School's out, my life is back together (it's been a bit of a mess that's why I haven't been posting as of let's just say I've started speaking to my father after a few months) and now I can actually.
Hate me love me whatever it is just read the lovely chapter below. And for all the Josef fans here's your man.
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Chapter 4
"Er, Beth?"
Beth looked up and sprang to her feet. She rushed over to Jack who was grasping onto boxes that towered well over her head. It had been two days since the young vampire had showed up at her door. She spent the first day sleeping and the second day moving in.
"Jeez Jack what's in these?" Beth asked as she staggered under the weight of just one.
"Books," Jack answered. "I'm an avid reader," she said when Beth raised her eyebrows in disbelief.
Able to see again Jack followed Beth into her room. Beth had promised to help her move and had spent the afternoon at Mick's apartment. She was becoming more and more comfortable around Mick again and Jack made it even better. She had a dry sense of humor that had a habit of appearing at the most unpredicted moments.
"How many more boxes?" Beth asked as she put the books onto the floor.
Jack mimicked her and looked around her room. The walls were an ocean blue with white trim. Her freezer was wedged into a corner while a dresser sat against the wall, holding the few cloths she had. Jack intended to get a few things, including a CD player for her collection. If one thing she loved her music and often would drown the world out by setting her headphones on high.
"That's the last of it," Jack told Beth.
"Where'd you keep all of this stuff?" Beth asked. "I thought you were just visiting."
Jack laughed. "I was staying in an abandoned warehouse and I had a bit on money. I raided what garage sales and flea markets I could."
"And you bought books." Beth stated in disbelief.
"Well it wasn't like I was going hunting for a boyfriend," Jack answered in a mumble.
Beth shut her mouth, instantly feeling bad. She tried not to mention anything that Jack had lost from being turned into a vampire, things she would have had as a human.
Jack noticed her expression and said, "I don't mind."
"Don't mind what?" Mick asked walking into the room. "Oh and is this yours?" He held up a stuffed animal jaguar.
"Toby!" Jack shouted. She ran over and grabbed the toy from the PI, hugging it tightly to her. She looked up to see the two adults staring at her, both questioning her sanity. "Hey I've had him since I could remember," she defended herself.
"You can tell by the missing eye," Beth smirked.
Jack looked Toby over, taking in his ripped fur and missing eye.
"So maybe he needs a patch job," she said. "It's not like I've had a chance to learn to sew. Although I think I've got a book here somewhere."
"Oh course you do," Beth sighed. "Mick this girl needs some serious cloths, she's only got a few outfits at most."
Jack cringed. She hated shopping trips. But if it got her out of the apartment…
"In a few days Beth," Mick said but not unkindly. "We should let Jack rest a bit beforehand."
"Mick," Jack whined. "I've slept an entire day. I'm bored."
"Jack it is day," Mick told her. "You can wait until tonight."
"I can live with that," Jack said. She put Toby on top of her freezer and stretched. It was getting close to the afternoon and being a newborn she was starting to feel the fatigue.
"Get some sleep," Mick told Jack.
Beth's phone suddenly rang and she answered it, ignoring the two vampires
"Hello?" she answered it.
Mo's voice rang through. "Beth I've got another one for you."
"Another bombing?" Beth asked in disbelief. "They're getting shorter in between."
"Yeah, no joke. Now are you up for it?"
"Do you have to ask?"
"That's my girl. I'll have a camera man waiting for you there and I want something on my desk by tomorrow. Go get um."
Beth hung up and turned to Mick. "You feel like investigating a case?" she asked with a smile.
He couldn't help but return the gesture. Every time Beth was happy a feeling shot through his body. He didn't understand what this feeling was but for the first time in eighty years Mick felt alive. "Yeah, let's go," he said in an excited tone.
A waving hand caught his attention and he looked at Jack who was jumping up and down.
"Can I—"
"No," he said sternly.
"Come on," Jack whined.
"No. You're tired and it's late, especially for you. Get something to drink then sleep, I'll be back before long."
He gave Jack a stern look before walking down the stairs.
"Sorry," Beth apologized.
"You know I'm not use to anyone else telling me what to do," Jack sighed. Then she winked. "Have fun by the way."
Blushing Beth quickly walked away, unable to stop her mind from wandering to a very good looking PI waiting for her.
