Short stories & poems

February 14th, a day blooming with as much love as the rose which sprouts for its petals to end up strewn across a bedroom floor. Hours tick as I struggle to focus on the task- or paper work- that lay upon my desk. The sheet is thin, the words long, and unable to hold my focus. Any day at that, but especially today. Today is the day of love, why celebrate by working? So my mind drifts back to him. The impatience that aches in my heart to be reunited with him, and I’d seen him only hours ago. My eyes drift from the paper before me, I turn to stare out the window instead. I recall this morning, a place in time I’d much rather be, for then we were together. I can remember it now, the softness of my clean sheets, the divided morning light shining through the blinds and striping my skin. I look over, my tired eyes adjusting to him still there next to me. I am content. I lay there, just to admire him, I need not anything else in the world. Just him. Just this. Just my one true love next to me. He is so handsome, the most riches beauty I’ve ever seen, with piercing green eyes and beautiful silky locks. I can’t contain my love, I must channel it into him, so I reach out and carasse his face, running my hands over his hair. We lay just like that for a while, dreading to have to get up. My one and only politely tells me he is hungry, and so I cook breakfast for him. After all, it is Valentine’s Day, and I love him so, and they say the fasted way to man’s heart is through his stomach. I watch him eat from his bowl happily feeling a sense of pride he enjoyed it so. I sigh as I realize I must leave to go to work, kissing him goodbye and telling him I love him a million times over. Work drags, the only thing pushing me through is the thought of him, and the ideas of what we could do on this valentines day night. Eventually, work ends and I’m free to reunite with my soul mate. I tiredly walk into my apartment, my feet hurt, but everything is all right, for I am home. The lights are off and my beloved is nowhere to be seen, worry sets in, creasing my face as I scan the living room. I turn on the lights, searching in each room, no where. I light candles and put on a record to set the mood for his return. I have one finally hope; the bedroom. The bedroom door is closed, and the lack of light peeking under the door doesn’t ease my worry. I approach, the door slowly creaks open, and my heart swells. There he is, in all his perfect glory, my everything , the love of my life, waiting for my, lying on my bed. I hurry to him, immediately embracing him, kissing him on the head. There is no need for an exchange of words, I’m sure he wouldn’t understand anyway, instead it’s understood the bond and the love between us. So we cuddle. And again I’m content, spending my Valentine’s day alone, cuddling my cat.

_ Il m'a dit, ‘Je t'aime’, mais j'ai secoué la tête._

He would give you beautiful love but you would hate him entirely. All of your friends decide it better, for you to play hard to get, you see.

And what’s better than faking? Oh, my dear, reality is far superior. Because if you get a little attached, your worthy love will feel inferior.

You knew quite enough about love, and its treacherous connection to hell. It lures you in, with sappy words, “I do.” as if instead of show, they just would tell.

They would let your heart swoon, but they would let it burst into flames; let the sun spark the fiery ashes, ‘till you’re the only scapegoat to blame.

You told yourself and your friends that hard to get was the game of a kid. But truly, my dear, it never really was. You had yet to accept even one nice gift.

And even if he was a kind soul, he would give you a slow death, because everything else he tried, the time he spent to give them depth, the lovely things, all had yet to suffice. And on your hurried last breath, you mumbled a quiet “I love you” and with that brought a surprise, whether it was right or true, it still mattered to both him and you.

He gave you death, as if it were coffee.

He gave you death and you—

_ Et je l'ai aimé pour ça._

Why did I wait 30 years? What was I thinking? How could I have given up so much of my life? Can I even start living now?

Rebecca asked herself so many questions when she finally awoke in the tower of her grandmothers historic home. She had been gazing out at the ocean, the endless horizon in the morning mist. He was just a boy who’d looked her way as they passed one another in a convienstore on her way skiing on winter morning. Later they unwittingly sat beside eachother in the chalet drinking hot cocoa and exchanging glimpses of one another. Both too shy to actually take things any further until he got up and began to walk toward her. Becca’s heart began to race and she could feel her cheeks flush, thank goodness they were already rosy from the cool air. Was he actually coming to ward her?

As gentle as can be With blades beneath my feet I feel my balance wavering with only that first step Your grip is tight and welcoming Your smile warm against the ice You watch me with such patience And pull me closer holding tight. I fall a bit and stumble more Like a new born deer, legs still sore But you pick me up and kiss my cheek And we try again

Stand like this, you mimic for me And slide away from the stance I stare at my feet as I try to keep up But slowly I glide a few paces back. You try to let go of my iron grip hand Or pull me away from the wall’s edge But slowly with time I promise you this I’ll let go, and skate to you Even if it means we fall again.

The sky hums soft, a whispered tune, Beneath the sun, beneath the moon. Clouds like sails drift wide and free, A fleeting map of mystery.

The wind, a painter, strokes the trees, Colors blending in the breeze. Each leaf a story, each branch a line, A living poem by design.

Stars will come to trace the night, A scattered quilt of ancient light. And as the world begins to dream, The sky writes on, a timeless stream.

Victory would taste like a home cooked meal after a long day of working with a loved one. Where the night quickly ends after dishes are done and you’ve just showered for bed. Then the next day starts and you get to return to it all over again. Assuming all is good and well.

I really want it to be sweet, Like rainbows melting on my lips, Like butterflies by sunshine kissed, Like green grass underneath my feet, I really want it to be sweet.

