In a world like this, we need someone to keep us going, keep us strong. For quite a while now, I thought I was alone. No. I was alone. I didn't have anyone. I was living a life that was pretty much meaningless. I had no plan for the future, I didn't have dreams, I didn't have anyone to share the pain that I went through every day, those were for other people; people who were loved and cared for and protected. I used to be one of those people, when I had a family. I loved my father and he loved me.

Until my family broke apart.

Suddenly there were empty spaces where they used to sit at the dinner table. Quiet where once there was laughter and my father changed. He wasn't the loving dad he used to be. He became this different man no longer smiled or whistled a tune or just enjoyed life. He seemed to hate existing. That's when he started hitting me. Every day I woke up wondering what fresh hell awaited me. Whether I'd be back in bed that night with more scars than when I woke up.

When I chose to take the bite…. I thought it'd be over. I would be stronger, I could fight back! I would stand up to my father and never again take a punch, or a flying object, locked up in a freezer, or whatever abuse he decided to partake in, lying down.

But I was too scared. Even with a supernatural strength I was still the coward he knew I was.

And then he died.

I don't remember much but I remember not feeling anything.

Was I supposed to? Was I supposed to cry and feel sad that this "man" who was supposed to be my father, who was supposed to love me and protect me and be there for me when I needed him, was dead?

A part of me wanted to. He was my dad, after all. He's the whole reason I'm here, alive, in this world. He endured something a father and a husband should never have had to endure. A part of me wanted to feel the loss as a now only son should.

But I couldn't. The part of me that missed my father was overwhelmingly overshadowed by the part that was… well, relieved.

I know that might sound horrible, that I was relieved that my father was dead. But it's the truth. I couldn't forgive him for what he did to me.

My father had broken. He cracked. And he wasn't him anymore.

He'd taken everything from me before he died. I was a shell who didn't trust anyone. I decided I wouldn't let anyone do that to me ever again. That is, until I met you.

We didn't exactly have a pleasant first impression. We fought and you kicked my ass, along with Erica. You tried to show us that we were just pets to be used by Derek but I couldn't see that.

It felt so… good to have that freedom and power and strength. No one was going to take it from me, not again.

I did a lot of stupid things when I was with Derek. Things I wish I could take back or do differently.

He taught me a lot about my new life and how to control myself, though, and I will always be grateful.

But he wasn't you.

I don't know what it was about you that made me rethink what I was doing. You seemed so….. good and nice and all Disney prince-like that it pissed me off. But then I guess I realized that wasn't a bad thing. I started to doubt whether it was Derek who I wanted to follow.

I was hurting people. I tried to kill Lydia and I did it willingly.

And then there was the concert.

Something changed in me that night. It had been so long since I'd seen someone show true concern for me before. Something Derek had never done.

It woke something in me that I'd thought was lost. I felt like a person again. Not a monster, a coward, a child, a punching bag, or somebody's pet.

I knew then that you were someone I could trust.

You were part of the reason I left Derek. And you were the reason I came back.

You always seem to do what's right and I guess I wanted to be more like you.

And now look at me.

You've made me a better person, Scott. I'll never be able to repay for what you've done for me. When I was in trouble, you were there to help. When I get out of control, you're there to calm me down. When I don't know what to do I think of you and what you'd do.

I don't know where I'd be right now if it wasn't for you.

You've given me new life, a sense of purpose.

You were a beacon in the dark.

You've given me a family I never thought I'd never have again.

So, I guess, what I want to say is thank you.

I love you, Scott, in every possible way.

You're everything I wish I could be and more.

No matter where we find ourselves in the future, you will always have a place in my heart.

When you need me, I will be there for you. As you are for me.