Denise came into his room at nightfall carrying a cup of blood for him. She hoped that it would give him a bit more strength. She knew he was awake.
"AJ? Honey? I brought something that will make your recovery process quicker."
He didn't say a word. He just lied there with his back to her. He felt the bed sink a little as she sat down beside him and the tender touch of her fingers as she gently stroked his head.
"Come on, AJ. Eat something."
"I'm not hungry" was his barely audible answer.
"It will make you feel better."
"I don't want it."
Denise sighed then set it down on his nightstand.
"Fine. I'm going to go pick Toni up from the airport. I'll leave it here for when you want it. AJ, please. At least attempt to take a sip. Toni wouldn't want to see you like this. Neither do I."
She got up and left. She went down the stairs, out the door, locked it, then went into her car and was off to the airport.
Toni was patiently waiting outside with her suitcase. Ten minutes later, she spotted the familiar black Lexus. Toni jumped up and down, waving her arms, trying to get Denise's attention. Denise honked the horn meaning that she had seen her. She stopped, got out, hugged her, then helped her put the suitcase in the trunk. The airport was really crowded, so they had to quickly jump into the car and immediately leave.
"Did you have fun? How's everyone?" Denise asked cheerfully.
"Well, not exactly a lot of fun, but it was enjoyable. Everyone's fine. They're anxious to meet the man that stole my heart. Speaking of, where is AJ anyway?"
Denise sighed. "He's in bed recuperating."
Toni's eyes widened.
"What? What happened?"
"So much mayhem has occurred over the past two days, I can't believe it! It all started the day you left…"
She told her everything from Valencia leaving to the kidnapping to her death and finally to her finding AJ practically near death on the front steps and his emotional problems. Toni was stunned. She didn't know what to say. They arrived at her house. When Denise opened the door, that was when Toni finally spoke.
"O-oh my God. Is he all right?"
"Well, physically he's getting better, but emotionally, I don't know…"
"I'm going to go see him." She slowly went up the stairs, trying to think of what she would say to him besides 'I'm sorry'. Before entering, she took a deep breath and knocked on his door. "AJ? Can I come in?" No response. "AJ? It's me, Toni." Silence. She turned the knob and found it to be unlocked. His room was dark. "AJ?" she hissed. "I'm sorry to be barging in like this, but Denise told me the whole story about---" She switched on the lights. AJ wasn't in bed. His window was opened all the way and there was a piece of paper lying in the center of the bed. She cautiously made her way over, sat on the bed, and picked up the paper. It was a note from AJ. She started to panic. "Denise?" she called.
Denise came running up. "Yes? What is it?" She saw the shocked expression on Toni's face and noticed AJ's absence. "Oh my God! Where is he?!" Toni held up the note for her to take. Fearing the worst, Denise began to read it.
Mom & Toni
I've gone to Romania. I have to tell them. Please try to understand. I owe them that much at least. I'm not sure when I'll be back. It all depends on their reaction to this terrible new I unfortunately have to break to them. Mom, don't worry, we heal a lot faster than humans. Toni, I'm sorry I didn't meet you here. I've really missed you. I'm going to ask you a big favor here: can you please keep my mom company until I get back? I know you're probably mad that I just took off and I probably shouldn't even have the nerve to ask you, but please? Do it for my mom and not for me? Thanks. I love you both.
~AJ
Toni and Denise just sat there in shock. They read the letter over and over making sure it was real. Denise felt as if she was going to have a nervous break down at any moment. Toni saw the worry on her face and put her hand on her arm.
"Don't worry, he'll be back."
"Why is this all happening? Why can't things just go back to the way they were? Life is so cruel!"
"So is death."
"T-Toni?" she said as she looked at the letter with tears in her eyes. Toni knew what she meant to imply.
"Of course, Denise. And I'm doing it for the both of you. You've become like a second family to me." She hugged her. " *sigh* I hope that this will all be over soon."
"Me, too. One way or another, this has to end," she whispered.
In Romania…
AJ had arrived a couple of hours later at the abandoned castle. It
was
so cold and damp, so uninviting. He had now seen it in a whole new
light.
The sun would rise in a matter of minutes. Most of his physical wounds
had
healed completely, but he still didn't feel 100% better. He decided to
spend
the day there resting and then begin his search for the Desmondontidae
at
nightfall. He didn't know where to begin, but he'd probe the whole
damn
country if that was what it was going to take. His drive for
belonging,
reconciliation, and most of all, revenge, would eventually lead him to
victory. At least that was what AJ thought. Destiny had a whole other
plan.
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