Please review and give me suggestions! :D I'm kind of having writers block on From the Ashes. I know what I want to happen but not how to sya it, you know? But I'll work on this for now!

**Claire**

Today was my last day in Morganville. I was finally being allowed to leave to go to MIT, alone. I was sad to be leaving my friends, I felt awful for leaving them, but they could survive, they were strong enough to beat back whatever evil decided to show up.

They were throwing me a goodbye party tonight, but first I was going back to the lab one last time. Myrnin had been acting—weird, well more so than was normal. He was really distant and distracted and had been saying the strangest things. Like last week, it looked like a tornado had hit the place, which wasn't odd but what was odd is what he said to me.

"Claire, why don't you just leave tonight? Goodbyes are such awful annoying things aren't they? Would it not be much better and easier to leave tonight?"

"What are you talking about Myrnin?" I asked, frowning. "I can't just leave like that! Eve and Michael and everyone else might think I'm dead!"

"Well can't you just leave a note?" He asked, brown eyes wild. "I really believe that you should leave as soon as possible."

"Is there something you're not telling me Myrnin? Why do you keep insisting that I leave? You're not trying to get rid of me are you?" I asked with a small smile.

"No, not at all my dear. You know I would prefer it if you never left," He said completely serious. "But I really think you should leave. Pack your things and go, don't tell anyone."

"Really Myrnin, what aren't you telling me?" Suddenly, he grabbed my shoulders and looks right at me, his eyes begging me to understand something, I just didn't know what.

"Nothing and everything Claire," He'd said tiredly, dropping my shoulders and turning away, looking dejected. "It is for you to figure out. I cannot tell you anymore. Regardless, do not come here again, it is not safe. I can only pray you are smart enough to figure it out in time."

And on that ominous note, I'd left, hoping it was only another bout of typical Myrnin craziness.

I hadn't been back since; I was way too freaked out. But today was my last chance to see him; he wouldn't be coming to the party. I had considered following his advice, but I honestly had no idea why I should. What was he trying to warn me about? Was someone coming after me? Everyone had told me to ignore it, that he was probably high or something, well everyone but Shane, he and I weren't currently speaking.

I really hoped they were right. But it seemed like I was missing something. Something very important but what? What was it that Myrnin needed me to figure out? Why couldn't he just tell me himself? It was all really frustrating, I couldn't wait to leave.

"Myrnin?" I call as I head down the steps to the lab. It was pitch dark, probably not a good sign. "Myrnin are you here?" No answer, this was getting creepy. "Myrnin, if you're here come out okay?" I wait another minute and then turn back towards the stairs. "I'm going home then. You're welcome to come to the party tonight." A cold hand clamps over my shoulder and I let out a surprised shriek.

"Claire," I hear Myrnin say sadly. "I told you not to come here."

"Geez Myrnin, you almost gave me a heart attack!" I say with a scowl turning around. "Why are all the lights off? And why didn't you answer me when I first came?"

"I was hoping you would give up and leave before I made it back up from the computer. Unfortunately that was not the case. And now I have no choice. It was not wise for you to come here Claire. I had so hoped you would figure it out."

"What are you talking about Myrnin?" I ask nervously, backing up onto the first stair. "I couldn't just leave without saying goodbye. So um goodbye. It's been great working with you Myrnin." I turn and try to hurry up the steps, heart pounding. Something was very, very wrong. I needed to leave, now.

"Not so fast my dear," Myrnin says sounding tired as his arm snakes around my waist and yanks me back down and against his chest. "I'm afraid I cannot let you leave."

"Myrnin, what the hell are you doing?" I ask, doing my best to keep my voice steady though all I want to do is scream. But I don't think deaf old Grandma Day would hear me, and she's the only person who lives close by. Not that screams coming from and alley are unusual in Morganville, or that anyone would be stupid enough to come help if they did hear.

"Nothing that I can help I'm afraid. It would be best if you did not struggle. You will only hurt yourself."

"Myrnin let me go!" I scream, doing my best to struggle against his iron hold. My arms are pinned to my sides, but I kick out even though he dodges them with ease. I try to slam my head back into his own, but I am far too short. What was going on? Why was he doing this?

He puts me on a couch located in the back of the lab, gently. I struggle freely for a moment, and try to run, but he puts his knee on my back, pinning me in place as he ties my hands and feet with rope, so tight that I begin to lose circulation and I feel pins and needles in my hands and feet.

"I am so very sorry Claire, I never wanted this to happen," He says sitting me up. "You have to believe me."

"What exactly is "this" Myrnin? What the hell is going on?"

"This is something that I have always feared I would have to do. I had so hoped you would figure it out. I did the best I could, you have to know that. But now it is out of my hands. I have no choice, you must know that. You must know that I am not willingly doing this."

"Not willingly doing what?" I screech. "Just let me go Myrnin! I'll get out of town the second I leave, I promise!" A terrible, terrible thought was beginning to form in my head. That maybe, I was never going to be allowed to leave Morganville, ever.

"It is too late for that, I am so sorry." He sits down next to me on the couch and pulls me into his lap; my head rests on his shoulder. I squirm in terror as to what I believe is about to happen, but he just drapes an arm around my waist, holding me tight.

