Chapter 4

"So, what happened?" I asked, sitting down on the couch, my nostrils flaring unpleasantly. Mick had been here, and considering he had left only a few hours ago for his shift it led me to believe that he had been here all night.

"When?" Beth sat down opposite me and curled her legs underneath her, sipping from her coffee cup.

"Last night. You don't scream like that for no reason," I replied, looking around. She swallowed, setting her cup on the table between us.

"I," she paused for a minute, and I turned my full attention to her, "had a nightmare." I frowned, Beth tucking her hair behind her ears. It wouldn't stay there for long with how thick it was, but she tried anyway.

"Interesting. What about?" she shrugged, looking at the ground.

"A vampire." Of course, why didn't I see that coming?

"No kidding. Did you know this vampire?" She nodded bleakly, picking up her cup and drinking lightly.

"Yes, but it was different," she murmured, thinking back.

"Who, Beth?" She glanced up at me, her eyes wary.

"Coraline, but it wasn't the repeating one, where Mick saved me," she answered, and I nodded.

"So, it wasn't the dream where you're in the basement and you re-live that memory of Coraline holding you hostage?" She shook her head, swallowing the hot beverage.

"No. She's in a dark room, drinking a guy's blood. And then I saw Ben, he was really scared," she told, and I nodded.

"Alright, so was it his blood she was drinking?" Beth shook her head, her locks coming out of there position from behind her ear.

"No, I don't know who it was," she murmured, and I nodded. We sat silently for a moment, and I considered what she had said. What would Ben and Coraline be doing together anyway?

"Did you talk with Josef?" Beth suddenly asked, catching me off guard.

"Excuse me?"

"Well, I'd hoped that you had a least spent some time with him," she said, and I shrugged.

"We did." She narrowed her eyes, putting her cup back down.

"Did you tell him about Sara?" she questioned, and I stood up.

"That is none of your business, Beth," I stated, grabbing my purse and walking to the door.

"But, you have to tell him," she replied, and I put my hand on the cold, metal doorknob. There was loud creaking, like the bending of metal.

"What was that?" I asked, stepping back from the door. A crash echoed from across the hall, and I jumped back to where Beth sat. I covered my body over her's, the ceiling toppling down on top of us. Beth screamed in horror, the floor dropping out from underneath the couch. We fell, traveling through empty air, smacking other floors on the way down. I screamed, turning my body to break her fall. We hit hard, both of us loosening what breath we had left. I lost my grip on her, skidding away from her. It was hard to see, dust and rubble blocking out the sun. I shrieked, heavy rubble falling on my lower body and pinning me.

"Beth?!" I coughed, inhaling the dust that filled the air. I tried to focus, looking for her in the small amount of light that the sun gave. Someone moaned, and I turned my head. I was lying on my stomach, making it hard to see very far.

"BETH?!" I yelled, trying to wiggle out of my prison. I screamed, my legs burning with pain.

"Abby?" The voice wasn't too far, muffled by the piles of concrete that surrounded us.

"BETH! ARE YOU ALRIGHT?" I called, waiting for a response. She appeared from behind a steel beam, pulling herself over it and crawling to me.

"Oh my God, your hurt!" she exclaimed, looking at my hands. That was the least of my worries at this point, considering my legs were immobilized.

"Listen to me, Beth. You have to get out of here, okay?" I said, and she shook her head violently.

"No, I'm not leaving you here!" she stated, moving to where my legs were. I grabbed her wrist, yanking her back down.

"Listen. You get out of here and call Mick. He'll be able to get me out, alright? Just get out and call Mick," I commanded, trying to keep my composure. She nodded, tears streaking down her dirty face.

"Okay, I'll be back for you. I promise, I'll come back," she murmured, and I nodded, pushing her. She turned around and walked back to the steel beam, crouching to keep from hitting her head. She glanced back at me, and I nodded to tell her to keep going. After she was out of sight, I groaned, lying my head down.

Beth dug her way out of the rubble, the sunlight piercing her eyes when she reached the surface. All around her people where screaming, fire trucks and ambulances pulling up, their sirens wailing. She winded down through the chaos, reaching the street. She had to call Mick, she had to get Abigail out. She pulled out her cell phone, which was surprisingly still intact. She dialed Mick's cell, praying he answered.

