Hey guys, this chapter will be giving the back story on what happened to Anna's father. It's rather sad but I felt it was necessary. Her father was and still is a big reason for why she hunts and I felt it was important to explain what exactly happened. She has quite the haunted past and this is the chap I had left chap 4 for lol.

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Chapter 7: Nightmare

POV: Anna

I was walking down one of the many streets I had come across tonight when I felt my father's arm wrap around my shoulders. I moved my hand so I could pat his back a few times.

I looked at him as he spoke, his eyes the exact mirror of my own, "I think we can call it quits for tonight. I promised your mother I wouldn't keep you up too late. We can start fresh again tomorrow night."

I snorted, "Oh yes, hunting blood thirsty monsters sure but loosing a little sleep and I'm in imminent peril. Its only midnight! Dad, I don't know if you and mom have noticed but I'm seventeen, not seven." I shook my head in disbelief. My father laughed and soon I began laughing with him.

I had always been very close with my father. While I had surpassed him in every way with regard to hunting he was still my rock, my guide. I knew he would always be there for me and I took a great deal of comfort in that. He was my best friend and while some may see that as sad or even pathetic I wouldn't have it any other way.

He smiled, "Actually I have noticed. Believe it or not I can be quite observant when I want to be." He chuckled and looked down at me. I could see both respect and pride in his eyes. "However, I did promise your mother. Let's not give her more reasons to worry about us, you know how this effects her when we're gone." He held me slightly closer. I leaned into him, placing my head on the side of his chest.

I conceded, "Alright, I was heading towards the car anyway." I was confident the bloodsucker wasn't leaving town, not tonight anyway. We'd been tracking him for a while and we had finally found a pattern to his movements. It was only a matter of time till we found him.

As we continued to walk his stomach began to growl. "It's been a while since we ate, you interested in a midnight snack?" he asked.

"Sure! You know I can't sleep unless I scarf down something deep fried and coated in grease" I teased and he mock punched my shoulder.

"We passed an ATM a few meters back. I'm going to take out some cash. Why don't you go get the car and meet me here, It's only about two blocks away." He said this as he turned and went back the way we came.

I continued to walk to the car and began thinking about my mother. I felt bad. She must worry constantly about me and dad when we're gone. I couldn't imagine what it was like for her sitting at home, wondering when and if we'll come home. I decided I would call her first thing in the morning and assure her we were both safe and that I loved her.

I walked for two blocks and as I rounded the corner and saw our car parked under a ray of light coming from the street lamp. As I reached it I quickly ripped off a pamphlet from the windshield before I pumped the trunk and threw by bag inside. I took in my surroundings quickly but no one was around. I walked to the driver side door and began to unlock it.

Suddenly everything began to move in slow motion, the silence almost deafening and pushing at me from all sides as if I was underwater. I heard the tiny sound of the metal hitting the pavement but I hadn't realized I had dropped my keys. My head snapped to the side as I looked west to where my father was…and the vampire.

I took off like a bat out of hell towards the two auras. We should never have split up, we worked better as a team and it was safer. Before I could chastise myself further on my utter stupidity the silent night was shattered by the bone chilling screams of my father.

Please god no No NO!!! He's alright, he had to be. My feet pounded upon the pavement like never before as I willed my legs to pull me faster. God himself could not stop me as I rushed towards my father and the soon to be dead monster.

I turned onto the street where I had last seen my father and ran to the nearby alley where I knew they were. The sight that met me would forever be burned into my memory. The monster had my father, locked in a vice grip, and he was crying out in obvious pain as he was being drained dry. I could see the blood run down his neck and being to gather in a pool on the ground. The creature was so caught up in his last meal that he hadn't noticed me arrive. I reacted and in a blur pulled out my gun. Like my blades the bullets were specialized for hunting. While they were mostly metal the tips were vampire bone, welded to the rest of the shell. I had invented them myself.

I took aim and fired three shots towards his cold, hard chest. They met their target and ripped through his torso, encasing themselves in the alley wall behind him. He screamed in pain and looked up at me. While I could not see his face his growl was enough to tell me that I seriously pissed him off.

"Get away from him" I threatened. My voice was cold and deadly. My eyes never left his form and every one of his movements was carefully analyzed. I was about to fire again when he threw my father away from him and fled. I didn't even have time to blink as he disappeared from my sight. I felt him heading north till he was gone.

For moment I could do nothing but stare, my body still tense and anticipating an attack. My father's body lay broken and bleeding on the dirty ground. He let out a gasp of pain that snapped me out of it. All thoughts of keeping my guard were broken. My only thought was that he was alive!

