Ever After

Chapter 44



The Bridge



I put my phone on vibrate, as I couldn’t hear it with all the wind and rain. I slipped it in my back pocket and began to make my way down the riverbank. I held onto branches and tree limbs sliding in the heavy thick mud as I walked. I didn’t feel so much stronger and super human now as I struggled in the suction cup like mud. I stopped several times to catch my breath along the way. My hair was plastered to my head.

I stopped to look at the river. It was raging and huge trees were being swept down it. I stopped to rest, barley able to catch my breath. I felt hot tears streaming down my cheeks. I felt scared as I saw a heavy fog covering the ground just ahead of me.

I have no idea why I was afraid. I wasn’t even technically human anymore. I could out run any animal that I ran into, and humans really couldn’t kill me either. It had to be an extreme case if a human did actually kill a half blood. I was safe for the most part, except if the dark coven found me.

I wanted to sit down and give up. I had no idea if I was even going the right way. I wiped the long wet strands of hair off my face and tried to get myself together. I tried to focus and bring out my inner “bad ass chick” attitude out. Roth always teased me about that; he said I would be one now that I was a half-blood.

If I was going to face Todd and Kyle. I was so going to need that attitude. I had no idea what was going to happen and I was all alone. The drizzle turned into rain once again as I sighed and started walking again. I couldn’t help but over think everything as I walked or rather stumbled toward the bridge. I worried that maybe more of the dark coven had snuck inside the house, and hurt or even killed some of the Followers.

I looked at my watch it had now been two hours since Roth had called me. I worried he wrecked too, or something else happened. If that were the case, he wouldn’t have got to call Doc and get more of our coven out here to help get William back. Todd and Kyle had to know we would come after them, so I expected for them to be looking for us.

I tripped over a large root, and fell over and had to claw my way back up the bank. I was terrified of falling in the out of control river. I tried to wipe some of the thick stinking mud off me, as I did I could make out the pillars of the underside of the bridge just down from me. I saw the headlights of a jeep parked just at the entrance and it wasn’t running. I reached into my pocket and pulled out my cell hoping some kind of message was on it from Roth or Doc. I was sad to see their wasn’t.

“Where are you Roth?” I whispered to myself. It shouldn’t have taken this too long for him to get here, especially since he was a vampire. I decided to move closer to the bridge. I knew I had to be careful so I stayed along the tree line. It would be easy for them to spot me with their hawk like eyes.

I knew I might as well be signing my own death certificate right now by even trying to face Todd and Kyle alone. Will was in that jeep and I was his only chance to be rescued. I crept up the embankment as quietly as I could. I crouched down behind the guardrail and scanned the bridge.

To my surprise, I could sense Todd and Kyle before even seeing them. They stood at the front t of the old black jeep. They had the hood up, and white smoke was billowing out of the engine. I decided to wait and see what was going on before I even tried to approach them.

“This piece of crap is never going to start!” I heard Todd yell as he kicked the front tire.

“It will, it’s only stalled out from driving through all that water back there.” Kyle argued as he looked over the engine.

“Why are all the Dark coven’s vehicles crap? The Followers have frigging tricked out hummers and Mercedes. We have to drive twelve year old broken down jeeps.” Todd gripped as he leaned up against the jeep.

“They have Doc… that’s why.”

“What’s that got to do with anything?” Todd snapped.

“Don’t you know, that’s half the reason Leo hates Doc so much, it’s because he was always more successful than Leo and he is stinking rich. Doc invented some medical devices, and vaccines to save humans and that made Leo even more pissed off, since he hates humans.”

“He did all that stuff?”

“Yep, he’s been doing it for centuries or longer I guess.” Kyle slammed the jeeps hood down and took a deep breath. “I can’t believe he even let you live when Shane and Casey found you that night in the woods.” Kyle muttered.

“That’s easy. I promised him I could help him get William back with the Dark coven. If I succeed, he will accept me fully into the coven as one of the honorary elders.”

“Good luck with that one. Vincent was Leo’s pet, and that’s why he wants William back. That guy is his only blood link to Vincent, that’s why he wants him so bad.”

