Claire could feel soft grass under her body and the sun was warm on her face. Wherever this place was, it was peaceful. There was no pain and she just wanted to stay here forever. But someone was calling her name. She tried to ignore it but the voice was making itself heard. "Claire," it whispered, "Claire," the more she tried to ignore it, the louder it got. "Claire!" Her eyes snapped open. Shane. That was Shane's voice. It didn't matter how much she wanted to just lie here, she had to make an effort for Shane. Claire sat up and saw two doorways. Shane's voice was coming from the one closest to her. Standing up, Claire walked towards the door and put her hand on the doorknob. She turned it and was greeted by a bright light. Claire stepped through, towards Shane's voice.
When Claire opened her eyes, the first face she saw was Myrnin's. She screamed and sat up. Then Shane was there, holding her. "It's ok," he whispered. "Everything is going to be ok." Michael grabbed her arm with his cold hands and felt for her pulse first on her wrist then on her neck. He let out a sigh of relief. "Thank God, you're ok, Claire," he said. Much to Shane's disgust, Claire pulled away from him. She was in the lounge of the Glass House on the couch. Eve, Shane, Michael and Myrnin were all crowded round her. "Where's Jason? And Amelie?" "Amelie is fine and Jason… we let him go." Claire couldn't believe it. "You what?" She stood up. "Why the hell would you do that?" Michael pushed down on her shoulders and she was forced to sit down on the couch. "Claire, Amelie took away the power to get inside people's heads from him. He's just as useless as he was before he could do that." Eve hit his arm. "This is my brother we're talking about." Michael's eyebrows rose and he stared at Eve. "Yeah, I guess you're right," she sighed.
"What about Myrnin?" she asked. He looked at her. "After you passed out, Jason told me to carry you to the car. Of course, being the gentleman I am, I refused. So he got into my head and was… controlling me, I guess is the right terminology. But I have had my medication and I am once again fine." He smiled at her. "Now I see you're awake and well, I shall be off to my cell. And I'm terribly sorry for biting you." Claire nodded and before anyone could stop him he was off, running down the hall and into the world. "Should we go after him?" Shane asked. Michael shook his head, no.
"Where's Amelie now?" Claire asked. "She's gone back to wherever she comes from." Shane replied. Claire stood up. "I think I might go upstairs and rest for a while." They all nodded and she walked towards the stairs. On the bottom step she felt Shane take her waist and spin her around. He kissed her, and it was filled with passion and sweet, sweet love. Her arms went around his neck and his wrapped around her waist. This kiss was real. She wasn't being forced to feel anything. She wasn't being controlled. She was being kissed and loved by Shane, and her free-willed kissed and loved him back. Too soon it was over. "Get some rest," he said, then left and walked into the lounge. "I love you," Claire whispered to the air where Shane had been standing. Once again, he hadn't manned up enough to say three little words.
Claire stood in the shower, fingering the water-proof Band-Aid which covered the two pinpricks in her neck. They didn't hurt, more like, tingled. It was hard to explain. Once she was dry and in her pyjamas, she walked into her room. On her bed was a cream coloured envelope. Her name was written in graceful, curled handwriting. Amelie's handwriting. She opened the back and unfolded the letter inside.
Claire,
I am ever so sorry for what you have been through these last two days. Please understand that, just because Jason can no longer get into people's heads, doesn't mean he isn't dangerous. We haven't seen the end of him, only the beginning. As for your bite, Myrnin did not drink enough blood that it became a concern and threatened your life. I would like you to continue seeing him to learn, no exceptions. Meanwhile, get some rest.
Amelie
Claire tossed the letter onto her desk and climbed into bed, pulling the covers up and over her head. She closed her eyes and waited for sleep to come and wash over her. Sure enough, it did and she spent the rest of the night in a peaceful, dreamless sleep.