I screamed, "DAD!" and ran and knelt beside him. My voice was saturated with fear and panic, not knowing what to do "You'll be fine, you'll be fine, you'll be fine." I chanted as I pulled off my jacket and placed it under his head. He began choking and blood came spilling from his mouth. There was a deep gash in his neck and he was bleeding out. I ripped the sleeves off my shirt and tried to stop the bleeding. The fabric soaked through quickly as my hand became saturated by blood. I couldn't call 911. My cell was in my bag and my bag was in the trunk.

"Dad, stay with me." I grabbed hold of his hand and squeezed it but his eyes were going dark and his aura was fading, "Look at me, LOOK AT ME. I need you to fight! Please Dad PLEASE!" I begged. I needed him, surely he wouldn't leave me.

He turned his head towards me, "I'm…so…sorry…I love…" His voice cut out and there was only silence. His hand went slack in mine and his head fell to the side. His eyes were open but they were blank, the green fading into black. It was almost as if someone had flipped a switch and the light was shut off. I couldn't feel him anymore.

"Dad? DAD?!" I shrieked. "YOU'RE NOT LEAVING ME. I WON'T LET YOU!" I immediately started compressions and begin breathing air into his lungs. My mouth tasted like blood but I didn't care. His chest expanded against its will and his heart seemed to refuse my pleas to pump but I continued. I was mechanical, I refused to stop, I would fight twice as hard for the both of us.

I had no idea how long I sat there working over his body. I was not aware of the dozens of voices that were surrounding us or the flashing red and blue lights. I took no notice of the hands trying to pull me away. Nothing else mattered except for the man in front of me. I couldn't stop, I wouldn't. He'll come back.

Someone was holding onto to me and increasing their pull on my body. "Miss? My name is officer Rowland and I need you to come with me now." I didn't respond, the voice held no importance. "I'm so sorry but he's gone, you need to stop now. Come with me." He tried to pull me off again but I shrugged him off, I can't stop.

Another pair of hands grabbed hold of me and began pulling me away, lifting me off the ground and dragging me away. I began screaming, "LET ME GO! I CAN'T STOP, I CAN'T LEAVE HIM. HE'LL COME BACK HE HAS TOO!" They ignored my desperate pleas and continued to drag me off. "LET ME GO!" I shrieked. I grabbed the nearest hand, flew him into the wall while I turned around and smashed my fist into a man's face. I heard the definite crunch of a nose breaking but I didn't care. I ran back to my father's body and continued CPR.

At least a dozen hands this time grabbed me once again. I couldn't fight them off, I wasn't thinking and I needed to think properly to fight. Why were they doing this? Couldn't they see I was trying to save him? Did they not know he was a hero, my hero? I pleaded with them at the top of my lungs, "PLEASE, YOU HAVE TO LET ME HELP HIM!!" My eyes had never left his body until he was blocked from my view.

A man was looking at me, a little trickle of blood running down his face from a gash on his forehead. I assumed this must have been the man I threw into the wall but I couldn't find it in me to feel sorry. He began speaking to me and his voice told me this was officer Rowland. He put his hand on my cheek as he tried to get my attention. "Sweetheart, you can't do anything for him now. Let us do our job. You need to go to the hospital and be checked out. We'll take care of your father, he's in good hands. I promise." He said gently. Despite what I had done to him and the other man his eyes were kind and held nothing but the truth.

My legs buckled and I collapsed to the ground but he caught me. Suddenly the night was not so silent and every sound felt like a jack hammer in my ear. My mind caught up to my body as the truth took hold. He really was gone. I felt numb, imprisoned in my own mind.

My world had been shattered.

I don't know how I got there, everything I looked out seemed out of focus as if it was an illusion, but suddenly I was in a white hospital room being undressed by a nurse. My clothes were in a small pile on the floor, soaked and stained with blood. She was trying to fit me into a pair of clean scrubs but when she did I still felt tainted and covered. I shivered as she led me to the bed and lay me gently onto the hard mattress. I stared unseeing into the hall. I felt empty but I was grateful I felt nothing. The pain that threatened to come crashing down would certainly split my heart in two.

Occasionally a nurse would come to me and encourage me to speak, to move, to make any sign of life at all. I merely blinked and continued to stare ahead. They soon gave up, leaving me alone. I heard voices in the hall. The officers wished to speak to me about what had happened. The doctors were advising against it. They kept saying things like catatonic, deep state of shock and unresponsive. I didn't care.

