Chapter 8: The Lesser Of Two Evils

A story by Yellow Smoke

Alle right's belong to their rightfull owners.

Year 1956

For once Willow felt peaceful, although she couldn't remember why she shouldn't be peaceful. It wasn't as though she was anywhere, or could see anything, but she was somewhere quiet and dark, inside her own mind. But it wasn't dark in a way that scared her, but rather in a soothing calm way, like being covered by a warm soft blanket.

Willow couldn't remember why she had been scared, or why it felt so nice everything was quiet for once, but it did. If she could decide, she would stay at this quiet, calm place forever, where everything was peaceful, and there was nothing to worry about.

A part of her thought that she was in New York, as she registered what might be a soft mattress underneath her, and she felt the sheets, while she could smell her own scent on the pillow. She knew in a moment she would hear the cars driving by outside, as everyone tried to reach their destination. Just like Willow knew that in a few seconds her alarm would go off, telling her it was time to wake up, and she would sit up and yawn, before she got dressed and went to school.

She would walk down the crowded streets of New York, while people and ghosts walked past her, and she would look at the ground, as she didn't want to see anything. But it was okay, because no one was going to notice her, as she was just another tiny dot on the big map of New York. No one who walked past her knew who she was, and she didn't know them either.

And while people at school knew she was different, she was just one out of many students, and her fellow students would leave her alone, knowing there was no reason to bother her. And then when the school day was over, Willow would walk home once more, before she threw herself down on her bed, and opened a book, which would transport her into another world.

And so the cycle would be repeated over and over, day after day, which suited Willow just fine. Then one day she would graduate from High School, and Willow would get a job, while she created a new peaceful cycle, which she would repeat until she died herself.

It was everything Willow wanted from this life, and she thought it was fair to ask of the world. She didn't want a husband, or any child, she didn't ask for a house or a car. All Willow ever wanted was her peaceful cycle, and as she lay, the calmness around her reminded her of her cycle, and it was beautiful.

But then almost in flashes, she recalled how none of it was going to happen. Because she saw herself on that bus, driving towards the small hell on earth that would be her new home. She saw how her uncle picked her up at the mainstreet, although she had yet to realize the horrors the man had committed, as she in good faith had followed him to his house. She saw her aunt, with her dead eyes, as she hugged her, while her dead friend was bleeding behind them… blood seeping from his wound.

Willow's head twisted in her sleep, as she saw her first day at school, and she recalled the Cullens, and all of their ghosts, who had scared her. She recalled as she ran out in front of the car, and how she had been brought to the hospital.

And so it continued, while Willow's heartbeat once more picked up in speed, as she began to remember everything in her sleep. She recalled the notebook, and her visit to the library, just like she recalled how she met Edward Cullen in the church, and how he had driven her home in his car.

But at last the final images passed her mind, and she knew it was a matter of survival at this point. The blanket that so carefully kept her mind warm had to be torn away, and Willow could no longer stay in there, or she would die, at least she thought so.

And so she groaned, as she forced her eyes open once more, only to stare up at the ceiling of her small room, or rather her former room, because Willow sensed she wasn't going to stay here much longer.

She almost felt like she was going to throw up, as she forced herself to sit up, as though she had been asleep for years, and not minutes. Her mind still felt foggy, as though she had been on some kind of drug, which she in a way had, and she found it hard to think as clearly as she would like too.

She couldn't see Frank and Patricia, but she could hear them talking in the hallway just outside, and while Patricia's voice was hushed, Frank had no care, and spoke as loud as he wanted too.

"I don't want her in my house!" she heard Frank say loud and clear, and Willow could only assume he was referring to her, and she could understand why, as Willow realized she said he had killed someone, just before she passed out. It had been a foolish act, and as Willow began to slowly wake up, she realized this left her in a great danger.

A part of didn't doubt George, he had told the truth, and her uncle had truly been the one who killed him in cold blood, because they both loved the same woman. For some reason it wasn't hard for Willow to imagine Frank was coldhearted enough to kill another person, and it made her blood run cold, as she knew he would be capable of killing her as well.

She had seen the gun he was carrying in his belt, and Willow realized she couldn't just expect to run out of this house, as she had said too much. She paled, and was close to passing out once more, as she realized the vampires might never get her, if her uncle killed her first, simply because she knew too much.

