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Nobody Stays Dead For Long (Jem, Clarissa and Cornelia)

Today marks the 2nd year anniversary of Cornelia’s death. Jem was stil hurting and struggling with grief. How her death hurt more than the most. It reminded how the part in his life he was most happiest at all was ripped away from him. It hurt him how he never was able to say goodbye. Not knowing that she had been dead for weeks before finding out from Clarissa who came back to pack up the house realising he was still there and in the dark. In a way he blamed himself for her death, whilst knowing he had no part in it. Still he felt guilty. Still believing he was cursed in a way. That people who he gets close to either dies or get ripped away from him. Losing so many people in his short life already. Jem could see how people look at him who knows who he is. The Orphan boy. With no family left. He became an orphan when he was barely an hour old with his mother passing away soon after he was born. Part of himself blamed himself for his mother's death, that he killed her. That it was his fault she was dead. That he was only taken in by his aunt and her husband because of his mother's dying wish. Growing up he felt like the real life version of Harry Potter but in his case all his mother's money was used up. Being treated like a human punching bag most of the time. Still years later he still hadn’t forgotten his horrible childhood and upbringing. Never opening up to anyone except Cornelia about it before. Not even Clarissa knew all the details, both of them were in too much pain following Cornelia’s death to bring up anyone that would cause even more pain.

Jem learnt how to keep all his pain hidden, even if it meant pushing people away. Still hurting after years later. Feeling like Cornelia’s death was yesterday when he found out. How her death hurt the most, how she was like the mother he never had, even if she was only 10 years younger than him but still felt the same. Taking those years where she took him in for granted. Only wishing he could take it all back, for it to be the same how it was before. When everything was simpler and he was happy. Yet Jem knew too well that it didn’t work like that even living in a world of magic and supeerntuautal creatures that black magic was not the way to go. Seeing too many horror movies and shows to find out never worked out the way people wished for it to go. Jem was lucky to still have Clarissa who took him in even when she didn’t have to as legally he was an adult but still she wanted him. He was suprised that she was still wanting him to stick around and move in with him. How they weren’t biologically related but still were family in a way. It was a bit awkward at first when he moved in how he knew she wasn’t too fond of children luckily he wasn’t much of a kid.

He struggled a lot over Cornelia’s death finding himself falling in sort of a depression at first for the first year. Being hurled up in his room. Not wanting to face the world. Taking up bad habits too. He started to drink illegally, smoke cigarettes even buying the occasional stash of drugs. Anything to help drown out the noise and voices he could feel inside of his head back then. Now he was only starting to get his life back on track slowly. Jem knew he couldn’t stay hurled up in his room forever and push people away. Knowing deep down it wouldn’t be something Cornelia would have wanted for him to do. Just wasting and throwing his life away. So he started to take college courses and classes online again having pushed it aside for years. He’d even started playing the guitar again writing down some lyrics in his song book. Slowly getting back to the things he used to love even if it was hard for him. Finding he was taking one day at a time. Clarissa says he’s become a bit of a scruff lately as she puts it. For him choosing to grow his hair longer, so his fluffy curls nearly reached his shoulder. He was never one too fussed over his appearance, preferring ripped jeans and graphic t-shirts. The two year anniversary was hard for both him and Clarissa, reminded by what happened. Jem knew he wanted to do something, how they would both go and get Cornelia’s favourite white roses and take them to lay on her grave. Then go and visit Isaiah’s too. Showing they haven’t forgotten, wanting to remember them.