“Well, I m good enough to take Vincent and Williams place. I will show Leo that, by getting pretty boy hand delivered to him here shortly.” Todd said arrogantly.

“Ok whatever you say Todd. I will let you in on a secret though. Leo changes his mind a lot and he could care less about you. It doesn’t even matter if you do get William hand delivered, he might decide to kill you anyway.” I could see Todd was a bit nervous now after Kyle’s little talk.

“You didn’t rough him up to much back there did you?” Kyle asked, his voice shaking.

“No not much man. I just tossed him into the jeep. We are old enemies after all. I can’t help but smack him around a little you know.”

“Uh… yeah I get that, but Leo told us he was recovering still, from Vincent’s attack, and that we shouldn’t rough him up. Did you forget that already? Leo wanted him alive and not half dead.”

“Why in the hell does it matter?” Todd grumbled.

“He wants him to become an elder in the Dark coven. I heard he thinks William will begin to act just like Vincent if he is with the DC long enough or something.”

“Oh” was the only thing Todd said.” I slowly put my hands on the ground so I wouldn’t fall over.”

“I don’t like how you said that. What did you do to him?” Kyle took off for the back door of the jeep.

I ducked down as Todd walked right by me as he followed Kyle. I covered my moth as Kyle pulled William out of the back of the jeep. It looked like he was completely out, or had been knocked out cold. Kyle laid him next to the jeep.

To my surprise, he grabbed a blanket from the jeep and covered him. I could see he had blood on his cheek and near his mouth. I hoped he wasn’t hurt too badly. I knew he was in the recovery stage, but getting the crap beat out of him at this point, couldn’t be good. Seeing this only fueled my intense hatred for Todd Downs. I seethed as I watched Todd walk around William, like a hunter examining his kill.

“You idiot, you beat him up! I told you not to get to rough with him. Leo’s going to kill us both if he dies.” Kyle said as he shook Will trying to wake him up. “He couldn’t even fight you back, and you still beat him up? You really are a sick twisted freak like I heard.”

“Oh shut up, he won’t die. He deserved what I gave him anyway, for jacking up my life for the past year.” He shoved his hands in his pockets and walked over to the front of the jeep.

“He looks bad, I’ m not even sure he will make it back to the coven house alive.” I prayed Kyle was wrong as I tried to get a better look at Will as I peeked in-between the high grass.

“If he dies, Leo will kills us and not even ask any questions. I have seen him do it before, and it’s bad.” Todd seemed even more un nerved now, as he checked Will’s pulse. I desperately wanted to snatch Will away from them and get him back to Doc and Pratt.

“Hell he’s still breathing; he won’t die any time soon anyway.” Todd got up and looked around.

“You idiot if you had just stuck to the plan we wouldn’t be worrying about him dying right now. It’s just like in the woods a few weeks ago; you just had to bite that chic… Corrine. Leo told you that you had better follow his rules this time.” Todd was silent, as he stood there listening.

I had enough of it all by now. Kyle was whining about their pending deaths thanks to Leo. Todd was just acting stupid and Will needed to get medical attention as soon as possible. I slowly moved out of my hiding spot. I crept back around the side of the jeep, out of the site of either moron.

I pulled my hood back, and pushed the strands of wet hair out of my eyes. This was a one shot deal, if I messed this up Will and I could both end up dead. I couldn’t wait for Roth anymore. Something must have gone wrong, causing him to be delayed. I knew he wouldn’t leave me here to face Todd alone unless something bad happened.

I inched my way along the side of the jeep, trying not to slip in the mud. I stepped out carefully, making sure I wasn’t within striking range of either one of them.

“You’ve got to kidding me!” Todd gasped in shock. “Your suppose to be dead. I hit you hard enough to kill you.”

“Didn’t we go over all that already Todd? I’m not dead you’re not dead so let’s get over that already ok?”

I fixed my eyes on him, trying to look un afraid and in control. I knew I couldn’t put him in a trance but I could try. “Back away from William now.” I hissed.

