44 | Stand By Me

Seaside, California April 16, 2013

Scott

FOR the first time in weeks I felt my mind becoming clear. Having been constantly bombarded with hallucinations from the past and having every horrible thing I've done replay in my mind had left me insane.

And sometime during that, I found my mind again and just wished for death. I remember Cel and Zach coming in earlier, I said things I wish I never did.

Then they bled me out again. Not the best idea.

It was doing nothing. The venom had seeped into my tissues, so no matter how much they thought bleeding me out would help it just made the suffering worse. And then the moment I tasted Lily's blood from that bag the only thing that crossed my mind was that they harmed her.

I just felt blind rage, I wasn't even aware of who I was attacking until Lily came up behind me. And then I woke up to see her tired green eyes pleading with me to drink from her.

I wasn't going to fight her on it anymore, she held so much trust in her eyes. I just had to have enough trust in myself to stop.

She was the only beacon for my sanity. And when I heard her murmur my name softly I let her wrist go. She had been cradling me in her arms, and now she was cradled in mine.

She reached up and rested her hand on my cheek, smiling. "You've gotten quite scruffy."

I just laughed. "I have been down here for two weeks so—"

"And you need a shower," she added with a big grin.

Rolling my eyes, I just pulled her closer and pressed my lips against hers. Having her here now was all I could ask for. She wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me back. When she pulled away, her eyes held so much emotion in them, she looked like she was about to be in tears.

Then the scent of blood hit me. My eyes locked on her wrist to see it was still bleeding profusely. Her gaze followed mine, her eyes widening.

"I think I might have lost a little too much blood today," she chuckled nervously. "Honestly I feel like falling asleep right now."

I glanced at the blood bag I had thrown at the wall, which was at least a pint gone. Not to mention what I took from her just now, and now her blood was dripping on the floor.

Lily looked around the room, her eyes looking half-dazed now. I heard just the slightest change in her heart rate.

I didn't even think, I just sunk my fangs into my wrist and bit down as deep as I could, and pulled her back close to me. She didn't try and pull away, instead, she willingly let me heal her.

I could see it in her eyes how repulsed she was, to her blood tasted revolting. But it was the only thing I could do to make sure she would be alright. I'm surprised she hadn't passed out from all the blood loss.

She released my hand and wiped her mouth with the sleeve of her cardigan. "I don't know how you can stomach that."

I grinned at her like an idiot. "I just can."

"Ha, ha, very funny," she frowned then stood up. "Is there a bathroom down here or something? I need to get this dried blood off before everyone freaks out."

"I think it's too late for that," I cautioned, my body tensing.

I could hear Markus and Samuel upstairs, the latter so pissed off I could imagine steam coming from his ears.

So I just stood there silent and listened in on what was going on above us. Lily kept her eyes glued to me. Her expression grew concerned.

"You son of a bitch! What the fuck were you thinking leaving her down there!?" I heard Samuel spit.

"She knows what she is doing Samuel, have some faith in your daughter for once!" Markus remarked.

"I do have faith in her, but right now she is so blinded by love that she doesn't realize he isn't good for her!" Samuel hissed.

"So you're telling me even after all that bullshit with the coven you were against them the whole time?!" I heard Celesta put in. "You are unbelievable!"

"Scott?" Lily whispered. "Can you please tell me what's going on?!"

"Nothing good," I grimaced.

"I was never against them being together," Samuel replied. "But right now he is not himself! He can turn on her at any second! I've seen a vampire blood-crazed from venom before."

I heard the front door opening and the sound of footsteps running after whoever went out.

A car door opened and slammed, the trail of footsteps coming back into the house.

"What the fuck are you going to do with that thing?" Markus yelled. "Impale him!?"

"Mr. Rezza I seriously think you should put that thing down, Scott wouldn't do anything to her, I heard them talking down there so obviously everything is fine!" I heard Zach protest, I think he was blocking Samuel's path now.

They all stopped walking.

"Get out of my way," Samuel ordered.

"Let's just get the hell out of here," Lily insisted. "We will just zoom right by them!"

