The Quiet Scream - Open

Sebastien always hated holidays.

They caused too much cheerful people, too many sparkling objects, too many happy families that made him feel lonely.

But despite his obvious hatred he was in the middle of some muggle mall with a shopping bag in his hand surrounded with a bunch of shiny new toys whose covers just screamed „Buy me!“ to everyone who passed by. Even Sebastien who usually shows no interest in playing with plastic dolls wanted to buy one. Christmas music played decently everywhere around him, it wasn't too loud that people couldn't hear anything but the music, but it wasn't too quiet either. Just enough to remind customers it's Christmas time and that they have to buy the presents. Like if they could forget that, somehow not to see all those glittering lights and old men dressed in oversized red coats with long white beard, who were circling around the mall with bells in their hands while singing Christmas songs along with singer. Or miss fake snow which is randomly falling down. Not so likely.

He inhaled, at the same time breathing the smell of just baked gingerbread on a stand beside this one, took the doll from the shelf, looked closely in it; her blank blue eyes gazed him back. After another look he tossed the doll in his bag, not knowing if Barbara would like it, if there was even a bit of him in his daughter, she would immediately throw the doll away. But since he barely knew her he had no idea what is she like. He didn't even know her favourite color. What a father he was.

And there he was. He felt more lost here, in the middle of the mall, surrounded with dozens of people who were buying presents to their loved ones than in some foreign country, in the town he doesn't even know how to spell it.

Alone. Alone. Alone. Alone. Alone.

He could hear that word coming from every direction. It was written on every product he saw. He could see it cemented in every sight of people who have passed beside him. Pulsating through the air and filling out every blank space. Laughing at him. 'Cause that was true – he was alone. And the saddest of all that was – it was his decision.


Too bad that money can't buy happiness.

Finn had made a horrible mistake.

First off, she should have fought her father this year when he, once again, insisted she come home. Christmas would have better if she had kept Ducky and Nora as her company. But at home, things were changing. Her father was more and more aware that she was becoming a woman, and that soon she would find a boy she was interested in. (He, however, seemed to believe it would be mutual. He had no idea how awkward his daughter was with the opposite sex). Whereas Christmas was usually time where she spent lots of time with him, and was allowed her freedom, she now found herself a lone prisoner of Margam Castle. Her father rarely saw her, but had forbidden her from leaving without a chaperone.

Her only company had been Demetri, the delivery boy. Twice, he had come by with packages and her father had not been home. She had run down the stairs, tripping over her own feet, hair flying behind her, and had opened the door, cheeks flush and breath leaving her chest in airy little sighs. Demetri had finally been given the chance to give his name, causing his own cheeks to turn pink, and he had glanced back at her both times as he had left. It had not been much, but it had been enough.

It was only a few days before Christmas when she had finally approached her father.

"Father?"

He was bent over his table, hands gripping the edges as he reviewed the documents laid out in front of him. "Yes?"

"I want to go shopping."

"You have everything you need here," he said, still paying her no real mind.

She swallowed and straightened her spine. "I must insist."

Her father turned and looked down at her, the frown twitching into a fond smile. He took her shoulders in his hands and squeezed, tilting his head. "What do you need, flower?"

She blinked, her resolve folding. "It's- It's Christmas. I wanted to go buy gifts." His smile squiggled and he sighed.

"Of course you can go - I'm not unreasonable!"


"Well, Fig, it's just you and me!"

Norman Murphy was basically an uncle to her, as she had known him her whole life. He had brought her to this mall and was helping her look about. Finn had, as of late, become more and more unsettled with Norman, who had gone from understandably paternal, to oddly protective. She kept her head down as he prattled on, saying little as she reviewed the price tags on figurines and scarves, tugging at her hat nervously anytime someone looked her way.

Norman stopped outside of another store. "Well, this looks promising!" he announced. His eyes darted another way, spotting a woman who seemed to recognize him. His eye twitched and he turned to Finn, smiling. "Why don't you go find my gift in there? I'll give you a ten minute break from me - just don't tell your dear old Da, yeah?" He winked and headed off, moving quickly. She blinked and slipped inside.

It didn't take her long to find the scarf and have it gift wrapped, but ten minutes came and went and there was no sign of Norman. She waited another five minutes, ten, and then at fifteen she decided to go looking.

She didn't have to go far. There was a pounding in her heart that led her to an abandoned Employees Only hallway, where she found Norman, chomping down on the woman from earlier, blood leaving her face.

Finn could not react. She walked out, and she was fairly sure Norman had noticed, his bloodlust taking control of her senses. She turned and began running, the shopping back with the scarf left in the hallway where her faith had been shaken. Sure, she was a vampire too. But something about this innocent woman getting her normal life taken from her in the hallway, while people shopped for their families just twenty feet away...

Panic had overtaken her face, and she was no longer thinking. Her feet moved on instinct and suddenly, she plowed right into an older man, nearly falling backwards.