The dim light filtering through the library’s tall windows cast a golden glow on Tessa’s notebook. The equations she had once adored, their intricate beauty and infinite possibilities, now seemed meaningless. The symbols blurred together as her thoughts swirled with recent events.

Her brother, Liam, was alive. And not just alive—he was a vampire. A creature she hadn’t even believed existed until days ago.

Her pencil hovered above the page before dropping with a soft thud. She let out a frustrated sigh, her head falling into her hands. How am I supposed to care about quantum physics when my world is being turned upside down?

She thought about Liam, about Ryker and about the Grim Reaper himself, he's hunting her now. The mere thought of it all made her chest tighten.

Pushing her chair back, Tessa packed her things. She needed clarity, and the sterile quiet of the library wasn’t helping. Her feet carried her toward the door as she decided: she had to see Liam. She hadn’t yet told him how much it meant that he was back, she never had time to process anything.

---

Minutes later, Tessa arrived at the clearing. The sun hung low in the sky, painting the woods in hues of amber and crimson. She smiled as she spotted Liam leaning casually against a tree, his dark blond hair catching the light.

“You’re late,” he teased, a playful grin tugging at his lips.

“Don’t start,” she shot back, rolling her eyes.

The siblings sat on a fallen log, laughter filling the air as they recounted old memories. For a moment, it felt like nothing had changed.

But then Liam’s face darkened. “Tess, there’s something you need to know,” he said, his tone serious. “My life is in danger, too. The vampire clan... they’re not happy I escaped. They’re coming after me.”

Tessa’s breath hitched, and for a moment, panic gripped her. But she quickly pushed it aside. “Then we have to tell Mom and Dad,” she said.

Liam shook his head, already anticipating her suggestion. “No, Tessa. Not yet. The time isn’t right—”

“No!” she interrupted, her voice sharp. “We fight our battles as a family, Liam. That’s how we’ve always done it.”

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Liam looked away, conflicted.

“You were shocked when I found out about you,” Tessa continued, “but I’m still here. I’m still your sister. And Mom and Dad? They’ll feel the same way. To fight this, we need to stand together.”

Liam studied her for a long moment before finally nodding. “Okay,” he said quietly. “You’re right. We’ll tell them.”

..........

Tessa entered her house, her bag slung over one shoulder, feeling the weight of everything she had learned pressing down on her. Her parents were in the living room, her father casually flipping through a book while her mother rested with a cup of tea, exhaustion evident in her posture.

Her father looked up, raising an eyebrow. “Well, well,” he said with a grin. “Do I need to have a word with someone’s son? Who’s the lucky guy?”

Tessa rolled her eyes, letting out a small laugh. “Seriously, Dad?”

Her mother smiled, her tone gentle but weary. “Leave her alone. She’s probably just been out trying to clear her head.”

The lighthearted exchange might have comforted her on any other day, but not today. She had something to say, and she wasn’t going to hold back.

“I wasn’t with anyone,” Tessa began cautiously. “I was with Liam.”

Her father froze, his book lowering slowly to his lap. Her mother blinked, the color draining from her face as she set her tea down with trembling hands.

“What did you just say?” her mom asked softly, her voice laced with disbelief.

“I said I was with Liam,” Tessa repeated, her voice firm. “He’s alive.”

Her father frowned deeply, his tone laced with caution. “Tessa,” he said, “you're not funny ”

“I wasnt trying to be,” Tessa snapped. “I’ve been with him. He’s alive, Dad!”

Her mother leaned forward, her brows knitting together in concern. “Sweetheart,” she said gently, “I know how much you miss him. We all do. But… Liam’s gone. You’ve been under so much stress lately—maybe you’re just imagining—”

“I’m not imagining this!” Tessa cut her off, her voice rising. “He’s here, Mom. I’ve seen him, I’ve talked to him.”

Her parents exchanged a wary glance, their disbelief evident.

Before Tessa could say more, the sound of the front door creaking open drew everyone’s attention. Heavy, deliberate footsteps echoed down the hallway. Tessa turned toward the noise, her pulse quickening.

And then, there he was. Liam stepped into the room, his presence silencing the doubts with one simple act: standing there.

“Hey, Mom. Hey, Dad,” he said, his voice calm but tinged with nervousness.

Her mother gasped, her hand flying to her mouth as her eyes brimmed with tears. “Liam?” she whispered, as if afraid to believe it.

“It’s me,” Liam said, stepping further into the room. “I’m alive. I’m here.”

Her father stood slowly, his face pale. “This… this isn’t possible,” he murmured. “We buried you. We…”

Liam met his father’s gaze, his own heavy with emotion. “You never found my body,” he reminded them, his voice low but steady.

Her mother’s hand fell to her side as realization dawned, the truth sinking in. “We didn’t…” she murmured, her voice trembling.

“We searched,” her father said, shaking his head as if trying to piece it together. “The search parties, the authorities—there was nothing. But we thought…”

“You thought I was gone,” Liam finished. “I know. I never wanted you to go through that, but… things happened that I couldn’t control.”

His mother stepped closer, her tears now freely falling. “Liam,” she said softly, “how… how is this possible?”

Liam hesitated, glancing at Tessa for support before turning back to his parents. “It’s a long story,” he said. “One I’m still trying to figure out myself. But what matters is that I’m here now. I’m back.”

His father’s expression remained guarded, though his voice softened. “What aren’t you telling us, Liam? How are you standing here right now?”

Liam took a deep breath. “It’s… complicated,” he admitted. “But I’m not the same as I was before. There’s more going on than any of us realized.”

Her mother looked at him, her expression shifting between awe and fear. “You’re alive,” she said finally, her voice cracking. “That’s all I care about. We’ll figure out the rest together.”

Her father nodded, his face still tense but softening slightly. “We’re a family again” he said gruffly. “nothing else matters”

Tessa stepped closer to Liam, her heart swelling with determination. For the first time since this chaos began, it felt like they were truly united. Whatever challenges lay ahead, she knew they would face them as a family.