AN: So here's the third chapter. Thanks again to all those who reviewed and I sincerely hope you continue to enjoy my fic.
Danny woke up to voices. He steadied his breathing and pretended to be asleep as he focused on them.
"Was he injured?" He instantly recognized Vlad's voice.
"He's fine. He stressed some parts of his body that had not recovered but it could have been worse. He is, however, unstable, and needs someone to stay with. Does he have any family?" Ah, his doctor. Danny wanted to growl. If it hadn't been for those people chasing him and knocking him down, he wouldn't have stressed his body so much.
"Not that I know of and he hasn't spoken of them. I tried to get him to talk about it, but it seemed to…pain him."
"Well we can't just let him back out on his own."
"Of course not! I can take him in."
There was a pause, as if the doctor hesitated. "Are you sure, Mr. Masters? I'm sure we can find someone who would be willing to take the boy in for a bit. We have plenty of people on staff."
"No. I have the means to support him. I'll be doing it."
"Very well. If you're sure, that is."
"Yes." Vlad sounded irritated. "When can he be taken home?"
"Today. We finished all our tests. He needs rest; at least for a few more days before he decides to run again."
"My home will offer the best tranquility for him."
"I have no doubt about that, Mr. Masters. Now, we'll have to go over some things for Danny…"
The voices trailed off and Danny found himself alone in the room. He slowly opened his eyes. He sighed, disheartened as he realized he had lost his chance to escape. How had they caught up with him? Trying to run again would just be foolish. There was no way, however, that he would be staying with Vlad. If need be, he would wait until midnight to try again and he would be more cautious of how he escaped.
Half an hour later, Vlad came back into his room. Danny stared into his eyes, surprised to see the hesitant look the man was giving him. It was as if he was approaching a wild animal. Well, he might as well be one, with the way they had treated him.
"Daniel, the doctors said you can get out of the hospital today." Danny didn't respond, so Vlad continued. "But, seeing as you don't exactly have anyone to take you in and I don't think you have a home since you don't even know what state you're in, we thought it would be best if you stayed with me."
"No." Danny replied quickly.
Vlad sighed. "Now Daniel, be reasonable. Where would you go?"
"I don't care." Danny glared at the man. "Away from here. I don't need your charity."
"It isn't charity my boy. Stop being stubborn and just accept my help. You're receiving it whether you want to or not."
"Why?" Danny shouted, losing patience. "What do you want? Why are you helping me? Just leave me alone! Can't you see? I don't want to be anywhere near you! Just let me go!" he panted, having lost control his temper. His body shook with rage. He looked at the window again and was upset to note that it was now boarded up.
Vlad slowly made his way towards Danny, who flinched when the man got too close for his wondered if Vlad would strike him for being difficult. Probably. He closed his eyes when he saw Vlad's hand raise and go towards him. He waited for impact. He was surprised, however, when he felt Vlad's hand rest on his shoulder. His eyes shot open and he looked up at the man, who was frowning slightly at him.
"Just give me a week. One week to be sure that you're completely healed and then you can go wherever you want."
"I don't have a week!" he clenched his teeth. "Don't you understand? I-I have to go…"
"Why Daniel?"
Danny smacked the man's hand away. Vlad didn't react to the violent gesture, much to Danny's surprise. Danny huffed and looked away from those cobalt eyes. "I just have to go." He was angry. He didn't need to explain himself to this man or anyone. He said he needed to go so that was just it! Why couldn't they just leave it at that? Danny felt his frustrations rising to an unbearable point.
"Okay, well, tell me where you have to go. I can at least take you there."
"I-I…I don't know where…" He bit his lower lip as tears glistened in his eyes. He shut them, begging for the tears not to fall. He hated how weak he felt, he didn't want anyone to see it. Especially not Vlad.
"Just stay with me, Daniel, and we can figure it out together."
"No…" He protested weakly. He knew this was a pointless argument. No matter what, Vlad would take him to his home. Danny was sure of it. His body was still too weak to really put up much of a fight.
"I won't ask anything of you, I promise. Just let me take care of you. One week Daniel, that's all I ask."
Danny said nothing, finally giving up. Taking that as a sign, Vlad picked up his cell phone and called for his limo. The next few minutes were spent going over what medications Danny would need to take for the next few days and being told that he needed to rest. He felt like a walking zombie as he robotically followed after Vlad and climbed into the limo, Vlad sliding in beside him. The car ride was silent as they drove to their destination. Danny stared out the window, watching the scenery change before his eyes. He sighed. It was just a matter of time before he was caught, but he had to try. He had to escape and soon.
It was a twenty minute car ride. They pulled into a castle, which was impressive in itself. Danny glanced at Vlad, wondering just who the hell this man is. When the limo parked, Vlad and Danny got out of it. Vlad wrapped an arm around Danny's shoulders, noticing how the young man tensed. He led him into the castle and showed him a room on the second floor. It was a huge room. Danny looked around in awe, his jaw dropping.
