Chapter Six :]

Chapter Six
(Brendon’s POV)

I stood outside the house sullenly. Looking around, I saw everyone else on the street running around happily. I stared back at my old home. A for sale sign was staked into the overgrown lawn. The lawn was almost up to my waist, from sitting unattended to for so long. I closed my eyes, the house returning to the way it had been before I left it. Opening my eyes again, I saw the peeling paint and stained windows lay before me. I opened the broken white picket fence’s gate and walked across the lawn towards the door. I sensed a few people watching me strangely as I walked in. I’m sure they weren’t expecting someone to enter that building for many more years, or perhaps, this fortress was expected to never be penetrated again. I closed my eyes as I held my breath, letting the gentle wind brush over my face. I wrapped my hand around the cold metal of the door handle and opened it. I let my breath back out as I heard the door click and open as I pushed my weight on it. I walked in, leaving the door open. I paced across the floor, hearing every floor board creak as I moved. I climbed the stairs, the same feeling entering my heart as I walked up stairs. The house had been emptied, but I could still remember where Sophia’s room had been. I opened that door as well, letting it fall open with a loud creak. I stepped into the room, taking in a deep breath. My eyes wandered, examining the rolling wallpaper. I looked over towards the upper left corner and noticed a small object. I walked towards it, picking it up. It was a stuffed doll, Sophia’s favourite when she was young. I felt the hot tears pricking my eyes as I stared at the doll, feeling its small, glass beaded eyes. I bit my lip gently, trying to hold back the tears. I sat down on the floor silently, stroking the doll’s long hair. It was dark brown, just like Sophia’s. I placed my forehead against the doll, my tears now spilling down my cheeks. I had been biting my lip so hard that what ever blood remained in my soulless body was now spilling down my chin. I let go as I felt the sharp pain of my own fangs pierce me shock my body. I wiped the blood gently and stared at the doll. I began rubbing its glass eyes, staring into them and letting them lull me into a sense of security. I felt my nail accidentally dig into the underside of the bead and tear it out. I stared at the doll in disbelief for a moment. It only took a moment for me to stop and begin laughing.

“I should have expected this,” I stated bitterly, laughing still, “After all, I’m a monster”

“Brendon! Where are you?” A voice called. I spun my head around, recognizing Taya’s voice. I felt my heart calm down as I looked back down at the doll. I remembered what had been my hurry to get home that day as I stared back into the doll’s eye. It had been to lay Sophia to sleep. Closing my eyes, I gently kissed the doll on the forehead.


“I’ll cut my losses and do what’s hardest for me. So goodnight and I‘ll see you sometime later.” I said softly, laying the doll on the ground. I felt my stomach twist. No man should have to watch his daughter die. No man should live longer than his own child. I wiped the remaining tears from my eyes and turned around to look at Taya. She stared at me, concerned.

“Brendon are you ok- Brendon? What are you doing?” She asked, shocked by my sudden embrace. I held her tightly in my arms. For now, I knew what I had to do. Protect Taya from ever suffering what I or Sophia had suffered. 

“I’m sorry…” I muttered. Taya just wrapped her hands around me and hugged back.

“Don’t worry. You did nothing wrong.” She stated. I nodded, feeling my tears beginning to spill again. Later I would beg her not to tell the others, but for now what Ryan and John thought didn’t matter.