Nightshade: A SimLit | Chapter 34: I Will Always Be With You

It was a hot summer evening, a few days after Amelia had turned into a vampire. She hadn't yet told anyone about it, although she knew she would have to soon, considering it was only a matter of time until someone looked close enough to notice her fangs...

Her cheerful conversation with Onyx and Alexander was interrupted by a knock on the door.

"I wonder who that could be?" Alexander asked. "Brynn didn't say she was coming over..."

Amelia looked toward the door. "I don't know. I'll--"

"I'll get it," Onyx interrupted. He stood up and walked to it, a confused expression appearing on his face when he saw the person through the glass panels. He spoke as he stepped outside. "Mom?"

Silently, Raven pulled him into a hug, her head resting against his shoulder. "Onyx..."

Onyx frowned, still just as confused, but returned her hug. "Is something wrong?"

She lifted her head and met his gaze. There was so much hurt in her eyes, so much regret. "I just wanted to say... I'm so sorry for everything. I love you." Before he had the chance to respond, she broke away from the hug and walked through the gate, off of the porch and into the sunlight.

"Mom!" Onyx walked after her, wincing as soon as the sun hit his skin. "What are you doing? Get out of the sunlight before you get hurt!"

Raven was silent for a moment before responding. "I am doing something I've wanted to do for years, Onyx. Finally, I can do this..."

"Do what!?" Onyx cried, coming closer, his eyes widening in horror as flames began to form on her body.

"I've raised you and loved you for so many years," she began. "You're a man now. You've gotten married, you're out on your own... you don't need me now. I have nothing left, Onyx. I've seen things through to the end. I can go now."

"What do you mean!?" Onyx could feel tears beginning to form in his eyes. "I still need you!"

"But even though I loved you... I've done you so much wrong. Not just you, but Amelia... I have only brought you hurt. This is my only way to atone." Raven's eyes filled with tears, a combination of the emotions and the pain of the sunlight burning her skin. "I'm so tired, Onyx... I'm tired of immortality. I'm tired of this world. I just want to be with your father again. Please... go back inside. You're burning, too."

Onyx was frozen in shock, his voice quivering. "No! You can't do this! Don't leave me!"

Raven turned to him with a sorrowful smile as the tears spilled from her eyes. "I'm not leaving you. I will always be with you," she said. "Goodbye, Onyx."

Onyx watched in horror as the flames consumed her and she collapsed to the ground. "Mom! No!"

She heard his cries, though they sounded so distant as her vision began to fade. She was overcome with the agonizing pain, but in a way, she savored it. She felt death coming closer and closer...

And then, it all went dark.

Onyx dropped to his knees and weakly pulled her limp body into his arms, bursting into tears as he held her close. "Please, wake up! Don't die... please," he choked out between sobs. But he knew it was far too late. And as he felt his pain grow more intense, he began to think it was too late for him, too.

"Onyx!"

Suddenly he snapped out of it and turned his head to see her approaching. "A-Amelia..." he stammered out, laying Raven on the ground and stumbling to his feet.

Amelia pulled him into a hug and he leaned against her for support, unable to even stand up steadily. "Onyx! You have to get inside! You're burning! Y-You'll die--"

"I can't leave her!" Onyx sobbed, hugging tightly to her. "I can't..."

"It's too late for her. I'm sorry..." Amelia ran her hand through his hair. "We have to... go back inside..." Her voice was strained as her own skin began to burn 

Onyx nodded silently, and Amelia lead him back to safety. As they disappeared inside the house, a dark mist formed near Raven...

"Raven..." A voice called.

"The afterlife awaits."