Chapter 7

I walked quickly to the hallway and when I reached Eric's office, I saw that the door was wide open and there was no Pam to be found. I headed to the back exit, convinced something bad was happening. With every step I took, I could make out sounds coming from the back alley. At first it sounded as though someone was rattling the garbage can with mumbles and whispered but once I faced the exit door, I knew my feelings were right.

"Fucking hunters" I heard Pam say. "You really think you can take me?" she asked them, her tone sounding unimpressed.

"You filth, we will kill you all," I heard someone else say. I could not tell who exactly had spoken as my breathing had accelerated and my head was clouded with the many thoughts and feelings I received all at once.

"How cute!" Pam sneered but then there was some kind of splash and all I could hear was Pam screaming in pain. It wasn't one of those dramatic high pitch screams but instead, something low, coming from the throat, closer to a growl.

I stood there, staring at the red door. I could open it, help her, but I was frozen, unable to move a muscle. I could feel the metal handle under my fingers but I couldn't push it.

"You little shits, you will pay for that, no one does this to my face," I heard her say and then I heard more screams I wasn't sure who it came from but they had nothing to do with the previous one. These horrific yells were so loud; it is all it took for me to snap out of it. I pushed one the handle but couldn't get the door open as something appeared to be blocking it from the outside.

The sound of screeching tires on the pavement took me away from my frustrations. Pam started to laugh; the bone chilling kind only villains make in movies before they are about to send you in to your worst nightmares. I tried to open the door again but it was in vain. Whatever was on the other side was not bulging.

I heard some kind of "whoosh" sound and some more mumbles. It was hard to figure out what was going on, my ears drowning in the sound of my own heartbeats. I heard footsteps leaving and as I tried to push the door open once again, it vibrated under a large bang. Something hard had hit it, or should I say someone? I pushed it and when it flew open, I almost lost my footing.

I saw Pam first; she stood still in the middle of the alley looking in the opposite direction. One of her heels had broken off and her skirt was ripped at the seam. I followed the direction with my gaze, my eyes trying to adjust to the single light source shyly trying to break the alley's darkness. There was a shadow in the corner where the light could not shine through. Pam did not take her eyes off it. I took a step forward unable to stop myself.

Everything was happening so fast. I could not assess what I was seeing logically. A foul smell hit my nostril, the garbage maybe? My head had automatically followed the smell and I stared at the big can. No, it was metallic, it was blood.

I heard a growl, so I turned back to the shadow. A whisper escaped Pam's lips but I could not make out what she had said.

The shadow stood still, my eyes were now adjusted to the obscurity. He turned his face enough that the light caught a glimmer of his eyes; Eric. He was holding something in front of him. I heard a muffled sound which made me realize it wasn't something; it was a man. Was he holding him with one arm? That's impossible. I took another step forward, Eric turned his face away. He whispered something in the man's ear and after Eric released him, the man took a couple steps back towards the parking lot but stop dead in his tracks. One bouncer was standing at the end of it in a combative pose. He looked angry judging by his giant frown but I couldn't tell much from this distance.

Eric wiped his face but I couldn't tell why since he was not facing me. He nodded negatively to the bouncer who stood up and moved to the side. The man gasped and ran away without any words. I too would be terrified if I was him, he was out numbered.

The bouncer left in silence, probably heading back to his post he had left to see what the commotion was about. I looked at Pam but could only catch the side of her smile before she nervously headed to the door. I could only see one side of her face.

"Are you okay?" I said but she didn't look at me trying to hide the other side. Did they hit her?

She disappeared inside and I turned my attention to Eric.

"I arrived just in time it seems" he said.

"What the hell happened?" I said and something shiny caught my eye. I walked to it as Eric watched me carefully.

It was a shoe, a pink one, which wasn't what Pam had been wearing. I looked at it closely and remembered that one of the girls in the bathroom had worn it.

"She must have lost it when she ran away." Eric offered and I was frowning in disbelief.

"Why did they want to kill Pam?"

"Who said they wanted to kill her?" Eric countered and I shut up. I couldn't tell him it was because I had heard their thoughts but I could tell him I had overheard it through the door. Would he think I am a disgrace for not helping her right away?

