Molly stared at Serena in shock. "Rena? What happened to..." "No time Mol.
Do you happen to have fifteen bucks?" Serena asked quickly, while ruffling
her hair. Giving her a look up and down, Molly could not believe the sight
she saw before her. The usually well put together Serena, was not standing
there. Instead, a worn looking mess of a girl. Standing there in dirty
jeans, a faded shirt, paint smudged boots, and a two dollar jacket, Serena
looked miserable. "Why, what for?" Molly asked. Serena pointed behind her
with her thumb, to the cab waiting in the street. "A cab?! Serena! Why
didn't you call me if you needed a ride?" she asked. Serena rolled her
eyes, grunting "Molly, first things first, can I borrow fifteen bucks so
this guy wont have a conniption and call the cops?" she asked. Sighing
Molly just nodded wide eyed, "Alright,... hold on, let me get my purse."
Watching Molly walk off, Serena turned around to the driver and waved,
signaling she'd be right there. The guy waved back and smiled at her. 'god,
no more smiling men.' She thought to herself as she leaned against the door
post. Hearing footsteps in the house, Serena turned her attention inside to
see Molly bustling out of a room. "I got it." She said walking up to her
friend. "Great, thanks Molly. I was wondering, could you..could you maybe
go out there and pay him for me. Cause right now, I feel like if I take
another step, I'll fall." She said. Molly's brow was creased with worry as
she looked at her friend, "Sure Serena." She said, patting her shoulder.
Walking past her, Molly made her way to the cab waiting near the curb. Ducking her head in the passenger side window, she prompted the money, "Thank you much." he spoke with a thick southern accent. "Be sure take care that friend now hear." He said, pointing to the house. Molly nodded, glancing back, when her mouth suddenly dropped open. She saw Serena crawling on the ground, into her house, "Serena!" she cried, walking back to her house. Paying no attention to the cab that drove away, she ran to her house and walked in, shutting the door behind her. "Serena? What's going on?" she asked. Serena just continued her slow crawl to Molly's couch. "Oh, you would have died Mol." She said, suddenly laughing for no reason.
Making it to the couch, Serena layed face down on it. Head buried in the cushion, she giggled some more, "I was.haha." A fit of giggles overtook her. Molly kneeled down beside the couch, "You were..?" Serena stopped laughing for a moment, before lifting her head to look at her friend, "Ha..yeah, I was um, kidnapped." She said clearing her throat, and feeling a chill run through her. She was so tired, even the heat of Molly's house made her cold. "Kidnapped!" Molly yelped, "Serena....Serena are you alright!? What happened? we should call the police." Molly said getting to her feet. Serena began laughing again. "No, No." she said, reaching out a hand to stop her friend. Molly stopped in her tracks, and looked down at her. "I'm not finished." She said, "I was kidnapped,...by a vampire!" she said. "HA! Oh wow, this is so not how I pictured me telling you." She said laying the side of her face on the cushion. "Serena, I'm gonna call the cops." She said. Serena just hook her head, "No..no Molly, don't...don't do that." She said as her breaths became slower, "Don't do.." she stopped talking, her eyes slowly closing. Kneeling down again, Molly began to get panicky, "Serena?" she asked. Serena didn't respond. "Serena?" she asked again, looking at her closely. Though her fears were suddenly put aside when she heard a loud snore erupt from her friend. Falling on her butt, Molly laughed, and sighed, she was just asleep. Worry still plagued her though. She had to call someone. Getting up and reaching the phone, she dialed a familiar number and waited. "Hello." Came a voice over the phone, "Yes, Andrew Taylor Please" Molly said.
Standing over her sleeping form, Molly shared a worried look with her and Serena's good friend Andrew. Andrew was a medical student at BU in Houston, and had come to New Orleans to Visit his family. He had looked her over as best he could, being that she was basically in a dead sleep. "Well, she has to wake up fro me to look her over thoroughly." He said, crossing his arms over her broad chest, "She doesn't seem to be hurt any anyway though. My best guess is that it's just fatigue. You said she was laughing when she came in?..." he asked. Molly nodded her head. "yeah, she was laughing about it. She said she had been kidnapped." Andrew seemed to be thinking, "Well, if she was laughing, I doubt she was abused in anyway. Then again, she could have been covering the pain." He said sitting down in a chair. Molly's jaw dropped, "Andrew? Could she really be in bad shape?" she asked. "Hard to say." He replied, leaning his elbows on his knees and holding his head up with his hands. "We were told that when women come into the ER that are rape victims, are usually very sovereign, and fidgety. But never laughing, I'm sure we're pretty safe." He said, rubbing his eyes with the heels of his hands. Molly moaned, "Andrew, please, I don't wanna talk about that. I just want to believe she's in perfect health, if not exhausted beyond belief." Sighing, Andrew Nodded, "Ok then Molly. I'm sorry." He said. Fiddling with the neck of her shirt, Molly glanced out her living room window, trying not to think of all the things that could of happened to Serena. The sun was just starting to light up the sky, promising yet another day. "Andrew, you want some coffee?" she asked, not bothering to turn around. Andrew sighed and leaned back into his chair, "I'd love some."
