“Erika, let’s go!” someone shouted then went beside her.
　　“Let’s get her out from here!” she said. The other woman looked at me who is also wearing their uniform.
　　“Please help, me,” I pleaded.

　　“No! Let’s just go and stop caring for that crazy woman! Let’s run!”
　　She dragged the girl and left me. I lost all my hope. I tried going out of the bed again as tears escaped my eyes. My bump is already too big I can hardly move! I fell on the floor and almost rolled. I immediately hugged my baby bump.
　　I will protect you.
　　“Help, please!”
　　The door is widely opened, welcoming the smoke. I keep my face near the floor to avoid inhaling it. I saw woods fell near the doorway.
　　I tried crawling towards it while shouting for help hoping that someone would come. My arm got burned but I didn’t think of it. I need to prioritize escaping from here.

　　My eyes suddenly turned blurry. My stomach started hurting and I feel like something exploded inside me. I shut my eyes tightly and pressed my hand on my stomach. No, I think I will give birth now.
　　“Ahh!”
　　I feel like something is coming out from me that’s why I pushed as hard as I can. As the debris fall down, I screamed. Beads of sweats are on my forehead. I twisted in unexplainable pain.
　　I am alone again.

　　I screamed as I pushed. I gasped for air as I clutched on my chest when I felt my heart burning. It is so painful. The pain is in sync now.
　　In my death, there is a new life that will grow. I wish someone would come to save my child.
　　In one last push, I screamed and cry at the same time. It was followed by a loud cry. Tears fell from my eyes. I want to see him but I am now too weak to move a finger. I want to touch him but I can’t. I just stared at nowhere and prayed. I hope someone will come. Please…
　　But until I lost my consciousness and life left my body, no one came to save us.
　　In fleeting time, I feel like I am in the air. The heat around me was suddenly gone. I feel so weak. I don’t know where I am. I feel my back touched a cold ground.
　　Am I at the afterlife?
　　“B-baby…” I tried whispering. I even tried to move my fingers.
　　I heard cute giggles and a low manly chuckle followed it. I want to open my eyes to see who is around me but I have no energy left.
　　I felt a cold thing touched my lips. Then a cold air touched my neck, sending shivers down to my spine. The small voltages of current crept in my system.
　　“Hold on…”
　　I gasped when two pointed thing penetrated the soft skin on my neck. I can’t move and I am too surprised. I feel like I am burning when I felt something sucking on my neck. I want to cry and shout in pain but my voice is already lost, I can’t find it.
　　No… It hurts.
　　It stopped then it was followed by something that is flowing through the hole on my neck. It has a burning sensation. I want to struggle to be freed from pain but nothing happened. The torture of pain keeps on coming.
　　Until everything went dark and I fell into a deep slumber.
　　Second life? Someone must be lucky to receive that. Not everyone has the chance and I am fortunate to have it. I am one of those lucky people.
　　I thought I was just in a dream when I woke up in a sunny morning. I scanned my surrounding immediately. The bed is big and comfy. I rubbed on my eyes then stood out from the bed. I am in a room which looks simple but pretty. Everything is made up of wood even the door that I pulled to open.
　　I can’t help but to admire and be amazed on where I am. Even it is too simple and every part is nature-based, it managed to be really beautiful. The living room is fresh-looking and homey. The chairs are made out of wood even the vase on the top of the wooden table. It has fresh red roses inside.
　　“Hello? Is anyone here?” I asked, raising the volume of my voice a bit.
　　My feet brought me to the kitchen where the dining table is also located. There are foods ready and just covered. I went to the sink to wash my face and mouth before facing the foods. There is a cup of rice, a sunny side up egg, and toasted bread.
　　I started eating but I stopped as soon as I felt something weird in my stomach. I can taste the food but once I swallow it, it becomes nothing and it doesn’t make me feel heavy. It is like I am just eating air.
　　I feel my dry throat so I stood to look for water then I found one. I immediately drank it but it didn’t ease the dryness. I went to the kitchen to look for something that might satisfy me and I found a big bottle. I twisted the cap and a sweet aroma invaded my nostril.
　　I poured my glass. The liquid looks like a coffee but it has a tinge of red. I brought it to my mouth and not minding its hotness, I drank it straightly. It made me feel good but I am craving for more so I drank and drank until nothing was left.
　　I made my way out of the house and I realized that it is kinda big. I automatically smiled when I saw the beautiful front yard. It is full of colorful flowers but the roses dominated them.
　　I can even see butterflies and birds flying around. This place is peaceful and I want to be here forever.
　　I was about to walk when someone bumped on my knees. I needed to bent down to see it and I was shock to see a child. His gray eyes looked at me intently and when he moved a bit, it became color blue as light reflected on it. I swallowed hard and I felt a chill.
　　“Mama?” he asked.
　　I touched my chest and I slowly kneeled in front of him. I caressed his face then my tears started cascading down my cheeks.
　　My memories are like water that flooded my mind. I was trapped in a room and I gave birth to our child. I felt like floating then I heard a chuckle and a baby’s giggle. Two pointed thing penetrated my neck and a burning sensation flow through the holes.
　　“B-baby…” I hugged him as tight as I can.
　　I can’t stop crying in so much happiness. It is hard to believe that I am seeing him now.
　　We are safe. We are alive. How that happened?
　　“My baby… my son,” I whispered emotionally.
　　I pulled away from the hug then I cupped his face. I showered him with my kisses. I can’t be wrong, he is my son. I can feel our connection and it is too strong.
　　“Why it took you a long time to be awake, Mama? We waited for you!”
　　I caressed his thick and a bit long hair. It is so dark that it emphasized his fair skin. His lips are so red like a fresh blood.
　　“I am sorry. Mama is here now, baby…” I whispered.
