Leaving the Light By: Christine Schnell

Chapter 50



	A great loud noise woke me sharply.  It echoed off the
buildings around me.  When I say awoken, that is my mind was
awake, the rest of me had a harder time catching up.  Even my
mind wasn't completely straight as it led me to believe that
what had just happened was all a dream.  I felt disconnected
from the world around me.

	I hate it when that happens for I wish it was a dream.  I tried
to move but my body brought me the rest of the way back to
reality.  Pain shot from my chest and nether region.  When I
tried to push myself up on my arms a great pain shot through
them and I realized they were both broken.   I hadn't yet opened
my eyes.  There seemed to be light pouring over them and I felt
the warmth of the sun on my skin.  I knew I'd be safe from the
vampires at least for now.

	That is until my eyes did manage to blink open and I found the
light was flickering.  It was not the steady beam of a sun, but
the flaming light of fire.  Up past the fire were the stars of
night.  The fire was close to me now.  It was slightly hard to
breathe, either because of the pain in my chest or smoke.  I
don't know.  I heard crackling, and the snap of wood.  I focused
my eyes and saw the wall of the building next to me leaning
dangerously my way.  I wanted to move, to crawl out of there if
I had to, but I hadn't the strength.

	Then with a whine and a lot more cracking and roaring, the wall
began coming down.  The most I could do was protect my face with
my already broken arms.  Then miraculously I felt the distinct
pulling sensation at my shoulders and the stinging sensation of
asphalt sliding under me.  Someone was dragging me to safety. 

	Keir?  Why would Keir save me from certain doom?

	No matter who it was they were too late.  The wall was already
falling and they would be trapped as well.  I knew it.  The heat
had become intense in those last few moments.  Then the shocking
pain of a piece of the wall smashing into my chest sent my mind
once more into blackness.  I knew in that instant I was dying
and my only one regret was not being able to see the face of my
would be savior.

***

	I was wrong and again robbed of my freedom.  I was alive and
this time the frequent beep of machinery brought me back to
consciousness.  Fear filled my heart as I looked blurrily up
into a bright florescent light as I believed I was back in the
infirmary.  Once again in the hands of the vampires.  Yet
something was wrong.  It was too quiet here.  I tried to focus
my eyes and realized the ceiling didn't look right.  I stretched
my eyes to the end of my peripheral vision and my heart flew.  I
was in a hospital, a real hospital!  The windows were open and I
could see wonderful daylight.  It was real this time.  I could
feel it.  That and my aches and pains.  I tried to laugh, but my
lungs didn't have it in them.  I wound up coughing violently.  I
didn't care.  I was free.

	It was wonderful.  I was surrounded by people who only wanted
to help me.  A nurse came in and made sure I was feeling all
right.  She gently changed my bandages and talked as if we had
known each other for years.  Everything was going nicely until
the doctor came in.  "Good morning.  I'm Dr. Maruska.  Quite a
night you had huh?"

	"You can say that."  I answered weakly.

	"What's your name?"

	Gads!  I hadn't thought about that.  I naturally started to say
"To-" and stopped myself.  It wasn't the vampires stopping me
but my own conscience.  If I told them my real name there was
the possibility of them trying to contact my family.  If my
family is contacted then the vampires might think I'm going to
them and look for me there and might hurt someone I loved.  No,
best to start new and not involve anyone in the dangers of the
vampires.  "Tania."

	"Is there a last name that goes with that?"

	I tried not to hesitate too much for fear of arising suspicion.
 Still it took me a few seconds to come up with one.  "Kent."  I
blurted for some reason Superman had come to my mind.  Maybe
it's because I was hoping he'd come and whisk me away.

	"Well Mrs. Kent, it is Mrs. isn't it?"  I shook my head.  It
made my head hurt.  "Ah, I see.  Is there someone you'd like us
to contact to let them know you are here?"  His tone told me he
didn't quite believe me.  I think this was his way of trying to
get my real name out of me.

	"No, I have no relatives?"

	"No friends in town?"  Now I started to feel interrogated.

	"No."

	"Well Ms Kent, your condition is not good.  You have three
broken ribs and a broken arm and a sprained wrist.  There are
third degree burns over a third of your body.  You had some
internal bleeding that we managed to stop.  You have a severe
concussion that frankly surprises me hasn't put you in a coma. 
Multiple lacerations that have led to heavy bleeding, for which
we're currently administering a blood transfusion.  He pointed
to the bags hanging by my bed.  I hadn't even noticed the needle
stuck in my hand.  I wish I hadn't.  I concentrated on the
doctor who looked at me quite grimly to get my mind off the
needle.  "Honestly Ms. Kent, what worries me is not these recent
traumas nor the fact that you were anywhere near the exploding
building."  He paused as if he expected me to ask him what
bothered him.  When I didn't he continued, "It is the fact that
you have untreated scaring over your entire body.  Most notably
is the myriad of scarring on your back.  Is there a problem
you'd like to talk about?"

	Damn country doctors couldn't mind their own business.  I shook
my head again and feared I started a migraine.  "Ms. Kent, I'd
like to help you, really if there is a problem it is in your
best interest for you to tell me about it."

	"There's nothing to talk about.  I had family issues when I was
a kid and I don't now."  Wow I was becoming a compulsive liar.

	"Yes of course.  Well I will let you get some rest now."  He
watched me for few seconds.  Made a mark on his clipboard then
looked at me sideways.  "Oh yes, Officer Claggett will be coming
by a little later to ask you about the explosion.  He's a nice
guy and I'm sure it will be painless."

	I nodded.  Now I knew I had a migraine.  Inwardly I was
panicking.  Oh sure it would be great to have a cop come and
protect me, but what do I tell him?  The truth?  He wouldn't
believe me.

	What was I to do though?  I didn't feel strong enough to get
out of bed.  I had to muster the power.  I had no choice.  I
tried to sit up and failed to move at all.  I tried again and
got a little further.  I laid for a few minutes breathing hard. 
I was glad I wasn't hooked up to a cardiac monitor it might
alert the nurses to my hyperactivity.  Things started to get a
little fuzzy so I figured I needed to get a little rest.  My
injuries weren't as bad as I had thought they had been.  They
were still bad enough to keep me down.

	After examining the room about twenty times and being bored out
of my mind, I looked up at the TV.  It had been a while since I
even saw one.  What a wonderful thing to be able to see what was
happening in the world.  I found the remote after a bit of
tiresome searching and flipped it on.  I sped through the five
channels and found only commercials.  I fixed on one that had
some cartoons.  Man I miss cartoons.  Especially Bugs Bunny.  If
anything could make me laugh he could and right about then I
could use a good laugh.  Unfortunately, that's not what it was,
it was some anime that I became annoyed with after five minutes.
 I flipped it to some talk show that was so generic I didn't
recognize anybody on it.  It also aggravated my migraine when
the people started yelling at each other.

	My eyelids became so heavy that I couldn't fight closing them
until I heard a generic anchorwoman say:

	"Our top story this morning; an explosion at the old Pospisil
Lumber Company rocked Gregory South Dakota this morning at
3:24am killing two.  A third person was taken to Gregory
Community Hospital and is listed in critical condition. 
Authorities have not yet released any of the identities.  

	"The police report that this is not being treated as a
terrorist attack.  The Pospisil Lumber Company building has been
abandoned for six years and has been slated for demolition later
this month.  Only the south wall of the building was destroyed. 
The early explosion came as a surprise to Warcloud Demolition,
the demolition company hired to destroy the building, as they
had not yet setup any explosives.  A test blast was scheduled
for this afternoon but will be delayed indefinitely.  We will
have more on this story tonight on News at 6 with Janet
Mitchelle."

	Two dead?  The vampires had died?  How could that be when I
didn't die in the explosion?  Unless... unless it was the hunter
who had caused the explosion, killed them and pulled me out of
there.  Maybe it was even he whom I had seen at the entrance to
the alley.  Could it have been him that set me up as bait as
well just so he knew they were vampires?  I really wasn't sure
what to believe, it could have been Keir all along as unlikely
as that seems, or it could have been some combination of the
two.  Only I'm sure if Keir pulled me out of there I wouldn't be
in this hospital now.  Had the hunter set me up he would have
tried to get Keir too.  What if he had?  What if one of the two
bodies had been Keir's?  That would be so great!  I would really
be free now.

	Something I did know was exactly where I was.  Gregory South
Dakota?  Wow, what luck.  It wasn't too far from my cousins who
had a farm about a hundred miles from here.  If only I could get
there.  I didn't think the vampires knew about them and it was
certainly not somewhere one would think to look.  Being in the
middle of nowhere had advantages.  Just as Keir said, hunters
stay within the city because one would expect to find vampires
there.  Perhaps the same was true about vampires searching for
their slaves.

	Yet, it felt wrong.  I'd love to live on the farm but I'd be
putting more people in danger.  Who's to say the vampires
wouldn't be looking for me there or catch up with me before I
got there.  No, I had to get away, far away and before sunset.  

