The mellow rays of the sun shone upon a seemingly infinite horizon. A new day had begun, 7 fresh days in quest of restoring a fallen star.

"Papa!" spoke a honeyed voice, surrounded by blues in lieu of yellows.

"Could you provide me with some cash for the books?" asked Persephone.

Adam picked up his wallet from the drawer. After searching for a while, a worrisome frown set across his forehead. Pearls of perspiration decorated his skin, and he came to a realisation.

All his money had been spent. Bills had lined up, and they had to be paid. The funeral of Mrs Rose was organised to match her family's standards, which had to be handled too. Being a family of lawyers, they had always been a snobby lot.

Adam was in a fix. He didn't want to be seen as unreliable by his daughter, especially since he had been the one to demand her custody from her maternal family. They had told him, "You're nothing without Elena", "A gardner to raise a Humphrey?".

Were they right?

Flooded by guilt, a lump formed in his throat. As he tried to say something, his voice cracked, and tears of shame found their way through rusted doors.

"I'm sorry...I'm sorry, Persephone. I'm not fit to be your father...I'm not worthy."

Persephone knew then, what he was talking about. "Papa...you're perfect. I adore you the way you are, you don't need wealth to be a good father. You already are." she hugged her father tightly, moisture clouding her own vision now.

"As for the books, I can share them with Anna for now. And we'll have just enough money to buy them next month!"

"You're just like your mother...always knowing what to say, what to do. God bless you, child." he spoke with tenderness in his eyes.

"Mhmm...I know." murmured Persephone, her head still on his lap.

                                                                                     *  *  *

Now in Persephone's room.

Wistful sighs filled the air.

Though cheery in front of friends and family, she was but a shell of her past self.

Her heart ached like never before. Emotions embedded within her core, throbbing with distaste for her own feelings. She imagined a land where the sun never rose, and shadows engulfed the light of day. Wishing the mind to take control over her passions. Just like the TVD vampires, she wanted to switch off her humanity. Be a puppet to please others, but feel nothingness throughout.

"I want...t-to...just...l-leave!"

"This room, this house- "

"She's everywhere...I can sense her essence mixed with the wind, I can feel her happy tears like dew on the leaves...I can see her smile in the murk behind the windows. She's everywhere."

"Mum, I want to say that I- "

Thud.

"You?!"