A loud, shrill tone broke through the silence of the house. Awaking with a jump, Serena took a blurry look around the room. Light shinned in through the thin, drawn curtains of the living room window. Breathing deeply, Serena rubbed her eyes, as she moved slowly to sit up on the couch. Yawning, Serena took a look to at the clock hanging over the fireplace. It was three thirty-five. Looking in her lap, she saw a blanket that she figured Molly had placed over her. Smiling, Serena was just barely aware of the still ringing telephone in the background, when she heard Molly's answering machine pick up. "Hey, this is Molly, can't get to the phone, probably cause I'm sleeping, but leave a message anyhow. And I'll think about getting back to you later; bye....'beep" Serenas ears perked up, "Serena? Serena, are you there?" it was Molly, "Well, I guess you're still asleep. Just wanted to tell you, in case you were awake, that I pulled out some clothes that you left over at my house a while ago. Get cleaned up, and stay put. Andrew was there earlier, but he had to leave, but that does not mean you can go. I don't want you running off anywhere! Bye....'beep" Serena sighed, and rubbed her face with her hands. She still felt worn out, but this time, her hunger beat out her tiredness. Getting up, and walking to the kitchen, Serena raided the fridge. Good thing Molly had a stash of chocolate, and some pre-made Cesar salad, or else she would have died from starvation.
Pulling out her chosen items, she took a seat at the table, and devoured every last piece of the salad, and a few pieces of chocolate. "Now for starch." Serena said, getting back up to make one last raid. Washing her dishes in the sink, she took a look in the pantry to find a bag of large croissants. "Thank you Molly." Serena said sighing, as she grabbed two of them and ate the first on with relish. Finally deciding she had had her fill, Serena left the kitchen, and made her way to Molly's room where she saw her folded clothes. Nibbling on her bread, she picked up her clothes, and made her way to the bathroom. Taking a hot shower, and putting on some clean clothes, Serena felt a bit better. Recalling all the things he had to do, mad her wince Just thinking about her apartment alone, was enough to drive her insane. Even just going back to the place was a struggle for her.
Preparing to leave, Serena grabbed a sweatshirt from Molly's closet, and walked back to the kitchen. Finding some pen and paper in a junk drawer, she scribbled a note. 'Hey Molly, thanks for the grub and everything, but I gotta get home. I'm fine, I promise. Just give me a call when you get this. I'll be there. I have some things to take care of.' She wrote. Nodding her head in satisfaction, Serena left the note on her counter, and left, locking the door with the key that Molly stashed in her potted plant by the door. Walking down the side walk of the subdivision, Serena shivered a little adjusting to the coolness. Thankful for the heat of the sun, she made her way out of the neighborhood, and too a bus stop, a mile down the road.
Thankful she was able to get a bus that dropped her off only a few blocks from her apartment building, she reached her home quickly. Standing in the same spot outside, where she had the night before, she looked up to her apartment. The grass under her feet was uprooted with tire marks, which she figured to be the fault of the police department. Silently, Serena hoped that she wasn't going to meet with any inhuman surprises once she got up there. "Yep, that's all I need now. To have another creature jump out at Me." She said to herself.
Balling her hands into fists, Serena set her jaw determinedly. Walking around the building to reach the door, she punched in her number, and walked up the flights of stairs. Reaching the fourth floor, Serena stopped to star down the walkway. On the cement floor, just outside her door, layed pieces of yellow tape with black letter on it. Grunting, Serna walked down to her front door, and stood in front of it. Swinging the base of the outside light over, Serena pulled out a key from the little nitch that was visible. Looking at the key, then at the door, Serena prepared herself for the worst. Trashed furniture, possible splatters of inhuman blood. Anything was possible. Taking a deep breath, and stomping her mental list of possibilities, Serena finally shoved the key in the door, and opened it with a small grunt.
