How are you guys liking the name Emma? I liked it at first but now I'm feeling eh about it.
That's a great idea though about putting something in Emma's point of view. I know just what scene I want to do that with!
The home wasn't that big so not everyone was going to be sleeping in a bedroom. There were only two bedrooms with two double beds squeezed into them. Matt, Kyle, and Simon took one room. Emma, Tori, Liz and I took the other room. Jeremy and Derek claimed the living room couches. Which actually were very soft and comfortable.
The house mainly had nonperishable foods so we all took a can or two of food for lunch. As we were sitting around eating, I asked Matt;
"So when are we going to go against this nest? Isn't midday when they are most vulnerable? We should go now."
"Yes that is when its best to go," Matt nodded. "But to be honest, it's been a long time since I have coordinated a group this large. So I need a day to organize a plan."
"So we're going tomorrow then," Tori smiled.
"Yes, most likely."
That sounded good to me, we could get a good night's rest and be prepared by tomorrow. I glanced over at Derek who was looking at me too. I wondered if he was nervous about going out on a vampire hunt with me. I smiled at him and he smiled back. Maybe I was just reading into things, he actually seemed calm.
"I don't mean to be rude," Simon spoke up. "But what exactly is the plan with Emma tomorrow? I doubt she wants to come with."
"She's able to make her own decisions," Matt said. "She can stay here if she wants. She doesn't need a full time babysitter."
No one was going to argue with that. If we treated her like she needed a babysitter anymore, how better was her situation?
The rest of the day was sort of boring. Matt buried himself in phone calls and papers strategizing. We sat around. The house did not have a television but did have lots of books. Most of us settled down with a book to pass the time. I stepped outside with Derek. It felt like it had been a while since we had alone time. We sat in the backseat of the car to get out of the snow. There was no outdoor furniture anyway.
"Ready for tomorrow?" Derek asked me.
I nodded, "It'll be nice seeing everyone working together."
Derek nodded.
"Are you?" I asked.
Derek nodded but not with a lot of enthusiasm.
"You don't seem like it," I said.
"I'm a little nervous," Derek admitted. "Matt didn't have to put this much planning in before. Are we really ready for something bigger? Can Matt really watch out for all of us? Its so easy to get separated."
I shrugged, "I think that's some of the reason for doing it. We need to not depend on Matt and he needs to know we can take care of ourselves."
"Fair enough," Derek leaned back against the door so he could look out the window. "But are we ready to make that jump? I think we still depend on him a lot in fights. Cutting the cord so quickly could be dangerous."
I squeezed his hand, "We always make it through. Don't worry too much."
He smiled, "I'll try."
We sat in the car staring out the windows and chatting for who knows how long. The sky was staring to fade to a dark gray when Derek said something that caught me by surprise.
"Do you ever regret falling in love with me?" Derek said quietly.
I looked at him. "Of course not. Why would you ask me something like that?"
His gaze stayed focused on the sky.
"Because your life would be normal if you hadn't. Well, more normal at least."
"Derek, I've always wanted to be a horror movie director. I never wanted normal. Please don't ever think I regret anything that's happened."
"Ok," he pulled me closer to him. "I don't regret it either. I don't know where or what I would be without you."
Shortly after that, Matt called us inside to get some sleep. I stayed on the couch with Derek until he fell asleep then went to my room. Emma was still awake in the bed, sitting on top of the comforter.
"How's your leg?" I asked her, keeping my voice low so I wouldn't wake anyone up.
"Fine," she said, voice low too.
"How long was it broken?" I asked.
She shrugged.
"A long time or a little time?"
"Long," Emma answered.
"I bet it feels good to be able to walk."
"Yes," Emma nodded.
I stretched, my back felt a little stiff from being in the car so long.
"Do you know what you want to do tomorrow?"
I didn't like asking her question after question, it felt a little invasive. But it was the only way so far to get her talking.
Emma didn't answer right away, I waited quietly.
"I'm coming with," she said.
I raised my eyebrows surprised.
"I'm going to get back at them for everything they have done to me. I'm not letting someone else take my revenge."
"Are you sure?"
She nodded.
"Alright," I said trying to support her. "Do you know fighting techniques well enough?"
Emma smiled, it sent chills down my spine, "I've survived this long, I think I can handle them."
