Chapter 19

Dad stormed out of the room. I could feel the emotions radiating off of him. It stirred a deep fear in the pit of my stomach. I longed for an exit. I needed one. Needed to escape the inevitable conversation with the one person who can make me feel like a disappointment.

"I sent him for a run" Mom spoke from outside the door.

Hesitantly I stepped out into the main room.

Mom was sitting on the couch with Aunty Alice. I felt calm quelching my emotions. Bringing clarity to the situation. Eracing the guilt that had clung to my heart ever since Dad knew.

Looking towards the floor to ceiling window I noticed uncle Jasper leaning there. His face showed the pain he felt because of my emotions.

I evaluated my seating options. Not wanting any that presented themselves as options. All put me at a disadvantage in a fight. Adrenaline spiked through my body. If I sat it would show. I would fidget with my hands, squirm in the seat. Standing at least I could tense my running muscles in my feet without it being obvious.

Uncle Jasper walked from the side of the room. Placing a hand on my shoulder all the adrenaline went away. The wave of calm I felt before was brought into hyperfocus.

"UNCLE JASPER TOO?" Dad yelled.

"You do not need to cause her more distress, she is already in enough pain." Jasper told him.

"No. She is only in distress because she is a child. I let my child be… I let my child do.." Dad paused. "What did you think.."

"Dad I am not human. I do not age like them. If you want me to act my age it will draw more attention. I should be learning long division and wanting a horse. I am not human. I am a full grown"

"Full grown halfling." Dad finished for me.

"That does not mean you should be engaging in what you have been. With who you have been" Dad yelled the words like knives.

"What happened?" Mom asked.

"No. You do not want this information" Dad told her.

"You haven't told mom?" I asked. I thought everything was shared between them.

"No. This is information that would hurt her. Your actions would have hurt your mother." He practically spit the words at me.

"Just because I didn't wait 100 years like you?" The words sounded like a cry escaping my lips.

"You disregard everything I had taught you. Everything our family stands for. For what? To break up a marriage?" The anger in his voice was palpable.

"Edward what is going on?" Mom asked.

"You decided to not live with the same values as our family. It is hard to believe you are even my child right now. How could you?" He spiralled.

"Edward, she is still our child." Mom spoke over him.

"How can I have you in my house knowing." Dad spoke.

"Edward whatever she did she is still our child. You are just upset. Take some time to process. Do not say anything you will regret." Mom begged.

"No he is right Mom. I made a choice." I could feel the tears start falling from my eyes.

I detached from Uncle Jasper. His hand didn't fall when I ducked out from under his grip. This was my only opportunity. Mom had her hands on Dad's face demanding answers. Alice was stuck in a vision. I turned and ran.

I reached the elevators and clicked the button. I needed out. Needed away from here. Away from glances that made me feel less than I was. The elevator opened and I rushed inside clicking the button to the basement as fast as I could. I felt like crying. I held it in. Knowing I needed to focus if I was going to get away.

The doors opened to the basement. I opened the door to the underground parking. Running to the garage doors. Luckily just in time for the door to open as another guest was parking their car. Running out into the rain I glanced up at the hotel. I was looking through the other side when I was in our room. I took this as an advantage. Running through the rain crossing street after street. Touching nothing. I needed to be free from vampires for a moment. Free from glares and accusations. Free from my Dad looking at me like I am spoiled goods.

I ran until I was near the harbor. I slowed. I could not run as fast as a vampire could but I could run faster than humans. Many people gathered near the pier. Reading a sign that said Free Dark Waters Exploration. I took advantage. Standing near a family I snuck onto the boat with them. I made sure my name was not on the logs also that I was not accounted for. Climbing into the bottom of the boat I waited for them to leave. Padding my pocket I tried to retrieve my phone. Not there. I checked all my pockets. Empty. Panicking I checked again. It must have fallen out in my hurry.

I was going to be in so much trouble. I needed to have a phone on me at all times. It was a rule so that Dad… I paused my thought. My Dad could not track me as easily without my phone. I relaxed. This might give me a moment of calm within the storm.

I allowed myself to relax as the boat departed. If a vampire was onboard they would have come down here already. None of them were that subtle.

After 20 minutes I felt safe enough to join the other humans on the deck. I watched them looking out over the water for different night time ocean animals. I was listening when we passed the shark infested water just on the outside of the bay. The island I grew up on was further out this way. No one would be expecting me to go home.

I would know if they were approaching by boat and be able to prepare for the next fight. Unless they never came for me. Ice struck my heart when I thought about them not wanting me. They did let me leave the hotel room. No one even called after me as I left.

Watching the humans all look out over the dark water in awe I knew I wanted to get off this boat. I was not human. I was given as human a life as I was allowed. These families all looked like they had spent the day looking at tourist destinations. The tiredness was apparent on all faces. Including the crews. Adrenaline still held me causing me to feel more and more awake. The further out to sea the boat took me the more adrenaline I felt. I pushed myself farther. They did not want me anymore. I am damaged goods to them. Entering a stage of my human life that they did not want me to enter yet. No parent wanted their children to enter this stage of life. I hope most parents did not yell at their children when they did however.

Walking to the abandoned back of the boat. Looking around I found a lifeboat with a small engine attached. The water looked rougher than in the harber. Looking at the small boat I remembered all the saturdays spent with Grandpa and Billy in a small boat similar to this one. I was fairly certain I could turn over the engine if I could get it into the water. It would not be a dry trip to the island. The waves battered the boat I was currently on. They would breach the small walls of this wooden lifeboat easily enough.

My body was not immune to the cold. I have gotten mild hypothermia on occasion when I went swimming and it was too cold out. Looking into the dark cold water I knew I would get hypothermia if I launched the boat unprepared. Looking around I noticed a wetsuit. This wouldn't keep the water off my skin. It would help me retain body heat. Not knowing how long I had in the back of the boat alone I stripped into my underwear. Pulling on the wetsuit. I found a drybag next to the wetsuit. It seemed to be stuffed with emergency gear. Stuffing my clothing into the emergency bag, I tossed it on.

Finding the rope to release the lifeboat I pull the rope releasing the knot. Slowly lowering the boat into the water. I do not waste time when the boat is at the ship's deck height I climb in. Finishing the descent into the cold water. When the boat touches the waves rock against the wooden boat.

I let the lifeboat bob in the water watching silently as the bigger boat glides effortlessly through the choppy waters.