Vampire Kisses fanfiction
PLASTIC PROMISES
Claude Sterling/OC: Madeline Torrent

Chapter 35.

She wasn't sure where to go, but she was going to go anywhere but home, in case Claude was still following her. Instinctively, her feet led her to the dance studio. It was on the other half of town, but luckily she knew her way around, and her adrenaline was pumping so greatly from fear that she had enough energy to make another run for it.

Even though midnight was well past, the streets were still somewhat busy. The downtown city never rested, much like New York City, so Maddie felt a little safer in case Claude tried to come back and get her. The worst thing about the studio was that it was more isolated, especially at this hour, and he might find it easier to get her.

Her heart pounded at the thought of Claude waiting menacingly for her, only dressed in his boxers and looking so sexy, but his form towering and angry. However, when she approached the building, it was vacant, but she wasn't relieved just yet. She needed to get into that building and lock herself in, also being wary for any stray vampire bats.

She dug inside her bag for her keys, fumbling with them before finding the right one. She hastily stuck it inside the keyhole and, once it unlocked, darted inside, ducking into a dance room. She hated how vampires couldn't reflect back in the mirrors which would have served as an advantage for her since her room was full of mirrors. She cornered herself so that she couldn't be seen in one, in case Claude was looking for her and wouldn't see her; however he did have her scent, which was probably how he'd be hunting her anyway.

She pulled out her cell phone next, flipping it open and scrolling through her phone book to look for Raven's cell number. She was probably sleeping right now, but she didn't have Alexander's number, and he was really the one she wanted to get through to. If anyone could really protect her, it was him. He was a vampire, therefore equal in power, and he was also Claude's cousin, therefore he knew him best.

Maddie pressed the TALK button when she found Raven's number and shakily held the phone up to her ear, listening to it ring multiple times. Maddie prayed she'd pick up; she really, really needed to talk to Alexander.

Finally, on the fourth long ring, a groggy voice answered and Maddie's heart slowed with relief.

"Hello?"

"Raven?" Maddie asked, shaking.

"Maddie?" She could hear the confusion in her voice as to why she was calling so late.

"Raven, I really, really need your help." Maddie's voice dropped to a low whisper. "It's about Claude."

Suddenly, Raven's voice sounded more alert. "What happened? Did he do something to you? Are you okay? Where are you?"

Her lip trembled and she choked on a sob. "No, I'm not okay. I really need Alexander to come down to the dance studio, you too if you can get out. He … he …" Maddie took a deep breath and tried to control her sobbing. "He tried to bite me when I didn't want him to. He became bloodthirsty and shallow. Luckily I escaped but I'm hiding in the studio and I wouldn't put it past him to follow me here. Please hurry."

"Don't worry," Raven's voice assured. "We're on our way. I'm going to call Alexander right now. We'll meet you in ten minutes, at the most. Stay where you are and don't make any noise, in case he's inside the building," she advised. Maddie nodded and muttered her agreement. They hung up and Maddie curled into a fetal position, making sure there was absolutely no space between the wall and her body.

Her heart was pounding in her chest, praying fiercely that Alexander and Raven would hurry. She was afraid of being alone with Claude, afraid that he was stalking the dance studio, waiting for her to come out.

There was suddenly an echo from the front doors opening, and Maddie clapped a hand over her mouth, her eyes wider than ever. Why was the door opening? Hadn't she locked—?

She mentally cursed herself being so forgetful. How could she have forgotten to lock the doors when it was one of the first things she told herself to do?

Holding her breath, she listened as the footsteps grew louder. What if it was Alexander? Her heart pounding like a jackhammer in her chest, she hoped with all of her might that it was anyone but Claude.

The footsteps drew nearer and, suddenly, they stopped at her door. The silence that had pounded in her ears was dead. There was nothing but an eerie nothingness floating about the air, until the doorknob turned.

Maddie was petrified as the figure walked inside the room. It was either Claude or Alexander, and both of them would smell her. Though she prayed that the footsteps belonged to Alexander, she couldn't help but feel that they were Claude's. Only Claude would create immense suspense for her. He knew she was there. He wanted to scare her, and, unfortunately, he was doing it.

If only either one of them had reflections! She could see who the person was in the mirror across from her, but there was no one there.

The footsteps stopped a couple of feet from Maddie's hiding place. As she hid behind a large stereo and desk, she could see only a large pair of combat boots, both Alexander's and Claude's preferred type of shoe. Thin legs were encased in black jeans. Claude had been wearing purple earlier that night, but he could have easily changed. Suddenly, the legs began to bend and she knew the figure was crouching. He knew where she was.

