Gregory's POV

Sunday: 21 days before the comet

*this will be an extremely long chapter BUT very important*

I woke up refreshed once again after another night of Carter filled dreams. This time in my dream carter was reading a thick book while on the couch, she was scanning each page soaking in all the details and I could tell she was enjoying herself between her eyes constantly going left to right and her subconsciously chewing on her lower lip.

I wasn't with her this time though, I wasn't able to hear her voice, smell her or touch her skin. It was as if I was looking at her though a window, glass between us, but it didn't bother me. I enjoyed watching her be at peace.

After reading around 50 pages carter shuts the book and places it next to her. She stands and stretches her back and arms, and looks directly at me. I'm not sure if she could see me or not but her eyes hit mine and I didn't dare move. Effortlessly she walked over to me and stopped just before the glass. We stood there with a barrier keeping us apart, looking at one another. She puts her hand on the glass

"I never got to thank you" she told me "or get your name"

I smile at her because she was adorable how her mind works and how thoughtful she was "it's Gregory" and I place my hand on the glass as well, our palms trying to touch each other

"Gregory...it fits you" she smirks at me "we will see each other soon" she smiles

"I hope so"

"I know so"

"You won't remember me" I tell her reminding myself I erased her memory

"That's not true—I would never forget you" she whispers to me before fading away

I woke up gasping for air and looking around for her

But Instead I see my parents and Anna looking at me once again (rudolf still hasn't come home)

"Another dream my dear brother" Anna asks me sweetly (but she's not completely innocent. She knows exactly what she's doing)

I respond with an eye roll and an expressionless face

"The human girl again?" My mother asks me and that seems to get my fathers attention

"What happens in your dreams" my mother asks in a sweet tone

"Mother" I try and not make eye contact with her and escape all their questions

"Oh sweetheart" my mother hugs me from behind and I try and pry her off of me "you grew up so fast"

"I'm 317 years old" I remind everyone once more and Anna smiles at me because she knows I'm trying to Avoid talking about my personal life and feelings

"It's getting dark. Shouldn't we go look for rudolf" I quickly changing the subject

"Yes" my father finally decided to join the conversation " we don't know what has happened. I think it would be best if we go in pairs of two. We go out for 2 hours and meet back here, regroup and go back out if needed"

We all nod in agreement knowing my fathers mind is set

"Good" he continues "Anna and I will go and you and you're mother will go together"

My mother seems pleased that we got paired together because now she can try and talk about Carter.

My mother and I take off in the opposite direction from father and Anna and my mind is fighting itself trying to choose to occupy its time with thoughts of Carter, my mother's questions or where the hell rudolf could be and what happened. It wasn't the first time one of us didn't make it home in time and spent the night out, but usually it was father or myself. Anna only once and rudolf and my mother a handful of times. No matter who it was there was always a high anxiety state until the whole family was reunited.

But even with my find filled with different thoughts I couldn't deny how thirsty I was, but I didn't want anyone but Carters blood. I never tasted anything like that in my whole life, it gave my whole body pure ecstasy. Once the first drop touched my tongue I didn't want to stop but knowing I had to for Carter, not wanting to cause her any harm. But I cherished those bloody fingers more than any cow or horse. And now I wanted it again, and the hunger was rising and was going to start overfilling.

My mother was oddly quiet and not bombarding me with the questions like I thought, but in reality what was she going to say? She knew Carter was human and we obviously weren't. She didn't want to get my hopes up or to bring my spirits down, she could tell I've been happier the last few days and didn't want to ruin it.

We had 2 hours until we had to go back home, with rudolf or not. As mother and I flown we checked the places we have camped out before if we didn't make it home (barns, equipment yards, cellars and empty buildings), no sign of rudolf anywhere, not even a faint smell of him.

"Maybe you're father and Anna have found him" mother says with hope

"Or maybe he is waiting back home for us" I add trying to keep a positive outlook for mother (it was hard since I wasn't a positive vampire)

We searched a few more places that were off the naked eye but still nothing

"We should start heading back home" mother reminds me and without a word we set off in complete silence

We reach our home, Anna and father landing moments after us, no rudolf.

"No sign of him" mother asks father, panic in her eyes finally setting in

"Nothing" father grabs her hand and pulls her in

My parents love is intoxicating, something you wish you had. The way my father is hard is strict but will melt for my mother who is kind and soft. Their dynamic reminded me of Carter and I— how Carter was beautiful and poetic while I was harsh and rash. How I would kill anyone without a second thought just to quench my thirst but how when I saw Carter laying there it was my instincts to protect her and get her to safety. I displaced an ungodly amount of self control not to over feed on her or to snap her neck instantly, even though her blood pumped me full of adrenaline. I wanted to to be her savior or protector—to be the tough guy to everyone else but the good guy to her.

A love just like my parents: to me a man like my dad. A man who would always protect and provide for his family.

And I remember my dream how Carter said she wouldn't forget me and we would see each other soon. I wasn't sure exactly what she meant but I didn't care as long as we saw one another— and if she could remember me that would be a bonus—and if she remembers me and isn't scared of me and doesn't run away, well, that would be a double bonus.

