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"Abolish?" Shelby asked, shocked at seeing the supposedly human man in front of her.
Abolish cleared his throat. “... Hi Shelby.”
“I thought- You're human! Humans don't live that long!” She exclaimed, her eyes drifting towards his half white hair. “How- What?”
Abolish ducked his head. “After I went back home, the organization I work with figured out how to essentially make me a half vampire? So… I don't have to drink blood, I don't have any vampire powers or weaknesses, but I don't age or die of natural causes.” He explained.
Shelby perked up. “That's so cool! Can I use that for my next book? Please?”
Abolish laughed quietly. It was probably the first time anyone from Oakhurst had heard him laugh. “I'm pretty sure my entire existence at this point is confidential, so… probably not. Sorry, Shelby.”
“Aww…” She pouted. “Fine, I guess…” She thought for a moment before her eyes lit up. “Oh! You should come check out this café me and Scott go to! It's super cute, and it's got a bookstore attached. Please?” She said, adjusting her glasses.
Abolish hesitated, before nodding. “I have some time. It's been a while since I've talked to anybody from the town, anyways…” He trailed off.
“Yay! Come on, it's just down here.” Shelby said, lacing their hands together.
Abolish stared at where she had grabbed his hand, following behind her quietly.
When they arrived at the café, Shelby ordered a hot chocolate while Abolish got a coffee and a blueberry muffin.
“So, Abolish… How come you're here in New York?” Shelby asked, smiling at him as she led them to a table near one of the windows.
Abolish winced. “... You remember how Scott asked me to make sure he didn't like… turn evil again? Well, now that I'm essentially immortal, it's my permanent placement. At least until he dies, the organization is dismantled, or I die.” He purposefully left out the fact that the first two scenarios would end in him being executed.
“So… what is the organization, anyways?” Shelby asked, taking a sip of her hot chocolate.
“Essentially, we work to provide good vampires with blood, and… take out evil vampires. That's why I was so prepared back in Oakhurst.” He explained, picking off a piece of his muffin. “Shelby… I'm sorry.” He said quietly.
“What? Why?” She asked, sounding caught off guard.
“I- I shouldn't have killed you like that, especially not when you hadn't done anything wrong.” He said, looking down at the table in front of them. “I know it's not an excuse, but I really was just working on autopilot then. I barely noticed it while we were still there, but… I really wasn't doing great back in Oakhurst.” He laughed a bit bitterly. “Or after leaving Oakhurst really. Apparently, your sire dying immediately after you turn has some… less than enjoyable side effects. Who could have guessed?” He said wryly.
Shelby smiled at him sadly. “Yeah… I've got some experience with that, too.” She said. “I had Scott and Drift though, how did you…” She trailed off.
“Survive?” Abolish filled in. “Honestly? I have no idea.” He admitted. “I remember getting back to the Manor and then… nothing. For almost two months, it's just… blank.” He said, shivering.
“God, Abolish… that sounds awful.” Shelby breathed out, looking horrified. “And it was so close to your turning, too… I at least had some time to get used to being a vampire. I'm so sorry.”
A wave of emotions flickered over Abolish's face, shock, regret, pain, before eventually settling on a quiet sadness. “It's… a lot, honestly. I guess mostly because… Legs didn't even have to die, you know? We could have all left as vampires, but instead I just got less paperwork and five months of barely leaving my room.” He winced, not having meant to say that much.
“You could always stay with us, you know?” Shelby offered. “I mean, I mostly hang out at Scott's, so I'm guessing you can't really let him know you're here, but I do have my own apartment, if you're ever lonely, or just need somebody around.”
Abolish looked surprised, taking a sip of his coffee to give him some time to process.
“You don't have to accept, obviously, but… I like having you around. And it's not good for you to be alone all the time, you know.” Shelby said, smiling at him.
“That… might be nice.” Abolish conceded. “I'm not technically supposed to have contact with you, but… Morcant wanted me to make more friends anyways, I don't think he particularly cares about policing who those friends are.”
Shelby looked ecstatic. “Oh, I'm so glad! I always wanted to get to talk to you, you know, but I never really got the opportunity, ‘cause you were always so busy in the mines.”
Abolish looked a bit surprised, taking that information in. “Oh, I didn't realize… Why?”
“You're literally so cool, Abolish!” Shelby said, sounding amused. “You were literally the only person Scott got scared of, Cleo too!”
“Do you often base your perception of people on how scared of them your friends are?” Abolish asked, resting his chin on his hand as he took a sip of his coffee.
Shelby stuttered for a moment, caught off guard by Abolish actually making a joke for once. “Well, no, but-”
He laughed quietly, trying to cover it up with a cough.
Shelby crossed her arms, pretending to be mad. “Don't laugh at me!” She said, before breaking down into giggles as well.
“Sorry, sorry.” Abolish conceded, catching his breath. “Oh, actually, do you want this muffin?” He asked her. “I forgot I don't like blueberries…” He said sheepishly. Shelby smiled at him.
“Sure! I love baked goods, honestly.” She agreed, taking the muffin from him.
“I guessed you might." He shrugged.
Shelby looked down at her watch, eyes widening. “Oh gosh, I have to go! I'm gonna be late for movie night with Scott and Drift!” She exclaimed, looking at Abolish apologetically.
“Let me walk you there?” He offered, standing up. “I'm done with my coffee anyways.”
Shelby smiled at him. “That's really nice of you, thanks!” She took his hand again absentmindedly.
When they got to the shared apartment, Shelby turned to face Abolish. “We should hang out again sometime! I mean, you obviously know how to find me.” She laughed.
Abolish nodded. “Yeah… I'd like that.” He said quietly.
They stood there for a moment, before Shelby kissed him on the cheek quickly. “Okay-gotta go-bye!” She blurted out, running into the building.
Abolish stood in shock for a moment, before smiling and turning to head back to his own apartment. He'd find her again next week.