A.N - I'm just going to apologise before this chapter.

I know! I suck, sorry. It's been so long; mainly because of the fact i'm off school on the holidays and I just haven't felt up to writing this.

I couldn't think of a way to write this chapter.

I'm pretty sure this is my worst chapter yet, just a forewarning to you.

'Hello?'.

'I am so disappointed in you'. His voice was cold. Hearing that from him, the way he said it. I felt like my heart has been ripped out. 'I taught you to be careful; I taught you the skills to assure me that you'd never get caught in a ruckus...' His voice trailed off into a sigh. 'Yet I've always let you do whatever you desire, as long as that path of destruction never crosses mine!'.

I flinched back away from the phone, physically hurt from his words. Leo; the man I was sure I loved, the person who always kept a clear head, always cheerful.

I'd let him down.

'I'm sorry'. I managed to speak around the knot in my throat.

'I watched, Nina. I am always taking care of you. Tonight, I saw how big a mistake you made. The young humans in the car lot? They were not even disposed of; you left them there to rot'. He paused for a breath; I could almost hear the sizzle of his displeasure in me. 'Human's are less gullible than they were a hundred years ago; they know that the universe is not as clear cut. It will not be long before they figure out our existence if our race carries on like this'.

'One mistake, it will all be forgotten in no time. Like you always say ''There's no need to dwell'' '. My voice cracked.

'Although that may be true, I will never forget this betrayal. I taught you better than that. You know what I have to do now'.

The phone went dull, a beep, and it cut off. I dropped it to the floor, letting it slip out of my fingers.

He would never forgive me.

I'd been so stupid!

It may have only been a small offence, a small murder, but because I'd been doing it for years... It would all add up immensely.

Leonardo hated violence, killing. Loathed it. He knew that when my parents died, that my grief would turn into violence. At first he tried desperately to help me, but after many decades he simply gave up, but his love had always been there. He told me that no matter what he would adore me forever, but I were to never involve him, let him witness, or discover any human I had murdered.

I'd ruined it.

My teeth clenched and my eyes stung like acid. Blindly, I stumbled into the bathroom, almost falling over but catching myself on the sink. My despair made everything blur, and my reflection startled me when I looked into the mirror; the makeup I had been forced to wear had run down my cheeks, making my white eyes look eerie like a ghost.

I was crying.

I hadn't even felt the tears fall.

It was as if my nervous system had shut down.

With the back of my hand I tried to wipe away the salty liquid, but the more I did so, the quicker it fell. With shaky hands I turned the taps, letting the water run. I splashed my face, cleaning away the makeup. When my face dried i looked remotely like my usual self, but my eyes were brimmed red.

I fetched a kitchen sink bowl and laid it down on the floor beside Xander, just in case he was sick. Every joint in my body was numb and tingling, pins and needles. Slowly, zombie like, I lowered down onto the opposite couch – falling asleep to the soothing, haunting sound of Xander's heart beating.

...

I woke early, around seven, and limped through my bedroom into my bathroom, where I stripped and jumped into the shower. Endless questions were running through my mind, I couldn't stop the worries.

What am I going to do now?

What is there to live for?

I whimpered a painful, choked sound. Tears wouldn't fall anymore, I wouldn't let them. Everywhere hurt – my bones, my dead heart. Everywhere was numb.

Managing to get out of the shower, I dried and threw on some clothes. My hair was back to it's usual wavy mess, but my eyes were still red and desolate. I put on a baggy blue tee; dark denim shorts and some flip flops, and then went back into the main room – to find Xander slumped over, peering into the fridge.

I was over to him in a second, moving him away and slamming the door shut.

'What the-?' He slurred and wiped his eyes. It was too big of a risk to let him see the blood bags – that I'd completely forgotten about. He might have already discovered them. 'Oh sorry. I mean uh, I should've asked first before looking' He looked embarrassed.

He hasn't seen them, still groggy from sleep it seems.

I sighed and my mouth curled up at the edges. 'You won't find anything in there; I prefer liquids'.

'Do you have coffee?'.

I shook my head and turned to the cupboards. 'There should be something in here' I mumbled and climbed up on the counter. Sure enough, there were a few old energy drinks. I passed one down to him and jumped off, landing with a barely audible thud.

'Sorry about that' I said when his nose turned up because it was warm, he drank it anyway. 'You can use Zac's shower, it's through there'. I pointed out. 'I'll get you some clothes too'.

'Thank you' His deep voice sounded sincere. 'Hey, are you okay?' He frowned, noticing my eyes.

'I should be asking you that, go get in the shower' I smiled, fake but convincing. Not buying it, but deciding not to say anything, he went into the bathroom.

...

'We need to talk; you know what about, you better call me' Maxine's voice betrayed nothing, so I had no idea how things were going to pan out. She'd sent me another six voicemails throughout the night – since I'd lost courage, I replied with a simple text.

Okay, but not now. Got more important things, sorry Max.

I switched it to silent and shoved it in my shorts pocket.

I was screwed.

And I might actually need Zac's help.

First though, I needed to deal with Xander.

A.N – So... Let me know what you thought of it, it's always appreciated.

I'll update again at the weekend, seeing as though I've already got the next few chap's written

Review Responses...

aniw8i: Thanks! I'm glad you like it, I'll try to update more regularly

Laura: I like writing the cliff-hangers, even I feel in suspense! Haha Thank you for being a regular reviewer, I'll update A.S.A.P :D

Until next time...