Trapped

Best nights sleep ever. That's all I'd been saying for the bast two mornings. When I woke up on Monday the smile was still on my face. I couldn't stop thinking of the day Sam and I had. Dan wouldn't be back till Wednesday so had decided to invite Sam, Avery, Nicholas and David for a small get together, just so I could get to know them all a bit better. They picked me up that morning to take me to school. Of course I sat in the back holding Sams hand while his arm draped over the back of me to pull me into him for a kiss. My cheeks flushed red so badly because David decided to hoot and holler at us. They where definatly up for the idea of coming over once I had mentioned that Dan was out of town for a few days.

School was like my first day. Everybody kept on looking at us. It was because of the new development between me and Sam. Rosie grabbed me in registration as soon as I entered. Gossip had spread fast around the school.

"Tell me everything," she blurted out. "How was the rest of your date on Sunday? Where did you dissapear to on Saturday night? I was looking everywhere for you," it was like twenty questions but how did she know about our date on Sunday?

"Slow down Rosie. I felt a bit sick on Saturday night so Sam and his family took me home. I think I was just nervous because it was my first ever party to go to. I'm sorry I left so early."

"That's okay. Now how about the details of that date?"

"Okay how did you know we where out on a date in the first place?"

"Mia was down at the nature park with her family. She said that she spotted you and Sam lip locked at the pond." My cheeks where so hot. I couldn't believe that we where spotted and I didn't even know it.

"Aww look. She's blushing so bad. I bet she wishes you didn't tell her now," Adrian grinned.

"Okay. I'll admit that was a bit of a surprise because I never saw her. The date was lovely. He bought breakfast and we ate it at the pond and just stayed there for a while before coming back into town. We just walked around the shops before he stopped me in front of the Boutique dress shop where he asked me to the prom." Rosie's face lit up. She was bouncing up and down on her seat, it was so funny.

All the classes went buy in a blur that morning. I earned a few glares from Tessa. She wasn't too happy that I was now going out with Sam after she had tried to get his attention for so long. Lunch was like an interview. I sat with the group and Sam just went to the usual table with everyone. By the time I was in my music class, my cheeks had gone a bit pink from all the blushing. Sam and I where taken out of the music class as we had to practice for the special assembly which was now going t be at night so all the parents could come. We did practice but we also kissed a few times when we could sneak one in. The day was so much fun and when it was time to get home, I was kind of glad. Of course there was all the stares we got again as Sam laced his arm around my waist and pulled me into him to kiss me on the steps of the school. People where admiring us. We all made our way back to my house and then I quickly changed whilst everyone was getting comfy in the living room. I decided to make a nice steak dinner since there were tones in the fridge. David kept on asking when the food was ready because it smelled so good his stomach was growling, and by god it was. I could hear it over the TV whilst it was on. As soon as it was served, David practically dived in, wolfing it down before we where all half way through. I had told everyone to take it easy so I could get the dishes done, but Sam insisted that he help me and I didn't hesitate. It took us a bit longer to get them done as we kept stopping to kiss. I couldn't get enough of him. That night, I slept so peaceful, I hoped it never stopped.

So here I am, Tuesday morning with another smile on my face, picking out my usual deep black jeans and my red cowl neck three quarter length sleeved top. I put on my necklace and charm bracelet and since it was a dry day outside, I decided on my black stiletto shoes. "Perfect choice," I thought to myself. I sat waiting on the porch swing for Sam, reading my book when the horn of the Land Rover was tooted. I quickly put my book into my bag and made my way to the car desperate to see him again. Of course, he had got out the car and pulled me into him as soon as he grabbed my wrist for our morning kiss. We filled the car ride with some silly conversations. Nick was arguing over the best singers in the world with David but Sams suggestion made me blush,

"Well, I must say the best singer I know is sitting right here," he gestured to me whilst I hid my head in my hands.

"Don't be shy babes," Avery said staring at me through the rear view mirror. "There is nothing wrong with being a better singer. Hey, you're probably better than David."

"I doubt that," he shouted and then he started to sing. We had to cover our ears. His voice was so broken when he sung, it was agony. He did eventually stop. It was such a relief to my ears.

