Chapter 6

A dark hallway. The walls were made of earth, she noticed, as she continued down the corridor. There was a faint light down the dank passage that she found herself drawn to. Glancing down at herself, she noted what she was wearing. It was a red and black Shakespearean-style gown. There was white lace that made the collar and the cuffs of the sleeves. The dress bled from red to black here and there, mostly in the skirt and the bodice. What caught her eye was the lack of sleeves on the dress. The short sleeves were loose with the lace that fell just above her elbow. Her scar stood out brilliantly against her pallid skin, making her grimace as she glanced at the light again. Deep blue drenched the walls and lit her way—possibly moonlight. She noticed that there were roots hanging from the ceiling of the corridor and a skeleton…? She was in a crypt…She started when the sound of a guitar playing reached her ears. Furrowing her brow, she realized that she recognized the song…At least she recognized the music. There was no way to be sure unless she heard singing…

"You and I share the same reflection," a voice sang out, startling her again.

"Why don't you see that

We cannot survive in this condition

If you're cut, I'll bleed

So go on, carve into your own heart

I could use a new scar or a brand new start

Slowly severing the only memories that bind us as one"

She blushed as she walked on. That song was 'Just Can't Win' by 10 Years. But who was…

"I just don't know how to win with you

And I can't let go, part of me is you"

That blush remained on her face when she finally reached the end of the corridor and found the source of the singing. Sitting on a set of stone steps was the eldest Sackville-Bagg child. His long, dark hair fell over his shoulder as he leaned back on his palms, his eyes closed and his head back as he sang. He was wearing his silvery cloak and black and yellow shirt underneath. He was wearing those black pants and boots as well—he looked much like he had when she'd met him, sans his hair, which was now tame instead of all spikes.

"We have lost all communication

When words fall on deaf ears

I'm starting to feel a transformation

How did I get here?

I don't recognize my own reflection

It's a ghost of what once was

Gone from relative to stranger

Separating body from mind"

He glanced up at her with a calm smile as he slowly stood. Misty stepped forward, approaching him curiously as he kept singing.

"I just don't know how to win with you

And I can't let go, part of me is you"

Gregory stood a few inches away from her and leaned forward a little, that smile still gracing his elegant features. Misty stared up at him with wide eyes as he snaked his arms around her waist and pulled her closer. Her hands rested on his chest as he leaned closer still.

"You stay the same allowing me to change

I just don't know how to win with you

And I can't let go, part of me is you

I just don't know, just don't know

I can't let go, I can't let go"

She closed her eyes as those cold lips met her own and pulled him closer. Gregory pulled away after a moment and moved to her ear.

"I love you," he breathed.

Misty gasped as his lips caught hers again. Her eyes were wide as he kissed down her jaw and to her neck. Just when she was beginning to relax, she felt something sharp nip at her skin. She glanced at him and nearly shrieked at the sight of those glinting white fangs before…

--

Misty jolted upright, a cold sweat covering her body. She panted heavily as she whipped around. After a moment of taking in the darkness and the calm, she let herself breathe. She was shaking from what she'd just dreamt. Had she really had a dream about…Gregory…? And…the Gregory she knew as a vampire…why…? She rubbed her temples in aggravation and sighed as she closed her eyes. She had enough to deal with! There was no way that she needed this added pressure. Perhaps it was Bill's words to her, 'Find yourself a boyfriend'. And maybe that, plus Gregory's inquiries for a date made her subconscious dream up a version of him as the romantic vampire cliché…and that peck on the cheek must not have helped either. That sounded logical…

"I mean really," she laughed hollowly, "It's not like I…love Gregory or anything…I mean…he's very good-looking…but I don't like him like that…I don't…At least not yet…"

She knew she sounded foolish, but she didn't want to admit an attraction to Gregory—the guy bit her!! He was quite the charmer now that he'd grown up a little, but she still couldn't shake the feeling that he was still someone she couldn't trust. Sure, that made her feel terrible; he and his family had opened up their home for her and he'd really tried to make up for what he'd done. However, nothing could fix that…With a sigh, she lay back down and closed her eyes sadly. Hopefully she'd be able to get some sleep and the answer to this little problem would come to her in a dream…The next morning, however, Misty stretched as she slowly awoke from her light sleep, no answer in her head. Even from the last few hours of sleep and the little dreaming she'd done, she had found no solution to her little problem. She stumbled into the kitchen where the smell of freshly made waffles drifted to her. She took her usual seat beside Gregory; so used to the seat that she didn't care about how uncomfortable it was that she was sitting beside the boy she'd had such a romantic dream about. Of course, this was human nature. People hate change. So why should she force herself to move to another seat? Also, should she move away, she'd arouse suspicion from the others. It was best for her to just go about her routine as she normally would. Gregory turned to her with a gentle smile.

