Chapter 2- Worst Nightmare
Peter's POV
"Damn my wretched soul!" I cursed out into the night air. Gazing into those weak emerald green eyes one last time, her body went still. Teardrops and blood still splattered her freckled cheeks, and twigs and debris combed through her curly red hair. "What have I done," I said as despair took over me. Dragging her lifeless body out of the dark cobblestone alley I left her there for someone to find. I leaned in close to her soft cold cheek and whispered, "Sleep well." With one last glance I was off into the night.
Walking aimlessly around the dark Salem streets I came upon a little church. At this time off night I knew that the doors would be locked so I went around back to find another entrance. Sure enough a little window was cracked open and there for the taking, slowly I entered the dark dismal basement. Using my sharp eyesight I located the door and came upon the church's sanctuary. Carefully I went up to the alter and knelt down to pray for the young girl, whose life I took.
During my moments of silence I heard a moaning in the back of the church. Crouching down low I proceeded down the aisle quietly. When I approached to the second to last pew, I saw the culprit. A girl, about the same age as the other one, laid there moaning and thrashing in her sleep.
As soon as screams of pain past through her I jumped back four pews and observed her from afar. Still restless I came back and scooped her up into my arms and watched her breathing and thrashing settle. Combing my white fingers through her beautiful crow black hair, she awoke and bore her beautiful gray eyes into mine before collapsing again. Tilting my head up I took in her sweet lavender scent and held her close letting the warm prickly sensation travel through my body. Whoever this person was needed to be saved, so by gods will, or my own, I carried her away into the darkness.
Lily's POV
Waking up with a yawn I tried to focus my bleary eyes. Panic spread through me as I took in the unfamiliar surroundings. I was in a blue canopy bed, with silky sheets that covered my stiff body. Ripping off the matching midnight blue covers I carefully tiptoed my way across the freezing wooden floorboards towards the nearby window. Using the smoky gray walls on either side as support, I opened the black velvet curtains and gawked at the new terrain. I watched as red and gold leaves danced across the clear blue late September sky.
Slowly I turned around and faced my worst nightmare. There stood a young man with the most elegant god like features. His dark wavy chestnut brown hair encircled the most handsome face I have ever had the pleasure of seeing, and his hazel brown eyes reminded me of warm honey. Glancing away from his intense stare I noticed he was wearing a black t-shirt that cover his broad chest and most likely chiseled abs, and he wore dark blue washed out jeans that looked as if they were tailored to fit.
"I see that you're up," he spoke in an angelic sweet voice. Coming closer, his strong vibrant scent overwhelmed my thoughts. Reaching out to touch my wrist, ice prickled through my body and I came out of my trance. The logically side of my brain kicked in and I made a run for it. Before I reached the door I felt his cool arms snake around my waist and thrust me into the wall. Trying to wiggle free from his tight grasp, he pinned my wrists down above my head and pushed his body on top of mine. Once my screams turned into quiet pleas he leaned in and whispered into my ear.
"I'm sorry for the circumstances of meeting like this, but I believe I just saved your life. So do you think it's possible for us to have a proper introduction?"
"Who are you!" I screamed up at him with rage fuming from my voice.
Looking at me with utter disbelieve he spoke, "Peter."
"Where am I Peter!"
"Outside of Salem," his voice was breaking.
"Let me go this instant!" I shouted out, and no sooner he released his grip and stood there dumfounded. Storming off into the empty room I sat in the corner and cried for help. Not sure what to do, and angry from lack of control, he slammed and the door on his way out. Once my tears of frustration dried up, I leaned my throbbing head against the cool wall. Bringing my hand up to my forehead I felt the fever boiling under my fingertips. I shivered from it, and made my way to the bed. Before I knew it sleep took over my sick exhausted body.
The next morning when my fever finally broke, I just laid there waiting for death. I was weak and could barely move out of my bed, let alone fight someone much bigger than me. My eyes were puffy and swollen and my head still ached. All I could do was pray that if he came back to kill me, it would be quick. I just wanted to know who it was and where I was before it would happen, it was only fair.
After what seemed like days upon days of being locked in the room, my mind started to wilt away. Waking up to the sound of the door clicking, I looked down on the floor and saw that Peter had left a tray. Getting up from my deathbed I went to go and pick up my breakfast like a prisoner. Picking up the spoonful of cereal, I shoved it into my mouth. I didn't even care if it was poisoned, anything would be better then living.
Once I finished I laid the empty tray next to the door on the ground and waited for peace to come.
Of course it couldn't be that easy, I thought after several more hours passed by. Why was he taunting me, why didn't he just let me go or just do it already? One shot in the head, that's all it takes.