"That's what the girls said in the bathroom." I finally said deciding to pretend I had just made it to the door when I opened it… "I overheard them, that's why I came to look for Pam." I tried to smile to him but I was having a hard time. Comforting someone when you needed comfort too wasn't an easy thing to do.

He came closer to the garbage can and grabbed the shoe out of my hand to throw it out. When he extended his arm I realized that his black shirt was soaked with blood and cut in many places.

"Oh my god Eric! You are hurt!" I reached to his shirt to apply pressure. I had taken first aid a while back. He looked as if he had been stabbed. We had covered the scenario of a stabbed victim, often the adrenaline keeping them going but once it would run out he could potentially fall and hurt himself even more. I had to stop the bleeding as soon as possible.

He raised his arms as I placed one of my hands on his chest. I pressed as hard as I could and I looked up at him.

"Did they stab you!?" I exclaimed but I didn't give him a chance to answer as I came to the realization I did not feel any blood under my palm. Automatically, I lifted his shirt not thinking this was my boss, of course, and found no trace of a wound. I touched his skin at different places, my mouth partly opened in shock. Nothing not even a scratch, that was impossible! His shirt was ripped. I looked up at him and found him smirking. I immediately moved back realizing I was palping his chest in awe. Embarrassed, I looked away.

"It's okay, it must be his blood," he suggested but I nodded negatively trying to control the redness of my cheeks by taking deep breaths.

"There are cuts in your shirt." I managed to say but he pulled his shirt down and placed one hand on each of my shoulders.

"Sookie, I assure you I am fine, so is Pamela. Let's go in"

I did not move a muscle feeling suddenly tired. Maybe my adrenaline was the one running out. In my entire life, I didn't think I ever witnessed such violence. I mean sure, I had not seen it but I had heard them attack Pam. What if Eric had not been there? What if they would have attacked me? I am no badass.

I felt his hand at the bottom of my back slightly pushing me towards the door and I simply followed it without much thoughts.

I wasn't sure exactly what I had witness, there was at least two men who had attacked Pam and both women were part of it judging by the heel that had been left behind. It wasn't too far fetch to assume the other two guys had participated as well since I recall the one running away was one of them.

As I tried to collect my thoughts, he sat me down on a couch. I let my shoulder fall back, the stress finally leaving me to let the pains and aches take place. I looked around to find myself in his office. He sat beside me.

"Did you call the authorities?" I asked him.

"No" he replied as he made himself comfortable in his seat. He placed one leg across the other while his arms lay back across the couch.

"Why would you not? And why are they calling you a sheriff?" I wasn't exactly sure he was the one they had referred to as the sheriff but it was worth a shot.

"I don't know," he replied, his short answers were starting to piss me off.

"What aren't you telling me? I mean surely there is more to it than just six random people attacking Pamela." I blurted out once again, not thinking before talking. I was nervous. I stiffened in my seat. "Is it always that violent here? It scary to think you might have not beenhere." Eric placed his hand on my lap making me instantly shut up. He stared at me intensely and I did not dare break away.

"Sookie, we have many enemies in the business. I don't think they were here to hurt Pamela, but more to scare us off. She and I are not hurt." He explained calmly but I wasn't buying it this time.

Too many things were simply not adding up. Why would they send so many people, why would they talk about staking Pam? Why would they grab me and feel how cold I was, why could I not hear Eric and Pam and Bill? What about his stab cuts or Pam's face? Why would people have so many sex and violence related thoughts? Heck, what the fuck was a hunter and who the fuck was the sheriff?

I felt my heartbeat increased and the rush of blood going through my veins. I must have flustered as I squeezed my hands into fists. I was boiling with rage and I couldn't say anything because most of it was not explainable.

I risked an eye in his direction, as I felt his hand squeeze my lap tightly. That was when I realized how close he was to me. He had closed his eyes, his face inches away from mine. What the hell? How did he do that without me feeling him or hearing anything? His nostrils flared, as if he smelled something delicious. I didn't move, his close proximity didn't seem to bother me. Actually, if I am honest, I wanted to lean closer, place my lips on his. He was still, his mouth closed, his lips red and full and just waiting for mine. Why else would he be there for?