There’s black and red on battlefield And ghosts are singing happy songs, It tastes so bitter on their tongues The winners marching for the killed. There’s black and red on battlefield.

I really want it to be sweet, Like the warm light inside your eyes, Like honey made in paradise, Like there’s just love, and no goodbyes. I really want it to be sweet.

Concrete and literally sweet.

Ella

I run through the forest, run and the nightmare that has been this past week can’t catch up, run and maybe I’ll forget. Tears streak down my red cheeks, out of my puffy eyes. My legs are pounding, I want to keep running but I can’t. I just can’t. I sit down, leaning my back against the bark and let my heart spill open. Ugly sobs shake me, they rack my chest. I cry, for my mother, my mother who died in a shooting. I cry, for my father. The same one who drove a car right after drinking all his pain away in the form of whiskey. I was going to be a sister. I was going to have a baby sister. But now she’s gone too.

Caleb

I’m worried about Ella. She’s not spoken to anybody in days. Not answered any texts or calls. She’s gone silent. I know it’s only been two weeks, but without a parent… I’m worried in case she harms herself, physically or mentally.

So I walk through the forest, which she once mentioned as her favourite place. The leaves crunch underfoot, the wind rushes past me, and I see her. Sitting at the base of a tree, arms wrapped around her knees. Her long brown hair falls to either side of her face. She’s wearing a short sleeved t-shirt, but she doesn’t flinch or shiver as the wind slams into her. I step closer to her, but she doesn’t look up. “Ella,” I say softly. I hear her sniff but she doesn’t respond. I sit down next to her.

Ella

I hear the leaves crunch as Caleb sits down. “Oh Ella,” he whispers as he wraps his arms around me. I release my knees and melt into his embrace. I cry into his shoulder. My arms are wrapped around his neck but he doesn’t complain, he just strokes my hair and hugs me. I don’t want to leave. Everyone I love is dead. Except Caleb. I have loved him for years.

Caleb

“Thank you,” she whispers against my shoulder. I know this is a terrible time. I know I shouldn’t say this now. But I can’t help myself. “I love you, Ella. I am in love with you. I know it’s not a good time to say it, but I have kept it in long enough. I love you. I’m not asking you to reply, but I need to tell you.” She stays silent and I think all my fears are confirmed I think she doesn’t like me back or I’ve scared her off. “I love you too,” she says, so soft, barely a whisper, but that whisper has made me happier than I have ever felt. I feel her lift her head from my shoulder, she readjusts herself and smiles through her tears. I lean down and kiss her. The leaves rain down around us as a shaft of light reaches through the canopy and places an ethereal halo around Ella’s head. I kiss her again. We stay like that for a while.

TRIGGER WARNINGS: Graphic descriptions of decapitation, stabbing, kidnapping and mentions of self-harm