Kyle backed up slightly, not too sure about what I was going to do next. Todd seemed nervous as he looked behind him several times, as we stood there. I think he expected to see the rest of my coven coming up behind him. I wished that was the case, as I stood there facing my worst enemy alone.

“Here to save pretty boy eh? Kind of backward isn’t it. I think it’s the other way around most of the time.”

“This is not the eighteen hundreds Todd. Girls don’t have to always be the ones getting saved.” I kept my hand in my coat pocket on the knife.

I had found it in Roth’s glove box, so I brought it just in case I needed it. I looked over for a minute at William, he was motionless. Todd was watching me. I could feel his dirty eyes on me. I looked up at him and saw the same evil smile he wore the night of the Frat party nearly a year ago.

“Ready to play Corrine?” He shook his head. “You never learn do you? You will never beat me. It’s simply not possible.”

“Really why is that Todd?” I stalled for time hoping Roth would show up.

“You want to discuss this right now?” He laughed waving his hand around, to emphasize we were in the middle of a swamp.

“Why not? No time like the present is there.” I tried to act confident, if they knew I was scared they might attack me.

“She’s stalling Todd; you are such an idiot anyone could tell that. She knows she can’t take us on alone, she’s a half blood after all.” I really hated Kyle now. Todd would have gone on talking to me for a while if he hadn’t butted in. He was still stupid.

“It’s a shame we will have to kill you. Are you sure, you don’t want to switch sides and leave the Followers? I could try to talk to Leo. He might let you live if you tell him you want to be one of us.” I was so mad I clenched my fists to keep from trying to hit him.

“Never, I would rather die than be like you and the Dark coven. You all make me sick and are nothing but murders and criminals.” I moved back trying to edge my way closer to William.

“Just because she won’t join our coven doesn’t mean we can’t have some fun with her Kyle.” I felt my chest tighten. I knew that tone in Todd’s voice all too well. If I didn’t do something soon they were going to hurt me or even kill me.

“You are insane Todd, absolutely insane no wonder everyone said I should stay away from you.” I hissed.

“Do you really think I care what those insignificant humans think about me?” I could see he was getting angry now.

“I’m not part of that world now, and I made Leo a promise to bring Will back to him and I intend to do just that. I’m not standing here wasting my time with you anymore.”

I moved back further as he Todd stepped closer to me. I couldn’t move before he lunged at me and grabbed my arm. To my amazement, I was able to jerk free and shove him backwards. Todd fell and hit his head on the front bumper of the jeep. I knew it wouldn’t faze him but it might slow him down a bit.

“Playing hard to get eh?” He laughed as he got up wiping his jeans off.

“Todd we don’t have time for this crap. Leo will be expecting us back at the coven house... with William”

“Screw Leo, I've got other plans Kyle you’ll wait till I’m ready.”

“Fine if you want to get yourself killed let me take William back to Leo and you can mess with that chick. I’m not getting my head ripped off because of you!” Kyle yelled. I was in massive trouble now. Kyle was going to leave and Todd would probably tear me to shreds when he did.

“Let me have William and I will go.” I begged.

“That’s funny Corrine, like we would even let you do that. Sure, you can take pretty boy and go on your merry way. Not a chance in hell sweet heart! Did you get stupid or something when you turned into a vampire?” He sneered.

“No… but you did!” I yelled. I pulled the knife in my pocket out and held it tightly as I faced Todd.

“Well, well got a knife little girl? You do know that won’t kill me Corrine.” He laughed in my face, but he did back up a step away from the knife.

“So wrong Todd. This is not a normal knife at all. Its Roth’s knife and its blade is made of ancient metal from Ireland.” I smiled.

“Wow… I’m scared now.”

“You should be, the metal in the blade kills vampires, and has been around for centuries. Did you miss that part when you were learning the rules of being a vampire Todd?”

I saw his eyes lock on the blade of the knife. I was bluffing 100%, although knifes like that did exist. I was not lucky enough to have one right now. This was just a regular pocketknife. Doc had told me about the metal in Ireland that vampire hunters used centuries ago to kill our kind. Todd was stupid and had no idea if I was lying or not, even Kyle looked nervous.

