The Lost Prince's

Chapter 3 There is No Return Way (part 2)

“A-what?!!”, exclaim Shine and Shane in unison.

“What are you saying? Are you crazy, Zero?”, Shine seems to lose her calm.

“He can't come back right. So that's the only way people stop looking for it”

I scratched my head that wasn't scratching. Zero had already said this idea on the way home. But the way

telling others raises a misunderstanding.

“Zero said he had an acquaintance with a Guardian member. That person might be able to work together to create

report of my death”, I explained.

“Is that true?”, asked Shine.

Zero just nodded.

“You made us jangangan”, Shine said. While Shane was just grunting annoyed.

Karen told me she didn't really want to go home without me. But he also understood that there were people who were worried about him. That's when Shine proposed a way for Karen to stay here. Karen will enter the school that Shane and Shine are overseeing at this time, the Humphire academy. And that's where Karen put forward one other condition. That is so that I also go to the same school with him.

“Not”, reject Zero raw-raw. “Key won't be able to be in the middle of so many humans. And she's not cut out to be part of vampire”

"Indefectible risk. But it might also be the best option. We can protect her there while they need school" Shine said. “And again you have no right to decide what Keyra should do, Zero. She didn't

can hide from civilization forever”

Shine said what I was thinking. Zero has no right to rule me as he continues to do. But honestly I'm also not sure about the advice to go back to this school. I realized the change in myself.

"Why can't it?", asked Zero. As if he didn't know the answer. As if he was planning on keeping me away from human civilization. Like staying in a big house next to the forest and within 3 km of this nearby settlement. What's he thinking?

"Eh..in my opinion..”.

“Too dangerous, Karen” Zero cut off the words Karen had clearly agreed to the proposal. I don't know why he really tried to stop me. And for that reason I agreed to Shine's proposal. Agreeing on the Zero thing about.

"I agree"

"What?" Zero threw a look of disbelief at me.

"I'm coming to that school"

"You crazy? It's too early for you to be in a place with a lot of people. You could've gone crazy and attacked someone"

"I won't do it! I told you I don't want to be a vampire!!. And I'm going to school" I can't let Zero ban me. This might also be my only chance to get out of this house. Out of Zero's surveillance.

"Zero, calm down a bit" Shine said. Zero let out a breath in annoyance. His eyes still radiated anger, but he held back. "I think you should give him a chance. He's not a kid, he knows what he's doing"

Zero again snorted in annoyance then stood up from his chair and turned away. It sucks! He thought who he was until I had to obey his every word. Shine and Shane must leave for the hunter's base. Shines

tell me not to worry too much before leaving. Actually I'm not worried. Because the only thing I worry about—other than Karen—is being stuck with Zero forever. I have something I want to do now. And my decision was right about being friends with those two hunters. They were better than Zero who insisted on watching me 24/7. Besides they can lead me to vanBlood. When the location was found I had to make sure I could get there with Shine and Shane. Then the possibility

I can get my revenge. Somehow, maybe I should use them too. I don't give a shit. But I'll make sure to kill him with my own hands.

***

Every time I close my eyes I see the same dream. About the night that all of mine was taken away. Nightly

when the nightmare rose and dragged me deep into the abyss of despair. Then the blood in my body became hot as if it was boiling. Something gnaws at me from the inside. Take over my body little by little. And a sense of heat surfaced behind my esophagus. It reminds me that I am not the same anymore.

Afraid of being swallowed by darkness in my own dreams, I woke up. Looking at the small clock on the table, at 2:59. It's still dark outside. Karen Masaih sleeps next to me. I stepped to the door, went out to the kitchen, took a glass of water and gulped it down. Hoping to ease the heat inside my esophagus. I

walking to the side terrace, greeted by a cold wind blowing from the direction of the forest. The sky was still cloudy and drizzling down gently. Surprisingly, I could see through into the darkness of the forest. If it hadn't rained, maybe I'd take a little walk to see the forest.

From the second floor there was a guitar playing in Zero's room. He's still awake. I sat on the floor, leaning against the wall. Look at the drizzle that continues to rain down on the earth. As dawn began to break, the drizzle disappeared and the sound of footsteps approached. That's Shine and Shane.

“You startled me!”, exclaimed Shine as she stepped out the door on the side porch. Unsuspectedly

saw me sitting there. “What are you doing?”

“I can't sleep. You guys alone?”

“We are out for jogging early in the morning”, Shane said, while wearing his sports shoes.

The two hunters then ran on the edge of the highway. I did not move from where I sat. Ah, it's actually cold here. A thick cloud covered the morning sunlight. Well, it's not like I'd care. I'm worried about the idea of going back to the school I just approved yesterday the day after tomorrow. I mean, it's better than being stuck in Zero's house forever. But I'm not sure how to deal with the outside world with my current self.

Zero has started working to make me ‘mati’. As promised he is working with a Guardian to manipulate the reports. Shine and Shane will appear as eyewitnesses. They will be Karen's savior from the pursuit of the *******. Karen's about to give a false testimony that she got separated from me while running in the woods. And I set myself up as a target for the chase while Karen coincidentally meets Shine and Shane who are hunting in the forest. I fell off a cliff, and the river below flowed into the sea. That's the story that was made for my death report.

