Call on Me
Is this the moment where
I look you in the eye?
Forgive my broken promise
that you`ll never see me cry Will you think that you`re all alone But still you say Is the moment where I look you in the eye?
And everything
It will surely change
Even if I tell you I won`t go away today
When no one`s there to hold your hand?
And all you know seems so far away
And everything is temporary
Rest your head
Will you think that you`re all alone
When no one`s there to hold your hand?
When all you know seems so far away
And everything is temporary
Rest your head
I`m permanent
I`m permanent
Forgive my promise that you`ll never see me cry...
–David Cook, Permanent
Chapter 1: Who Knew?
Eric was drove down the dark road; with only the moon and stars to guide him. It was a night off from his business in Shreveport, LA. The only one who knew the reason he was gone was Pam. She had taken over his duties tonight. He had been on the road for about an hour now; he still had another hour to go.
The small town of Preston, LA wasn't on any map. It had no real identifier, either. If you knew where it was; then it was enough. Most people drove by it; using the main highway. One had to take country roads if they wanted to see Preston. It was not that big a town; it one grocery store, one bar, one hotel. One of everything except for houses; there were a couple hundred of those. Most of them were empty; the town had shut down a few years ago. Not many people were left here.
What Preston did have, that no other place in Louisiana had was special hospital. It was a small building. Two doctors looked after the patient needs and four nurses helped. Of the ten patient maximum; only three stayed here. One of them was the reason Eric was driving all this way.
Once a month, he would drive out here. Eric saw the only grocery store in town pass by his car; ten more minutes and he'd be there.
The low sitting, two level building was generic looking. There was a small, two foot sign, which proclaimed this to be Preston Town Hospital. Eric parked in the empty lot. The town was so small that one didn't need to drive to get to work.
He stepped out and closed the door, pressing a button on the keychain, locked the car. He ran a hand down his leather coat; inspecting the fit of his clothes. He was dressed in the normal black jeans; a black t-shirt sat under the jacket. He even had black cowboy boots on. He smiled at the boots; it was very country, but they helped him blend in. He wondered if she would notice them.
Striding the entry doors; he pulled open the heavy door. There was desk off to the left; an armed guard looked up from his novel. His eyes widened slightly. He probably recognized Eric from the posters for Fangtasia.
"Evening," The guard muttered as he stared at the vampire across from him.
Eric looked at him for a long moment, "Hey."
Picking up the available pen, he signed the log book and checked the time. It was just after ll: 30 pm.
Eric crossed the stone floor; the heels of his boots clipped sharply in the large, empty space. There wasn't much furniture here; not many people visited. He stopped at the elevator bay, pressed the button. The doors opened and he stepped on. There was only one floor to visit. A moment later he stepped off on the second floor. A second armed guard sat behind a smaller desk; he nodded, a buzzer sounded and Eric walked through the door.
The hallway was long and the left side was all windows. Thick steel bars sat in front of the windows. He glanced out and saw the small town below. His red Ferrari sat in the parking lot. The outside was calm, quiet, and peaceful. He looked away and continued down the hall. It turned to the right so he followed.
Waiting for him was a man dressed like a doctor; complete with white coat, clipboard, and geeky-expression. Eric hated doctors; he didn't want to talk to this guy. Still, he stopped and the doctor turned, jumping slightly.
"Ah, Mr. Northman, I didn't hear you come in." The doctor anxiously checked his notes, "I see you're here for your monthly visit with Emily Ashmont."
Eric didn't say anything, just waited for the man to finish.
"She's been doing well, recently. We've made a lot of progress with her. Today should be a good visit." The doctor paused, "Well, go ahead, she's waiting."
Eric crossed the hall and stepped into the room. It was supposed to be a place for patients and family to talk. And it was; except that it held only one table and two chairs. Two-way glass reflected the scene back to him. He could the doctor and nurse standing on the other side. Eric crossed the floor and moved the only empty chair. He sat down; folding his hands across his stomach. Across from him was the only human he cared about. It wasn't about power or money or anything vampire-like. He hadn't really thought much about it recently; it was just too much for him to think about.
"Hey," He said quietly.
She opened her eyes; pale blue like frozen ocean waves. Her dark hair was a shade too dark to be blonde; but not quite dark enough to be brunette. The pale color of her skin wasn't healthy; and she was far too thin. She wore thin material hospital issued clothes and no coat.
