Ever After

Chapter 19



Prisoner



The old house was dark and cold when we got inside. Todd lit some candles near the door and held on to me as we walked through the narrow hallway. I watched him, noticing how much he had changed. His hair was shorter and of course, his skin was the typical pale shade. His facial features were more defined and good looking if you wanted to call him that, I know I didn’t.

I looked away before he saw me stare. I felt cold and scared suddenly. Todd was a full-blooded vampire, and if he wanted to, he could kill me easily. I tried not to think about how dangerous he was and how much he hated me.

“In here,” he said gruffly grabbing me and pushing me into a dark room. In the candle light, I saw a large four-poster bed, a chair, and a dresser. The furniture looked old and rickety. I pretty much knew this was going to be my prison.

“There’s a bath room in there.” He pointed to a door with a dim light bulb hanging from the ceiling. The power will be on soon, so you will just have to deal with it until then.”

I looked at the windows and saw they were all lined with metal bars. This was a prison indeed. Someone intended for this room to be my cage. I wondered how long the Dark coven had planned my kidnapping. I could see no way of escaping this place, unless I gained super human strength.

“I’ll un tie you, but don’t get any ideas or anything. I would love to have an excuse to kill you right now. I wanted to just do that back at your house.” I bit my lip and felt my stomach churn with his words.

He looked around the room. “I won’t have you mess up all the plans, this is set, and it is going to happen.”

I sat down on the bed. I was so tired and cold it was like a nightmare I was trapped in, but wasn’t lucky enough to be asleep. Todd yanked my arms over and untied my wrists, they were sore. I could feel where the rope had cut my wrist, and rubbed it raw. The burning skin on my wrists, just reminded me, that I was in fact his prisoner.

“I will be back later.” He began to leave, and then he turned back around. “Remember don’t try anything, you will never get out of here alive.” I didn’t doubt his words.

I lay down and curled into a ball. I could hear them lock the door; they had more than one bolt on it from the numerous clicks I heard. I felt so cold, my fingers were tingling, and my heart felt like each beat was slower than the last. I had no idea what was going to happen to me, but it couldn’t be good, I knew that much.

I drifted in and out of sleep, hearing movement outside my door on and off. I heard raised voices several times in the next room. I was hungry, and wondered if they were going to starve me to death. I waited and waited for someone to come in, as the sun peeked through the curtains.

I realized it had been hours since my kidnapping. I heard my door open, after I drifted off to sleep for a few more hours. Sleeping was all I could do; if I was awake, I would worry myself into a heart attack. I was terrified of the chief elder Leo, coming to have me for a snack. I felt a gentle hand on my forehead, and a heavy wool blanket put over me. I was thankful for that, as I shook. I was too scared to open my eyes and see who had done this.

“Corrine? Can you hear me?” A light soft female voice cut the rooms silence. “I’m Sayann I am here to help you. I was studying to be a nurse before I was changed.”

I slowly opened my eyes, to see a young Asian girl hovering over me. It looked like she was my age. Her long shiny black hair fell down around her shoulders as she looked at me. Her face was as pale as mine was, but her features were delicate, like a china doll. I wondered why she was in here, and if she was going to have me for a snack.

“I m here to help you, are you in any pain?” I could see she was genuinely concerned as she looked at me. I was not sure if she meant to hurt me or help me. I tried to sit up but I could barely move. I needed help to sit up. I felt so sick, and had so much pressure on my lungs.

“Let me help you, turn over on your side.” I had no choice but to let her touch me. I was sinking fast. I could feel her pull me up and turn me on my side. I could feel the air in my lungs moving easier now. Clearly she knew what she was doing, and meant me no real harm…for now at least.

“Thank you so much.” I sighed. “Why are you being so kind to me?” I laid my head back down.

“I know you expected me to be mean.” She glanced at the heavy oak door. “I am not like them. I never wanted to be one of them.” She said in a hushed voice.

She keeps looking at the door nervously. “I hate all of them out there. They are evil killers.”

I was shocked to hear her say this. I had not expected hear that in a million years. I was silent not knowing what to do next.

“I know about you and William. I overheard them talking. I’m sorry they did this, but I will try to help you as best I can.”

“Why would you do that? “ I asked cautiously. I wasn’t about to trust her, not just yet. “They would kill you wouldn’t they?” I couldn’t believe she was willing to risk her life (or whatever you want to call it) on me, we did not even know each other.

“I hate them all Corrine. I know what happened to you and William, and I knew that freak show Vincent too! I tried to avoid him like the plague when he was here. I’m so glad that Dr.Parker killed him. He was a horrible evil man; nobody liked him, but Leo and Todd.”

“You mean Doc?” I smiled slightly. It seemed odd to hear his formal name, as we all called him just Doc by the coven.

“Yes, I heard that’s what your coven calls him. You all are lucky to have an elder like him.” She looked to the door nervously again. “Leo’s a nightmare, a pure evil night mare and so was Vincent!” I could see the fear in her eyes, and sadness when she spoke of them.

“If you hate them why are you here?” I was afraid to ask, as I said it softly.