Yet, I didn't budge and he took deep breaths as if he was trying to control himself. Maybe I was wrong about him and Lexi, maybe he didn't date employees? I had to control myself, how awkward would it be if I kissed him and he didn't want to be kissed. I felt nauseous just at the thought of it!

The door flew open and I jumped out of surprise. I didn't really have time to react, Pam was already between us pushing him into the couch. Was she trying to stop him? How would she know what was going on anyways?

"It is time for you to go home Sookie." She said with a short tone that demanded a no reply reaction.

I looked at her confused, then back at him. He was looking away, I couldn't see his face.

I looked back at her, she looked perfectly normal, not even a scratch.

Stunned, I blinked a couple times before speaking.

"It is not the end of my shift yet" I replied, but she insisted saying, I had seen enough tonight.

I didn't argue, I was tired of all the lies anyways. She made me feel as if she did not want me in the bar right now. They were hiding something.

"Fine but I am calling the police."

"The fuck you are," Pam replied right away blocking my way with one arm. How the hell did she move so quickly? "We have enough problems right now. As your boss, I am asking you nicely to not to", she hissed.

I looked back at Eric; he was now behind his desk.

"Please Sookie", is all he said, he wasn't even looking at me.

I huffed and puffed out of frustration and left them. I quickly grabbed my bag which was behind the bar. Why would I argue and asked questions, they were dead set on lying to me anyways and clearly they did not want me around. As I headed to the door, something on the floor caught my eye. It was right in front of the basement door. I crouched and wiped it off with a tissue I had taken out of my bag, it was red. Paint? Or was it blood? I stared at the door. Should I open it? The dance floor was full, no one would see. I reached for the knob and turned it. It was locked. I looked back at my tissue and frowned trying to make sense out of all this. Pam and Eric were clearly not injured, so what the hell was this?

I sighed heavily unable to come to any conclusion other than it could have been one of the guys but then again why would it be in the bar. Disgusted by everything, I walked to the parking lot quickly, determined to go home and forget about this shift.

I sat behind the wheel and took deep breaths. Sure I was in a hurry to leave but I needed to calm down before I could head home. I did not want to think about what had happened, not now. I pulled the visor down and looked at myself in the mirror. I was a mess and I hadn't even been in the fight. As I focused on calming down, I felt a twinge on my right leg and I reached down. There was warm liquid slowly dripping and as I looked at my hand after touching it, I realize that I was the one bleeding.

"Shit!" I said to myself, reaching to get more tissue from my bag. I placed it on the cut thinking that I have cut myself on something in the alley. I looked back at the first tissue now wrinkled up into a ball. Maybe it was my blood I had found in front of the door?

-zzzzzzzz-

I don't think I have felt this exhausted in a long time. It had been days since the attack and I still felt like a truck had ran over me. I had not talked to anybody about the attack, partly because I wanted to come up with my own conclusion but also because I wanted to freely investigate the matter. I had worked a couple shifts since but neither Eric nor Pam had been there, it was as if they were avoiding the bar at all cost.

The following day I had gone to work early. I had explored the back alley for any trace of anything. What was strange is that, there was no blood to be found, no trace of struggle; it was as if nothing had happened. Eric's shirt had clearly had a lot of blood on it so how the hell was that making any sense unless someone had cleaned it? I had gone through the garbage but of course, that was gone too, so was the shoe.

I had asked Lexi and Kim if they had witnessed or heard about it but they both looked at me as if I was crazy and of course, I was used to it so I brushed it off. When I had asked Lexi where Pam and Eric were, she had avoided to answer me and instead had empty thoughts and a slight shake as if she was nervous.

I had thought about Sam and what he had said about Salon Rouge and how it was a dangerous place. I had considered quitting. On one hand, Gran and I needed the money therefore I needed a job. Salon Rouge paid very well and I actually did enjoy the work. On the other hand, it seemed as if there were many things that I didn't understand about the place; my instincts were telling me to run because I knew there were more secrets than truth. If I chose to not go back, it meant I would have to find a new job. This internal debate had lasted long enough; I needed to talk to Gran about it.

