Hi, sorry for the late update, but I had very little free time . I will start writing the new chapter of my other story- Chosen soon.
The place my characters visit in the flashback was a place I went to last year, before the holidays. It's a Christmas town in Greece- Oneiroupoli. It's made every year for a whole month in town Drama, and it was very nice. It's not much , but it gave me much holiday spirit and it was a nice break from the everyday life. If you want, look it up in Google.
Elizabeth's POV
It was a warm day at the end of December. It had snowed yesterday and now everything was covered in snow and it was wonderful. I had always enjoyed winter with all of its joy and holiday spirit. I wasn't a kid anymore, I knew that Santa wasn't real and that all of my present came from my parents and relatives, but still I liked the thrill before Christmas. To just see the smiles on people's faces, how they buy gifts. How beautiful everything looked with that Christmas decoration, and how nice it became. I always liked that days before the holidays, where everyone seemed more happy and nicer to each other. I couldn't explain it, but I liked it. I liked how I waited for excitement the new year with so much hope.
The past year was good to me. I met a great guy and I thought I had finally found my big love. This year had brought love into my life, the love I had been waiting for so long. And he was perfect. James was sweet, kind, charming and had every quality I liked in a man. He was like made for me. Some women spent years to find their love, while I found mine so easy. And I still couldn't believe how lucky I was.
We are walking hand in hand around the town. It wasn't cold, the weather was warm, but still I had my gloves on. James insisted I should put on a scarf, he didn't want me to get sick. I liked that about him, that he cared really for me. James was the first guy that had treated me so nicely and I was head over heels with him. And my parents liked him too. How could anyone not like James? He was well educated, funny, charming. He had this magnetic pull that easily made everyone that had contact with him to like him. And James had the nicest laughter and the most captivating blue eyes I had ever seen. Needless to say I was happy in love. I was young, in love and was about to spend the Christmas holidays with James for the first time. I was so excited.
'' Come on, we have to try this, Liz.''- The blue-eyed man took me to the Christmas market in the center of our town. I liked them so much. People came here each year to drink mulled wine and hot cocoa, to eat pancakes and other pastries . As a kid I especially enjoyed to write a letter to Santa, it had a special mailbox in which you can put it. Now at the Christmas market kids could write a letter to Santa or meet him and the reindeers. There were workshops, where kids could make their own toys, cards or to have fun with drawing and other games.
'' It's beautiful, Jamie.''- It really was. The whole market was lit with twinkling lights and the sight took my breath away. Everything was covered- the trees, the gate to the market. There were all kinds of decorations like big Christmas toys placed all around the place and they all were glowing. A guy dressed as Santa at the gate of the market was waving at the visitors and wishing them happy holidays.
'' Yes, it is.''- I eyed James and he was looking at me and smiling. I blushed and he leaned to kiss my cheek. I winked at him and caught his lips for a quick kiss. I loved him. I inhaled his perfume, his favorite one and my smile widened. We have been dating for almost 4 months now and still I felt butterflies in my stomach every time I kiss James.
'' Come, let's look around.''- I said as I pulled away and James kissed our laced hands and let me take the lead. We stopped at so many stalls but my boyfriend didn't complain, not even once. Quite the opposite- he seemed as excited as I was. We bought some souvenirs for our loved ones. There were all kinds of Christmas toys, decoration, wooden and handmade ones. There were candy- all kinds of them. Dark chocolate, white chocolate, in the shape of Christmas trees, snowmen, Santa Claus, Christmas gifts. Sugar canes, candy with a fruit flavor . I didn't know how much time we spent looking around but it was fun. We took many pictures near the wonderful decorations and statues, near the big Christmas tree.
'' I'm exhausted.''- I laughed as we finally sat down on one bench inside the market, where the foods and drinks where. –'' And hungry too.''- Me and James had bought ourselves one hotdog. I had convinced my boyfriend to buy ourselves one of that big waffle sticks that were covered with chocolate. And now we were trying to eat them as quickly as possible because the chocolate was dripping so much and I feared we would get our faces messy. And we were stained with chocolate. James had some on his cheek and I wiped it out. But as I took out a handkerchief to clean my face, my boyfriend took it from my hand and wiped gently my face.
'' Here, let me, Lizzie.''- James leaned with a smile and kissed my lips. My head was a little dizzy, because we had drank two cups of a mulled wine, and it had warmed me up inside. –'' You taste like chocolate and wine, Liz.''- His arms wrapped around my body and I embraced him too. –'' Very addictive taste.''- My smile widened. Life was good.