Hours passed slowly and when I finally could see past the nothingness I saw my mother's face. She was in the chair beside my bed and was stroking my face. Her eyes were red and swollen. She was speaking to me and I had only just begun to register that.

"Annabell, baby please speak to me. I am so sorry for what happened." She held back a sob, she was trying to be strong for me. "Oh baby I'm so grateful you weren't hurt." I said nothing. "Annabell? Can you hear me? I am so sorry. " Why did people keep apologizing to me? First my father and now my mother. They had nothing to be sorry for. I was the one who had failed them. I was to blame.

I slowly sat up and finally found my voice. "Mom." I sounded as hollow as a felt.

"Oh hunny!" She threw her arms around me and held me tight. I just rested my head on her shoulder. I inhaled her scent that was so similar to dads, taking a small bit of comfort in it.

After a few moments I spoke, "I want to see him. I need to see dad" My voice broke slightly at the end. She let go, looked at me and I looked down. I couldn't bear to look her in the face again.

"Annabell, you've been through so much. You need time sweety." She said gently, stroking my hair. I shook my head.

"No, I need to see him now. I'm going." I jumped off the bed and began walking towards the door. I hadn't noticed there were others in the room but a doctor stood in the door way, blocking my path.

"Annabell, I'm doctor Tarmer. I think you should take it easy for tonight. You can see him another time ok?" He smiled kindly but I didn't care. If he wouldn't move he would regret it.

"Please move. I don't need more time I just need to see him." He looked past me to my mother I assumed. Next thing I knew she had taken my hand and looked back at the doctor.

"It's alright, she can go. I would also like to see him." She stroked my arm but I still couldn't look her in the face. The doctor sighed but moved aside.

The morgue was in the east most section of the hospital and was on the first level. As we were escorted I felt like my legs were walking through water and the windows told me it was almost mid day. Every step closer I took was a struggle and I wondered if I was truly ready for this.

The ME (Medical Examiner) was there waiting for us. They must have called ahead. He approached me and put his hand on my shoulder. I always wondered why people did that, it provided no real comfort. He spoke, "Now are you sure you want to do this?" I merely nodded. He put his hand on the small of my back as he led me through some doors. "We'll give you two some privacy." He left the two of us though he didn't go far.

I had my mothers hand in a vice grip but she didn't complain. We walked further into the cold room and saw him lying on a steel table. He had been cleaned, all traces of the blood gone, and was lying under a plain white sheet. Someone had closed his eyes and looked like he was asleep. The room smelled of harsh chemicals and death making me nauseous. I saw tears run down my mothers face. She began to move forward but I couldn't go any further so I let go of her hand.

She leaned in and kissed my fathers face while sobs broke through her chest. I couldn't bare it. I cursed the monster who had took my fathers life and caused my mother such incredible pain. As I stared at the two of them, the people I cared the most for in this world, I no longer felt numb. Anger began to erupt within me and I latched onto it, my hands becoming fists at my sides.

My mother looked up after a moment, looking for me. I don't know what my face looked like but her eyes widened in alarm. She quickly walked to my side and took my face in her hands. She stared deeply into my eyes and firmly stated, "No."

I didn't care what she said. That vampire wasn't getting a day older. "I need to go" I said quickly and turned to leave. She grabbed my hand and turned me to face her again.

"I said no Annabell! I just lost your father and I won't loose you too." The tears were still rolling down her face as she pleaded with me. I almost gave in but the anger would not subside. I needed an outlet, something to throw myself into. I wanted revenge.

I kissed her on the cheek and whispered, "I'm sorry mom." before I walked out of the room.

-------------------------That Evening----------------------

I walked towards my car, still parked under the same ray of light. I made sure no one was following me, I wouldn't put it past my mom to send the cops after me. Anything to bring me back. When I was satisfied I got down on my knees and fished the keys out from underneath. I must have kicked them under the car when I ran. It would explain why it was still here and not being torn apart for scraps in some chop shop.

I went straight to the trunk and opened it. Inside was my bag and I quickly grabbed it, checking its contents, before slamming the trunk shut. I reached in and grabbed the case containing my weapons.

I started wondering the streets and I didn't realize where my feet were taking me until it was too late. I looked beyond the police tape down the alley. I could still see some of the blood on the ground and it reflected the moons light. I gripped the wall for support and closed my eyes. I had to get out of here.