That was another thing… the vampires. Willow groaned as she realized just how stupid she had been, and how much she had said, which shouldn't have been said. It wasn't as though the whole town wanted to kill her, but these people were enough, and Willow couldn't see how she was supposed to get out of it, could she crawl through the window?

Willow stared at it, wondering if it was possible, but began to fear she might fall, and break her leg instead, and then she would sure as hell be dead.

"Frank she is sick… she had no idea what she was saying," her aunt Patricia pleaded with her uncle on the other side of the door, and her voice sounded worried. "I… I don't know how she has heard of George in the first place, but surely it was just nonsense… she has a high fever, i am sure that all," she tried to convince her husband, but even Willow knew she was fighting against the most stubborn man on earth. And deep down Frank knew Willow was speaking the truth, and so he had to get rid of her.

All while Patricia clearly hadn't take Willow's words too seriously, probably to protect her own mind from the truth, that she was married to a murder.

"Patty this isn't a fever, that girl is messed up, just like her mother!" Frank spoke back, while each word seemed to tear at Willow's fragile heart. "You have seen how much time she spends in her room, always alone… and she has been acting strange! You know it!" he argued, his voice uncaring and cold as always.

"She hasn't been feeling well… the whole move from New York has been hard for her," her aunt tried to argue back, and Willow couldn't believe that Patricia was the one who had the most empathy. "Give her some time, let her rest and we will talk to her, i am sure all of this is a misunderstanding," she pleaded , but Patricia had never won a single fight against Frank, and she wasn't about to win this one either.

Frank however never managed to respond, as the doorbell suddenly sounded, and gave Willow a shock, something she had enough of for one day. Her heart had picked up in speed once more, while Willow frantically tried to think of a way to get out, before it was too late, and so she forced herself to get out of bed.

"Finally," Frank huffed, as he walked down the stairs, as he clearly had been expecting someone. Willow could hear how his heavy steps walked down the staircase, which made Willow wonder if now was the moment to run, as she had no other choice. She had to try and get away from here, although she couldn't take anything with her, as even her suitcase would slow her down.

But just as Willow took the first step towards the exit, her aunt opened the door, and looked surprised upon Willow.

"You are awake," she said carefully, and Willow noticed she still was wearing her blue robe and the towel around her hair, which suggested Willow hadn't been out for long, although Patricia's face looked even older than the last time she saw her.

"You have to make her believe me!" a voice suddenly begged beside her, and Willow realized George had followed with them, which made her whimper slightly, as she couldn't take much more of these ghosts. But George was clearly upset, as he finally had gotten his words to Patricia, but then the person he loved didn't believe him.

"Maybe you should lie down, you look so pale," Patricia said concerned, as she had heard Willow whimper, and was afraid the poor thing would pass out once more, and hit her head even further. Willow hadn't even felt it yet, but her head had clashed against the floor as she passed out, but she was still too scared to even think of such things.

And as Patricia reached out for her, to guide her toward the bed Willow jumped away from her, clearly afraid of her, as she knew that Patricia in the end belonged to Frank. And she would never understand what was going on.

"I… i…" Willow tried to stammer, but was unsure what she even wanted to say, but she never got to say anything, as footsteps could be heard, this time not just Frank, as someone else was coming with her.

"I want her out," Frank made it clear, and his voice was louder than it ever had been. "And i don't care if i have to take her myself, but she is going under any circumstances," he said, and Willow knew he meant it, although she wasn't sure where he was talking about.

But just then Frank appeared on the top of the steps, and Willow's heart seemed to stop, as she eyed the golden eyes behind him, and combined with the pale skin, blonde sleek hair and the blue coat, Willow knew it was Dr. Cullen who had shown up on a housecall. And if things had been bad, they were surely worse now, as they had caught up with her. Even if Willow was able to escape Frank, she wouldn't be able to escape the vampires, not if they were this close.

"I understand your concerns… but please let me look at the patient first, before you have my consent," Dr. Cullen said, and Willow eyed the black bag in his hand, wondering just what he had brought with him? Tools to torture her?

"There is no need to examine, she isn't sane… it has been passed down from her mother, and she needs treatment!" her uncle protested, while Willow got a slight idea of just where he was trying to send her off too.

"And if what you are saying is true, I will confirm it myself, and send her there," Dr. Cullen told Frank patiently, while Willow backed up against the wall, now wondering if she should try to climb out the window instead, as her heart seemed to have stopped for a second, while panic began to take over. "Now if you will allow me a moment with my patient?" Dr. Cullen requested, and made it clear Patricia had to leave the room, who slowly stepped backwards, away from Willow.