　　He smiled at me and it reminds me of someone. I swallowed the lump in my throat.
　　“We? Who are you waiting with?” I asked.
　　He pouted, trying to stop smiling.
　　“Papa!” he chanted.
　　My forehead creased. “Papa?”
　　He nodded. I felt a shiver ran down my spine. I heard sounds of steps. I looked behind me but I saw no one.
　　“He is coming!”
　　I stilled on my spot when I saw someone behind my son. I felt my body shook because of the overwhelming emotions as he walked towards us. There is bunch of wooden sticks on his shoulder and he’s wearing nothing on top.
　　His hair is messy and some strands are covering his forehead. His gray eyes met mine. I swallowed in anticipation. I can’t believe it. He is really here. I think I am gonna explode in happiness. I want to shout, jump, and run towards him but what I was able to do is to slowly stand as my tears fell from my eyes.
　　“Lennox?”
　　My lips quivered as I uttered his name. I can’t believe that it hurts and feels good at the same time, saying his name again. My system turned into chaos.
　　“You are awake…” his husky voice filled my ear.
　　I nodded as I stared him in awe. Our son ran towards him and Lennox immediately carried him with his one hand.
　　“Papa, Mama is awake now. You promised that you will kiss her once she’s awake, right?” He innocently asked while staring at his father.
　　I can’t help but to notice how much they look alike. All their features are the same!
　　I can’t move as I watched them. They are the best view I have ever seen. I have a lot of question but I can’t say anything. He threw away the woods then he walked towards me while carrying our child.
　　“Of course, I would never forget that, Lourd,” he murmured while staring at me intensely.
　　He pulled me closer to him as soon as he’s near me. He pressed his lips against mine. I closed my eyes and put my palm against his chest as I answered his kisses. He sucked my lower lip and let his tongue explore my mouth. He is really kissing me hard like he’s been waiting for this. I felt the hollowness and sadness that I have, being filled with his love through the kiss. When we pulled away, we looked at each other’s eyes.
　　“Lennox, baby…”
　　I touched his face and caressed his cheeks. He closed his eyes then he bent down a bit to rest his forehead against mine. I chuckled when I noticed that our son has his back turned to us, avoiding to see what we did.
　　“I’ve waited for so long and it feels like a lifetime. You were unconscious for fuckin’ three months!”
　　I chuckled then hit him on his chest.
　　“My gosh, the two of you are really alike. You both reacted as if I am gone for years!” I laughed.
　　“But it feels like forever especially it wasn’t sure if you’re gonna wake up. But you know, I will wait for you no matter how long it is.”
　　I tiptoed to kiss him and gave him a smile. I glanced at our son then I carried him in my arms.
　　“What’s your name, baby?” I asked him.
　　His eyes twinkled in delight. I love his eye color. It depends on the amount of light. It could be gray or blue.
　　“I am Lourd, Mama,” he answered.
　　I kissed him and I hugged him so tight. I heaved a sigh as I cherish our hug.
　　“I am thankful that we survived. I am sorry if I am gone for three months,” I whispered to him then I glanced at Lennox who was watching us with a smile. “Why did he grow up so fast?”
　　“Of course, he is my son.”
　　He put his arms on my shoulder as we entered our beautiful home.
　　Lourd is on my lap while I am sitting and Lennox is beside me, kissing me on the side of my forehead. I can’t believe everything. Lourd looks like he is almost two years old. He could speak and walk well. But it is just been three months since I gave birth to him.
　　And Lennox… Lennox is alive.
　　I suppressed my tears and I kissed Lennox again. When we parted we stared on each other’s eyes.
　　“How this happened? How are you alive again?” I asked.
　　He smiled and kissed me on my cheek. “I don’t know, maybe the Creator heard my cries. I was in a dark place and hearing your cries and pleadings tortured me. I will never be contented knowing the fact that I was not able to turn you into a vampire and you will die for carrying our baby. And maybe the Creator knew what my heart really desires. I never wanted to harm anyone since I met you. I just want a safe and peaceful life. Then I was suddenly transported to the room where you were at. It made me weak seeing your situation but when Lourd smiled at me, I gained my strength back. I found myself chuckling because of his giggles and I did everything to bring you back alive.”
　　I smiled and I leaned on him. I looked at Lourd who is innocently looking at us.
　　“I love you Lennox, I love you so much. Thank you for coming back,” I whispered then raised my head. He bent down to kiss me lightly on my lips. After that, I looked at our son again. “And I love you, too, Lourd. I love you.”
　　Lourd smiled at me and I melted when he buried his face on my chest. I closed my eyes. My happiness is too hard to explain because no words are enough to describe it. It is overwhelming.
　　“I love you, too, my Sweet. I love the both of you. Now…” Lennox whispered. “We can live happily ever after.”
　　He hugged the both of us tightly, with so much love and security.
　　Life is full of mysteries and surprises. There are a lot of secret that will unfold and struggles to face. It will not give you pure happiness from the start, or maybe yes, but there is a point when we will face hardships. Hardships that will strengthen and mold us to be a better person.
　　In our story, we started in pain and sadness. He came to my life and was added to the story of my life. I felt joy, pain, misery, and I faced problems, but still, I will keep on looking back at those part.
　　Not all stories start with once upon a time and immediately… effortlessly become a happy ending. In our case, we started in once upon a time, then we experienced monsters and problems and finally had our happily ever after.
　　It is different when you experienced struggles and hardships before you reached the joyous part of the life because we will learn to give importance on everything that we have. We become stronger and forever will be unbreakable.
　　This is our dark love. The dark love that no one can break. The dark love that will never fade and the dark love that no one can pass through. Our dark love that is forever.