Letting the door swing open, Serena was ready to snap in two at whatever sight she saw, when she completely froze instead. Eyes wide with shock, Serena stepped into her apartment. Her surprisingly clean apartment. Everything was completely different. The furniture, the décor, everything. And what was especially scary, was the everything was exactly her taste. The Furniture was suede, overstuffed and soft. Also, instead of having a loveseat, she now had two chairs of the same style. On the wall over the couch, hung a beautiful painting. Then looking closely at it, she saw that the painting was real. Not a reprint, but a real, honest to god painting. It must have been worth a fortune, looking very old indeed. Exasperated, she spun around, and took it all in. A new Flat screen T.V. hung on her wall across from the couch, and a rug layed in the middle of the floor, with a cherry coffee table in the center of it. It looked so new, so homey. She had always thought of what her house might look like, had she ever been successful in art, and it resembled what she now saw in her student apartment. Shutting and locking the front door, Serena went to her phone, noticing that was new aw well, and picked it up. Dialing her mothers work number, she called long distance to South Carolina.
Dialing her mothers extension, she listened to the phone ring three times before her mother finally answered it, "Hello." Came her voice. Serena almost cried. Feeling her eyes fill with tears, she sniffled, "Mom?" she said, grinning wide into the phone "Serena? Serena! Where have you been!? I've been trying to reach you. I called all day Sunday, and all day Saturday. You had me so worried, where have you been?" she asked, sounding a bit angry. Serena couldn't feel bad though, "Mom, it's so good to hear your voice." She said, feeling a tear roll down her cheek. Noticing her mothers slight gasp, she knew automatically something was up, "Serena? What's wrong sweetie?" she asked, in the only way a mother could ask. Serena just sniffled again, wishing her mother was there with her, giving her a hug. "Mom, I'm just so.tired." She said, sitting down at her small table, which she noticed, was new as well. Running her hand over the top, she sighed, "I've just been having kind of a rough time." She said, calming her emotions a little, trying to down play them as much as possible. "Is it a guy?" her mother asked Serena laughed a little. "Something like that." She replied, drumming her fingers on the table. "Tell me what's wrong sweetie. What happened?" she asked. Serena pinched the bridge of her nose, sighing. How could she possibly tell her mother what she had been through? Gathering up enough courage though, Serena trimmed the fat for her mother, "Well, I met someone. He kind of rescued me in a way. And well, he's just, I don't know, different." She said gulping. "Hmmmm. I see." He mother said. "He's the possessive type isn't he? A little controlling." Serena almost laughed, as she felt a tear roll down her cheek, "Almost mom. Not quite, but almost." She said. "Oh, so he's the kind you likes to buy and give you things too huh?" she asked. "Ummm..." Serena took a look around her apartment. "And is he by chance, drop dead gorgeous?" Serena leaned back in her chair, "Ha, well..." "Serena, I would stay away from him." She said. Serenas mouth gaped open, "Mom, it's not as bad as you make it sound." She said. "Oh, I'm sure it's not. I'm sure it's worse." Serena cringed as once again, she hit the nail in the head. "Listen sweetie, the world is full of men, and good men too. You drop this boy like a bad habit, and go find you one." Serena moaned, "Ma.." "Don't Ma me. I don't want to see you foolin around, wasting your life, when you could be happy. Immature, possessive boys are not what you need right now. Maybe if he'd grow up a little more, he'd see there are things in life more important than, well, than the stuff he's doing." She said. Serena smiled wryly. Ha, you have no idea mom, I think he might actually be a bit too old for me.' She thought, "Well sweetie, I'm sorry, but I'll have to let you go. We're closing up for the say here. What time is it there? Four thirty?" she asked. "Yeah mom, about four thirty." Serna said, running her fingers through her hair. She heard her mother sigh, "Well, I have to let you go. You gonna be home tonight?" she asked. Serena rolled her eyes at the questions, "Maybe, I don't know. Molly and I might decide to do something." "Oh ok then. Well, if you feel like talking sweetie, give me a call. Remember, I'm always here." She said. Serena could feel her smile over the phone. "OK mom. Love you.' "Love you too." With that, they hung up. Serena chewed her bottom lip, as she sat back, and looked at the phone that sat on the table. Taking another look around, she couldn't help but wonder when all the change had occurred. It had to have happened when she was at Molly's. Things couldn't have possibly been done over night. Or, could they?
Shutting her eyes, Serena departed to her bedroom, where she practically collapsed when she saw it. The bed and everything had been changed. It was similar too the canopy bed that she had first found herself in, in Darien's home. Though it was smaller, to accommodate the room. A lingerie drawer stood next to her closet door, to the left of her, and a rug was placed on the floor in front if her, at the foot of her bed. Leaning against the door frame, Serena gave a heart felt sigh, but then replaced her happiness aside, to reveal a frown. It was too much. "Why's he being so sweet to me?" she asked herself. Crossing her arms, Serene decided not to go into her room.