"This will be your room, Daniel. Mine is just across the hall if you need me. Anything you need is yours. I'll have some new clothes for you within the hour." He led them down the stairs and into another door, which led them to the kitchen. He sat Danny down and made them tea. Danny occupied himself by looking around. The place was huge. Danny had no idea what to do. He felt weak, tired, weary, and worst of all: trapped. Vlad placed a cup in front of him and sat across from him.
"So…" Vlad started hesitantly. Danny merely stared at his tea cup. "Why are you so desperate to run away?" Danny glared at the man. "Okay different question: do you have a last name?"
Danny looked away from the man's eyes. He thought about not answering but quickly changed his mind. e didn't want to a"Of course I do."
"Wonderful! What is it?"
Danny huffed. "Noneya."
Vlad glared at Danny, who couldn't help but smirk. It was a petty feeling of victory, but a victory nonetheless. Hopefully, if he annoyed the man enough, he would see how foolish it was to help him and let him go early.
"Why do you have that lock on your ankle?"
Danny didn't respond. It wasn't as if the man would believe him even if he told the truth. He took a sip of his tea. He could see Vlad's eye brow twitch in annoyance. He smirked. He could feel the annoyance radiating off the other. Danny hide his grin by taking another sip. If he kept this up, he'd be out in no time.
"Alright, another question then: wher—"
"Who are you?"
Vlad raised a brow, apparently annoyed at being interrupted. Danny felt victorious once more. "I told you already, I'm Vlad Masters."
"No I mean," He gestured helplessly with his hand. "Are you some cop or something?"
This time Vlad looked confused. "No. Why? Are you running from them?"
"I'm not a criminal." Danny said defensively, shrinking into his seat, now annoyed himself.
"I never accused you of being one. Would it matter if I am a cop?"
"Probably not." He shrugged carelessly.
"What does that mean?"
Danny got quiet. He looked into his tea cup instead. Vlad sighed. "Why don't you go to your room and rest for a bit? Dinner will be ready in an hour."
Danny scoffed but took the opportunity to escape from the man, if only for a little bit. He finished his tea and found his way towards his room. This place was massive; just how many people lived here? He climbed onto the soft bed, surprised how drained he felt all of a sudden. This was something he was definitely not used to. He couldn't even remember what it was like to lay on something so soft and comfortable. He closed his eyes and fell asleep, his dreams plagued by nightmares of what was once his reality, and probably would be soon if he didn't escape.
He awoke an hour late, when some maid fetched him for dinner. He noticed someone had been in the room earlier; his closet was now open. He glanced at it, surprised to see it was a walk in closet and was filled with clothes his size. Ignoring it, he followed the maid to the dining room, where Vlad was already sitting. Danny sat across from him, wondering where everyone else was. When the chef's served them, he couldn't help but be surprised.
"Do you live here on your own?" Danny blurted out, smacking a hand to his mouth and looking sheepishly at his food.
Vlad answered immediately. "Yes, I'm afraid."
"Oh…" Not knowing what else to say, he took a bite of his meal. His tongue burst from the delicious flavors. It really was way better than gruel…
When he finished his meal, Vlad passed him some pills he had to take. He popped the pills in his mouth and swallowed it down with a glass of water. Vlad examined him for a bit, making Danny squirm uncomfortably in his seat.
"What?" Danny asked when he couldn't take the man's stare anymore.
Vlad half smiled. "Nothing." He dismissed. "You're not going to try and run away again, are you?" Danny tried to hide his guilty face by pretending to be extremely interested in the napkin in front of him. "I was afraid of that. I wouldn't try it if I were you, Daniel. I have security guards all over the place and security cameras. It would be pointless, I assure you."
Danny gawked at the man. What?! How could he?! Danny felt himself shaking. So was he just another prisoner to this man? He had already escaped one, so to speak, and now he was wrapped up in another one? He wanted to hit the man, and almost did. "You can't keep me here!" he hissed.
"One week Daniel, that's all I ask."
Danny growled. "And then what? You'll just let me go, just like that?"
Vlad stared into Danny's eyes so he could see his sincerity. "Yes."
"I don't believe you."
"Then don't, but for one week, you cannot run away. They'll catch you the second step a foot outside."
Danny slammed his fist onto the table in frustration. Vlad didn't even flinch. Danny shot up from his seat, knocking back the chair and walking away from the dining room, fuming. This man was infuriating. He kept Danny hostage, without realizing the danger he was putting him and himself into. He was doing Vlad a favor, really, by running away. It was only a matter time before they found out where he is, kidnap him, and harm Vlad for taking care of him. He went into his room and tossed the night lamp across the room. It hit the mirror with a satisfying clash. The shattered pieces of glass fell to the floor along with the broken lamp. He jumped onto the fluffy bed, shouting his frustrations away until he drained himself and fell asleep.
AN: I'm not happy with this chapter, to be honest. Hopefully the next one is better. Sorry readers