Todd jumped at me suddenly and Kyle followed. I had no time to even think before Kyle had my arms behind my back. He squeezed my wrist so hard I thought my bones my snap. I dropped the knife instantly. Kyle kicked it over the side of the bridge and down into the river below. Todd wrapped his hand into the hair on the back of my head tightly and yanked me back towards him. Kyle pulled a rope out of his coat pocket and tied my hands together.

“Stupid girl, you should learn to stay with your own kind, what few of them there are.” Kyle whispered in my ear as I tried to pull away. I hated having him so close to me.

“I’m a vampire.” I gasped in pain, as Todd pulled my hair tighter in his fingers.

“Yes you are Corrine, but you’re not a full blood. Half bloods are like the half ass version of real vampires you know.” Todd and Kyle laughed at me as I cried out in pain, as Kyle hit me in the lower back making me drop to the ground.

“You’ll be an endangered species before long, looks like pretty boy over there is about to check out for good on us.” Todd sighed, as he let go of my hair. I was on the ground curled up. It felt like Kyle broke my back and with his strength. I knew it was possible.

“Shut up he’s not!” I slowly got back up, but only to my knees.

“Let me help you.” Todd pulled me up by my hair again. I fought him as he pulled me up. He pulled me over to where Will was laying motionless and shoved me to the ground again.

“Say your goodbyes Corrine. I would love to kill him myself but Leo wants him alive. You on the other hand are another story. I can and will kill you and rest assured I will be dammed sure you are dead this time.”

“Say good bye to him already.” Kyle snapped at me. I was shocked to see Will had his eyes slightly open, he was waking up now.

“Corrine?” He whispered. I tried not to cry as I could see the confusion in his eyes as he looked at me.

“I’m sorry Will I can’t help. I was going to save you, but I’m all alone.”

I began to shake knowing I would be killed soon and lose William forever. I would be losing him and never see my father or Gran. I wished I could at least get to say goodbye. I knew my death would hurt Gran deeply and most likely destroy my father. The rain began to fall harder, and mixed with the tears streaming down my cheeks.

“Don’t be sorry, I should be the one saving you. I love you Corrine and always will even into death.” He was struggling to speak as he tried to keep his eyes focused on me.

“I love you.” I gasped in pain as Todd yanked me back up to my feet away from Will.

Todd shoved me into the door of the jeep. I dropped to the ground as he stood there watching me suffer. I had no time to catch my breath before he grabbed me again and threw me into the door headfirst. My head already hurt from the wreck in the hummer and now it was so bad I could barely stand the pain.

“How do you want to do this Todd? We can take her blood like a human. I heard half bloods are delicious. They are like a rare wine from what I hear, a mixture of power and innocence in their blood.” He knelt down next to me and stoked the hair off my face. I was in too much pain to even care now.

“It’s a shame though; you are a pretty little thing. Maybe we could keep her as a pet?”

“Oh no… were killing her. I have waited too long to get her back for destroying my life.” I knew my time was running out, and it hurt me even more to know Will was going to watch all this.

“No!” Will yelled. I knew if he had only gotten a few more days to recover, they would never have been able to kidnap him. I could see he wanted to get up and fight for me, but he was too weak.

“Shut up pretty boy, we have other plans for you later.” Todd yelled.

He yanked me again over to the entrance to the bridge. I braced myself as he threw me into the wooden pole holding up the roof to the old bridge. I turned my head trying to hit more with my shoulder, but he forced my head into it. I couldn’t take much more. I would rather just die than take being thrown into poles and jeeps.

“Please stop.” I said breathlessly.

“Told you one day I would pay you back Corrine, and I never break a promise.” He whispered in my ear, I hated the feel of his hot breath on my skin. I tried to turn away, and as I did, he grabbed my throat and began to squeeze as hard as he could.