A few minutes later Jack listened as two cars sped down the road. She had seen the way the two adults looked at each other. There were definitely sparks. Something happened though and it had driven a wedge between the two. She would just have to work on removing that wedge.
Jack put it into the corner of her mind, saving the idea for later. She went into the kitchen, pouring herself a glass of blood and laying on the couch with her head phones on. Jack wasn't quite ready to crash for the day yet, she still had some energy left and felt like being a little rebellious. It had been awhile since she had been ordered to do something by someone, and even longer that she had disobeyed. It felt good.
So without further ado Jack sat back, closed her eyes, and focused on the genius know as AFI. The loud music blocked out everything, including the doorbell. It wasn't until the scent of another vampire hit her did Jack realize she wasn't alone anymore.
Her eyes shot open and locked onto the oldest individual of her species Jack had met before. He had brown hair and a face that could be terrifying when it wasn't handsome, wore a designer suit, and obviously was use to being in control.
The vampire finally seemed to notice Jack. He turned and looked at her with flat, serious, eyes.
Jack stiffened under his gaze but refused to be intimidated. Still though she knew if it came down to a fight she didn't stand a chance, Mick might not even had a chance. If this guy wanted them dead they were as good as gone. Why else would a strange vampire show up at his apartment but to hurt them? Still Jack refused to go down without a fight.
"What do you want?" she growled. Luckily her voice didn't crack.
Josef glared back. He walked into his best friend's apartment to find some unknown vampire lounging around inside. Mick himself was nowhere to be found, and he hadn't been heard from in a few days. On top of that this child was being disrespectful, despite the obvious age difference. His temper flared and he vamped out.
Jack flinched at the transformation. She was in so much trouble. Still she managed to stand and faced him sideways, making herself a smaller target.
That's all it took for Josef. The slightest threatening movement would send him over the edge. He didn't wait to see what a person would do, he acted before they could do it. It was what had kept him alive for over four hundred years.
Josef flew towards Jack and went to grab her throat. But Jack saw him coming and managed to duck and knee him in the stomach. Josef hissed and grabbed Jack's arm. He twisted it back and threw her into the wall. The ply board buckled under the force and a few beams even cracked. Jack kicked him in the side, satisfied to hear a few ribs crack.
Josef stumbled back, loosening his grip enough for Jack to slip out. Falling to the ground she tried to get away, barely ducking in time to avoid a jaw shattering kick.
"I will ask you once," Josef seethed, facing her. "Where is Mick St. John?"
So he does want Mick, Jack thought angrily. In the short amount of time she had known them Mick and Beth had become important people to her. She would do anything to protect them. Truthfully that wasn't much and it scared her that she could do nothing.
"Why would you want to know?" she asked harshly.
Josef dashed forward and grabbed her by the neck, lifting her into the air. Jack struggled against his grip, gasping for air even though she doesn't need it. She felt the vampire's grip tighten around her throat, crushing her windpipe and cracking her spine.
"I will ask you once more," Josef seethed. "Where is Mick St John? I swear if you or anyone you know has hurt you I'll make sure you're tortured accordingly before you're killed."
Jack stared at Josef in shock. Maybe he didn't want to harm Mick, in fact he seemed protective. Black began to hem her world. Josef was literally crushing her spine, causing her body to shut down. Before she could say anything Jack fell unconscious and went completely limp in his grip.
The smell of blood was the first thing noticeable: the sweet, metallic scent that coated her nose and throat with every breath. Her windpipe had been crushed but apparently managed to heal, still, Jack didn't have to move to fell a sharp pain spike down her spine. Apparently bone hadn't healed as well. But there was an even greater pain, spiking in her wrist. It took preference over everything else and was unlike anything Jack had ever felt. It was sharp, burning, and tearing all at the same time, as if her wrist were being lashed open with a red hot poker. Not only that but she was so weak. It was incredible; she could literally feel all of her strength being sucked away from her body. Trying to understand where she is Jack cracked open an eye, relieved to see the familiar walls of Mick's apartment. In fact she was on his couch.
"You have a lot of explaining to do."
Jack turned her head, it was the only movement she had the strength to do. The older vampire was sitting in a chair a few yards away, watching her with human eyes. Somehow they were scarier than his vampire ones.