I sighed heavily and got out of bed. Today was Sunday and I knew by the sunshine I had missed church. Gran wouldn't be too happy but she never imposed her beliefs on me. I headed to the shower. I knew Gran would be waiting for me downstairs with lunch and I was actually looking forward to it. She was always very good to give me advice and to make sure I stayed logical before I made any big decision. I felt it was time to have a real conversation about our finances and as much as she did not want to involve me, she would have to this time.

I felt sluggish, borderline sad and by the time I had notice my state of mind, I was already done showering. As I wiped down the fogged mirror, I scowled at myself mentally. Who am I kidding? The real reason I hesitated leaving the bar was Eric, not the pay. I didn't pretend to know why I felt that way and truth be told, it is not like he had shown me any interest, well at least, he had not said so anyways. He could have all the women in the world, why on earth would he bother with me, the crazy one?

After putting on one of my long blue skirts and a yellow t-shirt, I checked my phone. Kim had sent me a text telling me that she would start her shift at 6 pm tonight so we could get home earlier. It was indeed Sunday, and Eric and Pam did not care what hours we worked as long as it was an eight hour shift. Kim was the one with the key and she worked most of the Sunday shifts so we had agreed to text each other the time we would work every Sunday.

I headed downstairs where, sure enough, I found my Gran, sitting at the table with a sandwich ready for me. She was still in her Sunday church attire and had placed her purple hat on the table, which she took off as soon as I sat down at the table. Gran was always one for manners. She had made me my favourite; turkey with lettuce and tomatoes. I smiled and said hi to her which she replied in the same manner.

"Gran, I need to talk to you" I said to her as I sat down.

"What's troubling you Sookie?" she asked me as she reached for one of my hands.

"Pam was attacked in the back alley of the bar the other night…"

"Dear god, what happened?" she said as she brought her other hand to her mouth.

"She was ambushed, but Er…my boss and the bouncers intervened before anything could happen. I guess I just don't feel as if Salon Rouge is very safe." I said to her.

I explained to her the events in the order I could recall. The further I went into the story the stranger it got.

"I understand how you must feel Sookie. If you think leaving the bar is the best, then I support you."

"Thank you Gran, but I know financially," I trailed off.

"Sookie, we will manage. It is fine. I would much rather you be safe than have a bank account full." She cut me off and was angry. Who could blame her? "You are much more important to me than any of this money." She added and I knew she was hurt.

"Gran, I did not mean it that way. I just want to make sure I do not put us in financial hardship for no good reason."

"If you truly feel unsafe than it is a good reason"

"But you know one could argue that I am safe, the proof is that Eric and the bouncers stopped it in time." I offered as a counter argument. "I really want to make the right decision so I want to look at both sides."

"That is very wise honey. One could indeed argue that there is danger everywhere you go." She smiled switching from me wanting to leave to staying.

"I am not sure what to do."

"I suspect there are things you are not telling me. I know you enjoy working there but what is really making you hesitate, other than money and your love of bartending? What does this place have that the others cannot offer you?"

"I don't know what you mean." I said innocently.

"Whoever this Eric is, I am sure he must be worth it if you hesitate that much. Follow your heart on this one dear,she stated this as she got up from the table to leave me to my own thoughts. I had not realized I had called him by his name instead of my boss.

She always knew what to say, today was no different. As soon as she had said that, I knew it was what I was supposed to do. I suspected she knew what I wanted to hear and did not always tell me how she truly felt or what she thought I should do but instead pushed me towards what I actually wanted. Maybe that is why I valued her opinion so much because deep down I knew she would make sense of my feelings and guide me in the direction I was supposed to take. Orat least help me ease my desire for her approval.

I was curious about Salon Rouge, about Eric and about all of it. Giving up now seemed to be the logical thing to do but it wasn't what I wanted. It just meant I would have to be more vigilant.

