Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Sanctuary characters.
}} {{ indicates telepathic speech
Worry, along with a healthy dose of fear, gnawed at Lilith's belly. After the beating in the forest, it had taken her master forty-five minutes to arrive at his chosen destination.
At first, she didn't understand where they were until she caught sight of the giant "Saint's Mercy Hospital" sign. Everything clicked in her mind and she nearly bolted from the parked truck. She had a horrible suspicion about why they were at the hospital.
Haddock opened his door and got out. Lilith stayed glued to her seat. If she left the truck, things would only get worse. She couldn't take the souls. She didn't want to take them. But, if her master took her inside, she'd be forced to do it.
Her rampaging thoughts were interrupted by her door getting jerked open. Her eyes swung to her master's face and she flinched. Anger and determination glittered there. She was screwed. The pain from the beating still lingered and sapped at her strength. The only way to survive was through obedience.
"Now, pet, let's go clean your mess."
Haddock reached out and stroked her cheek. She stiffened, her breathing harsh. His hand trailed across her cheek and stopped at her hair. Her eyes never left his face. To do so was to invite disaster. Her master loved to strike when an opponent's mind wandered.
Suddenly, his fingers tangled in her hair and he yanked her from the truck. Lilith managed to stay upright, her gaze on her master's every move. She had to be prepared for anything.
He stared deep into her eyes long enough to make her break into a sweat. He pulled her away from the truck, slammed the door, and dragged her towards the ER entrance. She didn't resist, though the throbbing from his tight grip on her hair added to her other torments.
When they were nearly at the door, he released her hair, leaned in and draped his arm over her shoulder. The weight stumbled her and Haddock took the opportunity to whisper in her ear, "Play along or feel my belt on your body later."
Lilith nodded, her gaze downcast. She would do anything he said to escape another beating. Almost, anything.
}}Go limp, Pet.{{
She didn't question hearing her master's voice in her mind. It was another one of his skills that was used with deadly intent if one didn't obey. Lilith allowed herself to sag and wasn't surprised when Haddock easily wrapped his left arm around her waist, hugging her to his side.
"Help! Someone, please help!"
She wondered how anyone so evil could sound so persuasive. She didn't dwell on that thought too long because two nurses were hurrying toward them.
"What's the emergency, Sir?"
"It's my daughter. She was beat up by her no good boyfriend. I keep telling her to leave him, but she says it's love."
Hearing her master's words almost pulled a disbelieving laugh from her. Her master's shades of truth mixed with lies was outstanding. If he were an actor, he would most definitely win awards.
"Let's get her into this room on your left."
"Thank you! I mean it, truly. Maybe you can talk some sense into her," babbled Haddock as he picked Lilith up and carried her into the room.
He placed her on the bed none too gently and she yelped. Instantly, the shorter of the two nurses was by the bed, asking her questions and getting her vitals.
}}Play your role well, Pet, and I will feed you when we go home.{{
Her stomach rumbled at the mention of food. Wouldn't that be great, to actually be able to eat? She didn't believe her master's words. He would find some slight, some fault, any reason, to keep her from being fed. She would do her part only to avoid the punishment for failing. She wasn't getting her hopes up.
"Please don't hurt me! I wasn't flirting, honest!" she howled.
"Shh, you're safe here. What's your name, Hon?"
"Lilith," she mumbled.
"That's a pretty name. Can you tell me your boyfriend's name."
Lilith curled into a ball and rocked while whimpering. She had to make this performance good.
"It's okay if you don't want to talk about it right now. We need to check your injuries, Lilith. We'll try to be careful, but if something pains you, let us know."
Lilith nodded that she understood. The heat of Haddock's gaze on her only made her fear more palpable.
"Sir, we have to ask you to step outside for a moment while we look her over and call the doctor."
Haddock gave a token protest but allowed himself to be shooed out of the room.
}}Keep them busy, Pet. I will create a distraction momentarily. We shall go finish your performance then.{{
She wanted to weep. Master would get his way and she, she would be sick. Deep in her bones, she knew the outcome wasn't going to be great for her or for those who souls she had missed the first time. Though no gods would hear her pleas, Lilith prayed that someone would save her and the people she had to kill.
The nurses undressed her and their exclamations of surprise only worsened the guilt Lilith felt at the subterfuge.
}}Pet, get ready.{{
It was the only warning she had. The blare of a fire alarm going off produced instant chaos. The nurses in the room with her ordered her to stay still as they rushed out into the hall.
}}Sing, my little songbird. I want them all to sleep.{{
Lilith stiffened, her body reacting to Haddock's command. Inside she wept as her body moved of its own accord, dancing to her master's orders.
She walked from the room, her mouth opening as the crystal clear, lilting notes of her melody rode the air. All around her, people slumped, draped and passed out. As she continued to sing, the eerie silence of those asleep made her shiver.