I was going stir crazy I had to end it, if he wasn't going to than I was. Getting up, I walked to the bedroom's bathroom and looked for anything sharp. I couldn't help but laugh when there wasn't anything but a bar of soap and bottled shampoo. Throwing things around the bathroom out of anger, one of the plastic bottles hit the bathroom mirror, and than it hit me. Grabbing a towel, I wrapped it around my fist and began smashing the mirror frantically. After a few attempts it shattered into a million pieces. Picking up a shard of sharp glass, I looked at it longingly, as if this was the only friend that could ease my suffering. Just minutes before I could muster up the courage an ice-cold hand ripped the shard of glass out of my hands.
How dare him, I was beyond reasoning or calming down this time. I began beating his chest with my fists and screaming at him. I didn't care if he fought back or put an end to my existence, anything was better. No, he didn't even raise a finger to stop me, all he did was stay perfectly still, and allowed me to express my pain. When I exhausted myself, I just backed away and curled up into a small ball. Peter just stood there and watched me with those intense understanding eyes. He looked down on me through his eyelashes and gave a sad sigh.
"Don't pity me," I said with hatred staining each word.
"I don't pity you, I'm just amazed"
"What!" I shouted out.
"You heard me! Here I am trying to nurse you back to health after finding you in some church looking like death."
"One you should have left me, and two what kind of person locks someone up in a room all day!"
" I admit that was drastic, but after I found you, you were nuts. I couldn't get you to stop running off."
"What are you talking about?"
"I'm saying that by the time I found you, the fever was at its peak. You were incoherent and literally delusional and paranoid."
With that said he picked me up and set me onto the bed. Going back to the bathroom he cursed under his breath while sweeping up the glass on the floor. I just sat there and watched him meticulously removing every possible threat in the room and bathroom. Opening the door he hesitated before he spoke," I'm sorry for all of this I was trying to help you not harm you," he paused and forced the rest out, "I'll let you leave after you get enough rest." With that he shut the door and left me alone to my thoughts.
The feeling that gripped my stomach subsided, and what was left was immense guilt. Here a teenage runaway goes and breaks into a church, and is saved by a handsome man, who she thinks is some crazy murderous freak. Turns out I am the completely mental one.
Shuffling my feet I tried to remember what happen the night before, but all that came up were piercing burgundy eyes. I didn't realize that I was that sick, I could have died if it wasn't for Peter. My body was probably out of it already from lack of sleep. Getting sick added with the night terrors was a recipe for disaster. What bothered me most was that instead of taking me to a hospital were they would have had me committed, he braved me out through the night. But why?
Getting up off the bed, I decided to go and apologize to Peter and introduce myself properly. Walking down the hallway, I noticed that the rest of the house wasn't as nice as my room. It seemed dark and depressing as each room looked as if it hadn't been touched in centuries. Dust caked on the surrounding surfaces in the guest bedrooms as well in the magnificent library down the hall. Entering the ancient library I found Peter sitting on a dusty couch reading a book.
"What are reading?" I asked as casually as I could.
"Utopia," he sighed not even looking up from his book.
"How is it?"
"Is there something you want?" He asked harshly.
"I'm sorry I can tell your busy, I'll come back later," I squeaked, and started to head for the door. Dropping his book, he stood up and yelled out, "Wait!" I stopped in my tracks.
"Forgive me, that wasn't kind of me."
"You have every right to be that way," I whispered out.
"No I don't, it's just been awhile since I've had others staying with me."
"Oh" Curiosity was building inside, who was this strange man I wondered.
"Seriously, do you need help with something?"
"No, I just wanted to thank you for saving me, and to apologize for my actions earlier."
"Well its normal when you were as sick as you were to be a little out of it. Not to mention I didn't handle it very well on my part either. I forgot that it's in human nature to be frightful," Peter said, lightly chuckling to himself.
Arching one eyebrow up in confusion, I was about to continue, until Peter gracefully rose from the sofa.
"Peter Fellings," he said while sticking out his hand for a handshake.
"Lily Dawson." Taking it in return.
"Well Lily Dawson, I'm going to have to get you home now aren't I."
"Well if you don't mind, I would like to stay here a little longer."
His face twisted up in confusion at my response.
"Why do you want to stay," he paused and looked down at the ground, "Don't you have family or something."
"No, I don't have anyone"
"I don't know," he said while giving out a sad sigh as his forehead crinkled it thought.
I looked up at him with pleading eyes. "Please Peter, I have no where else to go. All my money and clothes are back at the church and probably gone now." Tears were stinging my eyes. " Just awhile longer, and I can earn my keep"
He stood there contemplating my offer, "How"
"By straightening the house up, cooking meals, doing your laundry. I'll do anything Peter."
"No," he paused and eyed me funny," I have something better in mind," he said while walking up to me with a gleam in his eyes.
"Peter no! I won't," and before I could push his arm away he held my head in his strong hands while moving it from side to side. I was terrified of what he was going to do, but as soon as he released me he had a small smile forming on his lips.
