Chapter Nineteen
781 Words
As I had explained to you before, a Vampire's feelings are just as valid as any human's. If not more. Our hearts may not beat as loudly, or our skin be as warm as a living person, but, we do have just as much feeling as any living or undead creature ever could. And as I saw Helios's feelings overflow with such grief my heart grew ever more sorry for him. So much so that my eyes never dried.
I felt so horrible for him. That I couldn't help him. And I couldn't stand it. There are no words to describe the sorrow I felt for him. And I couldn't possibly know what he was going through.
Many weeks passed and still he said not a word nor a sigh. Nothing. He just staired out the window with his hands clasped behind him. Staring into the darkness of the world outside. The only time he left the house was to feed. Nothing but deafening silence from his lips. And, when I could bare it no longer, I respectfully and delicately approached him with my dilemma.
"Helios?" He said nothing. Just continued to look out the window. But I knew he was listening. I continued.
"You haven't spoken a word in three weeks. Please talk to me." He grinned.
"I have nothing to say."
"Really?! You don't fool me a bit, Helios! You forget I know you too well to fall for your foolishness!" This must have put a jolt in his behind, for he turned to me.
"What would you like me to say, Erin?"
"Tell me what you're feeling! Tell me your thoughts! Your sorrows! Your anguish!! Anything! Just don't shut me out! You've always been the sensible one! The most concerned! The most protective, of us both! We've always been able to talk to one another! Please... For Heaven's sake say something! I cannot stand the silence any longer! And hate seeing you this way!" I explained. Helios sighed heavily.
"There are many things to say about many things. And many things to talk about. But this cut on my heart is deep and will not easily heal, If ever. Forgive me Erin, but my heart cannot take this betrayal." He went to leave, but I stood in his way.
"Than forgive her. Not for her sake. And certainly not for mine! But for yourself and yourself only! You will never be able to retrieve yourself if you don't. You may even go mad! For Christ' sake Helios, forgive her for your sanity! I can't stand to see you in such sorrow! My heart cannot take it!"
He looked at me with such absence in his eyes.
"How can you ask this of me? Do you realize what I went through?!"
"Please Helios..." He put his hand up.
"Let me ask you this. Would you have forgiven me if I had done the same to you?" This question shocked me. For I would have been quite grieved if he had done such a thing to me. I didn't know what to say.
"I rest my case," he said. I became very frustrated, and if I had had the nerve to strike him, I would have. But, instead, I sighed in my frustration and stared at him coldly.
"You're angry with me for my decision?"
"No. I am concerned."
"Why? Why such concern Erin?" I sighed again.
"This isn't like you, Helios. Please, try to understand my point of view. Because you haven't said a word to any of us since the incident. This is why I am concerned."
"There's no need to be concerned, Erin. My heart is broken but, I am well." I shook my head.
"You're a great teacher and a most loved friend. But a terrible liar. Your heart is broken, yes. And, though its beat is faint, it still beats with such anguish that its beat of heartache can be heard. My heart aches terribly for you. And I can take it no longer."
His eyes met mine and we shared a glance. And, when this glance was shared, he broke down.
"Helios. We're more than friends. You're like a brother to me." I lifted his head for his eyes to meet mine.
"You are, and always will be, apart from Rose, the most important person in my life. I will not rest ,nor will my aching heart, until you're free from your sorrows."
I held him and, as he cried for the loss of his maker for the second time, he clutched onto me.
"I promised you..." I said. "That you would never be alone again. And, by God, I will keep that promise."
- Writer