SARAH’S POV

Blood is running down my entire body; every single part of my body hurts, and the one penetrating thought is _I’m dying, I’m dying, I’m dying. _ As my vision starts fading to black an image of Draya’s anguished, face appears. “NO!” I sit bolt upright my body is drenched in sweat; the sheets are even slightly damp from it. I am breathing heavily like I just ran a marathon. I start checking my body for the cuts that weren’t there. I pulled my knees up to my chest and tried to get my breathing under control and have little success. I felt helpless and vulnerable, and my entire body is trembling and tears started to cascade down my face. I suddenly feel cold arms wrapping around me and at first, I flinch and try to pull away but then I hear her voice soft and reassuring. “It’s only me darling; you’re safe, I’m here.” she soothes. I snuggle closer to her; trying to get as close as is humanly possible and she holds me tighter. Two weeks have passed since the Corbin incident and I’m still suffering from nightmares. I think I might have PTSD, I honestly don’t know, but I have some of the symptoms. The nightmares are a big one; they happen every night and it’s effecting my sleep cycle as I often find it hard to get back to sleep afterwards, but Draya is always there for me; a protective embrace keeping me safe from harm. There were other things too, I don’t want to talk about what happened and thankfully nobody presses me to, I hate being alone for long periods of time, I can’t be in a room alone with Elijah because both remind me of being held captive. I now tend to overreact to even minor injuries; even something as small as a paper cut and I act like I am going to bleed out. I am more easily startled and I'm having trouble concentrating in school. Thankfully I am able to hide most of these symptoms from my friends and family. I have been able to keep the nightmares hidden from my parents thanks to Draya and I have been able to convince my friends that any symptoms I wasn’t able to hide from them was not serious, insignificant and superficial; although it took a few days, they believed me. Part of me wished that I could tell my friends everything. It would certainly make things easier if they knew the truth and they were always such a great support system for me, but according to Draya the Vampire Queen has forbidden this kind of thing; apparently there are some major risks of too many people knowing. She doesn’t know what the risks were specifically because when she had been told this she didn’t care enough to ask and, in the end, it didn’t really matter that much. My body slowly stops trembling and my tears dry up and my guardian angel is holding me, carding cool fingers through my hair, whispering reassurances in my ear. "I'm losing my mind, aren’t I?” I say. “You’re not losing your mind; it’s trying to process what happened, it’s healing.” “But it feels like they’re getting worse; more vivid.” I say clinging closer to her. “How can I live like this?” “You’re strong, you’re a survivor and I know you will get through this; and you’re not alone I will always be here for you if or when you need me.” “It’s not just this though, it's like I’m jumping at shadows; I freak out over the smallest nick; I mean god forbid I accidentally cut myself while shaving and Elijah can’t even get within five feet of me without me hyper ventilating.” “I know for a fact that you don’t start hyperventilating; however, your anxiety levels do spike whenever he enters the room.” “I’m also having trouble concentrating in school, when I’m in class it like I’m there, but I’m not there if that makes sense.” “There physically, but mentally checked out, right? That’s all normal given what you went through. I won’t force you to talk about it, but it might help if you do.” “I can’t!” I said a little too quickly, but I hated the idea of talking about it, I hated that I keep dreaming about it, when all I want to do is put it behind me and forget about the whole thing; instead of becoming this pathetic version of myself that I don’t recognize. Draya sighed and wrapped her arms around me a little tighter. “Alright, you don’t have to.” she said, understanding in her tone. "But you can't ignore it forever. It's important to face what happened." “I know you’re right, it’s just…I don’t like thinking about it; most of the time I’m just trying to put it behind me so I can move on with my life.” “I understand, but maybe in order to move forward you have to face it. Think of it like cleaning out a closet or the junk drawer; it’s going to be messy at first, but the sooner you start cleaning it, the tidier it gets and before long everything is okay or sometimes even better than it was before, but you have to take that first step and get started; the longer you ignore it the messier it gets.” “I know but I’m afraid that it’s all going to start falling apart, when I’m barely holding it together as it is; like if I open that door to the closet an avalanche of junk is going to come out.” “I won’t let you get buried and I know from experience that it helps. Ever since I started telling you about Shaylyn’s and I’s past relationship, I don’t feel as sad as I used to when I think about her. I still miss her of course and I know I always will, but it hurts a little less every time, it’s helping. Avoiding the topic of Shaylyn kept me ,from healing; like if you have an open sore avoiding and ignoring it isn’t going to make it go away or heal and it can become infected or even fester, but if you clean it up and bandage it and keep treating it to make sure that it’s healing properly then, with proper care and time it will heal and go away; with little to no evidence that I was ever there at all.” “It’s just so hard; I wish everything could just go back to normal.” “I know, but for the record the normal train left the station a long time ago; because your life has not been normal from the moment you met me.” “True, but I just want the old me back.” “She’s in there somewhere; she’s just struggling to find her way back right now.” “I remember when my biggest problem was just deciding what I was going to wear.” “And one day it will be again.” “Oh joy.” I said only half as sarcastic as I would have because honestly, I wanted that I wanted those carefree days again. “Why don’t you go back to sleep?” “And go back to nightmares? No way I am doing that; forget it.” "What are you going to do princess? Just stay awake forever... which your human body can’t do by the way.” "Can we please just go downstairs and watch something so I can just forget about it all for a while? My parents don’t care as long as we don’t wake them up, and as long as I am still up for school in the morning.” “Alright.” Draya relented. We ended up cuddling up on the couch together and watched Xena on DVD. I did end up drifting off and thankfully did not have any nightmares for the rest of the night.

THE NEXT DAY 5:00pm AT THE PLUBLIC LIBRARY

My friends and I decided to all go to the public library for some group studying and to get some homework done. I had a paper that was due a few weeks from today; it was Thursday and normally I wouldn’t worry about it until it was closer to the due date, but I was having a really good day and I was actually able to focus for once, so I immediately secured one of the computers, plugged my flash drive into it, and got to work.

We had to do a paper on one of the fallowing topics...

-Discuss portrayal of women in Shakespeare’s Othello. -Explore the symbolism used in The Scarlet Letter. -Explain the importance of dreams in Of Mice and Men. -Compare and contrast the romantic relationships in Pride and Prejudice. -Analyze the role of the witches in Macbeth -Interpret the author’s take on society and class structure in The Great Gatsby. -Explore the relationship between Hamlet and Ophelia. -Discuss whether Shakespeare’s portrayal of young love in Romeo and Juliet is accurate.

I decided to pick Explain the importance of dreams in Of Mice and Men. I was on a roll the words flowing out of me and no to the screen; I was only interrupted once by Tracy. “Hey, it's like 7:00pm so I’m taking every one home; are you coming?” “Yeah, no, I want to try to get this finished before I leave, I mean at least the rough draft, and I want to do it while I can actually focus, but I can take the city bus home.” “Are you sure?” “Yeah, it’s cool you go ahead, and I’ll see you at school tomorrow.” “Ok see you tomorrow.” I turn back to the screen and resumed typing; it was 8:53pm by the time I was finished and the library closed at 9:00pm so I saved my paper and after triple checking to make sure I saved it to my flash drive I removed the flash drive and put it in the smallest compartment in my book bag. I shut down the computer before I packed up my stuff, put my coat on and headed out the door. I would have to book it to the bus stop if I wanted to catch the 9:00pm bus home. I was fast walking across the library parking lot trying to ignore the isolated feeling that was starting to suffice from being so alone right now. Come on Sarah, pull it together; you have done this a hundred times; probably more, just get to the bus stop, it will get you to the corner of your street and then it’s less than half a block walk to your house, easy peasy lemon squeezy, you got this. I was about to quicken my pace to a jog when suddenly a cold arm grabbed me, wrapping around my midsection and a voice whispered, “Hey there cutie pie.” then I felt pain in the back of my head before blackness swallowed me.