Walking back down the hallway, Serena stopped at her hallway closet. Opening the door, she found her coat, and her keys that she had placed on one of the shelves. Putting on her coat, she decided to head back to Molly's. She didn't get home till six, and she thought it'd be better to be there when she got home.
Leaving her apartment, Serena locked the door, and walked down the walkway, when she heard another door close. Turning around, she saw her next door neighbor, Ms. Browne, standing putside her apartment. She was an older looking woman, in her mid forties or so, but she looked much older. She had had a string of bad luck since birth, that condemned her to have two ex- husbands, eight horrible kids, and a dog that didn't obey her. "Hey Ms. Browne" Serena said, in the most nonchalant voice she could muster. Though she didn't really respond. She just looked up at her, and pulled out a cigarette from her pants pocket. Not getting an answer from her, Serena just decided to turn around and leave, "So where you been girl?" came her voice. Serena turned around, and paced a few steps towards her, "Hmm, ...?" she asked. Ms Brown lit her cigarette, then took a puff, dangling it between her two fingers, "Haven't seen you in a while. Not since Friday. You spend a weekend with your boyfriend or something?" she asked. Serena smiled wryly, "Spending time with a friend." She said, putting her hands in her jacket pockets. "Same thing." She said smirking and taking another drag. "Whew, you should have seen your place Serena. It was a shamble when the police got here. The whole building practically came to this floor." She said. Serena nodded, "Yeah, I can understand why." "Yep, police tried to get a hold of you, but no one knew where you were. Not until that friend of your came by. Ga, what was his name?" she said thinking. Serena leaned against the rail, listening intently. Who was she talking about? And how much had Darien actually covered up? "Dave! Yeah, David, long hair, a real looker." She said. Serena took a deep breath, "Yeah, that's him." She said, remembering the man who was with Darien that night. Ms. Browne nodded, "Yep, said he came by to pick up your mail. And told the cops you were at your boyfriends house for the weekend." She said. Serena just smiled, "Well, I don't have a boyfriend. He's just a friend. Dave likes to over exaggerate." She said, trying to play to quiet game. "Yeah, don't know what else he told them but they seemed satisfied. Then as soon as the police left, it was about one in the morning. Then those movers came and left around eleven a.m." she said. Looking at the ground, Serena nodded, "Yep, luckily they uh, got finished, and got my wrecked stuff out of there." She said. Ms. Browne took a puff, and nodded too, "Yeah, but that racket though, drove me nuts. Doors slamming. You turn your TV up way too loud if you ask Me." She said irritably. Serena gave her a curious look, "What, the movers?" she asked. She shook her head, "Nah, they were quiet as mice, I mean the other sounds. I don't know what you were doing in there, but don't do it again." She said. Serena was confused, "What are you talking about? When?" she asked. "Damn girl, the noises! About ten minutes ago they stopped. Thank God" She said. Serena felt a chill run down her spine. "Ms Browne." She said in a shaky voice, "I've only been home for ten minutes." She said. Ms. Browne gave her a serious look, flicking her cigarette over the railing, and standing up straight, "Well then." She said calmly, "My mistake." Turning around, she walked back into her apartment, and shut her door.
Serena felt the color drain from her cheeks, as she slowly turned around. She was standing between her and Ms Browne's apartment, when the only way o leaving was walking past her door. Taking shallow breaths, Serena crept past her door, feeling an impending doom about the situation. Walking past it she suddenly heard the lock on the other side, unlatch. Taking no more time, Serena took off running, hearing the door crash open behind her. Taking off down he stairs, she heard a violent shriek behind her.
Running down the stairs at brake neck speed, Serena cried. 'No, no...." to herself. Reaching the bottom floor, Serena shot out of the door, and into the parking lot. Scrambling for the keys I her pocket, she just managed to pull them out when she tripped over something. Crashing to the ground ,Serena could only think of how stupid she was, Trying to get up, she realized, something was enabling her to do so. A person in fact. Looking up, she saw a guy practically lying on top her, "Get off!" she cried, just before he clamped a hand down over her mouth. "Shhh, shh! You want that thing to find you?" the guy asked. Serena stopped struggling when she heard his words, remembering what Dave had told her. 'When you scream, it just makes you easier to find' Closing her eyes, Serena felt the guy move off of her, and help her up. Getting a good look at him, he defiantly wasn't a vampire. He wore a turtleneck sweater, and baggy pants. Dark hair and dark eyes, with a pale face made him look like he may have been a druggie. He was a young guy too. Maybe nineteen, still a teenager at least. "What are you doing? What's going on here?" Serena asked angrily. He smiled at her, "I'm here to help. I'm a friend of Darien's." He said. Serena eyed him up and down. Darien defiantly had some odd friends, "I'd love to stay here and answer all your questions but I suggest I get you out of here." Grabbing her by the wrist, he led her through the parking lot, to stop behind a Cadillac, "Let me tell you, you're sure crazy to come back here." He said. Serena didn't bother listening to him. Her eyes were scanning everything. She hadn't seen who was chasing her, all she heard was a scream, and she took off. "May be, but the important thing is that we get out of here." She said nervously, mumbling to herself. He smiled I agree. Hearing a pop behind her, Serena looked to see the trunk of the Cadillac open, she looked back at him, "What?" He only laughed and pushed her in, closing it on top of her while she screamed.
