Summary: On the run from Victoria, Bella runs into someone tall, dark, and…blonde?
AN: Might make this into a mini-story like Salvation.
The night was dark, darker than usual, like a cloud. Steps echoed off the walls and the wet ground, each tap occurring after the other. The plop of the puddle was drowned out by the heavy breathing that escaped the young woman's mouth, her wide brown eyes darting left to right.
The impending doom wrapped around her tightly, almost choking her to death with each passing second. The darkness was creeping up on her, hovering over her like a shadow, and the woman's chest became tight with fear.
She turned another corner, taking a quick glance behind her, and of course, nothing met her gaze. She clutched the black bag to her chest, swiping her long, brown hair from her face.
Darkness surrounded her, and she kept walking forward, on to the next streetlamp, then at least she could breathe for just one second.
She blinked rapidly as her tennis shoes stepped into another disgusting puddle. Her breath was loud in her ears, heart hammering in her chest, fluttering like a bird.
Fear gripped her tight as she could feel the presence of the unknown creeping up on her, closer and closer, and she knew that her time was almost up. Something was coming for her. It was following her.
Her shoes echoed in the night, only for another pair to repeat the action. She was unable to hold in the squeak of fear as her suspicions were confirmed. She had no idea where she was going, and she started for a sprint. She could see the street up ahead, a very, very dim light, shining like a beacon, her steps faltering for just a moment as she glanced back again.
She turned back ahead with a soft gasp, her arm shooting out in front of her as if she was running a race to the finish line. She didn't exactly make it to the finish line as a dark mass stood in front of her, giving her no choice but to bump right into it.
She grasped the dark leather jacket for leverage, cool hands wrapping around her upper arms to steady her. She was pulled forward into the light, making eye contact with a man.
He was a pretty man, with blue eyes and almost bleach blonde hair. "Hold your horse's love," He soothed, taking a glance over her shoulder. She couldn't help but move closer to what she saw as safety, if just for a moment.
"I…" She whispered, turning her head back to look into the dark alley. "You what pet?" The man asked, his eyes narrowing into the darkness, searching. "Nothing," She whispered, clearing her throat, uncurling her fingers from the man's jacket. The hands let her go, but the body didn't move, not at first. "If you'll excuse me," She whispered.
A hand grasped her wrist gently, holding her in place. "Now wait a minute. Can I at least walk you home? It's not safe out here you know?" He asked, and the woman turned towards him, shaking her head.
"I'm very aware," She responded. A thumb ran across her wrist making her flinch. She wasn't supposed to remember. She wouldn't remember.
"Are you hurt?" The man asked, turning her arm over slowly, stepping forward. "I-," She started, unable to pull away. He examined the scar with curiosity. "Now, where did you get a bite like this? And how come your heart is still beating?"
The woman swallowed, tugging her arm from the man's grasp. "None of your business. What do you want?" She asked, turning away from him. A hand laid on her shoulder, bringing her some sense of security. "Fine by me then. Can I get your name?" The woman turned her head, confusion evident on her face. "Bella," She whispered.
The man hummed. "Italian right? I'm Spike. Take me up on that offer pet?" He asked. Bella frowned, shrugging his hand off. "No thanks. I can handle myself," She huffed, walking down the street. "Always the pretty ones," He murmured.
Bella stopped, turning to look back. Spike stood behind her, turning around to look innocent. "Look, I have nowhere to go, and I'd really like to find someplace safe before she…." Bella stopped, sighing heavily. "Just leave me be. No one else needs to get hurt because of me," She rubbed her wrist, her eyes zoning out briefly.
"You're one of those," Spike muttered, smirking as Bella snapped out of whatever trance she was in with a glare. "I can help you. That's a vampire bite yeah? Cold One? Sparkle like a sodding disco?" She tilted her head, brows knitting together. "Yeah, I know a lot about the supernatural pet. I'm one of the lots myself," He smiled.
"You're a vampire? You don't look like…" She trailed off, glancing at him more closely. "Your eyes are different, you look different…" Spike let out a hearty laugh, shaking his head. "There's more than one kind of vampire, I don't think you're ready for that though," He held out his hand, and Bella hesitated. "How do I know you won't kill me?" She asked, taking a step away from him.