Eric didn't sense the cold but he could see the gooseflesh on her arms. She was cold. He shrugged off his leather jacket. No one watching the room would stop him. They were too scared of him. He stood up and came around to her side. That's when he saw the handcuffs on her wrists; her skin was bruised where they sat. The cuffs were too tight.
He crouched down, gently taking her hands in his. Using one hand he squeezed the metal of the cuffs. The metal cracked and splintered under his hands. The cuffs fell to the floor. She looked at him as he laid his jacket across her shoulders. She slid her arms into the sleeves, hugging herself.
He spoke in Swedish, knowing she would understand. "Are they treating you well?"
"I am managing." She replied.
"Why are they handcuffing you?" He smoothed back her hair and saw the bruise on her temple. "By Thor," He took a moment to control his anger, "I am taking you out of here."
"By yourself?"
He stood up, "Can you walk?"
She nodded.
Eric held out a hand, "You've been here long enough."
She hesitated before accepting the hand; he pulled her to her feet. They moved to the door. Eric heard the doctor call to the guard at the end of the hall. An alarm filled the halls. Emily put her hands over her ears, but followed Eric.
He knew the doctor would not approach them; he was a coward. Eric took her hand and led her down the hall. The security guard was waiting on the other side of the door. He had his gun out, resting on his thigh. The look on his face was serious; drawn. This man would shoot first. Eric was careful to make sure Emily was shielded by his body. He turned and looked down at her; she was several inches shorter then him.
He continued to use Swedish, "Do you trust me?"
She nodded, hands still over her ears.
Eric faced the guard again. Using his speed he rushed the man; smashing his hand through the glass. He grabbed the man's wrist, snapping it. The gun clattered to the floor; the man screamed and fell to his knees.
"Emily!" Eric shouted.
She ran toward him. Down the hall the elevator dinged and the other guard stepped off. Eric cursed as he saw him aim at Emily.
"Down!"
He turned and dove for her; a gunshot rang out. Emily flinched; he slammed himself into her. More shots rang out; Eric grunted with the multiple impacts down his back. She was curled on the floor; he could see the blood on her white clothes. He knelt down be side her, pushing her hands aside; he saw the wound. Blood oozed from it. It was a lucky thing he was so old, he was able to override the feeding instinct.
Eric reached up to the bars on the windows. They gave easily under his hands; he threw the metal aside. Using one elbow he smashed through the glass; ignoring the pain of glass cutting into his skin. Quickly he reached down; picked Emily up in his arms and stood. He took three giant steps back; aiming for the open window. It would be a tight fit; but he would make it. He had no choice.
"Stop!" The guard shouted, aiming at them, "Stop! Now!"
Eric shouted in his native language as ran at the window. Instinct told him to close his eyes as he leapt of the ground. He felt wind rush up against him and opened his eyes. They were plunging to the earth. He tightened his grip on Emily; pressing her to his chest. His feet hit first and he felt the shock all the way up his body. His skull shook with it. The impact made him grunt; he stayed crouched for a few seconds. He could feel the tickle of bones mending and healing over as he stayed still. Gently he stood up and took a few steps. He was fine. Eric broke into a run; a hail of bullets followed him. He ignored the sting of impact as more bullets dug into his back.
Rounding the corner, Eric dug the keys from his pocket and pressed the button. Two things happened at once, the doors unlocked and the engine started. He reached the car; quickly lifting the passenger door he gently placed Emily inside. Using his speed he appeared at the driver's side and jumped in.
Inserting the key; the engine started and he slammed the car into reverse .The wheels screamed in protest as the car rocketed backward. Quickly switching gears he threw the car into drive and jammed his foot on the gas. The car shot forward like a bullet. He had no trouble guiding the car at the fatal speed.
"Emily?" He called her, there was no answer.
Eric glanced over; she huddled inside his jacket. Her head lay on the seat, facing away from him. He reached over and turned her turn to face him. Her eyes were closed. "Shit!" He hit the steering wheel, "Emily!"
That earned him a twitch of eyelids. "Hang on," He shouted at her, "Hang on, damn it!"
Eric grabbed his cell phone, driving one-handed in the pitch darkness at speeds of over 150 km/hr.
A sultry, seductive voice answered; it was clear over the thundering dance music in the background. "Fangtasia, Pam speaking."
"It's me," He snapped, "Call doctor Ludwig, I don't care what it costs. Just have her there when I arrive."