"I'd love to zoom our way right out of here, but I don't have my daylight ring," I sighed. "I can get you to the door, but if I step out into the sun at least I won't have to worry about your father anymore."

"I have it!" Lily beamed, her hand reaching for her neck, only to realize whatever she was looking for wasn't there.

Lily was crestfallen. "I've had your ring on my necklace, and of course the day I come over here I left it at home."

She glanced up at me apologetically but I wasn't worried about it. We had more pressing matters right now.

The basement door suddenly was pushed open, I could hear the door knob dent itself into the wall as a rush of steps came down.

Lily jumped in front of me suddenly like she was shielding me.

I was about to ask what the hell she thinks she's doing but she glanced at my shocked face.

"My Dad can't stab you with that stupid katana if I'm in front of you," Lily pressed.

I just shook my head and watched as Samuel came bursting down the steps, sword in tow.

"LILLIAN MAE REZZA I SWEAR TO GOD IF YOU WEREN'T MY DAUGHTER I—" his voice boomed through the silence till he stopped dead in his tracks, Markus and Zach almost stumbling over him.

He immediately unsheathed the katana and pointed it at me.

"Seriously Dad?" Lily questioned, she immediately folded her hands behind her.

"I told you he was fine!" Zach reiterated to Samuel angrily.

"Put the damn sword down Samuel!" Markus yelled.

Samuel glared at him defiantly but finally complied. The katana dropped with a loud clatter onto the floor.

"Are you satisfied?" Samuel remarked back at him.

He put his full attention on his daughter now, just as she slowly approached him, her hands still behind her back.

"See Dad? Everything is fine!" Lily beamed.

"Lillian," her father began calmly. "In what world did you think knocking me out was a good idea?"

"None of you would let me just help Scott!" Lily began. "So I did what I had to do!"

"What you had to do," Samuel chuckled and started to pace back and forth in front of us. "And what exactly, did you need to do besides put your life on the line again."

Lily threw her hands up in the air, exasperated. "I did not put my life on the line, all I did was help end Scott's suffering, as you can see he is fine."

Samuel's eyes locked on Lily's wrist then he was in front of her gripping it. He lifted up the sleeve of her cardigan. A vein was protruding now on his forehead.

Lily ripped her arm from her father's grip and backed up till she nearly knocked into me.

"You Goddamn bastard," Samuel snarled.

"Dad—" Lily tried to plead but got cut off.

"I'm going to fucking kill you!" Samuel roared and went to lunge for me.

And then everything went to hell.

Markus came up behind Samuel and restrained him, I had already moved Lily to the side in the same second.

In the midst of struggling, Samuel managed to push Markus away and turned his hateful gaze to me.

"Have you nothing to fucking say, Scott?!" he spat.

What could I say? He was right about it all.

Lily scrambled to grab the katana that Samuel was fighting to get to, Markus had him in a chokehold now.

"Guys can you like not fight right now?!" Zach begged and pried his father off of Samuel, only to get shoved roughly away by Markus.

Lily ran over to where Samuel discarded the sheath and put the katana back into it.

Celesta just looked absolutely disgusted.

"You all act worse than toddlers!" she shouted, then used her magic to force Markus and Samuel apart and flung them to opposite sides of the room.

"Uncle Sam I know you are pissed right now but perhaps we can talk like adults?" Celesta suggested.

"Yeah! Like adults and not toddlers!" Zach echoed.

I just glanced at him wearily. A flashback of me trying to kill him and his father replayed in my mind. I suppose I acted like a toddler. No thought, just a tantrum.

That and he sounded corny as hell. I wanted to laugh so bad. But now was not the time.

"You expect me to let him live after he bit you?" Samuel fired at Lily. "Do you realize how easily he could have killed you? I am done letting this shit happen Lillian. You're mother and I have let a lot slide but this is it."

"What have I done?!" Lily screamed. "Except protect my family and friends!"

"You have put yourself in so many dangerous situations Lillian! Ever since you met him," he spat and pointed a finger angrily at me. "I lost count of how many times I've almost lost you. Do you understand how I feel about all of this shit?!"