Unlocking the car with his keyless entry, he waited for two others guys to come running out of the apartment. Running up to him, one asked, "Did we get her?" the guy only smiled, "We got her." He replied.
Walking past her, Molly made her way to the cab waiting near the curb. Ducking her head in the passenger side window, she prompted the money, "Thank you much." he spoke with a thick southern accent. "Be sure take care that friend now hear." He said, pointing to the house. Molly nodded, glancing back, when her mouth suddenly dropped open. She saw Serena crawling on the ground, into her house, "Serena!" she cried, walking back to her house. Paying no attention to the cab that drove away, she ran to her house and walked in, shutting the door behind her. "Serena? What's going on?" she asked. Serena just continued her slow crawl to Molly's couch. "Oh, you would have died Mol." She said, suddenly laughing for no reason.
Making it to the couch, Serena layed face down on it. Head buried in the cushion, she giggled some more, "I was.haha." A fit of giggles overtook her. Molly kneeled down beside the couch, "You were..?" Serena stopped laughing for a moment, before lifting her head to look at her friend, "Ha..yeah, I was um, kidnapped." She said clearing her throat, and feeling a chill run through her. She was so tired, even the heat of Molly's house made her cold. "Kidnapped!" Molly yelped, "Serena....Serena are you alright!? What happened? we should call the police." Molly said getting to her feet. Serena began laughing again. "No, No." she said, reaching out a hand to stop her friend. Molly stopped in her tracks, and looked down at her. "I'm not finished." She said, "I was kidnapped,...by a vampire!" she said. "HA! Oh wow, this is so not how I pictured me telling you." She said laying the side of her face on the cushion. "Serena, I'm gonna call the cops." She said. Serena just hook her head, "No..no Molly, don't...don't do that." She said as her breaths became slower, "Don't do.." she stopped talking, her eyes slowly closing. Kneeling down again, Molly began to get panicky, "Serena?" she asked. Serena didn't respond. "Serena?" she asked again, looking at her closely. Though her fears were suddenly put aside when she heard a loud snore erupt from her friend. Falling on her butt, Molly laughed, and sighed, she was just asleep. Worry still plagued her though. She had to call someone. Getting up and reaching the phone, she dialed a familiar number and waited. "Hello." Came a voice over the phone, "Yes, Andrew Taylor Please" Molly said.
Standing over her sleeping form, Molly shared a worried look with her and Serena's good friend Andrew. Andrew was a medical student at BU in Houston, and had come to New Orleans to Visit his family. He had looked her over as best he could, being that she was basically in a dead sleep. "Well, she has to wake up fro me to look her over thoroughly." He said, crossing his arms over her broad chest, "She doesn't seem to be hurt any anyway though. My best guess is that it's just fatigue. You said she was laughing when she came in?..." he asked. Molly nodded her head. "yeah, she was laughing about it. She said she had been kidnapped." Andrew seemed to be thinking, "Well, if she was laughing, I doubt she was abused in anyway. Then again, she could have been covering the pain." He said sitting down in a chair. Molly's jaw dropped, "Andrew? Could she really be in bad shape?" she asked. "Hard to say." He replied, leaning his elbows on his knees and holding his head up with his hands. "We were told that when women come into the ER that are rape victims, are usually very sovereign, and fidgety. But never laughing, I'm sure we're pretty safe." He said, rubbing his eyes with the heels of his hands. Molly moaned, "Andrew, please, I don't wanna talk about that. I just want to believe she's in perfect health, if not exhausted beyond belief." Sighing, Andrew Nodded, "Ok then Molly. I'm sorry." He said. Fiddling with the neck of her shirt, Molly glanced out her living room window, trying not to think of all the things that could of happened to Serena. The sun was just starting to light up the sky, promising yet another day. "Andrew, you want some coffee?" she asked, not bothering to turn around. Andrew sighed and leaned back into his chair, "I'd love some."
