Before the chaos,
Before the madness,
Before the heartache,
and attempted destruction....

There was the 14th of April in London.

He began his day shortly after 6am when babbling could be heard from the monitor in his room. Simon had offered to get his baby cousin up - changed, clothed, and fed, allowing his aunt and his uncle some much needed sleep and allowing him some much needed time with Maeve. They had four months of being apart and yesterday only showed him that Maeve seemed to adore him as much as he adored her.

She was all smiles the moment she saw him and Simon couldn't help but smile back. He dressed her in a cream colored outfit with a pink bow and was sure to put a bib on her so that no milk spilled on the adorable outfit. He held close and her bottle for her as she finished off her breakfast and she stared up at him, those bright blue eyes of hers not leaving his the entire time.

He let his free hand come to hers, and she wrapped her entire hand around his index finger, holding onto it as if to say 'stay here with me, Simon,' and he just smiled to her, silently telling her that he'd always be there for her.

They took in some tummy time. Simon came down onto the carpet as well and every time Maeve tried to rock up onto her hands and knees in a push-up like fashion, Simon would do one. This would cause Maeve to giggle and she'd fall back down to the blanket.

It was when baby Maeve's first nap time was approaching that Aunt Maggie would find them in the living room.

"She loves you yeah, yeah, yeah. She loves you yeah, yeah, yeah. She loves you yeah, yeah, yeah, yeahhhhhhh....." and he sang along to The Beatles that rang from the speaker on the table near the sofa and slowly spun her around, careful not to make her dizzy or sick.

"You think you've lost your love. Well I saw her yester-day-ee-ay. It's you she's thinkin' of, and she told me what to say-ee-ay. She says she loves you.....and you know that can't be baaadd. Yes, she loves you and you know you should be glaaaadddd....." And he dipped her down with each change of pitch causing her to giggle away.

"I think you were her favorite from the very first day.... Remember how she couldn't take her eyes off you at the hospital?" Simon heard Aunt Maggie say when the song ended and he looked over his shoulder with that bright smile that hadn't left once since Maeve woke up that morning. "Still her favorite," she continued.

Simon watched as Maeve yawned a big adorable baby yawn. "Well, the feeling is mutual. She's one of my favorite people as well. I think she's due for a nap though. Next feeding's when she wakes, right? I studied the schedule. I want to do everything and you rest."

"You spoil me my Sweet Simon," she said and came over and kissed the top of his head before engulfing him in a hug, holding on tightly to her two children - even if one was a gift from her sister.

15 April 2025
London

Various colors of lemonade were distributed around the table, each indicating a unique and delicious flavor. Aunt Maggie's bookstore/bakery wasn't just known for its charm, its friendly owner, it's good book selection, or its delectable baked goods - but also was known for its wonderful selection of this particular drink.

It also had historically been the hang out spot of Simon Kincaid and his muggle friends and this day was no exception.

"Thank you, kindly," Mia said with a smile and took a seat at the booth beside him after he sat. Lily Halifax and Oliver Harris followed across from them, leaving lots of remaining space open for the friends who would be joining them soon.

Simon sipped his lemonade made without much sweetener (just the way he liked it). "How is it you look sexier every time I see you?" Taken aback by such comment, Simon smiled widely but glanced up, a little confused. "Even with that face, right there. Even with that confused face, how is he as sexy as hell" and Simon's best friend Gabe Evans stated, motioning over to Mia for an explanation. She merely shrugged her shoulders, not confirming nor denying if she thought the same.

Gabe slid into the booth across from them and reached out for Simon's hands which he took and squeezed them once as a sort of welcome and looked down to the claddagh ring that always occupied Simon's right hand, the tip of the heart pointing toward his own. "That's why you're with someone like AngelFyre. And I'm here.... all alone." Simon's friend released his hand and sat up against the back of the booth.

Gabe's eyes moved from him over to Mia. "This one wouldn't give you a chance because you were a player and she wouldn't date me because I'm your best friend and by default thinks I'm the same." Mia sipped on her lemonade - also regular in flavor like Simon's but with lots of sweetener. "No one has ever thought you were a player. That's not it, that's not it at all" she shook her head. “It's because you're Gabe."

"Okay then, but you never gave Simon a chance because he was a player. I'm right about that one and we all know it."

"Was," Simon jumped in to clarify, wanting to make sure his friends realized that persona - while never having been his intention - was long put to rest. He was in a secure, happy, and loving relationship that he hoped and prayed would last always and forever.

And as more friends joined them, they started talking about everything and anything - catching up all while feeling as if no time had passed since they last saw one another. Simon was grateful that he never seemed to lose closeness with his muggle friends back in London through the years and he hoped that closeness would remain into the future. He wasn't a seer, but the way they could always quickly reconnect made him think that he needn't worry about such things.


No, there were far, far more critical things to worry about and soon this peaceful Spring Break would bring worries of utmost importance.

16 April 2025
Babilstow, England (near Cornwall)

trust
/ trʌst / verb
__________________
firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something.

"relations have to be built on trust."

A friend was in trouble.

A friend was in trouble and it wasn't the sort of trouble he could initially go to his guardians with, to the local authorities with, or to the Ministry with. It was a complex situation and Simon Kincaid came up with a monumental plan that was as outlandish and intricate as it was necessary. It required a high level of trust on so many individuals that someone might deem it sure to fail but it could not fail; not this - this was too important.

