House of Pain
Chapter 5: House of Pain
The moment we stepped inside we were greeted by the loud sounds of techno Goth music. Apparently the owner loves black and red since the same theme followed the inside decor. The walls had a glossy black finish with red circular lights attached all around the room's walls. I have to admit it did give a nice effect. On top of that there was a red disco ball above the dance floor. Without a word Jenks got out of my jacket's collar and flew out into the room while the three of us huddled close. David ended up being in between us as we walked inside. The bar was located at the very front of the club with booths around the place. In the middle of the club was the dance floor with four small stages on each corner of the floor. Each stage had a female vampire dancing to the beat of the music.
We took a booth on the left side of the facility to observe our surroundings until Jenks returned. The black paint made it difficult to see if there were any doors that led to their back offices. There were only two red doors on the right side of the bar. But those were the restrooms that they kindly had a sign illuminated on top of each door. As we sat there I noticed that people who passed by our booth would smirk as they saw David, someone even gave him a thumbs up! I didn't think much of it just that he was sitting in a booth with two girls. He had sat down first and Ivy scooted next to him leaving me to choose the opposite seat. I turned to look at David and tried to decipher the big fuss he was getting. The first thing I noticed was that David looked like a mess and maybe that's why he was giving this wrong impression. His hair was tousled like if he had just gotten out of bed and the collar of his shirt was slightly askew. And it didn't help that he sat with us two girls.
"What?" David asked leaning forward as he noticed that I was looking at him.
"Your hair is a mess and while you're at it fix your collar. We are attracting attention." I told him.
"Oh!" he began to comb his hair back with both hands and tidy up his shirt and coat. "Better?"
"It will do."
Right in the middle of the table Jenks chose it to land.
"What did you find out?" I asked.
"Well there is an easy-hard way. And that's the door that leads straight to the back offices. It's the black door that you can't see from over here thanks to the dumb fart that chose black to paint the walls! It's on the left side of the bar. Which if there is a way we can turn you three big giants invisible then that's one way to go."
"Did you see any other possible options," Ivy asked who was now leaning forward.
"There is this vent. I don't know for sure if it leads to the back offices but it's an option. I couldn't pry the bloody thing to know for sure. Oh…and…the only problem is that it's in the women's restroom."
"What were you doing in there?" I asked sounding surprised.
"Tink's a Disney whore! I had to look everywhere!"
"I know! I know…I just wanted to pull your chain." I said teasing the pixie.
"There's one problem, I'm not going to the women's restroom," David said. "Don't get me wrong, I want to help with this even if it means busting that door next to the bar."
"You will do no such thing. We will need to think of something." I closed my eyes to think; when I opened them I noticed everyone was waiting for my "brilliant" idea. Or lack of it. "Well, I've seen them give us naughty looks because they probably think something is going on with the three of us. Thanks to David's shaggy look. So…let's all act like if something is going on with the three of us and go inside the restroom."
"I…don't-" David began to mumble but he didn't have much of a say. Ivy was already on her feet when she pulled him out of the booth. I took his other arm and pulled him towards the restroom. I glanced towards Ivy and noticed that she was enjoying having him squirm under her grasp.
We got inside the restroom with no problem; sure there were stares about what we would possibly do with our male companion. I figured let them think naughty thoughts rather than them thinking we were going to bust our way into the vampire's lair. Jenks was hidden by my big loop earrings, which made it easier for the pixie to sneak in again. Good thing the restroom was empty and that made David loosen up his tension. I might add that I was surprised to see an empty women's restroom. Anyone knows that the women's restroom is always busy with traffic. This meant we had to act quickly. Out of his temporary hiding place Jenks flew out and towards the vent that was located above one of the stalls. I was beginning to get annoyed at the decor. The bathroom followed the same cookie cutter color scheme. The floor had black tiles with scattered tiny red circles; the walls were glossy black with red lights. Each bathroom stall was either black or red. Ivy went inside the red stall and with ease pried the vent cover open.
"See what's at the end of the tunnel," Ivy told Jenks. He nodded and flew right in. Ivy heard something that I didn't because her next words were urgent. "Quick! Both of you come inside the stall!"
"Why?" I asked.
David, who has good hearing, took me by the arm and did as Ivy ordered. She closed the door and we stood there quietly.
"Why do we have to be inside the stall?" I whispered. My question was soon answered when the door was flung open and three giggling girls entered the room. That got my mouth shut. We stood there quietly while we waited for them to be done with their business and leave. Only one of them had to use the restroom while the other two chatted. The sound of the flushing toilet let us know that they would be out soon. They chatted for a minute more before they walked outside. I didn't realize I had been holding my breath but I let it out as soon as they left.
We remained crammed inside the small stall as we waited for Jenks to return and in case anyone else needed to relieve themselves. I was feeling uncomfortable from being too close to either one and my feet were getting tired. I tried to shift my weight from one foot to the other one. In doing so I bumped into David who bumped into Ivy. They both turned to look at me.