"What's wrong, Eric?" Pam asked.
"They shot her; they shot Emily." He glanced at the passenger seat, "I can't loose her, Pam."
"She'll be here, Eric." Pam hung up.
He tossed the cell phone in the empty ashtray. He reached over with his free hand; feeling for a pulse. He could still hear her heart beating, but he had to feel it. He was overcome with pure panic and it was negating his normal calm.
"Please, Emily, just hang on." He pressed harder on the gas pedal. He kept one hand on the wheel, the other on Emily. As long as he could feel her pulse, he could think clearly.
Eric raced into the Fangtasia lot; he climbed out from behind the wheel, slammed the door and ran to her side. In his rush to get to her, he tore the door off his car when he opened it. He lifted her into his arms. Turning to the building he saw the door open, Pam waited for him.
"Dr. Ludwig is here, she's in your office." Pam stepped aside as he rushed by.
The club was silent; the music turned off. The club had been closed since he called. Pam followed him as Eric ran to his office.
Eric set Emily down on the black couch against the wall. Dr. Ludwig stood up from the chair she'd been in.
He turned to the dwarf, "If she dies, so you do."
Eric paced to the end of the room and turned around; Ludwig stood over Emily. Sweat shone on the human's face; pain twisted her features. Eric appeared at her side, he knelt beside her. Ignoring the blood on her hands, he took them between both of us. Pressing his lips to her hands; he kissed them. He tasted her blood but it didn't register in his mind. He kissed her hands again.
He used Swedish, "Live, Emily. Please, live."
Her eyes fluttered open, "Eric."
"You're too big for me to work around." Ludwig snapped.
"I am not leaving," Eric snarled at the doctor.
"If you want me to save her, leave. I can't access the wound with your shoulders in the way." Ludwig sharply reminded him.
Eric didn't want to leave; but he knew he had to. "I am here, Emily."
"Eric," She whispered his name, her eyes closed.
Pam gently touched his shoulder, he looked at her. Red streaks darkened his pale cheeks. He stood up and let Pam gently led him out of the room. She closed the door and he stared at it.
"Come," She gently guided him down the hall.
Emily screamed, he turned to the door; but Pam was there before him. She stood in front of the door. Her face was serious as he snarled at her.
"Eric you are my Maker, normally I wouldn't stop you. But you're not helping here."
Eric stood in the middle of his silent club. He stared at the floor; the staff hadn't been given time to clean up. Pam had just shut everything down. He fell to his knees. Pressing his face into his hands he started to weep. He called on every god he knew, used every language he could think of and prayed.
Pam stood silently at his side; one hand on his shoulder. She looked up at the sound of an engine. "It's Bill and Sookie, you were supposed to meet with them." She left Eric and went to the door.
Bill was startled at the expression on Pam's face. He frowned at the silent music. "Pam, what's happened?"
"We're closed, Eric can't see you tonight."
Emily screamed again. Bill's face darkened. "What is going on?"
Eric appeared at the door; Pam stepped aside. "Leave, Bill."
"No." Bill took a step forward but Eric didn't move. Bill paused and looked up at the blonde Viking. He stared at the stricken expression. The sorrow filled eyes and the blood-stained cheeks.
Sookie was frowning at Bill's back, "What is going on?"
Eric's face fell and he seemed to cave in on himself. "I can't." He turned away from the door. Pam followed Eric as he dragged his feet, moving toward the throne on the stage.
Bill put his arm around Sookie, leading her into the club. Emily screamed again. They both stopped.
"Eric, what are you doing to the girl?" Sookie snapped at him.
Eric stood beside the throne; he rested his hands on it. Suddenly he threw the throne across the room. Bill moved Sookie to the side; his speed was the only thing that kept them both from hit as the throne hurtled by. The throne smashed to the floor, splintering into broken shards of wood and leather.
Eric was on his knees again; face covered by his large hands. Pam stayed by his side; silent. Bill realized something in that moment. There was only one reason Eric would be like this.
"It's her," Bill whispered, softly. "She's hurt."
Sookie looked up at her lover, "Who?"
Bill shook his head, "I can't say her name."
Eric looked up at him, "Her name is Emily."
Bill looked over at his Sheriff; Eric had broken like this when Godric died. He felt sympathy for the Viking.
"Who's Emily?" Sookie asked, still not following.
Bill whispered softly, "Eric's last human descendant."