"Hello?" Mick's voice, clear and unwavering in all the destruction that surrounded her.

"Mick! Something's happened, Abigail's stuck!" Beth said, her voice tight. She turned around, gasping at what she saw. The construction crane that had been working on the building next to her's had fallen, the entire front of the building gone.

"What? Slow down, where are you?" he asked, and she gasped, trying to talk.

"A crane, it fell on my building! I got out, but Abigail's stuck in the rubble! I can't get her, and it will take too long for anyone to reach her! You have to come, you have to get Josef!" she cried, holding a hand to her mouth to keep from screaming in horror.

"Alright, alright. I'll be there in a few minutes," he stated, his voice calm even though inside he was panicking. He dialed Josef's number, speeding away from Talbot's office. He didn't care about his shift now, Beth was in trouble and she needed help.

"Mick, what do I owe you for my interrupted sleep?" Josef answered.

"A crane fell on Beth's building. Beth was able to get out, but Abigail's stuck in the rubble. I need your help," he said quickly, whipping around a corner.

"I'll be there," Josef replied, hanging up. A few minutes later, Mick screeched to halt, the police having set up a blockade to keep people away. Mick jumped out of the car, running through the blockade, ignoring angry calls from police officers. He stopped when he saw the destruction, looking for Beth.

"MICK!" Beth. He turned, Beth running towards him, her face stricken with fear. He grabbed her up, holding her close. She cried, wrapping her arms around him.

"We have to get her out, Mick! She saved my life, she's my best friend! I have to help her," she cried, and he nodded. Josef suddenly appeared, his face worried beyond doubt.

"Do you know where she is?" he asked Beth, and she nodded. She took Mick's hand, running to mayhem that filled the street. She climbed up the mound, Mick helping her when she slipped. She found the hole that she had come from, Mick lowering her down. Dust still filled the air as Mick and Josef dropped down lightly, Josef glancing at Mick. Blood. Beth led them forward, over the beam that she had landed by. There Abigail lay, her body limp in the dust that littered the ground. Blood dripped on the twist of concrete and steel that held her captive, her breathing shallow. Beth gasped, and Mick and Josef brushed by her to where Abigail lay.

I gasped, someone touching me. I looked up, Josef gazing down at me. He brushed my face, looking up at the slab that held me. Mick and Josef walked behind me, Beth kneeling beside me and taking my hand. The slab groaned as Mick and Josef lifted it, Beth dragging me out from underneath its weight. They dropped it, people outside screaming in fear at the loud crash. Josef scooped me up, and I moaned as his arms brushed my wounds. Beth was crying hysterically, her face horrified at the scene. Mick jumped up the opening, taking Beth's hand and pulling her up. Josef jumped up, landing easily. I felt sleepy, but I knew I had to keep my eyes open.

"You have to stay awake," Josef whispered, holding me close against his body. We avoided officials, knowing they would try to stop us and take me to the hospital. Josef set me down in his car, touching my face gently. I couldn't stay awake, my eyelids heavy, my body tired.

I blinked, trying to get my eyes to focus. I was looking out a small window, frost encircling the rim. I moved, moaning at the pain it caused me. I turned my leg over slowly, looking the damage. It was mostly healed now, though I could see where steel cables and concrete had ripped through the flesh. I was mainly just sore, my entire body groaning when I made any movement. The window lifted up and away from me, the cold air that surrounded me seeping out. Josef looked down at me, a small smile of relief on his face.

"Where am I?" I asked, Josef reaching down and turning my legs over in turn and studying them.

"My freezer," he said, placing his arms underneath me and gently picking me up out of the cold enclosure. He walked out into a bedroom, lying me down on the black covers of the bed, and I frowned.

"Why can't I sleep?" I whispered, and he chuckled softly.

"You have been, for the past two days," he stated, and I raised my eyebrows.

"Point taken." I heard voices, and I strained to understand what they we're saying.

"She'll be fine, Beth," Mick said, and Beth sighed.

"Are you sure? She's been sleeping for two days, I should have never left her there," she replied, and I smiled at Josef.

"STOP BEATING YOURSELF UP!" I called, and there was silence as Josef left the room.

