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He was silent on the way home. Nelly resting in the passenger seat, while the boys in the back. All of their heads pillowed by a window, only Vlad's were pillowed on Henry's shoulder. The heart was place in the center compartment, sometimes Otis would reach out and touch it tenderly, then resume his end on the steering wheel.
While he drove he could not help think of the brave vampire who sacrificed himself for him. He read his mind, as Vikas ordered him to take the boy. But peering closer, he found that Vikas had other plans of his own. It's time for the old to move on, and let the young in. Otis merely stared at him wide eye, he planned on using the Lucis to it's fullest in the process destroying it and himself. And hopefully D'ablo and all of the council.
Thanks to Vikas, Otis was free. He could finally stop the running and teach all that Vlad needed to know. Stealing a glance in the rearview mirror, he saw one of the boys stir.
Henry.
He blinked his eyes open, lolling his eyes around till they landed on Vlad. He started, but then relaxed. His eyes tender, he pushed Vlad from his shoulder and placed him his lap. Otis resumed his eyes on the road. Even with boy home, there was still the matter of his heart. Somehow he was going to have to put it back inside the boy, he hoped it would simply go in, just as it came out.
There was also the manner of his Pravus's powers. Although, this time Otis would not abandon him. With patience, he was going stand by Vlad's side no matter the outcome. He tightens his grip on the steering, this time he won't be alone.
The car was beginning to wake. Nelly groaned, rubbing the sore spot on the back of her head. She looked around for a moment appearing disoriented. Before she remembered why she was here. "Vlad"! Otis squeezed her hand, who nodded towards the back. Nelly peered from behind her, there was Vlad resting in Henry's lap. Henry returned a happy smile for her; she reached out stroking Vlad's short hair.
"Hey, where's the old bat". Joss yawned, noticing Vikas's absences. It was silent in the car for a moment, before Otis spoke. "He…he didn't make it".
Joss was frozen for moment before he relaxed his seat with a solemn gaze. "Oh, Otis" Nelly cooed, placing a hand on his arm. "It was the only way we could have escaped, without him…" his voice cracked. But Nelly didn't remove her hand, "thank you Otis" Nelly was thanking not just Otis.
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Once they pulled into the drive away, Otis was quickly out of the car without even turning of the engine. Nelly sighed, turning it off for him. Both boys got out; Henry gently eased Vlad off of him. Reaching in, Otis carefully picked up the boy while Nelly held the heart close to her chest.
When Otis was at the door he said, "you boy's can go home now". Henry and Joss shook their heads, "not till we see Vlad open his eyes", Henry said. Otis sighed, he would have to 'brainwash' their guardians later then.
With a flick of the light, Nelly strode forward removing paper and food from the table. Vigilantly, Otis placed Vlad upon the cold slab Nelly handed him the heart. For a minute, Otis stared at his nephew. Whose face looked paler than usual. "Boys, I suggest you not watch".
At first the boy's refused, till Nelly agreed. "This is something you should not see". Joss stubbornly crossed his arms, while Henry balled his fists, "c'mon we've seen worse in the last couple of hours, what difference would this make".
"Fine, but stay out of the way", Otis snapped, Henry jumped at the sound of his harsh tone. Both boys nodded, scooting out of sight. Nelly went to fetch her nurse equipment. "Henry" Otis said more gently, "could you fetch Vlad a pair of flesh cloths". Henry nodded, bounding for Vlad's room.
Both Joss and Otis stared at Vlad in silence. He looked dead, a corpse. Veins were prominent on the boy's body, and his face was ashen slightly. The boy's lips were blue and his eyes appeared bruised. His face seemed paler due to his dark hair.
"Would if he doesn't wake up" Joss broke the silence first, getting straight to Otis's fears. "He'll wake up" Otis said between clench teeth.
Henry quickly returned along with Nelly. Henry went to stand back next to Joss, his fist clench tightly into Vlad's clothes. Placing, the medical equipment by Vlad's head, Nelly's hand fluttered over instruments choosing which one to use. Her hands shook, as they hovered over the large scalpel. "It's all right Nelly" Otis whispered. She met his eyes, "maybe we should take him a hospital". Nelly had doubts, whether her nurse skills would be enough or not. Otis shook his head, "I trust you". Nelly only continued to stare at him, he flashed her grin, "besides I'm sure a few vampires are not to please with me". She only nodded, knowing that Otis too was injured and could be easily captured it they ventured out again.
