Chapter 10
"Fuck this shit" I said to myself angrily as I headed to the bathroom to take another shower. I had spent half the night drenched in sweat from dreams I wanted nothing to do with. I was haunted, tormented with images of Bill I had not asked for. I just simply couldn't control any of it; Bill's face was always there. Only, days ago I had no intention on being with him but overnight, it is as if everything had changed. I kept seeing myself with him, in different ways, in different situations, as lovers and companions. He was sweet and giving me all the attention I didn't know I had been craving. Sometimes it was in my home, in my living room while I was reading. Other times, I was in my room while sleeping; stroking my head, kissing me on my lips as I dreamt of him.
I would wake up in sweat, with the taste of blood lingering on my lips; my body vibrating at the simple thought of him. What the hell was that about? But as intense as the thoughts were, it never trumped my logic. I would remind myself how he had been the night before, creating a fight between my physical want and my logical mind.
I looked at myself in the fogged mirror sighing heavily. I was surprised to see that my lip was no longer bruised and that it had completely healed already. How was that even possible? Yet here I was staring at myself, lips healed, red, rosy cheeks and bright eyes. Despite having not slept much, I looked surprisingly great and refreshed. The magic of a shower I guess.
I headed downstairs after getting dressed and followed the delicious smell that was coming from the kitchen. I guess Gran had been busy all morning as I found a plate of fresh muffins still warm. I mentally scanned the house for her signature but concluded she was not here so I promised myself to thank her later. Comfort food was exactly what I needed.
As I stared at sweet nothing, I took a bite of the blueberry muffin I was holding in my hand. Today was my day off and I wasn't sure what I would get up to. I was so tired; I couldn't focus long enough to read the newspaper. I could go see Lafayette and Sam. Or I could stay at home and forget the world for a day. Or I could go take care of my friends or again, I could just take care of myself. My musings were all over the place.
The phone rang a couple times before I picked it up.
"Hello?"
"Sookie?"
I immediately recognized the voice to be Tara's. I don't know how she could do that, but just hearing the sound of her voice washed away all the negative I had been feeling. Well that was for a split second until I remembered she had just picked up and left me without any words.
"Tara! I am so glad you are calling me! How are you? Where are you?"
"I am on my way home Sookie, I can finally come home!" she said excited and I shared her enthusiasm. "There is so much I need to tell you but I don't want to do it over the phone. I will be back home this weekend. We should go out for dinner."
I couldn't believe my ears; she was finally coming home and wanted to grab a bite with me! A part of me was really excited about the fact she was coming home while the other kept reminding me she had left without any explanation, any direction, heck if it wasn't for a letter a month later, I would have thought she was dead.
"I would love to but I am working 8 to 3, sometimes 4 every day except Mondays and Tuesdays. We could do brunch Sunday?" I asked hopeful she wouldn't take offense.
"Why is Sam giving you such stupid shifts?" she said and I quickly smiled at hearing my old friend back before thinking about Merlottes.
"I don't work there right now. There was an accident." I paused, unsure of the words I should use.
"What?" she exclaimed in disbelief.
"Sam is rebuilding it with the insurance money. No one was hurt." I added.
"How terrible." She said, "Sook, I got to go but I will call you Saturday morning to confirm our plans Sunday okay? See you soon!" she added and hung up before I could say anything.
I finished the rest of my muffin, my feelings bouncing between joy and hurt. Plus, I had so many questions for her, it was a bit overwhelming. Well now that I think of it, I had questions for her and questions for everyone else for that matter. Everyone had secrets, sure, but it seemed that the people that surrounded me lately had more than your average person.
There was so much I did not understand. What was bothering me the most was not the fact people had secrets but how it affected me. I mean whatever secret Eric has, I was sure it was related to the fact I couldn't hear his thoughts and as much as ignorance was bliss, this was becoming a slight obsession. My curiosity was stronger than ever and I just wanted to know what the hell was going on. And Bill, I was certain he shared Eric's condition and my recent obsession with him was a bit frightening but to tell you the truth, I was angry with myself. I mean who the hell wants nothing to do with someone one day and then just think about them none stop the next? I thought I knew what I wanted, but what if I was wrong? Was my subconscious trying to tell me something?
Eric.
He had been so sweet last night but at the same time, I wasn't convinced he was for me. He was my boss, you don't date them. And really, what kind of attention had he given me? Sure that night, he had been there for me; I couldn't deny how much I had appreciated our walk and our talk. But some of his actions just didn't make sense; there were so many questions, heck he had
not shown me any interest in that nature. It is not like he had asked me on a date or even looked at me and flirted. Okay he had a little but he did with all the girls, I was sure of it. When with Bill it was simple and clear, he had stated his intentions. He had told me he was attracted to me and wanted me, and I was the one holding it off.
