𝕍𝕒𝕞𝕡𝕚𝕣𝕖𝕤 𝕊𝕦𝕔𝕜 ⦉ᴛᴠᴅ⦊

Ch 3. Compelling Secret

Caroline's fifteenth birthday had come and gone, a day that should have been filled with joy and celebration. But her father, always caught up in his work and his new relationship had skipped her party, leaving her feeling forgotten and overlooked. It seemed like an eternity had passed since she had truly connected with him, and the promised summer vacation to London felt like a glimmer of hope in the darkness of their strained relationship.

The anticipation built within Caroline as she imagined the two of them embarking on a journey together, exploring the bustling streets of the historic city, and creating cherished memories. She yearned for those moments of genuine connection, a chance to bridge the growing gap between them.

Yet, her dreams were quickly shattered when she discovered that her father's boyfriend, Steven, would be joining them on their adventure. While Caroline didn't harbor any ill will towards Steven, the possibility of her being the third wheel dampened her excitement. It was no secret that their interactions were often tinged with awkwardness, as she found herself perpetually on the outside looking in.

The absence of Steven's daughter, whom Caroline had grown fond of during their few encounters, added an additional layer of disappointment. Caroline and Steven's daughter had shared a unique bond, both navigating the complexities of their respective relationships with their fathers. Their conversations had provided solace and understanding, a rare comfort amidst the turmoil.

Caroline couldn't help but wonder why Steven's daughter hadn't accompanied them on this trip. She had expected a kindred spirit, a companion who would bring a sense of familiarity to their time in London. But fate had intervened, as Steven had explained that his daughter was committed to a prior engagement-a camp that prevented her from joining them.

The realization that she would be left alone with her father and Steven in a foreign city weighed heavily on Caroline's heart. The prospect of spending days surrounded by awkward silences and strained conversations seemed daunting. She longed for the ease and camaraderie she shared with Steven's daughter, someone who understood the intricacies of their complicated family dynamics.

After the unsettling encounter with the vampire in the dimly lit alley, Caroline's determination swelled within her like a roaring flame. She knew there were answers to be found, secrets lurking in the shadows of her father's smile. And so, seizing the opportunity presented by her dad and Steven's dinner date, she resolved to uncover the truth, even if it meant delving into forbidden territory.

Silently, she crept into her dad's hotel room, her heart pounding with a mix of trepidation and anticipation. The room seemed strangely foreign, an unfamiliar space that held the secrets she sought. Her eyes darted around, scanning every corner, as she sought any clues that could shed light on her own existence, on why she had been brought along on this seemingly romantic getaway.

And then she found it-a weathered, ancient-looking journal tucked away amidst a jumble of personal belongings. Its pages were yellowed with time, revealing the weight of untold stories and forgotten memories. Her curiosity piqued, Caroline gingerly picked up the journal, carefully turning each page as if unwrapping a long-lost artifact.

Within its worn and faded pages, she discovered accounts of supernatural encounters, sketches of strange creatures, and detailed descriptions of vampire-hunting methods. Her eyes widened in disbelief. This journal, a relic of her father's past, revealed a hidden side of him she had never fathomed. It was a world filled with darkness and danger, a world where vampires roamed and hunters fought to protect humanity.

As she continued her search, her attention was drawn to a collection of peculiar gadgets, each designed with a specific purpose in mind-tools for slaying vampires. The realization struck her like a bolt of lightning. Her father, the man she had always seen as ordinary, had been part of a clandestine world, battling the forces of evil under the cover of normalcy.