HANNA’S POV

I had been tailing the girl for weeks; stalking my pray like a tigress stalking the impala that wandered too far from the heard. Unfortunately, she never seemed to stray very far from anyone for too long. She always had at least one of her friends with her and the rest of the time she was with her parents or her precious Draya. Honestly seeing them together only made me want to end the human’s life more. Why should she get to live happily ever after when my mate is dead? So, I wait patiently and finally after two weeks I got the opportunity. I had fallowed the girl and her small group of friends to the library and waited outside; I saw her four friends walk out but she wasn’t with them; I suspect that she must still be inside. I continued to watch the front of the building and after a few hours she appeared through the doors and began to make her way accords the parking lot. I stealthily gave chase she didn’t even notice me come up behind her until it was too late. “Hey there cutie pie.” I say before hitting her in the back of the head, knocking her out. Her body going limp as a rag doll; I carry her over to the car I have parked around the corner; out of sight and toss her in the back seat before making the drive back to the campsite; where the RV was still parked. Brutus says we should change location and leave the state; possibly the country and lay low for a while and we will; after I take my revenge on this pathetic human who killed my Corbin. I will not rest and can find no peace until she lay dead at my feet. I will force Draya to watch like I had to; I will revel in their pain. However, I won't draw it out no, that was the mistake Corbin made; he waited too long and let his guard down. I won't make the same mistakes. I park the car, pull the girl out of the back and carry her to the RV. I kick the door open and stride to the back of the RV, dropping the girl on the bed. Kasimir is sitting in the dining aera, feeding from one of his thralls, "Careful, you don't want to kill the poor thing; I really don't need another body to get rid of." I warn. Kasimir glared at me but stopped drinking from the girl all the same. "Brutus is shadowing Sam." he informs me. "Good, I don't trust Sam right now. He was Corbin's best friend, but he was also thick as thieves with Elijah, but he has no loyalty to Brutus, and he never liked me. I wouldn't put it past him to leave to join up with that traitor Elijah." "Then why keep him?" "Because I still need the numbers, and Sam still has his uses." “Just be careful, I don’t like having a traitor in our midst.” “If he has any sense of self preservation, he won’t dare turn on us, and if he even tries, he’s dead. I want you or Brutus to have eyes on him at all times.” "As you wish." he said smoothly. The girls iPhone began to ring faintly, I fish it out of her coat pocket and see the name on the caller ID perfect. "Draya, so sorry, but Sarah can't answer the phone right now." "Hanna? What are you doing? Where is Sarah?" "She's here, just not conscious right now. As for what I'm doing...well, I am planning on taking revenge for my beloved Corbin." "Hanna if you harm her, I swear I will make sure you don't live to regret it." "I don't give a fuck, she killed my mate, and she deserves what's coming to her." "Hanna this is your last warning..." "Tomorrow night, midnight, I will be waiting with your precious Sarah in the same place Corbin's life was ended, meet me there." I hung up and shut off the phone. If I know Samuel and Brutus they won’t return until sunup and this pathetic little human will probably be out for the rest of the night.