Jem was sitting on the window ledge looking out at the city. It was one of his favourite places in their appartment, how they had a high floor with a good view of the city. Always helped to clear his head. They decided it was best to go at night rather than day time. He didn’t know why. Checking his phone he saw it was getting late, getting up from where he was sat. His eyes looked over to the roses that were lying on the kitchen table. Taking a deep breath he walked over to the roses picking them up, looking over to the direction of Clarrisa’s room where she was. “It’s time” He called, sounding saddened, always finding graveyards creepy more so lately. The two of them left the apartment and headed to the small graveyard where Cornelia and Isaiah’s bodies were burried right near was his dad's grave. Jem thought it was best to have them all near together that it would be something they would have wanted. Stopping in front of her grave, he crouched down putting the roses down in front of the headstones. Looking up at the headstone, he traced his fingers along her name. Feeling tears already starting to fall down his face, not able to keep it all together. “Hey, Cornelia. It’s been a while. I’m sorry, I don’t come more than I should be. I miss you” He spoke with a heavy heart, feeling heart broken. He wanted to put on a brave face for Clarissa but he couldn’t completey. Standing back up he went and took his place beside the bruntte. Looking over to almost to say that it was her turn.

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NephilimPermalink Reply by ✓ Clarissa Bradford ~Admin~ on October 30, 2020 at 19:13

The reflection which stared back at her was drawn, and considerably emotionless. Yet despite a very blank looking canvas, if one looked hard enough; they could see every aspect of her life which was tugging at the very seams of her diminishing soul. Clarissa stared at her reflection, the burden of the last few years weighing heavy upon her shoulders; it began the day she lost her siblings, -Cornelia and Isaiah- the ring her twin wore upon his finger, to this day, continued to rest comfortably upon her chest. The weight only grew heavier the day in which Siobhan disappeared without a trace; her second in command vanished without a goodbye - which was rightly owed after everything they had gone through together.

Clarissa watched how her Partner in Crime, Dominic grieved for his loss; which wasn't too far from her own methods and she felt at a loss on how to help him. Jonathan also took his leave after the pain of losing his younger siblings as well as Siobhan. Clarissa was more alone than ever, despite having the Nephilim faction and Jem as her family. Without blinking, her arm reached upwards and behind to gently trace the scars of her now nonexistent wings. She flinched ever so slightly; the pain had decreased significantly after the treatment Wyatt had put together for her; but the mental scarring and trauma would likely remain, even if she were able to grow her wings back. There was not much on those who had lost their wings, and the uncertainty of gaining them back was almost as bad as their removal.

The pain was just enough to pull her out of her reflective trance and her smartwatch vibrated upon her wrist, reminding her that it was time for her and Jem to visit the graveyard, to pay their respects to their deceased family. Clarissa had been surrounded by death from a very early age, thus, found great comfort in Graveyards; she found them particularly peaceful, and it was an insight she almost always shared with being a Death Doula on the side of being Nephilim Ambassador. She gave Cerberus a good scratch behind his ears as Jem called out that it was time, and she gave her body a good shake to appear as normal as she could for the young Dhampir.

The journey to the graveyard was quiet, despite the panting of Cerberus in the backseat who clearly was excited that they were leaving the house and going on some grand adventure. Clarissa allowed Jem to pay his respects first and the emotionless expression once again found her features; she still couldn’t bring herself to show this vulnerability especially in front of Jem who desperately needed a strong role model to look up too - although there was absolutely nothing wrong with releasing tears. Rissa tapped his shoulder proudly as he stepped back from the grave and rested her forehead to the side of his head. It wasn’t unusual for Clarissa not to go up to the grave and speak, and once again she shook her head at his pleading look to go and say something. “Not this time” She repeated once again softly and her black labrador whined at her ankle.

“C’mon, lets go home” Clarissa smiled warmly, patted Jem’s shoulder and began to walk up the muddy path to the carpark with Cerberus trotting along behind her. As she began her walk, an uneasy shudder ran across her skin and she suspiciously glanced around the very empty graveyard to scope out any unusual activity; upon not finding anything, she leaned against the car door and waited for Jem to follow suit once he had said his goodbyes.

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NephilimPermalink Reply by ✓ Cornelia Hael Bradford on November 23, 2020 at 4:11

It had been two whole years since Cornelia woke up by the Greek citadel with no memories of who she was and what she was doing there. She was a blank slate, waiting to be filled in and there was a part of her now that considered going back in time and taking the chance to do it all over again, start afresh; away from all these memories that have been haunting her since she found her way back to Evermore.