“I was made a vampire by no choice of my own. I never wanted to be what I am now, not ever.” She sighed and looked down at the worn wood floor.

“Were you brought here by force? Did they kidnap you and make you one?” I said softly.

I bit my lower lip a bit afraid I shouldn’t be asking her this stuff. I didn’t know her at all, but I could see in her eyes she was not like the dark ones. I could see she was desperate to talk to someone, desperate for help, just like me. I hoped she wanted to share her story, because for some reason I felt I could relate to her. She stood silently thinking, before she began to speak.

“It happened not long ago. I’ve only been here with the Dark coven two years. I was a sophomore at Boston University. I was going to become a nurse and maybe a doctor if I could keep my grades up.”

“That’s good because I think I’m going to need you around, as if you didn’t know I’m in rough shape.” I sighed sadly.

“I know Corrine, I will do all I can to help you don’t worry. So, I had a boyfriend named Kyle we started dating a few months in to my freshman year. He was good-looking, smart, and super rich. I came from dirt-poor family; I only got into BU, on a scholarship. I hate to admit this but I kind of figured if I stayed with Kyle, I would have a really comfortable life, and never have to worry about money again.” She shook her head. “I was a gold digger I guess, back then anyway.”

“Was Kyle nice to you?”

“In the beginning he was, he did the whole romance thing. I got flowers and gifts the whole nine yards you know. Then after the summer, when we were going in to our sophomore year, he changed, like big time. He started drinking, got in to drugs, and hung out with these Goth kids on campus that nobody wanted to be around. They were like into devil worship, I heard or something like that.

I tried to break up with him but he wouldn’t leave me alone. Then he dropped out of school or rather he was kicked out. His grades were so bad and he never went to classes anymore.”

“Did you tell anybody he was psycho?” I pulled the scratchy wool blanket up around my neck as the wind howled outside. The description sounded like Todd, he changed too when we got further into our college time.

“I told one friend, she gave me the number to a teen counselor but I was too embarrassed to call the lady, I wish I had now though! Kyle started to slap me a lot when I did not do exactly as he wanted, and he yelled at me all the time. He hung out at this club, where I swear I heard at school that devil worshiping went on, he got pissed when I refused to go there with him.”

“So did he change you, was he the one?

“Yes, he was the one who did it. I had gone to a movie with him. I didn’t want to but he wouldn’t shut up about it. He told me when we got out of the movies he needed to talk to me alone about his drug problem, he wanted to stop and get help. I of course being way to trusting fell for it and went back to his uncle’s place where he had been living.

It was all a set up, he started to kiss me, and the next thing I knew I was in pain, my hand tied and in a dark room alone. I don’t know how long it went on, but finally the pain stopped, but I didn’t feel like myself. Kyle and some of the other Dark coven members came in and told me I was now one of them, a vampire. I was in shock. I never even thought they were real. I cried for days.” She stopped short suddenly, as a thought that obviously terrified her came across her mind.

“What is it Sayann, what happened next?”

“The coven’s chief elder and his side kick came into see me. Leo and Vincent, I was terrified of them, their eyes were so cold, like they were pure evil. They told me I would stop behaving as a human, with all the crying. I was to learn their rules and live as they did, or they would kill me. I apparently was Kyle’s chosen bonding partner, or mate they said. Kyle had chosen me and I would be with him forever as a vampire.”

“I’m so sorry, that’s awful for him to do that to you.” I reached out my hand to her, she took it, we had an understanding now. I didn’t want to be here, and neither did she.

“I’m dealing, it’s hard, but you can’t escape the Dark coven. I have talked to others here, mainly the few women of the coven. Most have been made members against their will, like me. Not one has ever escaped and lived to tell about it. They tell me after awhile you just get use to it and you start to forget your human life, and all the things you loved.”

“That’s so tragic. I don’t see how you forget, and we all know vampires have insanely good memories!” I squeezed her hand gently.

I could feel how much cooler her skin was compared to mine. That made me sad, because I was now slowly dying again, a human death. If I didn’t get that serum soon all the progress I made would be gone, and I would be gone.

“Did you really want to be a vampire, or… I mean do you. I heard the story of you and William from the other coven women; they think your William is the greatest thing since sliced bread!” She smiled.

“Yes, did they tell you how sick I was, or am really… I guess?” I rested my head on my knees feeling very tired suddenly.

“Yes, and I am so sorry. Your story though, how devoted to each other you and William are, it gives me hope. I think about getting away from here and finding someone to love, and love me back. I just don’t know though. I’m a stinking vampire. I wish I was a half blood as you and William are!”

“I’m neither really Sayann, not yet and maybe not ever. I don’t know what they told you, but it’s bad, really bad for me right now. A friend of Doc’s, Dr. Pratt discovered a serum that has been saving my life to this point. It’s making me stronger so I can finish changing into a half blood. I will die without it.

My human illness will take over my body and kill me in a matter of days. This kidnapping deal is going to be the death of me; they won’t have live bait for long, as Todd put it!” I looked away, as tears escaped my eyes. I didn’t bother to wipe them away.

