Hey guys I'd like to thank everyone who's read this story so far and have followed faved commented etc it makes me more motivated to write so thank you! Just a quick note I've been writing these chapters on an iPad so the spell checker keeps screwing me over so I might go back and edit the chapters at some point. Anyway you know the drill comment etc etc hopefully you enjoy this chapter it was brought to you by Pink Floyd I've been listing to them non stop for the weeks now, anywho on with the show and thanks for reading :-)
Chapter Seven: Shorter of breath and one day closer to death
Time. Time is a peculiar thing. Generally speaking in the younger years of our relatively small amount of time in existence we feel time moves slowly. For example every second, minute and hour spent in school seemingly dragged with much annoyance. Significant events such as birthdays, Christmas and any other holiday one celebrated seemed to take an age to occur. Speaking from my experience as a child, the only reason the time passed quickly was (as the archaic saying goes 'time fly's when you're having fun') due to the fact that I enjoyed that small moment or event occurring. Perhaps this view of time is predominantly held by the young as they hold a certain innocence and naivety. Some of the first things we learn as a child are this: we are all born, we all die.
Until death occurs in one's life this statement is somewhat meaningless. Children muddle on with life with an innocence many adults wish they still obtained. When a significant event such as death of a close friend or family member happens, another view on time can be seen. That person you cherished, talked to, laughed with, cried with, fought with and loved is no longer there. It's something you seldom think about but is constantly in your subconscious that no one lives forever. During however long after sed death a period of mourning occurs. This is when it fully dawns on you that there where so many things left undone, unsaid and unseen. This is when constant dwelling on past events and memories occur. This is when you think about times where you had wished you treated this loved one differently, you wish that you could have just one more moment to tell them that you love them, or hug them, look them in the eye and then memories every last part of them. Just one moment more. But alas you can't. They're gone. Forever. It's painful to think about this but you do.
Many people spend so much time either in the past or planning for the future that they neglect the present. It's overly said I know 'live each day like it's your last' & 'live for today not tomorrow' but it's true. Nothing and I mean nothing is guaranteed in life. You could have everything you ever wanted in life and it only takes one moment, one heartbeat for everything to change. You could drop dead right now. I am dying right now. Your friend could die tomorrow. My best friend died today. Tina. Oh Tina I wish we had more time.
I don't know how long I was lying on the cold alleyway floor. The summer storm raged on drenching my body, washing the pools of blood away, creating a macabre red river that flowed towards the drain. My blood intertwining with Ryan's . Ryan how I wish I could resurrect you and kill you over and over. Rather quickly my body was shutting down, a combination of hyperthermia and blood loss most likely. My conscience faded in and out multiple times. For however long it was the only sounds were the pounding precipitation, howling wind and the distant sound of cars. That was until I heard a loud whoosh noise. I must have been delirious at this point as at the exact moment the noise occurred a man all but materialised from nowhere. Perhaps it's the police. No I heard no sirens. A homeless man maybe. No he seems well dressed around middle age wearing a longs black coat and business suit and tie. He was observing Ryan's body. He was crouched over it. Struggling to stay awake, he turns towards my position. Reality and life slipping out of my grasp, the constant pump of blood out of my wound a mere trickle now. I'm surprised I've remained coherent so long. Well I don't think it will be long till I do die now though. Hopefully Tina is waiting for me.
Vision bleary and out of focus. The mysterious man's face then appears in front of my own. I vaguely recognise him from somewhere. His eyes were glaring into mine menacingly. His face contorted into something inhumane, a beast animalistic in look, blood dripping down his chin. He'd been drinking Ryan's blood. Oh great talk about out of the frying pan and into the fire. I kill one psychopath and another appears. But this man seems different. This is most certainly the effect of my injury. I'm hallucinating and dying. My brain is screwing me over even as it's shutting down. He smiles a perfect innocent smile, masking a more sinister intent clear in his piercing eyes. Fangs. There were fangs in his mouth. Holy shit vampires are real.
"Well hello there. It seems you've gotten into some trouble Lilith. I can help you if you want me to? Wouldn't want such a beautiful girl like you die now can we? It's a shame about your friend though, but at least you can live. There will be some conditions but they can be discussed later. Do you agree to me saving you?" His voice startles me into more alertness. How did he know my name? How can he help me? So many questions yet so little time. I was seconds from death I could feel it, sense it even. A part of me was ready for it, I would be happy with Tina beyond the grave. But another part of me, the more reckless part of me wanted to agree to his help. There where so many things I needed to know about him that I felt almost obliged to live to ask them. The conversation me and T had years ago about either one of us dying, reminded me that she always said that if she'd die before me that she would want me to live. Live for her. And that I will.
With almost no strength left in my body or mind, I meekly nod my head in response to his suggestion. The black spots in my vision expanding he smiled once again.
"Well the family could use some more female input Star isn't working out well and with a new mother soon it could be perfect... Anyway I'm glad you agreed the boys will be very pleased they've taken a liking to you!" Which boys and whose Star? How does he know me? With all these thoughts swimming around my skull my body finally gave out. Complete utter empty void of darkness overwhelms me.