# # #
If I had only known how the new year would turn out. How it would not be as lucky and nice as I had wished. How my love would turn into a nightmare. How James had changed and he became so controlling and possessive. And that change didn't go unnoticed by my parents and family. My mother thought that James was wrong to act like this, that we should talk about it. She had told me once that I must never let him control my life, or to let him accuse me of unfaithfulness. All couples had their problems, but she was worried for me. I had changed , she had said. I had become less chatty, more closed in myself, and that was worrying her. My father thought the same, my boyfriend's behavior wasn't normal. But the one that had opened my eyes about James and that I should finally break up with him was Nathan.
We had seen each other one day and I had cried in front of him because one fight with James. My boyfriend had accused me again that I was trying to leave him. Then Nathan had literally grabbed my shoulders and shook me really good. But his words stung – James was abusive. That stung and stung deep. Nathan said that maybe James had some sort of a personality disorder or something like that, and our relationship was abusive. That had been like a literal blow to the stomach. Nathan told me some of his cases as a lawyer and they made me shiver from horror. How one mad from jealousy guy had killed his wife and newborn baby. How one had beaten his wife for years. And each story was more horrible than the last one. Nathan admitted that James was charming and he liked him in the beginning. But then after James accused my gay friend of wanting me, Nathan's opinion changed, but he decided to just pretend for my sake. That he wanted me happy and James made me happy. But I had changed so much- I stopped going out much, I always asked James of his opinion. I talked with him over the phone much, he barely left me alone when I was out with my friends. And according to Nathan I had stopped smiling so much. Like someone had sucked the life out of me. James was a control freak, Nathan said, and I was his plaything. He had made me addicted to him in the beginning and now he was taking slowly control over my life. Nathan's words sobered me up. It was another thing to hear your worst fears from another's lips. To hear the truth you know but you are too scared to admit. Because then the pink bubble would burst and the reality was frightening. And I finally gathered the courage to break up with James and to rid myself of my addiction to him.
How stupid and young I had been! Stupid and naïve! If I had met my younger self I would slap her a couple of times for ever letting James control her like that , for ever putting up with his awful behavior and control. How stupid I had been! Now I would never let a man to talk to me like that, to accuse me, to forbid me or to go through my phone. But two years ago I had been younger and believed that he could change. I stupidly believed that James could return to the man he had been in the beginning. But Nathan was right- James had put on a good show in the first few months so he could win me under his spell, and later to reveal his true self, but I would already be too in love to ignore it. And it had been so true, so painfully true. James had dropped his mask after maybe 5-6 months, and it was so hard for me to leave him. I had hoped so much that he would return to my sweet James, that I could change him. But I had been really stupid. And look where my stupidity got me. Abducted from my ex, who now was a vampire. And I was married to him, I signed a marriage certificate and had a wedding ring on. These were the thoughts in my mind as a laid on something soft and moving. A car.
It took me a little while to open my eyes. My everything was dizzy. I was at the backseat of the car James stole, and I was covered with some blanket. I didn't dare to sit up or even move, because I didn't want to face or talk to James right now. The wedding ring on my finger was like a hot iron, branded on my skin and I ached to throw it. Married to that monster. To the man that killed so many, abducted a child to blackmailed me with. A guy that made me choose who to kill. James had murdered police officers, even one as nice as David, who only tried to help me. My heart tightened as I thought of David, was he well? James had roughed him pretty badly, and I prayed that the kind blond man was all right. I was grateful to David, who to this moment had tried to help me escape James once and who had made it his goal to save me. I prayed the kind police officer was well.
'' Liz?''- I hated that voice, I hated it! I hated how he said my name, that nickname that once made my knees weak. If only I had known things would become this!-'' Liz!''- I stubbornly didn't answer or even move. James sighed.-'' I know you are awake, dear. I can hear your heartbeat.''- I heard the smile in his voice.-'' Besides I had slept next to you so many times, darling, that I know when you are faking sleep.''- I sighed too and sat down, the blanket tightly wrapped around me. The dark-haired vampire turned around for a bit and smiled at me.-'' How are you, Mrs. Campbell?''- I nearly gagged just from the sound of his surname. Once I had been dreaming to wear that name, but now I only wanted to scream. The wedding ring was burning my skin and I wanted to take it off. –'' Liz?''- I kept on with the silence.-'' Elizabeth?''- I bit my lips. This wasn't real! It wasn't! I wasn't married to him, I wasn't in a car with him! I was in my home, and James was in jail! My fingers reached for the car door, but it was locked of course. I desperately tried to open it and to jump. I kept on hitting the door, even the window.–'' Elizabeth, stop that!''- The vampire compulsion froze me on my spot and I let go of the handle. –'' Come and sit next to me.''- James stopped the car and I obediently got out and took the passenger seat. I wanted to run, but James controlled me again.