"Show him what you can do babe," Sam whispered in my ear. He trailed his lips down my neck trying to entice me so I just went for it. Remembering the song I listened to before I went to sit on the swing this morning I brought the words to my lips,

"Drop everything now. Meet me in the pouring rain. Kiss me on the sidewalk, take away my pain. Cause I see sparks fly whenever you smile. Get me with those green eyes baby as the lights go down. Give me something that will hold you when your not around. Cause I see sparks fly whenever you smile." I wasn't surprised when David had been quiet after that. It felt good to get my voice going before school.

Since I hadn't spent much time with Rosie and the gang, I decided to see if they wanted to come over that night for a catch up.

"Hey everyone. I have the house to myself for another night, so I was wondering if you all would like to come over tonight for a small get together?" They all just seemed to stay quiet for a bit, looking backwards and forwards between each other. It was Will who spoke up,

"Actually Gail, we all have something planned tonight. Perhaps another time?"

"Sure no problem at all," I said calmly. Inside, I was a little disappointed, but also confused at what they all had planned.

I was on my way to my locker as I had accidentally lifted the wrong book, when an arm came out from the girls bathroom entrance, grabbed my arm and pulled me in. It was Tessa and a group of her friends.

"So you think, just because you can sing and dance, means you have the right to steal my guy!" she shouted. I couldn't be bothered with her nonscence. I had to get back to class, but she kept yanking my arm back.

"Leave me alone Tessa. Sam chose me himself. I did nothing at all to provoke him. I'm not like you," I firmly said. I now wish I hadn't. The look in her eye was quite scary. Next thing I knew, Tessa's fist met with my stomach. The wind was knocked out of my lungs and I fell to the floor, clutching my belly. I didn't cry though but I looked up at her clawing eyes.

"You exist. That's all that matters. No worries. You're too plain for him. Once he sees that you are just so boring, he'll drop you and come running to me. At least the thing we both have in common that you and him don't have is that we have parents. You are alone in the world. You have to try and keep yourself as safe as possible; Sam and I could do great things together. I'm not afraid to be extreme, but you are."

Her words pierced through me again and this time, she was right. I was too afraid to be extreme because I didn't know how. Tears now spilled from my eyes. My belly was sore and in knots and Tessa and her friends just laughed.

"Now you know how miserable I can easily make you. Do not cross me again and leave Sam for me!" she demanded. There was no way I was going to leave Sam. I was happy with him. They all left in their group whilst I tried to pull myself up off the floor so I could look in the mirror. My eyes where swollen and a bit red. I splashed a bit of cold water on them and bent back down to the floor to grab my book, wincing at the pain in my belly when I stood back up. Tessa really packed a mean punch. I lifted my top to have a look. I couldn't believe it. There was already a bruise starting to form. Making my way back to class, I took my seat, trying to hide my face from everyone. Finally, the bell rang for us to all go home. I couldn't see Sam like this. I grabbed my bag and headed out the door as quickly as I could. The bruise was really starting to hurt now. Usually I would meet Avery at the lockers, but I decided just to bail and headed for the front door instead. The Land Rover was sitting with no body next to it, so I took my chance and headed for the front gate to walk home.

Tessa's words kept on going through me. She was so horrid. I felt my phone buzzing in my pocket and pulled it out to see Sams number on the screen. I hung up. I couldn't speak to him just yet. I passed by the chemist which was displaying a new product. Intense colour hair dye and highlighter kit. I decided to go in and have a look. My phone rang again and I hung up again. There where a lot of colours but one in particular caught my attention. It was a firey red, just like the colour of the edging of my dragon wings. I decided to buy the hair dye and I also had a look at the highlighting kits and settled for a blonde colour. I was hoping that with these, I could make my hair look like fire. My phone rang again. This time it was Avery. I hung up on her as well but sent her a text saying that I wasn't feeling too good and I didn't want to talk just now and could she pass the message on to Sam and to let him know that I was sorry.