"Good morning," he said pleasantly.

Misty glanced at him, cocking an eyebrow.

"Good morning," she replied, "Now, why are you in such a good mood?"

"Just remembering a good dream I had last night," he laughed.

Misty stiffened and looked to him carefully.

"Well, a good dream is worth sharing," she smiled and turned to him, "especially when you can actually reach the REM sleep and a good dream without Lynx waking you up, eh?"

Gregory laughed, but didn't look away from her.

"I dreamt of you," he uttered to her.

Misty fought to hide her shudder.

"That's not something you tell people," she laughed, jabbing her fork into a stack of waffles, "It can creep people out a bit."

"I sang to you," he went on, edging close, "You were wearing such a beautiful dress…and we kissed."

Misty forced herself to focus on the waffles and the syrup. This was not a good thing.

"Really?" she asked, hating the wavering in her voice, "You sing?"

"Yeah," he nodded, "That's my part in the band."

"What was the song?" she asked, with a smile, "Maybe it's one I know."

Gregory smirked.

"It's a 10 Years® song," he replied, "called 'Just Can't Win.' Do you know that one?"

Misty stared at her plate.

"Yeah, I do," she replied carefully, "It's one of my favorites off their new album…"

She didn't understand…wait…she hadn't…oh no…She blushed a few shades of red. There was yet another downside to her telepathy. Thoughts could be sent to other people as well as received…There was a very slim—actually, at this point—highly possible chance that she'd sent that dream to Gregory so that he'd had it as well.

"Misty?" Gregory asked, touching her upper arm, "You alright?"

Misty laughed lightly and brushed him off.

"Oh, I'm fine," she chuckled, "I guess I'm just thinking about what to do when we get to the hospital today."

"Actually, Misty," Bob countered slowly, "We got a call from the hospital some time before you woke up. They're doing some radiation treatment on your friend today, so we can't go see him. I'm really sorry."

"That's alright…" Misty sighed, "It lessens my time with him, but I s'pose they have their reasons. I can't really do anything about it…but how am I gonna waste a day before school tomorrow?"

"We could go shopping for supplies for school…" Dottie suggested.

"Or you and I can go see a movie," Gregory suggested hopefully, "like a date."

"Ooh, no," Misty smirked back, "Good try, though. I respect that."

Gregory rolled his eyes before returning to his meal. Misty sighed as she stared down at her food, thinking.

"Actually, a movie sounds great," Bob piped up, "Something upbeat to bring everyone's spirits up. Anyone got any movie ideas?"

Misty put a finger to her lips in thought.

"I've heard good things about that movie, 'Kung Fu Panda'®," Misty suggested, "Rated PG."

Lynx gasped audibly and jumped out of his seat excitedly.

"I wanna see it!!!" he cried happily, "I've been dying to see that movie!! We gotta go! We gotta go!! We gotta go!!!"

"Well, apparently," Misty smirked, resting her chin in her hand, "we 'gotta go'. So, what do ya think? We going?"

"Sounds good to me," Freda smiled, "We'll all set to head out after breakfast—maybe spend a day at the mall, have lunch and then the movie tonight."

"Sounds like we got a plan," Misty grinned with a nod.

With that, she quickly finished with breakfast before running upstairs, a small pile of clothes in hand to take her shower.

--

Misty swayed her hips a little as she looked through the CDs in the Hot Topic®. She was wearing black cargo pants with chains that swung to and fro as she bobbed her head to the song playing through the store. Her Seether® band T-shirt was loose over her waist as was her black and white striped turtleneck under it. At the chorus of the song playing, she began singing to herself.

