"A few days ago, I had an accident." She explained. "I was taking a shower and you were downstairs with Jack. I slipped and I fell over my stomach. At first, I thought it was a normal fall but a few hours later, blood started to run down my thighs. Headaches, backaches, and cramps." She placed both of her hands on her belly as she locked her eyes into mine, trying to steal my full attention. "My body started to act funny, I lost my appetite and depression took over. I wanted to tell you, I swear but I was scared. I didn't want to take away your happiness. You were already going through a lot."

So what? So what, Hazel? Why did you hide it from me?

The truth matters.

"You should've told me." I blamed her. "It was my baby, after all. I was a father, and it was also my responsibility to take care of you and the baby. I failed you."

"It's my fault. I'm so sorry..." She exclaimed, silently. "You have the right to hate me but I'm truly sorry, babe."

"Stop apologizing, and It's not your fault." I tried to comfort her. "Accidents happen. That's how life is." I enveloped her with a tight hug. "Come here..." I felt her warm tears, dripping on my shirt. "Everything is going to be okay." I wiped out her tears.

"I don't feel good." Her lazy eyes flashed my view with a warning. She was tired. She needed sleep and it was obvious. "Please, stay with me. I don't want to fall asleep alone."

"I want to stay, Princess." I sighed. "I do but, I can't." I declined. "Jack and I are on our way to the cemetery."

"Cemetery?" She questioned my last sentence. "What are you going to do at the cemetery?Hawk, it's three in the morning. It's late. Can't you just stay home with me? You can go with him first thing in the morning. I want you to stay, please." She begged so much sympathy in her broken voice.

"I can't stay," I replied, sincerely. "I'll be back in a few hours, Princess." I slowly caressed her soft cheeks. "I promise." I kissed her lips, then her small forehead as I walked out of the room.

"Okay." She finally agreed. "What if I can't fall asleep?" She called out.

"Call me..."I gave her an option. "If you can't sleep. Call me and I'll stay on the phone with you."

"Okay, babe. Be safe."

Hazel was in pain. Her voice was wet with tears. The situation was killing me inside. I wanted to stay by her side, comfort her, tell her everything was going to be just fine but Jack was in danger and I also wanted to be there for him. Hazel was the love of my life but Jack my best friend and my only blood. I didn't want anything to happen to him.

Or Hazel.

I remember the first time, I met Hazel Brown. Her innocent face drove me crazy. She was my only white bird, the only sweet melody I wanted to hear. She was acting so brave but deep down, I knew her hidden weaknesses. She was broken and needed someone to fix her. She never had the courage to tell me the truth but I read her inner self the first time we had a conversation. The first time she smiled, I saw something more beautiful than the stars.

She was trouble. Really. She really was.

But her smile...

Her beautiful smile dared me to fall in love with her.

I was going crazy on my own. I was craving her presence every single day and was addicted to her soft skin and her sexy lips.

Hazel Brown might have her flaws but I'll do anything to keep her safe. Even if I have to lose my last breath saving her.

Jack chased my thoughts away. "Hazel will be fine, Buddy." He assured me. "I'm sorry for your baby." Jack was also hurt. He was trying to focus on the road but he was dying inside, slowly.

"Thank you, brother." I squeezed my teeth as I tried to hold my emotions inside. I wanted to show him that I was strong but It was hard when he already knew how I felt. "Accidents happen..."

"Are you okay, man?"

"Honestly, I don't know..." I told him the sad truth. "I feel like I'm losing my mind." I rubbed my hands on my face, desperately and let out a deep sigh. "Hazel is driving me insane, the whole 'prophecy situation', your future. I have so much on my mind, I don't know where to start." I paused. "I wish things were better, just like old times. You know?" I reminded him of the good old days when we were young and happy. Chasing after birds in my father's garden.

"Hawk, you can't save everyone," Jack admitted, truthfully. "We're living in a world where fear takes over and pain is the only thing you can feel. it's not your fault, Hawk."

"I know but I just feel guilty."

"Stop blaming yourself." He suggested. "You're not responsible for my situation or Hazel's. I want you to know that you're the best brother in my entire life. You're strong, Hawk. I don't want you to think that you're worthless. I need you..." He placed his right full hand on my shoulder as he continued his incomplete sentence. "Hazel needs you... We need you, Hawk. Stop giving up on yourself." The words were wise but they still couldn't shake the guilt that was crawling under my skin.

"I'm going to marry Hazel," I said, unexpectedly. "Time is passing by and I don't want to lose her. I want things to be better between us. I want to show her that I'll always be there and I'm the last man that can protect her from my enemies."

"That's great, Dude." Jack congratulated me. "You and Hazel are meant for each other."

"I'm going to propose to her tomorrow night." I finally allow a rare smile on my face. "I want things to be perfect. I want you to be there, Jack."

"I will be..." He parked his car. "We're here." He announced, firmly. "Are you ready?"

The cemetery was empty. The darkness amplified the volume of the silence that was taking over from a distance where the cold bodies were buried under the ground. The hyper wind vibrated our clothes with a severe attraction. It was really cold and our teeth were shivering due to the violent temperature.

"Did you bring Flashlights?" I asked, confusingly. "It's dark."

"I bought two." Jack handed me one. "Let's go." He lead the way as we turned our flashlights on.

"What are we looking for exactly?"

"A name." Jack applied, urgently. "Our grand mother's grave. Evana Hudson."

"She died years ago, Jack." I shook my head, negatively. "How are we supposed to find this grave? Do you know where she was buried?"

"That's why we're here, Hawk," Jack responded, sarcastically. "Aren't we?"

"How do you know for sure that's the right place?" I questioned. "Jack? I think we're wasting our time."

"Green Hills Cemetery." He whispered between his teeth, annoyingly. "We're at the right place, Hawk. Please, just look for Evana Hudson."

"How do you know about all that?"

"Our mother." He said, rapidly. "She used to bring me here."

"Perfect mother! Wasn't she?" I reminded him of my critical past. "She abandoned me for all these years. She didn't care about my childhood. She hated me."

"Mother didn't hate you, Hawk." He made it clear. "She loved us."

"Is that right?" I requested the truth. "Mother never cared for me. She only cared about herself. My father was the only person who loved me and was there for me when I needed someone to count on. I was only a kid when she left me."

"I understand, Hawk." Jack agreed to my words. "Enough about mother. Can you please use your strength to find Evana's grave with your power?"

"I don't know how to control it," I admitted. "You know that, Jack. You have to do it, Jack," I asked, gently. "You're the professional."

"Hawk..." He paused. "There's something I need to tell you. There are some things I cannot do anymore. I can't hide my scars like I used to do, I can't sense when something bad is about to happen. I think I'm losing my powers. Little by little." The truth melted in his voice.

"Why is that?"

"I know you don't believe in the prophecy but it's real." He started. "Your birthday is coming in a few days and honestly, I feel like I don't have much time. I'm dying, Hawk."

"Stop saying that, Jack." I tried to clean his dirty thoughts. "Everything will be okay. Just think positive. I'm not going to let anything happen to you. I promise." I gave him my word. "Now, what do I do? How do I find her grave?"

"Okay." He stole my full attention. "Close your eyes, say her name three times in your head and open your eyes and you'll find it."

I followed his instructions. After a few seconds, I felt different. My eyes started to glow as my body melted under this fire inside my veins. My blood started to boil under mySkin. I felt powerful and my other self again. This time, I was in control, I loved it. For the first time, I felt free in my own skin. I loved my side.

"Follow me. I think I know where it is now." Jack followed my steps. "There it is."

At that moment something was taking over...