SARAH'S POV

I wake up with the worst head ach imaginable. I open my eyes to a face I hoped to never see again. "Did you have a good rest?" Hanna asked me in a mockingly sweet tone. "What do you plan on doing with me?" I ask skipping the pleasantries. "Shouldn't that be obvious? I'm going to kill you." "I thought that might be your plan." I honestly expected that answer, because of course Hanna would want revenge for Corbin's death, he was her mate after all. I’m sure that if someone killed Draya, I would probably want revenge too, or I would just curl up and die as well, or both; in that order; all three seemed likely. I hear the door to the RV open and I hear one voice I recognize as Samuel, the other I think might be Brutus, but I don’t know for sure. “We should get out of here; go to ground and lay low.” said Brutus. “I agree 100%, but good luck convincing Hanna, she has basically declared herself leader and she seems hell bent on staying for some reason.” “We can leave as soon as I kill this bitch!” Hanna yelled. “Bitch? Well, if that isn’t the pot calling the kettle black?” I can’t help but retort; because honestly where does that harlot get off calling me a bitch? “Oh, shut up.” It was then that the two men came into sight. “Seriously Hanna, you kidnapped her?” Sam said when he spotted me. “Yes, and tomorrow night she dies.” “You’re going to get yourself killed and the rest of us too if you keep being so reckless.” “I didn’t hear you making a fuss when Corbin did it.” “Because it would have been a waste of time; when Corbin had his mind made up that was that, but I thought you were smarter, that you had more sense than this.” “She killed my mate; she needs to pay! Brutus he was your brother; don’t you agree with me?” “Do what you want Hanna; I made my peace with my brother's death; I don’t care what happens to the girl.” Brutus says going to the front of the RV and sitting down in the driver's seat. “I am in agreement with you Hanna; I may want her dead for different reasons, but I would revel in her death.” Kasimir says. “Nobody asked you.” said Sam. “I don’t expect you to understand Sam, you never had a mate. You don’t know what it’s like to lose someone who was your everything.” “You’re right I don’t know what you are going through, but this isn’t the way to go about things Hanna, killing her isn’t going to bring Corbin back.” "Don't talk to like I'm a child! I know it won't bring him back." "Then why are you doing it?" "Because she deserves it. Because it will make me feel better." "How?" "Because it's not right that she gets to live and be happy after talking everything from me; Corbin was my world...she ended my world so now I'm going to end her; it's only fair." "Do you even hear yourself? You sound insane." "I'm not the one who's crazy, you don't even what to avenge you best friend." "You think I don't feel anything from Corbin's death? As you said, he was my best friend, and it sucks that he's dead, but he declared war the moment he decided to kidnap her, and you are going to end up the same way if you keep this up." "I don't care! Vengeance is all I have left! I don't care if I survive; as long as the human bitch dies!" "And let's say you do survive, after you get your vengeance; then what are you going to do?" "Whatever I want; booze, drugs, men, and drink blood to my heart's content, the possibilities are endless." "You really have lost your mind." "Fuck off Sam!" "The both of you stop it, you are acting like squabbling children and it's giving me a head ach." Brutus growled at them. "Whatever, I'm going hunting. Brutus, you are in charge until I get back; don't let Sam out of your sight and keep an eye on the girl." Hanna said. "Whatever you say." Brutus said sounding both bored and annoyed in equal parts as Hanna left letting the door slam behind her. Sam walks over and sits next to me on the bed. "Hey, I would say it's nice to see you but under the circumstances..." "I understand...the feelings mutual." "I apologize, Hanna was never what you would call sweet, but ever since Corbin died, she's been a nightmare and she's heading down a path of self-destruction. If she wasn't part of my coven, I would care but..." "I get it; your coven is like family, so she is like the bratty sister. Nobody can stand her, but you look out for her like a good brother should." "Yeah, but honestly I should just leave well enough alone. Hanna doesn't trust me, and she has good reason not to. Under Hanna's orders they would kill me if I turned out to be a turncoat. Lord knows I would be gone by now if I could, but they have been keeping an annoyingly close eye on me, so I don't jump ship." "Why do they fallow her?" "Brutus doesn't want to lead; he has the ability, but he's lazy and doesn't want to fight over it or be bothered about it; it's easier to lust let Hanna take control. Kasimir just wants to stay in her good graces so he can continue to have the freedom he does." "And you?" "I want to keep my head firmly attached to my neck. Hanna and I are probably going to constantly be at each other throats on a regular basis, but as long a Hanna thinks I am worth keeping around I'm safe. Unfortunately, there are only two ways I get out of here; either Hanna ends up a pile of ash or I do, I would prefer it be the former." "Me too." "Despite your current position; I'm glad you survived." "I'm sorry about Corbin; I mean I know he was your friend." "He was going to kill you; he left you no choice. It was you or him so you choose to save yourself most people would do the same thing in that position." "You're not angry at me and don't hate me?" "No. Am I upset Corbin died? Yeah. He made rash, stupid decisions, he had a temper that he often let get the better of him and I always thought his leadership methods left something to be desired, but he was still my best friend. Honestly, I'm surprised it took this long for his luck to run out; the truth is I expected it to happen sooner or later, but I always thought it would be hunters, or an order form the Vampire Queen that was his downfall. I never thought it would be you." "Guess I was just lucky." "Let's hope you get lucky again." "Will you come with this time? You declined when Corbin was going to kill me, but what about this time?" "Why? Do you want me to?" "Yeah, I don't know why, but I think I would feel better if you were there." "If you think that I would save you like Elijah did..." "No, it's not that...it's just, it would be nice to have at least one person there that doesn't completely hate my guts." "So, like moral support?" "Something like that." "Thing is, I don't especially want to see you die." "Then turn away when it gets to that part, but please it would mean a lot to me if you were there." "Alright, I'll be there." "Thank you." "No problem." "The back of my head feels like its splitting open.” “Yeah, Hanna probably hit you harder than was necessary. I’ll get you something for the pain.” he said leaving the room returning soon after with some Tylenol and a glass of water. He placed the pills in my hand, and I take the glass of water with my free hand. I placed the pills under my tongue and am able to swallow them with just a few gulps of water, but I drink the entire glass and hand it back to him. “Thank you.” “Anytime…how about you sleep for a while; if the redness and dark circles under your eyes and your drooping eye lids are any indication, I’d say sleep is something you’ve been lacking in.” “Yeah, hard pass, my subconscious and I aren’t exactly getting along…nightmares.” “I see.” “I have been trying to move on and put what happened behind me, but every time I try to sleep, I have these awful nightmares about it, it’s like my brain won’t let me forget and that on top of everything else that’s been happening ever since it happened...honestly, it’s exhausting.” “I understand. Have you tried talking about it?” “No, in all honesty I have been avoiding it at all costs.” “Maybe that’s the problem; your brain is trying to process the trauma, but you are impeding it by trying to avoid it.” "Wouldn't you do the same thing if it happened to you?" "Nah, in my experience it's always best to take the bull by the horns." "I suppose I can't argue with good sense." "I'll make sure you're not disturbed unless absolutely necessary." "Thanks." I say, he leaves the room and closes the door.

I take my coat off; as trying to sleep in it would be uncomfortable and simply lay it over the end of the bed, I crawl to the head of the bed and arrange the pillows to my liking before I lie down and try to get comfortable. I close my eyes, and it doesn't take long for me to drift off to sleep.

