-10-
"N-no..Master...no." Charley choked. The creature giggled maniacally at the anguish on his face and took off into flight, landing on top of a bureau that sat in the corner. Charley didn't move from his spot on the bed. There were no words to describe how he felt. His expression read 'stunned' but that wasn't it. It was so much more. The sight of his Master gutted like a fish enraged him. His severe weakness both worried and terrified him. His utter nonchalance with being such confused him. But at the same time...he was overwhelmed with joy to even hear his voice again. To hear his love. He realized that he missed him so much it made his chest hurt.
Rayfelle frowned.She felt Charley's pain, she really did. He was still beneath her hands. His breathing became erratic as he tried to keep himself composed. She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him, quietly 'shhh'ing him.
"It's alright Charley..it'll be OK..." she murmured in his ear soothingly. She reached up to run a hand through his hair when Charley suddenly grabbed her wrist. He slowly turned his head towards her, their faces barely an inch apart. She paused. His eyes looked out of focus.
"What?"
She was suddenly shoved back onto the bed. In a flash he was upon her, kneeling over her. She stared at him, startled. He stared back, his eyes wide.
"Forgive me." he muttered before he lunged in and sank his teeth into her. She froze. Not in fear, but in necessity.
As soon as the blood hit his tongue his stomach wrenched. Their blood tasted very similar, but Charley knew the difference. This was wrong, all wrong. It all tasted so wrong. He closed his eyes, trying to ignore it, even trying to pretend, but the foreign perfume and ample breasts pressed against his chest cruelly reminded him that who he was feeding on was female. His master was nowhere around. He shuddered in revulsion but continued to feed. His gut twisted as the feeling of betrayal washed through him. He inwardly raged against being put in this situation.
Cheryl and Owen returned to the room feeling optimistic. Their visit with the Pope went well.
"Hey, we're back..!" she called out, only to notice that the room was empty. She looked over to Owen; who was taking off his coat. He shrugged. She went to Rayfelle's room and, finding it empty, went to Charley's. She cracked the door open and froze at what she saw.
Rayfelle noticed the thin strip of light appear to her left, indicating the door was opening. Charley remained blessedly oblivious. She ever so subtly turned her head to meet the eyes of Cheryl, who was giving her a look of confusion. She held a finger to her lips with a soundless 'shhhh' and mouthed "later". Cheryl scowled but shrank back out of the room. Soon enough Charley lifted away from her slowly. She smiled and put a hand to his cheek.
"Feel better?"
Charley shrank away.
"Yea. I'm fine." he said shortly. Both his tone and expression betrayed his words, but she understood that it was best not to push it. She nodded and sat up slowly. She was lightheaded from the feeding. Charley left the bed and mumbled something that sounded like 'thanks' before retreating to the bathroom. He looked sullen. Though she knew what his issue was, she couldn't help but feel a small pit of dejection at the cold dismissal. Cheryl took the sound of the bathroom door closing as a cue and barged in just in time to see Rayfelle fail in an attempt to stand. She rushed to her and help her sit up straight.
"Hey...you mad at me?" Rayfelle chuckled. Cheryl pursed her lips as she pulled her to her feet and propped her up.
"Don't worry about that. I know it had to be done. You'll make it up to me when this is all over, won'tcha?" she gave a small smile of encouragement. She gingerly led Rayfelle to their room and into her coffin.
"Get some rest. We'll get you somethin to eat tomorrow night. Sun's about up right now." she said. Rayfelle nodded and obliged, for once not in the mood for a snappy retort. She was asleep almost instantly.
Johnny jerked awake when something heavy dropped onto his barely closed gut. He instinctively looked around for the source, but his empty sockets provided nothing in terms of information. He reached out to feel for the object when his hand met fur. Warm fur.
"The fuck...?"
{Dinner, Mr. Addy! No tell, no tell, right?} he heard a chirp. Johnny scowled.
"Oh, it's you. What do you want? If you're back then that means he fed. Our deal is over. What more do you want?"
The imp frowned and landed on Johnny's head.
{I Poe}
"What?"