She closed her eyes for a brief second, but when she opened them again, she saw Alexander's concerned, handsome face, locks of midnight black hair framing his face. The same brown eyes Claude had rested on either side of his finely shaped nose, another factor he shared with Claude. In fact, really the only differences between the two were Claude's short dyed blonde hair and his lip ring. If Claude was still black-haired, she probably wouldn't have been able to tell the difference. Claude and Alexander were almost identical.

The surprise had worn off and Maddie's held in breath was released, her heart slowing to a normal rate. Alexander reached down to help her out of her hiding spot and, when she was in the open, she burst into tears, throwing her arms around Alexander's neck and whispering nonstop thank you's. Alexander returned the motion and in turn wrapped his arms comfortingly around her shivering body. He was smoothing her back in small circles, shushing her gently as she sobbed uncontrollably into his chest.

Maddie felt relieved that she could finally let loose all of her emotions. The night that was supposed to be so great and magical had ended in a disaster.

"Now, tell me, Maddie: did Claude bite you?" Alexander asked firmly, pushing her away, gently, just so he could see her tear-stained face. She stole a glance from her reflection and was immediately embarrassed at how horrible her face looked. Eyeliner and mascara was running down her face, as if somebody and traced fingers covered in black paint from her eyes down her cheeks. Her red lipstick had smeared all over her mouth, resembling that of a scary clown's mouth.

She shook her head quickly. "Oh God, no," she choked out.

"Did he harm you in any way?"

"He grabbed me and mounted me, but he didn't hit me," Maddie said honestly. Alexander nodded, but he still inspected her face and her neck, making sure she was absolutely correct.

"Claude definitely has a problem," Alexander sighed. "He always has, and I warned him that if he continued to drink any blood from civilians that he'd never see you again—that I'd make sure of it."

"He told me that too," Maddie said. "He says he stopped."

"Yeah, I'm sure he did stop, but he found a loophole to my threat." Maddie knitted her eyebrows.

"What loophole?"

"If he bit you on sacred ground, such as the graveyard, you two would be eternally bonded, and there would be no way of taking you away from him to punish him. After that, he and his friends would be able to continue their killing spree and drink from any human they wanted." Alexander's gaze softened as he stared into Maddie's frightened eyes. "He was using you."

Maddie gulped and felt her heart breaking slowly and painfully. She was afraid someone would tell her that. The reason he wanted to change her was so he could get his privilege to go out and start drinking from humans again.

"So … he never did love me, did he?" she rasped, shaking her head. Alexander pursed his lips and concentrated.

"Well, when a one—human or vampire—is bitten on sacred ground, they are bonded literally for eternity. They live together, and they die together. It's a marriage that can never ever be severed. Claude isn't stupid enough to bond with someone just to drink blood. I think turning you over sacred ground was a double win for him—he truly loved you and wanted to spend the rest of his life with you, and he could also return to hunting humans. So, to answer your question, I believe Claude must have really loved you."

"And to think I was just beginning to think I loved him return," she whispered. "I don't know what I was thinking, dating a vampire." She immediately clapped a hand over her mouth, widening her eyes in embarrassment. "I mean, well, for a girl like me, I'm not even into that supernatural stuff and—wait, I mean …"

Instead of being hurt and offended, Alexander merely smiled and shook his head.

"It's okay, I understand what you're saying. Raven has always been in love with the story of vampires ever since she was a little girl. Dark and gothic styles just isn't your thing. You and Claude contrasted in style, but I'm sure that has nothing to do with falling in love. And you stayed with him even when you found out he was a vampire. That sure is something, especially coming from a girl that isn't into our culture.

"But Claude has always been a dangerous and confused vampire. He was born a half-vampire and was always jealous of me. He thought I was favored and felt alone because he was different. I thought he'd turned over a new leaf when I decided to turn him and his friends into a full vampire, but that didn't last very long and became hunger-filled monsters. He's very unpredictable and dangerous, especially for someone like you." Maddie looked down at the ground, as if ashamed. "You didn't know, so of course I won't put this against you, but for safekeeping, I should keep an eye on you. Claude is determined to get what he wants, and right now he wants you."

"I'm sorry to have to steal you away from Raven," Maddie joked, wiping her tears. She was relieved that Alexander had volunteered to watch her, since nobody else really could.

"Don't worry," Alexander chuckled. "Raven wanted me to do this. She would have come with me, but her parents would have caught her and I didn't want her getting into any more trouble. She knows what you're going through—she's had a couple of run-ins with troublesome vampires, including Claude."

"That does sound troublesome," Maddie joked. Alexander smiled.

"Come on. We should get you home before your mother calls the police to search for you. I'll keep watch on your apartment, in case any particular vampires pass by," he suggested.

"Thank you so much, Alexander."

"What are friends for? Lucky I'm one of the good guys," he teased. Maddie giggled and smiled.

"Very."