My dream is strange to say the least. I feel weightless, which is definitely preferable to the pain I usually experience. I seem to be floating in a vast nothingness, but its pleasant and peaceful and I don't have to think or feel, I could just let go and float. Then form somewhere a voice; far away and echoey, but powerful and commanding speaks. "Don't give up, don't lose hope, you must survive!" they kept repeating until only one word remand. "Survive, survive, SURVIVE!"

"Sarah, Sarah hun, time to wake up." I am being shaken awake; I wine softly. I wanted to go back being weightless and floating even with the voice. I knew that was better than what awaited me. "Rise and shine." I hear Sam say lightly shaking me again. "It should be illegal to be that cheerful when waking someone who is already sleep deprived." I grumble. "Sorry, Hanna commands it." "Of course she does..." I say sitting up and stretching "What time is it?" "11:20pm, We'll be leaving in 20 minutes." "What do you think my chances of surviving this are?" "Slim to none, but I thought that with Corbin and yet here you are." "Last time I had Elijha." "Yes, Eli with his moral code, but that was no guarantee he would pull through for you." "Again, maybe I'm just lucky." "Let's hope you keep being lucky." Sam and I don't speak much after that. Hanna bursts in and she grins at me wickedly. I glare back at her refusing to be cowed by this woman. "Tonight, the human bitch dies." she said almost gleefully. "Eat shit and die hag bitch from hell!" I spat out at her. "I would watch that tongue of yours if I were you, or I might have to cut it out." "Bite me!" "Oh, don't tempt me." she said before addressing Sam. "You, of course are coming along so I can keep an eye on you." “Figures you would.” Sam says clearly annoyed “I would like to attend as well.” Kasimir chimed in. “I’m not babysitting your thralls.” Brutus grumbled from the front. “Fine, I’ll bring them along; they would probably enjoy an outing and fresh air will do them some good.” Kasimir responded. “I’m assuming you are staying here?” Hanna asked. Brutus only grunted and shrugged in response and so with that we all left and loaded up into the full-size SUV. As we drove, I was in my head and trying to organize my thoughts and emotions. I realized that I wasn’t scared; not of dying at least, I mean I didn’t want to die, but I wasn’t afraid to. No, I worried about the people I would be leaving behind, but my problems would be over. God that’s more depressing a thought than you might think. I wasn’t sad or angry...I was anxious; the closest thing I could compare it to is this one time Hallie and I went out at night when we were 13; we put on makeup and wore clothes that made us look more grown up because her 17 year old cousin said that he could get us into a place that was 15 and over. At first, I was excited, but when we got in the car, I got this feeling in my stomach like this feeling of foreboding that settled over me. In the end Hallie and I opted to go to this 24 hour arcade that was across the street instead and the boys picked us up after they were finished partying. This was that same uncomfortable apprehensive feeling in my gut that something bad was going to happen, but back when I was 13 the potential danger was unknown this time, I knew what fate potentially awaited me and in some ways that was worse. The anticipation of a seemingly inevitable fate weighing heavy on my shoulders as we pull up to the location. I can see Draya is already there along with David, Celeste, Ruby, Tessa and Elijha. Everyone got out of the SUV; Hanna yanking me out roughly. "Let her go Hanna." Draya growls. "No, I'm afraid that's not going to happen." "Hanna, let he go, or I swear I will kill you." "You'll try and I really don't give a fuck." "Hanna, don't be a fool." Elijah spoke up. "I have no interest in taking the advice of a traitor!" Hanna spat. "Hanna, I know your angry..." Elijah began but Hanna cut him off. "Angry? oh no, I'm not angry, anger doesn't even begin to describe what I feel! She ended the life of the man who was my world so now I get to end hers." she said taking out a blade she had been hiding in her sleeve. Her voice broke a little at the end of her sentence and I looked at her; really looked. Hanna had hot tears of unbridled rage in her eyes, but there was something else there too, a pain and sorrow that ran deep, it was Heartbreak. I understood she was hurting; probably more than I would ever know. When Draya and I had broken up for the span of five days it felt like someone had ripped my heart out, but Hanna and Corbin had been together for decades possibly even centuries and Draya and I got back together, but Corbin was dead; stolen away from her by a blade that I was wielding. She was hurting and angry and wants to make someone hurt as badly as she is, and I can't even begin to imagen what she is going through, but I can understand it. I know that if I had lost Draya or if she lost me, it would destroy us. If Hanna loved Corbin even a fraction as much as Draya and I loved each other then there was no way I couldn't empathize with her. I didn't know if anything I said would be able to reach her in any way, but if there was even a shred of good in Hanna then I had to try. "Hanna please listen to me, I'm sorry." "You're what?" "I'm sorry, I can't even begin to know what you must be feeling, but I can understand your pain and I can even understand why you are doing this; I took your mate form you and I won't make any excuses for it but, killing me won't bring him back, it won't take that pain away. I am sorry I hurt you Hanna I am sorry for breaking your heart." She seems surprised, her eyes wide and something that looked almost human flickered there and for a moment thought that maybe I had gotten through to her, but then her eyes hardened and became cold. She stared at me for a moment, then plunged the knife into my stomach. Time stopped for a split second before I actually felt the pain, it was so intense. Hanna pulls the blade out and my hands instinctively go to try to cover the wound, I feel the blood under my hand warm and thick seeping between my fingers. I feel myself falling and I hear Draya scream, “NO!” before my world goes black.