"She's awake, is she alright?" Beth questioned as Josef walked back into the room, and he sat down.

"She's fine. She wanted know why she couldn't sleep longer," Josef said, Beth laughing quietly.

"COME TALK TO ME! I'M BORED!" I yelled, and I heard footsteps as Beth headed down the hallway. She poked her head in the door, a bright smile on her face. She sat down on the bed next to me, and I rolled my eyes at her genuine worry.

"Stop. I'm fine. What happened while I was gone?" I responded, and she shrugged.

"You didn't miss much, just Mick acting horny and Josef all worried over you." I laughed, knowing she only said the horny part because Mick was listening. She laughed too, and I held a finger to my lips as I listened to Mick.

"I was not," he stated, talking to Josef. There was silence, Josef probably staring at Mick. "I wasn't!" I told Beth what Mick had said, and she cracked up into a fit of giggles.

"You can be so cruel, Beth," I said, and she smiled sweetly.

"Yeah, but it actually takes talent," she replied, and I rolled my eyes. I wanted to ask her if she was staying with Mick since her apartment was destroyed, but he walked in just as I was getting ready to talk.

"Come on, I'm breaking up the trouble. Let's go," said Mick, holding the door open for her. She frowned playfully, sauntering to the doorway. She got a few inches from his face, staring him in the eyes.

"Party pooper," she accused, and I covered my mouth in an attempt not to laugh. She smiled in victory, heading back down the hallway. Mick glanced over at me, and I shrugged. He closed the door quietly behind him, leaving me alone. I turning my head, looking out the large window to Los Angles, the nightscape big and beautiful. I sighed, laying one of my hands above my head and gazing out the window. I slowly sat up, running a hand through my hair. The door opened, but I ignored it as I continued to study the lights before me.

"Was I really asleep for two days?" I asked quietly, seeing Josef's reflection in the window behind me. He nodded, his face solemn.

"How's Sara?" I questioned, turning my head and looking at him. I stared up at him, waiting for an answer.

"She's fine," he stated, turning around and heading back to the room where he kept the freezer. I heard the door close, wondering what he was doing. I threw my legs over the side of the bed, standing up slowly. I walked over to the window and let my fingertips glide over the smooth surface, mesmerized by the lights of the many buildings. I jumped at Josef's touch, his hands turning me around to face him. His lips touched mine tenderly, a small kiss that left me curious and wanting more.

"I tried to convert Sara because I didn't want to make the same mistake twice, I didn't want to be left with another regret. I didn't want to break another heart because I was selfish enough to deny them the only thing that they truly wanted. I never stopped looking for you, Abigail. I assumed you were...dead, but I looked anyway. If had I known you were still alive, I would have done everything in my power to get you back. I love you, Abigail," he whispered, his eyes sincere, his face soft with emotion. I stayed quiet for a moment, thinking on what he had told me.

"When I saw you with Sara, and she asked you to convert her, I was so sure of your answer that I felt sorry for her. And then, you agree, you grant her request and I didn't know what to think, actually. I wasn't angry, or vengeful, I was sad. I sad because that would never be me, and could never be me because she would always be there. I wanted to run up and scream for you to change your mind, to come away with me." I chuckled softly to myself, remembering.

And I couldn't find the guts to do it, because you had finally found happiness, you had finally found some sort of peace with the world and I couldn't find the courage to stop you from having that. I couldn't stop you, I couldn't be angry, because I loved you. I still love you, I'll never stop loving you." By now I was crying, everything I had felt and thought at that very moment in New York coming back to me. In truth, I wanted to sit in a dark corner and just let my entire mind break down, but that was never an option.

He studied me, his face expressionless. I used to be able to read him so well, and now he seemed to be another puzzle that I had to solve. I laid my head on his chest, my legs ready to give out, but I wasn't about to show it. He scooped me up and sat down in one of the black chairs that were sitting about the room, cradling me in his arms.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, Abigail," he murmured into my ear, his voice quiet with hidden feeling.

"You don't have to be sorry, you didn't do anything. I think...I think we got caught up in a bad situation, Josef. Both of us did," I replied, my voice soft. He kissed my head, trying to hug me closer to him.

