The light faded from the sky. It bled orange, pink, purple and blue as the sun disappeared beyond the horizon. Light peppered the blackening sky, bringing the contemplative and serenity Charlotte craved. In this vampires came alive. A transient moment between day and night when they could see the world in vibrant colour. Everything changed in the artificial glow of modern light. In Charlotte’s eyes, it brought a touch of grey or appeared like early colour TVs.
She stood at the foot of stone stairs, each step a mountain to the unforgiven pain she caused. The home itself held a degree of irony for a vampire entering. A converted church played host to the final years of her life and would bring her home for a reckoning. Place of confession, but would her brother host as the priest and forgive her? The stone arch around the mahogany door, the weathered wood cared for by her brother. The carved panel honoured its former life. Surviving intact, adorned with copper handles and bevelled glass.
Patrick greeted them in silence. The palpable energy-filled air was thick and heavy. Charlotte’s feet fell heavy on the wooden floor as she dragged herself to the lounge. She almost hovered on the green sofa, afraid to sit. The threadbare rug drew her eyes, reminding her of the passing of time. Patrick could not bring himself to look at her. He squeezed the seat to disguise the lingering hurt inside.
Leticia positioned herself away from them. Immediate regret followed the offer of a drink. She swallows hard and dry, but marks on her neck throbbed. As small talk came to a halt, the politeness waned, giving way to silence. Leticia wished there was a barrier between her and them as she sensed Caleb watching. A cold sweat formed on the back of her neck, making her shiver.
Charlotte fidgeted with the hem of her blue pleated skirt. How was speaking with a stranger easier than her brother? Sorry was a simple word, and it accomplished nothing. It did not take back sixteen years of heartbreak. Patrick watched as Daciana suffered through the pain. Her body rejecting the human life offered. It would never return Leticia’s health, the slow decline of her heart as it failed to continue pumping. Charlotte wanted him to hug and forgive her, but how could he? Patrick refused to meet her gaze. It veered to the side and lowered to the floor.
The time for reconciliation had passed. Charlotte’s growing remorse at her actions earned her no favours with Patrick. He would travel to the ends of the earth to protect his nieces. Daciana may have their vampiric abilities, but she was his daughter. Embracing the same perspective, Luliana opted to remain with friends throughout Charlotte’s visit. Patrick sighed, thinking he was angry at Charlotte for leaving. He loved the girls, and whilst Charlotte hurt them all, she blessed Patrick with two children. The girls surprised him daily, and he did not want her to regret that decision. But forgiveness was not something he could offer.
Patrick: https://www.patreon.com/posts/simmerianne93-11-68010708
Leticia: https://www.patreon.com/posts/87050277?pr=true
Charlotte and Caleb: https://www.patreon.com/posts/random-70274954?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator
By the Grace of Sim Gods 