September 9,1943

William has found me. After 62 years, he is seated in the next room, sleeping in an armchair in my home. I never fathomed this day would come, but he is here.

Seeing him again brought me back to Nice. I could see the vast and opulent vestibule, the white marble floors, and grand, winding staircase, even though I could feel my physical form standing at my cabin door. My past emotions were also transported, feelings of dread, fear, and being unsettled . . . things that I did not want to relive.

He came last night, assuming a new and ridiculous name—'Spike'—though I suppose it suits him to a degree, considering his disposition. He claims to have been led here by 'a whim'. It was all highly suspicious, but a man of his character is undoubtedly suspect. However, I cannot account for the similar occurrences we have both had—him dreaming of me, and I him. He contended it is a trait shared between sire and childe. It appears to manifest itself moreso within imminent proximity from what I can attest to. This is an ability I wasn't aware of, and even though decades have passed, I still feel so new to this world.

I didn't think to write an entry on the night he had arrived, seeing as he had proclaimed he was only spending a couple nights here (a self-invitation on his part), but with all the events that have occurred within only two days passing, I could not help but mention him.

He doesn't appear to have changed at all—callous, ruthless, ill-tempered, and obstinate. Other than dying his blond hair to black, and that scar on his brow he so proudly wears inflicted from a 'Slayer' (chosen women who hunt demons and the like—though I did not bother to delve more into the topic), he seems to be completely fixed in his state. It is because of his more than spritely nature that he has put him and myself in more compromising positions than one. His immobilised car, for instance, was what led the SS officer to my very door. And again, tonight, he almost had a bullet lodged in his brain when he followed me to the meat shop. I was lucky enough to have made the exchange before his appearance or Squirrel might have refused to give me any money at all!

It was also tonight that I needed to make the lift. Thankfully, I managed to bring the small family back to my home without any additional distractions. There was no other way of getting around this large detail with William. Had I gone with my initial plans, he would have found them in my home anyway if I had left him in the city to be picked up later. He agreed to ride with them (albeit, with a bit of reluctance), but I suspect it had to do with him being assuaged with fresh blood just moments before.

Now I must wait till tomorrow evening to ensure the family's safety. Even though they lie beneath me, encumbering any of his direct attempts, I fear allowing them freedom to roam about during the day. I cannot say that I entirely trust him, but I also cannot say that I do not.

Victor doesn't, but that is in his nature; Annabelle takes to him with warm reception, but that is also in hers. I couldn't nor wouldn't allow my guard to be so steadfastly removed, especially with him threatening Victor and Annabelle—and locking Annabelle in the cupboards! Recalling this causes my blood to boil! Yet, he promised he would no longer harm them (but not without being compromised by a mere cigarette lodged in his throat), and so far, he has kept his word.

This is why I cannot proclaim that I do not completely mistrust him. He speaks to me like . . . an old friend, which proves that he was never aware of what had happened in Nice. Despite our temperamental history, there were rare and fleeting moments where we shared a connection. And as I reflect on this, admittedly, I have missed him . . . and enjoy his company.

I will never be so blinded with naivete as I was in the past, but I cannot help but feel my guard lowering with him, and no matter how much I try to resist it, I feel I trust him a little more the longer he is here.

Author's Note:

I'd been thinking I'd just add this here as a 'bonus' chapter. If you noticed, I hadn't marked this story as complete in the last post (for the people that haven't unfollowed this story yet, here's a treat, lol).

On a totally unrelated topic, I finally learned how to put type an em dash on my Chromebook (just took me over two years, ha ha...). My writing style will change in the future. I think things will look more polished.

Thanks again for reading guys, and the continued support.

Oh, also, I'm offering beta services, just to kind of keep my own writing in check. I think it'll help me learn things along the way as well.

–B.