I finished my sandwich and cleaned my plate. I wasn't sure what would I do with my day until I would have to go to work. I could do some laundry, or I could do some yard work. I heard my cellphone beep. It was Sam asking me if I was working today. I responded yes via text message and asked him if he wanted to hang out before. Within thirty seconds of sending the text, I received another one. He told me to meet him at Merlotte's and that he had something to show me. It intrigued me as I knew he had not started on the construction since the insurance company had no paid out yet; the fire department was still investigating. I told him I would meet him there right away. I made sure to tell Gran I would be back before my shift, kissed her on the cheek and told her I was going to hang out with Sam. She seemed pleased by it and as she responded with a simple bye, I closed the front door.

I got there just a little bit after 3 p.m. Sam was already there, standing in the parking lot. He waved to me when he saw I had arrived and came to meet me half way, hugging me tightly.

"I am glad you came, chere.", he said with a smile.

"What's going on, you got me intrigued with your text messages" I replied and we walked together to the door; only the back of the bar had been burnt, the front had stayed intact. If you stood at just the right distance and angle, you could face Merlotte's a certain way that nothing looked broken or burnt. We entered it. The main room was in bad shape. Most of it had gone up in flames and what was left was covered with black soot. The debris on the floor made it difficult to navigate through the wreckage but I simply followed him, climbing over burnt chairs and upside down tables.

He brought me to the kitchen or at least what used to be it. It was now just a gigantic whole of nothing else but burnt wood and crooked metal. He pointed to a darker spot in the middle of the room. It was in a shape of a circle and had nothing in the middle other than dust. It looked like it was where the propane had exploded.

"That is where the explosion happened." He said pointing to it confirming my thoughts. He moved his finger to where the three sinks used to be. "and here, was where the fire started." He said. "According to the fire marshal anyways" he added seeing my skeptical look.

"Okay." Is all I said. What was I supposed to say? Why did he need me to see this?

" Sook'!" he exclaimed, "Don't you see it!"

"What?"

"Why would a fire start in the kitchen sink and why would the propane tank be there. It's normally over here.", he said while he walked over to the opposite side of the room.

I did not physically follow him while I pondered on his words. I had a feeling he was going down a dark path and I wasn't sure I wanted to follow him.

"Arson?" I deducted as he looked at me with a glimmer of something in his eyes. I couldn't quite tell what it was but there was a fire in his eyes that had seemed to vanish when his bar had gone up in flames. It was back but now, it was burning stronger than ever.

"You know what this means!" he exclaimed but I didn't.

"Someone tried to kill me!" he continued but I knew it could have been any of us. There was many of us there that night, it was a busy night, and anyone could have been the target.

"Who would want to kill you Sam?" I asked.

"Sook' there are many things I haven't told you. It is not that I don't trust you." He stopped, lingering on the word trust. Sam did trust me, something else had stopped him.

He was now looking in the direction of the parking lot, I could tell he was listening to something but I couldn't hear anything.

"Sam?" I asked but he signaled to be quiet.

"We should go, it's not safe here," he whispered to me as he took my hand and we headed to the back door.

Sam was acting like a crazy person. Sure something was weird about the whole fire but that is why the fire marshals were brought in. Why was he investigating himself? And really, it was the middle of the afternoon, how could we be in danger? I didn't say anything to him and decided to play along, there was no point in arguing right now when he was freaking out that some imaginary person was following us.

And people think I am the crazy one.

I risked an eye in the front of the bar to see what had spooked him. There wasn't anybody there. As we reached our cars, he said he would be in touch and just climbed into his car and took off. I was too stunned to say anything and when his car disappeared behind the trees, I shrugged and looked back at the bar. Still no one, no noise, no nothing. I scanned the area mentally and found nothing either.

A part of me wanted to go back and investigate myself but Sam's paranoia had managed to spook me enough that I decided to leave and get back home to change for my shift.

A/N: Before you get upset about Eric's behaviour.. her leg was cut... DING DING DING.

Thank you to Kleannhouse for her wonderful work! Trust me, she makes this story a 1000 times better :D

I would also like to thank all of you for leaving reviews. Some of you even leaves some here and on my wordpress! That is very special to me, and it helps me forget the complainers.

I am thinking about writing a one-shot and thought maybe I could in a contest setting. I am still pretty new here so if you hear of one involving our fandom and you think I should participate in, please pm me or find me on my wordpress. I tend to share more there than here. For instance, I make stories recommendations and write reviews. I also respond to you directly.

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Anna