Dark Famiglia

Chapter 8

Kason and Miguel now understand a little why Jayden is so important to Sabrina. But to hear that Sabrina was abused by her foster parents is heartbreaking.

"So, this Jayden person is a vampire, too, and the one you're looking for?" Kason asks.

"Yes. Jayden is a vampire. But what Jayden told me next was heartbreaking, something I will continue to blame myself for. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t scared. His Master gave Jayden orders to get close to me. That’s why he never spoke to me when we were living in the orphanage together. He didn’t want to deceive me, but he couldn’t disobey his orders from his Master. That’s why Jayden didn't want to turn me into a vampire. But I insisted. I was scared of what my foster parents would do to me after he left with his new family. I didn't know what to do. That's why I begged him to turn me into a vampire. He even confessed his love to me and told me never to search for him. I told him that even if he hated me for it, I would still ask to become a vampire. After Jayden told me about his orders to get close to me, I knew that would be the last time I would see him. But it made me realize that I wanted to protect him. I didn’t realize how broken Jayden was. Jayden protected me all those times when I was bullied by the other children and abused by our foster parents. I wanted to protect him for once. He reluctantly agreed to turn me into a vampire." Sabrina says as she gives Miguel and Kason another sad smile, desperately trying not to cry.

“All the while, during my transition, the look of sheer sadness never left Jayden’s face. After my transition was complete, I woke up in one of the beds inside the orphanage. A letter was left on my pillow and this ring was inside the letter. In the letter, Jayden told me to hunt animals in the woods to quell my thirst. The ring he gave me was supposed to help me walk in the daylight because a witch enchanted it. As long as I have this ring on my hand, it won't be a problem for me to walk in the sun. Last year, I saved a young warlock from being attacked by street thugs. He despises vampires, though. The first thing he did after I saved him was fling me across the alleyway with a spell." Sabrina explains.

"There are even witches and warlocks, too? It feels like I've become part of an RPG game." Kason says with a flabbergasted tone.

"It may look like a game, but it's much more than that. It's real and dangerous. Danger lurks in every corner. I didn't blame the young warlock for using those spells on me. I hated myself. At the time, I didn’t realize I switched off my humanity. I got back up from the ground and spread out my arms. I just smiled and he cast more spells on me until I couldn’t stand." Sabrina says, still explaining her past to Kason and Miguel.

Kason and Miguel look at Sabrina in shock.

"Why would you want someone to kill you? You said just a minute ago that the other reason you wanted Jayden to turn you into a vampire was so that you could protect him!" Miguel shouts angrily.

"Calm down, Miguel," says Kason, trying to get Miguel to calm down.

Sabrina looks at her feet in shame.

"I’m not proud of it, okay. Something more terrifying happened, making me almost switch off my humanity again. Thankfully, my warlock friend stopped me before that could happen. I killed someone. On Christmas Eve last year, I was out in town Christmas shopping with my best friend. Some guy came into the sports store we had gone into and pointed a gun at a little girl. I wanted to save the little girl, but my anger got the best of me. I killed the man by feeding on his blood right in front of everyone. My secret was out in the open. The only thing I could think of was to erase the memories of everyone there who saw what happened. I even erased my friend’s memories. I met that warlock two years before that incident. I’d understand if you want me to erase your memories." Sabrina says with tears glistening in her eyes.

“We don’t want our memories erased. The last thing we want is for you to suffer like this. You trusted us enough to tell us your past. We’re not going anywhere.” Kason states as he and Miguel smile confidently at Sabrina.

"Ever since that day Jayden turned me into a vampire, there's always been a part of me that blames myself for making him do that. Somewhere, deep in my heart, I feel like I've hurt him more than I can imagine. During that same year, when I met the young warlock, the town I lived in had a shortage of blood. I was getting weaker by the day. Rumors were going on that an animal was attacking people at night. I knew something was wrong. Another vampire had come to town and had managed to find me. I was walking home with the young warlock when the vampire attacked. My friend tried to protect me by using his magic, knowing of my weakened condition, but he was gravely injured. The vampire hurt a dear friend of mine and all I could think about was protecting him. That's when something emerged from within me. I didn’t know what it was exactly.” Sabrina explained, recalling the past again.

“My hair turned red, brighter than my brunette hair, and I developed a different personality. My mind was still awake, but the words I was saying were different. This personality inside me is another vampire entirely. She's the source of my powers. I remember every word she said that night. She protected the warlock that vowed to protect me and me alone. I was grateful to this vampire living inside of me. This vampire's name is Turaya. The last time she appeared, she told me she was an old vampire who was sealed inside the cross on the bracelet I wear on my wrist. I received this bracelet from my father long ago. To release Turaya from the bracelet, I must tear off the cross from the chain. Turaya merges with my body to have a physical body to fight with. When she's ready to return to the cross, she puts the cross back onto the chain." Sabrina says, ending the story of her past.

Sabrina feels as if a huge weight has disappeared from her heart. But not all of her doubts have disappeared. She still doesn’t dare to tell her new friends just yet about those doubts. Kason and Miguel now realize that Sabrina has feelings for Jayden. Whether Sabrina admits that or not is up to her. The only important thing to them is that Sabrina is their friend. They will carry Sabrina’s secret with them to their graves. Besides, they’re not scared of Sabrina. The only thing that they’re afraid of is losing an incredible friend.

Both Kason and Miguel smirk at Sabrina.

"You love Jayden, don't you?" Miguel asks as he smirks at Sabrina.

Sabrina pouts as she glares at Miguel.

"Is it that obvious?" Sabrina asks, wiping away her tears again.

"Yes!" Both Miguel and Kason say in unison.

"Is it wrong for me to love Jayden?" Sabrina asks.

"Of course not! If you love him, then you love him. That's all there is to it." Kason says.