'' I have always imagined my first moments as a married man a little differently.''- I glared coldly at James, but remained silent again as I sat down. –'' You and me in an eternal bliss- kisses, hugs and passion.''-James sighed dramatically. I wanted to punch him so badly, that it physically hurt me not to move.-'' Not this silent treatment and stubbornness. It so unlike you , Liz , the real Liz. The one that loved me.''- He ran fingers through his hair and sighed dramatically again.-'' I want a loving wife, is that so hard?''- I bit my lips, because I would have jumped and attacked him, if I hadn't dug nails in the seat.
'' This marriage is a farce, James.''- He was not expecting me to answer, and I saw how his jaw clenched at my next words.-'' You know it too.''- I knew my ex was crazy and his mental health was beyond saving at this point. But was he so far gone to think that this forced marriage was real and normal?-'' The rings are stolen, also you forced me to marry you.''- I regretted my words the moment the dark-haired vampire turned around, grabbed my wrist and twisted it painfully. I tried to free my hand, but he squeezed harder. –'' It hurts, let go!''- James let go , the cold look in his eyes was replaced with anger. Would he killed me? No, he wanted to torment me forever, I thought with bitterness.
'' You left me no choice, Elizabeth! None at all!''- He cupped my face in his hands.-'' I had no choice.''- he whispered against my lips. I pushed him off. He turned to the window.
'' This has gone too far, James.''- Tears were clouding my eyes, and wiped some of them. I eyed the wedding ring on my finger, and it was so sick that my stomach did a flip again. This ring was meant to be a dream come true, a sweet moment. Now it only made me sick. So sick that I wanted to die just from looking at it.
'' Don't you think I know that?!''- James yelled, still not looking at me. -'' You think I wanted our marriage like this?!''- I shivered at how angry he sounded and I wrapped arms around myself. –'' God, Liz, in what mess you got us into!''- He ran fingers through his hair and took out one cigarette and lit it up. He never looked my way, and I was glad for that. Me?! How I was the one responsible again? Why was he blaming me for everything?-'' Well done, love.''- James lowered down the window, so the smoke won't be in the car. How thoughtful.
'' It's not my fault.''- I whispered and his knee began to bounce, the hand on it was curled into a tight fist. -'' You can't put all the blame on me.''- The vampire blew a smoke through the window.-'' My biggest mistake was ever dating you.''- Maybe I shouldn't have said that, but I couldn't take my words back. James's right hand grabbed mine and he eyed me finally. His eyes weren't red as I expected, but deep blue.
'' Don't ever say that again, Elizabeth.''- James hissed.-'' Don't you dare say that! We were happy, and you loved me!''- He swallowed, and I saw tears in his eyes.-'' We were happy.''- That sounded so small and sad.-'' So why can't we be happy again?''- The hold on my hand wasn't as strong as before and I allowed James to lace our hands, because I didn't want to piss him more.
'' No.''- I simply answered and waited for the anger outburst with dread. I expected James to yell, to hit me, anything. But he only sighed and rested his head on the back of the seat.
'' What happened to us, Liz?''- His blue eyes met mine, and for a split second I saw the man I had fallen in love with. The man he had been before his possessive and jealous nature to show its ugly head. It hurt me so much. James threw off his cigarette.
'' You changed, James. You just changed.''- I bit my lips and averted my eyes. It hurt to look at him.-'' And I couldn't be with that new person.''- He closed the window. –'' And now this.''- My voice broke, because I didn't have any strength in me to say how much the last days had affected me. How much fear, how much guilt, tears . –'' I am not sure if you have any idea in what big mess we are right now.'' – Did he realize what he had done? Escaping jail? Abducting me and some child? Running away from the police? All those stolen cars, pile of dead people? Stolen clothes, money? Breaking in another property multiple times?-'' And how you made me your accomplice.''- His hold on my hand tightened. I knew they probably would never accuse me for anything, but I was guilty before myself. I had entered those homes as well, I had worn stolen clothes, ate with stolen money, traveled with stolen cars. I knew I was guilty too. I didn't have a choice, but that wasn't easing up my conscience. I felt responsible for every dead person, for every stolen dollar, for every cloth, for every car. I felt responsible for Evelyn, for David, for every police officer my ex attacked. –'' And that guilt is eating me alive, James.''- My ex threw the cigarette through the window.