"What? I didn't' do it on purpose! My feet are getting tired."
"You think you are the only one who is uncomfortable?" David asked, trying to scoot away from Ivy.
I didn't have a chance to reply with a snarky remark because in that instant Jenks showed up. He began to laugh when he looked at us. "Look at you, all packed like sardines!"
"Does it lead to their back offices?" Ivy asked, ignoring his statement.
"Even better, it leads into one of the offices."
"Excellent then let's get moving." She looked at David and motioned him to go first.
"Ladies first," he said. I bet he didn't want her trailing behind him.
I was getting tired from standing in close quarters with them that I took the lead. "Oh come on! Let's get a move on. I'll make it easy because I'll go first. But…I'll need help."
I balanced myself on the toilet seat and tried to push myself up into the small space. I think I'm pretty strong but I appreciated Ivy giving me a boost up into the vent system. I didn't bother looking behind me to see who followed me. Jenks who was still inside had started to fly ahead of me as I followed him. He stopped once we reached the end of the road, so to speak. He moved aside so I could use both my hands to push the vent off. Ivy made it look so simple, of course because she is a vampire. I figured I could use my legs to kick the lid off, but trying to change my position in such a tight space was going to prove impossible. I stopped struggling and wondered about one last option. I could always use my spindled energy to blast it open. I decided against it since there is the possibility that someone could detect my magic. I heard one of them finally reached me where I was stuck. I looked behind me to see David making his way through the vent. Funny, Ivy got her way and he didn't look too happy about it.
"Is something wrong?" he asked, I could tell he was acting like if it didn't bother him that Ivy was behind him.
"I can't get this off."
"I'll do it, just lie flat so I can reach above you."
I did as he told me. He was nearly on top of me as he reached over with one hand and pushed the vent as if it was nothing. As I laid flat on the vent I stole a glance behind me to see Ivy. She seemed slightly ticked at watching David be nearly on top of me. She should know better that there is absolutely nothing going on between David and myself. Not like that.
"Thanks," I said.
He backed off and bumped into Ivy who was too near. I pushed myself up and let Jenks fly out first. As I was climbing down I noticed David was slightly red. Was he flushing? Maybe I am right and this werewolf has a crush on the vampire behind him. Jenks remained close to the vent, snickering as he enjoyed the show between those two.
"Come on you two, if you need some time alone, Rache and I could leave you lovebirds in that vent," he said as he sneered.
I didn't want to encourage Jenks but this was pretty funny. They were like two awkward teenagers. David emerged from the vent a bit too fast that caused him to nearly stumble to the floor. Being a werewolf, he managed to flip himself around and land on all fours, hardly making any sound. Ivy was even more graceful as she maneuvered herself out of the vent into some fancy somersault in which she landed on her feet.
The lights in the office were turned off but it was not pitch black since the lights on the hallway illuminated the office through the large windows, which their blinds were halfway down. I knelt down and checked the hallway from the window. I didn't see anyone. Ivy opened the door slowly and peaked outside to get a better view. Jenks flew above her to check further down the hall. The hallway was clear to proceed out the office. Ivy took the lead; I followed her while David took the rear. Ivy took the only way out of the hallway since there was a dead end if we had turned left. She stalked all the way to the end of the hall that led to an opening that had three red doors and one was black. The red doors could potentially lead to other offices or to their lair. I figured the black door is the one that leads outside into the dance club where the bar would be on its left side. The area followed the same color scheme. For once I was happy with the colors, although whoever decided on this needed to expand their color palette, but it worked for us to allow us to blend in. At the end of the hallway we waited.
"What are we waiting for?" David whispered. Being in the back he was unable to see.
"Waiting for Jenks to give us the a-ok," I whispered back.
"Although we might need to take those two witches down," Ivy whispered, not taking her eyes from what she saw before her.
I leaned closer to Ivy so I could see from her shoulder. Just like she said there were two witches standing next to the wall, a brunette and a blond. They looked out of place. Both men were dressed in normal street wear. Their casual stance and cropped hair did not help them match the decor or the ambient. They were too busy having a heated discussion to pay any attention to their surroundings. I heard Jenks' dragon wings before I saw him. I extended my hand out so he could land on my palm. Both Ivy and David turned towards me to hear what Jenks had to say.
"None of the doors seem to lead to any underground lairs. They are all offices."
"How can you tell?" Ivy asked.
"Well, gee, there were two gigantic windows and woe behold it was an office!"
"Don't get sarcastic with me," she glared at him.
"Children behave. Right now our main priority is to take out those two witches." I said.
"Is it possible that the vampires are using them? Can they use their magic to hide the entrance to their lair?" David asked.
"I'm almost positive." I replied.