A loud, shrill tone broke through the silence of the house. Awaking with a jump, Serena took a blurry look around the room. Light shinned in through the thin, drawn curtains of the living room window. Breathing deeply, Serena rubbed her eyes, as she moved slowly to sit up on the couch. Yawning, Serena took a look to at the clock hanging over the fireplace. It was three thirty-five. Looking in her lap, she saw a blanket that she figured Molly had placed over her. Smiling, Serena was just barely aware of the still ringing telephone in the background, when she heard Molly's answering machine pick up. "Hey, this is Molly, can't get to the phone, probably cause I'm sleeping, but leave a message anyhow. And I'll think about getting back to you later; bye....'beep" Serenas ears perked up, "Serena? Serena, are you there?" it was Molly, "Well, I guess you're still asleep. Just wanted to tell you, in case you were awake, that I pulled out some clothes that you left over at my house a while ago. Get cleaned up, and stay put. Andrew was there earlier, but he had to leave, but that does not mean you can go. I don't want you running off anywhere! Bye....'beep" Serena sighed, and rubbed her face with her hands. She still felt worn out, but this time, her hunger beat out her tiredness. Getting up, and walking to the kitchen, Serena raided the fridge. Good thing Molly had a stash of chocolate, and some pre-made Cesar salad, or else she would have died from starvation.
Pulling out her chosen items, she took a seat at the table, and devoured every last piece of the salad, and a few pieces of chocolate. "Now for starch." Serena said, getting back up to make one last raid. Washing her dishes in the sink, she took a look in the pantry to find a bag of large croissants. "Thank you Molly." Serena said sighing, as she grabbed two of them and ate the first on with relish. Finally deciding she had had her fill, Serena left the kitchen, and made her way to Molly's room where she saw her folded clothes. Nibbling on her bread, she picked up her clothes, and made her way to the bathroom. Taking a hot shower, and putting on some clean clothes, Serena felt a bit better. Recalling all the things he had to do, mad her wince Just thinking about her apartment alone, was enough to drive her insane. Even just going back to the place was a struggle for her.
Preparing to leave, Serena grabbed a sweatshirt from Molly's closet, and walked back to the kitchen. Finding some pen and paper in a junk drawer, she scribbled a note. 'Hey Molly, thanks for the grub and everything, but I gotta get home. I'm fine, I promise. Just give me a call when you get this. I'll be there. I have some things to take care of.' She wrote. Nodding her head in satisfaction, Serena left the note on her counter, and left, locking the door with the key that Molly stashed in her potted plant by the door. Walking down the side walk of the subdivision, Serena shivered a little adjusting to the coolness. Thankful for the heat of the sun, she made her way out of the neighborhood, and too a bus stop, a mile down the road.
Thankful she was able to get a bus that dropped her off only a few blocks from her apartment building, she reached her home quickly. Standing in the same spot outside, where she had the night before, she looked up to her apartment. The grass under her feet was uprooted with tire marks, which she figured to be the fault of the police department. Silently, Serena hoped that she wasn't going to meet with any inhuman surprises once she got up there. "Yep, that's all I need now. To have another creature jump out at Me." She said to herself.
Balling her hands into fists, Serena set her jaw determinedly. Walking around the building to reach the door, she punched in her number, and walked up the flights of stairs. Reaching the fourth floor, Serena stopped to star down the walkway. On the cement floor, just outside her door, layed pieces of yellow tape with black letter on it. Grunting, Serna walked down to her front door, and stood in front of it. Swinging the base of the outside light over, Serena pulled out a key from the little nitch that was visible. Looking at the key, then at the door, Serena prepared herself for the worst. Trashed furniture, possible splatters of inhuman blood. Anything was possible. Taking a deep breath, and stomping her mental list of possibilities, Serena finally shoved the key in the door, and opened it with a small grunt.
Letting the door swing open, Serena was ready to snap in two at whatever sight she saw, when she completely froze instead. Eyes wide with shock, Serena stepped into her apartment. Her surprisingly clean apartment. Everything was completely different. The furniture, the décor, everything. And what was especially scary, was the everything was exactly her taste. The Furniture was suede, overstuffed and soft. Also, instead of having a loveseat, she now had two chairs of the same style. On the wall over the couch, hung a beautiful painting. Then looking closely at it, she saw that the painting was real. Not a reprint, but a real, honest to god painting. It must have been worth a fortune, looking very old indeed. Exasperated, she spun around, and took it all in. A new Flat screen T.V. hung on her wall across from the couch, and a rug layed in the middle of the floor, with a cherry coffee table in the center of it. It looked so new, so homey. She had always thought of what her house might look like, had she ever been successful in art, and it resembled what she now saw in her student apartment. Shutting and locking the front door, Serena went to her phone, noticing that was new aw well, and picked it up. Dialing her mothers work number, she called long distance to South Carolina.
