Disclaimer: I do not own any part of the Southern Vampire universe. All characters and places belong to Charlaine Harris.

A/N: So sorry. I had a crazy week, with all kinds of things going wrong. I will try to update sooner next time.

Theme 4: Dark

POV: Sookie

Rating: T

Just a Shot in the Dark

I awoke to darkness. This would not normally bother me. I might even consider it comforting considering how often I keep vampire hours. This time, however, I knew that the darkness was not the natural darkness of night. There was no crack of light under the door, no glow of an alarm clock, or moon beams shining through the window. This was an absolute absence of light. There was no way for me to tell where I was or if it was day or night.

I struggled to remember how I came to be in this situation, but at the moment, my memory was not cooperating. The only thing I was sure of was that it had been hours since I had anything to eat or drink. Though, in a way, I still had an ace up my sleeve since had only been a few hours longer since I had consumed vampire blood.

Reaching out with my mind, I tried to see if I could learn anything about my captors, since I was pretty sure there had to be some. I couldn't figure I could get into this situation without someone putting me here. There was nothing, not even the familiar void, which would indicate a vampire. Next I decided to explore my prison. It was with a small amount of relief that I realized that I at least had room to move around, although my hands had been bound together. The room, or whatever it was, was actually about the same size as my bedroom at home.

My explorations were cut short as a caught a snarling red brain pattern that could only belong to a Were. A vengeful Were if I was reading the emotions correctly. My own emotions suddenly went from unease to downright fear. I've been around enough angry Weres to know, they aren't something I want to mess with. I tried calling to Eric, not knowing if he was close enough for me to reach him, or even if he was awake to receive my call through the bond.

This particular were, chose that moment to come bursting into the room, giving me the first glimpse of light I had seen since waking. It was still not natural light. It came from a single light bulb hanging above a set of stairs leading up. From the outline I could see, this were was one of the biggest men I had ever seen, and that was saying a lot. He moved closer, but I still could not distinguish any features because he was lit from behind.

When he reached me, the Were grabbed my wrist, where they had been bound and hauled me to my feet. He slipped what appeared to be a sleep mask over my eyes and placed a ski mask over that. I was once again cut off from any source of light, which made it particularly disorienting when I was lifted off my feet and thrown over his shoulder. He carried me up the stairs, down what I assume was a long hallway, up more stairs and through a door way. I could tell by the way the air moved around me that we were now outside.

He spoke to me now, for the first time and I was surprised by how young he sounded, "I want you to know that this is nothing against you personally, this is just the best way to hurt them."

Well, of course. None of this stuff ever happens to me because of me. It always relates back to some supe or group of supes I know, "Who are you trying to hurt? Vampires? Weres? Witches? Fairies?"

"Witches and fairies?" the Were snorted, "don't you think you're a little old to believe in those things?"

"Don't you think that someone who turns into a wolf every full moon ought to be more open to the possibilities that there are things out there that he hasn't seen yet?"

He gave a little half chuckle, "Pretty cheeky for someone in your position aren't you?"

It was my turn to snort, "It's hardly the first time something like this has happened to me."

"And yet, here you still are. Nobody else seems to have been able to get the message across."

He hadn't answered my original question, but at the moment I supposed it really shouldn't be my top concern. It became less important as I heard a sound I was, unfortunately, more familiar with than I would have liked; the sound of a gun being cocked. This was just perfect. I had been shot at before but every other time I had been able to see, I could attempt to move out of the way. This time, I couldn't see to run, I was likely to trip and fall or knock myself out and make an even easier target. This time it was just going to be a shot in the dark. I almost laughed as that thought went through my head.

I heard the sound of the gun firing a fraction of a second before something slammed into me; something substantially bigger than a bullet. I flew to the side and heard another gunshot. I felt a bullet graze my leg but had no idea which bullet it was or where the other one had gone but didn't have time to dwell on either thought as I was slammed into the ground with a considerable weight coming down on top of me. Even without seeing, I was able to figure out what had happened. Eric had saved me again.

The weight lifted off me and I heard a scuffling several feet away. It didn't last long and when it was over, I heard someone approach me. This person began to tear away at the bonds holding my wrist. Relief flooded through me. Eric had obviously defeated the Were.

"Eric," I questioned, still blinded by the masks, "What did you do to him?"

"I didn't kill him, though he deserved it. I have simply subdued him. He will be dealt with by the Shreveport pack."

He pulled the masks away from my face and I rubbed at my eyes. Having been in pitch black for so long was almost as good as having vampire blood in as far as it improves your night vision. I watched as he checked me over with concerned eyes asking, "Are you okay?"

"My leg stings a little," I replied, "Otherwise I'm fine. You?"

"I'm fine, as well. Unfortunately for you, I didn't take the bullet for you this time."

"There were two bullets. Where did the other one go?"

Eric stooped to examine the wound on my leg, "The Were did not have very good aim with Pam grabbing onto his arms, and the bullet hit that tree over there." He gestured with his head, "Your leg is not bad. Would you like me to heal it?"

I turned to look in the Were's direction. I hadn't even been aware of Pam's presence until then, but there she was. She gave me a quick grin before returning her attention to the unconscious man at her feet. I returned my gaze to Eric, who was looking expectantly at me. I realized I had not answered my question and shook my head, "Let's at least wait until we get out of here. I've had a long day or night or whatever, I just want to go home."

Nodding, he lifted me off the ground, gathered me up in his arms and took to the skies.

A/N: The theme for the next chapter is "Seeking Solace."