What if she hadn't followed that desperate voice which guided her through the tunnels of darkness and brought her back to the world of the living? What if she hadn't searched for answers of who she was and accepted this new life that had been granted to her? There were times when she wondered if all of this - the memories, the relationships, the city - was worth all the pain she had seemed to endure. It did lead to her death, so was dying worth it?

Being face to face with death put everything into perspective and as her memories slowly unfolded, Cornelia realised she didn't want to be back in that dark pit of nothingness, no matter how much her past self glorified death and sacrifice, she couldn't fathom spending an eternity in a black void until her memories faded away and her features all molded together with the nothingness.

On her second death anniversary, the Nephilim was back in Evermore, letting the city's siren calls lure her into the heart of her previous life. It had been perhaps a week or two since their plane had touched down at the airport, Cornelia spending most of those days taking a tour of the city to trigger her memories wherever possible. It had been a painful experience, for sure. Every onslaught of memories bringing her to her knees as she crumbled in pain from the intensity, but she persisted, if not for herself, then for the voice that brought her out of the void, or Jem, who had no one left to take care of him, or Clarissa and Jonathan and their efforts to keep the family together. She needed to do her part, she needed to come back.

Running her hands through her honeycomb locks, Cornelia took in a deep breath, trying to shrug off the nervousness that ached her bones as she stepped into the cemetery. She wasn't one for theatrics but it seemed almost like a missed opportunity if she didn't reveal herself to be alive on her death anniversary. She had managed to get a low chuckle out of Bash with the idea.

Once she had spotted her grave, an unnerving feeling took over the angel-child, a weird sensation running down her spine at the thought of staring at her own grave. She wasn't sure how she felt about it, watching her name carved into the block of stone as if she truly was gone forever. She heard a scurry of footsteps and immediately decided to meld back into the shadows, not wanting to be seen by whoever was passing by.

That was until she realised it was the two people she wanted to reveal herself to. However, when the moment came, Cornelia found herself frozen to the ground, unable to move or think. She stared at her family for what seemed like hours, watching Jem grieve and the emotionless façade of Clarissa that revealed its blemishes under the bright moonlight. But her mind was busy churning through the onslaught of memories. Flashbacks after flashbacks took over her as she almost crumbled to the ground in pain, clutching the necklace that had granted her life. "No, no, not now." She mumbled under her breath, trying to push away the pain.

However, when two turned their backs and leave, a sudden jolt of energy came upon Cornelia as if she was in a now-or-never situation and she lurched forward, holding the side of her head as she followed behind them. "Jem! Clarissa!" She called out, her voice beginning to grow stronger once again. And once she was right behind them, she called out once again, this time louder and more audible before the pain made her fall to her knees with a loud thump. And just as her knees hit the pavement - the pain was gone, the portion of her memory struggling to break free now embedded back into her mind as she looked up at the two with a lazy smile, the moon shining brightly behind them and casting a beautiful halo. "Hi."

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DhampirPermalink Reply by ✓ James Richard Chadwick on December 7, 2020 at 20:26

Jem could see how hard the last few years and months have been for Clarissa. That she’s not able to process all happening with another bad thing happening after one and another. That she’s still struggling and grieving for all her loss even if she might not know it in front of him. Yet he could still see it. With how the fun loving cool aunt was just as broken and troubled as him. Jem felt bad that she found herself being landed with him, that she didn’t have to in the first place. Since he was already an adult no longer a child but she wanted to. He was happy that she wasn’t ready to get rid of him just yet. Happy that he doesn’t have to be alone, that she’s the only family he has left. Jem knew that it was the same for her, but there was Jonathan too but he’d never been around the eldest Bradford that much. Jem knew there’s some things that Rissa had kept from him lately but he knew it was so he didn’t have to worry. With how he’s still struggling with his own loss to be thrown into other peoples troubles. Jem was ready on time for once when it was time for them to leave. Just had to wait for his Aunt to come out. Right on time she came out with the black lababour dog that followed her everywhere. “Are you sure that I can’t bring Buttercup? Will he be okay left alone?” He went on, something he’d asked countless times but already knew what the answer was. Making the young Chadwick sulk like a child being told no, before looking down at the little puppy at his feet who wanted to come along but was still too young.