Spike leaned against the brick wall, raising a thick brow. "If I wanted to kill you, I would have already," Bella gasped as Spike was jerked back into the alley. She froze, slowly peering her head around to see. "Spike?" She called, hearing scuffling. Her eyes swept over the darkness, unable to see anything. "Spi-" His name was cut off as two hands wrapped themselves around her throat, a face appearing before her. The face was rigid, yellow eyes piercing her soul, elongated teeth to match.
She blinked as it disintegrated, turning to bones and dust. She sucked in a breath, looking to the ground. "Sorry about that," Spike spoke, moving forward, his face no longer human. Bella froze, reaching out her hand to touch his face.
He grasped her wrist, stopping her just mere inches from making contact with his cheek. His face morphed back; his expression soft. "You wouldn't want to do that," Bella put her arm down, suddenly feeling like that 18-year-old girl again. "So….?" He asked again, holding out his hand. "I'll take you up on your offer now,"
Spike tucked her hand into the crook of his arm, patting it. "Good girl," He murmured, flashing her a smile, his teeth shining even in the dark. "See, if the great Angel can do it, so can I," Bella glanced up at him quizzically. "Who?" She asked.
"Angel. He's a vampire like me. Broody one that one is. He can definitely help you with your problem. A Cold One is hunting you right?" Bella nodded, sticking close to Spike. "Yeah, we can take care of her," Bella hummed, "So what, you two are vigilante vampire superheroes?" Spike snorted.
"Something like that. Angel had this team, way back when, it all went to hell, until he and this team took over this evil law firm," Bella's brow furrowed. For a moment she thought she might've run into a delusional vampire. "Law firm?" She asked.
Spike glanced down as Bella clutched his arm in fright as the elevator doors opened. "What is this place?" She asked, slightly awed, and terrified. "Weren't you listening? A law firm. An evil one, well used to be perse. What you're looking at is the deeper part of the supernatural. Come on," Bella let him pull her along, and she pushed herself closer to him as a large, green creature passed by them.
They stopped at a desk; a pretty blonde was behind it. "Is the boss in?" He asked, and the blonde nodded, a smile on her face. She glanced at Bella. "Yeah, but he asked to be alone. Who's she?" Spike ignored her and pulled Bella along, and Bella took a glance back at the woman, a quiet shriek leaving her throat as the woman's face changed.
"Harmony! No scaring guests! I'm going to tell Angel to fire you," He called back, pushing open the brown doors. He ushered Bella in, closing the doors. "I thought I said no, oh, hello," Bella waved, bouncing on her toes. "Um, Spike," She pointed in his direction, then glanced back at Angel. "Said you could help me," Angel nodded, motioning for her to sit down in a chair.
"Yeah, what can I do for you?" He leaned against his desk, crossing his arms over his chest. Bella sat, rubbing her wrist once again. "I don't, I don't really know where to start, god," Bella stood, fidgeting slightly. She ran her hand through her messy hair, sighing in frustration.
She felt like that girl all over again. The helpless one. The broken one. The one that was left behind to rot in the cold. Angel glanced at Spike, then back at Bella. "You're better at the consoling thing than me mate," Spike muttered, waving his hand.
Angel walked in front of her, causing her to stop, and lift her head. "How about your name?" He smiled gently, his eyes holding concern. He led her back to the chair, sitting her down. Spike calmed a bit, really hating that whole thing humans seemed to do. He moved forward, standing behind Bella, gently grabbing her wrist. "Then, that," He stated dryly. Angel narrowed his eyes, leaning forward.
"My name is Isabella Swan, Bella, I uh, I got this from a vampire," Angel stared at her for a moment, waiting for the story. "Not an ordinary vampire I assume?" Bella chuckled dryly. "I guess. I don't know what you call ordinary, um, god, I hate feeling like this," She whispered to herself, her voice quivering slightly.
A hand wrapped around hers, and she glanced up over her shoulder at Spike. "I promise you, we will help you,"
Angel nodded, leaning back. "He's right. We have the resources. What's your story Bella?"
AN: Hope you liked it. You guys I am so behind on other stories. I will be free for a good month starting next week so…yay. Expect more updates soon!