Hellbound Heart

Despite the fact that Elle was a little reluctant when she agreed to staying the night, the rest of the day was unexpectedly enjoyable. She had been ready to feel all awkward or even a little miffed out after feeling weirded out by the speculated connection between Sebastian and Alicia. So it was a good thing that she managed to shift her focus and enjoyed herself as much as she did.

They had gotten out of the house after their lunch and the kids merrily brought Elle to tour around. They had rushed all the adults to quickly finish their lunch as they could not wait to show off each of their favorite spots to Elle. One of Elle's favorites was Alice's tree house because it was just so cute. Looking at the tree house, Elle could see that it fits her personality perfectly.

The young girl said that it was her dad who made the house for her three years ago and she loved playing in it ever since. The only thing better was if she could come play in it even more often.

Every place they brought Elle to visit was just too heartbreakingly beautiful for her not to just forget everything else and stand there, watching in awe. She felt like she was in a massive magical park that had lots of beauty to offer. For her, this was an ultimate sightseeing escapade.

Soon, they had arrived at a beautiful waterfall perfectly hidden somewhere in the forest. It did not have much volume of water, but she thought that it was what gave the waterfall its unique beauty. The white flowers that crept all over the stones along the banks and beside the falls, made the place look even more mystical and fantastical.

The boys climbed up there and stood over the rushing waters.

By now, Elle was not even gushing anymore whenever the kids leap and run and jump anywhere and everywhere. She was now getting pretty used to it as if what they were doing was a normal, everyday thing that kids their age would get involved in.

Alexander and Abi themselves too, were already happily playing around and enjoying themselves in the clear light blue water. It was so clear that Elle swore if there were no one in it, she would even mistake it for a mirror.

"Elle, come on in! Join us!" Abi yelled, waiving at Elle happily.

Feeling quite tempted to jump in and swim, Elle whipped around to ask Sebastian to go along with her. But her enthusiasm quickly dulled at the sight of him sitting there and looking extremely serious.

"Let's go swim, Sebastian." She still invited him.

"Go on, Izabelle. I'll stay here and watch over all the stuff." Was all he said and Elle did not bother to persuade him anymore.

She resigned herself to it. Taking off her outer clothes, Elle jumped into the water in her two-piece swimsuit and was determined to enjoy herself.

Soon, she somehow ended up stealing Abi from Alexander again and she only realized it when Alexander climbed off the water and joined Sebastian as they sat there at the banks, watching the ladies and the kids frolicking around in the water.

"I hope Alexander won't mind me stealing you again." Elle grinned apologetically at Abi. She truly did feel sorry towards Alexander. It was not on purpose that she moved closer to Abi and ended up taking so much of her time and attention that Alex turned out to be the third wheel. In fact, if there was anyone to be blamed, the fault should fall on Sebastian's head.

"Don't worry about it, Elle. I hope you are enjoying yourself." Abi only laughed good-naturedly and waved off her concerns. She knew her husband would make a fuss later and be childish about it for a while, but that was only because he loves to tease her and enjoy her method of making up to him.

"I am... Thank you for inviting me to come over here, Abi. This place is truly an eye opener for me."

"I'm glad to hear that, Elle."

As they continued to chat, their conversation went on further and deeper, and Elle finally found the courage to ask some burning questions that had been spinning around in her mind.

"Is Alicia a vampire too?" Elle finally asked, as she and Abi sat on top of a rock in the middle of the waterfall's shallow lagoon.

"She's actually... both. Half vampire and a half witch now."

"Oh... is that why her hair is silver and she looks like a goddess?" Elle fought hard to keep her tone curious and light.

"Yes. Alicia's hair returned to its silvery hue again after the incident four years ago. And that's why..." Abi trailed off but after staring at Elle, she continued. "She and Azy then moved over to live here in the Black Forest."

"Is it because of her... unusual appearance?" Elle did not quite understand why it was necessary for Alicia and Azy to live here.

"Hmm... that too but the main reason is because of Azy."

Elle was about to ask again when Alexander's voice echoed, calling out for them and telling them that it was time for them to leave.

The duo then realized that it was indeed getting late so they immediately cut their conversation short and climbed out of the water.

It was getting dark when they finally returned to Alicia's house. They could smell a feast waiting for them. It seems that Alicia had left them late in the afternoon for a good reason. It was to prepare for their fancy dinner!

After the pleasant and fulfilling dinner, the kids retired for the night first. So now, the once lively house slowly turned a little quiet.

While Alexander, Abi and Elle were enjoying their wine in the living room, Sebastian went to smoke outside. Alicia, who had just come from the boy's room, saw him going out and followed him.

"I'm really glad you finally came over, Sebby." Alicia started. "I believe this is all because of Izabelle, right?"

Sebastian quietly blew smoke and then turned to her.

"How are you?" He asked with a serious expression as though he didn't hear anything she had just said.

Alicia blinked and then she shrugged. "I'm doing great, as you can see."

His jaws clenched and shook his head before sucking furiously on his cigarette again.

"Please don't worry too much about me and Azy anymore, Sebastian. Everything is fine -"

"You always say that... you always say everything is fine when it isn't!" He hissed at her before facing away.

Alicia just stared at him calmly. But after a while she faced ahead and looked up at the starry sky. "I can handle my and Azy's situation. Abi and Alexander are right here with me so rest assured that everything is going to be fine. And more importantly, I came out here to tell you that you should be worrying about your wife the most instead, Sebastian. Izabelle is..." Alicia trailed off as Sebastian whipped his head towards her.

"Izabelle is what?"

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A/N: Hello hellbounders, reader Sacogun requested for me to put the challenge she posted in the FB GC here so all readers could see it. She said that she will gift a Golden Gachapon for each 200 Golden Tickets donated by 9-29, to help HH get top 1 rank in GT ranking for September.

Thank you so much in advance for the ones who will support! There will be another mass release waiting if we reach our goal. Let's do this hellbounders!