	I flung my knees over the side of the bed and sat all the way
up only to be met by a spinning room.  I had a concussion, was
low on blood, hadn't eaten in at least a day, and sat up way too
fast.  I waited several minutes until it passed.  I still had a
bit of a headache that made me want to just close my eyes and
fall to sleep.  Yet I couldn't.  I knew I wouldn't have too long
before the vampires came looking for me, hell before the cop
did.  For all I knew he could be a friend of one of the fallen. 
He could also be the hunter in disguise coming to talk to me. 
Would he try to recruit me to help him kill the vampires?  He
might be able to protect me from them.  I was torn; help him
kill the vampires... Bram.  No, I wouldn't.  I just want away
from them.  I want no more to do with them, even if it meant
never seeing Bram again, or the hunter.  

	I steadied myself and peeled the tape off the IV and slowly
pulled out the needle.  I dared not watch as I did so.  It felt
longer than normal and I felt a bit nauseous just sliding it
out.  I pressed a bunch of tissue to the hole in my hand to stop
the bleeding.

	Despite my sickness I pushed myself to my feet.  I glanced
myself in the mirror and felt more ill.  I hadn't realized half
my face had been bandaged up.  I wondered how bad I looked under
there but didn't dare look.  My right arm was in a cast up to
above my elbow.  At least I could move it a little and use my
fingers.  My left arm was only bandaged as was nearly all the
rest of my body.  I felt like a mummy.  I limped to the door and
fell against it.  I hoped no one heard that.  

	No one came rushing so I figured I was safe.  I slowly opened
the door and when I saw no one in the hall I made a break for
it.  Okay the kind of break that the tortoise made to beat the
hare.  The Nurses were busy working and hardly even glanced at
me.  I spotted a trench coat and rain boots off to the side
behind the nurses' desk.  I knew I really wouldn't have much
better of a chance so as the nurse stared into her computer I
slipped the coat off the rack and snatched the boots.  I padded
my way down the hall and as I walked donned my procured clothes.
 I felt a little bad but figured I needed them more than her and
she could always borrow some herself.  I got a strange look as I
whisked by the receptionist at the entrance.  I think she might
have even called me but I was already out the door.  

	Now that I was outside, I felt rather exposed.  No vampire
could attack me now though some doctors or even guards could
spot me and try to escort me back inside.  The worst part was
the cold air blowing about my coat.  The cool air soothed the
burnt portions of my body exposed by the bandages.  It didn't do
any good for the other parts besides give them goose bumps.

	I shivered and marched on.  I tried to keep close to the
building where I was safe from the wind and couldn't be spotted
as easily.  Within five minutes I was clear of the hospital. 
Yet I had no clue where I was going.  I didn't remember if this
town had an airport.  I figured it had to have busses so I
looked about for a bus stop.  Not finding one right away I
started looking for a pay phone that would have a phone book and
I could learn more about the town.  It didn't take me long to
get extremely tired and weak.  I saw a gas station ahead that in
all likelihood had a phone.  I figured it would take me another
ten minutes to get there at the rate I was going.  

	That's when the car pulled up alongside me and the driver
called to me.  I jumped at first thinking it was a vampire then
a cop or someone from the hospital.  It turned out I was wrong.

	"Ya'll need a ride?"  I stared at him blankly.  "Ya'll 'K?"

	"Ummm..."  

	"Lemme 'elp you."  He finally registered in my head as none of
the type of people I was afraid of, just a southern type
gentleman.  I took a step towards the car.  He reached across
and flipped the handle on the door.  I fell in.

	"Ya'll don't look too good.  Jus' get out of the 'ospital?"

	I nodded which awarded me with a new headache.  I had to stop
doing that.

	I watched him curiously.  He was an old black man with tons of
white whiskers and a full head of white hair.  His clothes were
what I guessed to be hunter's garb, mostly camouflage.

	"Where ya'll going?"

	"The airport."

	"So soon after gettin' out?"

	"Well you know, I don't want to stick around here."  I managed
to say.

	"Don't 'cha have anyone here?"

	"No one I want to be around."

	"Running away are ya?"

	"Bad relationship."  Well, it was true to an extent.

	"He do that to ya?"

	I didn't answer instead I stared out the window and saw a
wondrous sight.  "Look pigeons!"  I practically glued myself to
the window.  I've never been very fond of those sky rats but as
I haven't seen any in several years.  It surprised and overjoyed
me seeing the large congregation of them in the park we were
passing.  Heck I would have been just as happy to see buzzards
circling.  The park itself wasn't much to look at as it was
winter and most of the trees were bare.  Personally, I like
everything to be green, alive and flourishing.  I like fall and
winter colors they're just not my favorite.  Despite all that I
thought the park to be one of the loveliest sights I've ever
seen.  All that space to run around and tumble and roll in the
grass and just think what it would be like after a good
snowfall.  Oh what fun kids could have running free there.

	I felt his eyes upon me and I knew he wanted to ask if I've
never seen a park before.  He didn't.  I thought that was decent
of him.  "So what's yer name?"

	"Tania."  I said smoothly, no point in telling him something
different from the hospital.  He didn't push the issue either. 
"What's yours?"

	"Roger."  He said just as smoothly and for some reason I didn't
believe him.  Maybe he just didn't look like a Roger.  He
started talking again but I wasn't paying attention.  I had
spotted several dogs running down the street.  I love dogs, my
favorite animal, especially the German Shepherd breed as they
are so beautiful, stately, and very loyal.  There was a couple
sniffing a hydrant and I began to miss my own dog back home.  I
was so deep into my memories I didn't know what he'd been saying
until I heard the word "vamp."

	That snapped me out of my reverie, I began to wonder just how
much he knew about me.  "What about vampires?"  I asked
innocently.

	"Vampir?"  He sounded confused.  "I didn't say noth'en 'bout no
vampir.  I was talk'n 'bout how they were 'revamping' this part
of town."

	"Oh."  I felt rather sheepish.

	"You scared of 'em Sarah?"

	"Sarah?"  How'd he confuse that with Tania?

	"Sorry, my mistake, it's my girl's name.  You remind me of her.
 Anywho, you 'fraid of 'em?"  

	"Scared of the people remodeling the town?"  I asked
innocently.  I didn't want to get into the other conversation.

	He snorted and said.  "Naw, vampirs, ya scared of 'em?"

	Damn he asked it again.  To show my dislike of the conversation
I looked away back out of the window.  We were now passing
boring, run of the mill buildings that held a certain
fascination to me as I watched the sunlight dance on their
windows.  Sunlight that would kill a vampire.  "Yes."

	"No need to be."  He sounded rather sure of himself.  "They're
not real."

	"You never know."  I said ominously.

	He laughed at that almost as ominously as if he believed it
too.  Could this be the hunter and he found me already?  I
looked at him closely.  He had a similar build and the nose even
looked about right.  Nah, he was too old and frail as he humped
over the wheel.  His hand even shook a little.  "Right."  He
drove a couple of miles in silence.  "Ya know I love the company
but I'm gonna hafta drop ya'll off at the bus station."

	No, that wasn't good enough.  I needed to get on a plane.  I
looked up to the sun that was on the start of its downward arc
towards the western horizon.  Soon.  I had to let him know that,
but one thing was stopping me bus or plane or not.  "I'd really
like to get to the airport, get out of the country or
something."  That wasn't really a lie was it?  It wouldn't be
hard for me to buy a ticket for anywhere but Arizona, that is if
I could buy a ticket.

	He sounded a little sad when he spoke.  "Sorry darlen,
Lincoln's got the closest major airport and I'm 'fraid I live
here in town.  Ya'll can catch a bus there."

	"I don't have any cash."  I finally admitted.

	He didn't skip a beat.  "I'm sure things'll work out for the
best."  He smiled and patted my knee.  I was used enough to
harassment that it didn't bother me.  Besides it felt more like
a fatherly pat.  "What 'bout your family?  Can't they help?
Ya'll not gonna go see them before ya skip town?"

	I shook my head.  "They're all in California and as far as
they're concerned I'm dead."

	"Ya'll not do'en too good huh?  Estranged from family and
boyfriend."

	I shrugged.  "That's what happens when you ignore your family's
warnings and follow a bad boyfriend out east."

	"Ah, I'm sure they'd welcome ya'll back with open arms.  I know
I would."

	I was prepared for that one.  "I know except that their place
is the first place my boyfriend would go looking for me."

	"They wouldn't shoot 'im on sight?"

	I guess stereotyping is sometimes correct.  He was a typical
southerner.  "My family's not like that.  Besides they'd be too
afraid of him."

	"Oh, well guess ya'll do what you feel is right."

	Great make me feel bad now.  "Hey, I don't normally run away
but I can't exactly stand up to this guy and win you know."

	He snorted.  "A tough gal like you, I don't believe it.  Unless
he's the one who set off that explosion."

	I shook my head.  He just had no clue.  "That was a couple of
crooks, but this guy isn't exactly Mr. Belvedere you know."

	"He beat ya?"

	I could see the bus stop just up ahead and felt great relief
that I was almost out of this.  I appreciated his help.  I'm
just glad he wasn't taking me all the way to Lincoln, who knows
what'd he try to dig out of me.  I wondered if he was a reporter
or something, why else would he bring up the explosion?  

