The Secrets

"I can wait for you, just don't be long."

---

Catalina turned her focus onto Evander then, waiting for him to wake.

She nodded and she ran over to the pool of water and she reached in pulling out a waterproof bag and she checked the contents before she grabbed some of her books that had been lying around and she stuffed them in her bag.
_____

Evander was stirring slightly but he still seemed to be in some pain

She gently moved her hand to his face once more, brushing her thumb affectionately along his cheek bone.

---

Maxwell got to his feet and headed out of the cavern, lurking outside.

She soon joined him putting her bag over her shoulder, she had left a note in case Evander came looking for her . “I’m ready when you are.”
_____

Evander hummed softly to her touches as he woke up. “I feel like I’ve been run over by a train.”

Maxwell nodded subtly, and walked back toward the dock to get to his boat.

---

"Don't rush yourself," Catalina advised quietly. "Take your time."

She followed him.
____

He nodded slightly as he moved to sit up

Catalina slid an arm around his back to help him up. "That's it, I've got you."

He sat on the edge of the table, gently rubbing his head.
_____

Nereus looked around at the shops ignoring the jabs that people made calling her names as she walked past.

Maxwell frowned, wrapping an arm around Nereus' shoulders and pull her into him to try and physically shield her from it.

---

Catalina remained at his side, eyes glancing over to watch Iris closely.

She burie her head into his shoulder.
____

Iris was simply jut reading a book m her leather and velvet chair

"The funny thing is - I mean, what I have learned over the years, on my travels. When people are trying to brat you down, what they hate, more than anything is when you hold your head up high so.. do that. Shoulders back, head high. Smile. Show them they haven't gotten to you."

---

"We should go to France, i can show you my home." Catalina whispered to Evander.

“France sounds lovely.” He told her.
______

“I’ll try.” She whispered against him

"The vineyards are... everything. I bet you've never tasted any wine like it."

---

"Fake it till you make it," Maxwell encouraged, squeezing her waist gently. "I still have you, you are still safe. Lift your head up, lengthen your stride. Don't even look at them, eyes straight ahead."

She tried to do as he said, lifting her head and walking ahead.
_____

“Never been to a vineyard so this should be an interesting experience.”

"You'll love it, and if you don't we can go elsewhere. When we have settled somewhere, Nereus can come over, hm? It'll be normal, stable."

---

"Well done," Maxwell praised softly. "Just like that."

She smiled softly, until she got hit in the back of the head by a crumpled up beer can, one of the fisherman having thrown it with along with a slur about vampires.
_____

He nodded. “Let’s go then.”

"Keep that smile," Maxwell encouraged quietly, "Keep going. My boat is the first one on the left, she as a new lick of paint on her - olive green stripes. She's called Scout. I'll be right behind you, I just need to deal with something."

---

"Okay,"

She nodded and she walked towards his boat she found it pretty easily.
____

He smiled sligjtly moving to get up. “Here you’ll need this.” Iris told him as she held out a blood bag to him.

Catalina watched quietly for a moment before stepping out of the house.

---

Maxwell picked up the can that had been thrown, walking calmly to the sailor and offering it to him. "Throwing things like this; it begins on the street but it falls into the ocean. The fish either get killed by it or eat it, which makes your fish worth a lot less money. Long story short, you litter and you are killing your own livelihood so... perhaps we should practice responsibility."

“You should look at what’s going on with yourself Maxwell, your brother never had a better idea than to try and get rid of the vermin like her.” He told him throwing the rubbish into a bin on deck. “Be careful with her lot before they get you killed lad.”
_____

Evander followed her drinking from the blood bag like it was a capri sun. “Mind if I stop and grab a few things first?” He asked her

"Sure, and once the boat is going you can drink from me too. It's always better than a blood bag, hm?"

---

"You are a big fish in a little pond, remember that." Maxwell warned quietly before turning around and heading back toward his boat.

Nereus was stood at the front of his boat looking out over the water as she waited for him.
____

He nodded. “I would appreciate it.”

"Alright. Ready to get going?"

---

"You know your welcome to feed from me, we've always done it that." Catalina mused quietly.

“I know but I wasn’t sure that you would want a break with everything that’s been happening.”
_____

She nodded as she looked to him

"How you can think so much right now," Catalina whispered, not unkindly. "My mind is all fuzzy and my bones ache."

---

"Are you okay?"