Ever After

Chapter 16



Home Alone



The entryway was dark. I went to turn on the lights above me but it wouldn’t come on. I grumbled, making my way to the door. I tried to see my guest before I opened it, but the outside lights, which were always on for security reasons, were also off. I decided to ask who it was just to be safe.

“Who’s there?” I said loudly since the front door was a thick heavy oak monster from the turn of the century.

“Dan, one of the stable hands. Sam sent me up. There is a problem with Windy. He needs you to come down.” I couldn’t recall anyone named Dan working for us, but we hired many people over the course of a year. He must be new. The voice was muffled from behind the thick door, so I couldn’t recognize the voice either.

“Is she sick or something? Why didn’t Sam just call me about it?”

“Said he couldn’t get through, and she is bad sick Ms. Whitmore really sick.” I gasped my precious Windy sick. I instinctively grabbed my coat to go to the barns.

“I’ll be right out. We have to call the vet. Has Sam done that yet?” I swung the door open as I slid on my hat. I stood there frozen in shock as the one person that could send fear through me was staring into my face—Todd Downs. He had a wicked grin and a glare in his horrible green eyes.

“Corrine, it’s so lovely to see you. I can see you were not expecting me. That’s stupid of you really, to think I wouldn’t be back for you.” He ran his cold hand along my cheek. I felt sick to my stomach and flinched away. “That’s no way to greet a guest now is it, honey? You need to be more hospitable to me; it really will benefit you.”

“You can’t be here Todd; you’re violating the restraining order.” I backed away slowly, my legs shaking. “Go on get out of here, or I’m calling the cops.” I got a hold of the door ready to slam it in his face. Todd saw it coming, stuck his foot in the doorway, and shoved it so hard I fell backwards onto the floor.

“Nice try Corrine, but you’re not fast enough or strong enough this time to beat me, plus I know you are all alone here.” He knelt down, running his hand along my leg. “It’s time for me to pay you back for destroying my life, and you will pay tonight to be sure!”

I tried to back away still on the floor. I scooted away from his touch. He shook his head watching me.

“Ah Corrine, it’s no use to try to get away, you won’t. I have been monitoring you and I know everyone’s schedule in this house. I know when they go out and come back, even the maids and cleaning people, you haven’t got a chance.”

“You won’t get away with this, Todd. You’re crazy!” I snapped getting to my feet now.

“Really? You don’t think I will. That’s funny, it really is. I have had this night planned out to the very last second of your life, Corrine Whitmore. I wanted to ask you, did you enjoy your day? I do hope so, seeing as it is going to be your very last.”

“What?” I gasped in shock. My heart started to race; fear gripped me the look in his eyes told me he was not kidding.

“Yes, my revenge on you will be to end your miserable life. I’ve dreamed of this night so many times.” I could feel myself getting lightheaded, as I was not able to catch my breath.

“No please Todd, don’t do this.” I started crying, tears running down my face. “Please, I am begging you not to do this!”

“Save the tears, it’s all set up. I am not changing my mind, and your pretty boy boyfriend isn’t going to save you either. I forget



his name again.. Willie is it… or Wally?”

“No it’s William and he will be here, you jerk! He will kill you.” I gasped, holding my head where it hit the wall. “You can’t imagine what he can do to you!”

“I’m scared, really I am. He might break a nail if he hits me or get one of his perfect hairs out of place!” He laughs as he pulls out a small handgun; it shines in the dim light. The next thing I know he has me by the hair pulling me closer to him. I scream as he yanks harder. He jams the gun into my side.

“Take me to your room, and don’t screw around or I am going to use this gun on you right now.” I cried as he pulled me upstairs. I kept tripping on each step. My head was pounding and a sharp pain ripped through my head. I collapsed. I couldn’t get up which infuriated Todd. I tried to keep up with him but my vision was getting blurry.

“Please… please, Todd I can’t.” I was out of breath. I knew this was the end for me. Todd was not going to stop.

“Get up now!” He yelled. He hit me across the cheek and I fell back hitting the stair rail. Everything went dark. I woke up in my own room; all the lights were off, all but my tiny night light. I could barely see, as my vision was blurry again. I could see Todd near the window. He was talking to someone on his cell phone. I could feel my head throbbing. I rolled over and grabbed a pillow, burying my face in it. The pain was too much to bear. I cried out to William in my head. I knew that was one of his weakest gifts, hearing people’s thoughts. I knew he said he could rarely use it, but I hoped he could hear my thoughts now tonight. I had to pray he could hear me.

“Okay, so we’re good on time. You keep his ass away from here. You got it. I don’t want to have to mess with him tonight!” I watched Todd flip closed the phone. He narrowed his eyes as he shook his head. “Lover boy won’t be coming to your rescue. I have some friends taking care of him.”

“No, don’t hurt him. He hasn’t done anything to you!” I yelled even though it killed me.

“Oh so protective are we?” He walked over to the bed and stood there for a second, the gun still in his hands. “Now let’s finish what we started so long ago.”

“No Todd, stay away from me!” I tried to yell. My voice was cracking and weak.

“No such luck, you owe me this!” I turned away as he kissed me. This only angered him as he yanked my hair, pinning my head down. I pounded my fists into his chest; he grabbed them together and held them over my head. I was losing this fight, the pain in my head nearly blinding me. I couldn’t break my hands free to hit him. I felt another blackout coming and I tried desperately to stop it.

“Give up, Corrine, you can’t win. It will all be over soon, and I do mean all.” I cried uncontrollably, tears streaming down my face. What a way to die, was all I could think now. I gave one last effort to break free, and it got me a hard smack across the cheek; my face burned and I could taste blood coming from my lip.