"We should go out again" my mother's voice breaks me out of my thoughts

We all nod in agreement and walk out again

"Well do the same method as before" father began "Gregory and mother, me and Anna. We meet back in two hours" I could tell my father was getting worried, this has never happened to our family.

We all take off as one unit but before we got far Anna called out

"There he is" she pointed to the southern section of the cemetery, where rudolf was pacing back and forth

"Thank goodness" mother lets out a sigh of relief and we all turn to land where he is

"Brother" Anna calls and waves and I could tell rudolf has the oh shit look (and trust me I know the look because I'm usually the one with it)

Our feet hit the ground and mother runs and embraces rudolf in a hug talking about how she was worried sick and father demanding to know where he's been

I couldn't listen, I could smell something...a human, he was close. While my family was occupied about rudolfs disappearance I smelled around. I took a wide loop behind the graves stones, trying to be quiet so my prey couldn't sense me.

A few tombstones later there he was, a young boy around the same age as Anna and rudolf, watching my family. I admit it was odd, a young mortal boy watching a family of vampires alone with no visible confusion or fear. But, I didn't care about him or what he was doing...I was hungry.... and who was I to deny such an easy hunt.

Slowly, careful not to make a sound, I come out of the bushes behind him. His sent oddly familiar but it wasn't enough to stop me

"GREGORY" rudolf screams in my direction causing the human boy to finally turn around and realize he danger he was in. He let out a scream (a pathetic human scream) and I flashed my fangs at him. The human ran out behind the stone to where my family was gathered, not a wise move but whatever they couldn't stop me. I make my move to the human but was intercepted by rudolf

"Gregory no!" He tried to speak with authority "he's my friend"

Looking at the human he was in the grip of my father

"He's a human!" Fathers voice echos with disgust

"He's not like the other father! He likes vampires, he wants to help us!" Rudolf tries to calm father down but I have to admit brining a human here was crazy, even for me. Hence why I took Carter back to her friends and refused to talk about her, even though my family identifies as vegetarians (animal based diet) that doesn't mean they wouldn't destroy a human if they believed they had too.

My mother and Anna joined the argument, my mother trying to deescalate the situation but giving my father the final choice. Anna, well Anna was making pouty eyes at the human—which is another topic for a later time. Rudolf pleading for father to listen to him about how the human, Tony, has been having dreams about us and the amulet. Me—well I was still plotting my move to sink my fangs into him.

"Leave!" My father pulls the human up to his face "run home, never return and if you cherish your life don't mention this to a single soul"

The human looked at father, staying completely still

"DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME" father got louder even causing slight discomfort in the pit of my stomach. This time the boy nods and my father places him down and the boy is off into the dark.

I go to follow him but my father and rudolf anticipate it grab me, trying to force me into submission

"Rudolf what in the hell happened" my father attempts to scream but knows it's dangerous to draw attention to where we are

"Father you don't under—" rudolf tries to speak but gets cut off by mother "Not here. Let's go back inside" she grabs rudolf and leads him back to our house.

Inside was a 5 person argument about multiple things

1) where rudolf was

2) why he interacted with humans and brought a human to our house

3) the danger he put us in

And my personal favorite

4) how I have been setting horrible examples for Anna and rudolf because I met carter and now rudolf Is out meeting humans

"It's different" I snap at my father when he tries to speak ill on carters name

My father gets in my face and we try and size each other up

"It's not different Gregory. Why would it be different? Because meeting her made you different? Made you less miserable? You made the same stupid mistake rudolf did. He learns it from you" he got closer to me but I wasn't scared.

But he was right, that's why Carter was different. After her I could dream and actually think of a life after being a vampire. Made me realize the human man I wanted to be—

"Fredrick" mother said trying to get between. She knows what he said was true, I am miserable, always have been since I was young.

My father doesn't care though, he's angry

The arguing continues between mother, father and rudolf...Anna and I listening in the back.

While their argument continues I could smell something...another human. Not the boy but someone older...dirtier. They were coming closer and I realized once again how hungry I was. I was physically licking my lips and my hands formed fists.

I needed a drink. I wanted to feel the blood in my body and forget about this stupid fucking argument. I wanted to taste the blood and have some type of happiness for the night.

The human was coming closer, I had to make my move before anyone else smelled them (I have the best smell for humans since I drink their blood the most).

I flash my fangs and let out a groan before darting in the direction of the human

"GREGORY!" My father shouts but I kept going until the human came into my view—he was skinny man in his 40s—it was the grave keeper. Weird? Yes. But also the most expected person to be walking around under the graves? Also yes.

I pounce on the man, who instantly screams, and I dug my fangs into his neck. The moment my fangs pierce his flesh and the blood enters my mouth it was torture. It was as if I was drinking acid, I detach from the man and scream out in pain

"Gregory!" My mother is next to me and the grave keeper lays there motionless from my bite. I double over and blood starts coming from my mouth. My throat on fire and my vision going dark and then light and dark again from the pain.

