Chapter 52Where They Finally Talk

"You must have been so worried." Her voice was just so warm and welcome I had to give her a big hug.

I did.

"It's alright mom. It really is. Let's go inside." I softly spoke in the hug and let her go

My thoughts were roaming wild though. Why was she apologizing? I was the one who disappeared didn't I? Although I did remember that when I got home my parents were gone. I wondered again if they knew what I had become and decided I wouldn't bother them with it. That bit of ignorance truly seemed bliss.

The hotel room was simple, just a bedroom dominated by a king-size bed with two seats on the left wall, a bathroom on the right and a window looking out at the street in the back. A TV more or less hung from the ceiling and a little glass table in between the chairs contained some pamphlets and a vase with flowers. Fresh ones by the smell of them. Everything together seemed to be simple yet clean and luxurious for a decent night sleep. A room not to live in, just to sleep in.

All that thinking in a simple glance.

Mom sat down on one of the chairs and me in the other, having me sit facing the door. It made me feel slightly more comfortable as it helped me feel in control of the situation. Happy as I was being with my mom again, I felt very on edge with the whole situation.

I hoped that was about to change.

"Where to start..." My mom began. "Friday evening there was a young guy, about your age, who came to our house. He told us we had to leave and go somewhere to be safe. Well of course we didn't believe him at all but he was... quite convincing."

"What was his name?" I had a feeling I knew what was coming.

"Janus. It was odd, because he looked like your age but sounded so much older." She looked thoughtful.

I smiled. "Alright, go on."

"It's still hard to try and explain why he was so convincing, but he knew a lot of things he shouldn't and I guess his calmness, most of all, made us believe him and leave the house. We didn't have to leave in much of a hurry so I put everything away as much as possible." She took a deep breath. "So he led us to a small apartment - I cannot tell you where, he explicitly told me it's very important you don't know -where me and your father stay nowadays."

I tried to take everything in. "So Janus arranged housing for you and all?"

Mom nodded.

"Anyway, then what happened, you were in a new house." I urged her on.

"He asked us to do some research for him in the library by day, he came by every evening retrieving the information we gathered and asked us to find more. Because the Library wasn't open on Sunday he asked us to find some things online." She thought for a moment. "He also asked us to call school and tell we were moving because of family business so your absence wouldn't be noticed much. The only thing he kept vague about was what had happened to you... He told me you were doing well but never any details."

I looked at the floor. "It's hard to explain, a nice girl found me and brought her with me to her friends. So I'm living there now, mostly hiding by day and going into town by evening. It has been mostly fun, though some people do seem too interested in me sometimes."

Mom fidgeted but looked up to me. "Alright, I won't ask you more. Janus warned me it was hard to talk about and apparently you find it hard as well."

A thought entered my mind. "Did you ever see Janus during daylight?"

She looked surprised. "Eh no... Not that I can remember. He didn't always come by at the same time, but it was at least after sunset. I think."

A vampire? I wondered if that conclusion was too easily drawn. Especially since Janus might do it on purpose, though he has some idea of what I had become. Arranging this meeting during the night.

Mom smiled as she thought of something. "So anything good happen to you these last few days?"

I blushed. "Eh... kind of."

She poked me in the side. "Oh, come on, tell me."

"Well, there is this guy and I'm seeing him again tomorrow. I don't really know what to think of him, but he's... interesting." My blush quite pronounced.

Mom giggled. "I'm sure he is, will I get to meet him someday?"

"I guess, I have no idea what will happen... Oh, and I slept with a girl."

Her eyes opened wide. "You what?!?"

I laughed. "Sorry mom." And winked. "Not like that. I mean a girl, a good friend now, slept in the same bed the second night. It was really nice because I felt quite alone then."

Mom laughed as well. "You little... you scared me!" She gave me a hug and planted a kiss on my cheek.

We were still a bit giggly when we heard a heavy knocking on the door.

"Who's there?" My mom called out, still smiling.

"This is the police, could you open the door please?"

Our smiles vanished.