To achieve his end goal, Simon Kincaid would go through several components of truth.

put trust in yourself

The first was a trust in himself - knowing that his loyalty to his friend who was in danger meant he needed to find a solution to get her to safety. Such a solution wouldn't come easily, nor quickly, and he spent many nights deliberating over any and every option he might have but placed trust in himself that a solution would be found so long as he didn't give up. He dedicated an entire notebook to plans and suggestions. It was determination and persistence at their finest - what badgers did best.

This horror would only be prevented if he took action.

put trust in God

In those first nights of piecing everything together, and all the nights since, Simon would pray for answers or guidance. If he was the one to set things into motion with the willpower to help then it was God that he trusted to be by his side to guide him with the plan. It is said that with God, all things are possible.

He prayed from the start for peace in this turmoil. "Heavenly Father, my heart is troubled and I seek Your peace. Calm my spirit and grant me the serenity to face my challenges with confidence. Amen."

He prayed for guidance in confusion. "God, I am lost and confused. Please guide me with Your wisdom and lead me to the right path. Help me to trust in Your plan for my life. Amen."

He prayed for strength in weakness. "Lord, I feel weak and overwhelmed. Please fill me with Your strength and courage to overcome my difficulties. Let Your power be made perfect in my weakness. Amen."

He prayed to seek direction. "Lord, I am at a loss and need Your divine guidance. Show me the way and help me to follow Your path with faith and trust. Amen."

And as the plan began to fall into place, he prayed for wisdom in his choices. "Lord, I face many choices and need Your wisdom. Help me make decisions that align with Your will and bring glory to Your name and that I may have the bravery to conduct what needs to be done. Amen."

put trust in loved ones

The night before Simon was to venture to his father's, he approached his Aunt Maggie and Uncle Mark as they relaxed in the living room after baby Maeve's nighttime routine. "Do you have a moment?" he asked, feeling his heart racing.

Aunt Maggie lowered her book and scooched over to make an open spot on the sofa. "For you, I've any moment," she replied and patted that space.

Where did he begin?

He sat down and drew in a slow breath to steady himself. "I've a big favor to ask. Like - really REALLY big. Too big, if I'm being honest," and he exhaled that breath as his hand moved through his hair the way he sometimes did when nervous. "But it's to help a friend who needs help."

When his hand came back down to rest on his knee, his aunt's hand moved over his. "You know that we'll always help when we can," she encouraged him to go on. She didn't seem worried or upset and it calmed Simon the way she was so easy to talk to. He glanced over to Mark who seemed also calm, collected, but curious.

"There's a girl, around my age, that lives in a community near where my father lives. She's in a tough situation right now and could really use a family. Her sister, her mother, her father - they're all now departed and she's on her own. I know it's a really big thing to ask but I was hoping maybe she could come live here. She's kind and she's sweet and she's unconventional. Aunt Maggie - she's the one who saved me two Christmases ago when I got hurt. I know that I'm asking a lot by asking you to take in a stranger but I know this will be as wonderful for our family all as it will be for her. I can speak for her character and assure you can trust her. She really needs this. She really, REALLY needs this."

Simon watched as Aunt Maggie glanced behind him to Mark, as if silently asking what he thought. "We'll always help when we can," he repeated his wife's previous words and placed his hand on Simon's shoulder, reassuring they were there for him.

Questions would follow and the three worked on how the logistics would work but never, not once, was a whether of if they would or could make this work but instead how.

put trust in strangers

It was early in the afternoon on the 16th of April and his father's driver, Anders, held the back door for him. Simon glanced to the front of the vehicle, it was empty and immaculately clean as always as if it had just been freshly detailed. "...Can I sit up front with you?" he asked, his gaze coming back to the man and he smiled. Sometimes that million-dollar-smile could get him things and maybe, just maybe, it would work in this situation. He had important matters to discuss and it would be easier if they were closer to one another.

"Next you'll be asking to drive!" the man said as he shut the car door.

"Can I....."

"No."

Anders did walk around the car and opened the front passenger door and waited for him.

Well, at least his smile got him in the front....and besides, he really didn't want to to attempt to drive. No, he wanted there to be easy conversation as they made their way out to the remote location of his father's home. There were important matters to discuss.

But first, Simon hoped to gain some details. If he was to place trust in this almost stranger, he wanted to know a little bit more about who Anders was exactly and just what did he know.

"Anders...." Simon began once the man was in the car, not even waiting for him to fasten his safetybelt first to begin both collecting his thoughts and starting the conversation. "Anders, I need help with something important but I'm not sure if you are someone who can help in this particular situation."

"I'll always try to help someone like you, Simon. Ask away. What is it?"

But he couldn't just jump right into it. Simon knew that. "...You'll always try to help someone like me. You know little about me."

"I know enough. You're of good character."

That didn't tell him enough. It didn't tell him anything, really. "Tell me what you do know of me, Anders. Please. Anything and everything."

"Anything and everything," Anders repeated and continued to keep the car in park as he seemed to take a moment of thought before beginning. "Okay, well, you're the son of Adrian Hawthorne. Your mother was Arabella Kincaid. You are from London." He was quiet after that and Simon wondered if that was all he knew or perhaps all that he would say if he knew otherwise.

To help him along and encourage him to add more, Simon continued. "You said on my previous visit that you knew what my father was - what the others were. Please, tell me more about that. You said I'm of good character. How would you know? I need details. I'm sorry to pry, forgive me, but my something is important and I need to know if I can trust you."