"What's happening mother!" I hear Anna scream and I spit out my blood

"Son. Can you hear me" my father is talking to me and holding me up so I didn't fall face first into the blood

"His blood" mother spoke and I could tell she was sobbing "it must have been his blood"

I spit blood out once again and I have to admit, I feel weak, very weak.

My father rested me against the cave wall and my mother grabs my face with her hands

"It burned his mouth" she told my father and I see everyone looking at me

"I'm fine" I realize I'm the center of attention, which I hate, and try and stand again realizing how weak I feel

"Oh brother" Anna runs up and hugs me and I pat her back as confirmation that I am fine. And I am fine? Just in a lot of pain. But alive. Alive and fine.

My mother wraps me in her embrace

"What are we going to do" she looks at my father who looked worried as hell

"They know we're down here. Someone does. We can't be here" he tells the group of us and my mother helps me stand. Before anyone else could get a word in there was a voice from above

"I got you you dirty creatures" the voice said in a victorious way and before we could react there was light burning us. We all screamed in pain

"Get behind me!" Father yelled and my mother pulled me by my arm behind father where Anna and rudolf were. My father screamed in pain, Anna screamed in fear and my mother screamed in worry.

13 seconds. The light burned my father for 13 seconds before it stopped. Father went to fall and mother and rudolf grabbed him while I went to my knees and Anna held me up.

"Are you Okay" a voice was behind us, a familiar voice

We all turned to see the small human boy from earlier

"Tony" rudolf smiled

"I saw the plug outside and disconnected it" he told rudolf

"You came back, even when we said not too?" Mother questioned the human

"Of course. Rudolf is my best friend" the human told us

"Father and Gregory are weak tony, it's not safe here" rudolf went over to him

"The cows rudolf" tony said with excitement "we'll take them to the cows"

I didn't even question it. Mother and rudolf helped father to his feet and walked on both sides of him.

"Let me help you brother. You need help" Anna tried to reach out to me but I refused her assistance

"I'm fine. I just need a cow" I told her and stood up, every once of my body in pain, walking in pain.

"Brother" Anna said again

"Stop it Anna. I don't need help" I snap and she doesn't react

We make it to the farm, I just want fucking god damn blood. Is that too much to ask? Blood that doesn't burn my throat.

The five of us walk into the barn. There are 3 cows.

"Honey" mother spoke to my father "take one cow. Rudolf and I will rake the second. Gregory and Anna the third" we all nod in agreement. Father starts feeding instantly, enjoying himself. Mother and rudolf start as well, slurping with satisfaction. Anna starts on our cow, I kneel down and sink my fangs in.

Once again the blood acts like acid. I pull away and start gagging, my throat closing.

"Mother!" Anna calls out and my mother is by my side again

"Gregory! My darling!" Mother gasps and ran over to me. I could feel her hugging me from behind but my eyes were filled with water and I was gagging on blood. It wasn't like in the cave...I felt as if I was dying. My throat was closing, eyes were watering, I was gagging on blood.

Someone was beating on my back

"Gregory try and breath" my mother was in front of me

"Was it the cow?" Rudolf asks

"It can't be Anna was drinking it as well" father said from a distance still weak

"Why can't he drink blood. Did the man in the cave poison him?" Mother asks and I can tell she's crying by her voice

"I don't even know if that's possible. To be poisoned. Even so I don't think it would effect him with the cow" father speaks again

The person keeps pounding on my back and more blood comes up, even some actual solids. My throat was raw from the acid taste and the gagging. My stomach burned and ached. I wanted to lay down and have the pain go away.

Am I dying?

And carter is in my mind. Her smile. Her sent. How my pulse raced when she rested up against me. I don't want to die. I want to see her again. For 300 years I didn't care about my life and now once I found something to keep me going, I'm going to drop dead? Is life really that cruel?

I continue coughing up blood and I can feel the skin on the corners on my mouth. All this because I wanted to follow my vampire instincts and feed.

My vision begins to improve and I stop gagging on blood. My mother pulls me to rest on her and I don't even have the energy to fight it

"I'm fine" I try and sound serious but I'm exhausted and speaking causes immense pain

I could see the human boy looking at me, fear covered his face

"We need some where to go. We can't go back to the cemetery" father speaks

"Where? You're still weak and Gregory...we don't know what's going on with him. We need someone to hide. Somewhere dark and safe" mother says still crying and holding me

"You need my basement!" The human spoke "it's dark and no one goes down there!" My parents are gone until Thursday night for my dads work, and I don't have school, my sister is taking care of me but she won't be a problem"

"You would do that for us. For vampires" my father asks and the human just nods

My father and mother agreed the human was trust worthy and my mother helps my father since he is still weak

"Let me help you" rudolf try's to grab my arm but I pull away

"I'm fine" I say through my teeth

"You aren't" Anna gets in my face "you aren't okay. Not even close. Stop with his masculinity complex and being a stubborn ass and let us help you" and before I could say anything she looks her arm around my back go help me and rudolf does the same

What is wrong with me