Chapter 51Where The Path is Broken

Walking the streets I didn't know what to feel. I felt alone, despite having Khuna, Valerie and Kai as my roommates. And yet I felt alone as I helped them with their problems but I didn't really take any room for my own feelings yet. It was like a roller-coaster of experiences these past few days. I felt happy too, finding new friends, seeing my mom again.

Step by step I got closer to where I had to be, it was later than I had expected when I looked at a clock in a store. Only ten minutes to midnight, ten minutes till I met my mom again. It only just occurred to me that I hadn't really thought of my dad the same way. I had been more worried about my mom. I briefly wondered why that was.

The people on the streets still seemed much less than any other night I'd seen so far. And I got more looks too. I guess it was because I was walking alone. A group is so much harder to approach than a single person. And some of the creepier looking men even tried to say things to me.

"Hello little girl, going somewhere?"

"Out all alone?"

"What's a beautiful girl like you doing here?"

I ignored them as best I could though an evil thought did come to mind. How would it be to drink from them, making sure they would not tempt any others. It was almost an act of charity, right?

I shook my head, I didn't really want to go there, but I could hardly be blamed for having some dark thoughts sometimes. After a shrug they were no more and I could venture back to the meeting in a few minutes with my thoughts. I was almost there, seeing the small neon sign of the hotel spelling it out. Broken Path.

My path was leading me here, though I briefly wondered if this was all a trap, if my parents were dead after all and I was just being put here like a pawn in a sick game. I shuddered. It was useless thinking like this, everything will be clear in a few minutes.

I entered the hotel lobby and looked around. For a moment I thought on what to do, checking with the counter was probably a good option but what name would be given. I looked at the clock, two more minutes. Waiting would be good as well. The clerk looked at me strangely as I walked past him, I guess some words were in order, considering the time and all.

"Can I help you, miss?" His voice was quite kind surprisingly.

"I'm waiting for my mother, she should be here in a moment."

He nodded and smiled kindly as he motioned to some seats in the corner. "Of course miss, you're welcome to take a seat while you wait."

I was surprised at his politeness, as this seemed to be a not-too-expensive hotel. The chairs were comfy though, they were fluffy and welcoming to my humble behind. I smiled and kept a watchful eye on the exit, wondering how punctual my mother would be.

"Amy?" Her voice suddenly behind me.

I turned around. "Mom!" I jumped up and ran toward her, hugging her.

"I've missed you too honey." She smiled and hugged me back.

"So what happened?" I looked at her, thankful that she was here but wondering what had happened.

"I'll tell you upstairs. I have a room here." And took me by the hand.

As we walked upstairs I wondered if she knew what I was. I couldn't really tell her, could I? No, I couldn't I didn't want to tell my mother I lived on the blood of others. I already felt more than enough of a monster without telling her. Besides, I briefly wondered what would be her response if she knew. Would she want to become one too, to be with me. Would she slowly grow older while I stayed young. Would she let me go or keep me close?

In a way I wanted them to live on without me, just living normal lives, but I had a feeling this was no longer possible. When I first met Khuna she said that it was very possible for my parents to be slaughtered, to remove any trace of my normal life.

Now that I thought on it, I had only been gone from school for 2 days, but did anyone miss me? Did anyone care?

I hoped my mother could at least answer a lot of these questions tonight, as the more I thought on it the more I drove myself crazy. It might have been only a few days but slowly I realized I had been taken from my old life. Slowly more and more people would notice, at least I hoped they would. It would mean my existence didn't go unnoticed completely.

We reached the corridor and walked toward her room. I took a deep breath to relax, my mother was here now. At least she could tell me what was going on. If she knew of course.

"Here we are." Mom said, she opened the door and let me in. "I've got a long story to tell, but first I want to offer my apologies."

Apologies?

She spoke slightly hesitantly "I'm sorry for leaving you alone so suddenly."