"Do you think I wanted all of this shit to happen?" Lily breathed, her eyes filling with tears. "Can you for once just realize I can take care of myself?"

"Okay, but who will take care of you?" Samuel reasoned. "Who will stop you from risking your life when there is no need to?"

"What the hell are you even saying, Dad?" Lily cried.

"Look at this!" he spat and grabbed her wrist again. "He fed on you! Do you realize how wrong that is?"

Lily ripped her wrist away and stepped back till she was right back at my side. She gripped my hand tightly in hers, just as I felt her presence entering my mind.

"Scott you need to get out of here before he does something he will regret," I heard Lily's voice echo through my mind. "I don't want to fight him but I will if I must."

"He is right about all of this," I thought.

If he tried to kill me, I wouldn't lay a finger on him. Call it idiotic, but I wouldn't hurt her father. Even if he did want me dead.

It felt like everyone wanted that. Ever since we met, I brought so much strife into her life. Seana coming back to town completely flipped her world upside down. Perhaps my death would rectify everything.

Lily and I locked eyes. She just started to shake her head.

Lily released my hand, just as Samuel used his magic to make the katana fly out of Lillian's grip and back into his.

The world slowed. I could hear Lily screaming, just as the blade sailed right toward me. I just slammed my eyes shut, not wanting to see Lily's horrified face.

But the blade never came near me, I opened my eyes back, just as Lily stood in front of me, her arms outstretched in front of her. An invisible force was stopping Samuel from coming near us. The katana fell from his grip as he raised his hands up also, fighting against Lily.

"Lillian stop this!" Samuel ordered, but then something in his expression changed.

To one of pure horror.

Then a blast of energy went through the room, knocking everyone back. Samuel went flying back to the other side of the room. Lily was the only one left standing.

I jumped up and came up behind her. I grabbed her by the shoulder and turned her to me, only to see her glaring at me with fury.

"You were going to let him kill you?" she accused.

She turned her bloodshot eyes away from me and focused only on one thing now. I could see the intent in her eyes. She was so consumed by rage she wasn't thinking clearly anymore.

She shrugged out of my grip and kept stalking toward her father.

I wasn't going to let her kill him.

I sped in front of her, my eyes pleading with her to stop. But she forced me back with a wave of her hand. I landed right next to where Markus and Zach were. They were struggling to get up.

I couldn't move. She had all of us magically glued to the floor.

Celesta was the closest one to Lily and her father.

Lily picked up the discarded katana and stood over Samuel,

"Lily please stop!" Celesta screamed, her voice piercing through my ears.

Something in Lily faltered, and she dropped the katana. She glanced back at Celesta, looking petrified at what she was about to do.

Whatever hold that kept us down was gone. Celesta and Zach bounced up and quickly subdued Lily. Celesta forced her to the ground as Lily just kept looking bewildered. Zach kicked the katana away and helped lift up Samuel.

"I-I—" Lily stammered as her body started to shake.

Samuel slowly approached his daughter, but Lily started shaking her head as he sunk to his knees in front of her.

"Dad I'm—" Lily choked, unable to speak.

"Honey, I know," Samuel sighed and pulled his daughter to him and enveloped her in a tight embrace.

How was he not even the slightest bit concerned his daughter just tried to kill him?

"It's my fault this happened, I should've never brought you here," Samuel murmured. "But for your safety and everyone's you know what I have to do."

Lily just looked up at him with confusion.

What the hell was he talking about?

Though Celesta's widening eyes told me she knew exactly what they meant.

"I hope you forgive me one day," Samuel lamented. "But this is what must be done."

Samuel stood up and raised his arms, just as he started to say words in Latin.

"What are you doing?! Don't—" Celesta cried but couldn't get up from the ground.

None of us could.

"Samuel don't!" I pleaded.

Lily gasped as a glowing light started to go through her veins, her face contorting in pain.

All the while I was using every force of strength I had in me to get to her.

Lily was writhing in pain, I was shouting, and Celesta was screaming

Until there was an erupting silence as Lily collapsed to the ground lifeless.

Samuel fell to the ground, his breathing ragged.