Dialing her mothers extension, she listened to the phone ring three times before her mother finally answered it, "Hello." Came her voice. Serena almost cried. Feeling her eyes fill with tears, she sniffled, "Mom?" she said, grinning wide into the phone "Serena? Serena! Where have you been!? I've been trying to reach you. I called all day Sunday, and all day Saturday. You had me so worried, where have you been?" she asked, sounding a bit angry. Serena couldn't feel bad though, "Mom, it's so good to hear your voice." She said, feeling a tear roll down her cheek. Noticing her mothers slight gasp, she knew automatically something was up, "Serena? What's wrong sweetie?" she asked, in the only way a mother could ask. Serena just sniffled again, wishing her mother was there with her, giving her a hug. "Mom, I'm just so.tired." She said, sitting down at her small table, which she noticed, was new as well. Running her hand over the top, she sighed, "I've just been having kind of a rough time." She said, calming her emotions a little, trying to down play them as much as possible. "Is it a guy?" her mother asked Serena laughed a little. "Something like that." She replied, drumming her fingers on the table. "Tell me what's wrong sweetie. What happened?" she asked. Serena pinched the bridge of her nose, sighing. How could she possibly tell her mother what she had been through? Gathering up enough courage though, Serena trimmed the fat for her mother, "Well, I met someone. He kind of rescued me in a way. And well, he's just, I don't know, different." She said gulping. "Hmmmm. I see." He mother said. "He's the possessive type isn't he? A little controlling." Serena almost laughed, as she felt a tear roll down her cheek, "Almost mom. Not quite, but almost." She said. "Oh, so he's the kind you likes to buy and give you things too huh?" she asked. "Ummm..." Serena took a look around her apartment. "And is he by chance, drop dead gorgeous?" Serena leaned back in her chair, "Ha, well..." "Serena, I would stay away from him." She said. Serenas mouth gaped open, "Mom, it's not as bad as you make it sound." She said. "Oh, I'm sure it's not. I'm sure it's worse." Serena cringed as once again, she hit the nail in the head. "Listen sweetie, the world is full of men, and good men too. You drop this boy like a bad habit, and go find you one." Serena moaned, "Ma.." "Don't Ma me. I don't want to see you foolin around, wasting your life, when you could be happy. Immature, possessive boys are not what you need right now. Maybe if he'd grow up a little more, he'd see there are things in life more important than, well, than the stuff he's doing." She said. Serena smiled wryly. Ha, you have no idea mom, I think he might actually be a bit too old for me.' She thought, "Well sweetie, I'm sorry, but I'll have to let you go. We're closing up for the say here. What time is it there? Four thirty?" she asked. "Yeah mom, about four thirty." Serna said, running her fingers through her hair. She heard her mother sigh, "Well, I have to let you go. You gonna be home tonight?" she asked. Serena rolled her eyes at the questions, "Maybe, I don't know. Molly and I might decide to do something." "Oh ok then. Well, if you feel like talking sweetie, give me a call. Remember, I'm always here." She said. Serena could feel her smile over the phone. "OK mom. Love you.' "Love you too." With that, they hung up. Serena chewed her bottom lip, as she sat back, and looked at the phone that sat on the table. Taking another look around, she couldn't help but wonder when all the change had occurred. It had to have happened when she was at Molly's. Things couldn't have possibly been done over night. Or, could they?
Shutting her eyes, Serena departed to her bedroom, where she practically collapsed when she saw it. The bed and everything had been changed. It was similar too the canopy bed that she had first found herself in, in Darien's home. Though it was smaller, to accommodate the room. A lingerie drawer stood next to her closet door, to the left of her, and a rug was placed on the floor in front if her, at the foot of her bed. Leaning against the door frame, Serena gave a heart felt sigh, but then replaced her happiness aside, to reveal a frown. It was too much. "Why's he being so sweet to me?" she asked herself. Crossing her arms, Serene decided not to go into her room.
Walking back down the hallway, Serena stopped at her hallway closet. Opening the door, she found her coat, and her keys that she had placed on one of the shelves. Putting on her coat, she decided to head back to Molly's. She didn't get home till six, and she thought it'd be better to be there when she got home.
