Chapter 56 Home.
When mom opened the door after hearing the door bell, the ceramic mug in her hand fell to the ground in shock. Her grey eyes just like mine stared at me like she was seeing a ghost which she probably believe she is.
I offered a weak smile. Seeing her again brought back overwhelming emotions threatening to move me to tears. "Hey mom!"
She broke down at the sound of my voice and wrapped her arms around me, engulfing me in a bone crushing hug. The tears escaped my eyes as the familiar scent of home took over my senses. I realized just how much I've missed her warmth.
"Oh my baby!" She sobbed, "I was so scared. I thought something bad had happened to you." She squeezed me against her as if scared I would disappear if she let go.
"I'm sorry mom. I'm sorry for making you worry."
She pulled away studying my face with tears flowing down her eyes. "My dear baby, I'm so glad you came back to me." She caressed my face lovingly. "I was scared I would never see you again. I missed you so much."
"I missed you too mom."
She laughed through her tears and hugged me again. I hugged her back with everything I had. We only had each other. Why didn't I think of how she must have been suffering because of my absence?
"Um, excuse me?" We pulled away to stare at the cabby who was standing close to the porch.
I looked back at my mom. "I kind of haven't paid him yet."
She nodded in realization. "Oh." She took my hand in hers. "Let's go in first honey." To the cabby she said, "I'll get the money."
I sat on the couch as mom rushed upstairs and down to get some money for the cab.
I looked around at my home. There were pictures of my mom and I scattered all over the place. It reminded me that I still had important people in my life, and here I am suffering over Domenic's rejection.
It's time to forget him and move on. We were never meant to be anyway.
Mom finished up and rushed to my side. She sat beside me on the couch. "I know you must be very hungry. What would you like to eat honey? You should take a bath first while I go prepare your favorite food." She brushed a strand of hair behind my ear. "What would you like first dear, eat or bath?"
I didn't reply as I stared down at my fidgeting fingers feeling a bit guilty. "Aren't you going to ask where I was all this time? I've been missing for almost a month right?"
She sighed heavily and took my hands in hers. "Believe me honey, I am dying to ask a lot of questions. You went missing three weeks ago and I almost went insane searching for you. I called the police the minute Quinn called me and your phone wasn't going through. We went to the place where you left my car and searched the area including the woods, but you were no where to be found. The only thing we found was your phone on the ground and nothing else. I almost had a heart attack."
I remember I couldn't find my phone when I woke up at the strange woman's cave. That seems like a long time ago.
Wait a minute, "mom you found my phone, but didn't you see a hole. A big hole like that of a rabbit's hole?" surely they must have seen the hole. I lost my phone somewhere close to it. I'm thinking maybe that hole is the portal that leads to the vampire world.
But Domenic was injured by a shadow monsters when we were still in the human world. Does that mean we're also not save from those terrifying creatures?
She frowned as she thought about it. "No, there was no hole. All I know is that we couldn't find you and I couldn't sleep for days. Honey I was scared something bad had happened to you." Her voice was shaking now, "but we couldn't find a body so we weren't sure and I had something to hope on. But dear I was so..." She sobbed. "I was so scared."
It was my turn to hug her. She deserves to be comforted. I really put my mom through a lot. "I'm sorry for making you worry mom."
She sniffed and continued. "The reason why I'm not asking you anything is because, you just came back and I don't want to make you uncomfortable by asking so many questions. It might also be because I'm a bit scared to hear what must have happened to you when you were all alone. I'm afriad you might have been kidnapped." She pulled away and looked at me seriously, "if you want to talk about it, you can tell me now dear."
She was looking at me reassuringly and I knew I could tell my mom anything. She will never judge me and she will definitely believe me.
But telling her something crazy like I got lost in a vampire world, now that is hard to believe.
Maybe now isn't the right time to tell her that. I got to make sure she is prepared and I am too before dropping the bomb on her.
"I... I am not ready to talk about it mom." It makes me guilty that I am keeping things from her, but it's for her own benefit.
She nodded still smiling warmly. "It's okay baby. Whenever you're ready, I'll be here to listen." She kissed my head and stood up. "For now I'll go make you some food while you freshen up in your room. It's just as you left it. I didn't touch anything."
I smiled warmly. "Thanks mom."
She nodded and turned to go, but then stopped halfway and said to me. "Darling, Quinn has been so worried about you. She dropped by everyday hoping she would find you home safe and sound. She was really sad when you went missing. Do you want me to call her?"
I thought about it. Quinn was my only friend and she must have been devasted when I left. It would be wrong of me if I don't inform her that I'm back.
"You should call her mom. I'll just go take a bath before she gets here." I answered getting up from the couch.
"Okay sure honey!" Mom scurried off to the kitchen in excitement.
Yup, I'm truly back.
So, it's time for me to move on and forget about Domenic Darkshadow!