So what was I to do? Wait for someone I wasn't even sure would ever come, or go to the other one, whom I was obviously attracted to in some way, but for some reason, something felt wrong. Like a nagging feeling telling you that something was not adding up but you couldn't quite put your finger on it. The fact he had forced a kiss on me was putting me off but at the same time, maybe I had not rejected him enough. Maybe I had said things that had given him the wrong idea? I felt guilty about what had happened maybe if I had a chat with Bill, I could see things a bit clearer? I didn't want to be the paranoid one, always looking over her shoulder. Surely I had exaggerated the events last night?
I grabbed my purse and decided to go see Bill. It was late afternoon, so it was less creepy and I would be able to actually see his face. I didn't feel in danger per say but I didn't want to be stupid either. Going to his house alone was not my best idea if I am honest and I hesitated to grab the phone and call someone. Who?
I shrugged my shoulders and took solace in the sun warming up my skin. It was bright daylight, what could possibly happen? I was minutes away from my house and I had this feeling that this was all a misunderstanding.
I stood in front of his door for at least five minutes trying to gather the courage to knock. What was I going to tell him? Hey, I am a bit confused right now and I need your help; I don't fear for my safety with you but at the same time I don't feel safe, what you did last night was disgusting but somehow my body wants more. Can I come in?
Yeah that sounds like a real winner right there. I took a deep breath and softly knock. No one came to the door. I knock again but this time a lot harder which caused the door to open slightly. Shit, what do I do now? I can't just reclose it and knock again. Or maybe I can.
I pushed the door opened and looked inside without stepping in.
"Bill? It's Sookie. Are you home?"
No answer. I heard a few steps upstairs and a rushed movement. I frowned and called his name again but again nothing. I set one foot in the house and looked to my right into the living room. The curtains had been taken down, the pictures on the wall broken on the floor. Every sofa cushion had been ripped while some of the floor boards had been lifting as if looking for something under the floor. The room looked like a mess but it didn't stop me from noticing a pair of high heels, a dress under all the cushion stuffing and a purse on the ottoman. The fire place had recently been extinguished but what attracted my eye was that one of the fire place tool seemed to be dripping a red liquid. I gasped when I finally came to the realization it was most likely blood. I took a step back towards the door but by the time I turned around I felt a sharp pain on my head and everything went dark.
I woke up with a massive headache and I automatically brought my hand to the back of my head where I had been hit. I was bleeding; not profusely but enough to make me a bit dizzy. I looked around and listened for thoughts but there was nothing.
I ran upstairs half expecting something bad had happened here but room after room I concluded that Bill was not home. Maybe I had caught someone in the middle of something? I looked through the upstairs window and notice the sun was coming down. How long had I been out? I slowly went down the stairs and decided to head home. I couldn't call the police; I would be a suspect to whatever had happened here. Sure Bill was not home but he didn't need to know about me being here.
I checked the last room on the left of the stairs which I assumed was Bill's office. It had a large antique desk in the middle of it with a small closed laptop on top. If this was a robbery, I wondered why they would not take the laptop? I was about to head to the door when a whiff of something disgusting hit my nose. It smelled like old compost. I noticed under the desk, there was a large container that was half open and it seemed as if the smell came from it. I approached it and slowly opened it. To my disgust it was filled with blood bags, some leaking, while others were closed and had a tube coming out of it. What the hell was this? It was evident the blood was rotting since it was refrigerated but why on earth would Bill have that under his desk?
I decided this was my cue to get the fuck out and to stop snooping. I had no idea where Bill was but at that second I did not really care about it and was happy he wasn't home.
-zzzzzz-
I looked at the clock once I got showered and dressed. It was already time to go to work and despite feeling ill and disgusted by what had happened yesterday at Bill's house, I needed to go. I wanted to, I wanted to see Eric. I had not seen him since Monday and I hate to admit it but I missed him; his presence.
I took a deep breath, exhausted as I had not slept again. I had dreams of Bill in my bedroom, feeding me blood. I guess yesterday's discovery had me more fucked up than I thought which scared me even further but there was nothing I could do. I couldn't talk to anyone about it and I felt alone. I had a daydream about telling Eric what had happened as I headed downstairs. Fantasies were all I had at this moment.
I said hi to Gran but I did not leave enough time for her to question me. As much as I appreciated her help in the past couple days, I knew she could see right through me and would ask many questions I had no desire to answer. I kissed her on the cheek anyway, as I did not want her to feel as if I was angry or annoyed with her and bid her farewell before she could get a word in edgewise.