"No… no!" Willow tried to protest, looking at everybody in fear, as she did not want to be left alone with a vampire, who on top of everything had to know by now that she was a threat to their existence.

And under normal circumstances her uncle wouldn't have left her with a man in her room, that was simply unpropper, but he had come to a point where he would do anything to get rid of her, and as fast as possible. And so as Patricia stepped back, Willow watched as Dr. Cullens black polished shoes stepped into the room, the floor creaking underneath him, as he crossed it.

"Hello Miss Cross," he greeted her, and sent her a friendly smile, although Willow knew it all was an act, as he closed the door behind him. Leaving the two of them alone, and Willow knew she was caught.

She began to shake, as she eyed the ghost, the old priest who followed Dr. Cullen, who stared at her victorious, as though something good for once was about to happen, and his eyes seemed cruel toward her.

"Witches like you should be burned at the stake!" he hissed, and was clearly about to enjoy whatever was going to happen, while Willow realized she was about to die.

It wasn't how she had imagined it, and it was far too early in her life, but over the last few hours she had gotten herself into far too much trouble, and as she looked at Dr. Cullen, she realized there was no way out of it. Although his face told her nothing, she knew he was a vampire, and kind smiles weren't going to help anything.

"I won't hurt you…" Dr. Cullen then told her, as he took another step towards her, and held his hands up peacefully, but Willow knew better. This was all just an act, before he sucked her blood out of her veins, and Willow would become a ghost herself, forever following the vampire doctor.

"Please!" Willow begged, as tears began to stream down her face once more, as the doctor took another step toward her, and she tried to press herself further against the wall, while her heart beated like a thousand horses running across the field.

"Willow, I am only here to help," Dr. Cullen tried to sooth her in a low voice, although Willow knew his kindness was a facade, made to fool her.

At this point it wasn't whenever she was going to die or not, because death was going to happen, it was a question of how Willow wanted to die, and for a moment she wondered if she could jump out of the window to kill herself, but she knew he would reach her before she could get that far.

And so it only left her with one option, as Willow took a deep breath, ready to scream on top of her lungs, so the neighbors at least would know something had happened in this house.

But before a single sound managed to escape her lips, Dr. Cullen stood before her in a flash, and had pressed his hand over her mouth, effectively stopping her from saying anything, except a few sounds no one was going to hear.

"Shhh!" he tried to hush her, clearly a bit distressed about the situation as well. "Calm down," he begged her, and as Willow began to twist and turn he placed another hand on her shoulder, using his own body to push her against the wall.

"Hmmm!" Willow cried out behind his hand, but his cold pale hands stayed in place, while she struggled.

"Willow listen to me, listen!" Dr. Cullen ordered, his voice filled with authority, as he stared desperately at her, while Willow stared wide eyed at him. But his tone of voice did help, as Willow for a second froze, and stopped struggling. "I am trying to help you!" he tried to convince her, and was clearly stressed as he didn't have much time. "Your uncle wants me to send you to Western State Hospital, and to be honest, if I don't send you there, he is going to bring you there himself," Dr. Cullen warned her, while Willow paled, as she knew Western State Hospital wasn't a normal hospital, it was a place for people like her who were insane.

And Willow shook her head frantically, and tried to protest behind his hand, although he didn't let go of her. A fate at that hospital was worse than death, but Willow could see the logic in it. Frank wouldn't have to kill her, if he simply could ship her off and claim she was insane, and Willow shuddered, as she knew what kind of treatment she would be given.

"No!" she cried behind his hand, which Dr. Cullen seemed to understand, as he hushed her, and rubbed her shoulder in comfort.

"Breath dear," he reminded her, and Willow could swear he almost seemed compassionate and kind, especially compared to her own family. "Willow, I am going to help you get out of this, but you have to trust me, and do as I say," he told her, and Willow looked at him confused. Why would he, a doctor and vampire, of all people try to help someone like Willow.

Because truth to be told, it would be an easy solution to his whole family, unless he wanted to kill her. But by simply claiming she was mad, none of them would ever have to worry about her again, while Willow probably would die where she was sent off too.

Dr. Cullen seemed to sense there was something Willow wanted to say, as he carefully moved his hand from her mouth, although Willow knew if she tried to scream, he would put it back over her mouth instantly.

