Amelie's POV
I stand in front of my town's residents- those both breathing and not. The number has dwindled incredibly lower than what we began with. Over five years ago, our numbers were steady, having swelled over the decades- with an assortment of 'disappearances' but never as drastic as what stands before me. Over the past two years I have not held reason enough to round up all who live in my bustling town- each just made do with the lives they lived. But looking across the sea of heads I see that even if those missing were present our numbers are a mere percentage of what we first started out with.
I see a head appear from around the door, trying to enter the room unnoticed. Hannah Moses a most decorated of Marine and Police, she is no liability- she's strong as I when it comes to protecting what she believes as hers. She has the grit to stay. The same as her grandma; a woman who unlike so many who came before and after was not even remotely scared to question my motives and alert me as to when she believed me to be at fault. Although I was not known as to befriend any of the human residents in my town before the young, sweet innocent Claire, dear Mrs Day and I were acquaintances of such- her honesty was something I began to trust. That is why her death has shaken me in a way I had not anticipated, for over a century I have known this women, watched her grow from a small girl to a courageous elder who deserves my approval. And yet looking around the room now all I see is empty eyes staring back, hollowed of hope- fear settling in their stomachs. Even my vampires gather together with my precious humans seeking solace together.
I take a deep breath, expanding my lungs in a way I only do in times of trouble and fear, breathing makes it tolerable yet gives me no relief. Just to my immediate left I hear a mild whisper 'oh shit.' Coming from no other than Michael, a complete replica of his Grandfather, except for his golden hair; he was one of the vampires that were taken back to humanity by Fallen who I've never quite accepted; he was the piece of his grandfather that I could keep and remember, though now I find myself oddly pulled to protect him and his friends. Though they are no longer the children they once were; they're married couples who have proved time and time again their worth- they have saved me numerous time compared to when I've came to their aid.
Before I can be side-tracked anymore, and begin to comfort the people standing before me; I take another breath and begin; gripping Oliver's hand with enough force to crack bone- he is in this moment my life raft in a sea which is dragging me closer to an imminent death.
'My people, before I can even begin to try and explain where we currently stand, I find that I also have to share some saddening news…' I find Hannah's eye in the crowd, her own eyes are wide slowly filling with tears, but she nods her head, a quick jerk of her neck, before she looks down studying her shoes, trying to hold the pain inside. I find that my humanity is more alive now than it has ever been, fear has made me recognise that the bonds we hold are probably a lot more important than any jewels or power we could ever call our own. If its possible my hold on Oliver's hand doubles, yet he shows nothing in his face of pain. 'As of an earlier hour of yesterday evening I came aware that one of Morganville's eldest residents passed on, many of you will know her as Grandma Day…'
The hall is silent for a heartbeat as the news sinks in.
'oh god…' Claire's whimper breaks the silence, as people begin to come to terms with what has just been announced.
'I thought that one was gonna be around forever…' Shane breathes hugging Claire closer. I can hear all around me people beginning to mourn. As I raise my head from watching Claire and Shane's exchange, Hannah catches my eye pleading wordlessly as stray tears dampen her collar, to move on from this topic. I nod in her direct, as she goes back to studying her shoes.
'Now you all know the situation we are in.' As a collective the whole room human and vampire alike silence, I can't even hear a breath. 'What is out there isn't just to fear-monger, it's something powerful, something that craves the snow. I feel that now is the time in which you should all be aware of the severity of the situation, as of last count there have been seventy-eight disappearances since the snow fell, leading to the belief that what is out there is what is causing the rapidly increasing rate of disappearances- I so add at this point for both clarity and consideration that the number of disappearances is almost equal in both human and vampire.' I hear an intake of breath, a mutter in a language I though was archaic, and a subtle wave of whispers.
'But you know what it is right?' I look down at the speaker, a young woman with tightly braided hair and a young girl clinging to her neck. The fear is evident in her face, yet her undoubted belief in me gives me shivers. I find myself unable to speak, I turn my head to face Oliver a look of need probably clear on my face. He steps closer to my side, not letting go of my hand – I see a few people's eyes widen at such a display but I push that thought away- Oliver clears his throat and the eyes all move to collectively gaze at him.
'As of yet we are unaware as to what this evil is, and as to why it has so suddenly harmed our town; we will not give up till we know…' But Oliver is drowned out by a scream, a scream so blood-curdling and heart wrenching.
'Matilda?! Matilda?!' the voice screams, a voice full of fear.
I turn my head to see a woman, running the length of the room screaming for the little girl she had entered with.
'Matilda?! Don't hide from mummy!' The tears hold no more as they stream down her face. She looks hopelessly at me.
Before I can even open my mouth to speak of silence, a child's high pitched scream echoes through the highly barricaded windows, a scream of terror abruptly silenced.
Just as the scream stops, I hear the impact of a single snow ball hit the window, I look to Oliver- and I know in that moment we need a plan.
'Myrnin, Jessie, Michael, Eve, Shane, Claire, Hannah come with me!' I wave to my guards to come too- walking through an adjoining door leaving a horror movie scene behind me, as I glance behind my shoulder I see the woman sink to the floor, abruptly heartbroken because she knows she'll see her daughter no more.
Despite the pain she is in, I can do nothing to comfort her because I believe too that the little girl is gone. For some unfathomable reason I find myself looking between my Oliver and the four trouble-makers- is this what has become my family?