Panic. That's what my mind decided to do when I awoke. Even with my eyes closed I could tell I was somewhere I'd never been. It was cold and the smell of burning wood and lighter fluid filled my nostrils, the bed sheets that where tangled around me where made of the finest silk. What happened? Where am I? Why am I here? Why am I so exhausted? What's happened to Tina's body? Will her family know? Rubbing my throat subconsciously that's when I noticed a dull burning, it was increasing in intensity by the second. Mustering every last bit of strength in me I pulled myself up out of my position. Through heavy eyes I observed the place I've been left at. The four poster bed I was lying in was surrounded by a curtain. Slowly opening the slats I peek through. Glancing round the area it became clear that it was a cave. The rocks and darkness were typical of standard issue. However this cave wasn't your run of the mill rock formation. No this was probably the best decorated cave I've ever seen. They rivalled the houses in the caves in the mountains in Andalucía that I'd seen on holiday a few years ago. This cave was extravagant but also slightly dishevelled. What appears to be an overturned lift is amongst the dust covered clutter. It looks like this was once a very luxurious but now it has a sort of vintage, antique charm. Amongst the old the new is merged. Posters of bands and spray painted walls, a boom box, a skateboard and magazines littered the area.
No one was visible so I assumed that they were out. It appeared to be dawn or dusk by the stream of light seeping in. Candles and oil drums are piled up everywhere some ignited and others not.
My energy drained again completely after the small amount of movement; I closed my eyes and slumped down. Why was I so tired? That's when I notice that it was nearly silent apart from the only sounds where the distant ocean and my heavy breathing. That's when I noted the sounds of two other people breathing, and that I was in fact sharing the bed with someone, or some people. After mustering the strength for a second time opening my eyes once more the small bubble of panic increases tenfold. I was currently tucked in bed with what appears to be a girl and a little boy. They were huddled together lying away from me so I couldn't get a good view of their faces. Sighing collapsing once again. Resting my eyes and gathering strength for the third time, my thoughts finally became clearer. I should be dead. Looking down at my appearance whilst sitting up in the bed I realise I'm still wearing the dress I was in last night or whenever it was. The front caked in dry blood. My blood. His blood. No pain apart from my throat. The man, he wasn't a man he looked like a beast. Gingerly pulling my dress up seeing nothing but smooth pale skin no scars no blood no stab wound. I want answers now. Almost on queue the whooshing sound I heard before my rescuer came rushed through the cave. The eerie silence broken by laughing hyenas, evil laughing hyenas but they weren't hyenas; they were men, very familiar men. I must've looked like a fish out of water gasping for air with the way my mouth kept opening and closing repeatedly. This is where they live? What was that sound? Are they like the beats looking man? The two figures sleeping next to me stir and then wake up breaking my chain of thought. They seem confused by my presence, the little boy looked curious whilst the girl looked alarmed. The group of lads who seemed to appear from nowhere stood in a line facing the mysterious woman. Before she could ask them about the situation David spoke to them in a commanding tone.
"Star take Laddie to the boardwalk now and don't come back till dawn" so that was there names, strange they must be from hippie parents because they are not normal names. Star hesitated and nodded then glanced at me with a sad look in her eyes and proceeded to grab Laddies hand, heading up a rocky set of stairs towards what I figured was the exit. Once again four sets of eyes were latched onto me. The four men I had wanted to learn so much about and spend time with were stood and sat around the cave making themselves comfortable. Marko was leaning against the back wall with what appeared to be a pigeon on his arm, stoking its feathers with a thoughtful look on his face. Dwayne was sat on the edge of what looked like a fountain, he had picked up as random magazine that was lying around and began to read from it. Paul was also on the fountain however he seemed to be in his own little world. Strutting around the edge like a demented peacock, he acted like he was in a rock video the way he moved, he gracefully stepped around Dwayne whenever he reached his spot. The last member of the group, blonde with the punk rock hair is sat on a old style wheelchair rocking back and too staring into the darkness. A wave of pain shoots through me along with intense nausea and dizziness. Gripping my stomach I let out a cry. After a moment the pain passes but the nausea and slight dizziness remains. Perhaps it's linked to my miraculous healing. All through out this not one of the, bat an eyelid or even glanced at me until the twisted sister wannabe glanced over as he was doing what seemed to be his seventh lap of the tiled base.
"Hey vomit girl you look kinda pale don't puke anywhere in here " Paul exclaims through a fit of laughter,the others letting out small snickers David merely smirked slightly. My mouth gapes open at the fact that he is joking at a time like this.
"Close your your mouth you might catch flies" quipped Dwayne quickly before I could speak, Marko and Paul bark out more laughter whilst David smirk increased in size. I continue to glare at them trying to comprehend a reasonable sentence.
"Haven't you learnt your lesson yet. It's rude to stare Lilith" David states in a mockingly stern tone. Growing irritated and confused by the situation I needed answers and I needed them now.
"It's just Lilly" I seethe "I have many questions for you and I want you to answer them now" I try to make my voice sound firm but the slight bit of fear in my body makes my voice crack at the end.
"Oh really you have questions for us? Your not the only one sweetheart we have questions for you too y'know!" Marko shoots back in an amused tone which royally pisses me off.