HANNA’S POV

I plunge the knife into her stomach enjoying the moment, indulging in her pain. As I withdraw the knife the smell of her blood fills the air. Her eyes go wide, her hands move to cover the wound; staining red as the blood seeps between her fingers and I watch in satisfaction as her body falls to the ground. I hear her love Draya let out an anguished cry, “NO!” Before she is sprinting towards me to attack, I don’t know if she is going to kill me and honestly, I don’t care. Her precious consort lie bleeding and dying on the ground. I am confident that she will die within moments. I got my revenge.

DRAYA’S POV

“NO!” I yell as Sarah’s body hits the ground. The memory of Shaylyn’s death flashes through my mind. Fueled by a mix of rage and sorrow I charge at Hanna; leaping at her with the speed and agility of a jungle cat, I wrap my legs around her; pinning her arms to her sides. I grab her blond hair in a vice grip then I twist her head breaking her neck and with the strength of a Tiger, rip her head from her body. It turns to ash in my hands, sifting through my fingers. For a moment I feel satisfaction at ending her existence, but it was short lived because now my main concern is Sarah. I go to her immediately taking her unconscious form into my arms. _Not Again I can’t lose her like this, like I lost Shaylyn. _ No, I can’t start thinking like that, if I don’t calm down, I going to spiral and then I’m no good to anybody, I can’t panic, but damn if that is easier said than done. I start running through the options in my head...I could give her my blood, but do to the fact that she is not conscious she wouldn’t be able to swallow it. I press my own hand over the wound in a feeble attempt to stop the bleeding but it's not helping. “Please Sarah, if you can hear me, please hold on.”

ELIJAH'S POV

While Draya was talking care of Hanna, and the other three were engaged with Kasimir, I was facing off against Sam. “So, it’s come to this? You really plan on killing me, Eli?” “I will if I have to.” “I’m not going to fight you, honestly it’s not worth it anymore.” “Then I don’t have any reason to kill you.” I see Hanna turn to ashes out of the corner of my eye. “Looks like your leader is gone.” I say to him stating the obvious. “Good riddance, she was bound to get us all killed.” “Are you going back?” “I don't really want to; I mean I can tolerate Brutus but not for long periods of time.” “Join David’s coven, like me.” “You think they would let the likes of me in?” “David doesn’t judge, well not much anyway. He says it doesn’t matter who you were before, leave the past in the past and look towards a better future.” "I don't know if I'm cut out for the path of the straight and narrow." "I think you are better than you believe you are." "You think?" "I'm sure of it!" "Well in that case, why not? After all I got nothing to lose." he says with a grin. I smile, happy that I was able to convince my friend to choose a different path, but then the smell hit me blood...and lots of it. “Oh no…Sarah!” Sam and I both rush to where Sarah laid motionless in Draya’s arms.

DRAYAS POV

Then Elijah is there with Sam fallowing not far behind. “Shit!” I hear Sam curse. “I know what to do, I used to see wounds like this from bayonets in the war; they looked bad, but with surgery they were not fatal.” “We don’t have the necessary equipment to perform surgery out here Elijah!” I say trying to keep my voice from trembling and to sound angry failing at both. “We don’t need to; after I was turned and found out that my saliva could heal I actually started collecting it in vials. It was safer to do that than putting my mouth anywhere near a bleeding wound, I was exceptionally good at controlling my blood lust until I actually tasted it; then I was like a shark in a feeding frenzy, but in cases like this I would pour or inject saliva into the wound and it would usually heal in 3-4 days 2-3 if I stitched the wound closed.” he had moved my hand out of the way and seemed to be examining Sarah’s wound as he spoke; then continued, “Luckily it doesn’t look like any major blood vessels or vital organs were damaged so that’s good news.” “Okay so now what?” I asked. “Well, this is going to sound gross, but you could spit into the wound then lick along the edges and the outside that will stop the bleeding and begin the healing; then we should get her back to the house and clean the wound have you use more saliva again and then I can stich the wound closed.” I nod in understanding and start to gently suck on my tongue and massaging my salivary glands until I pronounced a good amount of saliva. I lean in close to the wound and dribble into it then gently slide my tongue along the edges and surface of the wound.

RUBY'S POV

Draya took on Hanna and I knew that she would make short work of her. Elijah was going to cover Samuel, but I doubt that they will fight much it at all. As for me, I had my eyes set on Kasimir. I never forgave him for slapping Tessa, or for attempting to attack her and scratching the hell out of my back. Sure, it healed in a couple of days; once I got some blood in me, but I sure as hell am going to kill him this time. I was flanked on either side; David on my right and Celeste on the left; I took notice of the three thralls huddled behind Kasimir and momentarily felt sorry for them. "Celeste, when we move, I want you to protect the human thralls; they are innocent in all this. David, I need you to subdue Kasimir just enough for me to finish him off.” They both nodded showing they understood. “Right, let’s go.” I say and we rush into action. Celeste is quick to get to the thralls and move them away from where the fighting will take place. Judging by their screams, they were not happy about it. I didn’t have time to worry about that; I had a bigger fish to fry. David attacked Kasimir with a series of martial arts moves that would put Mr. Miyagi, and Chuck Norris to shame. Kasimir was able to block a few blows and even land a few of his own, but he was clearly out matched. It didn’t take long before David had Kasimir on his knees with his hands pinned behind his back. I waste no time leaping into the air and landing oh Kasimir’s shoulders, I grabbed his head and pulled up, and up, and up, until; with a sickening sound of flesh and muscle tearing I rip his head off. He turned to ash almost immediately. I can hear the thralls screaming and throwing a fit about it; David goes over to try to help Celeste calm them down. I go to Tessa who was still slightly trembling, “Let’s go check on our friends.” I say making our way over to where the rest of our group was kneeling by Sarah.