"What the fuck is wrong with you!" Celesta shrilled and finally was able to crawl over to Lily. "You stripped her of her magic?!"

"I did not strip her magic Celesta! I only sealed it temporarily. You've seen what she just tried to do, ever since she got her magic she has been a bomb waiting to go off!" Samuel thundered.

"So the settling didn't do a thing did it?" Celesta hissed.

Samuel glared at her silently. "We hoped it would. At least using her magic wasn't killing her. But now she uses it to stop her family from protecting her. This is for her own good."

Samuel then lifted Lily up into his arms, it took me everything to stay where I was.

Now I wanted to kill him. Consequences be damned.

"I will finish with you later," Samuel hissed at me.

I stared him down, letting my eyes bleed black. "I'll be waiting."

NO one stopped Samuel when he left with Lily. Celesta had gone with them, refusing Samuel's insistence for her to stay out of it. No good would come from her meddling in the Rezza's affairs according to him.

How right he was.

Just as soon as that sun dipped below the horizon I went back to my destroyed house. The fight between Seana and me left the entire first floor a warzone.

Two of the kitchen stools survived. The fridge was past saving, I had no idea how I would fix the door to it. The only thing that remained in the fridge was the now rotten fruit Lily kept in there. I even saw some mold growing on them

They had been left out in the open for two weeks.

So I started throwing all of the destroyed shit into a pile out in the backyard. I cleared the mess up from the kitchen using some of Lily's cleaning freak stash. I counted at least eight packages of cleaning wipes. I scrubbed the floors clean of blood and finally took a shower then shaved.

And then I waited.

It was almost nine now before I heard the sound of a car pulling into my driveway.

The door opened and closed with a loud bang. I could hear whoever it was grunt and stumble up onto my porch. If Samuel had come to kill me, he wasn't going to be doing a good job of it intoxicated.

I could smell the alcohol from here.

There was a series of loud bangs on the door, I just sighed and went to open it.

"There you are!" Samuel slurred and stumbled his way into the house.

I just gawked at him as he helped himself and sat down on my couch. He had a bottle of Jack Daniels in his hand.

"What the fuck do you think you are doing?" I remarked and slammed my door shut.

"Coming to have a very important talk," Samuel grinned.

"Well, how about I start with one?" I snapped and sped over to him.

I ripped the bottle from his hand and set it down on the coffee table. "This isn't going to help you with shit. Trust me, I've been there and done that. Second? Drunk driving isn't exactly something I thought you did."

"My wife threw me out," Samuel mumbled and went to reach for the bottle again.

I just picked it back up and went to pour it down the sink.

"Hey!" he called after me and when he tried to get up from the couch he fell to the floor.

I just shook my head and finished dumping the bottle into the sink.

"Look at you," I spat. "Earlier you wanted to kill me and now you come over to my house intoxicated? What the fuck is with you?"

"I came to talk," Samuel began and walked over to the counter and put his hands down on it to steady himself. "I thought it was for the best t-to—"

I just waited for him to finish and began to tap my foot with impatience. I felt my phone vibrate from a text message.

I ignored it.

"You thought it was best to what? Seal her magic?" I retorted.

Samuel shook his head, his face looked like it was turning green. I just grabbed the trashcan and shoved it beside him before he was retching into it.

Samuel heaved for a few more minutes till he was done.

"I thought it was for the best, obviously Laura had other opinions when she said she wanted a divorce," Samuel sighed. "Then she forced me out."

"I wonder why," I murmured.

"What I don't understand is her unwavering defense of Lillian's decisions," Samuel blurted out. "I mean, it's insane. She never holds Lillian accountable for her actions. You know ever since all of this shit started with Seana I started drinking?"

"How about you stop then?" I suggested. "Drinking doesn't take anything away, it just causes more problems."

"It's hard. When I met Laura I sobered up and would drink just once in a blue moon," Samuel laughed. "Then all the stress from you kids always getting into messes made me go right back to it."

"You know that was your own choice," I remarked and helped him back to the couch.

"Perhaps, but it did ease the stress," Samuel admitted.

