Disclaimer: As before, Highlander and any ideas associated with the show do not belong to me. Any character you don't recognize is most likely mine.
Author's note: I just realized that I have not thanked those who have written a reviews for my story. Thank you so much!!!
Chapter Three
Richie heard the doorbell ring. He rolled over on the bed and wondered who could be out there this early. A few seconds later he heard Joshua's bedroom door open followed by the front door. He then heard Joshua speak to whoever was at the door. Richie wanted to see if something was wrong, but did not want to leave the bed. Curiosity got the better of him so he got up and walked out of the bedroom. He opened his mouth to asked Joshua if everything was alright, but quickly closed it when he noticed who his friend was talking with. It was the woman he saw at the bar last night. She still had the same black outfit on and she was apologizing for something.
"Hey, it's no problem considering that . . . " Joshua halted when he noticed Richie standing close by.
The woman was already looking at Richie before Joshua stopped talking. She turned to the other man and said, "I'm sorry," she apologized again. "I didn't know you had a friend over. I better go somewhere else."
"Don't be silly," Joshua said when the girl went for the door knob. He pulled her from the door and continued, "You came here because . . ." He was about to say more, but apparently changed his mind.
Richie did not know what to do, but the woman seemed tired and in pain. He said the first thing that came to his head.
"Look Josh, I can clear my stuff out the guess room in a minute and be on my way out. It looks like she needs it more than I do."
"No . . no. Stay Richie, your my guess. And so are you," he said to the woman beside him.
Joshua remembered his manners and introduced the two to each other.
"Um, Sarah, this is Richie Ryan. Richie meet Sarah Lancaster."
"Nice to meet you," Richie said, walking forward and extending his right hand. Sarah hesitated for a second, then accepted the handshake. "I saw you last night at the El Toro," he continued. He some kind of emotion crossed Sarah's face, but it was so fast Richie did not recognize what it was.
"You don't have to leave Richie. Go back to bed if you still want some sleep. Sarah can take my room. I can't go back to sleep any way," Joshua said. Richie started to protest along with Sarah, but the man kept insisting that they do it his way.
Joshua led Sarah to his room and closed the door. Richie stood there for while then went back to the guest room.
* * * * * * *
Joshua closed the door. "Here, let me take you jacket. There's the bed. Go get some sleep . . . or whatever it is that you do. The drapes are thick enough so no sunlight can reach you over by the bed." When he looked at her more closely, he noticed that she had bruises on her face, though somewhat faded already.
"Sarah, what happened?" He asked as he turned her head from left to right, inspecting the bruises. Then he remembered what Richie said about seeing her at the bar last night. "Richie said he saw you at the El Toro last night. Did you get yourself involve in a fight again?"
"No . . . no, nothing like that." Sarah paused, then continued. "There's someone after me and wants me dead."
Joshua's eyes widened in shock, "What?! Is it another vampire?"
"No, he's . . . listen maybe I shouldn't be here. What if he finds out where I am? I don't want you getting involve in this. It could be dangerous."
"I know exactly what I got into when you became my friend two years ago. Now, you need to rest. Besides, there is no way you can go out there with the sun already up."
"Thanks Joshua, I really appreciate this," Sarah said.
"Hey," he said taking both her hands into his. "Think nothing of it. Remember what I told you back then? You'll always be welcome in my home. May you be in trouble or not. So why don't you rest and I'll be out of here in a minute. Just let me get some stuff out the closet."
Sarah smiled and hugged Joshua. She thanked him again and laid down on the bed. Joshua's words were the last thoughts in her mind: "You'll always be welcome in my home."
* * * * * *
BARCELON, SPAIN
Two years ago
Sarah looked up from the book she was reading and checked her watch. It read four o'clock - the sun was still out. She glanced around her and was thankful that the public library had very few windows. It was not as dark as she wanted, but it provided the perfect sanctuary for her at the time.
She sat at the farthest table of the library's second floor. There were only table lamps to provide for the lighting on this level, but hers was turned off and so were a few others. It did not bother her though, she liked the darkness, even embraced it. It did not matter that she was reading without the aid of any lights. She could see well in the dark, being the vampire that she is. Besides from the darkness, she also noted the usual absence of other people on this level. She was alone. Just as well, Sarah thought, I've always kept to myself.
Memories from a time best forgotten flowed into her head. Sarah was too busy with her thoughts that she did not realize someone had occupied the table on her left.
"Can you actually see what you're reading? Maybe you should turn on your lamp," a male voice spoke in Spanish.
Sarah nearly jumped when she heard the person speak. She spared him a brief glance. He was young, maybe a few years over twenty, and he's apparently going to make a nuisance of himself. She returned her attention to the book she was reading. Maybe he'll go away if she pretended she did not understand him. The young man was still looking her way. When she did not answer he repeated his question in English, assuming she understood only that language. He obviously wanted some kind of answer from her.
"I can see just fine," she said after a while, without looking at him.
"You know," the man said, apparently not finished with her. "Straining your eyes is really bad for you. You could be practically blind in a few years if you don't stop that kind of habit."
When Sarah made no reply, he stood up, walked over to her table, then turned on her lamp. "There, isn't that better."
"What the . . .," Sarah said as light gleamed. She blinked the pain out of her eyes while blocking the light with a hand. Her eyes was not accustomed to sudden brightness. The man was starting to get on her nerves. "Go away if you know what's good for you."
"Speaking of what's good for one's self. It really isn't very healthy to read in the dark." He drew a chair in front of her and sat. "Furthermore, you shouldn't be here alone. Things happen you know. What if someone comes up to you and gives you trouble?"
"Someone already did," Sarah said in a cold voice, looking at him.
The young man laughed, "I see you have a sense of humor. But seriously, being alone up here really doesn't help much if you get mug or something. A girl like you should be around people so that someone can be there for you when you get in trouble."
That statement surprised Sarah. As far as she can remember, no one had been worried for her safety. This stranger seemed to be really concerned about her and that almost made her smile.
"I can take care of myself," she said, her voice softer.
"Ah, I see, you're one of those girls whose into karate and stuff like that, huh? Well if you don't mind, I still think that a man should protect a woman. So I'll just sit here and keep you company."
Sarah sighed and thought that the man was a regular Sir Galahad. She kind of liked him though. He seemed so different from the other humans she encountered - he was so friendly. His kindness was genuine she can tell. He was not afraid of her. He even reminded her of her brother. With a slight shake of her head, she mentally reprimanded herself to not reminisce about the past. Sarah smiled to herself and thought, if he only knew what I really am. He would be running like the others in no time at all.
