In your darkest hour, I'll be the light at the end of the tunnel -- Winter 2016

I smiled up at my grandpa.  "Thanks, Gramps," I said, grateful that he understood so well what was running through my mind.  I sighed and rubbed the back of my neck.  "I just don't know what I'm going to do... thansk for letting me just stay up here for tonight before I have to deal with everyone else.  I doubt I'll want to attack them like I do you -- that's just natural for vampires and werewolves... but still.  I'm just glad that I did not get any lycanthropy from Dad or anything... who knows what could have happened to me if I did?"  I shuddered at the thought.

I nodded with understanding, waving my wand to dim the lights and just leaving enough on to be able to see to go to my bedchamber while Leo stayed in the study area.  "It would have been something," I said to him, shaking my head slgihtly.  "But nothing we need to worry about... I don't foresee a werewolf biting you now.  Try to get some rest, Leo.  I'll have a much better plan for you in the morning."  I was sure that I would be up for the rest of the night trying to figure out some things that woul dneed to be handled when it came to my grandson and the populace of the school.

I nodded at him and crawled into the sleeping bag, which was rather comfortable.  I knew that there was no reason it would not be with the way that Grandpa was.  I fell asleep, but tossed and turned all night long.  I awoke to the rays of sun shining into the study of Grandpa's office.  I stretched and stood up.  I saw that Grandpa was reading at his office, I had not even heard him come into the study.  "Grandpa," I said quietly, fighting the urge to jump across the desk and hurt him.  I did not like this feeling.  "Grandpa... i think I need help..."

I looked up and smiled at Leo, mainly to calm him down.   the beast within me had been wanting to control my actions and hurt him while he slept.  I wanted to help Leopold learn to keep his calm and collected and under control.  I pointed over to the shelves a little ways away from my desk.  "There is some blood for you to drink... a little mix.  I was able to - erm - well, you don't need the details quite yet until I find a better suitable solution.  I just needed this on quick notice for when you woke.  Drink up, it should help."  Of course I had stayed up nearly the entire night reading to make sure I knew what to expect when Leo woke.  I also needed to make sure he had sustenance before going out into the general population of the school.

I nodded and moved over to the shelf with interesting speed.  It surprised me completely.  I felt like this was going to be gross, but stared at the cup.  I was so surprised that I was actually wanting to drink this.  I took a drink and drained that glass.  I almost feltl iek I needed more but at the same time, I was quenched.  I looked over at my grandpa and felt calmer.  "This is disgusting," I said, hating myself for the fact that I really enjoyed that.

I smiled slightly and nodded at him.  "Yeah," I said, understanding completely.  "But it's necessary for you to stay alive.  Or are you saying it's disgusting because you actually liked it?" I raised my eyebrows at him, trying to read his expression.

I nodded at him.  I looked down and then back up at my grandpa.  "The latter," I said quietly.  "It actually tasted good... which is why it's disgusting."  I shuddered at the thought, but I did realize that I no longer really wanted to kill my own grandpa... as much as I had wanted to before.  I wondered if that would ever go away.

I figured as much.  I sighed and nodded.  "It'll take some getting used to, Leo... but give it time," I said to him.  I remembered it like it was yesterday how I felt after I was bitten.  I was so scared.  "How are you feeling?" I asked him.

I shrugged at my grandpa.  "I don't really know... I'm scared to go down with the rest of the students," I admitted, feeling vulnerable for admitting a fear.  "I think that I might end up doing something to hurt someone..."

I stood up and put my hands on his shoulders.  "Leo, you can stay up here as long as you need... I won't force you to go back with the rest of hte students until you're ready," I assured him. "The professors will listen to me and not ask questions of your whereabouts... I'll cover the excuses that you'll need to avoid telling anyone the truth."

I was grateful that Grandpa was being so cool about this.  What was I supposed to do with this?  I mean... Dad was a werewolf, Uncle Will was a werewolf, Grandpa was a werewolf, my cousin was a werewolf, and Uncle Nolan was, too.  I was surprised that I was as okay as I was -- I had to have some werewolf blood in me... so why was I a vampire now?  I nodded at my grandpa.   "I know... but I can't hide forever, either," I said, even though that was what I wanted to do so badly.

"Well, of course not," I stated simply. "But this isn't hiding if you're trying to get used to what you are," I added.  I knew it would take some time.  It certainly did for me.

I nodded at my grandpa and took a deep breath.  "Grandpa... will you control me to make sure that I don't do something stupid?" I asked quietly, hating how vulnerable and miserable I felt.

I looked at Leo.  "Of course I will make sure you stay in control of yourself," I said to him, rephrasing the question slightly.  "And I will make sure that no other students come to any harm, etiher."

If Grandpa thought I did not realize what he did, he was daft.  And I knew he was not.  I let it slide.  I smiled slightlly at  him.  "Thank you," I said.  I then went up to him and hugged him - not too big to hug my grandpa.  "For everything."