Making it back to the house before they all saw me, I headed straight for the bathroom. I removed my top and put on an old tank top, removed my jewellery and brushed my hair. I stood looking at myself thinking if this was the right decision to make, but it was up to me. I opened the box for the red hair dye and got started. The smell was really strong but I wanted to do this. I was sitting upstairs in my room when I heard the front door knock. I didn't want to answer it looking like this but then I heard Sams voice through the letter box,

"Gail. Are you there? Come on please talk to me." I stayed up the stairs making sure I didn't make any noise at all. He eventually left after trying another few time at knocking and shouting for me through the letterbox. I finally went into the shower to wash the red dye out. The highlight kit needed to be used on dry hair so I went and quickly dried my hair. When I looked in the mirror, I nearly fainted. My hair was so red, it was really like fire. I kept thinking that the highlights might make the colour die down a bit. So it was back into the bathroom, highlight dye through the hair and washing that out too. I was amazed by the time I was finished. The fire coloured hair went so well with my highlights.

I was starving. It was a good thing Dan had filled the fridge before he left. I just decided on a salad and sat in the living room. I made sure the curtains where closed and settled down to watch a bit of TV. to calm myself down. I kept my phone with me and constantly received texts from Sam. He was really worried. The bruise on my belly was so sore now; it was hard to sit down in a comfy way. I told him that I was just feeling a bit run down but I would see him tomorrow. Placing my phone on the table, I reached out to grab the remote and stopped. My arm was shimmering between red and my ordinary pale shade. Running up to the mirror I glanced at my eyes. My pupils had gone into slits and my eyes where as gold as sunlight.

"Damn it," I muttered to myself. Dan wasn't here and I couldn't let Sam see that again so I left through the back door making sure I didn't make a lot of noise so the Maletas wouldn't come running. Phone in my hand, I ran into the forest but didn't get far. Pain wretched through my body, my spine cracked as did my ribs and I fell to the ground. I could feel my neck stretching. I couldn't hold it in anymore and let out a scream. I didn't want to be alone so I gave up and called Sam. He answered on the third ring.

"Gail. Are you okay?" he asked

"Sam. I'm sorry. I tried to do this myself but I can't," I cried and I was gasping for air, "Wait, calm down honey. What's wrong? Where are you?"

There was a crunch of a twig snapping, my senses jumping all over the place so I whispered through the phone,

"I'm in the woods. I'm changing again but I think there's someone the…" I paused once I spotted the shadows. Someone grabbed me from behind and I dropped my phone. Screaming for Sam I pulled my body back. The chains ripped at my throat as someone pulled. There was a group of them. They where different heights, but there was something familiar about them. It wasn't till one of them walked into the light that I knew I was in trouble.

"So you though you could try and get rid of all of us did you?" Steven smirked. Slowly Rosie, Adrian, Mia, Claire and Will stood around me.

"Please let me go. I'm not what you think," I pleaded

"Liar. My God you Valopters. You think you can rule this world, but you won't. When that dragon comes, you will all be history," Will decreed. This wasn't going to be good. My spine was so sore I fell to the ground trying to catch my breath. I looked up at Rosie to see her sad face.

"Rosie, please let me go," I begged but she just stared at me.

"I knew there was something different about you, but when you disappeared at the party and then there was that awful grown, we knew you where one of them but not for long. Adrian, bring over the cage." Cage! Oh god this was not happening to me. Mia, Claire and Adrian where dragging a large metal cage along. It was on wheels, its bars really thick, I was shivering. Steven tugged the chain, forcing my body along. I tried to fight free but it was no use. I was just so weak. With a final shove from him and Will, I was collapsed in the cage. I could feel something scraping along my back, but I knew it wasn't the cage… something was pushing out of my spine. There was a dull pain at first but then it got sharper and sharper until I eventually had to arch my back, head against the bars on one side and feet on the other side letting out a scream.

"Wait, wait! What's wrong with her? Something's not right with her," Claire noted. I couldn't hold it in any longer, I needed Sam.

"Sam!" I screamed.

"Gail. Where are you?" I heard over the dark. It was him. I screamed for him again. It was Nick who broke through the trees first.

"What's going on? Let her go," he charged over into the crowd. Mia and Steven changed. It was a glowing light at first and then there where two wolves in front of the cage. Mia's fur was a lovely light brown colour, almost golden. Steven was jet black, so simple but gorgeous.