"Then let's get them," Ivy finished her sentence in mid motion as she stalked both witches who were unaware that a vampire approached them. I followed her trying to be just as sneaky. It could've been me, but they stopped talking clearly aware of our presence. They both turned around, blondie was taken by surprise as Ivy pounced on him who was immediately knocked out. Brunette dude began to mumble a spell I didn't catch any of his words but before anything devastating happened I kicked him on his stomach. It was an effective move that got the wind out of him. I reached for my splat gun and shot both of them to make sure they would not wake any time soon.
The spell they had cast was gone as soon as they were knocked out. Another black door became visible near their sleeping bodies. Ivy, who was the closest, went forward to open it. She let the door swing wide open to expose a flickering lit room with wooden stairs leading down. We found it. Once again Ivy took the lead while David and I followed her. Jenks had taken a resting position on my shoulder. The first steps were taken slowly then Ivy took the last ones faster. There was one light bulb on the bottom that kept flickering. I looked around the small concrete room. This could not be it. I was beginning to think we had gone down the wrong flight of stairs when David found another door. It was hidden behind some boxes underneath the staircase.
He opened the door and we were all greeted with the musty stench of sewage. The smell was too empowering that it drowned my sense of smell. I could only imagine how much worse it was affecting Ivy and David. Not trying to show if it affected him, David went in first. This time the flight of stairs led to a dark cool underground. Ivy went next after David and I followed her close. My eyes took longer to adjust to the dark. Not being able to see much of anything I remained near Ivy, while touching her back lightly to prevent myself from tripping down. The steps were not wooden like the previous ones, these felt like they were out of stone and after taking the last one the ground on the bottom was mushy and wet. I could hear the splashing sounds David and Ivy were making as they moved forward. There was barely enough light to allow me to make out two darker tunnels in front of us. The smell was too intense I tried to not make any disgusted and gagging sounds. It was too unbearable I was surprised that David and Ivy were indifferent to it.
"Tink's dirty panties, this is disgusting!" Jenks said from my shoulder, while trying not to gag.
"Be quiet! Someone is down here," Ivy said. I don't think she could actually see them but her hearing sense is much better.
"Of course," a sweet voice with a hint of wickedness answered from within the darkness. "I've been waiting for you. It is sweet for you to join us."
I looked around, not that it helped because I couldn't see anyone even if they were standing right in front of me.
"I'd recognize that voice from anywhere," Ivy responded.
"Ivy, darling, what a lovely surprise to hear you again. I would have preferred under other circumstances than here in this mangy sewer," the woman chided her with a slight purr in her voice.
I was taken back when two torches were lit up. The flames allowed me to see a frail looking woman standing in the middle of the two tunnels. She had long blond hair, and like the bouncer, she had piercings on her ears, lips, and nose. She wore a black latex jumpsuit with the tallest heel on a boot ever. I glanced at Ivy who showed no fear instead she stood straight and seemed ready to pounce at this old acquaintance.
"Everyone go on ahead, I need to get reacquainted with my old friend, Elizabeta."
"Ivy!" I began to protest.
"I said go! Find them so we can get out of here."
Elizabeta pulled her head back and let out a devilish laugh, such an intoxicating sound that gave me chills all over my body. Even my scar tingled under the effect of her laughter.
"To the rescue I see. Not as long as I stand on your way. Go on; give me your best try."
Not expecting it, Elizabeta got pushed out of the way when Ivy darted at her. The force behind Ivy made both of them fall on the dirty wet ground. With such quickness Ivy got up and threw the vampire toward the staircase we had come from. She turned to us, "I said, go!"
I glanced at both tunnels located on either side where the torches were lit. Not wanting to be a nuisance I started to run towards the left tunnel. Jenks was still on my shoulder and started to fly on his own as I made my way towards the tunnel. The only splashing sounds were coming from me. Where was David? Hopefully to do things quickly he decided to take the other entrance. Good. I was not so much worried about finding my two pack members and Trent; I was more worried about Ivy. I hoped she managed to come out all right from her fight with that crazy vampire. I stopped running and looked behind me. Believe me, I was tempted to go back and help her.
"What are you doing, you stupid witch?! Ivy said to go! Don't tell me she is doing this in vain because when she gets out of that scuffle she should kick your lily ass and I will pix you!" Jenks said, his voice told me he was angry but the look on his face also told me he was worried for her.
"Fine, I'll do what we came here to do." I sure hoped I was doing the right thing.
Ivy had seen me run towards the left tunnel while David took the right one. She turned around to see an enraged vampire removing the grime from her pretty face. "That was very stupid of you to do, Ivy, sweetheart."
"Don't call me that."
"All those years and you have forgotten what we had with each other? No matter. I'm willing to show you what a forgiving person I can be. Ivy, join us. My new mistress would gladly accept you with open arms. Leave that witch and that forsaken church." She laughed at that. "Join us love."