Leaving her apartment, Serena locked the door, and walked down the walkway, when she heard another door close. Turning around, she saw her next door neighbor, Ms. Browne, standing putside her apartment. She was an older looking woman, in her mid forties or so, but she looked much older. She had had a string of bad luck since birth, that condemned her to have two ex- husbands, eight horrible kids, and a dog that didn't obey her. "Hey Ms. Browne" Serena said, in the most nonchalant voice she could muster. Though she didn't really respond. She just looked up at her, and pulled out a cigarette from her pants pocket. Not getting an answer from her, Serena just decided to turn around and leave, "So where you been girl?" came her voice. Serena turned around, and paced a few steps towards her, "Hmm, ...?" she asked. Ms Brown lit her cigarette, then took a puff, dangling it between her two fingers, "Haven't seen you in a while. Not since Friday. You spend a weekend with your boyfriend or something?" she asked. Serena smiled wryly, "Spending time with a friend." She said, putting her hands in her jacket pockets. "Same thing." She said smirking and taking another drag. "Whew, you should have seen your place Serena. It was a shamble when the police got here. The whole building practically came to this floor." She said. Serena nodded, "Yeah, I can understand why." "Yep, police tried to get a hold of you, but no one knew where you were. Not until that friend of your came by. Ga, what was his name?" she said thinking. Serena leaned against the rail, listening intently. Who was she talking about? And how much had Darien actually covered up? "Dave! Yeah, David, long hair, a real looker." She said. Serena took a deep breath, "Yeah, that's him." She said, remembering the man who was with Darien that night. Ms. Browne nodded, "Yep, said he came by to pick up your mail. And told the cops you were at your boyfriends house for the weekend." She said. Serena just smiled, "Well, I don't have a boyfriend. He's just a friend. Dave likes to over exaggerate." She said, trying to play to quiet game. "Yeah, don't know what else he told them but they seemed satisfied. Then as soon as the police left, it was about one in the morning. Then those movers came and left around eleven a.m." she said. Looking at the ground, Serena nodded, "Yep, luckily they uh, got finished, and got my wrecked stuff out of there." She said. Ms. Browne took a puff, and nodded too, "Yeah, but that racket though, drove me nuts. Doors slamming. You turn your TV up way too loud if you ask Me." She said irritably. Serena gave her a curious look, "What, the movers?" she asked. She shook her head, "Nah, they were quiet as mice, I mean the other sounds. I don't know what you were doing in there, but don't do it again." She said. Serena was confused, "What are you talking about? When?" she asked. "Damn girl, the noises! About ten minutes ago they stopped. Thank God" She said. Serena felt a chill run down her spine. "Ms Browne." She said in a shaky voice, "I've only been home for ten minutes." She said. Ms. Browne gave her a serious look, flicking her cigarette over the railing, and standing up straight, "Well then." She said calmly, "My mistake." Turning around, she walked back into her apartment, and shut her door.
Serena felt the color drain from her cheeks, as she slowly turned around. She was standing between her and Ms Browne's apartment, when the only way o leaving was walking past her door. Taking shallow breaths, Serena crept past her door, feeling an impending doom about the situation. Walking past it she suddenly heard the lock on the other side, unlatch. Taking no more time, Serena took off running, hearing the door crash open behind her. Taking off down he stairs, she heard a violent shriek behind her.
Running down the stairs at brake neck speed, Serena cried. 'No, no...." to herself. Reaching the bottom floor, Serena shot out of the door, and into the parking lot. Scrambling for the keys I her pocket, she just managed to pull them out when she tripped over something. Crashing to the ground ,Serena could only think of how stupid she was, Trying to get up, she realized, something was enabling her to do so. A person in fact. Looking up, she saw a guy practically lying on top her, "Get off!" she cried, just before he clamped a hand down over her mouth. "Shhh, shh! You want that thing to find you?" the guy asked. Serena stopped struggling when she heard his words, remembering what Dave had told her. 'When you scream, it just makes you easier to find' Closing her eyes, Serena felt the guy move off of her, and help her up. Getting a good look at him, he defiantly wasn't a vampire. He wore a turtleneck sweater, and baggy pants. Dark hair and dark eyes, with a pale face made him look like he may have been a druggie. He was a young guy too. Maybe nineteen, still a teenager at least. "What are you doing? What's going on here?" Serena asked angrily. He smiled at her, "I'm here to help. I'm a friend of Darien's." He said. Serena eyed him up and down. Darien defiantly had some odd friends, "I'd love to stay here and answer all your questions but I suggest I get you out of here." Grabbing her by the wrist, he led her through the parking lot, to stop behind a Cadillac, "Let me tell you, you're sure crazy to come back here." He said. Serena didn't bother listening to him. Her eyes were scanning everything. She hadn't seen who was chasing her, all she heard was a scream, and she took off. "May be, but the important thing is that we get out of here." She said nervously, mumbling to herself. He smiled I agree. Hearing a pop behind her, Serena looked to see the trunk of the Cadillac open, she looked back at him, "What?" He only laughed and pushed her in, closing it on top of her while she screamed.
Unlocking the car with his keyless entry, he waited for two others guys to come running out of the apartment. Running up to him, one asked, "Did we get her?" the guy only smiled, "We got her." He replied.