Darkness Chapter 20: Plan

**Vincent**

Nelly and I stroll through the grounds, the tension palpable in the air. Nelly seems conflicted, her emotions swirling beneath the surface. "What's going on?" I inquire gently.

With a heavy sigh, Nelly replies, "I just can't believe that my own people want me gone."

I offer my sympathy, understanding the weight of her situation. "I know this must be incredibly difficult for you."

Nelly's voice is tinged with resignation as she speaks, "I suppose I'll be fighting alongside you when the time comes. After all, I'm... dead either way." I stop in my tracks and pull her close, resting my forehead against hers.

"Tell me about your wife," Nelly suddenly asks, her curiosity piqued.

"Why?" I question, intrigued by her sudden interest.

Nelly sighs, her gaze distant. "I don't know. I guess I just want to understand what it's like to have a love worth fighting for. A love that you're willing to devote your life to protecting."

A smile tugs at my lips as I reminisce about my beloved wife. "She was a lot like you. Fiery, stubborn, and strong-willed. But she was also kind, loving, and undeniably beautiful. I had to earn her love, as she had been hurt before by another vampire who didn't treat her well. She made it clear that she wouldn't settle for anything less than true love."

Nelly's eyes soften with compassion as she speaks, "It must have been devastating for you when you lost her."

"It was the hardest thing I've ever had to face - knowing that she died because of me. If I hadn't confronted her ex, she might still be alive. I only know this because of what I've been told. The experiments conducted by your parents erased many of the memories I once had."

"Wait, her ex killed her?" she asks, shocked.

"Yes. She pleaded with me to leave, to move away because he had threatened to harm her. She believed that if we relocated, he would leave her alone. But my pride got in the way. I have since tried to better myself," I confess.

"I'm so sorry," she says, her voice filled with sympathy. Then, she gazes at me and the sky. "Hey...how are you able to walk in sunlight?"

"That was one of the benefits of the testing. Your father was ecstatic when he discovered that I wasn't affected by the sun. He believed he was one step closer to eradicating vampires from the world. But all he accomplished was to enhance our abilities."

"Vincent, that sounds like a nightmare. I wish I could have..." she hesitated, her voice trailing off.

I gazed down at her, noticing the sadness in her eyes. She was different from the rest. She possessed a genuine concern for all beings, regardless of their nature. But make no mistake, she was not one to be trifled with. "How did you manage to resist the transformation from the wolf bite?" I inquired.

"Well, it turns out he couldn't transform individuals. I was isolated in quarantine for a month following the incident. It fucking sucked," she responded.

"So you didn’t experience any negative effects from that bite?" I find it hard to believe, but her blood did have a unique flavor. Could her parents have conducted experiments on their own children without their knowledge?

"Just one, but it's a secret," she responds.

"Alright, now you've caught my attention."

She chuckled. As we walked, she reached for my hand and intertwined our fingers. "I howl at the full moon."

I stopped and gazed at her, and she began to giggle. "You think you're funny, huh?"

"I thought it was pretty good... no? Maybe I'll..." Before she could finish, I leaned in and kissed her. She reached up and wrapped her arms around me, and my hands ran through her silky brown hair. She let out a soft moan. "Don't do that. I'll ravish you right here and won't care who sees us." She blushed. "Let's get you inside and fed. I need to prepare for the meeting."

"Do I need to dress up?" she inquired.

"No, I believe we have moved beyond that stage, Nelly." Frankly, I think we have transcended any phase I have ever experienced.

**Nelly**

As we saunter back inside, I make a beeline for the kitchen, where I find Tara and Brandon. "Hey, where have you been?" I ask Brandon.

"They had me assisting with clearing out the labs. It was quite the ordeal. Hey, Nelly, what was your dad's name?" Brandon asks.

"He's dead to me, it doesn't matter. I don't want to know," I reply coldly. I know Vincent had him eliminated after my visit, and I feel no remorse.

Brandon looks surprised. "Oh, okay."

Tara jumps in, curious. "So, what did you two get up to?"

"Just strolled and chatted. He opened up about his late wife," I share, feeling a pang of sympathy for Vincent. Losing someone because of an ex who couldn't let go must be tough.

Tara gasps, "Wow."

Brandon inquires, "So, do we have any idea what's going on? Are we gearing up for a showdown?"

"What do you mean?" I ask.

Brandon presses on, "Are we going to take on the bloodsuckers when they come at us?"

"Tara and I are the Resistance's targets," I explain.

"They must be mistaken. Why?" Brandon shakes his head in disbelief.

"We're a liability," Tara chimes in.

"What she said," I confirm.

Brandon gasps, "Wow, I had no clue. Nel, can we chat for a sec?"

"Sure thing." We make our way to the patio.

"Where's your head at?" Brandon asks.

"What do you mean?" I reply.

"Ever since you arrived, you've been head over heels for this guy. How do we know he's trustworthy?" Brandon questions with a smirk.

I gaze at him with a sly smile. "Vincent led me to my father, allowed me to speak freely, and even removed my collar. He's been nothing but honest with me. Those rebels, on the other hand, are nothing but trouble. They've been filling our heads with lies and trying to tear us apart. Now, both your sister and I are on the run. Not that I'm a stranger to being wanted, but it's not fair to Tara."

Brandon inquires, "So, we team up with the bloodsuckers?"

I nod. "Yes." With a heavy sigh, we part ways. I head off to freshen up and prepare for our upcoming meeting. As I rummage through my wardrobe, I mutter to myself, "I suppose this will do," while adjusting my halter top and tugging at my pants. I make my way to Vincent's door, but he doesn't answer. I take a chance and walk in, only to find him emerging from the shower, towel wrapped around his waist. Damn. Looks like I'll need to change my outfit again. Why does he have this effect on me?

He chuckles, "Feel free to snap a pic if you'd like."

“Fuck you!”