Laney POV
Since Steve's parting gesture yesterday, all I've wanted to do is to tear free of these rough ropes and rip my lips off. I struggled for hours today, doing all I could to do exactly that. The bonds are too strong, and I don't think my tender wrists can handle it anymore. The headaches are increasing in pain. I've lost a lot of blood today.
Why would Steve…what…this must be a new form of torture; probably worse than throwing me into a tank of sharks. I'd have taken the latter. I feel like crying, but I am so dehydrated that my body can't even produce tears. My eyes just sting and my throat grows sore. I make these weird choking sounds instead. Crying would be easier.
I never thought my first kiss would have to be with…I thought it would be from Darren. Instead, I have it stolen from me by some lunatic! He's probably a murderer too – a senseless vampaneze who only kills for his own amusement I'm sure. Darren said vampaneze killed because it was their tradition. Most were very honorable, he said.
Not Steve. Not from the looks of him.
If Darren isn't going to rescue me, I need to start thinking of my own escape. But how? There is only one exit. There are two guards outside somewhere with super sensitive hearing. Impossible. Even if I do get out, they'd catch me. But then what?
They need me. They can't afford to kill me. I'm their bait. Unless…no; that's still not an option. They could still kill me, because if Darren does come, he won't know if I'm dead. It won't matter either way. I notice that my shoulders had lifted in excitement, but I relax them.
My muscles tense again though when the latched door opens as it did yesterday. My heart skips a beat, a feeling I know all too well whenever Darren would look at me, only now it's an action of fear.
"Evening, Laney. Did you miss me?" Steve says with a smirk. I'd like to scowl, but the muscles in my face refuse to do anything I ask. Steve and Murlough haven't given me water or food in two days. What's the hold up now?
"Yes, you did - but not me actually. You miss the food…and water, I'm sure." He says. My eyebrows lift in hope, but I can tell that this isn't an offer. Murlough is chuckling menacingly.
"Well…we're here to give you some water…eventually. But first…" Steve has Murlough jerk me upward onto my feet, tearing the ropes from the wall. I strangled yelp escapes my throat.
Then with a grin Steve shoves something into my right thigh – a gleam of the light tells me it's a knife.
It hurts badly either way, but I shudder worse when I remember another instance where I've been stabbed…just above my right knee…
I might as well be back at home again – on that last night I was home with mom.
Steve's face gets right up in front of mine, with a satisfied smile still plastered on his mouth. Murlough cackles, his fingernails digging into my skin when I try to get away. It's hopeless and stupid, but I have to get away. The tears flow freely and they won't stop. I can almost see my mom standing in front of me, taking Steve's place.
Darren POV
"How are you feeling this evening?" Vancha asks me when I wake up. I mentally assess myself to be a lot better than last night.
"Better." I reply. The pains in my chest finally subsided today after about three hours. I stole maybe only four hours of sleep. Even then I was tormented by freaky nightmares. And that was saying something for me, because I've seen some freaky things.
It was a room of metal, and it was so hot. There were candles. I was staring at them, and the flames would grow larger and larger…until they overtook the wax. The flames licked the walls and the dirt floor. The fire reached me. I was consumed by fire and smoke.
I woke up covered in sweat after that.
"What do you think caused your chest pains?" Vancha says.
"I don't know. Nothing was wrong with me before – physically at least. It just came out of nowhere." I say honestly.
"Maybe we can ask Lady Evanna. We will be seeing her in two weeks time. It will not be a hard trip from here – only walking will be required-" Mr. Crepsley starts until I cut him off.
"Isn't there a way to get there faster?" I ask frustrated. Why would he even consider walking at this point when we're getting so close? I need answers. "We can flit, can't we?"
"Yes, Darren. It is not far, but we cannot flit for that long of a distance. You understand we will have to stop eventually for a few days." Mr. Crepsley says
"I know, I know but-" I take a deep breath. I can't get angry. Not now. It won't help solve anything.
"Fine; no flitting. Can we just leave now?"
The Prince and the vampire nod simultaneously. We gather our little amount of belongings and leave. We walk in silence for an hour or so when I decide that I should apologize. I didn't let myself argue as far as I could have, but I was still rude.
"Mr. Crepsley, Vancha, I'm sorry for what I-" I stop and crumple to the ground, hearing dead leaves crackle beneath me.
"Darren!" The two scream in concern.
My right leg is on fire, and I feel as though there is a gash. I look at my leg, but there is no blood. Tears flow out easily for reasons I can't even come up with. What the hell is going on with me? I feel weird again – a connection. This is not my pain. At the same time it is, though, but in a different way.
Laney…please hear me…I'm coming to find you…I'm going to save you…I promise.