"Get away from me Myrnin! You know if anything happens to me, my friends will kill you!"

"That might be a blessing. I do not know how I will live with myself after this."

"Then don't do it! Please Myrnin!" I beg, tears in my eyes.

"Hush now," He sooths, brushing the tears away with an icy finger. I recoil from his touch in utter disgust. "It will only hurt for a minute," What would hurt? "Just know that I love you fy annwyl." He says before his cool lips gently touch my forehead. And that is when his teeth sink into my neck.

I scream and try to twist away, but that only intensifies the pain, making the fangs rip even deeper into me. He clutches me to him, stroking my hair as if that will comfort me. I'm going to die. The thought comes clearly to me and I know it's true.

I can feel myself weakening, the dark world around me fading and I know I can't escape. Myrnin is far too strong, and I am far too small. Morganville will never let me go, I should have known. I should have known I would never be allowed to leave and live my dreams.

After a while, the pain begins to dim and I'm sort of—floating. It's kind of nice actually. No pain, no worries, only blissful peace and quiet. Then, I'm rudely awakened by someone shaking me.

"Go away!" I mumble sleepily, annoyed at being taken from that wonderful place. Here, I feel pain; here I am so very, very tired.

"Claire!" I hear Myrnin say urgently, although it is still pitch black and I cannot see. "Claire, you must drink!" Something is pressed to my mouth and a warm liquid trickles in. I refuse to swallow.

"No!" I shout against his arm, sputtering. I suddenly realize what he's doing. He's not going to kill me, he's going to make me a vampire, and I refuse. "I would rather die! Get away from me you son of a bitch!" My words are scrambled beneath the restraint but I know he understands me.

"Claire you will die if you do not drink as will I!"

"Do you think I care if you die? You betrayed me! I hate you! I will never forgive you!" On accident, I've already swallowed some, it's sweet and bitter and I know it's changing me. I have to stop this.

"I know, I don't expect you to," He says tiredly. "I never wanted this. You have already drunk some, I know it. It would be in your best interest to take more, it will ease the pain a little."

Was he saying that I was going to turn no matter what? No, no it couldn't be true. I refused to believe it. But even as I deny what he's saying, I feel a jolt of what feels like electricity surging through me. When I was six, I'd accidently touched an electric fence. This was like that times a million. My body jolts and shakes, as tremors race through it.

I scream, and Myrnin persistently presses his wrist against my mouth. I drink and drink, desperate to ease the pain and it subsides, slightly. As in maybe five percent better, but at least it's something. After what seems like hours, the pain completely fades away and a wave of wonderful cold seeps in, soothing me.

"Claire?" Myrnin whispers and I feel his hand on my forehead, now the same temperature as my own.

My eyes fly open, and the room is no longer in complete darkness. I can see things as well as if all the lights are on, better in fact. I notice minute details, individual threads in Myrnin's shirt, a fly on the wall across the room. I can also hear the cars on the road blocks away.

"Get the hell away from me!" I gasp, wriggling off of his lap and landing hard on the floor. "Let me go!"

"I cannot quite yet. There is a call I must make," I stare at him perplexed as he pulls out his cellphone. "It is done." He says quietly.

"Excellent," I hear Amelie say crisply on the other end. "I shall be over immediately."

"What is going on Myrnin? What has Amelie got to do with this? Tell me what is going on!"

"I can't," He says shaking his head. "I'm sorry."

"You can say that for a million years and I will never forgive you! You ruined my life!" He says nothing to that, only looks at me sadly, tears in his eyes. What reason did he have to cry?

"Do you want a-ah drink Claire?" He asks several minutes later.

"A drink?" I ask confused. Then I realize what he means, blood. I shudder. "God, no. Just leave me alone."

"You will need to soon enough Miss. Danvers. You will die without it." Amelie says, stepping through the portal. She looks as cool and put together as always in a pristine white suit. She looms over me as I lay helpless on the floor.

"What the hell is going on Amelie? No more evading questions, tell me now!"

"Fine," Amelie says frostily. "I made Myrnin do it. He had no choice in the matter just so you know. I did not wish to weaken myself by doing it personally."

"You were never going to let me go where you?" I ask bitterly. "Even after all I've done for you and this God dammed town, you wouldn't let me leave."

"No, you are far too important of an asset to let loose. I am sorry Claire, but you will see that this is for the best someday."

"To hell I will! I'm not doing anything you say ever again you bitch!" That last part surprised me, I wasn't someone that swore much, but I definitely had a reason to now. But calling Amelie a bitch might have just gotten me and my friends killed.

"It would be in your best interest not to insult me Claire. You will cooperate so long as your friends are alive. For if you don't, they are easily disposed of. Now, you will be staying with Myrnin until you have more control of yourself. Thank you for doing this Myrnin." She says with a stiff nod before disappearing through the portal once again.

"Claire—" Myrnin says softly, putting a hesitant hand on my shoulder.

"Just go away!" I sob. He complies after gently placing me on the couch and cutting my bonds.

"It is still the day, do not go outside." He says before disappearing.

I sob quietly to myself, thinking of all I've lost. My dreams, my humanity, my life. It was so unfair, why did this keep happening to me? Was this town determined to destroy me until nothing remained?