Anders didn't seem to understand and looked to Simon with confusion on his face but he did continue the conversation. "You know what your father is, ....yes?" Simon nodded and Anders seemed to study his face. "A vampire."

Moments passed.

"Okay, now that you're not disputing that nor calling me crazy, I think we can continue on an even ground." Simon nodded. "My family is full of wizards. Not all pureblood but we can trace it back to so many generations. I've got a brother who is an Herbologist and he ordered the very same book you had with you this past Christmas when I was with him. It was how I recognized it and knew it to be a book only a wizard would have. Thus, you being from London - you'd be a student at Hogwarts. My brother has children and they go to Hogwarts. They're Ravenclaws but knew your name - said you had been prefect for Hufflepuff. If you're a Hufflepuff, you must be of good character. My brother was in Hufflepuff. I, myself, did not inherit any magical abilities. It is difficult for a squib to find a well paying job, you see. But this - working for your father - has paid well and I believe he takes comfort in knowing I know what he is without being afraid."

Simon tried to absorb all that had just been said to him. "My father didn't know my mother was of magic. Does he now know? Does he know I am?" Simon asked. Already he was placing a lot of trust into this man. "He couldn't. He has mentioned before making a visit to you in London to see your daily life there, see your school and such. If he were to know then he would know that a magical education is required for all wizards and witches and you being from England would place you as a student at Hogwarts."

"And you didn't tell him?"

"You didn't seem to want him to know or he would know. It isn't my information to give."

Hoping that all of what was said was truth, Simon decided to place trust in Anders.

"I have a friend that is coming back to London with me, but my father cannot know. I'd like your help to gather her things and keep safe and unseen and when this trip is finished, we make a stop to get her and you take us both to the train station. I'll deliver all the thanks in the world and can pay."

"I need no payment for helping you, Simon and you can count on me."

"Thank you, Anders my good man," Simon said with a smile. Anders smiled back and gave him a head nod before backing the car out of the parking space so they could head toward their destination.

put trust in a friend

Simon had Anders drop off him off at a clearing that led into the forest, a ways before where his father lived. He needed to find Clara before he stepped foot in that castle. Hopefully, with her help, the first step of the plan would be put into action.

Whenever he went looking for Clara, his first place to check was outside of the village. Not only did this keep him secluded from the other villagers, but it was often where he could find her - she was a wanderer, a girl with a curious soul. Often she could be found where the flowers grew or perhaps by the river's edge. She was a girl who would sit on the hillside to watch the sun bloom on the horizon at sunrise or set the sky ablaze as it set. She could be found in the meadows, staring upward at the clouds rolling by. This spirit of hers could be anywhere but Simon Kincaid had one benefit and that was that the villagers, Clara included, thought that the village was all there was - that there was no where else to go and if one stepped beyond the boundaries of the village, they would drop from the Earth and enter Hell itself.

It was in the meadow that he found her. The round puffy masses of Cumulus clouds were similar to one day they laid on the grass for over an hour. Clara had described to him the art of cloud watching, how it always held a certain charm with a simple pleasure that required nothing more than a bit of time, a patch of open sky, and - if you were lucky - perfect clouds such as these.

He approached slowly, so not to startle her, but what he did do was stir the grass enough that a nearby bunny darted quickly to the left and that sound did cause Clara to sit up. "Mans eņģelis![*My angel!] Hello! I have much miss for you!" She stood up and ran over to him, engulfing him into a warm embrace. Simon held her close and knew he was about to bring any normalcy she had in her world to come crashing down in the next moments they were together - but it was necessary.

"Clara, I have something important I want to talk to you about," he said and pulled back. He sat down, out there in the middle of what seemed like no where, just a secluded meadow in England without anyone around. Silence fell over them and all he could hear was the slight breeze through the trees in the distance. She came and sat down next to him.

"I want you to come home with me to London," he told her.

"Lunn-in?" she asked, not meaning to but imitating his Cockney accent. It wouldn't really matter though because she didn't even know of the big city, even if it was one of the most famous cities in the world; all she knew was the village.

"Lon-don," he emphasized but as he figured, it didn't seem to clarify anything. "Yes. Do you, do you remember what you told me about your sister and about your friend Rosceline?" he asked, knowing it might hit hard especially since he didn't ease into the topic. He watched as she looked at him, remaining quiet. "You're to be the next."

She continued to remain silent and looked down before softly whispering, "Oh."

"London is much different from here but I want to keep you safe." Simon knew that she missed her sister and he knew that he missed her best friend. He also knew, from the pain he could see in her eyes right now, that she didn't want to meet the same fate. He didn't want that for her either.

"I go, I not return," she said to him. It was a statement but she really was asking for clarification that if she went, she wouldn't be able to return. Simon nodded slowly. She had no family there amongst the village but she had spent her entire life there amongst the others and it was all she ever knew - truly all she ever knew. "You will not return. But you'll have me and be a part of my family. My Aunt Maggie, my Uncle Mark, my baby cousin Maeve, and me. You won't be alone. You'll be safe."

"I have not felt safe for long time," she whispered, her hand playing with some of the blades of grass beneath them. Simon reached out, taking hold of her hand and squeezing it gently. "You'll be safe."

She nodded and slowly looked up to him. "I will go with you."

She trusted him.

