I slept again and the next time I woke up, I was surrounded by Casteel, Teddy, and Gerald. Teddy had a paper in his hand as he was observing it keenly.

Looking at them brought a sense of relief in me. Like I don't have to go through things alone, I have three shoulders to lean on.

"You awake?" Casteel let out a sigh in relief.

He worries too much.

I gave him a soft smile, "I was just sleeping."

He nodded as the three of them surrounded me. Teddy looked sad while Gerald was assessing me with worry.

I never knew having someone with you during the worst would feel this healing. I am glad that they are here.

"Here, eat, you need some food in your body. I made some chicken stew," Gerald took out a box and spoon.

Casteel moved the table so that I can eat while sitting in bed.

When I looked at Teddy, he looked hesitant as he thinking to himself. I wonder what's going on that little head of his.

"Hey Teddy, did you miss me?" I grinned looking at the adorable boy in this room.

He shook his head before he kept the paper he had in his hand on my lap. "Here, I made you a get well soon card," he rubbed his neck blushing.

"Thank you," I pinched his cheeks as I looked at the drawing.

It was a painting of the five of us, me, Zendaya, Teddy, Gerald, and Casteel. Though our faces were just in oval shapes, he's captured all of us well. He has a great future ahead with painting. Beneath it was a quotation 'Get well soon Mae.'

Tears threatened at how loved I felt with these people.

"Now eat kid," Gerald took the card aside so that I can eat.

Warmth swelled inside me looking at the people in front of me. These are the people who care, my family and I will protect them at all costs. Even if it meant me walking away from them.

I cannot risk their safety.

Zendaya's dead and with someone out there hunting my kind's life essence, I cannot risk these people's safety.

I don't think I have it me to take in any more deaths in my name. I've already lost too much. Not anymore.

Once I discharge, I'll leave as per Zendaya's request. I will go somewhere far away that no one can harm the rest of the family.

With a plan in my head, I started savoring the soup Gerald brought me. God, I was hungry.

They discharged me that evening and when I asked Casteel about the hospital expenses he simply shrugged it off and started playing with Teddy. Just like me, Teddy's warmed up to Casteel too.

From their reactions, both Casteel and Gerald, I am sure that Casteel told him about Zendaya. That's why Gerald insisted that we go to his home for a few days so that I can take a rest.

I am glad that he didn't ask about her and is taking me to his place. I don't think I am ready to go back to the apartment. It's filled with her memories. I cannot go inside that place, not without guilt burning me alive and her memories haunting me.

If only she hasn't used a protection spell on me, she would've been alive by this time.

Everyone who loved me died so that I can live. I don't even know whether I am worth so many sacrifices.

The next day went in a blurry with me mopping around a corner mourning Zendaya's death and the others giving me my space. I kept revisiting the events that happened that day. Nothing made sense.

Her death. Elijah's arrival. The curse. The killer.

Why does it feel like a plotted play?

Like someone's playing all of us?

When it got too much to think, I started thinking about a plan to walk away from these people.

I decided to stay here one more day. Since tomorrow is my birthday, I'll celebrate it with them for one last time before I walk away from here. That way they will be safe.

But deep inside I know that I am finding reasons to delay my departure from the people who became my family too soon.

I hope whatever curse he put on me doesn't hurt the only people I care about. They are the only people who are left in my family, my only safe place.

I remember his words saying how I will lose all my loved ones. Maybe me walking away from them is how I am going to lose my loved ones.

"Maezy... Maezy..." Casteel's voice echoed through the house as he entered in a hurry.

"What happened?"

"I found where Zendaya was buried."

My heart clenched hearing her name but knowing that I can grieve for her loss sends a sense of relief too. I hope she is at peace wherever she is.

"We'll go now, I need to see her," I moved as fast I can to go out with him.

He nodded as he went to speak something with Gerald. By the time I put on my shoes, all of them were ready with me to go to Zendaya's grave.

Tears threatened at the sight of them. I wanted to tell them how much their gesture means to me when Gerald shook his head.

"We are a family."

I nodded sniffing.

She was buried among humans, with her name written on the stone above her head.

'Zendaya, a beautiful mother and a friend. We'll miss you,' The stone read.

I'm so sorry Zendaya, if not for the spell you put on me, you would've been alive by now. I'm sorry, I don't deserve you, any of you.

Tears flowed freely as Casteel held me strongly making sure that I don't fall on the ground. My knees were barely holding me. If not for his hold, I would've fallen.

"She was an amazing soul and a great aunt, she didn't deserve this ending," I squeezed my eyes shut leaning my head on Casteel's shoulders.

My throat clogged at the pain of my sobs. I am trying hard not to break down. I am strong, I will be strong for her. They saved me for a reason and I will keep living for them, for their sacrifice.

"She is," he agreed.

Teddy put a small rose on her bed, drawing a small heart above the sand she's buried in.

"She's done nothing but good deeds, I am sure she'll be happy in heaven," Gerald grieved keeping another rose.

"Let her be in peace, let her rest, god give her peace," he whispered touching the ground before drawing a circle on it.

I don't know what that represents but if that brings her peace then I am all up for it.

"You have us kid, don't worry," Gerald gave me a tight hug as I nodded.

Guilt seeped through me at the thought of lying to them. I'll leave tomorrow and I hope they forgive me for that.

This is the best, me leaving them.

"We'll leave," Casteel took my hands as we started walking.

A few steps towards the exit, Gerald fell holding his heart as I and Teddy let out a heart-wrenching scream.

"Call the ambulance," I shouted at Cas as he nodded.

"Gerald, look at us, hold on, the doctors are on the way," I took his hands and whispered those words to him. My whole body was shivering in fear of losing him.

Is this because of the curse? God, please, he is a human, he doesn't deserve this. Teddy deserves a long time with Gerald.

I tried to use my magic to heal him, but I couldn't even feel my magic, it was like something is blocking me from using it.

Teddy started crying as he called his grandpa to stay awake. He looked at us with a smile shaking his head. "I am eighty-sixed kid, my time's up. Promise that you'll take care of Teddy?"

"I promise, I'll take care of him," I whisper sobbed, nodding, screaming at Casteel to do something.

Casteel rushed towards the exit to get an ambulance when Gerald tugged my hands, "Teddy, he is of your kind, he's a warlock too. Teach him everything and protect him like your kid. Will you do that for me?"

Shock pierced through my skin at the revelation.

That kid is one of us. Gerald knows about my true self. Yet, he did nothing but be kind to me.

"Of course, I will, and stop talking emotionally young man. You'll stay alive and we'll live happily."

He shook his head, "my time's up." He then turned to Teddy, "you know grandpa loves you right?"

Little Teddy was nodding his head in between the tears. He is holding up way too well for a little guy.

"Then be a good guy and don't create problems for Mae, from now on she'll be your everything. Understand?"

Teddy sobbed as he nodded his head.

He took my hand and Teddy's tiny hand in his, "it's time for me to leave. Goodbye kids," with one last look at Teddy he took his last breath.

Only Elijah's words echoed through me while Teddy screamed at his grandpa. I'll lose all my loved ones. I lost one and two more to go. But I promised to protect Teddy, he's my responsibility now.

God, what am I going to do now? 

A/N: Umm... I'm sorry?