2:50

The trees were vibrant shades of green. They stood there in the hills like giants. The Parc contained a mixture of pines and smaller trees. Between them, a muddy trail led up to the Rocky Mountains some brace hitchhikers could go up to.

The Mountains were the perfect hunting grounds for the vampires of The Valley. Some coverage from the trees and many wild animals lay in this Parc, facilitating hunting.

Amelia waited on a stump. Soon enough, an HRV skidded to a stop in the small civilian parking spot. Damon jumped out of his ride, closing the door behind him and locking his car.

" Hey beautiful!"

Amy sensed he was in a better mood than the last few days. Perhaps it had to do with their hike?

" Hey Damon. Which trail are we picking?"

The young man approached her, smiling.

"Hmm... I don't know. Where do you one to go?"

He leaned in for a shy kiss on her cheek. Amelia couldn't help but blush: her cheeks reddened.

" What about to the Falls?"

The Falls was a water chute. It was absolutely wonderful of a sight and it wasn't that far away. They could make it by nightfall and camp there.

It could be dangerous, but she didn't worry: she had a vampire boyfriend after all.

" Are you sure...?

— I'm sure."

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

The hiking boots crunched the dead leaves and branches on the muddy path as the couple walked up the hills.

The sun, still up in the blue sky, was struggling to show its light between the pine trees. Darkness was almost already all around.

Amelia was lost in thought.

She was super happy to be spending quality time with her now boyfriend again, but she was also scared. She couldn't help but wonder if this wasn't all a scheme or a trap or something she couldn't escape.

He wouldn't try getting rid of her, right?

She suppressed that thought.

I'm not scared of him. He loves me. He would never hurt me.

Amy threw a glance at Damon. He seemed at ease, relaxed. She could see his ears absorbing the sounds of the forest. It was true, you could hear so many melodies: the tune of the singing birds, butterflies flying off, the wind making its way threw the leaves...

" What are you thinking about?

— Nothing. I'm just... enjoying.

— I heard your heart rate change, Amy. Why are you lying to me?

— Maybe I don't know the answer myself."

Damon stopped walking. He turned towards his girlfriend and smiled sadly. His eyes now showed how hurt he was. Had he been hiding this hurt for the whole day?

" I don't understand. I thought to make you happy I needed to stay by your side.

— Damon...

— Yet you are still unhappy! I do not understand, Amy. I strive to keep you content and happy for as long as I can, but I cannot read your mind.

— I'm fine, really! I'm so happy to have you back. I don't want to risk that-

— Telling me your worries won't change that! I'm supposed to help you. I love you Amy...

— I-

— You?

— I'm scared you aren't actually considering staying with me. I'm scared you want to somehow prove we can't be together. I second guess too much..."

The vampire looking genuinely saddened that she'd even second guess herself so much. He walked closer to her, gently grabbed her wrist and hugged her against him.

" I love you. I want to protect you. But I... I'm selfish. I don't want to prove we can't be together."

He kissed Amelia on her cheek, then gently traced his lips to hers. She responded to his kiss, shyly at first, but then the intensity grew and he pulled away.

He smiled softly.

" You know I can't do this...

— I know. I'm sorry."

They held each other's hands for a second, enjoying the silence and their presence. Then, when he was content with her apparent I'm not worried face, they started walking again.

They had a long way to walk to the Waterfall.

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

Time flew by, especially since the couple was laughing and giggling like old times. The sun had set, leaving them in dusk, cold and somber woods.

They still had at least an hour until they could set camp, but they weren't tired at all. Damon had given Amy her bagels and latte and he'd made a pit stop for some bloody snack.

They had a nice rhythm going on, their boots crunching the ground regularly .

" We have another hour or so of walking. We could set camp at the next wood opening and finish tomorrow if you'd like. We could admire the falls in the daylight. Plus, it would be less humid."

Amelia nodded.

" Okay. But I need a snack. When we set camp. I'm ravenous."

Sure enough, after another fifteen minutes of walking and giggling, the sky opened and pines formed a round opening. Damon left Amelia for ten minutes and came back with wood. He then installed swiftly a huge tent.

He piled the branches together and lit a fire. Amelia was more than happy to sit next to it, as it was nighttime the air was chilly: it was winter after all.

Damon took of his coat and gave it to Amelia. She didn't complain. His vampire blood could endure coldness more than her very human blood.

The vampire grabbed his bag and opened it with a huge ziiiip. He handed a pack of marshmallows to his girlfriend who excitedly opened it and stuck some on sticks.

" I feel like a girl in a teen movie! You're so cool! Oh gosh!"

Her childlike excitement somehow warmed his heart. He smiled at himself and took out a metallic vial. He opened it and sipped on it.

"What's that? Vampire alcohol?

— No. unfortunately. It's just... blood.

— Didn't you hunt today?

— This is a different type. Human.

— human?

— It is donated blood. People give it to a vampire association in the South. Totally consensual. I need a bit of human blood to actually be healthy you know...

— I'm not judging. I just was wondering how the hell you had human blood is all."

Damon smiled softly. This time it rang false. He didn't seem happy anymore, just ashamed.

" Damon..."

He didn't answer. Instead, he drank another bit of his beverage and than put it back into his bag.

Amelia resigned herself. She ate some marshmallows and then went into the tent. She was feeling sleepy and couldn't be bothered to fight with Damon about his kind right now.

Maybe it would be better tomorrow.