So Simon told her the plan - anything she wanted to take with her that would be packed in the trunk that he gave her for Christmas and she would leave it right within the clearing to the forest so Anders could retrieve it later that day. Then, she would go to the small barn-like building where she took him when she found him injured back in December of 2023. She would stay there and if anyone should come, she would cover herself with his invisibility cloak and be still and silent. Once three nights passed, she would meet him at that clearing just after sunrise.

put trust in the unknown

Simon could only hope that she followed the directions exactly as they had gone over them - what to take, what to leave, where to take her belongings, where to put herself, and the safety precautions. He wasn't certain when the other villagers would notice she was missing and he wasn't sure if his father would be alerted to such matters.

It was mid-morning on the second day when Gideon came into where everyone was gathered to have 'tea' (which was never tea when it came to vampires) and Simon would get his answer. Adrian was pouring when Gideon entered swiftly, faster than his normal speed which seemed to perk everyone's attention. Gideon was about to speak but then his eyes diverted over to Simon and he paused, almost as if it would have been okay to state what he needed to say in the presence of the coven but thought otherwise when it came to him. "Adrian.... One of our......" there was another pause, ".....little lambs went astray."

Adrian lifted his teacup to his lips and paused, as if processing his words but he then shrugged it off as if it wasn't that big of a deal.

"Our special little lamb," Gideon added. "The poor thing is thought to have drowned."

Simon watched as his father took a sip from his cup. "Ah, no matter. We have time to replace it," Adrian replied nonchalantly.

This had to be about Clara, Simon knew it. Was his father really not bothered by her disappearance at all? That would be..... a relief. He sat back in his chair and slid his cup closer to him and glanced up from it to see Vanessa looking at him.

...Did she know? Did she know he had some connection with Clara in general? Did she know more and somehow knew he had something to do with this? Most importantly, could he trust her with such information if she did know?

put trust in all of the above...and take a leap of faith.

18 April 2025

Laying low - but not avoidance - was Simon's plan for the days that followed. He'd be around enough that his presence was detected but not any more than it needed to be. It either was working magically or the vampires all seemed rather distracted; even Vanessa was distant with him or preoccupied with something herself because she kept herself scare so far.

In a castle with no electricity and no cell service, Simon found himself spending most of this time indoors and reading but also took in a walk. If on previous trips he would spend some of his time during the daylight hours outside of this castle then he wanted this trip to seem no exception; as if it wasn't anything special - as if it wasn't sabotage.

Only, this time when he walked he stayed close to the Grounds just in case somehow his movements could be tracked. He knew that was quite unlikely as everyone that inhabited the castle with his father could not venture out into the sunlight but it was still better to be safe than sorry.

It was dusk when he returned back inside and he headed through the empty corridor halls towards Vanessa's room. Her door was shut like usual but when he knocked she didn't answer. Perhaps she was elsewhere within the castle. Having such a large place for only five official inhabitants and his sometimes self made it difficult at times to locate one another.

Just before 10PM he closed the book he was reading and decided to utilize perhaps the only perk of staying with a group of vampires and that was the plentiful supply of nourishment that such creatures would need. Simon was making his way toward the cellar when overheard his father being approached by Gideon and Samael.

Curious, he moved into the shadows of the dimly lit corridor and listened.

"My hunting instincts are keen, Adrian. We go to her dwelling, we find an item that belongs to her, and I will pick up her scent and track her," Samael could be heard saying and that kept Simon's curiosity and rose his fear. There was nothing more that Samael liked than a good hunt and one of the last things he wanted him to be hunting was Clara.

"I do not think it necessary," Simon could hear his father respond and he shifted just ever so slightly in the darkness to be able to get the three vampires into view but still allow himself to remain unseen.

"You are far too nonchalant over this, Adrian. Do you not wish to know what happened to the girl? What if she wandered? What if she's hurt? Do we have alternatives? The annual ball is approaching sooner than you possibly realize."

Only Gideon would be able to talk to his father in such a way.

"I have a diversion, another plan for the big event; if needed. It would benefit us all."

"What if she wandered willingly. On her own. They say she is odd. They claim she is a free spirit."

It was planned that they go that evening to seek the girl and Simon hurried away from the room and toward his own. He passed Lilith's room where violin playing could be heard from within before snatching his enchanted satchel from his bed and headed downstairs, ready to follow - but a safe distance behind.

Simon could feel his heart beat quicken as they got closer to the village in the cold misty rain and took even more care once inside to be unseen. Now he wasn't only hiding from the view of the three vampires on pursuit but he was hiding from each and every villager - careful not to draw any attention at all on himself. Perhaps one of the vampires would talk themselves out of this search and deem their night too precious to waste on such endeavors and they all could just go back to the castle, calling the search off. When that didn't happen, Simon's mind moved to wonder about other things - how long would they search? Just how good was Samael's tracking skills? Would they find her and what would happen if so?

Once at her home, Adrian lit a lantern and Simon moved from trying to peer in through the doorway to a window instead, grateful for the light. The brightness inside contrasted with the darkness of night and illuminated nearly all from within and he could pull back and give a bit more distance between them. From where he stood, he noticed that the trunk he had given her over Christmas was gone. That was good. She must have packed up like asked of her.

"Clara? Sveiks?" [*Hello?] a voice could be heard over the murmurs from within and Simon watched as the three figures stopped and approached the doorway where a woman stood. He knew from Clara for that to be a greeting in their language. The village woman seemed both disappointed that inside was not Clara but also surprised to find the three.

"Divine Lord Hawthorne! Lord Atwell! Lord Dempsey, atvainojos [*my apologies]." Simon watched as the woman dropped to her knees, not seeming to give second thought to her dress getting dusted with dirt as she did so. Her head bowed down as well and it did not lift until his father reached out and touched her forehead. It was then that she stood once more.