“Oh… Corrine. I didn’t know that! What can I do? Is there anything I can give you to keep you strong until your coven comes for you?” I looked back at her, tears streaming from my eyes, I smile.

“I wish there was, but the only thing that can save me is to get back to Doc and Pratt and get more of the serum, nothing else will help me. I can feel myself getting weaker just as we sit here. It’s so strange really, to feel yourself dying. It’s like a thief robbing me of all the life I have left in me, but I can’t see him.”

“God I hate this coven, they are insane, why they want to fight the Followers I can never understand, and to take it out on you and William. It makes me sick, it really does! I have heard nothing else since I have been in this coven, but how disgraceful the Followers are, just because they choose not to hunt and kill humans.” She shook her head in degust

“If it’s not to personal Sayann, what do you um… eat then?” I grimaced a bit, but it was a logical question to ask. She looked nervously around the room, and then at the door.

“Please do not tell anyone this or I will be killed.” She looked into my red watery eyes to confirm my promise of silence.

“I would never tell anyone anything, I promise you!” I sniffed as my nose was running.

“I sneak out at night and eat rabbits and things like that. I love animals, so it makes me sad to do it, but I can’t kill humans. I will not ever do it again. They made me hunt with them, in the early days of my vampire life. I only killed twice and have never forgiven myself for it to this day! It is all I can do to hide the fact I do not kill humans as they all do. The punishment it they should find out about this, would be death, they would burn me alive.”

“Oh Sayann, you have to leave here. You could go to Doc and the Followers, many of them are reformed hunters. William himself as you know was of the Dark coven once, until he ran away. Doc would welcome you, he accepts all vampires who have a high regard for human life, and want to live without harming innocent humans.” I felt dizzy, as I lay down slowly. Sayann, with her heightened vampire senses knew before I did that I was about to pass out.

“Lay back… that’s it Corrine. You have to rest now, we’ve talked to long I’m sorry I have worn you out.” She frowned as she tucked another blanket around my shivering body.

“No, I’m glad we talked. I feel better knowing you’re on my side. If I could help you get away from the dark ones I would, I swear it.” My teeth chattered, my stupid body was shaking so bad.

“I have to do something; I have to think of away to get you back to Doc and your coven, somehow.” She shook her head, thinking.

Sayann put a heating pad under my feet, and took my temperature, she never told me what it was, but her face told me it was not good. I nearly choked as she made me drink some hot tea. I knew she was trying to raise my body temperature, but it was hard to drink. I had no energy to do anything.

She gave me some sleeping pills, and I was able to sleep finally. She told me she was going to do some research on failed changes if she could, without any of the elders noticing her. I mean while, curled into a ball under the mountain of blankets she had brought in and slept. I could hear the ice mixed with rain outside my window, pelting the old lead glass. It was an ice storm, it was going to make it harder for William and Doc to get to me, and time was not on my side to say the least.

I slept for hours, the dreams I had were of William, and our time together. I awoke missing him so bad I could hardly stand it. I knew he would be going crazy, worrying about me, wondering where I was and if I was still alive. I turned over slowly, and my breath caught, as Todd sat in a chair not far from my bed staring at me. I was so glad I was buried in all these blankets, not that they would protect me but at least Todd couldn’t see all of me very well.

“You are amusing to watch sleep.” He took a deep breath and crossed his arms.” I have been sitting here for hours; whatever Sayann gave you was very potent.”

“What do you want?” I whispered my throat felt so dry it hurt to speak. I tried to swallow but it burned.

“Oh… nothing really, just keeping an eye on you. I can’t have you trying to escape on me or anything. Although I think that’s highly unlikely isn’t it Corrine. You are dying, oh… but you knew that already, but the thing is I get to watch you suffer this time.

I have wanted to watch you die for over a year now. I know all about your cancer, you’re new best friend, Sayann told us all about your need for the amazing doctor Pratt and his serum. It took some persuasion to get her to talk, but she is young and weak, and we can make her tell us what’s in her mind. Don’t worry, she did not want to, she hates us, and we all know it.

Sayanns only use full purpose I suppose is first off , that’s she is Kyle’s mate, and that her medical training will keep you alive… we hope until your Followers get here and try to save you. You do look rather weak. I really do not think I need to babysit you like this, you can’t even walk now can you?” He laughed; it sent a cold chill down my already freezing spine.

“You are an ass!” I snapped in my horse barely audible voice.

“Now..now that’s my Corrine. You are still full of fire, despite your appointment with dear old death!”

He winked at me smiling, his eyes seemed black. I knew they were really green at least in his human life they were. I said nothing more as my stomach felt tight and it hurt to breathe again. I was desperately trying to hide it from Todd that I was hurting, he would enjoy that fact too much. He got up and walked over to the window.

I could see him physically stiffen up in the shoulders as a man’s voice boomed out in the hallway just outside my door. I wondered first off who that was, and why Todd seemed about to jump out of his skin, at the sound of his voice. I knew Leo was sure to show up here at any time, and they all seemed scared of him.