	Unfortunately, he took my silence as an affirmative.  "You
should report his ass to the cops."

	"No!"  I squeaked.  Before I gave him the impression that I was
a stupid love struck girl I told him, "He'd only get out and
hurt me more.  He's done it before.  That's why I just want to
get away, out of his reach."  I realized I really did mean that.

	"Not like they'd believe ya anyway huh?"

	I didn't answer.  He had pulled into the almost deserted
parking lot.  Guess there's not much need for busses in this
town.  "Ya gonna be all right?"

	I shook my head.  I had a decision I had to make and I had to
make it soon.  Do I go west back to AZ or east to the airport. 
The decision seemed easy and logical; west.  No money and the
fear of being caught trying to escape pushed me in that
direction.  

	Appearances are often deceiving and like Roger said things
might work out.  There was a chance, just a slight one that I
can get away.  That sliver of hope sparked my heart but it
wasn't enough.  I thought of Bram.  How much he would miss me;
and I him.  Could I do that to him again?

	Roger had gotten out of the car as I was mulling this over.  My
door opened and he placed a hand out to help me up.  I winced as
I took it and stood looking out about me.  This was my last
breath of freedom and I took it in deeply.  The air was crisp
and I tugged at the trench coat.  I heard birds chirping happily
off in some trees and smiled.  There were no sounds of cars or
any other civilization as the bus station was a little off the
beaten path.  It was glorious.  

	Roger slammed the door and for a moment I thought he was
leaving me there without even saying good-bye.  Then I realized
it was just the trunk slamming.  He came around the car towards
me with a small bundle of clothes in his arms.  "Here."  He held
them out to me.  "They're not much, just an old pair of sweats
and a sweater, but I figure they're better than that paper
bathrobe you have on."  I didn't even think he had noticed, he
is a bit more observant than I had taken him for.

	"Thanks."  I couldn't help but smile.  He had a big grin
somewhere under that burly beard of his.  "I appreciate the ride
and all."

	"No sweat hon."  He put a large grizzled hand on my shoulder. 
"You'll be okay."  His words were soft and I could have sworn
his accent disappeared in that second.  He rounded the car and
waved saying, "See ya later alligator."

	"In a while crocodile."  I muttered remembering the old phrase
as his door shut.  I waved as he backed out and before I knew it
he was gone.  Well, I thought to myself, might as well go change
before I try to hitch another ride.  I went to the rest room of
the old bus depot to get rid of the stupid hospital gown.  It
surprised me at how well it covered me.  The last time I had
been in a hospital I had been nearly 200 pounds heavier and the
stupid thing wouldn't come close to closing.  Now I could almost
wear it and not feel modest.  I ripped it off so I could have
that feeling of transition.  

	I slipped the sweater over me then started to pull on the
pants.  How odd, they felt a bit heavier than they should have;
especially on the right side.  I wondered if Roger had forgotten
something.  I reached in the pocket and realized he did forget
something, big time.  A wad of paper came out in my hand, but
not just any paper, green paper, money wrapped in a money clip. 
I nearly dropped it my hand shook so badly.  He had left money
in his clothes.  Would he report it stolen?  Was it intentional?
 I couldn't think of any good coming of this and I bundled up
the coat and got ready to rush out and find him.  As I reached
for the door and tried to open it, I found myself awkwardly
trying to open the handle with a broken arm and a wad of dough
and jacket in the other.  

	I fell into a coughing fit.  This caused it all to fall. 
That's when I noticed attached on the outside of the wad under
the clip was a small slip of white paper.  I took it out and
unfolded it.  A tear fell out of my eye as I read it.  "Tania." 
It said clearly and intentionally in a quick scrawl.  "Here's a
little something to help you find your way."

	I finished putting on the pants and threw the trench coat back
on stuffing the money in my pocket.  I rushed out to the parking
lot but I already knew what I'd find.  He was gone and I
couldn't even thank him.  I never thought that in this world
someone could be so generous.  I began to regret stereotyping
him.  I pulled out the wad after making sure no one was around
and counted it; One thousand dollars in $50's and $20's.  I
wondered how far that could get me nowadays.  I had no idea what
inflation (or terrorists) had done to ticket prices.  Guess I
would find out.  A thought struck me and I nearly slapped myself
for thinking this horribly.  What if the money was stolen and
marked?  I shook my head.  That was silly.  Why would he give it
to a total stranger then, other than to get me caught instead of
him?  No, I wouldn't think such things of a man who was so
generous.  The world couldn't be that cruel.

	I happily limped back into the bus station and ordered the
first bus to Lincoln.  Imagine me flying so far away they
couldn't reach me!  I was elated.  They told me the bus wouldn't
get here for another hour and a half then it was an 8 hour drive
to Lincoln, by then it would be dark but I didn't care.  I would
have to change busses a couple of times too.  They couldn't
possibly trace me in time to catch me before I got on a plane. 
I was so happy that even the stale sandwich I ate while waiting
for the bus tasted good.  It may not have been the gourmet food
back in the vampire complex but I'll tell you something; the
taste of freedom is a gazillion times better than gourmet food
in slavery.

	The ride was slightly interesting.  There were maybe a dozen
people on the bus and not one sat near me.  Some people have an
aversion to anyone that's different and the bandages up and down
my left side made me look pretty different.  I didn't mind.  I
didn't want to become entangled in a conversation where I'd have
to explain it and other things; especially after the fiasco with
Roger.  A few more people boarded the bus along the way.  They
took one look at me and moved to find an empty seat.  I felt a
little rejected but still didn't care.

	What I did care about was the talk around me.  I had noticed
some chat about the war on terrorism.  It was when someone
mentioned the explosion in Gregory that I started to wonder
about these people's future.  They didn't believe the media that
is a good thing but their paranoid theory about terrorists from
the Middle East infiltrating so far into the country made me
uneasy.  There were other threats closer to home they should be
concerned about.  Alas I'd look like a crazed idiot spouting
nonsense if I tried to tell them.  As it was I had a hard time
keeping my hands still.  Once I clenched them, my knees started
bouncing.  That nervous habit was no doubt frightening the other
passengers.

	There was a movie playing during the bus ride.  This served
well to take people's attention off me.  However, after it
finished the news was turned on.  I knew something would come up
about the explosion so I decided to listen.  I didn't have to
wait long as it was the second news story after some talk about
the twin towers temporary memorial.

	"Further development in the mysterious explosion at the
Pospisil Lumber Company.  The woman injured in the explosion has
been reported missing and is as of yet unidentified.  She is
described as a Caucasian of approximate height of 5'9", weighing
150lbs with brown hair.  She has extensive burns and a broken
arm.  Authorities are asking anyone who may have seen her to
contact Gregory police.

     In related news the two dead have been identified by a
local grocer as John Dawson and Dylan Tate two homeless men who
have recently taken up residence in the city.  Police are
investigating their death as autopsy reports suggest the
explosion may not have been the cause of death.  The police have
not released any other information other than stressing they do
not believe this to be terrorist related and is being treated as
an accident."

	What?  Not the cause of death?  And they're looking for me. 
No, this can not be happening.  Don't tell me they think I might
have killed those guys.  Especially after what they did to me! 
Of course running away doesn't make me look exactly innocent.

	I received a couple of curious glimpses by the people on the
bus.  Thankfully it didn't look like any of them had a cell
phone to inform the police.  But who knew if one would get off
at the next stop and call.  Yet perhaps what I feared more than
the police were the vampires who were by now no doubt monitoring
the police radio feeds.  If the police found me, so would they.  

	Then it started; people started murmuring.  I glanced around me
nervously and tried to hide my face as much as possible.  

	"Murdered?"

	"Did she do it?"

	"Shhh."

	"What really happened there?"

	"I still say it was terrorist."

	It went on and on and I sank deeper into my seat.  I wish I had
a hood to cover my face.

***

	It certainly was dark by the time we got to the airport.  I
stepped off the bus with a bit of trepidation.  Over the hours
in the bus I've lost that wonderful feeling of freedom.  Not to
mention the stiffness in my bones and burn scabs.  Somehow I
imagined the vampires were close.  No doubt they knew where I
was despite how crazy that was.

	I clenched my hands to keep them from shaking.  I searched the
small crowd outside the airport and thankfully saw no one I
recognized.  I was paranoid I knew it.  The dark was playing
tricks on me.  I stepped inside and immediately felt better as
if those doors were a shield against evil, or maybe it was that
I was one step closer to ending this.  I moved into line at the
first counter I saw.  I waited patiently as one after another,
the people in front of me bought their tickets and moved on.  I
fought my eyelids to stay open.  All of this stress was
exhausting me.  

	A chill passed over me and I wrapped the trench coat around me
tighter.  I had to reassure myself they weren't here.  Maybe it
was just the people around me staring at my broken body.  Just
to be sure I closed my eyes and sent just a burst out to Bram to
feel for him.  I really didn't know how far away we could feel
each other.  Or if we were still being blocked.  Well, however
far he was it wasn't close enough for me to feel him.  I didn't
dare try to reach someone else.  I didn't want them knowing
where I was and I really didn't want to know if any of them was
close.  I moved one more place forward and glanced around. 
There was no one there.  I took a deep breath and took one more
step forward up to the counter.  My heart started pounding fast.
 I hoped I wasn't having a heart attack.  Not now.