Simon listed as his father spun a story about having been looking for the girl and that sent Orella, the villager woman, into an emotional state - as she then told her leaders that the villagers had searched for Clara but to no avail. They all thought her unfortunately dead and she thanked the three before her for being such thoughtful and caring of leaders to try and assist.

Yes, so benevolent they were....... searching for their lost sacrificial little lamb, Simon thought sarcastically.

Adrian told her to find sleep and they they would attempt to locate the girl. She thanked them profusely before leaving, bowing before descending out of the home and leaving to her own nearby.

Simon could hear his father mutter something about how that intrusion took away precious time from their search. It was limited, as vampires were always on a countdown before their precious night ended. "Here. We will use this," Gideon said as he grabbed a doll from the bed. "Get her scent. Lead us to her. Hurry now," Adrian said, taking the doll from Gideon and holding it up to Samael.

"It does not happen instantaneously," Samael said as he now snatched up the ragged doll and held it closer to his face. He stepped outside of the home now and drew in a deep breath, holding the item close to his face. Simon felt the wind around him and hoped that it would impede, not aid in their search. The rain was a blessing. .....But could they find Clara using this method?

"Well?" Gideon asked as he joined him, followed by Adrian. "It is strongest from over there," Samael said as he pointed downward where other similar and almost identical homes were slated along the alleyway. The three began to walk. Simon waited, knowing he had to remain a ways beyond so that any slip, any broken twig underfoot, any mishap - could hopefully be unnoticed.

They stopped at one home in particular, which Samael persisted that the scent was strong, but upon searching it - and waking up the family that lived there - they only found a mother, a father, a grandfather, one infant son, and two young daughters that lived there. The inhabitants were just as surprised and honored to see their 'great leaders' looking for the lost girl as the other woman had and didn't seem the bit bothered by the intrusion in the middle of the night.

No Clara. Simon knew they wouldn't find her in that home, nor any other here in the village.

The search continued on from there. They headed to the main square of the village, focusing much attention on the shoemaker's shop - perhaps she had made a purchase recently. From there, there were clearings in the forest, along the coastline of the river, across a bridge. At times, Samael would begin muttering to himself words that were either incomprehensible or too low for Simon to catch as his frustration grew - either by the wind or the rain or other elements that disrupted his tracking of the scent.

They headed halfway up pathways only to come right back down, and repeated their search more than once, doubling back - always staying rather close to the village and never once reaching anywhere beyond the outskirts. That seemed rather peculiar to Simon as he knew Clara was a wanderer, but he was fortunate that it was playing out as such.

"We are going in circles," Gideon told Samael, to which he only got a glare in response from the older vampire. "Which is most recent?" Gideon wanted details. This was the sort of thing that Simon thought probably made him a good writer. "I do not know which is most recent, Gideon. It does not work that way. It comes and it goes. This wind - this bloody wind does not help. This blasted rain does not help. It has been raining for days!" and his voice began to get louder as he became more agitated.

From the west, a rather gusty wind blew and Samael silenced himself at once. "This way," he said, seeming certain, his words not grumbled or mumbled - as if he was of clearer mind than he had been the entire search.

Gideon led the two others, and the unknowingly third, up a path - a very long, long upward path that took hours to climb. It was dark and it was wet, making the terrain slippery and Simon did his best not only to keep up but to remain silent and unnoticed. He was quite grateful for some of the scout skills he had acquired in years prior that aided him in this endeavor.

They were now up atop the cliff falls that spread across the Cornwall area and were close to the cliff's edge. Down below, the roar of the ocean and the violent crashing of the waves could be heard. "It has been raining for days," Adrian repeated Gideon's earlier words as he looked downward over the cliff and knelt down. "This rock is jagged, fresh, not worn down by the elements. I suspect a recent cliff fall. The waters are rugged below. The foolish girl did drown."

Simon's father and the two other searchers seemed unbothered by this and took such words as fact, Samael even nodding as if to confirm the validity of the statement.

"I will give word to the villagers tomorrow. Let us head back tonight. I have a great announcement to share with you all tomorrow. Let us get out of this dreadful rain."

And Simon now finally felt as though he could breathe easily. They had not found Clara's barn-like dwelling along the top of the cliffs like he dreaded they would and they had called off the search. He could rest easy that night. Clara was safe.

19 April 2025.

There was a soft knock on his bedroom door. If it was his father, there would have a demand. If it was Samael, it wouldn't have been so rhythmic, and if it was Lilith it would have been a pounding. Simon closed his book and opened it, expecting either Gideon or Vanessa at the door.

"Hi," she spoke softly. "Long time no see," Simon replied. A moment followed where nothing was said and Simon leaned against the door frame, silently asking why she was there. She looked up to him, her eyes searching his face a moment before drawing a step back. "Yea. Sorry...." she seemed she was going to leave it at that but as he straightened she added, "...Your father all wanted us to lay low this trip. He said it would be to allow you to adjust to the castle and have it feel more like home. He hopes that in the future you'll want to spend more of your time here than in London."

Simon thought about that a moment. Even Lilith had granted him peace, more or less, and that was saying something.

"It wasn't my idea to avoid you," she whispered. "I didn't want to."

Her dark eyes rose to his before she tilted her head downward and looked now to the stone floor of the corridor.

But she was here now. Was she defying his father? She had told him once before that defying Adrian Hawthorne was never a good idea. Perhaps she wanted to explain herself, explain the distance. It seemed to bother her.

