Chapter X: The Unexpected

"Tell me, tell me that your sweet love hasn't died
Give me, give me one more chance
To keep you satisfied, satisfied

Maybe I didn't hold you
All those lonely, lonely times
And I guess I never told you
I'm so happy that you're mine
If I make you feel second best
Girl, I'm sorry I was blind

You were always on my mind
You were always on my mind..."

Waking up to Elvis' voice... I mean Bubba's voice could get kind of addicting. I stretched my stiff muscles wondering how long I had been in bed for this time. Surprisingly, I felt more myself tonight compared to the past nights were I would drift off back to sleep almost immediately. Doctor Ludwig had explained to me that the reason I was sleeping this much was my brains' way of protecting itself from stress and pain. Personally, I knew she was lying. I knew it was from the tumor. The pressure was increasing in some parts of my brain causing all sorts of problems. I didn't think prying into her mind was invading her privacy. I had a right to know what was going on, right? I just wanted to know what was happening with me since no one was saying much. From what I could figure out, I still wasn't improving despite Eric and Pam's and sometimes even Bill's efforts. I haven't been getting worst either, or so she thought.

I extended my senses out to the rest of the household, it appeared that Pam and Eric were out. I imagine they were out taking care of business at Fangtasia. Manfred was unquestionably sitting in the next room waiting for me to wake up. I closed my eyes and delved even further. Something was bothering him.

Wonder if I should tell Pam... but I don't want her to get overzealous.

What was overzealous? I didn't remember that word from my "word a day calendar". What was he talking about anyway?

"Manfred." I said quietly, my voice barely a whisper. I didn't realize how thirsty I was. Some of grandma's sweet tea would be wonderful right about now. Without meaning to, I thought of Eric's sweet blood and cringed. Was it possible that taste of blood was growing on me? Maybe I'm becoming a vampire? Would turning into one bother me that much? Bill's idea would have been such an easy way out.

"Manfreedddd," I called out again. My voice sounded worst. I coughed repeadedly trying to clear my throat.

What worse timing then ever! I can't believe Harper was called in to help with the murder investigations. I wonder why she isn't traveling with Tolliver anymore? What could that possibly mean?

No wonder he couldn't hear me, he was dealing with his own issues. I wondered if he even mentioned Harper to Pam. If so, things could get mighty ugly. You know how possessive vampires could get.

I swung my legs over the side of the bed. Ohhh... I felt woozy, I grabbed onto the bedpost to steady myself. Maybe this isn't such a good idea. I sat there contemplating laying back down versus trying to get up. I'm tired of being sick! I took deep breaths and gently scooted forward until I felt the floorboards. The dizzy spell seemed to pass. This isn't so bad. I got up without any issues, still grasping firmly onto the bed.

"Babe, you there?" I hope she's okay. I wonder if she'll forgive me for this. His thoughts seemed pure.

Quinn? Could he possibly be here? And if he was, what was I suppose to forgive him for? He sounded sincere. Maybe he isn't a threat after all. Calvin must have gotten his information wrong.

"Sookie, if you can hear me, come to the window". I peered through my dark room looking for some bedroom slippers and a robe. The robe was hanging on a chair in the opposite corner of the room. I rolled my eyes and decided it was not worth the effort. By the time I got to the chair and to the window he would probably be gone. The room was just that big! Feeling like an old arthritic person I walked stiffly to the window. Out of breath I finally got to the window. Again, I felt a headache coming on. I looked out. Quinn was definitely standing there at the edge of the clearing. Is it possible that I was dreaming? I pinched the top of my hand gently and was relieved that I did feel it. He smiled and waved at me. From where I was he appeared the same maybe a little on the thinner side but he was still Quinn. I waved back at him.

With a blink of an eye, he was right beneath my window. He motioned for me to open it. After a few attempts I got it open about an inch or two. He shook his head and laughed. It should have bothered me but I was too ecstatic to see and hear his laugh again. I was now one hundred percent sure he wasn't a vampire. He was just Quinn. My Quinn.

"I need to talk to you, can you come down?"

"I can't! I'm too weak and it would take forever for me to walk down there. Can't you come up here?" My voice sounded rough but was better.

"Why don't you take a shortcut then and jump out the window?"

"Are you crazy? It's at least ten feet high. What if I fall and break my neck?" He laughed again. I couldn't help but smile even if he was laughing at me.

"Don't you trust me at all? I'll catch you. I promise."

"But it's cold out there! And for some reason I'm just wearing this flimsy nightgown". I held out my gown for him to see.

"Just another good reason to come out here and talk to me", he winked at me suggestively.

I stood there thinking. He wouldn't hurt me would he? He didn't look scary and there was no way Eric or Bill would leave me here unguarded if Quinn was dangerous and in the immediate vicinity right?

"Fine, I'm coming down". I slid the window pane up a little higher. Oh my God, what am I doing? I feel like some stupid teenager sneaking out to visit her boyfriend. That was what I was exactly doing! The thought made me chuckle.

"You ready?"

"Yeah. Just jump, I got you." Here goes nothing. I jumped feet first and landed safely in his arms as he promised. He cradled me tightly. He was warm as always, I took a deep breath taking him in and sighed. I've missed him terribly.

"You could at least have put some slippers on!" He said softly kissing my forehead.

"You didn't give me a chance to! And this only means that you'll have to carry me."

"Fine by me". He walked slowly into the forest being very careful that none of the twigs hit me in the face. I clung to him tightly feeling very peaceful and content in his embrace. After about ten minutes of walking I got curious and asked him where we were headed. Despite him being careful the jostling was starting to cause me pain.

"Not that far. There's a flat stone we can sit on up there". He pointed forward using his chin since his hands were full. The pain was worsening and I was trying my hardest not to grimace. I started feeling faint.

"Quinn, we have to stop! I don't think this is such a good idea. Maybe we should go back. The pain ...", my breath caught. Quinn abruptly stopped walking and I screamed. Right in front of us stood Andre. My mouth dropped open. The whole left side of his face had blackened burnt skin. His eye socket was empty, his eye nonexistent. His left arm was pink but appeared to be healing. I held my breath and hid my face in Quinn's neck. I didn't want to look anymore.

"Quinn, get me out of here!" I yelled in agony from the worsening pain and the horror that was standing in front of me. I expected him to turn around and run but instead Quinn just stood there looking straight ahead. What's wrong with him? I tapped him on his shoulder.

"Please Quinn!" I begged. Still he didn't budge. Andre stepped closer.

"I'm sorry babe but this is for the best." He calmly handed me over to Andre. Before I knew it, Andre bit into my neck fiercely. I was too terrified to even scream. I thrashed against him. My basic instinct was to stay alive but he was too strong. Because of the struggling, my blood spurted in my face, my eyes...everywhere. Eventually I felt my heart faltering.

Why Quinn? How could you betray me like this? Why?!

_________________________________________