Some Time Later
His body was never found. It vanished or evaporated; I don’t know.
I keep a black candle lit at all times to banish evil and give myself protection.
He will never hurt me again. He is fucking gone.
Bronte, my familiar, who is also the cutest tuxedo cat in the world, nudges me, looking for cuddles while I sit in my nook, gazing out at the garden.
After everything, I disappeared. Nurses at the hospital had their backs turned, and I snuck out. As soon as my skin felt the fresh air, I ran and didn’t stop running until I reached home.
My childhood home in the woods.
I collapsed. Passing out for hours before waking again, and when I did, Bronte was by my side, and I knew then that this was right. I would be okay.
With the help of my moms’ and magic, we restored the cabin to its original form. Moss covers the roof as vines crawl up the dark wood exterior. Beautiful windows bring the sunshine into my cozy oasis.
Dark wood molding, olive green paint, and built-in shelves and cabinets fill my heart with happiness and childhood memories.
A hand-crafted stone fireplace is the highlight of the entire place, and it’s where my cauldron hangs.
But then there are the shelves upon shelves of leather-bound books with hundreds of years of knowledge within them that I only wish I could consume, and I am trying.
My moms visit often, but they also give me my own space and freedom to grow and learn on my own.
The first time I stepped inside after we put the cabin back together, I raced to the stairs, which led to the lab.
They were missing. It’s like the stairs were never there to begin with.
My moms still protect me even in death, and the feeling of love floods me.
Because they didn’t want the place where our lives changed to taunt me every day.
Removing barriers and giving me an opportunity to find peace—that’s unconditional, and it’s something I’ve missed so fucking much.
In the garden, fresh flowers bloom next to my herbs and vegetables.
And I make a spot to sit and reflect, to remember my soulmate, Beckham.
Vampire lilies mixed in with bluebells and daisies make me smile.
He would have loved my eclectic selection in his honor and memory.
And at the cabin, my garden flourishes year-round.
Because it’s magic.
It’s midafternoon, and the fall sun beams through the windows.
It’s getting cooler outside, and winter is coming.
With my black cast iron cauldron overtop an open flame, waiting for my herbs to brew, a knock at the door catches me by surprise.
Rising from the beanbag chair in my reading nook, where I spend hours upon hours studying all my moms’ old books and where I always have my pink candle lit surrounded by citrine crystals, I go to the door and open it.
My mind is still reeling from the words I’ve just read that I didn’t even think to check who was knocking.
My eyes widen. Shock trickles through me. The book in my hand drops.
My face goes white, and a loud gasp escapes me.
Play “Labyrinth” by Taylor Swift
Closing Credits
Lucy.
My Alpha & Beta Team.
The Bat Cave.
Little Bats & Queens.
Tash.
RIP Book Box.
Alina.
Kat.
Harleigh.
Chloe.
Christa.
Rumi.
Daisie.
Nicole.
Chelsea.
Kat.
BrittJoy.
Reggie.
Mariana.
Meme Lord.
Amoy.
Tran.
Maria.
Bianca.
Hope.
Taylor.
Jenny.
Martha.
Kata.
Ria.
Music, My Inspiration.
Stella.
Eggo.
Mr. Kincaid.
Taylor Swift.
Waylon!
Pause song at 1:29
“How?”
Resume song
Pause song at 2:59
“What do you mean? Your house burnt down, and I couldn’t find you.” His stark white face contorts with confusion and his pearly white canines glisten in the sun, sparkling to match his own skin as I take him in.
My mouth moves, but nothing comes out. Shock is making me speechless.
I force my words out, and at first I stutter. “I… I…” I clear my throat. “I saw it. I watched you die, the forever kind of death.” Tears of overwhelming emotion flow. “I was trapped for weeks, hopelessly broken knowing you could never return to me.”
“Baby, touch me, feel me. I’m here.” He chuckles, confused. “I tried to check on you, but no one was home whenever I would sneak by in the night. I came here often, hopeful, but ended up always disappointed because the cottage remained empty and lifeless until today.”
Baffled, I’m finding it difficult to comprehend Beckham’s words. Then, it dawns on me.
His mind got into mine, adjusting timelines and my truths. Along with Beckham’s, because how could he not see me? I was there the entire time, screaming from the roof as fire danced in the front yard. Dammit!
Perplexed, I decide to stop trying to question it or figure it all out. Because it will take many months to file through it all, piece by piece. To put myself back together.
Wrapping my arms around Beckham’s neck, I jump into my vampire boy’s arms, my soul no longer fragmented. Temporary pain is lifted. And two beating hearts intertwine.
Resume song
The End.