Chapter 214: Interlude: Scarlet - The Wrong Body

Leaning against the armrest as they traveled north to South Florida National Cemetery, Scarlet studied the gray skies. She didn’t want to have a big ceremony or have to sit through any kind of show for her grief. Her father’s message was enough for her now; it felt right to skip the funeral and move on, because if she didn’t now, she knew she never would.

Still, she had to keep her mind occupied with something, or else she’d cry again, so she searched the rain for anything to stop the fear of seeing her father’s corpse from taking hold. The perfectly visible night was still strange to her; she knew it was dark, and she knew precisely where normal eyes could perceive her in the darkness, which was a weird thing to just... know.

Her gaze drifted to the other vehicles on the I-95 freeway, looking at the faces inside with their wealth of emotions. Instinctually, she had limited knowledge about them from her vampiric senses: health, vulnerability, and fears. It was the time of night when she should be on the prowl, and she felt it— She fought it, tooth and nail. It wasn’t her. These weren’t the people she wanted to hunt, and she needed to find something to fill that urge that kicked within her.

The money and chat had been a good distraction, showing her the support she had. Despite Rachel’s claim of never really making friends, she was the best friend Scarlet had ever had. Rachel was reliable. Scarlet needed reliable people in her life— They had been sorely lacking, apparently by design. Rachel trusted her. Now, Scarlet had to trust in herself to open the box to these instincts.

As they circled the graveyard, she closed her eyes; she’d seen the moment of her father’s death in her nightmares for weeks now. The entire time, she’d bottled it up, ashamed of her weakness; if she’d just been a little less emotional, then maybe he’d still be alive today. However, her dad had made it clear that his death meant that Revilla was wrong, and she had to put her faith in her father’s words.

She opened her eyes, counting the line of military and civilian vehicles that waited, and her anxiety reared its ugly head, her breathing becoming ragged.

"Scarlet?" Rachel whispered as Nia shifted uncomfortably in the back. The people under the tents turned to watch their approach. "Do you need some time?"

Shaking her head, she gulped and streamed out a long breath of air; she had to confirm it with her own eyes. "Everyone’s here for me... I can feel their concern and love," she whispered, biting her lip as a bloody tear fell down her cheek to be absorbed into her skin. "I—"

Her words cut off in a cough as she tried to control her lungs, her entire body lighting on fire as all the questions and nightmares gripped her heart. Eyes turning crimson, she scanned everyone within miles, searching for answers.

"Why hasn’t my mom even tried to—to call me? Why... is she not here— I can’t see her anywhere! Was she scared to come... Was she ashamed of me? Why didn’t she come... Why isn’t she... here?"

Teeth beginning to chatter, Scarlet found it hard to breathe. Rachel took her hand as Nia unbuckled herself to hug her from behind. "Did... she ever care at all? Why would she leave me... Was I not good enough for her... Does she blame—"

Rachel’s ears stood straight as Scarlet’s bloody eyes locked on the cherry wood casket that waited to be lowered into the ground. Whispers passed between those under the tents, concern for her on their lips, yet Scarlet’s zoomed-in vision was on her father’s corpse.

"It’s not him..."

"What?" Rachel cleared her throat, her somewhat red face locked on her. "Scarlet... I know what it’s like to see... To not want to believe the person in the box is really—"

"No... No!" Scarlet choked, shaking her head as her voice strengthened, confusion and anger now burning up her throat. "I’ve seen the spikes piercing my dad’s body every night since—since it happened! It’s not him! The holes aren’t... clean enough— They aren’t even in the right places... There’s an illusion cast on it! Mom..." she seethed.

Her tight jaw hurt, extending claws ripping into her dress and thighs, only for her flesh and skin to automatically heal. "She swapped it out before the military secured it... Dammit! Dammit!" she screamed, fingernails sinking into her flesh as she looked left and right. "She couldn’t even leave me Dad’s body?! Where is..."

"Scarlet?! What do you— The guy visiting his mother’s grave?"

Eyes widening while she filtered through everything in the vicinity, her focus centered on a single young man before a grave; a familiar magical aura brought feral knowledge to her brain.

"He’s being controlled by a vampire—I can see the spell—I need to go to him!"

Nia hugged tighter. "What if it’s a trap!?"

Rachel’s worried demeanor was swept away in an instant as she went on alert, narrowed eyes returning to her. "Nia, Operation is a go. And, Scarlet... If this is what you’re feeling—follow through. I’ll be listening and run interference with the others."

Streaming out the pressure threatening to crush her chest, Scarlet wiped at her bloody cheeks and forced a laugh as Rachel held up a fist for her to casually return.

"Think and act."

"Think and act," she repeated, emotions coming back down as Nia groaned.

"Okay! It’s Big Nia’s turn, I guess... Be safe out there, Major," she sniffed, hugging her from behind again. "Your girls got your tail!"

Rachel tapped the bun’s forehead with a chuckle, making her balk and rub the area. "If she had a tail. Now, get going, soldier. You have answers to extract. We’re running coms."

Nodding, she abandoned her umbrella as shadows embraced her.

"I’m not giving up; if my dad’s body is still here, I’m getting it!"

The tapping of rain came into focus as she materialized behind the enchanted man, trapped in some kind of dream fog from what her powers told her. A fountain of blood instantly exited her legs and arms, creating a small platform for her to stand on and protecting her from the pounding droplets.

A few seconds went by in silence as Scarlet battled down her temper. Rachel wouldn’t let herself be consumed by emotion and make mistakes; the hare had set an example that she wanted to follow.

The gentle and cool breeze pressed against her torn dress, her voice cold as she held her hands behind her back to prevent them from fidgeting or strangling the 18-year-old boy. He was a victim, trapped in a haze that made the world a fantasy, controlled by the vampire who had cast the spell on him; it was powerful.

"I assume you have a message for me?"

Umbrella rising a little, the dark-haired young man’s sparkling eyes turned to her as if greeting a good friend, showing a perfect smile. "Lady Scarlet! My mistress has informed me I need to wait for you to show up; she’s been dying to meet you. Will you allow me to drive you to her?"