"Devour Devour
Suffocate your own empire
Devour Devour
It's your final hour"

She was so engrossed in the song, that she didn't notice the pair of eyes watching her.

"Devour Devour
Stolen like a foreign soul
Devour Devour
What a way to go!"

"Them are some nice pipes ya have there lassy," she heard someone chuckle behind her.

She turned to find a boy with dark red—almost black hair. It was in a rocker fashion; parted at the right side of his head and somewhat long. The right half of his face was hidden by his hair, but she could see that his eyes were a very pretty green. He had various piercings; one in his nose, one on his bottom lip, another in his right eyebrow and about three in his right ear. He wore a torn, black Metallica® T-shirt over a tearing fishnet shirt. He wore two studded wristbands and baggy black jeans with black Chuck Taylors®. A smirk played on his handsome face as he leaned against the CD rack.

"Find what you're lookin' for?" he asked, his voice a rich Scottish accent.

"I think so," she shrugged, looking back at what she'd picked up.

"I think I can find ya something much more suited to your style," he said with a smirk.

"Oh really?" Misty smirked back, "Well, what would you suggest?"

"I could wrap meself up and you could take me home—how 'bout that?" he spoke in an obvious flirtatious tone.

Misty stifled a laugh and turned to him with a fake stern look.

"Sorry," she rolled her eyes, "I'm not too interested in a relationship right now…"

"Damn…" he sighed, "Struck out…"

Misty chuckled as he ran his hand through his silky-looking hair.

"So what's your name," he asked,

Misty furrowed her brow.

"Didn't I already reject you not five seconds ago?" she asked, cocking her head to the side.

"That doesn't mean I can't still make small talk, does it?" he asked with a laugh, "Are you here with anyone?"

"My family," she replied, turning away to look at the variety of band T-shirts.

"Is that right?" the boy sighed.

"Hey Misty!" she heard Gregory call from the entry of the store.

"Over here, Greg!" she called, waving him over.

"Greg…?" the boy murmured as the Sackville-Bagg walked over to them.

"Jim," Gregory smiled, "I didn't know you were workin' today…"

'Jim' looked down at Misty in curiosity before his eyes grew wide.

"You're the famous Misty!" he cried with a laugh as he clapped in excitement, "I was wondering when I'd get to meet you!"

"How do you know me?" Misty asked, glancing at Gregory suspiciously as she spoke to the Hot Topic® guy.

"You kiddin'?" Jim scoffed, "We'd usually have to tie Gregory down and gag him to get him to stop talking about you and that Lynx guy."

Misty stared at Gregory in something of admiration as the boy went on.

"Geez, Dalv," Jim laughed, "The way you described her—I knew she'd be beautiful, but never did I imagine her to look like this…she's…gorgeous, Dalv."

"Dalv…?" Misty mumbled thoughtfully, "Oh…Vlad…Vlad backwards…very creative…"

"Well…" Jim breathed, "That's right…How'd you know that?"

"It seems Gregory didn't tell you everything about me, eh?" Misty laughed, "I'm really into vampire stories. I know a lot about them…but why did you call him 'Dalv', anyway?"

"It's something that we all do for the band," Gregory explained, "This is Jimmy, by the way, but, the others and I sometimes call him 'Isogul'. Know what that means?"

Misty paused in thought before smirking.

"Lugosi backwards," she nodded, "Nice."

"Thank you," Jim chortled with a shrug and a slight bow.

"What instrument do you play in your band?" Misty asked Jim.

"I'm lead guitarist," Jim answered.

"Cool…" Misty nodded before checking her watch, "Oh, Greg, we need to get going."

"Where're you goin'?" Jim asked.

"We're going to lunch next and then to the movies," Gregory replied, "When's your shift over?"

"Actually," Jim shrugged, "I'm about to take off for the day."

"You wanna join us?" Gregory inquired.

"Sure," Jim grinned, "Lemme go clock out."

"While you do that, I'll go pay for what I got," Misty nodded, "And then we'll be on our way."

A/N: Phew! Believe it or not, this one was hard to work out...I hope you like it, though...yeah, you can see a sketchy kinda picture of Jimmy on my devART account...:)

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