"Why would you help me?" Willow asked, while tears ran down her face. To Willow nothing made sense anymore, and for a second she wanted to pinch herself, just to see if she was awake, but as she felt Dr. Cullen's cold hand on her cheek, as he brushed her tear away, she knew all of this had to be real.

"I want to help you, because I know you see things, things nobody else is going to understand, but you are not insane. Sending you off to such a horrible place would be wrong," he explained to her in a hushed voice, while Willow listened, surprised he seemed so understanding, although this could be a trick as well. "And i feel slightly guilty on my family's behalf for what has happened to you," he said, and looked down for a moment in shame, although Willow couldn't understand how it was their fault, but the time was ticking, and there were so many other questions on her mind, while Willow felt confused. Why would this man try to help her?

"You… you do know, that i know what you are?" Willow whispered, and it was barely loud enough for the normal ear to hear, as she was shaking in fear, hoping she wasn't about to make everything worse.

But Dr. Cullen only gave her a small almost apologetic smile, as though that was his fault as well, as he nodded.

"I have been told you are aware of what we are," he agreed. "I also hope that may make you understand that me and my family knows what it means to be an outsider, and i can promise you no harm will befall on you from any of us," he promised her, and although Willow truly wanted to believe all of his words, she just couldn't make herself do it.

This might as well be a plot to kill her, but what choice did Willow have, but to agree to his help? Willow shivered at the thought of being taken to an asylum, knowing what they did to people like her, and she knew for sure her uncle was going to bring her there, whenever Dr. Cullen agreed or not. But Dr. Cullen however was a wildcard to Willow. There was a chance he actually spoke the truth, and wanted to help her, but this could also be a trick, which would lead to her death.

But Willow wasn't sure she wanted to live a life at an asylum, and so death would be a more merciful choice, and at this point Dr. Cullen was the lesser of two evils. It didn't mean she trusted the blonde doctor, but there wasn't really a choice if she wanted to get away from Frank. From there she would have to figure out what to do.

Willow then took a deep breath, as she tried to gather the last piece of courage she had, before she looked up into his golden eyes.

"What do you need me to do?" she asked, and saw how relief washed over Dr. Cullens face.

And so it was with a fast beating heart Willow agreed to do what he was asking of her, not knowing if she actually wanted to do all of what he asked, but she knew it might actually work, although it was going to be though.

And in just a few minutes, he had explained everything to her.

"Ready?" Dr. Cullen asked her carefully, as he watched her tired face, knowing she didn't have much energy left, but she would have to push herself a bit further, before she could rest.

Willow took a last look around the room that had been hers for two weeks, knowing she wouldn't be in it again. She wasn't going to miss it at all, just like she wasn't going to miss Frank, or even Patricia, although she felt sorry for her. Sorry she never got a chance to get married with the love of her life, she never got a chance to have her own children, and she would forever live under Frank's wrath, unknowing of the real events that had occurred.

But Willow was ready to leave all of it behind, and she knew she wasn't going to miss it, no matter what happened. There was nothing about this room that reminded her of home, and it had never been a place of comfort, it had just been the only place where she could be alone. She looked for a moment at her suitcase, knowing she wouldn't be able to take it with her, as it would slow her down, and Dr. Cullen would have no good excuse to put it in his car later on. There was nothing inside it that actually meant anything to her, but it was everything that was hers… but as she tried to remind herself, it was just meaningless objects.

Willow then eyed the priest, the one who seemed to be following Dr. Cullen, and she noticed he seemed almost disappointed, if not angry, that Dr. Cullen was offering to help her instead.

"I hope you all burn in hell!" he yelled at her, clearly furious about the turn of events, although he didn't say more, as Dr. Cullen grabbed Willow's chin, and turned her toward him instead, as he had noticed she seemed to be staring into the thin air once more.

"Focus," he told her in a calm patient voice. "Just focus on my voice, and do what I have told you too, don't let anything distract you," he ordered, and Willow noded, as he smiled, and let go of her face. "Let's get over with this," Dr Cullen then muttered, as he grabbed his bag in one hand, as his other arm was wrapped around her shoulder, and his hand wrapped itself around her upper arm, as if he was trying to restrict her. "Now don't say a word, and just look at the ground," he repeated to her, and Willow nodded as she did as he asked, before he opened the door to her room, and guided her outside.

But although she tried to keep her eyes down, she still saw Patricia and Frank standing by the front door, waiting for them to get out. Dr. Cullen had probably been with her for at least fifteen minutes without a word.

