Chapter 8: I'll Always Be There

Lena and Issen escorted Alex back to his old room deeper in the castle. Lena was silent as they walked, still stunned by the news of Alex being married off.

Lena: I...this...this hurts so much...

Lena grew up with Alex. She always loved him and wanted to tell him the truth, but she knew that eventually this would happen. It's rare for a Ruler Vampire to marry someone of a lesser class, even if she was a Royal Class Vampire. She knew this fact deep down, and yet she was far from ready for it.

Alex's attitude was quite different from Lena's. While he was silent, his body language said it all. His clenched fists, his teeth grinding, and his blue eyes shining due to his anger. All he wanted was freedom—to live how he wanted to live. However, he always knew that was just a dream—a dream he wanted to live and did live. He met so many good people, like Aurora, Mina, and Jordan; however, now the dream has ended. He was now back in his nightmares, trapped by his grandfather.

Alex arrived at his room and, angerly walked inside. Lena wanted to follow him, but Issen held her back.

Issen: Do you need anything, man?

Alex: I...just want to be alone for awhile.

Issen: I get ya. C'mon Lena.

Issen closed Alex's door and started to walk down the hallway with Lena.

Lena: Why did you stop me?

Issen: Because-

Suddenly, loud sounds of something being shattered were heard in Alex's room.

Issen: That's why.

Alex had just thrown a wooden chair against a mirror, shattering it. He screamed at the top of his lungs in anger. Right now, this was all he could do. He wanted to refuse his grandfather, but he knew he couldn't. He would be forced to marry someone and forever become trapped in the world of vampires. 

Alex sighed before walking over to the desk beside the bed. This was the room he grew up in, and it seemed his grandfather didn't change a thing. On the desk was a photo of him and his mother. He was about three or four when the picture was taken, so he barely remembered it, but he was happy to see his mother in the photo.

Alex: Mom...what do I do?

*Flashback*

Alex was seven years old; his mother and father were living in a suburb outside of Philadelphia; they had a normal life—at least that's what was on the surface. In reality, things were far different. His mother, Sarah, was a vampire who had run away from her father a decade earlier, where she would eventually meet Marcus, Alex's father, a normal human. The two would fall in love, Marcus never learning of Sarah's true identity—that was until Alex's powers showed. Sarah did everything she could to protect Alex's identity; however, not even she could hide his ability. When Alex turned seven, his body was swallowed up by blue flames; however, he wasn't burned in the slightest. Marcus was shocked beyond all belief as Alex looked at his parents, his arms still covered in flames and his eyes now a bright blue, matching the flames.

Marcus: A-Alex...what...

Marcus turned to his wife, who smiled meekly, his blue eyes turning red right before him.

Marcus: Y-You're a-

Sarah: A vampire.

Marcus: I...I...

Sarah: Honey, please... I know I kept this from you, but our son... he's innocent.

Marcus: Y-You're...a

Monster.

Sarah's hearing those words caused a tear to fall down her face. Marcus looked at his son again before closing his eyes and rushing out of the door. Neither Sarah nor Alex knew where he went; however, two hours later, the SCA came and swept the house. Sarah managed to get Alex out safely, but she knew what had happened. Marcus had told the SCA about them, meaning their faces were not on every news channel around. 

For months, Sarah and Alex ran, eventually finding a colony of vampires in Baltimore living in an old abandoned tunnel. There were about two dozen vampires, all of them displaced and being hunted. They worked together in order to survive. The able-bodied ones hunted for blood for the children and were weak, while others defended the tunnel. However, like all things that did not last, eventually the SCA found them and attacked. 

Sarah once again attempted to run with Alex; however, she was wounded on her way out. She dealt with the pain for as long as she could get Alex out. Once the two reached outside the tunnels, every single vampire in the colony was wiped out by the SCA. 

Sarah and Alex found a bus stop a few minutes outside the city, where the two sat on the bench. Sarah was dying; she knew that, but she did what she had accomplished. Alex was safe; however, she knew she would be leaving a seven-year-old boy to fend for himself.

Sarah: Alex, sweetie, listen to me. Things are going to get hard for you. There will be times when you don't know what to do. In times where everything seems impossible, I promise you...you can accomplish so much. You're special, Alex... I love you so much. I...I have to leave you now, but you'll be okay. Alex, you're strong... I'm so-so sorry...

Sarah held out her hand on Alex's cheek, tears falling down her face.

Sarah: Whenever you need me...just look up to the sky. You may not hear me, but I promise I will be listening. I'll always be there for you. Now, Mommy has to go now, and so do you.

Alex boarded the next bus, leaving his mother on the bench. She had a sad smile on her face as she watched Alex's face disappear on the horizon.

Sarah: A-Alex... I'm sorry...

*Present Time*

Alex held up the photo, and a tear rolled down his face.

Alex: I wish you were here, mom...

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