	A rather cheery and oblivious young woman leaned forward and
asked, "May I help you?"  I could go anywhere.  What should I
tell her? 

	My mouth was dry and I tried clearing my throat but it didn't
help.  I tried to smile back until she took one look at me and
her smile faded.  I suppose I wasn't the prettiest face she had
ever seen.  My bandages hadn't been changed in hours so some
blood was probably showing through and they didn't cover all my
burns.  I'm sure I didn't smell too good either.  Slowly her
grin returned but it was uneasy and she no longer attempted to
make eye contact as if she were ashamed to look at me.  I
ignored this and got to the point.  "Yes I'd like a ticket to
Europe please."

	She stared at her computer screen and asked crisply, "Where in
Europe?"  Maybe it was her, maybe it was me, but I started to
feel uneasy and a little nauseous too.  I quickly glanced around
me again.  I had to convince myself I was safe.  I was after all
surrounded by people and about to embark on a trip around the
world and the vampires were no where in sight.  The feeling of
safety would catch up to me eventually.

	Of course I didn't think about WHERE I'd actually like to go, I
just wanted to get far enough away so they couldn't follow me. 
Now I actually had to figure out a place that I wanted to live
for the rest of my life.  This perhaps made me more nervous than
the vampires themselves.  I wiped the sweat from the part of my
face that wasn't bandaged.  I picked, perhaps not the perfect
choice, but I figured at least I'd understand their language,
"L-L-London."

	She nodded.  "One ticket to Hethrow through  Denver.  Coach?" 
I nodded.  "The next plane leaves in 30 minutes, is that all
right?"  I nodded more vigorously.  Now my headache came back. 
I was also feeling a little lightheaded.  "Isle or window?"

	I shrugged I suppose I should get the window so I could enjoy
the clouds and ocean.  "Window please."  I managed to say.

	She punched it in.  "That will be $2239.53."

	"Two- two..."  Why so much?  "But-but I don't have that much!" 
I protested.  My knees felt weak.  If I didn't get my blood
pressure down I was sure I would faint.

	Her face fell grim and her tone seemed to become snooty.  "Well
perhaps we can find you a flight that's a little cheaper,
perhaps a few days from now?"  I started to shake my head.  It
throbbed.  "Tuesday we have a flight for $1500."

	My face dropped, too far from now, still too much money.  "Are
you sure that's a one way coach ticket?"

	The lady looked at me with disdainful eyes.  "Yes."

	I was getting nervous.  "Listen I've got about $900..."  I
threw the money down on the counter.  "I've got to get out of
the country tonight.  You HAVE to help me!"

	She sighed, "I'll see what I can do."  She tapped the computer
for a minute or two.  During those couple minutes standing there
I had the most horrible feeling that I was being watched.  I
looked around again.  Again there was no one.  Testing the
bounds I reached out to feel if a vampire was near and
immediately I felt uncontrollable anger that wasn't mine. 
"Shit!"  

	I couldn't feel my fingers that were playing with the money on
the counter.  I searched the area again.  There were no vampires
anywhere at least any in eye sight.  I knew they were close
though.  It didn't take me long to put a face to my pursuer. 
Keir.  

	So he wasn't one of the dead after all.  I knew it had been
wishful thinking.  His thoughts in that short instant were clear
that he knew where I was.  I wanted to scream at the lady to
hurry up.  The crowd seemed to press in around me and I found it
hard to breathe.

	"I don't have anything for Europe.  Would you accept something
closer like Canada or Mexico?"

	I started to shake with anticipation.  I couldn't handle it any
longer.  "No, no that's too close don't you understand they'll
catch up to me if I don't get overseas.  Please.  I can pay the
difference after I get there."

	The lady looked at me and I could tell I was starting to get on
her nerves.  "Look miss, I'm sorry I can't help you.  Either
decide where and when you want to fly or allow me to help these
other people."

	"No.  You don't understand."  My words came in short bursts. 
"I have to get out.  Please, they'll find me.  I can pay you. 
Please, just get me on a plane."  My pleads fell on deaf ears. 
I didn't have time to plead again for I saw movement out of the
corner of my eye without looking without reaching out I knew it
was a vampire coming for me. 

	How?  How could they have gotten here that fast?  "No."  I took
off in the opposite way of which I saw the movement.

	"Miss you forgot your money!"  The woman called after me. 
While I didn't like giving her the money I didn't have any
choice I had to get out of there.  I pushed my way past the line
next to me and nearly tripped over the rope that divided the
lines.  A few people mumbled and cried out.  I was already to
the metal detectors by the time they quieted down.  If there was
one good thing that came out of being with the vampires I was in
tiptop shape and running faster than I ever have before.  Yes,
even in as much pain as I was.  Hell, they conditioned me to
move under those conditions as well.

	I pushed my way through the metal detectors.  In a way it upset
me that they didn't go off as that may bring me to the attention
of the police and therefore get their help.  No luck.  Of course
the tighter security meant more officers.  Typically they were
unprepared for me to come through and seemed more concerned with
calming those behind me.  I did elicit cries of shock out of
people.  Their complaints stopped but there was still yelling. 
I looked back as it was coming from further away.  I knew what
I'd see there and I was right.

	Keir pushed several people out of his way in one swipe.  The
sneer on his face would scare away a lion.  So I ran harder, the
memory of the month of sensory depravation and the whipping
drove me on.

	Damn.  I didn't want Keir to be the one to catch me, not now
after I've changed my mind.  Yesterday I was set on going back
to them and then I remembered myself, remembered freedom.  So I
ran faster and cried out for help.  "Someone help me, he's going
to kill me!  I need the police!  Help me please!"  I could
hardly breathe but you better believe I made myself heard.

	People looked in my direction but did any of them move?  Yes. 
I was amazed after years in the complex and people ignoring me. 
I couldn't believe people actually would get involved.  Behind
me I heard people trying to stop him and up ahead I heard
yelling and saw a small assembly of people pointing my way:
behind them a cop.  I rushed up to him, and grabbed him by the
arm.  "Please you have to help me."

	I looked back and saw Keir rampaging through the crowd.  I was
surprised he didn't kill any of them.  I suppose there were too
many people around.  I felt his anger, there wasn't any way I
couldn't, the cop probably felt it and that's why he pulled out
his gun.  Three other cops raced in to the area just as Keir
broke through and came face to face with us.

	The air crackled with the energy he was putting out.  I gripped
the cop's muscular arm harder.  He raised the weapon towards
Keir.  "That's far enough buddy."

	"I'm sorry officer."  Keir had his respectable, polite, and
deep inflection going for him.  You know the one he tried to
seduce me with a hundred times.  "I didn't mean to cause any
trouble.  This young lady here is a thief.  She stole some money
from me."

	The cop looked at me with his ebony square chin.  I shook my
head.  Keir was obviously lying.  The cop didn't lower his gun. 
"We can sort it out in private."

	Keir looked to him then to me, "I'm sorry I was mistaken."  I
heard his voice in my head.  "You're dead."  Then he vanished.

	The cops were astounded by his sudden disappearance.  I was
relieved and terrified.  His last message cut me to the bone. 
They mumbled and the cop whom I had my nails dug into looked at
me with steely gray eyes.  This time I got a good look at my
savior.  Had I been living in a comic book his face would not be
out of place with any of the superheroes in it.  The strong
brow, smooth black skin made him beautiful.  I was slightly
mesmerized.  I had seen his face before.

	"What just happened here?"  I couldn't answer, the world was
getting fuzzy and when he next spoke it was as if we were
talking over one of those tin can phones and he was halfway
around the world.  "Are you all right?"  Again I didn't answer
but this time it was because I was flat on the ground passed out.

***

	This hospital was different from the last.  There was another
person sharing this room.  He was unconscious though, probably
asleep since it was still dark out.  At least I wasn't I
handcuffed to the bed like my roommate was.  That sight dashed
my hopes for if this was a secured ward there wasn't much hope
of getting out of here.  Of course that would mean they couldn't
get in either.  I made a conscious decision to try to relax
until dawn.  Then we could straighten this all out and I could
be on my way again.  $900 poorer than when I entered the
airport, but at least I had my freedom.  I had to keep telling
myself that since I no longer believed it. 

	For a few precious hours I had been out and about in the free
world.  I doubted that I would ever truly escape them, no matter
how far and fast I ran.  I sighed as I accepted my new lot in
life, free but not free.  Isn't that what Keir had tried to tell
me once?  That no matter where you go or who you're with you're
never free as you always have obligations and responsibilities. 
I always had known it to be true.  I just didn't want to accept
it.  Now the biggest obligation was on me: the one of survival. 
I had an obligation to myself to keep myself alive no matter
what it would take.