“It’s a handy thing to know you don’t need a “vial” to kill a half blood. It’s a pesky thing to have a heart that’s still requires air to keep going. Too bad for you isn’t it Corrine?” Todd laughed at me as I chocked.

I fought violently to get his hand off my neck, but he was much too strong for me. I could hear Will yelling at them to stop as my hearing got muffled from lack of air. I felt like I was going to pass out. The trees began to spin, and I was getting tunnel vision. This was dying; these very last things would be my last memories. I could see Kyle watching with approval, his arms folded leaning on the jeep.

“Please stop.” I begged once more. I don’t know why I bothered to even try to plead for my life with what little air I had left in my lungs.

Todd was getting exactly what he wanted now, killing me with his bare hands. I gulped air as Todd’s grip slipped briefly as a loud rumble in the distance in the swamp distracted him. I knew there was a road back there but Roth said it was probably flooded. I couldn’t imagine who might be out there.

The rumble got louder and I could tell it was vehicles, more than one. They were big and moving fast towards us. I closed my eyes in defeat, it had to be Leo, and the Dark coven, their home was down that road somewhere. I knew Leo would kill me on site.

“It’s their coven!” Todd yelled back in a high-pitched panicked voice.

“Kill her already man, or their going to kill us first. You jacked around to long with her you should have just thrown her over the stupid bridge or ate her!” Kyle yelled as he kept looking down the long tunnels of the bridge waiting for whoever it was to get here. I couldn’t believe he thought it was the Followers; they wouldn’t be coming from that direction.

Todd looked at me than to Will as a set of headlights blazed across the dark tunnel. It was a truck or something with a set of running lights on top of the roof. Todd was too busy apparently filling his pants in fear. He loosened his grip even more, so I could turn my head and look at the approaching vehicles. The first one came roaring out of the bridge, it was a black hummer, followed by two identical ones. It was my coven; they had found us and were here to save William and me.

“Hurry up man we have to get out of here now!” Kyle yelled again in a major panic. “Is she dead?”

“No, I’m tossing her over the bridge; even a half blood can’t survive that.” Todd yanked me over to the guardrail. Below me the river raged and churned. I felt his grip get tighter as he held me over the edge. Todd turned again to watch the hummers coming in, and once again, I was able to turn my head and watch.

The first one drove past us and blocked the ramp at the bottom of the bridge. The second one went flying by and skidded sideways and stopped inches from the jeep. The third one pulled across the bridge entrance sideways blocking it completely.

To my relief Roth jumped out of the hummer parked right next to Todd’s jeep, Andrew and Taylor got out behind him. Riley got out of the one at the base of the bridge and Doc, Pratt and Sam got out of the one blocking the bridge entrance. I also saw some of the other coven members getting out. Roth had rounded them all up somehow and they were all here to defend us.

“Drop her Todd or I swear I will rip that miserable thing you call a head off!” Roth yelled at him as he walked at vamp speed towards us.

Todd pressed the guardrail into my side as he backed up into it further. I could see Doc and Pratt followed by Sayann and Lydia running to Will who was struggling to get up. Taylor and Riley moved in on Kyle, who was backing up near Todd and me. It was an ambush by my coven.

“Did you think you could pull this off again Downs? You mess with one of us, you’re going to get the entire coven on you, and now here we are. That’s how we work, or has nobody ever told you the rules of vampires?” Todd was outnumbered and he knew it, he looked at Kyle. They knew they were in major trouble now. I was Todd’s only bargaining tool, lucky me.

“Give her to me Todd!” Roth ordered as he stared him now. The look on Roth’s face even scared me.

I knew Roth had a dark and maybe even evil side to him. It was an unsaid rule of the followers to keep it under control and hidden. I watched it coming out of Roth right now. I struggled for more air and looked at Roth; he winked at me to let me know the evil glare was only meant for Todd.

“Yeah Todd, give it up, you’re out of your league now. You don’t even know what you’re doing. Leos going to kill you even if you did bring William back so don’t kid yourself about that.”