Eventually Sam, Avery and David came as well. I could feel my body pull apart. I threw myself against the door of the cage and screamed.

"Get this open please. Please let me out," I begged. David had dashed through the group and ripped open the door, grabbing my arm and put it over his shoulder, putting his free arm around my waist to pull me towards Sam. It was too late,

"Get back David. Everyone get back!" I screamed to them dropping to the ground again. I let the roar break from my lips. My face pulled and sharpened. On my back I felt small holes being punctured through it. Lifting my hand, I felt spikes form, they where like bone. Eventually my wings broke free from my back. My tank top was in shreds, leaving me in my bra in front of everyone. I was still screaming when Sam ran over to me and held me in his arms. Even with my wings flapping around, he didn't let me go whispering in my ear "I'm here. I won't let you go," and the pain started to die down a bit.

"Oh no. She is, isn't she," I heard Rosie say. I looked up at her, tears running down my face.

"You are the dragon Gail. Aren't you?" she asked, walking over to me and Sam.

"What does it look like? Did she really look like a Valopter to you?" Avery screamed at her. I was so tired, I couldn't even argue with them.

"Stop it Avery," I managed to blurt out. " They didn't know. What they saw was me crouching down starting to change. You remember the night you saw me. You also defended yourselves. But Rosie," I turned to look at her standing next to Adrian, her face so pale with fright and guilt, "I thought we where friends. But you just stood there and never gave me a chance."

"Gail. I...I...I'm so sorry. We didn't think and I didn't want to risk loosing someone else. That's why we did what we did."

I finally found the strength to move my legs. Sam got up first and I held onto his hand, but when I stood up I automatically fell forward. Twisting to look at my legs I was horrified. They had bent and changed shape. Using my arms I tried to push my body up. It was no use I couldn't get up.

"I can't get up Sam. My legs have changed," I gestured with my head to my legs.

"Can you walk at all?" he asked

"I'll try," and I started to move my right leg. It felt weird as I tried to walk forward whilst moving my right arm as well but I managed to get the hang of things. Soon I was walking around everyone like a dragon. It felt so right. My wings where flapping as well, beating against the slight breeze but I didn't risk flying. They where still incomplete. My body then started to change back. I got down onto my elbows again and tucked my legs under me curling myself into a protective ball. I fell asleep right there on the ground.

Slowly, I woke up to a smooth hand running over my cheek. Two deep blue eyes stared at me. His eyes. I quickly sat up and threw my arms around Sams neck pulling him to me.

"I'm so glad your okay. I've been so worried," he said holding me to him. I looked around the room I was in to find that I was in my living room and everyone was there. Adrian and everyone along with Avery, David and Nick. Pulling away from Sam, he took hold of a strand of my hair.

"Why did you change it?" he asked concerned. I didn't want to tell him the truth so I started to pull away, twisting my legs around him to put them on the floor. I winced. I looked down and saw the bruise on my belly that Tessa had given me, forgetting that my top was in shreds back in the forest. I tried covering it with my arms but Sam pulled them away, gasping and staring at my stomach. He looked at Steven.

"So the chain around her neck wasn't enough. You just had to kick her in the stomach to get her so weak. How could you?" he growled.

"Hey now! We didn't do that to her," he looked back around the room, "None of us did." He was getting into bother trying to prove that he didn't.

"It wasn't them," I eventually said. "it was Tessa. She grabbed me earlier at school at last period. I picked up the wrong book from my locker so on my way back to class, she pulled me into the bathroom and we had a little chat. She was so angry about you and me," I stared at Sam, "because we are together so she decided to make it clear as to what she wanted. She punched me in the stomach and at the same time told me I was to plain and ordinary for you. That she was so much better for you and I was too dull to change anything." I was crying now. All her words rushed through my head. "That's why I did this" I pulled up a lock of my hair. Just remembering what I looked like, I grabbed the throw off the back of the chair and I put it around my shoulders holding it closed with my other hand.

"So that's why you didn't come home with us. That little witch!" Avery screamed, "I'll get her for this. She's made everyone's life a living hell in our year. But to say that she is better than you for my brother is another thing." I had to laugh at that. She was like the big sister I never had.

