Midnight Forever

"And if my blood is spilt tonight, at least I know my heart is safe here with you.  You helped me find and complete myself even when I though all hope was lost. I love you with all my heart Serenity. Please forgive me. I have to uphold her honor.1

-Keagan"2

My eyes welled with tears as I let the letter flutter to the floor. He'd left without saying goodbye...he had to defend her honor. Unimaginable rage began to build in me and my hands shook so hard I couldn't focus on anything. If I made him so complete, so whole, so radiantly new, why had he deserted me?3

I had saved Keagn from himself. In the lowest time in his life, I'd been there for him. He thought the only alternative was ending his life. If Rose was gone, what was the point of trudging on through each dismal day? I had shown him love and compassion, brought a smile back to his face.4

But Rose...she had been his one and only. I remember seeing pictures of her around his apartment. Her long flowing chestnut hair had reached mid-back and her wide blue eyes were framed with shocking dark lashes. She had full, pink lips that looked very inviting. Her thin frame always looked tasteful in every snap shot. 5

I was the one to suggest he take them down. At first he looked horrified at the suggestion.6

"But...it's Rose..."7

That night I helped box each frame up, I also kissed him. We were watching some trivial late night soap opera. We went back to my place where the only pictures adorning the wall were those of my parents and my cat, Goliath. I was cuddled against his arm, quite content with hearing him breath. He shifted against me and my thudded onto his chest. His heart was beating wildly, the rhythm sounding mildly erratic against my ear. I looked up and his deep brown eyes were focused sharply on the movie. I gently whispered his name, desperate to keep his attention.8

"Keagan."9

He turned his face down to mine and before he had time to pull away, I gently caressed his cheek with my hand. His eyes fluttered shut and he leaned into my touch.10

"Serenity...it just...I don't..."11

"Hush." I leaned up towards him and gently pressed my lips against his own. He hooked his arm underneath me, holding me closer to him. His lips felt firm against my own and when he finally loosened his grip on me, I fell away from him completely breathless.12

"Don't let me go Serenity." His voice was husky and deep. He gently rubbed his thumb at the base of my spine.13

All this from just a kiss...14

"I won't."15

And I hadn't. I had refused to let him go. I had fallen quite madly for Keagan. Even when he had nightmares...those had been the worst. I remember the last one he'd had, two nights before he'd left me this letter. I'd been soundly asleep against him, he'd begged me to stay with him, and of course I complied. His warm breath coated the top of my head and one of his large hands had settled around my shoulder. Suddenly, whispers of words shuddered against my ear. It caused my eyes to fly open, for some strange reason. I strained and began to make out what he was saying.16

"Rose...I'm so sorry. What did you do? The blood, your blood. So pale Rose...so pale. So sorry...sorry."17

"Keagan, are you okay?" I rolled over to face him and jumped when I caught sight of his wide brown eyes. Tears were forming and quickly spilling down the side of his face, soaking into his pillow case.18

"Her blood. Everywhere. So sorry..."19

"It's not your fault Keagan. Go to sleep." I raised my hand to close his eyes myself and he clamped a firm hand around my wrist. 20

"They took her. Drained her..." His eye lids began to flutter and I bit my lip to keep from saying anything. "I...will...fix...this..." His eyes finally settled shut then, and he said no more.21

I jolted back to here and now, the memories seemed so real. Now Keagan was gone and I knew he wouldn't return. He'd told me about the people Rose had been involved with. They had sharp teeth and only came out at night. Rose had been too curious. She'd wanted to be a part of them.22

Keagan had came home from work and Rose had given herself over to them. But he'd walked in, they were in the middle of it. They tore her throat out...23

Now they were back. They were taunting him. And he couldn't let them get away with stealing her from him.24

"And if my blood is spilt tonight, at least I know my heart is safe here with you."25

Of course it is...