I began my travel to Shreveport shortly after but only half paying attention to the road. It was pretty quiet at this time of the day; people are normally heading for the bars much later in the
day. I looked on the empty seat beside me and then the road again. I thought back to the Night with Eric. I just like being around him even if sometimes, I found that enigmatic energy around him annoying as hell. He was hiding something from me, he told me so, and as much as I was a hypocrite in thinking it, it pissed me off. Whatever it was, it must have been big and most likely illegal. A part of me wondered if I truly wanted to know. There was also the possibility of me finding out without Eric, through Bill, since it had seemed he not only shared the same condition but they knew each other somehow.
I pulled up in the parking lot and was happy to see that it was already getting full. I looked at the clock and I was 20 minutes late. How the fuck did that happened? I was losing it, thinking too much and not enough driving.
I quickly entered from the back and went directly in the office hoping to find Eric. I had obviously not seen him since Monday night and I was eager to find the right time to continue our discussion. He did not owe me anything, he was my boss after all, but I was curious and I wanted to know. I didn't have anything to lose in asking. A part of me, although scared, was freakishly attracted to him to the point where I knew I could be blind and could be accepting some weird fucking shit. So what if he is a mob boss? So what if he has weird friends? His cold touch, who cares.
But then again, I wouldn't be very safe if he was truly a mob boss and let's face it, ignorance is sometimes the only bliss I get. I liked working here; I did not want a reason to start questioning whether I should stay or go.
The office was empty, and I sighed in disappointment before mentally kicking myself to get a fucking grip. I was so busy fantasizing about what could be I was forgetting who he was. I walked over to the main room eager to start my shift but before I could make it, Pam met me half way.
"You are late" she said with a stern look on her face.
"Good evening. Sorry" I mumbled as I dropped my bag into the storage area.
I waited for her to say something else but she didn't. She looked preoccupied, and instead headed for the empty office. I asked her if Eric was here but she did not answer me which I took as my cue to get to work.
As I gave a customer what he had ordered and resumed my dishes cleaning, Lexi rolled her eyes at me. To my own displeasure, she was working tonight and she had not spoken a word to me since I had shown up probably because I was late and it pissed her off.
I was staring at the sink when Lexi's thoughts shifted from being angry with me to finding some guy incredibly sexy. As I tried not to barf in my mouth as I realized that the man was actually Bill who sat right in front of me, I quickly smiled at him so he would not suspect my inner turmoil. One minute I rejected him, the next it is as if I am in love and now I am angry and annoyed. Great!
"Hello darling" he said to me charmingly. I wanted to ask him how he was and what had happened in his house but he was acting as if all of it had not happened. It was strange to me, but I went with it.
"How are you Bill?" but I was cut off by Lexi.
"And what does this handsome fellow like to drink?" Lexi asked but he didn't even acknowledge her. I chuckled to myself finding it hilarious. It wasn't nice of me to make fun of the situation but I always looked at Lexi as someone who would always get what she wants, so what was the harm in finding amusement in her not getting her way?
"I will have an old fashioned, Sookie" he replied to me as if I was the one who had asked the question.
All I could think of was how his drink fit him perfectly but I didn't say so out loud. I prepared it and handed it to him.
"How's everything going since Monday?" I asked trying to give him a chance to talk about the robbery, well at least that's what I thought had happened.
"Things have been swell I must say. You must tell your Gran how much I loved the pie leftovers she brought me yesterday." He said smiling as I almost choked.
"Gran was at your house yesterday?" I asked a little bit too quick.
"Well I assume it was her who dropped it off? There was a note. I was not home so I missed her."
She must have gone in the morning. Oh god, I hoped nothing had happened, I had not given her time before coming to work to even discuss it if something had. I suddenly felt guilty and I wanted to call her.
"Well I am glad you did, Gran is the best pie maker there is" I said with my best smile on.
He was smirking as if something was amusing him. He then grabbed my hand and kept it in his, looking into my eyes.
Why are you still fighting it Sookie. Don't you see it? We are meant to be he whispered and I shivered.
It sounded phony and too pushy. I closed my eyes and nodded in silence unable to focus on how I felt and what was real. There was no doubt that Bill had had an effect on me, I couldn't deny it but I knew how I felt and I did not want to be with him.
When I reopened my eyes, he let go of my hand and turned to face Pam who had emerged from the office.
"Where the fuck have you been?" she barked and his nonchalant posture showed how uncaring he was of her attitude. "You should have been here months ago Compton. He is not happy with you."
"My apologies, I was preoccupied." He replied and I looked at Pam.
Sheriff Eric won't be here long enough to care you little slut he added in a very faded voice and I looked at him in shock. Pam did not react and I was even more surprised. As if she had not heard him? Oh my, was I hearing his thoughts? How? I was so confused but I tried to carry on my work as they carried on their conversation. I didn't know what they were talking about but I had a feeling they did not want me to know either.