“William!” I screamed with all I had, praying that somehow he would save me. I jerked away in fear as Todd’s cell phone began to vibrate. He jumped up to answer it.

“What?... How…. you stupid…no…I told you.…” Todd looked up, his face suddenly pale. I could hear my cell phone ringing like crazy. It was William’s ring tone over and over. He knew I was in trouble. It did not stop ringing; he had to know something was wrong.

Todd seemed stunned as he pulled out a knife from his coat pocket. He looked thoughtfully at the blade and then at me. “It seems your boyfriend, is a killer.” He looked at me for a shocked reaction. He did not get one. I knew what Will was capable of. He was half vampire. He had done things in his past he was ashamed of. I knew if one of Todd’s stupid friends tried to stop him from getting to me, he would do anything including kill.

“I told you he would do something.” I said weakly.

“Ah and so will I Corrine, just sooner than I expected.” I could see he was shaken by the phone call. “I don’t want my throat ripped open by your crazy boyfriend tonight.” He swallowed hard. “What the hell is his deal anyway… he’s…..” He muttered the rest of the sentence under his breath, kneeling over m. I tensed up in fear not knowing what he might do next.

“No God no!” I begged crying again, knowing these may be my very last moments alive.

“Shut up. I don’t have time for this bull!” I felt him yank my arm close to his chest. He pulled out the knife. He jumped as his phone went off again. I felt it in shock as he ran the sharp blade across my wrist. I gasped as the brilliant red line appeared. I was stunned as the bright red drops came faster and faster.

I yanked back my arm, curling it into my chest. I tried to staunch the bleeding. I didn’t have a second to think as he yanked my other arm from me. I was near hyperventilation as he pulled the knife across my other wrist. He was laughing the entire time, telling me he should have done this long ago. I pulled my arm free from him. I curled up into a ball, holding my arms to my chest, my blood was everywhere. I felt my head spinning. I couldn’t stop crying. I couldn’t stop bleeding. I was dying and I knew it. I could feel myself slipping away. I put my head down and closed my eyes.

“Pay backs are hell aren’t they, Corrine? You messed with the wrong guy this time. I will think of your dead lifeless body tonight on my flight to Mexico. They will just think you finally committed suicide and never even suspect me. Rather clever setting you up like this, it really is.” I could hear him running down the stairs now. He was on his phone again talking. “It’s done. She’ll be dead in about ten, fifteen minutes tops.” He laughed loudly as I heard him slam the front door shut.

I felt so cold, so alone, as I heard my cell phone ringing. I knew Will was coming, but I was not going to be here for much longer. I felt my breathing slow down. I was too weak to hold open my eyes, and I just wanted to go to sleep. I licked my lips; they were so dry. I wished I could have a drink one last time. I wished I could look into William’s eyes once more, feel his strong arms around me. I longed to feel his gentle kiss on my lips, but I knew time was running out.

I tightened my arms to my chest, hoping it would slow my blood’s descent from my weakening body. I could barely hear what sounded like the front door being kicked in. I turned my head deeper into the pillows, which were now stained with blood. I feared Todd was coming back to make sure I was dead.

“Corrine… Corrine!” The voice I prayed to hear just once more was here. “Oh God, what did he do to you?” I couldn’t answer. My body was too weak. I opened my eyes slightly, and looked down at my arms.

“Oh my God!” Will gasped again. He quickly ran to the bathroom and got towels. I had to wonder how seeing all this blood would affect him, would he lose control? It wouldn’t matter. I figured I was already nearly dead anyway. I was like a rag doll as he wrapped each one of my arms tightly in clean bath towels. My body was completely limp.

“Will, help me.” I was only able to whisper. I could feel him scoop me up into his arms. He cradled me close to his chest protectively. I felt him grab his cell and dial for help. I leaned into him, thankful he was here. I could hear him tell the 911 operator the details and my address.

“I’m so sorry Corrine. I had to take care of two of Todd’s friends when I went to get into my car to come to you. I never should have left you alone, I’m so sorry. I should have seen this coming.” I could feel him kissing my forehead, stroking my hair. He told me over and over to hang on.

“I don’t think I can. I’m so cold Will.” I could barely speak my body was getting weaker.

“You have to try, please. You know I can’t live without you. Corrine, you must fight for me, for us.”

I could feel Will adjusting the towels. I could hear him on the phone as I drifted in and out of consciousness. It was getting harder to breathe. I suddenly felt so much pressure on my chest it was hard to breathe. I tensed in William’s arms trying to keep air going into my lungs.

“What is it sweetie? You have to stay still if you can.”

“I…I can’t breathe. I….” I started crying. I couldn’t do this anymore it was no use my body was betraying me. I knew it was shutting down. William was holding me begging me to fight and I had nothing left in me to fight with.

“No, my angel. Please hold on, the ambulance is coming. I hear it.” He kissed my cheek. “Just a minute longer please.” Will’s voice was muffled now. I turned my head into his chest, clinging to his shirt with my fingers desperate not to leave him. I held onto him as if he could keep me alive.

“Don’t let me die Will, even if you have to change me to be like you. Please don’t wait until it’s too late. Please. I never want to be without you.”

“Corrine, I will do it. It’s against the rules but I will do it if I must. I promise you.” He kissed my lips softly and I relaxed, trusting him to do what he had to do. I felt no pain as I suddenly heard people all around me. The paramedics were barking out orders to each other. I could hear William answering their questions. I could also hear police cars outside. They grilled Will with questions as he stood there, with my blood all over his hands and shirt.

I wanted to tell them I was okay and that William had not done this to me. I wanted to take Will away from all the cops asking questions. I wanted to scream to them that Todd had done this. He was out there somewhere free, and they had to find him. It was all pointless. I couldn’t speak. I had lost all control of my body; it didn’t even feel like my own now.