Chapter 4: Family Is Everything

Eliza was shocked, like I shouldn't have known who Michael was. I tried talking but she kept shushing me and pacing back and fourth. I finally spoke up and said, "I didn't know Michael was your brother, I met him when I first turned, about five years ago. He helped me get through my transition and figure out my life. I was there the night he died...well, the night he was taken and then killed." Eliza had tears draining her face as she asked, "What happened that night?" I hesitated to talk about it in fear I'd start bawling too, but if this really was his sister then she deserves to know so I said, "I convinced Michael to come clubbing with me one night, we were dancing and drinking. This was about a year after I met him. He made up some excuse that he had to get home, or I thought it was an excuse at the moment, but when I went to check to see if he got home safely he wasn't there. I checked his car and everything, but all I found was bloody hand prints on his car windows at the club we were at. I figured he'd figure it out because he was the strongest person I'd ever met, I didn't think anything of it. But when he didn't return home the next day I decided to go looking for him. I checked out his car first of all, he left his phone and everything, so I went through it and found messages between him and an unknown number. It said that they were coming for him. And that they would kill him. That's why Michael wanted to leave, he knew he'd die if he stayed any longer. I found a note in his center console that named a few locations. I think he was planning to go search for the people trying to kill him so he could kill them first. I searched all the locations, but it was only at the third one when I found a group of outcasted vamps. I had to take them all on, they almost killed me too, but I surprised them so I had an advantage. When I killed them all I came across a body covered in tarp. I pulled it off and saw Michaels body laying there. I fell to the ground crying and wondering why they'd do this to him. Michael was the best person I'd ever met, I never understood why they'd kill him. But I'm guessing since he was part of your family that's why. I grabbed his body and brought it back to my hotel. I picked out a coffin and everything so he could have a proper death. I went to the spot where he took me to practice my vampire advantages. It was a special place to us because it was when we truly became friends. I barried him there and left flowers every week. I'm so sorry about all of this Eliza."

She was in tears. I felt horrible seeing her go through this. She wiped her tears away and said, "Thank you for telling me that uh-" I cut in, "Harper, Harper Young." She smiled and continued, "Thank you Harper. The last 4 years have been torture not knowing what happened to my brother. I was never really sure if he was dead, I had to hear it from Oliver. He arrived in the city along with Michael, and stayed hidden to find out who was coming after him, I guess he wasn't quick enough. That was when he gathered me and the rest of my siblings up for a 'talk'!" I layed my hand on Eliza's shoulder and said, "I'm so sorry that you and your family had to go through that. But I can't stay very much longer. I have to get going, if I don't wake up early then I'll miss my flight to London." Eliza took a deep breath and said, "No you're not. Tomorrow you and I are going to Seattle to get my brothers body." My mouth dropped. Before I could deny Eliza grabbed me and at vampire speed she ran the both of us to a house. I take it this is hers. Then I spoke out, "I'll be able to come back after we do this, I'm not like your prisoner or anything, right?" Eliza laughed and said, "No, you aren't a prisoner. We may be 2,000 years old, but we're with the times!" My eyes widened as I mimicked, "2,000 years old?" Eliza nodded and smiled, "Well, like I said, we're the first vampires to ever exist. You have a lot of catching up to do Harper! How about after we get Michaels body you come visit my family with me and explain what happened to him!" My expression was uneasy and nervous. Eliza could tell so she continued, "Alright, you do this and you never have to cross paths with someone from my family again!" I took a deep breath and said, "Fine. But only because I like having a quiet life without any other vampire around!" Eliza smiled and told me to pick a room and go to sleep. Tomorrow we're heading back to Seattle!