Chapter 4

Living a Life in the Dark

Rose let out a scream of terror as Spike advanced on her again and slammed a large metal wrench along the side of her head.

"Mommy!" Rose shrieked, tears streaming down her face.

"Make him stop Mommy! Make him stop!"

"Alright Spikey. That's enough," Drusilla glided over to Spike and stopped him before he could bring the wrench down over Rose's head again. Warm blood penetrated Rose's skin as it rushed down the side of her face.

"Mommy," Rose squeaked and ran over to Drusilla, ignoring the fact that it was dangerous to be around her when she shed blood. Drusilla cuddled Rose.

"It's alright Prissy. Mommy's got you." Rose ached for the comfort of her mother. She was hardly ever around anymore. Drusilla lived to take care of her daughter, Priscilla Rose, but she was still insane. She still allowed Spike to beat Rose and treat her like she was non-existent. She never said anything as she allowed the beatings to continue right in front of her. Being a vampire, Drusilla lived on things like that. She was impregnated a few years ago by a mortal who she ended up killing. Rose got most all of her mother's features but she was a mortal. Drusilla stood Rose on her feet.

"Go to bed Prissy," she instructed quietly, tracing her fingers lightly over the little girl's features.

"What about dinner Mommy?" Rose questioned holding her mothers wrist.

"All we have is blood tonight Prissy. I'm sorry," Drusilla said. Rose knew her mother tried but she also knew Drusilla didn't mean it.

"Goodnight Mommy," Rose whispered kissing her mom then scurrying away, completely ignoring Spike. Rose went to a corner of a dark room and sat on the floor, on a thin cloud blanket where she slept. She lived underground with her mom and Spike because it was dark, something vital to being a vampire. She shivered and started to sob to herself. It was a mixture of hate towards her mother and Spike and the gash just above her ear which throbbed terribly as blood continued to drip to her feet at a steady pace. Rose picked up her favorite fairy tale book and opened it to Snow White, her favorite story. She found comfort in the bright pictures and the words. She looked longingly at Snow White. She reminded her of the girl she met at the library. Rose smiled. That girl had made her happy. A mixture of blood and tears fell onto the page. Soon the grumble of her stomach was too much. She needed to eat. She hadn't had any food in over 3 days and it was starting to get to her. She closed her book and snuck out as quietly as she could.

Rose hurried to the grocery store with the last of her money. $2.82. If anything it would get her at least a can of beans. Rose didn't believe in stealing but on some occasions that was the only way of survival. The bleeding from her wound had stopped but she made sure she went to the cash register she always went to with the lady that never looked up from her magazine. She put her can of peaches on the counter.

"That'll be 5 dollars," the lady said smacking loudly on her gum. Rose panicked then grabbed the can and ran out of the store as fast as she could. When she was safe in her cold corner Rose inhaled her food then started to weep. She cried and cried for a long time then opened her book back up and stared at Snow White.

She decided to return to the library tomorrow.

AN: If you've read 'A Forgotten Rose' then you know that this one is quite like that. But since it's an alternative type story then a lot has changed. Like things with the involvment of Xander and so on an so forth. I just wanted to clear up any confusion. As always suggestions are always welcome!

Dru619