“Back off, or I swear I will break her neck.” Todd pushed me even closer to the edge, and I couldn’t even move now. The smell of the river was strong as he pushed my head over. I looked down at the river it was a black mass of death in my eyes. I pulled myself back up with all I had to see if Will was ok. I could see Pratt had Will up on his feet and they were talking to him as he looked at me.

“You’re a dead man if you even pull one more of her hairs again Downs. I’m done jacking around with you here. This whole deal with you trying to kill Corrine every time we turn around ends tonight!”

“You can’t kill me Roth. It’s your covens rule that you don’t kill is it not?” I knew he was desperate now trying to bargain with Roth who was beyond pissed off. Roth narrowed his eyes, and a wicked grin spread across his face. The raindrops beaded up in the blonde spikes of his hair as he laughed.

“Well Todd unfortunately for you that rule only applies to humans, and well let’s see …” He shook his head and smiled. “You’re not a human anymore last time I checked, that’s sucks for you doesn’t it dude!” Doc moved closer as he overheard the conversation.

“Yes Todd, we do kill, if one of our own is in danger and that girl in your hands is definitely one of ours and Williams fiancée as well. It looks like to me two of our own are in danger here.” Doc frowned and crossed his arms.

“Looks like you’re still out of luck there Downs aren’t you?” Riley laughed.

“You come any closer to me and I swear I will snap her neck like a twig, she’s going to die before I do!” Todd yelled back.

I felt dizzy now even worse than before. I fought to see and I found Will again standing next to Pratt. He looked up at me, our eyes locked, and that feeling that brought us together was still as strong as ever. He pulled away from Pratt’s hold, but he didn’t let go of his arm and he pulled him back.

“No William, let your cousins handle Todd. You’re not strong enough to fight anyone yet.” Doc warned.

“Let me go, I have to help her. I have to help her now!” Will yelled as he struggled to break free from Pratt’s hold on him. Riley ran over to help Pratt hang onto to William as he fought hard to get away and go after Todd.

“Corrine it’s going to be ok.” He yelled to me, sadness filled his eyes as he realized Pratt was not going to let him come to me.

“Alright Todd that is enough. I’m telling you to let Corrine go now. I’m done screwing around with you.”

“Did you know Leo wants Corrine dead? If he gets to her, he’s going to torture her to death. I’m doing her a favor by ending her life like this, you should thank me.” Todd was still grasping at anything to buy him time. I was getting tired of being yanked around and strangled every five minutes.

“Ask me or any of us if we care. Leo is an ass and Doc will handle him and his plans. Quit stalling and gave her back to us.” I could hear the rage in his voice and the others were getting restless.

“You’re dead!” Will yelled, his anger welling up inside him as he fought violently to get away from Pratt and Riley. Taylor and Roth moved in together, it caught Todd of guard. Todd yanked me nearly over the side of the bridge.

“You want her? Go get her then.” I felt myself picked up and suddenly nothing was below me but the sound of rushing water. I was falling God only knew how many feet to the river below. I hit the water with a massive slam. I instantly sunk down in the chilled water as it rushed around me.

The last thing I saw was the horror in Will’s eyes. I saw for a second Roth and Taylor lunge at Todd and pull him down to the ground. I struggled and fought to swim back up to the top and gasp for air. My hands were tied still and I pulled at the ropes to get them free. I had to get them off or I was going to drown. I couldn’t help but think Todd may be getting just what he wanted now, my death.

I pulled and pulled. I could feel the rope cutting the soft skin of my wrist. I knew I had to fight. Will was going to be ok now, but if I died in this stinking river, he might not be. I finally got my hands free and swam like hell to the surface



I gasped for air, choking on the water and rain, which was falling, in torrents now. I was lucky I could go with any longer than a human now or I would have already died. I grabbed onto a log that was floating nearby me and held on for dear life.

I had to try to make it to the banks as soon as I could. I had no idea where I might end up out here in this flooded river. I knew the coven would be looking for me. I hoped Roth and Taylor beat the crap out of Todd, and I wondered really, what they would do to him and Kyle. I fought to stay awake, as my head hurt so badly. I held onto the log tightly and prayed I would not pass out and drown.