Humanity || Harry Styles Vampire

Chapter 21 || Unknown Familiarity

I'm so shitty and you all are so nice and so ugh I don't deserve you guys thank you and I love you all.

Enjoy x

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I excuse myself from his office, ashamed, disappointed and heartbroken. I wasn't expecting a reaction like that at all. My envisioned movie scene dream is diminished and force to face reality; nobody cares enough to realise my absence.

I feel alone.

I long to explore the gardens, but because of Harrys recently imposed rules, I am prohibited from doing so, for safety reasons, it's highly unfair. My sense of freedom here is the castle is unvalued and overlooked by many.

Previous rules imposed against me were more than enough to ensure I knew my place, I was restrained substantially. Now my freedom is encroached even further: I must remain inside the castle walls. Even with that, there a multiple rooms a person of my status and species, denied access.

If I am not allowed to visit the villages, my family and even the gardens, how am I supposed to entertain myself? What freedom do I have?

Does Harry know how tightly I am being held? I feel so trapped: it's suffocating. I feel that the free spirit I once had is slowly and painfully meeting its demise.

Selena is always with Niall. I can't blame her for that. She was the one friend who I always knew who understood myself, and the situation I am in, as Selena is enduring the same thing. I just wish I had her to talk to.

I can't remember the last time I saw Louis. He can always make me smile. My loneliness is consuming and ever growing.

I am beginning to feel the loss of Luke's presence more then ever. I miss him deeply. But most of all: his laugh, and his overall aroma of happiness, freedom and safety. It feels like it had been an eternity since Luke was forbid to see me. Another example of Harry imposing demands to cocoon me, and keep me from happiness, but then again, it is his job. He is the king, he has the right to, it's just the person he is.

I am not a porcelain doll: I will not break if a fall. And I certainly don't need to be treated like one.

Kenna, Lola and Aylee try to comfort me. It seems the only friends I have a paid to change my sheets, although, I know their support is pure. I am beginning to rely on their friendship, which could backfire and hurt me if anything happens to them. I know I can call them all a friend of mine.

The girls and I have been talking the remainder of the day through. I have learned about Lola's boyfriend Collin, and how she hopes he will ask to marry her sometime soon. Aylee may have found someone she's willing to commit to, from her description, he is cute and the perfect match for her. I am so happy for the two of them. Kenna recently came out of a relationship, she didn't sound too sad about it, so I am happy that she can move on and find someone new.

As they are only on duty the during lunchtime and onwards, I didn't tell them about what happened this morning in the tunnels, and who I saw, I will save that for another day.

"As much as I enjoy your company, you should go for a walk, you've been inside all day it's not good for you." Aylee advises, beaming her beautiful smile as she seats herself on the edge of my bed beside me, her blonde locks graciously land on her shoulder.

"Go socialise with people other than your maids, I'm sure there are many handsome mysterious men in the castle you can steal the heart of." Kenna teases. Aylee and Lola giggle and I can't but help join in before testifying.

"I didn't say I was looking for a boyfriend!" I smack her on the shoulder playfully. I didn't tell them about my feelings for Harry, mostly because I am unsure of them.

"No, but you did say you didn't have that special someone either." Kenna's face is smug. She knows she's winning.

"Maybe I don't want one." I fold my arms across my chest, refusing to smile, nor look in the eyes of any of the girls. I know they will make me laugh.

A few giggles fill the emptiness I'm the room.

"You never know who you may encounter whilst in the royal palace." Lola speaks up and I find myself surprisingly interested in what she has to say. "We know you do actually want a boyfriend. You said so yourself, the castle can be a lonely place. We know you didn't want us as maids and guardians when we were first assigned to you, you felt as if your freedom was being restricted even further. With all due respect, would you of given our relationship as great a chance if you weren't so lonely? We will always be here not just as your maids, but as friends too. We love you, and that means we care. Go fulfil the emptiness in your heart."

Lola's words are wise and also very true, it takes me a moment to reflect.

"Yeah!" Aylee puts her fist in the air jokingly to support Lola's speech.

Lola's serious facial expression morphs into one of laughter.

A few moments pass before Kenna scurries over and grabs my hand, ushering me towards he door. The others follow behind. I am practically thrown outside by them collectively.

I turn behind me. Lola, Kenna and Aylee block my entrance back inside.

"We are not letting you back in until you socialise with people other than your maids." Kenna mocks, causing everyone to laugh.

"I quite enjoy your company."

"We know, but you must spend time outside your chambers too!" Aylee chirps.

"It's for your own good." Lola says. And with that, the door is sealed shut before I testify.

"This is my room!" I yell, but it's use.

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I finally decide I am going to do it.

I've been trying to find the courage to thank her for the past hour. I've been too afraid. I know she won't harm me, I trust her. It could be too soon, I am still in shock, it was only a few hours ago I was freed from my near-death experience. I am alive because of her and I don't even know her name!

I ensure that no one is near. With a chicken sandwich in hand, I open a short, but heavy wooden door that seems to be at least a hundred years old. I believe it connects to the tunnels.

"Hello?" My voice is shaky.

Moments pass. All I hear is the familiar occasional drip.

"Hello" I call again this time louder and wait.

I believe I hear footsteps, but I am unsure.

"I have a chicken sandwich, freshly made from the kitchen!" I walk a few steps forward, and place the sealed food on the floor before walking back to my original position to give her space. I recall her being unhealthy skinny, malnourished.

This time I am sure I hear footsteps. I raise my candle to find that the wrapping is on the floor, without the sandwich inside. She is here.

"Listen, I just wanted to thank you, for what you did for me, you saved my life! I don't think I could ever repay you... Thank you."

Her figure emerges from the shadows.

"Thank you for the sandwich." Her voice is broken and scratchy, as if it pains her to speak. Her face remains masked.

"I'm Ariana." I introduce myself smiling. "What's your name?"

"Caroline."

My heart drops, yet I don't know why. Where have I heard that name?