Green Eyes

It was silent.

A soft ripple of wind swept across my face, although it failed to bring me out of the numb stupor that had settled within my body since the second my green eyes had disappeared. My heart seemed to ache within my chest, my blood pumping with a sense of underlying dread and fear that could never leave me alone. My whole body felt empty; abandoned, as if I’d just lost everything that mattered to me all at once. A part of me knew it was stupid, but that part of me was pushed to the back of my mind, only gently finding its way through. Hell, they could be alright…

Could be. Somehow, it wasn’t and never would be enough.

What scared me the most is that I had no idea when they would return, and even who would return.

I loved every single one of them like they were my family, like they were a deep part of me that could never be taken away. And if a single one of them died, I knew a piece of me would be forever missing, and there would be a hole left in my body that could never be filled. And if it was Zacky… I didn’t know if I could go on.

A few months ago, I would have never guessed I’d be where I was now. I would have never guessed I’d become so dependent on a group of vampires just to live, and just to get through the day. But those vampires were my life, they were what made up every piece of my being and I loved them more than I could ever love any other friends. We were a group, a unit, a family that wasn’t supposed to be broken apart. It just wasn’t right.

I had never loved anyone as much as I loved Zacky. He was my saviour in the darkest times of my life, and I knew when he saved me that he would be there for me forever. When he kissed me I felt like I was flying, like I was on an absolute high that I could never be taken down from. He had taken permanent residence in my heart, and my poor, fragile body would not give him up without a fight. He meant the world to me; he was my green eyes, my vampire yet my guardian angel at the same time.

My body constantly ached for him when we were apart, like an insistent itch that couldn’t be scratched by anyone but him. I knew that if I lost him, that if my green eyes disappeared, I would be nothing. I would be empty. Because now my heart was his, just like I hoped his heart was mine.

I couldn’t do it. I’d never be able to let go, not of him nor any other of the group I had grown to love.

I looked up towards where Kaylee was sitting, a solemn look dawning her usually bright features. I slowly walked over and sat down beside her, my heart beating erratically in my chest, the tears of fear running like a never-ending stream down my pale cheeks. ‘We have to help them,’ I said quietly, looking down at the floor. ‘We can’t just leave them. I can’t do that.’

Kaylee looked up towards me sombrely, her eyes terribly pained. ‘We can’t. They made me promise that I would protect you,’ she murmured, a lone tear falling down her cheek.

‘How can you just let them go like that?’ I asked, my voice becoming louder. ‘How can you just let them walk out, as if it’s all going to be ok? We don’t know that, Kaylee. They could die, and we’re just going to wait here in vain for them to possibly come back?’

Kaylee opened her mouth to speak but I cut her off, shaking my head in saddened frustration. ‘Is there a time limit? I mean, if two weeks pass, are we allowed to assume that they’re dead? Or will we be waiting here forever, just telling ourselves that they’ll return?’

By now the tears were falling faster, painting my cheeks in a wet stain that seemed to taint my features. I stood up, my body beginning to shake as my breaths became escalated. ‘Yesterday I was telling the man of my dreams that I loved him, and now what? I’m preparing to say goodbye? I can’t do that, Kaylee. I can’t let go,’ I said angrily, whispering that last part.

Kaylee sighed, and it was then that I noticed that tears were falling down her face in a similar fashion to mine. ‘What can we do though, Kayla? Tell me, honestly, what you think we’re supposed to do’ she said tiredly, her voice coming out as a strain as she struggled to fight back the sadness threatening to conquer her tone.

‘Help them,’ I said simply, looking at her in desperation.

Kaylee raised her eyebrows, before shaking her head at me sadly. ‘You think we could help them? If anything, we’d distract them. And how are we supposed to know where they are?’ she said softly, standing up and placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. ‘I know what you’re thinking; but they’ll come back. They promised they would, and all that we can do is hold them to that and pray they’ll be okay.’

‘Aren’t you scared?’ I whispered quietly, glancing pointedly out of the window.

Kaylee sighed, and I watched as a tear fell down her face. ‘Terrified.’

We stayed like that for a moment, just basking in the silence that surrounded us. I think more than anything we both needed to know that there was someone there, and we both had that need to make sure that they’d all be okay. I could see it in her eyes; she was in pain, just like I was.

Suddenly, a knock on the door sounded. Kaylee and I glanced at each other, silently wondering who it could be. ‘Do you think-‘

‘It’s not them’ she said plainly, shaking her head. ‘You need to stay here, while I go check it out. It could be dangero-‘

‘It’s not. Whoever it is, they’re safe’ I amended, looking down through the door.

Kaylee looked at me in confusion before realisation dawned on her face, and she nodded. I let out a short sigh, wiping the tears from my face before taking in a deep breath and looking at her.

The knock sounded again, more ferociously now. ‘Should we get that?’ I asked softly, and she nodded.

Running my fingers through my hair, I walked out of the bedroom and down the stairs, before stopping carefully beside the door. I reached my hand up to grasp the door handle but I faltered, sending an uncertain glance towards Kaylee.

She nodded at me, signalling for me to go ahead with it. However, as ready as she seemed for me to open the door she still crouched down into an attacking position, ready to fight whoever threatened us, just like she had promised them she would.

Biting my lip, I pulled the door open, allowing the cool air to sweep across my face. A confused look appeared on my features as Kaylee dropped out of her fighting position, shock evident on her face.

‘Kaylee?’