It took ten minutes for everyone to sleep. How she knew that she had been successful, didn't cross Lilith's mind. She got on the nearest elevator and rode it to the ninth floor.
The door opened and Haddock reached in, pulling her out., She caught a glimpse of his smug expression. She wanted to throw up. This really was the worst day of her life. He dragged her down the hall and she saw the giant ICU sign.
This was it. The dreaded moment. Haddock came to a stop. He grabbed her chin and forced her to look up at him.
"Now, my little songbird, I want their souls. There are only ten here. Easy enough for you to do without much trouble."
"I can't, Master," she mumbled and averted her eyes.
"What did you say, Pet?"
His tone boded ill for her but, Lilith, again acting on instinct, balked at the order. It would be very bad for her to take the souls.
"I can't do it. Master, please, let's go."
"You really are too much, aren't you?" Haddock let go of her and stepped back.
Too late, Lilith realized his intention when his punch landed. She screamed, stumbling away from him, her hand automatically going to her right eye.
Haddock didn't stop there. He captured her arm, hauled her toward him and hit her in the stomach, knocking the breath out of her. She doubled over wheezing, but he gave her no respite.
Forcing her upright, he grabbed her by the throat and squeezed. "You...will...sing."
Her stomach throbbed and through the watering of her injured eye, she saw the menace on her master's face. Lilith knew when she was beaten. Weakly she nodded and he let go.
Closing her eyes, she opened her mouth and began to sing.
"Doc, we're almost there," Henry announced as he made a sharp left turn.
"Very good. Everyone, here." Magnus handed out the special ear plugs. "Keep them in. We cannot afford to fall prey to her song."
"How do we want to do this, Doc?"
"Carefully, Kate. There are innocents here. Don't harm anyone. Our goal is to save the girl, not cause collateral damage."
"Understood. What about this Haddock guy? What do we do about him?"
"Steer clear of him. We don't know all his powers or enough about him to engage in combat."
"Magnus, we should be prepared for the girl to side with Haddock. He owns her. She may not cooperate with us," warned Will.
"True. That's why I brought tranq darts. It's better to put her to sleep and work on her at Sanctuary."
Will nodded and sat back.
"We're here!" announced Henry as he skidded the van to a halt at the emergency room exit.
They all got out and hurriedly walked inside. They halted, staring about in shock.
"They're here," whispered Henry.
All around were sleeping people. No one stirred or made any movement.
"They aren't dead," announced Will after he checked the pulse of a nearby woman in a chair.
"So she can do things other than kill with her song," mused Magnus. "Let's go. Floor by floor sweep."
They rushed to the elevators and got on. Henry got off first at the second floor, then Kate.
Magnus turned to Will. "Be careful."
"You, too."
The doors opened and Magnus stepped out. The doors slid closed and Will took a fortifying breath. He had to find the girl. The elevator stopped and he got out on the fifth floor.
It took him several minutes to cover the whole floor. He was awed by the fact that the girl had managed to put the whole hospital sleep. Just how great was her power anyway?
He made his way back to the elevator and checked in with everyone. He pushed the button for the ninth floor.
"Where are you?" he muttered and watched the numbers slowly change as the elevator rose.
When the eighth floor button lit up, a swift, but certain feeling swept over Will. He knew, without a doubt that the girl was on the floor above him. He readied himself. He knew this rescue was not going to be an easy one.
The elevator ground to a halt and Will readied the tranq gun. The door opened and he cautiously peered out. No one was there. He came out and froze when he heard the unmistakable sound of the girl's singing. He wasn't too late!
He sent the coded signal to the others to let them know the girl was on his floor. Quickly, but quietly, he went in the direction of the song. He paused at the bend of the hallway and peered around the corner.
The girl was there and it was obvious she was struggling. Will saw the black eye and a rage he didn't know he had bubbled up. Why did the girl have to suffer such abuse?
The girl's song rose in volume and Will knew something was wrong when she stiffened and suddenly doubled over, vomiting as she went to her knees.
"Don't you dare stop!" roared Haddock.
The girl began to sob through her vomiting and Will got ready to jump out and grab her. He moved into position and some small movement made him drop and roll.
As he came to his feet he froze. Haddock stood by the spot that Will had just occupied. How the hell had the man gotten there so fast?
"You bastard! You're with that Magnus bitch! I'll rip your head off for daring to take what is mine!" roared Haddock as he charged.
Oh shit! thought Will as he dove out of the way and sprinted toward the girl who stood swaying on her feet. Her eyes rolled up in her head and she fainted.
Will barely made it there, catching her right before she hit the floor. He didn't stop as he ran full out toward the other set of elevators. He heard the enraged bellowing of Haddock but Will didn't stop as he jumped in the elevator and hit the door close button.
The impact of Haddock slamming into the elevator doors shook the elevator and Will pressed the first floor button. He leaned against the wall breathing hard. He cradled the unconscious girl against him and prayed that they could get her out of the building without Haddock killing them all.