I woke with a start, sitting up quickly and gave myself a headache (even though I already had one, thanks to him). I scanned the room in a defensive manner, then swung my aching legs off the bed and stood up.

I wasn't quite sure where I was, but I was pretty sure that I wasn't supposed to be here. I walked to what I think was the wall, and traced the wallpaper until I found door hinges. I yanked open the door and stepped out.

It was brighter out in this hallway than the bedroom, and I blinked, trying to get the adrenaline in my veins to start waking me up. The windows were tinted darkly; no sunlight was coming in from them, usual Strigoi behavior.

Following as casually as possible, I stepped down the stairs into a living room. A flat screen TV hung on the wall, an entertainment center pushed directly below it. A wooden chair stood lonely in the corner, but three couches were pushed against the walls. And speaking of the walls, they were bright and lively, the yellow making it look as wide as possible.

Picking up the chair, I smashed it against the tinted windows. But, it did no damage, and I smashed it again. Over and over I did, and I came with the conclusion that the windows were Flexi glass, or some sort of material that was strong enough to withstand weaponry against it.

"Rose." I heard his voice, warm and sweet. I spun around, chair in hand. He looked just as I remembered him in the last seconds glance. Except, his eyes. Blood-red eyes that were one of the only physical changes in Strigoi.

Absentmindedly, I swung forward with the chair, but he pushed it aside, the chair legs cutting into my hands. I bit my lip and reached for the silver DVD player that was plugged into the wall. My mind was telling me to stop, to listen to what Dimitri had to say. But, I didn't. I pulled it from the wall and charged at him.

"Rose, really?" He asked quietly, knocking the DVD player from my shaking hands. In the same motion, he pushed me aside and held me against the wall, pinning my hands by my sides.

"You … aren't… Dimitri." I spat, struggling against him frantically. He smirked, a smirk that didn't quite fit him. Rose, he isn't the Dimitri you used to know. He's bad, a Strigoi now. I thought, trying to remind myself of this terrible happening that I couldn't prevent, nor could anyone else.

"Rosa, if I wanted you dead, I would've gotten rid of you by now." He said, and I shivered-from his ice cold hands or the use of my old nickname, I wouldn't ever find out. "Now, if you don't stop struggling, I'm going to have to tie you up."

I shoved uselessly. "Why are you doing this?" I asked quietly. "Why, Dimka?"

His eyes narrowed, and pressed forward on my wrists. "Why were you following me, Rose?"

"I had to see you, one more time. To make sure it was true." What a lie! I scolded myself.

"I came here to get away from you." His grip had loosened a bit, as if he didn't trust me. Smart, quick, and lively. Just like it used to be.

"Well, you probably didn't realize that I'd be here." I rolled my eyes and pushed him off of me.

"Why did you come here?" he asked as I leaned against the opposite wall uncomfortably. I toyed with my words as I spoke.

"Because you hit me in the head and dragged me here." I told him. If I was going to die, I was going to do it The Rose Way.

He didn't reply, but only made his way over to the couch and sat down.
You are welcome to sit down, if you'd like."

"I'm alright here." Keep lying, and surely he'll be able to tell, Rose!

"As long as you're here, your welcome to anything is this room, and your bedroom." I growled quietly, but quickly covered it up with a loud cough. He noticed, and asked, "What?"

"You make it sound… luxurious, maybe?... when I'm being captured by a Strigoi."

"You'll need to keep your head on straight while you're here." He mused casually, drumming his pale fingers on the white couches. How I longed to tell him that I loved him, to say that it was a mistake, to tell him that I missed him.

But, I couldn't, and I sighed at that thought. He was a Strigoi, and Dhampres and Strigoi's did not make a good combination. As long as we were different… Ah, well, I couldn't think about that now. Dimitri was right; I needed to keep my adrenaline in my veins going and pumping.

The airlock door beside me opened, and two figues came out. The first was a plain human with her brunette hair tied into a ponytail, trailing down her denim jacket and white tank top towards her sweat pants.

The second was a man, a Strigoi, with his blonde hair sticking up everywhere. He had a black shirt on, and a winter coat flung carelessly on his shoulders though he didn't need one. He wore light jeans with a large tear on the side near his shoes, which were white and grass stained.

"Who did you bring this time, Dimitri?" The man laughed, pushing my chin up to inspect me. I shoved his hand away, and his eyes narrowed into slits. I could tell he was somewhat surprised by the amount of strength that could come with someone standing five foot four.

"Leave Rose alone, Nick." Dimitri snapped, and he rolled his eyes and strutted out the door, murmuring to himself unclear words. "Rose, this is Nai." He gestured to the woman, who was setting a silver tray on the coffee table in front of the couch beside me.

"Hello." I said, and she glanced shyly at me.

"She doesn't speak much English, but she'll be able to figure it out." He stood up and stretched unnecessarily. "I'll be back later."

"Don't get hit with sunlight." I smirked, and he shot me a Don't-make-me-come-over-there-and-hurt-you-Rose look. I shrugged as he walked from the room. This was going to be a long day,