Karen's not someone who can lie. And today he has to do it because of me.

“Kakak..” Karen called me from the inside.

“Di'”

Karen ran to the side porch after hearing me. He brought two cups of hot chocolate that was still steaming. Karen squatted down beside me, giving me one of her cups.

“Thanks”

Karen smiled slightly, blowing her hot chocolate. “Silver can get a fever if sitting outside in that thin shirt.

What are you worried about?”

“Are you not worried?” I started blowing my hot chocolate.

“No. I'm not alone”, he said. “Kakak doesn't have to worry either. Brother Zero will remain at home”

Shine and Shane said they'd stay near my uncle's house while Karen was there. Well, that's it

relieve. But I might prefer not to be with Zero.

“Keyra..you are here from earlier?”, asked Shine who just returned from jogging with Shane.

I'm nodding. “You guys also long jogging? Must be tiring”

“It's common. We need to maintain stamina so as not to lose to vampire”, said Shane. He sat down and straightened his legs on the floor of the side terrace.

“What breakfast you have? I will make it”, Karen said.

“Meats..”, Shane said.

Shine slapped Shane's shoulder. “Meat farmer. I think I want sup”

Karen smile. “Good. Soup with lots of meat!” He turned back to the kitchen.

“You have no suggestion, Keyra?”, asked Shine.

“Anything can”, I said short. “Um..you can call me Key. That sounds easier”

Shine smiled broadly. “Key, okay. Then I'll take a shower and help Karen”

I took another sip of my chocolate that was no longer hot. This is enough for my breakfast. And if I may

honestly, I don't really feel like eating. The hunger may have disappeared from me.

“You didn't help Karen?”, asked Shane to break the silence.

“Ah...I can't really cook”

“Um...Shane, can I ask?”I doubt Shane will answer anything I ask. He always seemed indifferent. But Shane nodded in agreement.

“Did Zero used to be a human being?”

Shane seemed to be not expecting my question. “Not. He was born a vampire. Why are you asking?”

“Yeah, actually I think it's weird because you guys live with Zero”

“So you thought maybe Zero was also a human who was turned into a vampire?”

I'm nodding.

“You don't have to worry too much about Zero. Shane and I can definitely match him if the worst

happened”

I'm nodding. Maybe he's right. Shane and Shine have a tall and masculine posture. They

I am used to fighting vampires. They were both definitely stronger than normal people. Maybe this was just my hunch, Zero seemed to have a lot of things hidden behind that expressionless flat face. Not only that, I can't hear Zero's footsteps. He's no ordinary vampire.

***

Three days have passed since Karen met uncle Peter's family. The matter regarding my death report has been settled. This morning he sent me a message that today is going to be a funeral for me. Local police believe the testimony of Karen and Shine and Shane. And again, the deadline for the search was past, they agreed to conclude that my body would not be found. 23 September 1990, ten days after the attack****** in the city of Siverra, the missing victim was pronounced dead.

I saw from a tall building, 1.5 km from Uncle Peter's house, a motorcade of people carrying crates without

fill it into a cemetery at the foot of the hill. Some people were sobbing there, my uncle and aunt, Karen, and my childhood friend, Sheryl. I swallowed the bitter-tasting spit. For more than 3 years we have not been in contact with each other. Sheryl's father did not return from the war, and she moved to her grandmother's house. Communication is a complicated thing in this time. Sheryl bothered to come, penetrating a distance of more than 200 km away. I can't say that I don't feel guilty.

“Do you want to know who really cried you?”, asked Zero. He fell asleep on the roof of the building, right behind me.

“No. I just want to see them” Uncle Peter's family is my only relative and Karen. Let

at any rate, I am currently deceiving them. Well, even if this is the best option I can make. It's no good for them to know that I'm no longer human. Let alone getting them dragged into my dealings with vampires.

Karen's gonna stay with my uncle and finish our parents' legacy. Dad had some savings and insurance, we decided to take the inheritance that you left behind.

"Keiva Nathalie Smith", I muttered reading the name on the 'human' identity card that Zero gave me.

"Use that name when it comes out"

"Then the guy by this name, what happened to him?"

"That guy doesn't exist. Only data in the computer"

It's hard for me to believe it. Zero creates a new identity, someone who does not exist on earth. This is too much, my inner self from the first moment of hearing this idea. But I can't oppose it. In fact, I don't

can go back to how it used to be. My slow body lost the human side and my soul that survived only to avenge. Being ‘people dead’ is probably the best explanation for our family. In addition, the fact of the existence of vampires is a secret that is tightly covered by both vampires and hunters.And again, a vampire organization will kill ordinary humans who know their existence. I can't dwell on this danger. I'm not gonna let anyone die for my fault anymore. It won't.

***

We still don't know when Karen and the twins will be back. I'm stuck in Zero's surveillance. He kept telling me to sleep in the room right next to his. I don't know what the goal is. But whatever it is, I have no intention of just following it. Not to mention he kept telling me to drink blood. Just be right! I can't possibly do that.

