Where Secrets Lie

Only three days had passed but it felt like an eternity for Kara. She kept herself locked up in Michael's room, day and night. Kara stared at the picture of Alyssa on her phone. The blue light gently illuminating her face in the dark curtained room. One of her tears snapped her out of the trance as it hit the screen. She tossed the phone aside on the bed and wiped the tears off her face. She sauntered over to the balcony, looking out at the scenery below her. Servants were scurrying to and fro as usual. As if nothing tragic happened. Her eyes were red and puffy due to crying all night and now she only felt numb. She went back inside and slowly walked down the hallway to Alyssa's bedroom.

Everything that Alyssa owned was still there. She picked up a pink shirt that was left lying on the bed. She squeezed it tightly to her chest as the tears rolled down her cheeks. She sat down on the bed and soon felt someone sit down beside her. It was Michael.

"Kara," he said softly, wiping the tears from her face. "Elijah wants to speak with you."

"He's the last person I want to talk to," Kara snapped.

"I'm sorry," Michael said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, "just hear him out."

Logan entered the room, followed by Elijah. Kara did not want to look at the man that Alyssa loved but was forced to when he walked over and embraced her, leaving a kiss on her forehead. She didn't have the strength to protest as his eyes matched hers; red, puffy, and full of heartbreak.

As Logan backed away, Elijah approached her. "I'm sorry for your loss. Please take this as my greatest apology." He handed her a card. It was a very formal and beautiful obituary for Alyssa. She looked up with her eyes watering. She felt like she was having a nightmare, and hoped that someone would wake her up soon.

Elijah glanced at her messy bun and sweatpants, "Henry will help you get ready. The funeral is in three hours," he then left the room without waiting for her response, along with Logan.

Michael took Kara in his arms once more. "You don't have to go if you don't want to."

"No. I'm going."

*********************************

Hours later Michael showed up, with Logan at his side, both wearing somber black suits. Kara would have preferred them to wear something more lively. She knew Alyssa would have preferred them that way as well.

"You ready?" Michael asked her, motioning for her to take his arm. As she did so, Logan took her other arm. There was only silence in the limo as Henry drove them to the funeral home.

Upon arrival, Kara was greeted by a familiar face. "Everitt." Kara didn't expect to see Grant but realized she was happy he was there. She embraced him, not letting go for minutes.

"I know it hurts now but it will get better," he said as he tightened the hug.

She kissed him on the cheek and nodded, though her eyes were filled with tears.

As the funeral progressed, Kara was asked to perform a eulogy. She wrung her hands as she was unprepared for this. She took her place at the podium in front of a large group of family and Alyssa's schoolmates. It took her a moment to gather her wits and begin to speak. "My sister... is gone now. I feel numb. I keep telling myself that this isn't real. Seeing all of you here, it must be though." She wiped the tears from her eyes with a tissue. "There's a lot I can say about Alyssa, she was loving, funny...." Kara looked at Michael, "She certainly didn't deserve to die. And it's because of me. Everything was my fault." She broke down in hysterical sobbing and Grant quickly rose up. "Thank you for coming," he said as he escorted her away.

Grant wiped the tears off of her rosy cheeks as they stood in the hallway. Kara just stared at Alyssa's picture right outside the door.

"It's not your fault that she died. We both know who is responsible for this."

"That glamorous guy, Michael, told me she died in a car accident on 2nd Avenue, but there aren't any reports for that day. So what really happened?" Fear wrapped its fingers around her heart.

Kara realized then that she had to cover Alyssa's death up in order to protect Michael and the clan. "Ummm... that's what happened. I don't know what you were expecting to hear." She wipes the bleeding mascara from her face. "I did ask some of the cops not to put in a report about it. I wanted it to stay as private as possible. I thought you might understand." She twirled a long strand of her brilliant platinum hair and stared at the floor.

"You're lying. You can't even look me in the eyes. When did you start protecting the enemy?" Grant's comforting demeanor had suddenly turned hostile.

"Enemy?" Kara asked, grasping her chest, her eyes popping.

Grant looked around to ensure they were alone, "Especially when they are vampires."