Chapter 17 Enjoy!
Abby slowly wakes up, a little groggy and unfamiliar with her surroundings.
"Declan." She quietly whispers.
"Declan?" She says it louder this time, reaching out for him on the empty couch.
With no answer, her eyes immediately shoot wide open. They take time to adjust to the dim lighting before she can clearly see around the room.
She began to take mental notes in her head.
She was still at Alaric's place.
It was still dark out and the light tapping on the window meant it was still raining.
The only thing missing was Declan, he wouldn't leave her, would he?
Maybe she scared him off, the hand holding and hugging was maybe just a bit too much. She'd never admit it but she liked it, she needed it. It was a breath of fresh air to trust, to let someone in.
She shivers as a chilly breeze runs over her skin.
She pulls the blanket up closer to her face, one she didn't even know she had. She holds out the blanket in her hand, eyeing the strange patterns.
Someone must have put it on her when she was sleep.
What time is it? She wonders.
She goes to grab her phone and hits the hold button.
Dead. Of course it is.
She sighs, knowing she didn't bring her charger with her.
She drapes the small blanket around her shoulders, making her way to the kitchen, where she hoped she'd find Declan.
She stops dead in her tracks when she sees Bonnie. She was turned toward the stove, slowly stirring something in a pot.
Abby is barely in the kitchen, sort of on the corner, feet frozen to the floor.
She just stares for a moment, she doesn't say a word.
When the sweet aroma from the food hits her nostrils, her stomach growls. Embarrassed, she turns back to retreat to the living room.
"You know it's rude to stare." Bonnie says, as she continues to stir the food.
Abby immediately jumps at the sound of her voice. How'd she even know she was standing there.
It takes her a while to speak. She drops her hands, clearing her throat,"Sorry I was looking for-"
"Declan?" Bonnie finishes for her.
She nods her head, immediately feeling dumb.
"Yes, have you seen him?" She corrects herself.
"I have."
She continues to stir, adding various sugars and spices.
"Annnnddddd.."
"He's fine."
"Is he in the bathroom?"
"I said he was fine."
"Okay." She turns again toward the living room."
"Stay." Bonnie tells her, "eat."
She sets down the bowl of soup.
Abby shakes her head. "Its fine. I can pick up something later from the grill."
"Abby, eat. I know you're hungry."
She looks toward the food again and back towards the sitting room.
"Look, we don't have to talk if that's what you want," Bonnie looks off for a moment. "we don't even have to make eye contact. I just want you to eat. After what you've been through you need it."
She holds out a chair for Abby.
She slowly slides in, eyeing her mother.
…..
Declan quickly retreats backwards until his back is pressed up against the cold wall. This was it, nowhere else to go.
Shaking, he lights up the area around him with his smartphone.
When he hears something on the left side of him, he drops it, causing the glass to shatter a bit.
"Who's there?" He quickly sweeps the cracked screen from side to side.
Slowly the creature shows itself from the shadows.
He could see it clearly for the first time now.
It's eyes had relaxed, the red was gone, replaced now by a dark brown.
The veins disappeared.
Now, in this light, it actually looked human.
"What's your name?"
It doesn't respond.
Declan flashes the light lower towards his mouth.
Oh that's why it couldn't respond. It had a muzzle on it.
"Who did this to you?"
It points toward the door.
"Matt?"
It nods.
Declan looks toward and door and back.
I have to get out of here, he thought.
He slowly gets up, still limping on that ankle.
"I'll leave and get help, I'm coming back for you." Declan lies.
It was still a vampire nonetheless. Unfortunately, everyone didn't have the fortune of the cure coursing through their veins. What if this one got to a kid? An elderly? Ms. Bennet or Abby.
Abby. He wondered how she was doing with her Mother. He promised he'd be back and he wasn't.
He checks his watch, curfew had started ten minutes ago.
Declan tries to push on the door but it doesn't budge.
He tries again with all his strength and still gets nothing. He looks at his hands, wondering why the cure didn't include super strength.
"Is there another way out?"
The vampire shakes its head.
"Will the come check on you?"
It points to the sign above the door.
It reads (Solitary Confinement).
Declan sighs. Which means the rarely came in the room. Which means, Declan would be here for awhile.
Unless.
He gulps, looking at the Vampire.
"I'm going to take the muzzle off, then me and you are going to get out of here.
Declan cautiously comes over, placing his hands on the back of the muzzle. He unlocks it with care.
Periodically, wiping a smooth substance off on his pant leg.
"Ewww, what is this stuff?"
Some of it drips on the vampires neck, making him jump.
"Ahh….. its vervain."It answers through closed teeth.
The vampire finally speaks when the muzzle is halfway off.
Declan watches as the water based substance burns through the vampires skin like acid.
Declan turns to the vampire, taking in a deep breath.
"I know this might be hard but I need you to bite-"
It viciously tears into his flesh, without a second thought.
Her held in place as it continues to assault his neck.
"Not too much…" Declan chokes out. He was beginning to faint.
Then it abruptly stops like last time.
He sees the Vampire fall and the door slowly open. Matt and two other guys are the last thing he sees before blacking out.
…
After eating Abby slowly scoots the bowl to the center piece.
"Would you like more Abby?" Bonnie asked.
"No, I'm fine. Me and Declan better get going."
She stands.
"Abby, you can't go."
"Why not?"
"There's a curfew, enforced by the mayor."
"Mr. Donovan would never do that. I'm leaving. Declan!Get down here now!" She yells.
"You can't go Abby it's true! She gently grabs her arm.
Abby harshly yanks her hand away."I stayed for the bowl of soup but this is getting ridiculous, your attempts to parent get more pathetic by the day."
She folds her arms.
Bonnie gets her cell phone, showing Abby the blue screen and white words.
Her mouth drops as she looks back to Bonnie.
"We can't leave till morning?"
"I'm afraid not. Neither can I…"
"Let me tell Declan."
"Abby."
"What?" Her response is cold and rude.
"He's not here."
"What?"
"He left a few hours ago. He said he'd be back."
"I can't believe he'd just leave me like that."
"Abby he's just try-"
"With you."
That stung Bonnie a bit. She sighs.
Abby grabs her coat with one hand on the doorknob.
"Where do you think you're going?"
"Wherever I please, you gave up the right to question me like that years ago."
"Hey!" Bonnie was getting tired.
"Hey what? I'm going to find Declan and make sure he's okay. You or anything you have to say doesn't matter to me."
"That's enough! Your attitude and the way you've been treating me is out of control."
"Get in line Bonnie, It's just the way I am. I guess that's what happens when you grow up without a mother."
She wiggled the doorknob but it's doesn't budge.
"Hey, what's wrong with the door?"
"I locked it."
"How? You can't keep me here! I'm calling the police."
"Go ahead, try." Bonnie folds her arms.
Abby picks up the house phone, only to hear the dial tone. Her eyes go wide.
"I don't know what's going on here, but you need to let me leave, now."
"Not until we have a discussion."
Bonnie flicks her fingers, pushing Abby onto the couch.
"How are you doing this? Stop!" Abby's terrified.
"No Abigail. You're going to hear my side of the story one way or another. Even if I have to force you to do it."