Chapter 35

It had been what felt like two whole hours and I continued to sit on the corner, hugging my legs. Yet, as there was no real way to tell the time of day I could only go by what it felt like. For all I knew it could have only been ten minutes or many even four hours. The only way to really tell the time is do what some prisoners do; make a mark in the wall for every minute that goes by. That seemed really boring and someone could easily lose track of the time that way. Another way was by a battery run watch but I am sure Kisu told me they didn't have a watch.

"Ooh, my neck hurts."

A pained moan from one of the other girls broke through my train of thought. I got up from my spot on the ground to walk over to the door of my cell to see which of the two had spoken. Looking through my bars and looking out to the two other cells I watched as Kisu sat up. She had a frown on her face as she put a hand to her neck. The blood was already dried so I doubt it'd stain her skin.

"Hmm, how long was I asleep for?" Kisu mumbled. It seemed as if she was speaking more to herself than she was to me but I thought I'd answer anyways.

"I don't know, it's too hard to keep track of time. If I had to guess I'd say between two to four hours, if not longer or shorter." I answered her question. Her head spun to me, looking slightly surprised, and looked much too weak to sit up.

"How long ago did you wake up?" She asked as she tried to push herself up. Her body seemed to have other plans and refused to allow her to stand.

"I woke up just as Kevin entered the room. I pretended to be asleep so he left me alone." I answered as guilt over not being able to help filled me again. I shook it from my head as I watched Kisu manage to sit up on her butt.

"Owww, that really hurts." Shurita groaned in a whiny voice as she also woke up. I turned my head in her direction as she pushed herself up and looked herself over.

"I'm still alive! I'm going to live for another day. Thank the lord!" The girl said as she then began to cry in happiness. I heard Kisu sigh annoyingly and looked to see her at the bars of her cell, trying to look at her friend.

"Oh for pete sakes, Shurita, will you stop over reacting already? You say that every time Kevin drinks from you. We've been here for about a month. By now it should be obvious by now that he is keeping us alive so he doesn't have to go hunting every single day." Kisu expressed as I noticed her tired eyes roll. It was then that something came to mind and I blinked at the two girls.

"By the way, should you two even be awake yet? At best it has only been four hours and that shouldn't be enough rest for you to wake up." I pointed out, only knowing this because my mom had been a nurse. The two other teenaged girls stopped their fighting to look over at me.

"Well, normally, we should still be unconscious but Kevin didn't actually take that much blood from us. We've just been a little week since it's been a while since we have been fed. Also, when Kevin does feed us, it is normally just a loaf of bread." Kisu explained for me. I nodded in understanding as I say Shurita sit on the ground and hug her legs.

Suddenly, at the mention of food, my stomach growled hungrily. Even though I had no idea how long I have been in this cell I knew it had been a while since I last ate. Of course I wasn't starving myself, like Kaien claimed I had been. In fact, since I had no other way to get food, he had been making me lunches and having Yuki give them to me. Of course I ignored any sushi but I would eat anything else.

"Well, speaking of food, I am really hungry." I said and held my stomach as he growled again. I heard Kisu sigh and I looked at the two girls to see both girls look sad while Shurita lay her head on her knees.

"While don't count on any food any time soon, Ashley. He just fed us two days before he brought you here. He only feeds us like every three or four days... huh so you might get good in a few hours actually." Kisu began to look thoughtful. I just shook my head slightly as an other thought came to mind.

"What about water? What does he do about liquids?" I asked and began licking my lips when I realized I was getting thirsty. Kisu remained thoughtful, as if she didn't hear me, so Shurita had to answer for me.

"We get water more often but it normally has to be asked. Also it comes in a serving pitcher they use in some restaurants, so we have to make them last as long as possible." The copper haired girl explained for me. I sighed and hug my head, licking my lips again.

"Well, Ashley, even though I lost track of time it couldn't have been more than fifteen hours, I think. So if you can wait another nine hours or so than you'll be able to eat." Kisu's voice brought through my thoughts. Well at least it was better than a full twenty-four hours.

"Ashley, huh? So that's your name?" A male's voice asked out of no where. Startled I quickly turned my head to the side and my heart beat quickened in my chest when I saw Kevin standing there.

I had not even heard the former human vampire enter the room. Yet I guess that is one things vampires were good at. I mean they'd have to be silent if they wanted to sneak up on their prey. I forced back a frightened gulp when I noticed Kevin grinning at me evilly as his eyes continued to glow a bright red.

"Hmm, it's only been fifteen hours and yet you have enough energy and strength to stand. Good for me because now I can have my dessert." The vampire chuckled evilly, licking his lips. While he began to walk closer to my cell I felt my heart get even faster as fear over take me.

As the vampire began to unlock the cell I ran to where my sleeping bag continued to lay. I was scared and when I get scared I don't think too well. All I knew was that I wanted to be as far away from the vampire as possible. However, as I said I wasn't thinking, and I knew that was going to have no help at all.

"Do you really think that is going to help you? How foolish." Kevin began mocking me, laughing as he opened the cell door. I was becoming so scared that my heart was going so fast I thought I might die from a heart attack.