'' I didn't want it to come to this.''- James's leg began to bounce nervously again. I risked glancing his way, and he was looking at our laced hands.-'' Believe me, I didn't, kitten.''
'' And what did you think was going to happen?!''- I raised involuntary my voice, and I immediately regretted it. James's head turned to me.
'' I don't know , Liz!''- He yelled and gripped my hand, using a bit of his vampire strength.-'' What do you want me to say?! That I haven't thought this through?!''- The dark-haired man suddenly pulled me into his arms in a tight embrace. I tried to push him away, but James just squeezed tighter, and my hands gripped the front of his shirt.'-'' Because I really haven't.''- He leaned his forehead against mine and breathed deeply.-'' My only thought was to find you, Lizzie. To come back to you. That was my only goal. The rest was irrelevant. ''- My heart was beating fast, and I saw him smirk.-'' I didn't care how many I had to kill. I didn't give a damn how much I had to steal. I even didn't care about my soul and humanity. My only purpose, my only beacon of light and hope was you, Elizabeth.''- James pressed a kiss on my forehead.-'' I was ready to cross oceans, to climb mountains, to go to end of the world for you, darling.''
'' And what if I had been married?''- James tensed and his hold became almost bruising.-'' What if I had kids? What then?''- This has been bothering me. What would have my ex done if I was married to someone? Would he let me watch the death of my husband? And would he have spared my children?
'' Well, lucky for us that you were single, darling.''- His voice was cold as ice, but he winked at me.-'' I would have killed your spouse, of course. Slowly and painfully.''- James licked his lips, probably imagining some unknown man's torture.-'' For ever marrying you and taking my place in your heart and dreams. Oh, I would have enjoyed ending his life!''- The color of his eyes was crystal blue now, but I still shivered.-'' Maybe I would have made you watch, but you would have cried and begged for your man, and that would have irritated me, so no, probably not. Like you begged for you golden-haired knight, David.''- He spat the name of the young man like it was poison.-'' But your husband's death would have been painful, I guarantee you that, Liz.''- He leaned and kissed my cheek. I got an urge to wipe my cheek, but I couldn't move.- '' As for the kids… no. I would have spared them.''- I blinked surprised at him. James had abducted one small girl and endangered her life so much. He had nearly damaged her mind. Why on earth would he have spared my children?-'' Because they would have been yours, Liz.''- James answered my unspoken question.-'' Yours and some filthy man's, but still part of you. And I could never destroy a part of you, Elizabeth. We would have raised them together.''- I nearly vomited just by looking at his maniacal grin.
'' You are really insane.''- I whispered.-'' Do you really think you can raise kids?''- Once I thought I wanted to have a child from this man. To live in a house with a dog or a cat and to have children. But now the idea made me dizzy.
'' Yes.'' – James caressed my hair.-'' I would be an awesome dad, Elizabeth, if you are the mother. I would take care of our baby so well. If you had kids with another, they would love me as well. I would have made them love me.''- Tears appeared in my eyes and rested my head on his shoulder, because otherwise I would have passed out . –'' You probably are hungry, Liz, there is a gas station nearby. We will get you something to eat. Also you need to freshen up, Mrs. Campbell.''- James kissed my hand and started the car. I stared absently through the window as we reached the gas station.-'' Use the bathroom, Mrs. Campbell, but be careful.''- James kissed my cheek.-'' I don't want trouble. And don't try to take the ring off, Lizzie.''- His compulsion made me weak and I nodded.-'' What do you want me to buy?''
'' I don't care.'' – I hissed and hurried to enter the bathrooms, which were behind the gas station. My legs carried me to the women's one and I was so glad that it was empty. I wanted so badly to cry my eyes out, but James won't like it. I eyed the ring and I hated it with all of my heart. I did my thing, washed my hands and face. I needed to think of something to escape, but James was controlling me , I barely went anywhere without his compulsion.
My hands trembled as I exited the women's bathroom. I was so lost in thoughts and I bumped into someone.
'' I'm sorry.''- I had bumped into some man, and he had grabbed my forearms to steady me.-'' Thank you.''- I waited for him to release me, but he didn't. The guy has probably older than James, and taller. His hair was black and long and tied on a ponytail. The eyes were green and there was something hypnotizing in them. –'' Sir, can you let me go, please?''- This was getting uncomfortable, and I struggled to break free.-'' Sir?''
'' You smell lovely, sweetheart.''- I shivered as the stranger's green eyes turned red as blood and I noticed the familiar fangs in his mouth as he spoke. A vampire!-'' And I am hungry, and you look like a very delicious snack.''- His hold got bruising. For the first time in the last days I prayed for James to save me.