Honestly, I've just been moping around for the week. The guilt keeps eating me up... I know I'm a vampire now, but I still feel human. Fuck. I hate myself for eating them... Seraphina... shit, I yelled at her. Tears did form, but did she actually cry? I hope not.

"How do you feel?" Solomon asked, arms crossed as he sat on a chair while I lay in bed.

"I feel sick," I said in a weak voice.

He uncrossed his arms. "Eat," he said, handing me a plate of steamed vegetables.

"Thanks." I sat up and gave him a small smile.

"I heard you yelled at the girl." Way to bring the mood down. Fuck.

"I didn't mean to... I never wanted to raise my voice to any of them..." Shit... my heart ached, seeing the sadness in her face. I care about her, well, it's more like I love her as if she's my sister. I never wanted to hurt her.

"You think there's anything I can do to make her feel better?" I asked.

He stroked his chin, thinking. "You could take her on your next task I have for you."

Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

"Another one?"

"Yes, you'll have to find a fairy."

"And what reason do I need one?"

"Future tasks will involve items that need cleansing. The fairy will assist you with that." He patted my head and added, "For now, get some rest."

***

5 years ago.

"Papa, papa!" Katharina reached her tiny arms up to me. I picked her up and held her close, while Felix grabbed the end of my shirt.

I gently ruffled his hair. We started walking toward a river, enjoying the peaceful day together. The sun was shining, and the gentle breeze rustled the leaves above us. Katharina giggled as I lifted her higher, and Felix looked up at me with a wide smile.

"Are we going to catch some fish today, Papa?" Felix asked excitedly.

"Maybe," I replied, smiling down at him. "Let's see what we can find."

As we approached the riverbank, the sound of the water flowing over the rocks created a soothing melody. We found a spot under a large tree where the shade provided some relief from the warm sun. I set Katharina down, and she immediately started exploring the grass and flowers around her.

Felix crouched by the water's edge, watching the fish swim by. "Papa, look at that big one!" he exclaimed, pointing at a large fish gliding through the clear water.

"I see it, Felix. Let's see if we can catch it," I said, grabbing a small fishing rod and handing it to him. "Be patient and quiet, and maybe it will come closer."

While Felix concentrated on his fishing, I sat down on the grass, watching Katharina play and marveling at the simple joy of being with my children. Moments like these were precious, a reminder of what truly mattered in life.

Katharina ran up and sat on my lap, "Papa! Look at this pretty flower," she exclaimed, showing me a green flower that matched her eyes.

"It's beautiful, Katharina," I said, smiling as I admired the flower. "Just like you."

She giggled and nestled closer, enjoying the warmth of my embrace. Felix, still focused on his fishing, glanced back at us with a smi. "Did you find anything special, Katharina?" he asked.

"Yes, a very pretty flower! Papa likes it too," she replied, beaming with pride.

Felix chuckled. "Maybe you can find more flowers while I catch this big fish."

"Okay!" Katharina said, hopping off my lap and resuming her exploration.

I watched them both, feeling a deep sense of contentment. These moments of peace and happiness were what made all the struggles worthwhile.