"What did you think I was going to do Lily?"
"I thought…" But before I could finish what I was saying, Peter left the room at inhuman speed. After just a second he returned with a small sketchbook and a pencil used for sketching.
"Peter I can't let you do that!" I said as realization struck me.
"Why not?"
"Because there are professional models that look a thousand times better than me, that's why. Not to mention I barely even know you!"
"Want do you want to know about me than?" He said with a smirk lining his lips.
"Peter that's not what I meant."
"You said you want us to know each other."
"Okay fine," I said while rolling my eyes.
"How old are you?"
"Nineteen."
"Where were you born?"
"I was born here in Salem."
"Where have you traveled?"
"All over Europe." Peter said while getting impatient with my questions.
"My turn," he said with a smile plastered to his face.
"How old are you?"
"Hey I wasn't finished," I complained, but Peter just continued.
"How old are you, and where were you born?"
"Fine," I huffed," I am seventeen and will be eighteen on October 31s. I was born in California, but moved here with my mom when I was five."
"Hmm, what an interesting day to be born, when so many of the dead walk among the earth," he said trying to sound spooky.
"Hey that's not nice," I said adding hurt to my voice. Immediately Peter froze and looked at me with his warm eyes. "Peter I was kidding," but he kept still and this time he brought up one finger to his lips. Getting up slowly he went out the library door and walked down the hallway.
Quietly I got up after him and walked down the dark hallway. Standing near the spiral staircase I could here hushed voices in the kitchen. Carefully I climbed down the staircase so that I could listen in on the conversation. Peeking under the wall I watched Peter accepting a large shipment of boxes from another strangely gorgeous man. They were taking the boxes down into the cellar, but for what I wondered.
"Thank you Zachary, this means a lot to me."
"Its no trouble my friend, I just hope this feud ends soon."
"It will once Alexander seeks power of the coven."
"Not much longer Peter and you can take your rightful place as second in command."
After a few minutes of them collecting there thoughts and picturing the glorious moment of victory, Peter opened his mouth to speak.
"Zachary there is something I must ask you before you return."
"What is troubling you my dear brother."
"Follow me to the living room," Peter said. And so Peter and this strange man left to the other room to talk in private.
I tried to analyze the conversation, but everything was buzzing in my head. Why were they talking about power and command, and most importantly what is in those boxes.
Climbing back up the stairs I entered my room and waited for Peter to return. He didn't, and so after hours past I began to become restless. Just when I was about to nod off to sleep I heard a horrible shrieking noise from downstairs. Footprints stomped up the staircase and continued down the hallway toward my room. There, barely fitting inside the doorframe stood a large monster.
"I thought I smelled fresh meat," he growled out while snapping his teeth.
I was frozen solid, I could move off the bed. This creature knew this as he came over, dangerously eyeing his prey, me. I don't even remembered if I yelled or cried but all I knew was that Peter could hear my pain. He leaped on the beast and tore his flesh open with his teeth. Zachary howled in pain while trying to fight of Peter's relentless attacks. Scampering away down the hall, Peter followed, and after a few minutes of loud crashing and roaring, it became dead quite. I was terrified for Peter and for myself. Eyeing for a place to hide I slide under my bed and waited for the inevitable. A few painfully silent minutes later someone walked into my room.
"Lily are you alright, it's me Peter." Gasping for breath, he fell onto my bed and didn't move. Gingerly I came out of my hiding place and was horrified my Peter's appearance.
He was cover in blood from his head to his toes, and deep gashes were found on his legs and sides.
"Peter!" I exclaimed, while I tried to examine his fatal wounds. Ripping off his T-shirt I nearly vomited from the strong aroma of blood. The rusty smell filled my lungs and nearly made me pass out right there on the spot, but I knew I had to try for Peter.
Running to the bathroom I grabbed towels and warm water to wash his wounds with, and dressing to keep them from getting infected. When I returned to his lifeless body I began to wash off the blood. Soaking the towels in the warm water I gently cleansed his wounds and wrapped them with gauzes. Clearing the spattered blood of his face I watched the beautiful angel sleep.
Softly I whispered, "Peter you'll be save, I'm going to go and call an ambulance to take you to the hospital."
Getting up from the bed Peter's hand caught my wrist. Shocked from the suddenness, I tried to pull free from his grasp.
"Peter let go of me, you need help," I cried out as his hand tightened.
"Let go of me!" I shouted out into the empty house. Peter still not giving up gets out from the bed and releases his strong hold.
Watching in amazement, he removed the gauzes showing perfect marble smooth skin underneath. Smiling he grabbed my hand and lifted it to touch his unharmed chest. He miraculously healed from his fatal wounds that would have killed any human.
"What are you," I whispered.
"I am your worst nightmare."