Misery Made Beautiful

Chapter 2


He stood at the pier above the beach, gazing at the horizon but not really seeing it or the first signs of dawn.

Standing completely still, his face expressionless except for his eyes which showed the swirl of emotions and memories he tried to hold on to while waiting for what he believed was his destiny after all.

No redemption.

No deliverance.

No promise of happiness because she was gone, out of his reach forever.

Not caring what was going to come after he turned to dust, just knowing that *this* pain, the pain he brought her by his existence was going to have to end.

As the darkness of the night was slowly but irrevocably being replaced by the twilight of a new day, his survival instincts kicked in. His vampire senses went overload, the demon screamed in his head, trying desperately to overrule his resistance and to force his body to run for cover.

But with unbreakable resolve and utter calmness he fought the demon back and forced him to retreat, never showing any signs of his inner turmoil on the outside.

And as the sky lightened further, his gaze became clearer. As if he noticed his surroundings for the first time, he watched the first ray of light creep over the orange-red sky with longing and felt his heart reach out for her.

*I love you, Cordelia. I will always love you. Please forgive me.*

He closed his eyes.

Scalding hot rays of light cut into his skin and made it sizzle with heat, pain seared through his flesh as he smelled it burn and he heard himself scream until the darkness engulfed him for the last time.

TBC