Chapter 2
The sun streamed into the room, causing Nikki's eyes to flutter. She turned over slightly, aware of the hard floor underneath her. She shivered at the cold, and turned over to see the fire slowly dying. She pulled the thin blanket around her shoulders and scooted closer to the burning embers. Rubbing her hands together, she leaned closer trying to feel a little bit of warmth.
Nikki took a moment to look around at her surroundings. She was in a small shack. It was filled with dirt and cobwebs and clearly had not been used in several years. She was sitting on the hard floor, and she stretched her muscles to help her aching back. She saw no one around, but she did notice a black hat sitting by the window sill.
She thought back to what happened yesterday and how she had gotten here. Slowly everything returned, and Nikki jumped up as fear washed over her. What if those men had kidnapped her? Were they going to torture her or kill her? Wait, didn't they leave because another man showed up? Yoochun? Yes, his name was Yoochun.
But, who was this man? He seemed to know the other two. And one of them had fangs, I know it! Nikki's mind was swarming with information, but one thing was certain, she was terrified.
She searched the room, looking for any sort of weapon to help defend herself. She saw a broken lamp in the corner, and she ran over and grabbed a shard of glass, holding it tightly in her grip.
She heard noise outside, and her eyes widened in fear. Rushing over, she stood behind the door, ready to attack. Then she would flee.
The footsteps on the rickety porch sent shivers down her spine. She raised the shard, getting in position for when the door would open.
She watched the doorknob twist and turn and her heart thumped in her chest and her blood rushed to her head, making her feel dizzy. She had to get a grip. She had to think straight to survive.
As the door creaked open, Nikki watched as a figure walked into the room. His back was to her, so she took the oppurtunity to strike. Using every bit of strength she had, she ran forward and plunged the shard into the man's back.
"What the hell?" he shouted, turning around and flicking Nikki off of him as if she were a fly. She fell to the ground, losing her shard in the process. Her eyes scanned the room, trying hard to find her only saviour.
She located it a few feet from her and scrambled closer to it. As she was about to grab it, a boot came into few and stomped the shard, sliding it to the other side of the room.
Nikki looked up hesitantly as she tried to suppress her fear. She trailed up the black boots, the black pants, the long, black trenchcoat. She caught sight of the pistols on either side. Her gaze wondered over the chest. Clearly masculine and every bit in shape. His hair was long, black, and untamed, clipping his shoulders as it feel around his face. As her eyes reached the face she stopped and had to hold back a gasp.
The man in front of her was handsome. More handsome then she had seen in a very long time. His jawline was narrow, with sharp lines. His cheeks were pale, but beautiful in shape. His eyes were a dark brown, but held a sliver of gleam that caused her heart to stir. And his lips. God, his lips. She had never seen any so amazing than those. They were red and full and she couldn't keep herself from staring at them. She instinctively licked her lips and almost fainted from embarrasment when she realized what she had done.
"What do you think you're doing?" Yoochun asked and Nikki swallowed. He didn't sound angry, more amused than anything, which only unnerved her more. She had just stabbed him. Why wasn't he killing her?
"I...uh...," Nikki started, words leaving her. She turned away, no longer able to meet his gaze. She turned toward the door. It stood open, the world just beyond the threshold. Should she try? If she ran, would she make it? What if there wasn't anyone around? But what if she never got the chance to escape?
"I wouldn't do that if I were you," Yoochun said, bringing her out of her thoughts.
"Do what?" She asked.
"Try to run. I'll tell you this right now, if you leave I won't chase you," he simply stated, and Nikki turned to him, stunned. He was moving from his spot, collecting firewood that had been dropped when Nikki slammed the shard into his back.
This must be a trick? What is he playing at?
"But, if you run, you'll most certainly be caught. They've got your scent, and they won't stop until you're dead," Yoochun explained as he fed the fire, bringing it to a roaring blaze.
Nikki looked once more out the door. What should she do? She had no idea, but she felt like her chances were better here with him, rather than out there alone. She got up slowly, making her way to the door. She stopped, holding onto the handle, staring out at the blue sky and green grass. Things were so complicated right now, but she wanted answers. And she would only get them here.
She closed the door slowly, and tried not to think it was sealing her fate. She was going to trust in her instincts and they were telling her to stay. That she was here for a reason.
She walked back over to the fire and sat down, glad to feel the heat on her cheeks.
"But I stabbed you. Why aren't you angry?" Nikki began, still not meeting his eyes.
"What? That?" Yoochun asked, chuckling a little. "That wasn't even a scratch. It's all healed up anyway."
"So...," Nikki started, trying to form any sort of coherent thought. "What were those men and who are you?"
Yoochun didn't say anything at first, just continued to stare into the fire. Nikki thought maybe she wasn't going to get any sort of answer until finally he began to speak.
"They were vampires," he simply stated and Nikki's eyes shot up, looking over at Yoochun. He had to be joking. There was no way.
"Vampires?" Nikki said, shaking her head. "Yeah, sure."
"I'm pretty sure you got a front row seat to their strength and their fangs yesterday, right?"
"But, I was seeing things. That can't be."
"I can assure you, they can."
Nikki stared at her hands, trying to get a grasp on her situation.
"Why did you help me?"
"Because, you were in the way. I was tracking Yunho and Changmin, when you stumbled on the scene and ruined everything."
Nikki didn't say anything to that. What could she say? She twisted her hands a bit more as the scene replayed in her head. Those men, Yunho and Changmin had shot a man point blank right in front of her eyes. She could still hear the pleading, the loud gunshot as it pierced the night air.
"They killed a man," Nikki said. She could feel the tears pooling in her eyes and she brushed them away hastily.
Yoochun simply nodded his head. "I know. I will make them pay."
They sat in silence for a little while longer, until Nikki was plagued by a question. "Why did you bring me here?"
Yoochun shrugged. "It felt wrong to leave you out there in the cemetery, alone."
"You have history with those men, don't you?"
Yoochun nodded and Nikki couldn't help but prod some more. "How do you know them?"
Yoochun turned toward her, a smirk on his face. "Another story. Another time."
Yoochun stood up and began looking around the room, trying to find anything that was useful.
Nikki watched his movements and could tell he was very skilled. He was graceful and quick, collecting rope and other various items, tucking them into his jacket. The last thing he did was grab his hat on the windowsill and slipped it on his head. He turned to Nikki and motioned for her to stand.
She did, and Yoochun opened the door. "Let's head out."
"Where are we going?"
"We need to go to headquarters so I can talk with my boss, figure out exactly what needs to be done."
"Can't I just go home?" Nikki asked. This was all so much. She just wanted to be in her own room, with her own bed to snuggle into.
"I told you, they won't stop until you're dead. If you want to stay alive, you have to come with me," Yoochun explained, before heading out the door.
Nikki stood, rooted to her spot. Could she really trust this man? She knew nothing about him. What if he was tricking her? She watched as he continued walking away and she suddenly felt very vulnerable. She didn't know why, but she knew his words were true. She knew if she went home she'd be dead within the day, but if she went with Yoochun, maybe she stood a chance.
Yoochun stopped and turned back toward her, giving his head a nod. "You coming or not?"
Nikki just nodded her head and ran to catch up with him. Maybe she was crazy. Maybe she was on her way to a sure death, but another side of her was excited. This was something new and different and an adventure she definitely needed. As scared as she was and as uncertain as she was, she was sure of one thing, she was going to see this through to the end. She just hoped the end wasn't around the corner.
