I arrived back in Northern, a few blocks away from that complex in which I originally found him. I thought to use this time to walk the rest of the distance and think of what to say.

I had to help him, this wasn't in my nature but I felt a displeasing horror in me for what I did. It had been a couple years therefore I couldn't even be sure he was still harboring in the same area. I could only hope he was.

So I started down the sidewalk, passing by a small tavern. Dirty, trash littered throughout the parking lot but I couldn't stop and stare at the décor.

Crickets chirped in the light of street lamps. They stopped as I went by. Yet my mind was flooded with thoughts of him.

Would he have stayed there? Did he leave? Would he have fallen to the depths of his depression?

I could have been too late.

Just behind me I heard the door of the tavern open. Footsteps echoed out behind me, distracting me from my thoughts. I kept walking on for a moment sensing the creature behind me.

It wasn't human, I was certain. I immediately stopped and turned back towards the line of motorcycles parked along the front of the tavern. No one was there, yet I continued to sense the creature.

“Hello cutie!” The voice came out, and I turned to meet her. “You look lost.”

“And what if I am?” I sighed a little playful sound.

She smiled briefly showing her fangs. “I can help you out. You're not from around here, are you?”

I met her smile as my eyes lowered to the ground. “Not originally, no. But I need no assistance,” I told silently before I tried to step around her.

“Stop!” She backed up until she stood in front of me again. “You're... looking for someone, aren't you?”

I froze. How could she know?

“I know everyone in town. Be it vampire or human. So who are you looking for?” she questioned, her voice lively.

I crossed my arms with a snicker and then lowered my eyes to the ground once more. “You wouldn't know him.”

“Try me!” she said and I unfolded my arms in shock.

“Fine then.” I was skeptical. “Brown hair... blue eyes... half vampire—“

“Mikael?” she interrupted.

“And how could you have known?” I wondered.

She ran her fingers through her hair as her smiled disappeared. “He's the only half vampire I've ever met.”

“So you know where he is?”

“Why do you look for him?” she questioned, almost demanding.

As it was, she acted as if she was protecting him. I couldn't understand why.

“I owe him,” I told silently.

“You're the asshole that turned him!” She interrupted suddenly.

Another smile peaked my lips. Strange she use such language with me—an elder vampyre—while she was much to young to show such animosity. And what did she care if I had turned him?

“Are you going to tell me where he is or not?” I questioned.

“Not!”

“Then you're of no use to me.”

I began to step around her again, this time she allowed me to go ahead of her.

“But I'm sure you'll find that he's not some halfy conflicted in his denial. He's got a gift unlike any other,” she noted as I began to walk away.

“How's that?” I stopped for a second to hear her out.

“He's vowed to live through. To find a cure whether you offer yourself to him or not,” she explained. “If I knew where he was I would be happy to lead you there, yet he left me on his own just months ago.”

“And you sought to help him recover?” I wondered, my back still facing her.

“I did.” She sighed softly, her voice cracked with sorrow.

“Thank you,” I said quietly before leaving her.

 

****

 

I did not find him that night. Therefore, I stayed and wandered throughout Northern for weeks, desperately seeking him out.

I knew his name. I knew what he looked like and I could sense another vampire from miles away. This city didn't house much more than 80 thousand people so why couldn't I find him?

Soon I would have to resort to searching households and peaking into windows, an act I wasn't too fond of.

Eventually, I traveled back to Central. Chris had mentioned before I left that he was in the process of securing things for us. No matter how determined I was to find Mikael, I couldn't help but be curious of Chris's plans.

Yet when I arrived at our home in Central, it was completely barren. I rummaged around what he had left; a small notebook and paper scattered along the floor filled with a coded message. On one piece was a message of where to find him.

When I arrived at the address written on the paper, I was in shock by the size of the home. Trees littered the front yard and I could hear the soothing sound of water running in what could have been a waterfall or pond.

It was impossible! How could he have obtained a home such as this?

It was then I heard his voice come from around the trees. “Lucious? It's been awhile,” he said as he came to greet me.

“A few months, maybe,” I reminded him.

“Ah, well... a few too many if you ask me.” He brushed his hand through his hair, a short style I was not familiar with. “So have you found what you were looking for?”

My eyes went from surprise to sorrow in that instant. “I haven't.”

“Oh, sorry to hear.” He extended his arm to pat me on the shoulder. “Why don't you come in? I'm certain you will find this new establishment to your liking.”

From there, he lead me through the maze of trees and brush. I was astonished by how well the place was being kept. He explained that he felt the need to move from our old home because it was too small and needed a lot of work.

But it was only him and I living there, what could he need a large mansion for?

“I'm happy you have decided to come back to me, Lucious. There's much we need to discuss,” he began.

“Oh, but I'm not staying for long,” I admitted, and he stopped for a moment.

“I see.” He sighed before continuing on the path.

We made our way through the trees and brush until we reached a bridge crossing a large backyard pond. I was in complete amazement at the scenery. The lake below our feet was filled with fish, rocks and a cool waterfall at the end. Trees surrounded the entire width around the sandy banks, as if they served as a fence around his manor.

We didn't speak a single word to each other again until I entered into the mansion behind him and he lead me into the living quarters. There I spotted a young man sitting upon the couch.

“Lucious, let me introduce you,” Chris spoke as he walked to the man and set his palm upon his shoulder. “This is Rickie.”

The man didn't care to look straight at me, he only twisted his head and bowed in my direction.

“A pleasure.” He sighed.

I stood behind the couch as I looked on at the two. Chris stood happily with a smile outlining his lips.

“What is all this, Chris?” I finally spoke up.

The smile on his lips faded and he unwrapped his palm from around the other man's shoulder.

“It's our home.” His eyes wandered before returning to me. “Lucious. I told you that you shouldn't need to worry. I will establish a secure home away from all your problems. And this is it!”

“And how did you acquire such a manor?” I questioned.

“Lucious, why should you worry of such trivial things. This is home now.” He stopped and sighed. “And I do hope you decide to stay here.”

“Chris.” I looked back at him with a dreary stare. “I cannot stay now.”

His eyes stared back at me “And what is this you search for, Lucious? Can I not help you find it?”

I shook my head. “No. I'll be fine alone.”

Chris nodded slowly in agreement. “Okay. But you're always welcome here. In fact, as it is, I cannot make you stay... but just know I surely wish you would change your mind. Quit chasing this, Lucious, whatever it is.” He began walking slowly towards me. “You have everything here. What more could you want?”