He placed a warm hand over Nelly's cold, clammy one. She curled her fingers around the instrument, Otis brought the medical tool over to Vlad's body. Hovering over his chest, slowly Nelly descended upon the boy's skin. After a moment, Otis's withdrew his hand from Nelly's. Gathering the boy's heart into his hand, Nelly sniffled and silent tears leaked out of her eyes for a moment but she work diligently.
Once the blade cut deep into the boy's skin, blood did not squirt. It was as if it all of it dried out of the boy. While Nelly worked on opening Vlad's chest, he noticed the scars that were embedded on the boy. There were so many. There was an ugly scar on either side of Vlad's torso, and he noticed his thumb was a mere stub now. An ugly color was around that stub. All over though, the boy was covered in scars. Hesitantly, he glided a finger over the one scar over his stomach that extended all the way down to his waist.
He pulled back, tears brimming. This was his fault. He should of never…he wanted to hold the boy in his arms. And feared that he would never open his eyes. What if it was by choice? What if they boy never wanted to open his eyes again, because of him? Otis believed Vlad would not hold a grudge, but the boy would always feel a slight betrayal from his Uncle that he couldn't forget. And that was worse. Knowing that he caused the boy so much suffering. D'ablo had said that he screamed while a sleep. Screams of pain, pains that Otis himself inflicted on the boy.
He reached out and placed his hand on the boy's head. He was so sorry.
"Otis" Nelly's voice was a bare whisper, "I'm ready". The boy's chest was open, revealing still organs and bone structures. Nelly took the heart from Otis's still hands, sliding it under the rib cage, placing it where the heart should be.
Something moved, catching Nelly's eye. At first she thought it was a trick on her eyes, when she realized she saw it again. Veins, arteries and other blood vessels instantly went to the heart wrapping and connecting to its proper place. Slowly, the heart beat lub-dub…lub-dub. Nelly gathered herself, quickly stitching Vlad's chest together. Out of her peripheral vision she saw Otis stiffen, tightening his fists. Henry gasped, while Joss only edged closer ever calm.
The faint sound of flesh coming together could be heard as she snipped the boy's chest together. Underneath this skin, the body was healing itself. They didn't need a hospital, not for Vlad. He was special, like Otis. With a clip of her scissors, Nelly finished her stitching.
As soon as she pulled away, skin crawled over her work burying it till the faint black could be seen.
They waited. They expected Vlad's eyes to open. But only the slight movement of the slow rising of his chest. He could be dead; the rise of his chest was slight. His breath barely audible, Nelly place two fingers to his neck. The pulse was very weak.
She gripped his hand, holding it tightly in hers. "We should place him in his bed" Otis said tenderly. Nelly only nodded, pursing her lips. Cautiously, Otis lifted Vlad off the table careful not to further injury him. He placed the boy in his room, closing the curtains and draping over the boy with his comforter. Henry followed; "umm" he looked around nervously not sure of what to do. "I'll take those" Otis whispered, his gaze never wavering from Vlad's still one.
Henry nodded, "you should go home now". Henry paused, as he placed the cloths on the foot of Vlad's bed. Otis made no move to take the clothes from him, "no Otis. Not till he wakes up. I'll stay the night". Otis only nodded; he didn't want to argue any further. He was far too tired for anymore fights tonight.
Otis slipped out of the room quietly, where Henry remained. In passing, Joss dashed by, joining Henry. Otis trusted him not to hurt his nephew. Henry was there. Otis's mind would pick up any thoughts of hostility anyway.
Nelly was gathering her things, placing back into her pack. Otis watched her till she turned around. Her tearful gaze softens when she met his eyes. He paced up to her, cupping her cheek. "You did well, Nelly". She blinked tears. "I should go the hospital; get a heart monitor, more blood bag and-". Otis brought a finger to her lips, silencing her. "You've done enough tonight" he whispered.
She nodded, though she didn't believe it. Otis eyes drifted towards Nelly's neck. Now, remembering that he's been drained, he was starving. Nelly noticed as well, "you can…" she didn't know how to phrase it. Otis smiled, "I wouldn't do that to you Nelly".
"I know, but I want you too". Otis nodded, dragging her to the sofa. "Then, just relax. I'll only take so much". Before, Otis leaned in Nelly placed a hand on his chest. "But first, tell me. What makes Vlad so special"?