"I am, for leaving you." I placed my hand on his neck, my head touching his cheek. He ran his hand over my healing wounds, examining them with his eyes. I brushed my lips delicately over his cheek, breathing in his scent.

"Do you remember when we ruled the world, Josef?" I asked softly, and he looked at me. He smiled, his eyes mischievous.

"Yes, I do," he answered, and I smiled. When he had first taught me to ride a horse, I told him that only kings and queens rode horses. He told me that we were, queens and kings that is, and that we ruled the world together. I laughed into his neck, his smile widening. "And I distinctly remember you throwing a certain someone into the creek that afternoon as well," he finished, and I let my mouth gap open.

"You were the master horseman, you were supposed to be able to stay on the horse!" I exclaimed, and he rolled his eyes.

"Alright, sure," he said, staring at nothing. He tended to do that, go into deep thought with no warning. I smiled down at him, and he finally took a glance at me. "What?"

"I have been asleep for two days, I need a drink," I stated, hopping off of his lap.

"As if I let you starve." I shrugged, taking his hand and letting him lead me out of the room. We walked into the kitchen, Josef pulling out some blood from a hidden freezer in a cabinet. He poured us each a glass, replacing it.

"Do you by chance have a bathtub?" I asked, and he smiled at me questionably.

"Why?"

"I plan to start a koi pond. Jeez, you think that would be your first guess," I answered jokingly, leaning against the counter. Josef laughed, walking past me and sitting down.

"Great, I love fish," he mocked, taking a drink. I rolled my eyes and sat down on his lap, drinking some.

"Thought you did," I said, looking out the window. I let the thick liquid coat the back of my throat as I drank, savoring the flavor. The killer was still out there, watching and waiting to strike again.

"Where's Beth staying?" I asked, suddenly worried about her.

"I'm not sure, why?" he asked back, taking another drink.

"Well, there is still a killer vampire out there," I replied, cocking my head. I looked down at him, narrowing my eyes.

"That never seemed to be a problem before," he responded.

"I need to use the phone." He reached over and handed it to me, and I dialed Beth's cell phone number.

"Hello?" Alright, so she was alive.

"Where are you staying?" I asked, some shuffling in the background.

"At Mick's, why?" I sighed with relief, sitting back.

"No reason, just making sure you weren't alone with a killer vampire. Wait...," I replied, joking.

"Not funny." I rolled my eyes, sipping.

"Sure, not funny at all. I'll talk to you later," I stated, turning my glass in little circles. She huffed her breath and I laughed a little.

"Did you talk to Josef?"

"What did I tell you?" I laid my head on Josef's shoulder, his free hand running through my hair.

"I know, it's none of my business. But, I'm a friend. Do you really think that I'm going to just drop this?" she responded, and I sighed.

"What if I told you I did?" She laughed, and I scowled.

"I wouldn't believe you," she answered, chuckling.

"Well, I did," I said, and there was silence for a moment.

"Alright. Do you want to go to lunch with me tomorrow?" she asked, and I made a face.

"No."

"Why not? It'll be fun," she said, her voice a little whiny.

"Sure. I love sitting and watching you eat, not to mention making polite conversation," I replied, Josef looking at me questionably. I rolled my eyes, trying to show him how annoyed I was. He only smiled and drank from his glass, still playing with my hair.

"Who said you wouldn't be eating?" she questioned and I snorted, shaking my head.

"I am not doing that. If you would remember, I was in that building with you a couple days ago." She sighed, probably getting frustrated with me.

"Come on, you could bring Josef. It could be a double date." I heard Mick in the background, most likely protesting. She shushed him, waiting for my reply.

"We'll see, and I'm not promising anything," I responded.

"That's all I ask." I hung up, handing the phone back to Josef. He sat it down and went back to playing with my hair, staring down at me.

"What was that?" I laughed sarcastically, finishing my drink.

"Beth wants me to go to lunch tomorrow," I said, and he smiled coyly.

"Fun."

"It will be, considering she suggested you come, too." He gave me a look, and I shrugged.

"Great. I could be sleeping, but instead I'll be watching her eat and listening to small talk," he grumbled, and I smiled.

"You never know, it could be enjoyable," I replied, and his smile faded.

"Sure, enjoyable."