	I laid there for over an hour watching the seconds tick by on
the clock on the wall.  I had no wish to watch TV.  I no doubt
would hear about some ruckus at the airport.  I was tired of the
news.  2:15am turned into 3:25 awful quickly.  One right after
another my thoughts tried to come up with the next plan of
action.  They failed.  With Keir in the vicinity I couldn't stay
in this hospital for long.  So I began to think of how I could
persuade them to let me go.  Hmm, looks like I wasn't going to
relax after all.

	I closed my eyes trying anyway while my thoughts ticked by like
the second hand on that clock.  I wondered if I should consider
going back home.  Would my mom accept me?  If I could get to a
phone I could call her and she could come and get me.  No, I
couldn't do that to her.  Like I told Roger she probably thinks
I'm dead.  Seeing me alive would probably give her a heart
attack.  Besides that's the first place the vampires would look
for me and I couldn't do that to her.

	If only I had someone else who could help me.  My old best
friend, Becky, would but she has the same problems as my parents
did.  Looks like I'm on my own again.  No doubt the vampires had
heard my thoughts about the farm and are watching it.  There was
no one.

	"Toni."  My name rang in my head.  I stiffened at first
thinking it was Keir taunting me.  Then when it came again more
questioning I recognized the voice.

	"Bram?"

	"Finally decided to join the living, huh?"  What an ironic
question.  This voice definitely was not Bram's.  It was
harsher.  For a second I feared it was Keir.  Had it been I
probably would have been dead by now.  I hadn't realized I had
spoken aloud but I must have for someone stood up out of the
shadows and asked.  "Who's Bram?"

	I thought I had recognized the voice.  It was the cop from the
airport.  I wondered what he was doing there.  "Nobody."  I
replied as I realized I could be putting him in danger.

	"Is he the man who chased you?"

	"No that was Keir."  I had no qualms about putting him in
danger.

	"Is that a first or last name?"

	I shrugged.  "It's the only name I know him by."  I found my
voice raspy and it tired me to speak.  Obviously I hadn't
recovered yet.

	"I see."  Said the cop, then he came and sat on the other side
of my bed.  The light hit him better here and I had a definite
feeling of déjà vu.  He didn't give me time to think about it. 
"How are you feeling?"

	"Ever been through an explosion?"  He shook his head.  "Well I
have, it's not all fun and games."

	"Explosion?  You weren't in that one at the lumber building
explosion in Gregory, were you?"  God did everyone know about
that?

	"Yes."  I was getting tired.  Maybe I wouldn't make it to
morning.

	He smiled brightly cutting his rough features.  He no doubt had
a funny thought and was going to share it with me.  "Must've
been some blast to knock you all the way over here."

	I smiled out of courtesy.  I really didn't find it that
amusing.  "I hitched a ride."  I yawned.  "Trying to get away
from that crazy guy you held off for me."  I closed my eyes. 
Sleep didn't seem to be such a bad idea.  "By the way, thank
you."

	He put a hand on mine.  "Get some sleep.  We'll talk again in
the morning."  He left my side I assume to go sit in his chair
again.  I slept or at least I think it was sleep for what seemed
to be ages.  When my mind was shocked into activity I realized
it had only been a half hour.  The shock came in the form of a
dream or was it a dream?  Bram had called my name again.  This
time he also asked where I was.  I was lost somewhere in a well.
 I had to manage a maze just to get to the opening.  I screamed
out into the air that I didn't know.  He didn't hear me and
asked again.  

	The shock that pulled me to full awareness was the cop gripping
my arm.  He too was calling my name.  "Toni, wake up."

	I did to find him and a doctor looking down at me concerned. 
When my eyes opened and I asked what time it was the doctor
smiled, checked a couple readouts then said.  "You were just
having a nightmare.  You'll be all right."  He pulled the cop
aside to the door and whispered something in his ear that I
couldn't make out then left him there with me.

	He mumbled "Be all right my ass."  Then he turned back to me
with softer gray eyes then I remember.  

	"How do you know my name?"  I don't remember ever telling him.

	He ignored the question as he was still complaining about the
doctor.  "You were screaming and shaking violently.  Are you all
right?"

	I shook my head.  I used to be able to control dreams like
that.  I should have been able to dream my way out of that hole.
 Maybe I was just woken up too early.  The thing was I'm not so
sure it was completely a dream.  So I reached out knowing Keir
might be able to find me as well, to Bram saying, "I'm in  a
hospital room can you find me?"

	There was silence for a short time.  "Yes."  Then after a
pause, "Can you get rid of your guest?"

	 To the cop, whose badge I now thought to read said Quinn, I
asked, "I have a headache.  Officer Quinn do you think you can
go off and find me some aspirin?"

	He paused a second looking at the night stand next to the bed
that held a tray of medicine.  For a second I was afraid he'd
find some aspirin there.  He didn't.  "Sure."  He patted my arm
that he still held and went off to ask a nurse or something.

	Almost the moment he left a large figure filled the frame of
the doorway.  At first I feared it was Keir.  Then I realized
this man was smaller.  "Toni?"  He asked aloud and quietly.

	I forgot such caution and the IV in my arm as I rushed up out
of bed and into his arms.  "Oh Bram."  I murmured into his
strong chest.  

	He tried to hug me but the tube from the IV was in the way.  He
looked at it stuck into my hand then into my eyes and very
seriously said, "Don't faint."

	He ripped the tape holding it in place then very gently removed
the needle.  I didn't watch and did just as he instructed and
remained conscious.  He looked back at me with those wonderful
blue eyes.  I hadn't realized how much I had missed looking into
them the past couple days.  I was back in the well but now it
protected me from the outside world.  "Will you come back with
me?"  He asked as if he needed to.  He knew full well I'd follow
him anywhere.  He gently bent down and picked me up under my
knees.  "Hold on."  I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed
him on the cheek.  He turned ready to speed out the doorway to
find Officer Quinn standing there gun ready.

	"Put her down."  He said slowly and carefully.

	In an authoritative tone Bram told him.  "Put your gun down and
forget you ever saw us."  The cop didn't put his gun down
instead he cocked it.  Bram and I exchanged gazes.  By now I
knew he had the ability to control things such as memory and
physical movement at will and this is what he had tried to
accomplish.  By the look on Bram's face this was the first time
it hadn't worked.

	Quinn too looked at us strangely knowing something was
happening between us.  "What you think you're some sort of Jedi
or something?  There's no such thing as mind control buddy."

	"Jedi?"  Bram asked in my mind.

	"I'll explain later."  I responded in my thoughts but already
had a picture of a man in a brown robe with a green, glowing,
cylindrical sword commanding an enemy's mind to do as he
pleased.  The memory was faint.  I hadn't thought about that
sort of thing in years.  Amazing the things that seemed so
important then had no meaning now.  Everything else was
changing, why not this?  I gripped him tighter as I also saw
what he was planning on doing and indeed did as I threw out that
thought.

	Bram raced past Quinn before he could pull the trigger and I
heard him mutter.  "Damn not again."  A couple of bullets passed
us as Bram rushed for the stairway.  He had thrown open the
heavy fire door as if it were paper.  More bullets whizzed by. 
Bram stumbled as he went for the first step and mumbled
something as he shifted me in his arms.  I saw it in his mind a
split second before I noticed the red stream flowing down his
back.  "I'll be fine."  He tried to reassure me.  I could feel
his pain though.  I think his shoulder blade had been
splintered.  I knew their skin could heal almost immediately but
I didn't know about bone.  By the way he had slowed down he was
no longer holding me as tightly with that arm I would guess that
it would take a little while to heal.

	I felt a pain in my back and fear.  I knew it came from Bram
that scared me more.  I wasn't sure if what scared me was I was
too weak to block the pain or that Bram was afraid of something.
 Sure part of his fear was losing or even hurting me.  He was
also afraid of that man.  I was afraid too.  Someone who could
hurt a vampire like that had to be bad.  I don't think I liked
this bad man anymore. 

	Bram still moved fast enough to make it down to the bottom of
the stairs without further incident.  He moved fast enough to
lose the cop altogether before we even made it through the back
doors of the hospital.  Bram slowed down a little more to a fast
jog yet his strength in his left arm still hadn't returned.  "I
can walk you know."  I told him at one point.  He only shook his
head.  We reached a motel a few miles from the hospital.  It
looked pretty deserted.  There weren't many cars.  In this city
with no night life you would expect everyone to be in their room
asleep.  So either everyone was out partying or there were only
5 other patrons.

	Bram set me down gently and with some effort on his part.  I
leaned against the wall half asleep as he dug into his pocket to
find the key.  It was cold out and my breath made small clouds
before me.  I give a slight shiver as I was again back to only
wearing a hospital gown.  Bram noticed and stopped his searching
for a second to rub the small part of my arm that was not burnt.
 I smiled at him in gratitude and he leaned down to kiss me.  It
was a deep passionate kiss that resonated through my whole body
and warmed me all over.  All my fears, all my wants to runaway
disappeared with that kiss.  I don't know why I ever doubted my
decision to stay with him.

