tomorrow."
"Yes, of course." I replied, walking her to the door. When I returned, I started at Helios unpleasantly.
"Well, that was lovely," I said, folding my arms and glaring at him.
"You're angry with me," he said.
"Not angry. Just disappointed. You treated her like a dog!"
"She deserved it." He replied plainly.
"I'm begging to think she's right!"
"About?"
"You're jealous! You've had me around for more than fifty years and now that there's another person in the picture, you can't stand it! You can't stand the fact of me being with someone else but you!" I explained forcefully. He smiled.
"I'm not jealous, Erin. I'm concerned."
"About what?! I can take care of myself!" He sighed heavily.
"You're still a young Vampire and still have a lot to learn, Erin."
"Not everyone is out to get us, Helios!"
"Thats not the point! Trust no one but your own kind! Once you learn that, then you'll understand!"
He left the room, leaving me to think about what he had said. But that was my problem. I wasn't thinking. And in his mind, the consequences would be devastating for us both.
But love is a fickled thing and you would do anything for that person to have them stay with you. Even kill in some cases. I myself didn't know what to do. Two people fighting over me! Helios is trying to protect me. Miss Rose, trying to love me. What was I to do but choose one or the other? A thing I did NOT want to do.
As the weeks passed, I became troubled with a decision which I may have been forced to make. I was torn between love and friendship. I walked the roads every night thinking of what to do and came up with nothing but my troubling thoughts.
After I had fed and came home, I saw Helios at the window once again.
"Helios? Are you alright?" He said nothing. But I could tell he wanted to say something.
"What is it, Helios? Please talk to me." He stared out the window in such sorrow.
"I can now see that she truly loves you." I looked at him stunned.
"I do apologize for my behavior. And for how I had treated her. I was just worried about you. I went too far and judged hastefully. Please forgive me Erin."
The shock overtook me, but, I managed to speak after a moment of silence.
"You are forgiven." I said finally.
"And you do not have to choose between her and I. Though I have known you for almost a century, love is hard to find. If you must choose... choose her."
Helios always knew what I was thinking. He never pried but he always knew because he knew me better than I knew myself. My mouth dropped in such shock that I could barely think of what to say.
"I will not choose her over you Helios." He shook his head.
"I know you love her. And she feels the same. Love doesn't come to everyone. Especially our kind. Sometimes it never comes. Please... take this opportunity. I've had you long enough to myself." His eyes then filled with tears. I could almost hear his heart breaking.
"I cannot leave you, Helios! It wouldn't be right to just abandon you that way!" He smiled soulumly.
"I have been alone before. I can do it again, my friend."
"No! Helios! Absolutely not!" I said as tears began to stream down my cheeks. I went to him and hugged him.
"You'll never be alone again! I promise you." Helios cried in my arms for the second time. I held him in my arms tightly for a long while before he composed himself.
"You want to be with her? Yes?" I nodded.
"Yes! But I will not be selfish and leave you all alone in your anguish! I owe you so much! You're my friend! And I will NOT leave you to yourself'
I had made up my mind to stay with Helios. But I still loved Miss Rose! And I knew if I wanted to be with her I'd have to turn her. And I didn't know if I could ever do that to her. Or even have the nerve to do it.
I went to see Miss Rose every day, but dreaded the thought of asking her to join me in my eternity. I was so lost in my thoughts that if she hadn't noticed I would probably have stayed within them.
"Are you feeling alright?" She asked, looking concerned for me.
"Uh... yes I'm fine. Forgive me, I was deep in thought."
"I can see that. What are you thinking about?" I sighed heavily and grinned.
"Helios. He needs me." I replied sorrowfully. She smiled.
"You think you have to choose between him and I." She asked. I looked to the floor in sorrow.
"You dont ya know. I say you can have us both." I looked at her. She looked so convincing. I shook my head.
"I love you so very much. But we can never be together." She c****d her head.
"Why?"
"Because one day you will die. And I will have to live my eternity without you. And I have a debt to Helios. Though he has said otherwise, I could never leave him alone."
She smiled sweetly and crossed my cheek.
"Then turn me." I couldn't believe what I was hearing. My confusion must have been written all over my face because, again, she smiled.
"Do I surprise you?"
"A little. You would give up your mortal life for me?" She smiled once again, then got out of her chair and sat on my lap.
"I love you. I'd do anything for you. Except kill for jollys." This made me smile.
"Well... I've never turned anyone before," I confessed.
"Thats alright. We don't have to worry about it right now."
We talked until late in the evening. I was quite excited, but a little weary about turning her. I wobuld need Helios's help.
- Writer
