After spending two hours packing up her clothes, books, and other belongings, Carmine flops onto her bed. A heavy weight repeatedly slams against her chest, threatening to crush her.

This is it. It's really happening. She's finally going to leave this wretched little town. So why is she feeling so depressed and anxious? Isn't this what she always wanted? To get away from this boring place and explore new places, see the world? Get a fresh start?

But Carmine knows the real reason she's having reservations about leaving. Despite never having any real friends in high school, Carmine had begun to form real bonds with some of her co-workers at the Millenium Commodore. She would miss them. But not as much as she would miss Sebastian. Is she being cruel for not warning them all about the imminent chaos?

Who would believe her anyway...?

Sebastian Hunter.

Carmine had previously thought she would be leaving Sebastian in Nyla's affectionate arms but now she couldn't help but laugh at her foolish reasoning.

Nyla's right about her. She's a naive and stupid girl. And completely useless when it comes to saving the man she cares about.

Is she really going to abandon Sebastian and the Millie crew at the brink of this supernatural war? Is she really just a ruthless, selfish monster, just like Nyla? But even if she doesn't leave, what can she possibly do? It's futile trying to fight against a coven of bloodlusty vampires and an army of vampire hunters. She would just be another casualty in the war. A blip in the annals of Richmont's history.

Once Carmine is done packing, she stares at her small suitcase. The leather case contains all her worldly belongings. It seems so silly and pathetic that all eighteen years of her life fit so neatly inside a 100 litre, 30" x19.6"x 12.6" case.

Her eyes wander to the little gift box on her bedside drawer. It holds the silver bracelet Sebastian gave her as a belated birthday present. She hadn't been planning on bringing it but she suddenly changes her mind. Unlocking her suitcase, she shoves the box in between two sun dresses.

After snapping shut the suitcase once more, she brings it down to the foyer. Several other suitcases and large backpacks are already waiting by the door.

This is it. It's really happening now. No turning back. Once I say goodbye to Richmont, it's forever.

There's only one thing left to do and she refuses to leave town without doing it. Carmine decides to swing by the hotel and leave her letter of resignation. At least it will offer a little bit of closure for the staff there. At least they will know that she'd been forced to leave by extenuating external circumstances. They'll be upset by the short notice but at least they'll understand.

But they won't know the truth: that she's leaving because she's a criminal and a coward.
A murderer.

Half an hour later, with the handwritten letter in her trembling hands, Carmine walks up to Rory, who's sitting at the concierge desk playing solitaire on the computer.

"Rory?"

Rory looks up from his game and his eyes light up when he sees Carmine. "Carmine! I wasn't expecting you in today."

"I'm not here for work. I just came to see Sebastian. Is he here?"

"He's just finishing up a meeting with Lucas Greene. I think they're discussing some security footage."

"Okay. I'll wait for him in his office," Carmine says. "Oh and Rory?"

"Yes Carmine?"

"You look handsome in that shirt," Carmine smiles. "Keep up the good work."

Rory shoots Carmine a quizzical look before resuming his game. "See you later."

Carmine heads down the staff corridor and slips into Sebastian's office to wait for him. The sound of the ticking wall clock is unbelievably loud and each minute seems to drag on forever. Carmine sits down in a chair and starts tapping her feet against the carpet. She's tempted to just drop off the letter and leave but a nagging voice in her mind begs her to at least stay long enough to bid Sebastian a proper farewell.

Ten minutes later, the door opens and Sebastian slips inside. He anxiously rolls up his shirt sleeves and loosens his tie. "Rory says you wanted to see me?" he asks, sitting down in front of his desk. He shuffles around some paperwork and starts fidgeting with his pen.

"Yes," Carmine replies, setting her resignation letter down on the desk. "I came to say goodbye."

"W-What? What do you mean?" Sebastian frowns, opening up the letter and quickly scanning its contents. His eyes grow wide. "You're moving? When did this happen? Why didn't you tell me this earlier?"

"My family just decided on it this morning. I wish I could've given you more notice but I'm afraid the matter is quite pressing. It's a family emergency and we need to fly out tomorrow night."

"Carmine- This- This news really couldn't have come at a worse time," Sebastian groans, tossing the letter aside.

"Why?"