In the end they had to leave the young pup back home yet was still sulking but stopped by time they got to the graveyard. When they arrived at the graveyard he couldn’t help to feel a little creeped out by the place. Still after visiting one many times it felt the same but this time it was worse. Not being able to shake a weird feeling tonight. Jem went up ahead to pay his respects to Cornelia’s grave before letting his aunt do the same but he could see that she didn’t feel up to it. “You don’t have to if you don’t want to” He reassured her softly not going to judge her if she didn’t. Knowing how hard it was for them both and how much it hurt her more. “Okay, one second” He called out looking and seeing that Rissa already was heading back to the car but he was still standing at the grave taking one last look at it before turning to follow the others. Just as he was about to reach Rissa he could hear something strange. The sound of other footsteps than their own, that someone else was here. Maybe he thought it was just him overthinking the graveyard being spokey. Then he heard the voice of one he’d never thought he’d hear again. The voice of a ghost. Cornelia’s.

Jem quickly spun around looking around seeing the brunuttee Nephilim, stumbled to the ground on the pavement. Within moments he started to freak out. Screaming in fear almost. Seeing Cornelia’s ghost in the flesh. The Dhampir found himself quickly running and clinging onto Rissa. Hoping to use her for protection while still screaming. “AHHHH IT’S HER GHOST OR ZOMBIE!!” He screamed loudly freaking out not knowing if he was seeing things. “I knew I shouldn’t have stayed up to watch The Walking Dead. I’m too young to die. I still have so much to live for” He shrieked not making much sense still clinging and using Clarissa for protection. Being too much of a scardy cat. Not knowing that he wasn’t losing his mind, unaware that Cornelia was alive in the flesh.

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NephilimPermalink Reply by ✓ Clarissa Bradford ~Admin~ on January 1, 2021 at 15:14

She simply couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling which crawled upon her skin, and as she reached her car, Cerberus began to behave in ways which were not of the norm. Her brows quirked up at the behaviour of the black labrador who stood almost frozen whilst facing the other way; his lips had drawn backward and a low snarl began to rumble within his stomach. It was one quality she absolutely adored from her puppy; who was more of a teenager now than anything - he had an overwhelming need to protect Clarissa no matter what. Of course, sometimes it got a little annoying when he would bark continuously at the Postman and make the man’s life hell, but it always came from a good place. And so, upon noticing her pups uneasy behaviour and knew that there was something other than Jem behind her; yet when she turned, there was absolutely no one there.

Clarissa did believe in life after death, after all, if supernaturals like herself could exist - then why couldn’t the deceased? She shook her head, gave off a slight whistle as she opened the back doors to allow the pup to jump in and immediately he kept his face to the window. “We’re going home so the ghosts won’t scare you anymore” Rissa cooed very softly and walked to the drivers side door as Jem finally caught up with them. Although, when she heard a soft sounding, strangely familiar voice she turned sharply, perhaps thinking her mind was playing tricks on her; yet the screech that came from Jem certainly confirmed what she thought her eyes were deceiving her with. Cornelia Hael Bradford. Alive and breathing; Rissa’s lips fell agape and she was momentarily stunned at what she saw before her.

“Will you shut up” She muttered sideways to the young Dhampir who was being incredibly flamboyant with his reaction to the supposedly reanimated Cornelia. Clarissa stood proudly, her muscles tensed as there was absolutely no way that her baby sister could be alive, she watched Abraxas murder her, and Isaiah without hesitation. Now that her wings had gone, her Nephilim power had certainly diminished slightly, but there was still enough strength for her eyes to flare a vibrant lavender to slither into the woman’s head to slowly make her believe that her body was on fire. “Do you think this is some sick joke?” She spoke through gritted teeth, this had some be some sick and twisted magical trick to send Jem and herself spiralling. It wouldn’t surprise her, after all, the amount of enemies she had, it was only a matter of time before they used the death of her siblings against her. “Do you really think I would believe my Sister would be alive after I watched her die?” Her voice almost held a slight tone of hysteria.