Otis knew what she meant. She wanted to know Vlad's destiny. So be it, he nodded. His hunger would have to wait.
And so he told her.
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Such horrible nightmares.
Filled with blood and death. All around Vlad were bodies of either his loved ones or of ones he knew. Meredith stood by his side, her arm draping around his shoulder.
He strode forward. The first body he did not recognize and did not care for. He knelt down, and began to suck from the neck. The blood trickled down his throat till it hit his belly. Awaking some monster that has been curled asleep down there. The monster rushed up the river of red, demanding more.
He knew he took enough. He was satisfied, but monster wanted more. More blood, more destruction, more death. So Vlad gave it what it wanted. Anything to stop its persisting demands. He moved onto the next body, drinking it until it was a shriveled up corpse.
Licking his lips, he looked around him. He knew he shouldn't feel so proud of this but he was. Some part of him was telling him that this was wrong. But he enjoyed it. Enjoyed the feeling of striking fear into the hearts of those around him because of what he was.
He felt like a God.
No one would harm again. No one would abandon him again. He had Meredith and a few followers. He didn't need anyone; he was quite content with the power flowing through his veins. He never felt so alive. Before, sentimental emotions got in the way of his true desires. Now that he was free, he was going to use this knew found power to get what he wanted.
He turned to his next victim, when he froze. It was little boy with black hair, the resemblance was striking. It looked like him. He looked at the boy at his feet, who was trembling in fear. The boy looked at him. "Don't kill me" the boy whispered.
"Don't kill me" he repeated. Vlad took a step backwards. He couldn't kill him, because he would be killing himself. Slowly, he was destroying what was left of his humanity.
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Henry kept looking back at his friend, while he was playing video games with Joss. He was losing, even when Henry wasn't paying attention. Vlad has not stirred, his breathing has not changed. His were closed. Henry sighed; he feared he would never wake up. Joss put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. With one final glance, Henry continued playing till his eyes began to give out.
It was nearing three am, and both boys gathered blankets from the closet. They fell asleep on the bedroom floor.
It was nine o'clock, when Henry awoke. Light streaming in the window, from the morning sun. He bolted up, expecting Vlad's eyes to open, but they were still close. However, Vlad was wearing fresh clothes. At first, Henry thought he got dressed and then went back to sleep. Then he remembered that Nelly or Otis could have changed him, so that he was little more comfortable.
Joss wasn't beside him either. He tossed the cover over him, and slipped downstairs. Already Nelly was cooking breakfast. Joss ate a cinnamon roll, while Otis cupped a mug of O positive. He looked tired, but his cheeks were flushed. Nelly offered him a plate, without a word. "Thanks, Nelly". Henry dug into his food.
A heavy silence hung in the air. No one knew what to say. "I'm going to the hospital today", Nelly said in a monotone voice, Otis nodded knowing that she going after blood bags. The conversation last night had shocked her. She tried to appear so unafraid, but she was more than ever now. But she promised she would not leave Vlad's side no matter what he becomes.
She was trying, but she was not succeeding. "What for"? Henry asked, stuffing his face with another roll. Nelly shrugged in response, "thought I would pick up some blood bags, maybe something else to help with Vlad's condition". Henry nodded, taking a swig of Orange Juice.
"How long do you think till he wakes up" Joss raised an eyebrow at Otis, who was staring at his mug intently. "It should not be long, but I fear he will not want to wake".
Henry stopped in mid-chew, "what do you mean"? Otis brushed his hair back, "after all I've done, would he really want to wake up to this"?
The room has gone quiet. "We're all to blame" Joss said crossing his arms. Everyone looked at him, surprised that he put himself in that category. He looked away embarrassed.
Otis nodded, "Yes, but even still, I wouldn't blame him". Henry sighed wishing he could just shake his friend awake, and offer every apology he could muster. But Otis was right; it wouldn't be that easy to ask for Vlad's forgiveness. Not after what he's been through.
Henry stood up, taking his plate to the sink. When he turned around, the plate slipped from his hands clattering to the floor. Everyone's head snapped up at the noise. When they saw the reason for Henry's mess, he was frozen to the floor with his eyes wide open.
In the doorway to the kitchen was Vlad. He blinked once, as he stood there impassively.
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Oooh cliffy please review and I post ASAP!!!