I don't remember much of what happened afterward. Lucy and Camellia took me back home. They got me patched up but the bruises were still there.
During the ride home, Camellia spoke to me but I couldn't hear a word she said. I was so cold and yet so numb. I remember glimpses of the landscape and some words about "handling it" and "you did a good job", whatever that meant.
I don't remember if I slept that night. All I could remember were Micah's eyes. My heart ached. Although my plan had worked, I didn't feel like celebrating. If he had truly been afraid of losing me as a friend, why hadn't he told me? We could have talked. None of this wouldn't have happened. I wouldn't have to move and hide. I . . . also wouldn't have met Alexander.
That was probably the only good thing that came out of moving. It was the only good thing and now I had completely destroyed it. If this all worked out then, I guess it would be worth it but if it didn't then, the relationship I had with Alexander was now ruined. Maybe he would forgive me but I seriously doubted it. I wouldn't forgive myself.
The following morning, my mom came into my room to check on me. I pulled my covers close to my face and she drew nearer. Every part of my body ached. I couldn't move my head without wincing.
"Awake already?" Mom asked.
"Yeah," I replied hoarsely. "I'll probably be sleeping all day."
She sat beside me. "Everything alright?" she asked, placing the back of her hand against my forehead.
"I'm fine," I assured her. "Everything is starting to get to me, you know?"
"Oh, sweetheart. It's going to be alright, you'll see. How about we go somewhere? Like a mini-vacation? Dad and I have some days saved up. I think it will do us some good."
"Okay. That sounds good."
She smiled again. "Get some rest. When I get home, I'll bake a cake and we can eat as many sweets as you want."
"Sure."
Unfortunately, I wasn't able to rest. Even if I managed to doze off, I didn't feel rested. Sometime in the early afternoon, my cell phone rang. I grabbed it off the pillow beside me. Sonia was calling me.
Frowning, I answered.
"Have you seen the news?" Sonia blurted out.
"Um, no," I told her.
I propped myself up on my elbow. My head spun and everything protested.
"Turn on your television right now."
"Why? What's going on?"
"Just do it. Otherwise, you wouldn't believe it. It has to deal with . . . the Prince. Just do it, okay?"
That was all I needed to hear. I yanked the covers off of me and leaped out of bed. The ground titled for a moment before straightening. I practically ran down the stairs and into the living room. As soon as I found the remote, I turned the television on. Thanks to my dad, I didn't have to switch the channel. He was always watching the news.
"Are you watching?" Sonia asked.
"Y-yeah," I stammered out.
Showing on the television was a live feed of Alexander being lead out of jail. He didn't have any handcuffs on him and Mr. Keys stood beside him.
"Moments ago," the News Anchor was saying, "the Vampire Prince was officially released. A recording of the true perpetrated was shared on every social media platform and radio. The footage was also shared of this event.
"The Chief of Police hasn't given any comments on this decision. There is to be a press conference later this evening. There are speculations whether this will be enough to remove all suspicions from the Vampire Prince as the officials are still unaware of the Vampire Prince's whereabouts on the days of the incidents."
I sucked in a deep breath, unable to believe what I was hearing. Footage? There had been footage? How?
"Rin?" Sonia asked. "Are you still there?"
"I - I have to go," I whispered and ended the call.
Did this mean that Camellia -? I shook my head. I guess it didn't matter how they got it. All that mattered that Alexander was no longer in jail. But what was going to happen to Micah? Was he getting blamed?
This was almost too good to be true. Was it all a dream? Judging by the ache and pain, it was real. Camellia and the Purists had held up their end of the bargain. My chin trembled. Was it truly over?
I swallowed the lump in my throat. Then it hit me. Micah would know that it was me. He was going to come after me. Fearfully, I looked over my shoulder. I was alone.
My phone suddenly rang and I jumped. Scolding myself, I looked at it. The call was from Mr. Keys. My stomach tightened. Taking a deep breath, I answered it.
"Hello?" I croaked out.
"Miss Borek," Mr. Keys said in greeting. He sounded tired but relieved. "Have you heard the news yet? The Vampire Prince was released today. To think we got that lucky with the footage. I was starting to think - well, it doesn't matter. You have nothing to worry about on that front."
"Th-thanks," I forced out. "You've been a great help."
"It's my job to help," he said. "Also, don't think I have forgotten about your predicament. I believe I have news evidence to help in your case."
"Right. Well, thank you. I'm sure we'll talk soon."
"Of course. Good-bye Miss Borek."
I suddenly realized that my vision was blurry. Even as I wiped away the tears, they wouldn't stop. I collapsed on the couch unable to stop sobbing. After everything that had happened, part of it was finally over. Alexander was no longer caught up in all of this.
Once the King knew that Alexander was framed, he would be accepted back into his family. Once a perpetrator was named, no one could suspect Alexander. I knew all of this so, why did it still hurt? I should be happy for him, but just thinking about how things were back to the way they used to be - it hurt.
I knew that I would never see him again. The last memory I had of him was the look of pain and betrayal on his face. I would no longer be in his life.
"But that's okay," I whispered to myself. "It's better this way. So much better."
#
Dad told me about the conference. He stayed up all night watching the live broadcast. Despite what Mr. Keys and Alexander had said, a vampire did take the blame for all those incidents. Except, it wasn't Micah. Camellia and her people blamed everything on some unknown vampire with a history of violence and hatred against the King's co-existence campaign.
Micah's name never came up.
With all the evidence, Alexander was truly cleared of all suspicion. After getting out of jail, no one had seen him. I understood why he wanted to keep a low profile. It was common sense.
The court date was announced as well. The jury was going to comprise of both vampires and humans and there was going to be a special selection for everyone participating.
I never told my parents about meeting Micah. If anything, they would have killed me right there and then. I hid the bruises using my mom's makeup and a lot of online videos. The aches were easy to hide. All I had to tell them was that I had slept wrong or just stayed in my room all day. Something told me that they suspected something, but they never pried for answers. They made me believe that I had fooled them and that was okay with me. Some things were better left unsaid.
A few days later, Mr. Keys did have good news for me and my family. He said some special friends had taken care of the whole thing and there was nothing to fear anymore. Reparations were going to be made. By 'special friends' I knew he meant Camellia. I guess making a deal with the mafia did pay off. Now, I had to wait to see what they wanted in return. All this help wasn't going to be free and I sure racked up a huge debt. Like anything I would just have to deal with it when it became a problem.
Even days after Alexander's release, the dumb part of me waited for him to visit me. I didn't deserve a visit. I knew that and yet, I wanted him to come. I wanted to see him. I wanted to hear him get angry at me for betraying his trust and not having faith in him. But, he never graced me with his presence. I went as far as to put out a kitten bowl by the window.
But, I had no visitor.
A/N: The only thing left is the epilogue! It's probably not the best 'ending chapter' out there but it's all I had for the moment. I swear that it will be a happy ending. :D
I don't really have the words to express my gratitude for all your support and love. I might have mentioned this before, but I wouldn't be able to finish this story without y'all. It's been such an amazing journey. Thanks so much!