"Your father wants us all gathered in the dining hall. I was to bring word." She spoke as if that was the reasoning for her being there and perhaps only that reason, but Simon could tell there was a silent apology for the avoidance as well. Simon nodded. This wasn't unusual. His father gathered them up regularly - for the game night, for formal announcements big and small, for what seemed to be Adrian's own amusement for no reason at all except for the mere fact that he could.

"Thanks, Ness," he said to her and gave a smile, showing there were no hard feelings between them. Her eyes seemed to brighten a little at the smile and she smiled back.


By the time Simon made his way downstairs, Adrian and Gideon were already at the table. His father was seated at the head and Gideon just to his right and they talked in low murmurs, stopping when he entered. His father watched him, zeroing in on him with an intense look, as if trying to compel him somehow; demand that he stay in tow, that he keep in check. Gideon watched him curiously as well.

"Good evening," Simon said to them both, taking the seat to his father's left where Lilith once sat. She had been relocated to another chair since Simon's arrival at the castle. "Splendid evening," Adrian said as he smiled to Simon. It wasn't a carefree sort of smile but a forced one, almost a grimace. It was crazy to think that someone that smiled so tightly, so rigid, so tense could produce a son that could smile so easily and effortlessly and often.

"What makes it so splendid?" Simon asked curiously, "glad to be getting rid of me?" and he smiled softly at the jest. His father still studied him closely and tilted his head ever so slightly to the side. "Rid of you? You are my glory, Simon." But Simon was pretty sure he meant endowment.

"FALL SILENT, OLD MAN!" Lilith shouted in the doorway, snapping at Samael who was at her side. She shoved her hands over in his direction as if saying to also get away from her, that she needed some distance, and she looked to Adrian, slightly apologetically for the outburst. Her gaze then fell to Simon, and she looked him up and down, perhaps angered that she was not seated where he was seated, and then took a seat over across from him and next to Gideon.

"How lovely for us all to get together this evening to send Simon off, finally. Shame you've such a busy, busy life, little one and you cannot stay longer," her voice was laden with sarcasm but still said in her normal tone. Still, Simon was pretty sure those that were listening could tell, but his father looked to the doorway and seemed too distracted to notice.

"Will you miss me, Lily?" Simon asked. "You can think of me and compose a violin concerto with me as your muse." Gideon smiled at this and Simon was pretty sure that his father's 'right-hand-man' so to speak had caught on to their feud.

Lilith leaned forward, across the table, closing the gap between them considerably. "Perhaps I'd rather do something else with my violin when it concerns you," she hissed in a low voice. Simon's attention was more on how Samael was attempting to get a view from this particular angle at what he could of her chest than he was on the threat that the redhead gave.

Such an odd group; even for vampires.

He had gathered that his father was someone with a need for control. Adrian Hawthorne was not only good at manipulation but he also made use of the loyalty that both Gideon and Lilith seemed to give him immensely to his advantage. Even Samael obeyed him, perhaps thankful for this 'life' (if one could call it such for a vampire) that Adrian had provided.

His father had built himself a sort of empire - both within the hierarchy of the vampire community but also within the village that he occupied himself as a sort of god. He was a god amongst men, claiming to have some sort of higher stake than the average individual with the God and the villagers seemed not to question.

He had the love, it seemed, of both Lilith and Gideon - neither of whom ever wanted to let him down and would rise to any challenge he would give.

But it was a wayward sort of pack at the same time. There was the leader and those that served the leader who would do anything for the leader - but it was almost as if they were all engaged in a conflict amongst themselves. Gideon didn't get along with Lilith or the other way around due to each's wanting to please Adrian and be in that second-in-command position. Both were hesitant or hostile with Simon because that second-in-command position seemed to be slipping away and vanishing - only for some of Adrian's attention to be rested within him to fill the role.

Lilith hated Samael, rightfully so as she would not have been a vampire if not for his attack, and Samael thought little of Lilith and her character but only did not mix it up often because hew as afraid of her. It was only in times that his sanity wavered, as it often did, in the direction that provided him a high amount of bravery that he attempted to make her miserable. In those times though it was a game for him, one that he had probably been playing in the corridor just before they came into the room.

"My apologies," Vanessa spoke, most likely pertaining to her lateness and she came and sat down next to Lilith.

"No matter; you are here," Adrian said, placing his hand on the cup before him that contained his drink. It was the mug that Simon had given him at Christmas and Simon was surprised to see it at the table with the fancy glass goblets containing dark thick liquid. "I have an important announcement to make."

Adrian slid his cup closer and took it into his hands, turning his gaze back to Simon. "My son unfortunately leaves us tomorrow but soon he will spend more of his days with us. There is much planning to do as we prepare for this Summer's prominent event. Do, raise your glass, and let us toast this declaration......"

His father had yet to ask him to spend more time there and frankly, he didn't plan to spend any more time with them than he did so. He was getting Clara to safety and if anything that meant he could step back some from all this insanity. He had a girlfriend that he wanted to spend his time with, friends, family.

Still, as Vanessa said, you didn't deny his father a request, so to keep momentary peace he raised up his glass goblet, as did the other vampires within the small coven.

When five goblets gleamed from the candles in the chandeliers above, Adrian Hawthorne stood. It seemed he was taking a great effort to make this seem like some momentous proclamation. What exactly was going on?

"Gentlemen, ladies, ....distinguished members of the Chosen Ones of the One God...."

His voice was calm but commanding.