Jack breathed in and out heavily. She moved her burning wrist into view to see a metal band wrapped around it. Somehow she knew that's what was making her sick.
"It's pure silver."
"What do you want?" Jack asked, gasping. It was getting harder and harder to breath.
"Who are you?" the vampire asked harshly. "What are you doing here, and where is Mick St John?"
Jack was fighting for breath by this time. Her eyes began to droop and she could feel unconsciousness begin to pull her back.
"If you don't want me to pass out again I suggest you take the damn bracelet off."
The older vampire studied her for a second then stood up and walked over. He pulled the bracelet off using a handkerchief and threw it towards the door. Instantly Jack relaxed. The moment the silver had left contact with her skin she could breathe easier and the pain lessened. It was as if a thorn had been removed from underneath her fingernails only hundred times more so.
"Finally," she growled, lying back against the cushions.
Josef looked at her surprised but quickly composed herself. He wasn't use to anyone speaking to him like that, especially someone this young. "You never answered my question," he said harshly.
"I live here," Jack said, closing her eyes. All of the lights were on and the sun managed to penetrate the heavy blinds. It was giving her a killer headache on top of everything else. "My name's Jack and I live here with Mick now. You're not going to hurt him right?"
Josef studied her for a second. He realized the young vampire couldn't be lying; she didn't have the strength or the will. Josef wanted to bury his head in his hands but resisted. He was so stupid, it never even occurred to him Mick might be assisting this new vampire. But it's not like it could be expected, Mick wasn't exactly the helpful type when it came to strange vampires. Still Josef could have asked. But he didn't, he attacked her, broke her spine, knocked her unconscious, and poisoned her with silver.
"No," he answered. "I'm Josef, one of Mick's friends. I apologize for attacking you."
Jack shook her head. Her mind was getting fuzzy and she was exhausted. "I really hope you're not lying cause I can't do anything about it. If you are I hope Mick kicks your ass."
Josef had to grin. This vampire may be young and injured but she still had nerve. He stood up and walked into the kitchen, pouring a glass of blood. He looked at the bag offensively. A young vampire needed fresh stuff, it was healthier and was absent of any anticoagulants. But when he went to give it to Jack he found her unconscious.
"Hey," he said, shaking her.
Jack woke up with a start and looked around.
"Here," Josef said, handing her the cup.
As Jack sucked it down while he watch. She had faded much faster than a normal vampire would. For the first time he wondered just how old Jack was.
"How old are you?" he finally asked.
"A month," Jack answered. She was so tired, her greatest wish right about then was to just climb into her freezer and sleep. For about a month.
Josef grimaced. He could have killed her! Attacking her like he had could have killed her, any amount of silver could have killed her. She still wasn't safe. If Jack didn't get more blood to flush out the silver, or sleep to recoup, she still might die.
"You need sleep," he said bluntly.
Jack nodded her head and tried to stand up. As soon as she was above the couch she swayed and fell. Josef darted forward and caught her, draping her arm around his neck and wrapping his arm around her waist, holding her from the ground.
"Thanks," Jack said. She tried to take a step forward but crumpled, her muscles giving out.
Josef picked her up in his arms and carried her to the kitchen, setting her on the counter.
"Hold still," he said, filling a syringe with blood. He injected Jack who gave a sigh of relief, feeling the blood course through her system.
She tried to get down from the counter but the world suddenly tilted. Josef grabbed her before she fell and began to carry her upstairs.
"Third door," Jack mumbled.
Josef silently followed her directions, setting her down in front of the doorway. Jack swayed for a minute but grabbed the frame and shook her head. She could walk at least, if only for a moment.
"Thanks, Josef," she said tiredly.
"Yeah well don't think you're out of the woods yet," Josef said. "When Mick gets his sorry butt home were all going to have a talk."
Jack gave a weak laugh then opened her door. "Yeah well he's on a case with Beth, I doubt he'll be home for a few more hours. See ya Josef," she bade him farewell. Closing the door Jack undressed and slid into her freezer, instantly dropping into sleep.
So Jack and Josef met with mixed results. What did ya think? If you don't post I'll never know, I'm not a telepath so please review! OH and do you think we should give Jack a love life? This is your time to put in an opinion and it will alter the story. SO yeah, speak up. And that you for sticking with me this far. -