"Well?" Frank asked, as Dr. Cullen walked her down the stairs, and Willow felt how her heart began to beat faster at the sound of his voice. Although Dr. Cullen was the vampire, she had started to fear Frank more than an actual monster.

"I have seen what i need to see, and i agree it would be best for her to receive the treatment she so clearly needs. I am taking her to our own hospital for the night, and then i will call Western State Hospital, who will transfer her tomorrow," Dr Cullen answered smoothly, and so well Willow almost began to fear it was the truth, but she kept her head down, although she could feel Patricia's eyes on her.

"What is wrong with her?" Patricia asked worried, as she wasn't used to seeing Willow with her head down, not even making eye contact, while she remained pale as a sheet. Almost as pale as Dr. Cullen.

"I gave her something to take the top of her nerves, don't worry Mrs. Quinn it won't make her fall asleep or pass out, it has simply calmed her down," Dr. Cullen smiled, and lied so smoothly and perfect considering what was going to happen in a moment.

"Of course… thank you Dr. Cullen…" Patricia muttered, although she clearly felt uncomfortable about the whole thing, as she didn't believe Willow should be sent off, but if the good Dr. Cullen said so, then who was Patricia to argue with him. "When will she come back home?" she asked, clearly nervous, while Frank simply stood there and waited, as he had little left to say to any of them, as long as Willow was taken away.

"It's hard to say Mrs. Quinn, it depends on many things," Dr. Cullen answered formally, and then decided it was time to leave, before further complications arose. "Now i must get back to my other patients, but i assure you we will take good care of Miss Cross," he promised, as Frank without a word opened the door, and Willow felt how he gloated… he had in the end won. She for a second wondered what her mother would say, if she heard Frank had tried to send her to an asylum, but then Willow realized she wouldn't say anything, because she had sent Willow away too. And tears threatened to spill by the mere thought.

But just as Dr. Cullen was about to guide Willow outside, Patricia grabbed her hand, and although Willow really wanted too, she kept her eyes down.

"There is always a place for you here Willow," she told her, as tears began to fall down Willow's cheeks, but she never looked up. She only tried to nod, as a form of response, as Dr. Cullen smiled kindly to Patricia on her behalf.

"You can't leave! No please Willow, you have to help me!" George begged behind her, while Dr. Cullen helped her down the stairs, while her heart beated even more rapidly.

"Breath Willow, you are doing fine," Dr. Cullen told her in a very low voice, while big drops of water began to hit them as they stepped away from the porch, and Willow hadn't even realized it was raining, but of course it was, it was Leavenworth afterall.

"WILLOW!" George yelled, clearly crushed, as he couldn't follow her when Patricia stayed at the door beside Frank.

"Just a few more steps, focus Willow," Dr. Cullen encouraged her, while both of them got wet in seconds, as water began to run down their faces, hiding Willow's tears. It was still daytime, but due to the dark clouds, it felt like it was in the middle of the night to Willow, as Willow followed Dr. Cullen out to his dark car. Not that Willow ever was supposed to reach it.

And so Willow tried to prepare herself, knowing she would have to use all of her energy in just a few seconds, while she took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. The day had truly been a chaos, and Willow was ready to leave all of it behind, although she had no idea what she was going to do.

"Just another step," Dr. Cullen told her, as he wanted to give her as much time as possible , and Willow took in the last breath of air, before he whispered softly. "Now,"

And Willow did as they had agreed, and pushed her elbow backwards, as though she was going to punch him in the stomach. All while Dr. Cullen, as though he was a natural actor, slowly moved his stomach backwards, and made it look like Willow had hit him just where she was supposed too, although she never made physical contact. Instead she turned around for a moment, as Dr. Cullen left go of her, and clutched his stomach, before she looked one last time at the tiny house on Birch Street 16, and just as Frank took the first step toward her…

She ran.

So another update for you! This chapter more or less wrote itself, and although i updated less than 24 hours ago, i thought no reason not to share it! Anyway another cliff hanger, and what is Willow going to do now?

Anyway, if anyone is curious, i chose Carlisle planned for her to run, rather than for him to just take her in the car and claim he had taken her to the asylum, simply because the Cullens needs her to disapear, and it needs to look as though she had nothing to do with it. Willow has of course not seen it through!

Anyway, leave a lovely review with yours thoguhts, what is going to happen now?