"Tonight, under His blessing and in the company of one another, I bring form news of great joy and significance to our esteemed coven. It is with pride and purpose that I announce the union of coven member to coven member, half-vampire to vampire. By my decree and His will, a marriage is to be arranged between my son, Simon Kincaid, and Vanessa Varon. This alliance shall not only bind together but strengthen the coven with prosperity. Let all who are present bear witness to this accord and may their union be blessed by Him and by history."

"To the future of the Chosen Ones of the One God," he lifted his glass.

....What was that again?

"To the future of the Chosen Ones of the One God," the others murmured in unison and took in a small amount of their drink. Simon watched as his father's gaze bore into his own, looking directly into him - as if trying to read his thoughts. Simon remained silent as he brought the glass to his lips and drank.

"You are all dismissed. I would like to speak with my son." With his father's eyes still straight on him, Simon looked over to Vanessa who seemed as confused as he was but she stood with the others and exited.

"Marriage?" Simon spat out quickly once the others left, surprised he was able to hold in as long as he had been.

"Yes. Is it not a remarkable idea? At this Summer's end. That will give us time to plan and prepare and for you to end things with that Anglemire girl."

"AngelFyre."

He knew that. His father knew her name and he knew exactly how much AngelFyre McCubbin meant to him. He knew what he was doing here and knew that Simon thought it anything but remarkable.

"What do you think of this, Simon?" Adrian asked, as if testing him though.

"Your proclamation?" Simon asked. Adrian considered his words and tilted his head some, as if that wasn't exactly what he was going for. "What do you think of the plans for your future?" Adrian corrected.

"Oh, such plans for my future fascinate me. If you'll excuse me, I need to pack for my trip home tomorrow."

"I'll see you next in early July. We will conduct a fitting for your wedding attire and finalize plans. I am your father, Simon. Do as I say with all facets of these plans, including those with AngelFyre. Consequences could be....dire"

20 April 2025.

"Would you like any assistance?" Simon's father's driver asked as Simon came out to the carriage that awaited him. Simon shook his head. "Only to get the hell out of here as quickly as possible, Anders," he replied. He had been ready to leave as soon as his father made his 'great proclamation' the night before - the absolute absurdity of it all!

How dare he? How dare his father think that he could control something like this? ....But how did he not think he could? Adrian Hawthorne was used to controlling situations and getting his way. It made Simon so infuriated.

Simon got up into the carriage and leaned against the back of the cabin's seat, feeling utterly agitated and exhausted from it all. He had spent the last hours lamenting over his father's statement of planning to marry him off. That is all it would be though - a statement, a wish, a plan. It would be plans that would be never set forth into action. His father didn't have that sort of jurisdiction over his life.

He felt the carriage begin to distance himself from the insanity of his father's castle and all that rested inside and drew in some slow, steadying breaths. There wasn't a current need to brood over such a nonsensical and outlandish idea that would never come to pass when he had a more important matter to focus on.

Soon the carriage would be stopping at a clearing in the forest where he would reconnect with Clara and begin her first ever journey to London - to a life that she couldn't begin to imagine. He would be showing her an entire new world and knew that would be as equally overwhelming as it would be outstanding.

When he felt the pace of the carriage begin to slow, Simon moved the dark curtain aside to look out, enthusiastic now. He had breathed out all the negativity and was ready for this enormous task ahead of him. He could see tree trunk after tree trunk pass, first a blur from the speed but each vertical column came into clear view as the horses ahead were brought to a stop.

Simon threw open the door and hopped out of the carriage quickly, feeling both excited and anxious to see his friend. Had she done all that was asked of her and able to succeed?

"Clara?" Simon whispered loudly, glancing back at Anders to make sure all was well on his front. His father's attendant, and someone Simon would declare a friend, gave a small wave as he now stood, off of the driver's seat and up tended to the horses. Simon walked further into forest. She had never met Anders yet, only had been told to leave her belongings at this very place so that he could collect them, so perhaps she was being shy. Perhaps she needed some a slow start into this and a helpful hand from a trusted friend. Simon moved aside some of the branches to allow himself room to pass. "Clara?" he called out again, this time a more hushed whisper but a calm one.

"Mans eņģelis![*My angel!] "Simon, I am here." She was a slight distance from him and moved from behind a large tree trunk to reveal herself and Simon felt a wash of relief hit him as she approached. He engulfed her up into a warm embrace. "This is all going to be so new to you. Everything you're about to see and experience on this journey is going to vastly contrast the life you knew. But I'll be there to help you. Our driver, my friend - Anders, he'll be there to help you. My Aunt Maggie and my Uncle Mark will be there to help you. You're not alone."

It was going to be such an amazing journey to go from her small remote primitive village and venture to London; the 38th largest city in the world - certain to be overwhelming at times. Simon outstretched his hand to her. "You ready?" She placed her hand into his own and took hold of it; literally putting her trust in his hand. He smiled, knowing he would keep her safe.

They walked out of the thicket of trees. "Anders, I'd like you to meet my dear friend, Clara. Clara, this is my trusted confidante, Anders." Clara remained close to Simon's side, almost as a shy child would to her father in a new situation Anders didn't mind though and smiled to her kindly. "Pleasure, miss," he said and tilted his head downward a little perhaps in a subconscious gesture to convey comfort and trust.

Clara looked to Simon and drew closer to him, wrapping herself around his arm but did manage a small smile toward the other. She wasn't used to meeting others outside of her village - Simon had been the first exception in her life and now Anders was the second. Simon opened the door to the carriage and held it for her so she'd climb up into the cabin and when she did so, he followed.

