Lavender and Burial (1)

Based on what Karen told me, Zero came alone to the cave where we von Blood cornered us. I lost my consciousness from losing too much blood. Zero used a sword and fought von Blood. He barely managed to rescue us because von Blood decided to retreat. Then Zero brought Karen and me to a small clinic on countryside where his friend was working. Thanks to his friend, I escaped death even with a large wound on my belly and lost many bloods.

I was unconscious for almost two weeks. But when my condition seemed stable, Zero told Karen that it would be better for us to conceal the truth of vampire's attack and made a fabricated story to match investigation result. There were several reasons for this, but mainly because there was an organization called Orthros which role was to make sure vampire existence keep hidden from humans. Agents from Orthros would undoubtedly manipulate the result of investigations. And it was better to not stand against them.

When police questioned, Zero claimed that he found Karen on the road side at forest border. He didn't know what happen but Karen told him that she was separated from her sister when running away from a pack of wolf. Later at investigation, they found out that Karen was one of missing people related to tragedy that killed more than a hundred people in Denver. Naturally, they knew it was Karen's older sister (me) who was lost in the forest. And so, the search began.

Zero already prepared some vestiges to lead the police into false truth. He made it as if we were escaping the 'terrorist attack'—result of investigation after being manipulated by Orthros—at Denver, hide inside forest then being chased by a pack of wolf. Karen was separated from me while I acted as decoy. This explained why Karen could safely come out from the forest.

"What about my death?"

This was the real challenge if we were going to erase human Keira Wilder existence. We needed to concoct a believable accident and evidences. I had no idea how we could get a body as my replacement. But apparently, I needn't worry.

"You'd fall to river and the corpse will never be found. Police and rescue team are probably still continuing the search as we're talking here. But after some times, they'll stop and announced your death."

Even without any corpse as evidence, missing people in accident and disaster would be stated as dead when the search result in vain after some period passed. I couldn't help but steal a glance at Zero, secretly admiring his scheming talent.

The fabricated story was so believable and suited my personality. If I was indeed in that kind of situation, I would act as decoy so Karen could escape to safety. And then to increase my chance of survival, I'd make false trail and vestiges to lure our enemies to different location. In that situation I'd choose to hide but I'd eventually look for water source.

I had the abilities to do these. My dad taught me many things about how to survive in wild. We used to go to camp to practiced. I joined many camps when I was kid too. People around me would assume the fabricated story as truth. It was so well made that it gave goosebump. As if Zero had known about me before we meet.

I comforted Karen and assured her that I was fine. I followed their plan on my own consent. I had my own reason to agreed. First, I didn't want to get others involved. What happened to mom and dad was and other victims was so dreadful. Witnessing the tragedy first hand implanted realization in me on how hopeless human was against vampire. No matter how many people joined force, there was no way human could beat vampire's monstrous strength. That was why even if it meant erasing my own existence, I prefer to not drag others into this mess.

My second reason was personal matter. I didn't think I could live like before. I doubted that I could come to uncle's home and stayed with them. After being told that I no longer human, that I gradually turned into vampire, and I could sense the process myself. One thing I knew for sure, I no longer belong to them.

To be quite honest, I couldn't sleep at all since I moved to Karen's room three days ago. I found myself being anxious for a lot of reasons. My heartbeat raced whenever Karen came closer and I could hear her pulse louder. I would start to gulped, then my throat itched like I was thirsty. I knew the reason, a strange instinct told me. But more than that, I knew the root of this instinct. It wasn't mine.

Damn! Now I regretted being so stubborn and move to Karen's room. I was staying in Zero's for two weeks or more before the twin came. They scolded Zero for that, so I said I'd move. Well, actually my mind was such a mess that I didn't even think how improper it was to sleep in a guy's room, on top of that he was a vampire.

Zero said that we shouldn't worry about it since he would only sleep for few hours after morning came and the bed was empty at night. Of course, I refused to stay now that my mind cleared up. To think that I had been sleeping it that plain-faced vampire's room, I couldn't even begin to describe my embarrassment.

Wished to forget about these mess for a moment, I took a walk to the hill where lavender's scent came. About one hour walking, I arrived at an open field that looked more like lavender garden. The purple little petals were blooming on shrub like plants grew all over the hill side as if reflected sky colour when cloudy dusk came.

"I'm not going to flee. So, can you stop keeping your eyes on me?"

There was no respond for a few seconds, then someone emerged from tree's shadow.

"You noticed?"

Zero asked, he might never expect to be found. Zero's step almost left no sound, as if he had very light feet. But I kind of gotten used to it after spending two weeks more in his room. My auditory sense was sharper than average people, even since I was a kid.

I crouched down to pick some lavender stalks. "Why did you follow me?"

Zero gave no respond. I glanced at him only to found his usual expressionless face. His topaz blue eyes hidden under his golden bangs. I couldn't read him at all.

"Say, did you brainwash them?"

"Huh?"

"Karen has grown to trust you a lot. It was unnatural for her."

Karen used to be a timid girl. Even if she had some plan in mind, she would always discuss it with me. But this time, she did everything herself. I knew that a part of it was my fault. Because I let my mind sank in mess for weeks. Even so, I never expected her to discuss things we should do afterward with Zero who is literally a stranger.

"And frankly, I thought it was strange about how two hunters allied with you, even stayed under the same roof."

"If I was capable of such skill, why didn't I use it on you while you're the most stubborn?"

I felt some vein on my temple twitched, yet I couldn't argue. Stubbornness was almost like my other name. This was the very reason why I hate Zero. He was able to see through me.

"I hate you." I spatted it loud out before I knew.

"I already knew."

"You won't ask why?"

"Yes. I've been resented by many people. I got used to it and not interested in their reason."

See? He was a freak and really annoying.

"If you've picked enough flower, we better head back. Forest is dangerous at night. Besides, we'll go early tomorrow."

"You said that I'm turning into vampire. There shouldn't be any danger in mere forest."

"Better not underestimating the wild."

"Hmm … Are you vampires not immortal?"

Zero gazed at me for a while. "Nothing is immortal."

I took some long leave grass, used them to tie lavender stalks I've picked. Then walked to head back to Zero's home. There were actually many things that I've been curious about. But I'd better try to figure out on my own. Especially about this guy behind me. His intention was a complete mystery.

Zero wasn't only acted as if he knew everything. I could sense he got real confidence, meaning he really do know. Whether he owed more information than others or gained it from us without being noticed. Besides, Stuart said that Zero was the first person knowing about the tragedy in Denver. He went there himself without telling them. It implied he got some personal goal.

Then when he reached Denver, he came to our rescue despite we were hiding in forest far from capital city. What might be his goal? Where did his interest lay? There were two possible answers for this. First, he got some ill history related to von Blood, so he came to challenge him.

Or second, us. I mean between Karen and me. In this case, he might really come all the way to Denver in order to rescue us. I bet he targeted Karen's blood since she had a gift. But I couldn't erase the possibility of me being his target. It couldn't be helped since he showed high interest on me—well, my blood to be exact. I couldn't get rid of this unease that I always feel around him.

***