"I just came back from a meeting with Lucas Greene. His brother Liam has gone missing and he isn't returning any of our calls. The circumstances surrounding his disappearance are highly suspicious. The only clue we have is some blurry security footage showing him entering his car with a dark-haired woman the night of his disappearance. We've notified the cops and they are coming to the hotel to conduct interviews. The news has already leaked to the press and I've been swamped all afternoon with questions."

Carmine's mouth drops open and she feigns shock and surprise. "Oh no! That's horrible! Are you sure he isn't just drunk and passed out somewhere?"

"Hard to say at this point but the police will probably want a word with you later. Also, have you seen Nyla? She didn't show up for work this morning."

"No," Carmine lies. "Listen, Sebastian, I really have to go. I just wanted to come in person and tell you how it's been a pleasure knowing you as a friend and as my boss."

The longer she stays, the harder this will be. She needs to cut ties with him. Now.

"Carmine...you can't leave," Sebastian says, frowning. "And not just because I would miss you," he adds with a small, sad smile. "My cousin wants a word with you."

Cousin? Oh shit. Detective Swanson.

"I'm really in a rush, Sebastian. Can't you cover for me and just tell Bill I don't know anything about Liam's disappearance?"

"I wish I could but apparently you're the number one person they want to question at the moment." Sebastian nervously taps his pen against his wooden desk. Then he clenches his hands together. "You're a suspect per se, just someone they want to talk to. Someone said they saw you and Liam kissing at the party the other night. Then last night some of the girls said you asked them about where Liam was because you wanted to talk to him about something. You're the last person who saw Liam before he disappeared."

Double shit.

"Where's Bill?" Carmine asks, trying not to seem nervous. She stands up and heads for the door.

She's dealt with him before and she can deal with him again.

"Just in the Murdock meeting room," Sebastian replies. "Do you want me to walk you over?"

"No, I can handle it," Carmine insists, holding out her hand. "It's been great working with you. Thanks for everything."

Sebastian grips her hand with both of his. His lips are set in a firm line. "Don't say goodbye yet, Carmine. Do you have plans for tonight? Maybe we can have a farewell dinner? You know how I feel about you. I'm not going to end things this way."

"Ok, I'll try and do dinner," Carmine nods, easing Sebastian's hands off of hers. She doesn't have the heart to tell Sebastian 'no' again.

Once Carmine arrives at the Murdock room, she closes her eyes and counts to three. Her heart is thumping so loudly she's surprised no one else can hear it. After "three", she shoves open the door and steps inside.

She's surprised to see that Bill Swanson is the only person sitting at the large, oval shaped conference table.

"Carmine!" Bill says, looking up from his pile of case files. Dark rings circle his eyes and he seems unusually pale. "I've been waiting for you. Come, sit."

Carmine does as she's told and takes a seat beside Bill.

"Didn't think you'd be seeing me again so soon, did you?" Bill laughs, taking a sip of his coffee. "Do you want anything? Tea, coffee?"

Carmine shakes her head. "I'm actually quite busy so if you don't mind-"

"Of course," Bill says, opening up one of the folders in front of him. "Let's get down to business then. Starting with last night. Please describe to me what you did after the end of your shift."

Carmine rolls her eyes a bit and tells Bill, "I was looking for Liam but I didn't find him so I decided to go home and sleep."

"That's all?"

"That's all."

Neither of them speak for a few moments. Sebastian stares into Carmine's eyes, as if mentally combing through her thoughts.

"You're not very good at lying, are you?"

"I don't follow," Carmine replies, leaning back in her chair. "I'm not lying."

"Oh really?" Bill asks, flipping open his laptop. "Well Carmine, I received a very interesting email this morning." After a few clicks, he slides the laptop in front of Carmine and presses 'play'.

Five seconds into the low-resolution video, Carmine realizes what she's seeing. It's the incriminating footage of her and Blake murdering Michael at the hotel. Blood paints their cheeks and runs down their necks. Carmine barely even recognizes herself; she looks so...savage.

Liam's failsafe.

Delivered right into the hands of the one man who can do the most damage.

+++
Update schedule
Ch 42 Pt. 2: Sunday July 19
Ch 43: Tuesday July 21
Ch. 44 Pt. 1: Wednesday July 22
Ch. 44 Pt 2: Finale: Friday July 24
Wrap up/Author's Note
Cutthroat Carmine Contests
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