Ivy stood straighter. She undid the buckle from her trench coat and let it fall on the ground. Ivy looked at the vampire before her all while giving her a wide grin. Elizabetaseemed to take this as a positive sign; slowly she walked towards Ivy as she swayed her hips in a seductive manner. Elizabeta extended her hand and watched attentively for Ivy to take it.
"Join us love. You are in better hands among your own kind."
Ivy seemed to ponder at her offer. She looked at the extended hand and slowly reached out to take it. "I agree. I am better being with my own kind. And that means my own friends."
Ivy clutched her hand tightly around Elizabeta's. Ivy pulled her to slam her into the stoned wall. Elizabeta was not as dazed as Ivy would have liked, because she moved away before Ivy's left hook connected to her face. Elizabetacountered her attack by grabbing Ivy's forearm to throw her to the nearest wall. Using her vampiric speed she wrapped both arms around Ivy's neck and began to press tightly.
"What's the problem, love?" Elizabetaasked.
Ivy could only make gurgling sounds as she tried to pry her arms away. Elizabetaleaned down on Ivy's ear to whisper in a loving manner. "Remember when we were lovers? I can't believe it's been years ago. Even before you were with the lovely Kisten and when I was still alive. Now that I'm part of the undead, we can resume our love uninterrupted. It might be slightly different but it will be so enjoyable. Trust me. Stop fighting me and join me."
Ivy attempted to say something but the tight grip around her neck prevented her. Elizabetaloosened her grip to let Ivy respond, "What will it be, love?"
"Never!" She screamed.
"Very well," Elizabetasaid angrily.
The vampire continued to squeeze tightly. She didn't let go even as Ivy began to scratch both arms violently to the point that she had drawn blood. Ivy who was taller managed to stand up with Elizabetasqueezing to the death. Using whatever strength she has left, Ivy backed up into the stoned wall and continued to slam Elizabetainto it. Ivy felt Elizabeta'sgrip loosen up, who then realized that Ivy was beginning to take control. To prevent this, Elizabetawrapped her legs around Ivy's waist and hissed loudly, and then she went for her neck. Ivy braced herself for the bite but it never came through. Through the tight grip Ivy managed to turn around slightly and from the corner of her eye she saw someone holding Elizabeta'shead. With her fangs out she still tried to push through the force to bite Ivy's neck. David didn't let go and used his strength to pull the hungry vampire. Not being able to withstand the pressure on her head she lets go of Ivy, who collapses to the floor. David continues to hold on even as his hands begin to shift into claws, which they are now digging in the temples of Elizabeta'shead. She shrills out of pain and shakes uncontrollably. Her bony hands begin to scratch at his strong grip. David throws her away like a rag doll.
"Are you ok?" David asks Ivy who is trying to catch her breath and could only manage a nod.
"How dare you intervene?! Now you will pay for that!" Elizabetaroared in anger. Dripping of sewage water and blood she gets up slowly all while glancing at David with a hungry look. "Besides I'm thirsty and it's been so long since I've had werewolf blood. What a treat it will be."
David stepped away from Ivy as Elizabetadashedtowards him. He surprised the vampire by side stepping faster out of the way. She stumbled before him and David has the opportunity to grab her and slam her down hard into the cold wet floor. She rolls out of his reach and with wide eyes she looks at him in surprise.
"How…how did you move that fast?"
"Wouldn't you like to know?" David teases her, who is not usually the teasing type.
Elizabetagot up but is slammed back down in a matter of seconds. Ivy is on top of her with her long dagger at hand. Before Elizabetacould utter a word the dagger is punctured deeply into her heart. Ivy remains on top of her still holding on the hiltof the dagger. Elizabetahad not been part of the undead for long since her body remains instead of turning into ashes. In a jerkymanner Ivy pulls out the dagger out of the dead vampire. She then walks towards her ruined trench coat to take out a cloth that managed to remain dry and with it she wipes the dagger clean from any blood. Once it's clean enough she sheaths it on her thigh.
"Are you alright?" David asked again.
"Yeah, I think so." Now it's her turn to feel nervous, unable to look at him, at those amber wolf eyes.
"Good." He looks at his hands and wills them to shift them from claws and into his normal human hands. Back to normal he takes her arm and leads her to the other entrance. "We'll take the right side, since Rachel and Jenks took the left side."
"Fine by me," Ivy answered.
David lets go of her arm and takes the lead this time while Ivy trails behind him. With her face hidden in the shadows she is able to sneak a quick smile. Before entering the tunnel, Ivy glances at the dead vampire and feels nothing for her. It was a high school crush. Her life has changed so much over these past years. The Elizabeta she had known was so different from the one she met in this sewer. She leaves the body behind and instead looks ahead and follows the very sexy werewolf.
To be continued…