"What happened to that girl?" Pam said as she directed him to the office.
"Well she is not so missing that is all." He responded.
Fucking morons, I was hungry so I took care of it. I can't believe that cunt had my house searched. Bill thought and I shivered. I didn't like the manner he was addressing Pam and I did not like where this was going.
Where the fuck am I, which I heard from a panicked voice in the distance.
"What was that?" I said looking around and then to Pam and Bill whose expression told me I had probably heard thoughts and not an actual voice. I was not paying attention right now, whether it was because I was tired or whether it was because I was startled at my discovery I could hear Bill. What had changed? It had been weeks since I had met him and not once had I heard a peep out of him, now I could?
They both frowned clearly not understanding why I would say that.
"Sorry I thought you said something" I quickly apologized to Bill and he resumed his conversation with Pam although she kept looking at me out the corner of her eye indicating she was not buying it.
Holy fuck, I am going to die. Like Les, Amanda, Brian! Shit! The voice was clearly freaking out which in return freaked me out. I couldn't exactly pinned point where it was coming from but it seemed to be coming from the office. I scanned the crowd with my eyes but didn't pick up much.
"She is clearly mine, Pamela." I heard Bill say which took me away from my search.
No don't touch me! I heard and turned my head towards the office.
"We are not having this discussion here and without Eric." She replied with an official tone that I had not heard yet.
"Darling" he said reaching out for my hand. "I love watching you work." He said and I smiled quickly before looking towards the office again. I swore that is where the voice was coming from.
"Pam and I have business to discuss, I shall be back right after." He offered as if I needed some reassurance or something.
They both headed to the office as a patron asked me for a beer but I was not listening. The voice sounded worst, screaming and yelling mentioning a knife and begging not to hurt him anymore. When I heard the word torture, I couldn't contain myself anymore. I blinked a couple times trying to focus but it was in vain. I automatically headed to the office myself, panicked by what I was hearing. The thoughts grew stronger as I approached but when I opened the door without knocking; I only found Bill and Pam staring at me.
I stared at Pam from the door frame, unable to move. I was paralyzed by what I was hearing which I knew they couldn't. The thoughts were pouring in, the feelings too. It was so strong; I couldn't even block it if I tried. It was a man and he was terrified. The pain he was enduring was tremendous enough to leak into my own brain once again. I felt my stomach come up to my throat under the crucifying sting I could feel tearing my flesh. I looked at my arms in panic , my vision blurred from the tears of pain that were rolling down my cheeks.
"What is wrong with you?" I heard Pam say as she now stood in front of me.
"Someone is hurting him!" I said but was choked by a scream I wasn't sure was coming from me or him.
Pam looked confused, as was I, but there was no time. The feelings kept pouring in but I knew where it was coming from; the basement, right under our feet. I had never experience such thoughts before but then again, never had I been with someone so terrified before.
I ran through the hallway, crossed the dance floor and stopped in front of the door. Pam and Bill were both behind me, having followed me here.
"Where the fuck do you think you are going?" she said but I was not listening. I tried to open the door but it was locked.
"Open it" I demanded and she laughed. I turned to face her and stared in defiance. What was she hiding or should I say who?
The door shook a little and a bouncer emerged from the basement. I didn't think twice I pushed him out of the way and ran down the stairs. To tell you the truth, it was a really creepy staircase, and anyone with the right mind would have stop dead in their tracks. The steps where made of cement as the walls were stones. There was only one light source and it was dangling from an old iron cast chandelier that had rusted over the years. If it wasn't for the old wooden banister, I would have face planted under the smaller than average stone steps. As I reached the bottom, a
disgusting musty smell of old water hit my nose. Something was laced with it, a metal smell, one I recognized right away from the alley; blood.
I stood at the bottom of the stairs trying to let my eyes adjust to the dimmed lights. Pam had followed me down and was now holding my arm. I had no idea if Bill had too and I didn't care.
"Help!" I heard the man's voice cry out with difficulties.
I looked for him until my vision came into focus and I saw him sitting on a chair covered in blood; his own fucking blood.
"What the fuck is this?" I said trying to break away but she didn't let my arm go. She was so strong, it took me by surprise. I looked in her direction but she wasn't looking at me. She was staring at someone in the shadows. She was hissing, her lips partly open. Did she have fangs?
TBC
A/N: Uh oh, shit is getting real LOL
Last chapter, I made a big mistake by not thanking my beta reader: Kleannhouse. You have to understand, this story wouldn't it be what it is without her dedication and help. She is incredible and I am forever grateful!