"Everything is going to get unfamiliar to you but in time it'll become a new normal. Trust me that all will be well," and she nodded, already doing so in being there beside him. So far, it was off to a smooth start because they always used a horse drawn carriage when closer to the castle but eventually Anders would pull the horses over and take them into a roadside shelter for rest while they switched to an SUV that would take them on regular roads to the train station. That's where he knew reality would begin to set in for his friend.

The sound of the horses hooves along the path created a rhythmic melody as they distanced themselves away from the castle, away from the village, away from madness - and closer to a world that would eventually make more sense and be more peaceful. Adrian Hawthorne could have control of Babilstow and those who occupied it but he wouldn't have control over them.

They were quiet as she watched out the window, having pulled the heavy dark curtain open from the start. The English countryside was all around them and while it all sort of looked the same, moment after moment, she still stared out in what seemed like awe and amazement and Simon wondered if she was having difficulty taking in just how expansive it was.

There was so much he could say but this was a time to just be.

Simon felt the carriage begin to slow as he noticed the shelter just in the distance. That was where the horses would be fed, watered, and given rest before Anders would retrieve them to return them home and it was also where they would transfer from the carriage to the motorized vehicle.

"Come," Simon said, holding her hand out to her and she took it once again, not even hesitating. They got out of the carriage and Simon watched as she observed the automobile, running her hand across its smooth surface as she walked around it. "Smooth and shiny," she remarked.

While Anders took care of the horses, Simon opened the back door and she flinched as it popped open, perhaps not expecting that. Instantly she leaned in, peering inside. "This like the carriage," she said, hopping in and sitting don on the seat, bouncing a little in the process. "Yes, but it will go much faster and won't need to be pulled by anything. It can go on its own."

Simon came in and sat beside her, shutting the door. He helped her get fastened and then did the same with his own safety belt. "We will be in here for a short while and then get in a bigger vehicle, a train. It will take us to a place with another train and then we will be in London," he explained to her, knowing she probably really wasn't understanding most of it. Still, he could try.

This time Simon didn't wait for her to take his hand and instead slipped his over hers and squeezed it softly so she knew that her friend was there for her.

This time, through the car window, she'd get her first real taste of the developed world. They traveled onward and within twenty minutes began to see farmhouses out in the distance with their barns and fences, fields and livestock. Soon, beyond them, were houses that were gathered more closely together as they approached town and Anders soon made an exit off the main road and in toward town. There would been streetlamps now lining the road and other vehicles passing by often. Simon watched as Clara looked from one direction out the window to another, sometimes sticking her head out of it in the process to really try and see something.

She didn't seem afraid. This was Clara - a dreamer, a curious girl, a wanderer. Soon she would not only survive in this new world of hers but thrive; Simon didn't doubt that for one moment.

Anders helped get her trunk out the back of the car where he had been holding it for safekeeping since she left it in the clearing days before and he took his satchel and placed it off his shoulder. "Thanks, mate. I appreciate you more than you know," Simon said to Anders and leaned in to give the man a hug.

"Be safe, both of you," Anders said once Simon pulled back. Simon nodded, knowing he would most likely see him again - sooner than he'd like. It wasn't Anders that was ever the problem, but the fact that seeing him meant he was visiting his father once more.

This particular train station was rather unoccupied and there was only one other that afternoon waiting on a train. Simon used the self service machine to purchase their tickets and when he swiped his card and a blue light flashed to acknowledge that it took it, Clara jumped a little in response. Simon watched as she leaned in closer to the blue light and slowly began to reach out toward it, only to be startled again when two tickets popped out just to the right of it.

"We need tickets to ride the train. These are the tickets," he said to her and tore them apart, handing her one. She examined the heavy paper in her hand, flipping it over to see all sides of it, even bringing it to her nose to inhale any possible scent from it and then brought it to her mouth but Simon quickly put his hand over hers, lowering the hand that held it. "It's.... it's not something that you barter or trade. It's not something to eat or has value, it's....a substitute for bartering." Simon watched as she only blinked, knowing she didn't understand - yet.

When the platform began to rattle from the approaching train, she stepped closer to him and wrapped both arms around his one and somehow seemed to grow even closer as it grew louder and came closer. "That is the train. Like the automobile it is going to take us toward London." Perhaps his level voice made her feel calmer because he could feel her grip on him relax a little, even as the train hissed to a stop and the doors opened with a clang.

The carriage went faster than anything she may had previously been on, the automobile faster, and now the train. She seemed so captivated by it all and this time, the train rushed past farmland again but also towns - bigger towns with bigger buildings and more people. They switched trains and this time Simon thought she was relatively passable for a person who had done this (more than once) before. She didn't look out of place but maybe that's because she was a girl who had felt invisible for so long, ignored, that she just knew how to stay out of the limelight.

This time the train ran along cement walls, went under bridges, flew by other trains, stopped at other stations with tall industrial or commercial buildings - their windows and metal siding glinting in the sun. Clara remained silent, taking it all in. Soon large cranes from construction could be seen towering and revealed larger buildings than even the tallest of trees in the Southwest of England. She ignored every ping of an alert, every murmur from another passenger, every zip from someone's briefcase or carry bag as she watched out the window.

As the train began to make yet another stop, their stop, Simon reached out, gently touching her shoulder. "Welcome to London," he whispered to his friend.

"Home," she replied.

"Home," he repeated and smiled. She smiled in return.