	Bram pulled away slowly, neither of us wanted to give up the
warmth we had given each other.  He produced the key with a
triumphant wave and unlocked the door.  I was quite willing and
able to walk in the room myself, but he wouldn't let me.  He
reached under my legs with his good arm and carried me across
the threshold and placed me gently and lovingly onto the bed. 
He had already prepared the room leaving the heater on and
turning down the bed so all he had to do was shut the door.  In
that moment I closed my eyes and would have fallen asleep had I
not heard a bump and thud.  I sat up to find Bram halfway on the
ground leaning on the night stand which used to hold the
telephone before he had knocked it over.  I rushed to his side.

	I saw his weariness and his paleness.  I knew without searching
his mind why he was weak.  "When was the last time you fed?"  

	He waved me off while he stood.  "The night before last.  I'll
be all right for another day or so."  It took a lot of effort
for him to put on the semblance of being okay.

	"No Bram.  You have to have blood, you lost a lot when that
bullet hit you."

	He knew I was right and he knew I cared enough for him to not
let it drop until he did something about it.  He also knew I was
willing to give up my own blood for him and this is what he
fought.  "I will go to one of the guests of this motel or maybe
the manager."  He sounded determined.  I knew he would do almost
anything to not bite me.  He and I have never spoken of it
before, nor had our minds.  As Keir had instructed a couple of
years ago I did not pursue the matter with Bram.  There was a
personal reason he didn't want to drink from me.  I knew he
would let me know what it was when he was ready to; like he did
with the prophecy and about me being turned one day.  I could
not let this go this time, however.  It was not as if we were in
the complex and he could choose from any of a hundred slaves. 
There was just him and me alone.

	"Bram think about this.  How would it look if one of those
people woke up in the morning with an unexplained bite mark? 
They could have investigators all over this place and where
would you be?  Stuck in the closet unable to escape?  I don't
know about you but I don't want investigators, or worse yet
hunters to find you helpless in there and then just let you
burn.  Isn't this what you keep slaves for?  So you don't have
to go out and bother normal humans risking exposure?"

	He looked upon me with a stern gaze.  "You don't think I can
handle the situation?"

	I looked back equally as stern.  "I don't think it's worth the
risk."

	His gaze softened and he locked me in another kiss.  I got the
feeling from inside him that he was about to take off.  So I did
what any crazy woman would have done for her pained vampire
lover; I removed my bandage on my left arm.  Then I scratched at
my burn covered wrist gouging the scab and breaking a couple
blood blisters and took off a few layers of burnt skin.  It made
me sick to look at it.  Only a small amount of blood flowed out
but it was enough to gain his attention and distracted him from
his course.  His eyes questioned me.  I felt in his mind he
wanted to know if I knew the implications of this, how dangerous
it was.  I uttered the same words I did that first night we made
love and they are as true now as they were then.  "I trust you."
 He was still hesitant as he took my bleeding arm in his hand
and brought it close to his face.  I watched him with curiosity
as I've never known a vampire to be so hesitant around free
flowing blood.

	He licked the streak lightly starting at its ending point on
the back of my hand and tentatively up the burnt skin.  My skin
tingled on the trail where his tongue had touched the dead
region.  I knew the congealing power of their saliva on their
bite wounds but I had no idea it would help my burnt arm.  I
don't think he realized it either, or that he cared at the
moment as he gently and lovingly licked the rest of my scratch
marks.  My arm did not heal immediately nor did it show any
signs of healing other than the tingling.  I would just find
later on those areas he did imbibe in would heal better than
those he did not.

	He continued to suck at the wound.  I couldn't quite figure out
why he had been so tentative or why Keir would warn me against
him.  There was nothing here to fear.  Slowly though and
lovingly he caressed my body after we moved back onto the bed. 
We came close to making love but he was too hungry and I too
tired to go through with the act.  As he moved across my chest
he left a trail of bite marks and my heart continued to beat
harder and faster.  He placed a hand over it and began sucking
at a vein in time with the heart beats almost as if he were
controlling it.  Surely for some time there I thought my heart
began to follow his rhythm.  He bit down harder but there was
little pain, just pure need.  He sat on his knees and pulled me
up with him to get better blood flow.  I felt light headed in
that moment of movement.

	I hadn't quite realized until then just how much he had taken
from me.  Long ago I had grown accustomed to the whole biting
ritual and had learned my tolerances.  The lightheadedness was a
precursor to fuzziness in the eyes and ears that signaled I was
about to faint which leads you into unconsciousness and from
there could come death.  While I wouldn't mind the latter, I
really didn't want it to be on Bram's hands.  I couldn't do that
to him.  He'd be grief stricken for years.

	It was easier now, since I was completely unfocused to reach
out to his mind.  I didn't really recognize it as his.  Then
again at that moment I really couldn't recognize my own.  I only
believed it was his at that moment from the great hunger that
engulfed it.  I was taken aback by that hunger.  The only one
near it I ever felt was Mistress Kama's and that wasn't a
quarter of what I felt here.  There was lust involved, a blood
lust.  His entire mind was focused on the taste, smell and
texture not much on the actual fulfillment.  There was no
outside world, just the blood.  It was clear in his mind that to
him this was among the best blood he had ever tasted and there
was nothing short of there being no more that would stop him.

	This was the danger Keir had warned me of, this is what caused
Bram's hesitation.  Bram, the man I chose to fall in love with
was more of a vampire than any other I had known.  He allowed
the blood to control him and he would do anything to get more. 
This was worse than a simple drug addiction.  This was his
livelihood.  It had to stop.  I felt the world becoming shadowy
around me like a deep London fog.  My mind too was starting to
blur and I felt my grip on our connection loosening.  Before I
lost it altogether, I yelled at him in my mind.  "STOP!"  I knew
he would if he could.  He had no more control over his body than
I had of mine.

	I tried again with the same results and soon the reverberation
of the real world dwindled and faded into darkness.  I nearly
smiled knowing the end was near.

***

	Swords clanged waking me out of my stupor.  Bram was beside me,
looking concerned but stern.  His expression kind of said, "What
have you gotten me into now?"  I chuckled as I wielded my sword
and found myself locked in arms with Keir.  His eyes glared red
in the dim light as he pushed back.  He was very determined to
best me and tried every underhanded attack he could.  I blocked
them perfectly.

	Then I felt it.  Bram was in danger.  I looked away from Keir
and straight into Bram's deep eyes that were filling with blood.
 The King drug him out of the clearing into the darkness of the
trees.  I tried to run after them.  Branches kept hitting me in
the face slowing me.  "Bram!"  I was disorientated.  I didn't
know which way they had gone.  I twisted around looking for a
hint of their tracks.  This made the forest spin about me.  The
lights blurred my vision and I realized I wasn't where I thought
I was.  I was lost.  "Follow the right path it will lead you to
where you need to be."

	I stopped.  "Velren?"  It was certainly his voice.  How much
did I trust it?  I moved in the direction of the voice.  I
needed answers from him before I followed any more of his
advice.  I stepped into another clearing and found the tracks
the King and Bram had left going west.  To the east side was a
clear path.  Was this what Velren spoke of?  I took a few steps
down that path and could only see a small light at the end of
the dark, tree lined path.  It felt ominous.  Was Velren at the
end, or death?  I looked back to the trail on my left.  Do I
follow it and save Bram or fulfill my curiosity?

	I took a step down the path I knew would lead me to where I
need to be.  Towards Bram.

	"Fool."

	I awoke with a great headache, larger than the pain in the rest
of my body, which was pretty great, between the bites and burns
my whole torso hurt.  I tried to figure out where I was.  This
wasn't the infirmary, nor was it a hospital or any other room I
remembered being in before.  Not that it mattered, it was pretty
much a big haze kind of like my memory at that moment.  When I
tried to lift my head to look around, my head nearly spun off my
shoulders.  I tried to reach up to hold my head only to find my
arms were wrapped in bandages and casts and really didn't move
very well.  The blood on the bandages reminded me of vampires
and that reminded me of Bram.  He had bit me hadn't he?  I
couldn't remember.  It all seemed kind of like a fantasy long
ago.  

	Where was he?  He was not in the bed, obviously, otherwise we'd
be wrapped in one another's arms.  Maybe the King had taken him
from me after all.  Of course while it didn't shine brightly in
the room due to the thick curtain, I could tell the sun was well
into its daytime parade across the sky.  With the greatest
effort in history since Atlas put the world on his shoulders; I
turned my head to look at the clock.

	It told me I still had an hour before lunch break, of course I
don't really work anymore so I take lunch whenever I'm hungry
for it.  Which was now but I really couldn't put the effort into
chewing.  Mmmm food, steak, pudding, I won't go until I get
some.  Popcorn would be good, and bannanas.  No, no eggplant
thank you. 

	Where was I?  Oh yes, Bram was missing and it was daylight.  I
had hoped he had found a place to hide as I really didn't want
all the blood I had given him to go to waste and be burnt up
into nothingness.

	"I'm in the closet."  There was a voice.  Where did it come
from?  No, please tell me it's not Velren again.  I don't think
my brain could take his riddles.