DAVID'S POV

After Kasimir was eliminated, his thralls were obviously quite distraught. It was to be expected. I had mixed feelings about it, on the one hand I knew the girls were better off; I could see fairly fresh bite marks on all of them and I suspect that Kasimir was probably feeding from them regularly, but that didn’t make what the girls were feeling any less traumatic, even if they weren’t in their right minds. They were all in tears at this point. One was so beside herself that I am sure that she would have been curled up on the ground had it not been for the fact that Celeste was holding her; she was doing her best to soothe her but having little success. I knew nothing I would say would console them. “You three can come with us; we'll take care of you, come along.” I said leading the other two towards the cars while Celeste led the one that seemed the most devastated. “I can take them in my car David.” Ruby offered, walking over from where everyone else was currently kneeling by an unconscious Sarah before continuing, “Sarah’s not great; they stopped the bleeding so she’s not in danger of dying right this second, but we need to get her back to the house so Elijah can patch her up.” I nod in understanding. “Thank you, Ruby.” Celeste and I hand the thralls off to Tessa who helps them into Ruby’s car before going over to help get Sarah into the car. Once Sarah was safely loaded into the car, I must have broken at least a dozen traffic laws in order to get back to the house in record time. Elijah and Sam fallowed us in the SUV. We had to lie Sarah on the dining room table so Elijah could work on her. There was a flurry of activity getting everything Elijha would need to clean and close the wound; after that was done everyone left the room to give Elijah space to work; except for Draya as she refused to leave Sarah's side. The rest of our group convened in the living room; the whole procedure only took about 15 minuets. We moved Sarah to Draya's room to recover.

DRAYA'S POV

I hold Sarah's hand stroking back her hair. She is so pale and so still, the gentle rise and fall of her chest as she breathes is a small comfort, but it is confirmation that she is in fact alive, but she looks so frail and vulnerable lying there in the large bed. “You should get some sleep Draya; we have all been through an emotionally taxing day. Ruby and Tessa have already fallen asleep in the guest room Elijah has given something to the Thralls so they will sleep through the night; they are going to sleep in the living room. Samuel and Elijah are going to sleep in shifts just in case one of the thralls does happen to wake up; as they are liable to hurt themselves; and David is bunking with me, you should sleep too.” Celeste said. “I’m not tired.” I lied, physically I was fine, mentally I was wired; my mind was going through thoughts so quickly I could barely make sense of them, and emotionally I was drained; I wanted to cry, and smile at having my darling princess back, and scream, and simply fall apart all at once, but couldn’t. I was too tired and numb to do any of it and I couldn’t bring myself to take my eyes off Sarah. Even if I laid next to her and held her, I wouldn’t be able to bring myself to close my eyes to sleep; like if I did, she would slip away from me. Celeste seems to read my thoughts as she said, “She is strong and not in danger of dying, Elijah even said as much, and you are going to run yourself into the ground if you try to keep this up.” “I am fine I just…why hasn’t she woken up yet? I mean she should be awake now, right?” “Her body and mind went through a lot of traumata they’re both healing. It's probably best that she is asleep so that she is in no pain, but she will wake up Draya.” I knew deep down she was right, but I am sure that I came very close to losing her today and that affected me in a very profound way. “I know I just…I’ll sleep soon.” I lied again, I knew she wouldn’t leave if I didn’t at least say that I would concede to her wishes. I don’t know whether or not she believed me; if I had to guess I would say it was the latter, but she nodded and left anyway. I held Sarah’s hand and little tighter. “Please come back to me Sarah, I need you. I can’t do this again; I won’t survive losing you too. Please come back to me my love, my life, my everything, please come back to me...I love you.” I don’t know when my exhaustion finally won, but it did, I fell asleep sitting in the chair slumped forward my head pillowed on my arm, my other hand still holding onto Sarah’s.

The end…for now…

Ahhh cliffhanger! I know I hate them too, but don’t worry I won’t leave you hanging forever. I don’t know when I will get the next one out, I have the prompt that I am going to use; just need to figure a lot of stuff out for it and I am not completely sure what the title will be; I am thinking Escaping the Underworld. Until then enjoy! 😃🖤💜

Also sorry for any spelling, grammar, or punctuation mistakes; I have trouble with those which is why I hate editing, but I’m trying. 🖤💜

I've always known how to name my feelings. I've grown up in a home with people that have raised me to be very emotionally mature. I don't recall when it begun, but I feel like everything that I once thought I knew about my feelings, is slipping away. The way she looks at me. Her dark brown eyes make my heart beat in a way I can't comprehend. I know love. I'm very aware of that concept... but is this what it feels like? Helplessness? Weakness? I can't stand on my own two feet; when she twirls her hair, my knees buckle. Everytime I see her laugh and smile I can't help but mirror her, I smile and laugh, too; she unintentionally takes my free will. Love should make you feel strong. Love shouldn't make u feel weak... right? Maybe it's not love. Maybe. Maybe it is something else. It has to be. I can't be caught off guard. This is odd; I've always known how to name my feelings.