I don't want to turn into a vampire! I'd rather die than be one of them. Maybe. if that night Zero didn't come, I would've bled to death. So does Karen. The damn vampire promised not to touch Karen if she got my blood. That's why I turned myself in. Even though I knew the truth I didn't believe his words. That vampire will definitely attack Karen after she kills me. But at least I don't have to see it. At least I tried my best to protect her. Is correct. If Zero hadn't shown up.

My tears are starting to melt. Outside the window the room looked down. It was as if the sky understood what I felt. I don't want to be like this. If there were any other way, anything would be better than turning into a vampire slowly. I know Zero's right. I feel it in my body. The blood of the vampire changed cell after cell in me. Slowly but surely. If I could choose, I would rather die.

Suddenly the thought slipped into my head, penetrated my body. I slowly opened the door and walked silently towards the kitchen. For the first time, there was something I wanted. I grabbed a knife lying on the table. Without a second thought I sliced my own wrist until the blood poured out

torrential. I grimaced at the pain of the knife incision, but I couldn't stop. Suddenly a hand grabbed the knife I was holding, then smashed it into dust. Zeros!

“What are you doing?!”, I yelled raucously.

Zero grabbed my blood-soaked arm and brought it closer to her mouth. For a moment I thought I knew what he was going to do, he was going to suck my blood! But I was wrong. Zero licked my bloody wound. And the wound closed on its own!

“Stop!” I tried to shake my hand. Useless, Zero's grip is too strong for me to shake. “You have no right to ban me!! This is what I want. I don't care what you want from me

but you have no right to keep me alive!!”

Zero pulled me into his arms. “Sorry that this is selfish, but I don't want you to die”

“You're crazy!” I beat Zero in the chest. I don't get it. Zero and everything about him I can't understand at all. What I don't understand any more is that right now I'm crying in his arms.

"What are you doing?" said Karen, pouring into the kitchen. His face pias, sweat seemed to flow down his temple. His breath was breathless as if he was barely breaking up. He ran as fast as he could.

"Nothing" I said shortly as I detached from Zero's arm. I ran to the room without bothering

seeing the expression on Zero's face.

Karen chased me to my room. "What does brother mean no?! I know what you're trying to do!! I saw Brother Zero stop him!"  Karen's crying broke. Seemed doubt filled his blue eyes. "Why did you do it?!"

I forced myself to take a breath that suddenly felt heavy. I turned my face away from Karen. "You know, Karen. I can't live like this. I don't want to be one of them!!"

Karen is still inundated with tears. His breathing began to break due to his stuffing. "It's all my fault. What happened to my mom and dad, and my sister, it was all my fault! Blame me, brother. Brother can be angry and hate me. I'm guilty"

I gulped, as if that would help me move my tongue. "It's not your fault"

"It's my fault! All because I misinterpreted the future I saw. Because I said they were after brother so brother became what he is now. I was wrong!!"

"No, Karen. Even if you decipher it correctly, if you say they're after you, it's going to happen. I'll keep saying I'm the one they're looking for. Therefore, it's not your fault"

Karen began to correct the rhythm of her intermittent breathing. "Then stay alive! Don't leave

i'm.."

"Karen, I.." I'm out of words. Although I know Karen's been having a hard time too. Though I know all this isn't Karen's fault. I can't.I just can't stand my situation anymore.

"I know if Big Brother is still thinking about it. Brother wants to end his own sister's life" Karen again sobbed.

"Enough. You don't understand"

"Yes, I don't understand!", said Karen, her voice rising. "I don't understand at all. Why did you sacrifice yourself, brother? Why would you die to protect me? But why won't you survive for me?!"

I avoided Karen's eyes. Still unable to meet his eyes. "Listen, Karen this isn't easy. We've lost everything. And if I have to lose myself one day, then I better end it now...."

"OKs. Good though. Then, right after brother dies, I'll also kill myself"

"What??!"

"I lost everything, too. So I can't lose my sister. I don't care about vampires or revenge or what big brother's gonna be. I can't live without my sister. If you kill yourself, it means you will kill me too" Karen said earnestly. His eyes looked at me as if challenging.

"Are you crazy?!! Karen..."

"I swear!!! Do you want to bet?!", exclaimed Karen cutting my words. He knows very well I can't lose him either. "Please promise me you won't do it again"

Warm tears rolled from my eyes. I can't hold it anymore. "OKs. I-i promise. But you also have to promise me that you won't ask me to be a bloodsucker"

Karen's tears are getting worse. But he could soon control it. "As long as you keep your promise"

I was quite surprised by Karen's reply. All this time he was always siding with Zero who kept telling me to gulp blood. So I thought Karen would insist on persuading me, too. Karen smiled slightly, as if understanding the contents of my head.

"I'm really not going to coax you into drinking blood anymore. I promise", he said. "I understand exactly why

sister refused. It was not something that could be done due to the coercion of others, but something that had to be done out of one's own choice. And I'm not the one who can make your sister choose her. So at least, please don't do anything stupid. Hold on until you find a reason to make that choice"