	With only slightly less effort than it took for Hercules to
finish his labors I turned my head and looked around the room. 
I didn't see him.  Funny I thought I had heard him a second ago.
 "I'm in the closet."  He repeated.  Whose voice was that and
why was it talking to me?  "It's Bram."

	Now why would he be in there?  Shouldn't I be the one in the
closet?  He was trying to do a role reversal.  How silly of him.
 I finally found the closet after it stopped moving around the
room.  It was right where it was supposed to be situated between
the bathroom and the outside door.  Hmm, seeing the bathroom I
suddenly remembered I had to pee.  Or at least I thought I did
but I didn't feel I had enough liquid left in my body to.  Maybe
those muscles were just aching since everything else on my body
was.  "Why not join the party?"  They must have thought to
themselves, "Make her life even more miserable."  Of course the
rest of my muscles were in a rebellion and wouldn't allow me to
move anywhere.  Guess my bladder would just have to wait.

	My eyes darted back and forth.  I couldn't quite remember why I
was looking over there unless it was to admire the rather badly
done print of some horses running in a blue and pink field.  I
just didn't get it.  Why would someone like such a horrid thing?
 Who would put such a thing in their room?  Just whose room was
I in anyway?  "Are you able to get the door."  A voice rang out
from the closet.  Well, that was a silly place to be waiting to
come into the room, why hadn't he used the front door?  "I meant
get the front door."  His voice was a bit jittery.  It also
sounded familiar.  Oh yes it was Bram.  I remember now.  He was
hiding in the closet for some reason.  Did he think I was mad at
him?  Why did he want me to get the door anyway?  Where would I
put it?  I couldn't imagine what one would want a door for other
than to open it or lock someone out.  Open it?  Oh right, that's
what he wanted me to do.  But why?  I hadn't heard a knock.

	Tap, tap, tap.  Someone was now knocking on the door.  Wow, the
closet is psychic?  With the effort of Zeus himself making yet
another kid... Oh wait it was a lot harder than that.  Oh forget
the metaphors.  I tried to sit and failed miserably.  Then I
decided to roll off the bed.  At least I didn't fail in my
effort to hit the ground.  Had I missed it, I would have found
myself in the precarious position of flying about the room and I
didn't think I could handle that in this frame of mind.  Being
solidly on the ground as I was, I decided to try to crawl
towards the door.  This worked rather well once I remembered
which were my knees and which were my hands and the correct
order in which to move them.

	I reached the door and grabbed the handle.  I figured I should
at least be standing when I opened the door so I put my weight
onto the door handle.  I pulled and know what happened? 
Nothing.  Well, for about half a minute, my face pressed flat
against the door and I slept there.  Had it not been for that
irritatingly persistent ghost voice I would have stayed that way
for quite sometime.  It urged me to wake up.  If I could gain
some of that Greek strength I'd get up and ring his neck.

	I pulled on the handle again viscously avoiding sleep.  I rose
up and promptly slipped right back onto that cushiony thing that
was my backside.  The door was being rather rebellious and had
to be taught a lesson.  So very fiercely I gripped the handle,
wrapped the arm that was in a cast around it strangling the life
out of it.  The door gave in and allowed me to lean up against
it after I was on my own two feet.  I nearly kissed it.  I
didn't mind you, as that would be wrong.  One can't begin an
intimate relationship with an inanimate object.  At least not
without being introduced first.  Look what happens to all those
poor women who married football fans.  As it was this door
wasn't giving much in this relationship.  I pushed on it, yes I
was clear enough in mind to turn the handle, but it wouldn't
budge.  It just kept pushing back away from me.  I decided to
try some reverse psychology on it since that worked in all the
rest of my relationships.  When I pulled, this time I moved back
away from it.  The door loved this so much that it ran into the
room towards me.  I was so taken aback I fell stunned.

	I was caught by two bright angels.  "Have you come to take me
with you to heaven?"  I asked though I hardly believed they or
it existed.

	They lifted me up.  I was flying!  "You're not that lucky." 
One of them said.  The flight was a short one and I began to
doubt they were the angels they claimed to be.  The demon in the
closet had baited me into letting them in robbing me of my ocean
liner.  I struggled against their grip.  They let me go and I
floated forever just before slamming into a deliciously soft
cloud that smelled somewhat like a goose.

	The two angels that weren't angels hovered above me trying to
keep up their facade of do-gooders.  "What's wrong with her?" 
One asked, I had to laugh he couldn't keep his voice in one
place it jumped from one ear to the other.

	"Looks like it's finally happened.  She's delirious."  He shone
his miniature sun into my eyes blinding me.  Wow those people
really could harness a supernova into a AA battery.

	"Deliriously happy!"  I giggled.  I had no idea what it meant
but it made me feel good.

	"Happily sedated."  He said as he positioned a poisonous worm
near my arm.  Now it was obvious where they came from and where
they were taking me and no matter what my life was like now I
wouldn't go.  They couldn't make me.  Hell was hell no matter
how many flakes they put in their sugar coating.  I flipped
about and tried to fall through the cloud.  It wouldn't give
though the fish bleated in my ear.  One of the anti-angels
grabbed a hold of me while the other brought the tiny serpent to
my arm.  Its venom penetrated my skin before I knew it.  I
descended into a very dark and cold hell.



	Once again I awoke I was surprised to see I was still in hell. 
This hell had a beautiful devil though.  "Bram?"  My head was a
bit clearer than before and he beamed down at me, happy that I
recognized him.

	"How are you beautiful?"

	"Beautiful."  I did feel quite good, rested at least and
feeling no pain.  The world around me wasn't vague but then
again I was only concentrating on one thing.

	"Yes you are.  I'm afraid though we can't continue confirming
your beauty.  We're leaving soon.  You'll need to get up."

	I nodded.  Yesterday must have been a dream and just to make
sure this wasn't.  "Kiss me."  He did, just a soft touching of
lips at first, but I was hungry for so much more.  I opened my
lips and suckled his, he gave in and we became one in the kiss. 
I don't know how long we were there it must have been a while
'cause someone was getting impatient and cleared his throat. 
Bram removed himself from my embrace and looked at who it was.

	"Well looks like the medicine has taken hold."  The doctor
flashed a light in my eye.  He placed a stethoscope over my
heart and looked at his portable monitor.  "Yes, she should be
lucid for at least twelve hours."

	"Plenty of time to get her home."  Al put a hand on Bram's
shoulder.

	"Al!"  I was excited to see the old guy almost more than to see
Bram.  No, I wasn't about to kiss him like that.  "You came all
this way for me?"

	"What can I say Kiddo, I missed you."  Despite the grumbling of
Dr. Wendel Al leaned in and hugged me being careful of my burns
and broken bones.

	"I think she just goes out of her way to get attention."

	"Doctor."  Bram growled warningly.

	The Doc, knowing his boundaries backed off me and turned his
attention to Bram.  "We need to remove that bullet before we
leave."

	Bullet?  All this time with their attention on me I hadn't even
thought of poor Bram.  I gripped him trying to get a look at the
wound.  I don't know why, I guess I thought I could help.  The
doctor turned him his way before I could get a look.  "It must
have had acid in it, that's the only way I can think of that it
wouldn't have allowed you to heal."  

	"Acid should have only damaged it temporarily."  Al argued.

	"I'll have to run some tests on the chemicals used then.  Those
damned hunters are getting more and more crafty."

	My mind clicked into the clearest state it's been in within the
last few days.  Hunter?  This made me realize where I had seen
that cop before.  That nose and chin?  It was the same profile
of the hunter who killed Erik.  Damn, the whole time I was right
there and I didn't know it.  I could have captured or killed the
hunter for the vampires.  Or... I could have used him as
protection, my way of escape.  Damn I miss all of my good
opportunities don't I?  

	However, what scared me a little is the hunter was good to me
but didn't hesitate to hurt Bram even after I told him Bram was
okay in my book.  I knew I didn't like this hunter very much.

	Doc took out a pair of tweezers and what looked to be a steak
knife out of his bag and I forgot about the hunter.  "I'll have
to cut out the damaged area as well."  I went pale and my eyes
grew ten times larger.

	"We should have done this before waking Toni."  Al commented.

	Doc Wendel pointed him to the suitcase that held his equipment
and some clothes.  "Help her get dressed.  That'll keep her
occupied for a couple minutes."

	I knew when I wasn't wanted and when I didn't want to see
something.  I found it a little bit easier to get up this
evening and managed to get my feet off the side of the bed
without any help.  Bram and Al both helped me into a sitting
position, then up to my feet, though Al was supporting most of
my weight.  I kissed Bram again just to give him a little
support for his operation.  Then Al dragged me off to the rest
room.  He left me alone so I could clear myself of waste, then
came back in to help me in the struggle against the evil clothes
demon.  Must have come out of that talking closet I joked to
myself.  

	I don't know what came over me earlier today.  I wondered if it
was just a side effect of all the recent stress or from Bram's
bite.  It just struck me then that he hadn't killed me.  I knew
he had it in him.  I just hoped he had the strength to make it
through Dr. Wendel's primitive torture technique of medicine.  I
heard Bram's screams of pain.  I wanted to rush out to him. 
Physically I knew I couldn't, I also knew it wouldn't be the
best for either of us.  So after I finished dressing, I allowed
Al to hold me and comfort me.  We didn't talk, there was nothing
either of us could say that the other didn't already know, but
it was great to just be there for each other.