I ran away from there, not paying attention to where I was going just needing to put some distance between me and that place. I had eventually slowed to a walk when all of a sudden it hit me. The vampire was close. Ran towards the aura, revenge my only thought. He wasn't moving so I was fairly certain he was waiting for me. It's his life, if you could call it a life, and if he wished me to end it then so be it.

His presence led me to a basketball court in the middle of a park. No houses were near by and the night was silent. We were alone.

He was there on the other side, leaning casually against the pole of the net and smiling at me. His shirt was open slightly and I could see where my bullets pierced his body, the wounds were basically healed. He had dirty blonde hair which spilled over slightly into his face. He was about six feet and about 143 years old. His clothes were modern but incredibly dirty. I stared into the eyes of my father's killer, his eyes glowing red with his blood. I felt consumed by my anger at the sight of him and I held onto it, used it. I expanded my senses like never before and prepared myself.

"Well well well, if it isn't daughter dearest. How is daddy by the way?" He smiled cruelly.

"Don't you dare talk about him to me!" I said through my teeth, glaring banefully at him. I took a deep breath. I had to keep my head straight, I knew what he was doing. Baiting me, making me upset so I would make a mistake. I had used this very tactic before. I wouldn't let him play with me. I had made enough mistakes and my father had paid for them.

"Did I hit a nerve sweetheart?" He asked smoothly. I didn't react, I merely stared back. Keep your cool, keep you cool I chanted in my head. Part of me wanted to rush at him head on, cause as much pain as possible but I knew it would be no good.

He took a few steps closer, sniffed the air and sighed. "Hmmmm. You smell good. I wonder if your blood is as delicious as your father's." He was baiting me again and I wasn't going to take it this time. A few more meters, that's all I needed and he was mine.

"I don't know. Why don't you come here and see for yourself." I spat back viciously. He raised his eyebrows and looked at me suspiciously. He surveyed me and the blade that was clearly visible in my hand. He seemed to debate silently with himself and after a minute he spoke.

"I don't I will, I'm actually quite full. I should really be on my way." He sighed. "Well I can't say I'll be seeing you. Take it easy." He gave a harsh laugh and turned to leave. NO!

"Where are you going? You're going to pay for what you've done!" I stated angrily. He ignored me and continued to walk away.

"COWARD!" I screamed. He stopped and turned slowly to look at me.

"What did you call me?" He said through his teeth…he was taking the bait. He may be a killer and a hunter by nature but he had nothing on me at the moment. Only one of us was walking away tonight and it sure as hell wasn't going to be him.

I continued to scream, "YOU'RE A BLOODY COWARD! PATHETIC! GO AHEAD, RUN. IT'S WHAT YOUR GOOD AT ISN'T. ITS WHAT YOU DID LAST NIGHT." As I said this, a growl emitted deep within his chest and he began to stalk slowly forward. Gotcha!

Suddenly he moved like lightening, to my left, behind me, my left again. He was circling and I hadn't realized I had closed my eyes. It was like watching a movie in slow motion. I could feel every move he made, the birds flying above me, every blade of grass being blown in the wind. As I opened my eyes I looked to my right and he was frozen mid step, his face a foot away from mine. His eyes widened and I could see fear there. Good. "But...how?" he stated as I looked into his eyes.

I couldn't look at him anymore! I closed my eyes, gripped my blade and plunged it deeply into his neck without looking at him. It was over quickly and I could feel ice cold blood running down my arm off the blade.

His body fell to the ground and me along with it. I couldn't breath, I couldn't see. I clutched desperately to my chest as my eyes filled with the tears that I had yet to shed and sobs broke through my throat. The anger that I had held so tightly to was gone and the pain had forced its way through. It consumed every fiber in my body and was burning me alive. I wanted to die.

--------------------------*------------------------

I woke up in my bed and bolted quickly into a sitting position while grasping my chest. I was hyperventilating and I was covered in sweat. My body began to shake and my heart was pounding within my chest. I looked around me but all I saw was the bland decore of the motel room and my blankets strewn across the floor. The basketball court was gone.

It had been months since I had relived that nightmare and I had hoped I would never have to again. I looked at the nightstand and the digital clock read 3:47am. I had been asleep for four hours yet I had relived an entire day.

I retrieved my blankets from the floor with shaking hand, fell back onto my pillow and turned to my side as I tried to slow my breathing. Still clutching my chest I closed my eyes and I tried to go back to sleep while tears ran silently down my face.

I hope you found that interesting and got a little more into Anna's mindset. Just to be clear it was indeed a nightmare but those events did happen in case you thought it was all a dream and nothing more. I hope you're enjoying the story so far and didn't disappoint ya.

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