5 5 Folded Hope

"Vampires," I say, testing it in my lips, with pure hatred. I knew it in the back of my mind but did not dwell on it much. What I saw that day would probably be one of these creatures he was talking about. The reason my mom is gone forever.

"You are surprisingly taking these, all in good huh?" He looks surprised.

Even I, feel surprised of me not freaking out nor believing these creatures exist. Deep down there is this nagging feeling that I could not shake off which makes me believe.

"What do you know about vampires?" I ask, grinding my teeth.

A strong wind whooshes past us, stirring leaves in its wake. Not even my pillbox hat was spared, as it flies high above our heads. I watch as Dimitri tries to catch it fall but it bounces on the ground. He picks it up and I walk over to him.

“Here,” he says, looking straight into my eyes. He inches closer and put the hat on top of my head rather slowly. “There.”

I clear my throat. “Thanks.”

"He is coming for you, Amber."

Dimitri. At first, I thought he is a comic guy who gets girls by his charms but looking at him now, he is way too serious for his own good. He is more of a gutsy type of guy. He has a good built and posture one could only acquire through heavy training and workout. The way he walks shows agility and strength.

'He is coming for you, Amber.' These words keep repeating in my mind. Like a mantra and I think I space out for a moment.

"W-who's coming for me? Y-you can't be serious." I stutter, laughing nervously.

"I know you saw his face. The one who gave you those wounds." Dimitri replies. He holds me by my shoulder, leveling his face on mine.

"W-why? How did you know? I never told anyone what I saw that day." Except, dad of course. I was afraid no one would believe me and blame all to the trauma of mom's death so I kept my mouth shut but promised myself I would get answers, revenge even.

"I would explain everything, I promise if you go with us." He pleads. He looks sincere and I feel the truthfulness in his words. If he could give me answers to unravel this mystery, why pass the chance?

"Okay, I'm in," I say, almost a whisper.

"Great!" He smiles.

"But tomorrow, I want to go home now." All the lack of sleep I had been missing catches up to me. I feel exhausted.

"No problem, I'll send you home. You look like you could pass out any moment." He offers his hand, which I refuse.

"No, I'm fine. You got a car?"

He takes his car keys in his pocket and it dangles on his fingers, giving me a wink. He flashes a wide smile, showing his perfect white teeth. "Can’t pass the chance to have a pretty lady sitting in my car."

"And here I thought you aren't a charmer?" I quip.

"Only for you, my lady." He bows playfully and jogs backward-facing me. "Wait for me here, I'll get the car.

I watch him jog all the way back to a black pickup truck parked near the gates of the cemetery.

THE RIDE HOME is quiet but not awkward. I prefer to enjoy the scenery while Dimitri is humming country songs from the local radio. The town is more alive during the night with lights coming from shops and people, especially young ones hanging out.

We pass through cafes and restaurants and I made a mental note to get a coffee and maybe sweets some other day. Soon, we enter the hills where few houses could be seen yet this kind of rural life comforts me. It gives me peace and calmness as I observe the endless forest covering almost half of the place.

We reach my house and I was about to open the car door when he stops me and offers to open it. My brow furrows as I watch the house. It is oddly dark, and an odd aura surrounds the place. I feel chills just by looking at it.

"Is it just me or...the house kinda creepy?" All lights are off, it is night already and dad should have turned on the lights. Even if he still mourns, I do not think he would put the place in total darkness.

"No, you're not alone. There is something strange going in here." Dimitri says, confirming my thoughts.

"You wait inside the car I'll go check first." He commands, he takes out a gun from his leather coat and skillfully holds it as if he has done it many times before.

"You have a gun?" It is more of a statement than a question.

"Yes, now get inside." He says and opens the car door for me. "Hop on Amber. You need to be safe."

"No." I protest. "My dad might be inside. I'll go with you."

"Amber."

"Dimitri." I look into his eyes to show how determined I am, crossing my arms on my chest as well. "There is no way I am getting inside the car and just wait until you return."

We did a staring match for a moment. Take that! I will not back out. Finally, he breaks eye contact and sighs. "Fine. Fine, but stay with me all the time. I'll go first, you on my back. Okay?"

"Okay."

He tests the main door and found it unlocked. He motions for me to follow as he aims the gun towards the door and kicks it open. He switches on the lights and I cover my mouth to suppress my shock.

The house is a complete mess. Furniture litters everywhere, broken pieces of glasses scatter on the floor, even the sofa is pushed down. Some wallpapers are detached from the wall and half of the chandelier is destroyed, debris on the floor. This is not dad's undoing.

Fear crawls in my insides as I remember dad, first mom, and now him. I could not lose him too. And without thinking, I hurriedly run through the stairs up to his room. My feet feel wobbly and my mind is screaming at me to go see dad. Everything is not right; I have to make sure he is fine.

"Amber!" Dimitri calls out. I hear his footsteps following me.

I quicken my steps and fly open the door but dad is not there. His room is intact, with no trace of anything like the destruction in the living room. I cross the hallway and open the guest room but it's empty.

"Amber wait for me. Amber!" Dimitri yells.

"Dad! Where are you?" I shout, running to the end of the hallway, leading to my room.

Panic and anxiety crawl inside of me. I reach the last door on the second floor, my room. Dimitri catches up to me, anger written all over him but softens up once he sees my unshed tears. He blinks his eyes, unsure of what to do, probably not expecting 'Rude Amber' to be a vulnerable girl he is witnessing now.

With shaking hands, I open the door widely searching my room for any signs of dad. My knees felt too weak as I fall on the floor sobbing. The walls I built up inside my heart shatter and crumble as tears fall until I could cry no more.

Dimitri rubs my back soothingly and leans my head on his chest. I hold on to his shirt and savor the comfort he gives. First mom, now dad, it was too much, all hell broke loose.

After a while, I gather myself and stand up. "I am sorry," I say in a scratchy voice.

"Don't be." He whispers.

Silence prevails as each of us didn't utter a word. I search within my room, for what was left of it and notice a folded piece of paper on my bed. Curious enough, I pick it up.

"What's that?" Dimitri asks, staring intently at the letter in my hand.

"I don't know." I gently unfold the letter and read it aloud. In it, written in messy cursive words...

'Peter Taylor in exchange for Ebenezer Dustan Duncan Widric III.

I will let you know. Until then.'