	The screams had died down and after a minute the doctor called
to us to come out.  We did, the first thing I saw was Bram's
healthy new skin covering the area that had taken the bullet.  I
was so happy to see him better.  It almost made going home worth
while.  The second thing I saw almost made me leap for the knife
and take my own life.

	Keir was sitting uneasily in the lounge chair growling at me. 
I feared this moment.  He had finally caught up to me and there
wasn't a damn thing I could do.  My only saving grace was Bram
who stood by my side.  I got the feeling that he couldn't help
me any.  He just stood there aloof.  I gauged how far the door
was from me and knew I couldn't make it, even the bathroom door
seemed too far away.  He stood and towered over me even though
he was half way across the room.  Only the bed was between us.

	He leaped across the bed like a lion going for its prey.  I
didn't even have time to duck.  I never hit the ground either. 
Out of pure shock on both our parts Keir and I, mere inches
apart, looked down.  Bram's hand was placed firmly on Keir's
chest.  Keir's sneer was not aimed at Bram.  "She tried to
escape again, her life is now forfeit."

	"You are not the one to decide that."  Bram said evenly.

	"I wasn't running away from the vampires.  I was running away
from you!  You came careening through the crowds like a madman. 
You didn't just scare me.  You scared most of the people in that
airport.  I wasn't the only one to run when I saw you coming,
just the first.  You're lucky those cops didn't arrest you and
take you to the funny farm."

	He blew that off.  We both knew they'd be incapable.  "You were
trying to buy a ticket to Europe!"

	"Prove it!"  It took all my effort to stay calm, especially
with an audience who were watching us hit the ball around in
this tennis match of words.

	"You had a large amount of money and were arguing with the
travel agent over purchasing a ticket to England."

	That's it?  That's all the proof he had?  How concrete was
that?  He couldn't prove that to the King.  "Get your facts
straight doofus, I was trying to buy a ticket back to Arizona
and the last minute ticket was costing me more than I thought I
could afford."

	"Liar."  He tried to lunge for me again.  Bram's arm didn't
budge.

	Again Bram interfered, "The King will decide who is telling the
truth.  Right now we have to get to the airport."

	"Yeah, we'll see what he has to say when he learns you set off
that explosion that nearly killed me."

	"Toni."  Bram's warning was drowned out by Keir.

	"I didn't!"  Keir growled.  "Ask your hunter friend about that."

	"Yeah, then ask your friends why they raped me.  Oh yeah,
forgot you can't 'cause they're dead."

	"Come on Toni."  Bram started moving me towards the door as
Keir took a menacing step forward.  Before Keir could react we
were out the front door and piling into the van.  Al took the
driver's seat.  I sat between Bram and Doc Wendel who was now
examining my broken arm.  Keir threw open the front passenger
door and sneered at me.  I stuck my tongue out at him.  I felt
damn right giddy and like I could take the bastard on.  "Damn
Doc, what kind of drugs did you give me and where can I get
more?"

	"Actually I was just wondering if I hadn't given you too much
already."  He mumbled right as the van took off.

	

	We bypassed security again by going through to the private
planes.  The one here was a small one, presumably because it was
only used to bring Al and Doc Wendel here.  At that moment I
realized they had no vampire escort.  How wonderful that must be
for them.  Hell, I was just happy to be with Bram and since
there was no individual seating I was hoping to cuddle with him
the whole flight.  My happiness was short lived as Keir sat down
next to me.  

	I had been staring out the window at the ground crew and
thought it was Bram who had sat there and started playing with
my hair.  That is until he yanked on it pulling me away from the
window.  He pulled me close and whispered in my ear.  "I know
the truth and so will the King.  Enjoy this trip for it will be
your last."  He kissed me harshly and I tried to push away. 
You'd think I would have learnt by now that it only makes him
grip harder.

	I was saved when Al walked by and gently tapped him on the
shoulder.  Al jumped a couple of feet when Keir snapped around
to him.  "What!?"

	"I'm sorry sir."  Al said somewhat shaking.  "You'll have to
buckle up before we begin to taxi to the runway."

	"Go bug someone else."  Keir snapped.  Confusedly Al walked
away and he turned back to me.  I had already turned back to the
window pondering what he had said.

	I was afraid this really was it.  Another hand fell on my
shoulder, but this from the person behind me.  It was Bram. 
"Don't worry about it.  We'll be okay."  His smile made me feel
a lot better, however it couldn't counteract the creepy chill I
got from the hand running up and down my leg.  I tried to ignore
Keir but he wouldn't have that.  He insisted on my not enjoying
this trip.

	We had been up in the air for a little while.  Keir was still
trying to molest me and make me feel like shit at the same time
by telling me how he would torture me before he killed me at the
King's command.  I tried to ignore him, I tried to fight him,
and I really didn't want to just give into him.  Nothing worked. 

	Bram made several remarks to him and tried to reassure me a few
more times, just as futilely.  It wasn't until Keir tried to
bite me and found I had nothing to give.  "You filthy slut, I
bet you just loved letting him drink from you?"

	"No, I-" Keir backhanded me.

	"Don't lie to me."

	"Leave her alone Keir."  I looked up when I heard Bram's voice.
 He had left his seat and was now in the aisle next to Keir.

	"Make me."  Keir matched his deep tone.  Bram picked him up out
of his seat.  

	Keir swung around with his right.  It wasn't a strong blow
because of the tight space but it sent them off balance and they
tumbled to the floor.  The plane shook slightly and I wasn't
sure if it was them or some turbulence.  There wasn't much room
to tussle so they were easily gone upon by Al and Dr. Wendel.

	"Fuck you."  Bram cursed him, no doubt in response to some
unspoken insult as they were pulled apart.

	"Oh, you'd like to wouldn't you."  Keir almost purred.  "You'd
love to take me right now and let your little bitch watch. 
Wouldn't you?"  Keir was too busy mocking him to see the punch
coming.  It knocked him flat on his back and probably broke his
nose.

	The punch threw Doc Wendel off Bram.  Bram would have bashed in
Keir's skull had I not stopped him.  "Bram!"  He looked at me
like scolded puppy.  "Stop, please."

	"You heard what he called you."

	"Yes.  Now come sit down."

	"But-"

	"Bram, it's enough, really."

	Bram sat down next to me and kissed me gently.  "I'm sorry."

	"No need to be.  You protected me.  Thank you."

	He smiled and lightly picked up my hand.  "I only wish I had
interfered sooner.  Your sweet blood courses through my veins. 
I despise anyone who would try to hurt you."

	"Yes, but you don't want to kill him."

	He sat back and looked at the ceiling.  I heard movement behind
us.  Keir was coming round.  I wondered how much longer we had
alone together.  "He was right wasn't he?"

	"Excuse me?"

	I tried to keep myself from laughing but wasn't very
successful.  "He was working you up.  You wanted to 'take him.'"

	"What?"

	"It's all right.  It's obvious."  I felt his hormones rushing
through him and gave him a playful nudge so he wouldn't take it
so seriously.

	"Okay, I admit it, I wouldn't have minded, but only if it were
a threesome."  He leaned over and kissed me again.

	"Oh, how disgusting."  Keir popped his head over our chairs.

	"Go away."  I pushed on his forehead with my good hand then
brought Bram in closer for another kiss.  Our thoughts of Keir
vanished in that moment.

	An hour or so later as I still leaned on Bram my thoughts
wandered.  Was this what it was all about?  Was it just some
contorted love triangle jealousy thing going on?  No, that
couldn't be it, Bram was smarter than that and Keir has been
trying way too hard to kill me.  It couldn't all be over the
prophecy, so there had to be something else, but what?

	Keir brought me out of it by saying, "That's right, just keep
believing you're someone important."

	"If you're so superior, why didn't you find the hunter before
he saved me from your friends?"

	"You're a fool, there was no hunter there."

	"Yeah, then you admit to setting off that explosion?"

	"No."

	"Then who did and who killed those vampires?"

	He became quite for he knew he could not admit to doing it
himself

	Some turbulence rocked the plane and Bram slid his arm around
me, no doubt trying to calm me and get my mind off Keir.  He
didn't have to worry.  It was stuck on the hunter.

	"So what happened to the hunter?  After the hospital I mean." 

	"Don't know.  He vanished."

	"We presume he went into hiding for a while."  Keir still had
to challenge Bram in some ways.  "We still have people looking
in several states in the region but we don't anticipate finding
him there."

	"So that's it?  He gets away?"

	"No, we still have a few tricks up our sleeve."  Bram said.

	"Yeah, we'll use you as bait."  Keir said.

	"Back off."  Bram turned back to me.  "Don't worry, if I have
anything to say about it, you won't ever have to deal with that
hunter again."

	"If I have anything to do about it, she won't have anything to
do with anyone again."  Keir muttered as he sat back in his
chair out of reach.