{You Mr. Addy. I Poe.}
Johnny's eyebrows furrowed in impatience.
"Poe. Okay. What do you want?"
{I bring dog. It sleepy now, feed before it wakes}
"Why?" he asked, suspicious. Poe bounced on his head.
{No argue!} it squealed angrily. Johnny winced.
"Ok, ok, shit..." he reached to grab the dog on his stomach and clumsily brought it to his lips. His lack of sight made things surprisingly difficult. He bit into the haunch of the shoulder, as he had no idea where any arteries were on a dog, if he could even find it. The taste was atrocious, but it was warm, fresh, and not from Barry. The poor animal whined piteously and stirred, but it made no difference. Johnny was ravenous. Poe grinned on his head.
{Enough for new squishy eye?} it asked. Johnny grunted, just noticing that his eyesight was indeed returning. He blinked a few times, getting reacquainted with his newly reformed eyes.
{See? See?} Poe wiggled excitedly, obscenely proud of itself. {New squishy yummy eye, see?}
"Yea...thanks." Johnny smiled. He had actually been doubting his own resolve in handling Barry discovering his prey without any optical organs to speak of. This thing had covered his ass.
"Why, though?"
{I like Mr. Addy. Yummy eyes.} it grinned. Johnny gave a weak smile.
"Thanks...I think?" Poe took flight and buzzed around his head.
{More deals! More messages! More squishy eye eating! Anything!} it squeaked. Johnny didn't respond. He just stared at the creature. Poe landed on his shoulder.
{Call Poe when in need. I hear. Gotta go!} it giggled and took off, carrying the dog carcass with it. It soon vanished in thin air. Almost immediately he heard footsteps descending the stairway into the dungeon. He lay back with a frown, ready to brace the day.
Charley let the water run and watched the steam rise and fog the mirror. He scooped some of the scalding water into his hands and brought it to his lips. It burned, but he still felt cleansed. He had to get the horrid taste out of his mouth. He knew he was being ridiculous about the whole thing, but for once he felt justified in his one selfish tendency. To feed on anyone but his master was a betrayal, whether he was in dire need or not. That's how it was and always would be.
Which wasn't to say he wasn't grateful. He indeed felt guilty for his treatment towards Rayfelle prior. She was going through great lengths to help him, with his master's orders or not. He had every intention of thanking her. Eventually. Besides... he had already fed off Barry, and whatever slop he managed to shove down his throat. The thought made him shudder and scoop up more scalding water into his mouth.
"Get a grip of yourself." he muttered inwardly after he spit it back out. "you're acting like a child."
"Damn right you are!" Cheryl's voice echoed from behind the door. Charley started.
"Cheryl?" he opened the door. She glared up at him.
"Yea, me! What's your deal, you take all of Master's blood, then you leave her? Did you even say 'thank you'? NO! You didn't!" she ranted.
"I will not let my master cheat on me if she's gonna get treated like this!" she punched him in the arm with a loud metallic 'donk'. She yelped and her eyes watered as she shook her injured hand. Charley just stared.
"Why did you do that? You know they're made of metal."
"I know...! I just forgot!" she gritted, holding her hand.
"Are you alright?"
"Fine...that wasn't supposed to happen!" she whined, feeling ridiculous. Charley sighed and took her hand into his. There was already a bruise forming. He leaned in and kissed it.
"I'm sorry Cheryl. To you and Rayfelle. It isn't fair that I take my frustrations out on you. I promise, I'll thank her as soon as I can. Ok?"
Cheryl was quiet for a moment. Then she nodded and pulled back her hand. She rubbed the spot where he kissed it.
"Yea...ok. You better." she mumbled and left the bathroom. Charley sighed. He wanted to go back to sleep. But now he had work to do.
Ok...I wanted to put more in this chapter, but inspiration is running thin again, so I had this sit just in case it came back. Since it didn't, here it is. I know you guys have been waiting so patiently for it. I hope it measures up!
D: and I totally didn't enjoy having Charley feed off Rayfelle. I felt so bad I think I made Cherry go a little emo in this chapter. He misses his master so much. Hell, I miss him.
So keep him company Poe!