The chilly night time air swirled around me, blowing my hair this way and that. My eyes stung from the dry wind's bite and my body couldn't stop trembling from it's futile attempts to create body heat. My face was numb as it broke into a huge grin. This was my first time outside for a little over a year, and I was exhilarated. I felt like spinning despite the unsavory weather, but I resisted my childish urge as I glanced back at my 'guards'.
"Do you think she's okay?" The bigger one asked, probably referring to my, admittedly, slightly creepy smile. It's not like vampires care if you're cold. Which I am. My smile wilted a bit as the reality of how cold it really was sunk in. I started to shiver violently as all thoughts of spinning around left my head.
"She's cold. Should we do something?" The smaller one questioned, probably wondering if it would hurt there chances if I was sick. I want to know when they started caring if the goods were damaged. I sighed and looked at my discolored arms.
The larger one noticed my annoyed gaze and nudged his partner and pointed at my multitude of bruises.
"Maybe you should give her your jacket Hachirou, she looks pretty banged up..." I snorted. Of course I looked banged up. Just last week he had a very violent session, and most of the darker bruises were his doing. Hachirou shrugged off his jacket and tossed it to me. I caught it and hurriedly put it on, snuggling into it.
"Now I'm cold Gorou", Hachirou complained.
"Her arms are covered and now she won't get sick. That might make her an acceptable gift." I turned away and wrinkled my nose.
"Just put her in the car so we can go." Hachirou whined, exasperated at Gorou for insinuating I was more important than him. I bit back a smile. Let him be uncomfortable. His sessions hurt the most. And the bruises lasted the longest.
Gorou opened the car door and slid in, motioning for me to follow. Hachirou followed suit and closed the door behind him. Then the car started and we were on our way. I sat ramrod stiff, trying to avoid contact with either vampire. They ignored me, which suited me just fine. I continuously took peeks out the window, wondering where we were headed. All I know is that they intend to try and use me as a bargaining chip. Me and my blood for forgiveness for their rebellious actions.
About one hour of this and I started to feel... uncomfortable. I looked down and frowned. I shuddered and braced myself, I wasn't looking forward to asking them to stop. I tentatively pulled on Gorou's shirt and he looked down at me questioningly. I looked down pointedly and he raised an eyebrow. I sighed and shifted uncomfortably, which he seemed to understand.
"Hachirou, we need a pit stop." I sighed again, this time with relief, glad I asked Gorou instead of Hachirou. The latter looked at me with disgust and sighed.
"Fine." We stopped at the nearest gas station, which couldn't be close enough in my opinion. I fidgeted in anticipation as Gorou opened the door and Hachirou sneered at me. I bit my lip and and made a dash for the restroom, almost knocking over someone else. I stopped and turned, blushing and bowing in apology as Hichirou snickered. I looked up at him, hoping he wasn't angry. He was glaring at Hachirou, then his expression changed to recognition. He looked down at me his face was still serious, but had lost it's edge.
"Are you with them?" I nodded stiffly. His brows furrowed and he seemed to go into deep thought. I fidgeted and Hachirou shouted.
"Come on girl, we don't have all day!" The man turned back to him and his face smoothed as a sort of sick smile appeared on him. I shivered and ran into the bathroom.
I sighed as I rinsed my hands, my reflexion looked awful. It's not like I wasn't aware that I looked bad, but this was just pathetic. My left cheek was black and blue, my lips were scratched up, and my neck was marked beyond recognition. Not to mention the fact that my unharmed skin was so pale it was almost translucent since I hadn't been outside for a year. At least it was clean... and my hair was shiny. I smiled at that, thankful the vampires that took me wanted me to be clean and healthy. It was similar to being a concubine, only kept for my blood instead of my body thankfully.
"So, think he'll change her, or just kill her?" Hachirou asked out side the bathroom window. I stopped.
"Not sure, but it's not like he can keep her human. He's a pure blood. Either he changes her, or he drains her. Simple as that." My heart stopped, then picked back up on double time. My only choices were to die or be a monster. I need to escape. Obviously the window was out. But where could I go? I opened the door slowly and peeked out. There was a middle aged man at the register, a younger man covered in tattoos with a very young girl who was barely dressed hanging over him, and the guy I bumped into earlier. He was probably my best bet.
I tiptoed out of the room and quietly closed the door. I crouched to the ground and began making my way to him. Once I reached him I grabbed his shirt and tugged on it. He quickly looked down at me confused. I took a deep breath. Not only had I not been outside in a year, I haven't spoken in ten of those months. I opened my mouth and nothing came out. He frowned and I tried again. This time a very soft "Help" came out. His eye widened-as he only had one- and he crouched down beside me.
"What's wrong?" I licked my lips. "I don't want to die." His face went blank.
"Do you know what they are?" I nodded and pulled back my collar, exposing the fang marks from the last feeding... only there was more than one set. His eye softened. "How long have they had you?" I took another deep breath,
"One year." His expression was shocked.
"What's your name?" My name. What was my name? I bit my lip and thought back. Himiko. My mom named me Himiko.
"Himiko." He nodded.
"Well Himiko, I'll take care of this."
He looked around the room and smiled, walking casually to the other wall. Then he slammed his elbow into the fire alarm. The shrieking noise startled the other occupants, and they rushed out to their cars. I ducked behind an isle and peeped my head out, waiting. Hachirou and Gorou rushed in, frantically looking for me. I yelped as I heard a loud bang and clamped my hands to my ears. My eyes widened as I saw Gorou's head explode. I looked back towards the man I ran into and saw he had a smoking gun in his hands. That's when Hachirou attacked.
He launched himself at the man and I tensed. He seemed to be winning. I bit my lip and shuddered, desperate to stay alive. Then something snapped. I calmly walked over to the alarm and picked up an especially large piece of glass. I sick sort of smile twisted on my face as I turned to the monster who had abused me mercilessly for this past year. My grin widened and I pounced on his back and stabbed him. Then I stabbed him again, and again. Over and over as he shrieked, trying to get loose. His blood got everywhere, splattering all over me.
I didn't stop until he quit breathing. I gave one final stab, and left it lodged in his chest cavity. I looked down at my trembling, blood soaked hands and began laughing. At first it was a frantic, crazed laugh, then it changed to a broken progression of sobs, as I drug my hands through my hair. Tears welled up as I started clawing at my blood covered skin. A hand stopped my half crazed attempts and arms wrapped around me. I clutched at my hero and trembled as more sobs assailed me.
"It's okay Himiko. It's okay," a deep voice repeated as that and my progressively lighter sobs lulled me into oblivion.
AN: Feel free to review. I've got a few more of these, but, I'd like to space them out a bit. And get at least three people to tell me they like it before I do more than five chapters... Ja ne.