Being bitten again was the last thing I wanted to happen. The first time had been so painful and I thought I was going to die. Even though I knew that I wasn't going to die from this I still wanted to prolong it as long as possible. Being bitten actually made me think needles weren't so bad after all.

As the former human began to advance my way I looked down to see the sleeping bag. Seeing the portable camping bed an idea came to mind. This could get me in a world of trouble, and there was a chance it could backfire, but it could also save my life if I was fast enough. So, waiting until the Level-E was close enough, I knelt down and grabbed the camping bed in both hands. Without hesitation I quickly threw it over Kevin's head, causing him to become entangled in it.

"What the fucking hell? Get this thing off me!" The former vampire screamed as he attempted to get the bag off of him. I didn't take any chances and made my escape out of the cell.

"I can't believe it. Run, Ashley! Run and go get help!" I heard Kisu yell at my from her cell. I didn't chance looking at her in fear it would slow me down.

"You are our only hope!" Shurita's voice followed Kisu. Both voices sounded desperate and made me frown.

In all reality I knew they were right and I was the only one that could save them. I needed to get out of this place and ask someone for help. However I couldn't ask anyone for help; it needed to be a hunter. The reason I couldn't just tell anyone about the Level-E was because they might think I was crazy or playing a prank on them. If I told them I escaped from a insane man's basement they would ether not care or get hurt by Kevin. So that is why I needed to get the help of a hunter or another vampire.

I had just made it to the stairs and began to climb up when I felt a hand grab my ankle. I screamed and looked behind me to see the former human vampire. His red glowing eyes showed just how angry he was. His grip was so tight that I felt the blood flow stop as his sharp fingernails were nearly cutting into my skin.

"You aren't going anywhere." The vampire snarled as he gave a hard yank on my leg. I gave another scream as I fell down the stairs.

"Let go of me you freak!" I screamed as I kicked out my free leg. It hit the former human in the face and he let go of me with a pained grunt.

Now that I was free I was able to make another escape attempt. As I was unable to scramble up to my feet I had to crawl my way up the stairs. Although, once I was halfway up, I was once again grabbed by the ankle and pulled twice as hard as before. I went sliding down the stairs, earning myself a whole bunch of bruises.

"Ooh, damn it." I groaned in pain while I rolled onto my back when I felt the hand let go. My whole body was sore and I was also upset that my attempt to escape failed badly.

"You really are quite interesting. Is it going to be a fight every time I drink from you?" the former human asked as he looked down at me. He then sat down on his knees in between my legs and pinned my down by holding onto my wrists.

"No! Now we have no hope. We were so close but now we are doomed." I heard Shurita groan as I squirmed in the former human's grip. I still wasn't sure what vampire level he was for sure as he was evil but also had self control; or that is what it looked like.

"I think your actions deserve a punishment." Kevin told me mockingly as he lowered his head. All I could do was wait, watch and pray that whatever he was going to do would be over soon.

To my out right surprise the vampire did something completely unexpected. Instead of biting me, like I thought he was going to do, he stuck out his tongue and licked me. He began to lick the skin that showed my chest and in between my breasts. I finally came out of my surprise and shock when I felt his wet tongue rub against the sides of my breasts.

"What the fucking hell? Get your tongue off of me!" I screamed in anger and disgust. I don't know if he was actually listening or if he was finished but the former human pulled back his head with a contented sigh.

"Mmm, it has been a while since I have last tasted a woman's breast. I forgot how better they taste when the woman is a little girl." I heard him mumble in a dark voice as he looked down at my breasts. Now I was getting really uncomfortable.

"What are you doing? Get off of me!" I demanded and struggled as hard as I could against his hold. It didn't surprise me when the vampire ignored me and I could feel the two girls staring at me, though I could not see them.

"Now that is over I think I should do something about your hands to punish you for the sleeping bag thing." The vampire told me, looking at my face before moving his gaze to my hands. My heart had began to pick up speed again as fear found it's way back inside me.

"No! Please don't!" I shouted but it came too late as Kevin bit into the palms of both of my hands. I screamed in pain and watched as the former human raised his head after licking the blood from my hands.

"Well now that that is over with it is time to claim my well earned prize." The vampire whispered in my hear. I shivered in discomfort from hearing the former human call me a prize again while my heart beat even faster.

Again I cried out in pain as I was once again bitten in the neck for the second time. Also, not to mention, he bit into my still healing bite marks. However, since it was the same place as before and not fresh flesh, it didn't hurt before. It was ether that or Kevin was being gentle; which I seriously doubt because it still hurt like hell.

"Stop, please stop it." I began to beg as I felt myself get weaker and weaker. The level-E just seemed to ignore me and bit even deeper into my neck, causing me even more pain.

I didn't know how much time went by by the time Kevin finally let go of me. All I knew was I had started to cry from all the pain and the fear. Even though I knew he'd leave me alive, from example of Kisu and Shurita, I couldn't help but think I was going to die. However the last thing I remember before I blacked out from weakness was Kevin grinning down at me as he said;

"You really are my favorite little meal" (1)

(1) I don't mean she tastes better I mean he has fun with her.