"It does until you hit rock bottom," I muttered and sat down on the loveseat. "I was just about ready to end it all until Seana came into my life. You can see where that went."

"I just want to ask you one thing Scott," Samuel put in. "Do you love my daughter?"

I just sat there and gawked at him. "Of course I do. What has made you think I don't love her?" I fired back.

"Then you should know you two will only last so long, she is human you are not," Samuel explained. "Ever since she met you her life has been hanging on by a thread, don't you think she is better off without you in her life?"

"She probably is better off," I replied. "But I don't think you understand our relationship at all, do you? When you go through life and death with someone, it changes you. She has so much compassion for others, and that is why she is always risking her life."

"She got that from her damn mother," Samuel smiled sadly.

"If you keep treating her like a child or holding her back from doing what she thinks is right will only cause more strife," I told him.

"Trying to kill you wasn't the best idea then was it?" Samuel grinned.

I just smiled. "Probably not. And to let you know, I never would have bit her on purpose. She literally gave me no choice. So I stopped fighting her on it. In the end, she was right."

Samuel let out a big sigh. "All I know is I am in some deep shit right now, but you won't mind if I crash here for the night, will you? I think Laura could use some space."

"I got a guest room down the hall if you want to sleep there," I put forth.

"The couch will do," Samuel affirmed. "You don't mind bringing that can back over here will you? I may need it."

I got up and dragged it over to the couch. I still couldn't get over that Lily's father came to my house drunk. Of all places, he thought going to someone's house that attempted to kill was a good idea.

I was beginning to think Lily took after both of her parents a great deal. Never thinking things through.

"Well stay until you sober up, then you can get the hell out," I grumbled.

Samuel just gave me a thumbs up and then was throwing up again into the can.

I just left him and went upstairs to my bedroom. Taking a seat at the edge of the bed I took my phone out of my pocket, to see it had been blown up with text messages.

Five of them were from Zach, asking if I was still alive after he left earlier. He went chasing after Celesta as always. Another message was from Celesta herself, telling me I better come tonight or she would finish what Lily's dad started.

"The fuck?" I questioned.

Then I saw Lily's messages. She was asking if I was up to it if I would go to prom with her since apparently, her mother forced her to go.

I glanced ahead. I completely forgot about that. Then again, I was kept in a basement for two weeks.

I didn't even think, I just sped to the closet and pulled out the only suit I had. Lily had bought a navy blue tie to match her dress, it was hanging on the side of the suit.

She had been so excited about the dance coming up, hearing that her mother forced her to go told me she didn't care about it anymore.

I wasn't going to let her be there alone.

I quickly got dressed and rushed out the door, Samuel was passed out now, snoring just as loud as his daughter does.

I didn't even bother taking the Camaro. Running full speed to the school was way faster than a car. I didn't have to deal with annoying traffic lights or dumbass drivers.

The prom was in full swing when I arrived, the noise from the speakers drowned out everything as I waltzed right in. I forgot nowadays you had to pay out the ass to go to prom.

How ridiculous. I think I paid $10 to go, of course, that was back in 1975.

I weaved my way around people, there were way more people here than there had been at homecoming. The gym had been turned into a ballroom, how they hung those large glass chandeliers was a mystery. Everything was black and silver, with so many crystals everywhere it felt like an acid trip with all the reflecting lights.

And then I saw her.

Lily sat alone at one of the several tables, she was staring ahead, watching everyone intently. She looked so stunning it took my breath away.

How could anyone let her sit there by herself? She should be at the center of that dance floor, feeling happy and with no worries.

"Well look at this," I heard a voice snicker behind me.

I felt my heart stop.

I turned, seeing Seana's demented ass smirking at me.

"Witch blood does wonders doesn't it?" she mused. "We both should still be blood-crazed, but here we are good as new."

"What the fuck did you do now Seana?" I snarled.

"Nothing that concerns you, but I really wish you were still on the outs, I don't need you interfering with my plans," she sighed.

I tensed, waiting for her to attack. But it never came, instead, she vanished into thin air.

I turned on my heel and the last thing I saw was her grinning sadistically.