"Yeah. That's not fair on you Gail," Adrian stepped in, "We've known this family for a while now even though we haven't talked to you, I had noticed that since Saturday night when you arrived with him at the party, you make him happy. Oh and just so you know. You can count me in when you start up the army." That brought back another problem.

"Okay so now you lot know. Wow Dan is really going to kill me for this. Buy the way- what where you doing with a cage in the woods?"

"Well you see Gail. We have been hunting Valopters. Over the past couple of months, there have been some sightings of them around here. We've only caught two in the past couple of months but recently they seemed to have gone," Will explained. "We caught them starting to transform, the crouching down clutching themselves. That why we got the cage. We where able to take them back to the elders to be destroyed."

"We promised Gail, that we would join the army when the dragon returned," Rosie started,

"Let me guess. You all heard that the great dragon disappeared," I pointed out.

"Yep!" they all echoed.

"Well I'm here now. Only one problem though. We will all have to tell my guardian. He won't be happy but its my decision. Welcome to my army," I held a hand out for Rosie. She took it so softly and the deal was made.

It was getting late and everyone was starting to leave. I was still upset about the Tessa incident. Sam was just heading to the door and I held my hand out for him. He turned to look out the door and said to Avery,

"I'm going to stay with Gail tonight. Can you let mum and dad know?" This surprised me. Avery nodded and left with a goodbye and Sam closed the door, turning the key in the lock. He turned to look at me, slowly putting the keys in the dish bowl with a clank. I looked into his eyes and he looked into mine.

"Why didn't you tell me about Tessa?" he asked sadly.

"I don't know why. Her words really hurt me and I just wanted to get over it. I thought on my way home that changing something on myself would make me different, hence the hair change."

"I liked your old hair but yes this is really different. You're like a burning fire. Don't ever think that you aren't good enough for me because I love you so much," he bent down and pressed his lips to mine.

"I love you too," and I kissed him again. Suddenly I yawned, realising that I was tired.

"I'll sleep on the couch. Why don't you go to bed and I'll see you in the morning," he turned to head for the living room but I didn't want him to leave me. I grabbed his arm to stop him, "Please don't leave me," and I pulled him to me crushing my lips to his. I turned out the lights and we both headed upstairs to my bedroom.

Pulling him in and closing the door, he came up to me and placed both hands at the side of my head and pushed my body against the door with his kissing me all the way down my face and neck. My nerves where running crazy through me and I wrapped my arms around his neck as his hands travelled to my hips. I laced my legs around his body and he carried me over to my bed, lying me down on the feathered, black silk duvet. I pulled him down and he came to meet me. We broke apart, looking at each other with lust in our eyes. I wanted him so much, loved him so much it was hard to believe he was mine.

"Are you sure?" he asked. I just nodded and raised my neck so I could reach my lips to his. I grabbed at the hem of his shirt and pulled it up as Sam pulled away long enough for me to pull his shirt completely off. When I looked at his face, his fangs had come down in his mouth. They no longer scared me. He was so beautiful. His hand came up to my chest and he pushed me back down into the soft pillows so I was lying buried in them, his eyes full of passion. He slid down to kiss my chest, the spot where he could feel my heart beating before slowly kissing his way down to the bruise that was a horrible reminder of the day and he kissed it. There was no pain only the warmth of his lips.

"I love you so much," he said as he came back up to my face to kiss me again. We pulled the covers up over each other, never once breaking the kiss and kicked off our clothes under the covers and out the bed. He looked down at me and I looked at his bright eyes. I knew that he would be my forever.

"I love you Sam. I always will," I promised. We brushed our bodies together. We fitted perfectly. His hips pressed into mine as my hands ran down his back. The connection that we had always felt was growing stronger and stronger. We belonged together. I knew he would always be mine and knowing that I felt as if I was in heaven and he was right there with me. Never letting me go.

Sam's bare arm was around my stomach as he held me close to him. He never let me go like he promised earlier that night. Slowly we both fell asleep wrapped up in each others arms, our bare limbs touching at points. Chests, arms and legs pressed together in the comfort of knowing that we now have each others love. Mine for him and his for me.