I slipped out quietly and ran for my life. If I slept at his house I would be late to the rehearsal tomorrow. Plus, all the clothes I need are at my house. If I showed up without my proper gear on or with me, Andre and Freddy would get suspicious. But at least I stopped Godric from giving me blood.
So, if my math was correct, I live about seven and a half miles from him. That means going through a park, over a lake, and across a major highway to get home. No problem!
I had a dancer's endurance so I could run for a while. I don't think, however, that I can run the full eight miles or so.
I contemplated on when Godric might notice I'm missing. By the time I'm halfway over the lake, his little meeting will for sure be over. He won't be able to find me and if I keep running nothing with stop me.
The park was coming up. How could I tell? The lights were on, surprisingly. I saw the swing set and the jungle Jim. I smiled and ran straight through it focused only on one thing; home before he catches up.
It was soon dark again and the lake should be close. There would be lights going around it on the pathway. And hopefully no vampires or might night strollers on the pathway.
I was starting to get tired and my throat was drying out. If I stop now, he might catch up, I though to myself.
I saw the lake, and I saw the pathway. I would only be going halfway around the lake before I would trail off. The lights were my guide as my wrist started to throb from the blood flow.
Hopefully I won't twist any ankle's, I thought.
The lake was rather large so I would be running a decent ways until I bolted off towards a highway. I slowed my pace due to fatigue but I kept a decent jog going.
Just think, I can outrun a vampire, I thought giggling.
I stopped at a fork in the road and took a few seconds to catch my breath. I tried to calm myself and listen for the highway but my heart beat was far too loud.
I glanced behind me seeing nothing out of the ordinary. The night was still without any breeze or movements.
I walked on keeping some energy in case someone was actually following my later. The highway should have been close. I managed to climb over a very steep hill without passing out before I saw the highway.
It seemed pretty busy but I knew I could get across it somehow. I ran down to it and timed all the movements. I darted across the first road with a few people honking their horns at me. The second one would be the hardest. It was busier for sure and all the cars were too close together.
I stood waiting for a gap for a few minutes. I found an opening but it had a slight risk to it. Only slight though. I darted across one lane and stopped. I timed it so wrong!
The huge SUV barely missed me as I inched out of the way.
"Are you insane!" I heard someone yell.
I glanced behind me. Four figures stood on the hill I just passed. I gasped and bolted forward without looking for cars first.
I dived over the barrier hearing a huge semi truck pass me. I rolled down another hill and came to a slow stop. My wrist was in pain but I could see my apartment building. I glanced behind me one more time seeing emptiness.
I still bolted forward and ran across the last street before I made it to the front door. I unlocked it taking one last look behind me before heading in. I climbed the stairs hearing all my muscles scream out at me angrily.
I opened the door to my apartment and stepped in tripping over my own feet. I closed the door finally satisfied. He couldn't get me now.
I walked to my bedroom feeling grungy with odor. I saw something white out my window and I refused to care who it was. I collapsed on my bed passing out the moment my face hit the pillows.
Somehow, I managed to set my alarm.
I woke with a start. My head was pounding. My feet still ached. My wrist was worse than before.
"Shower," I said turning off my alarm.
The water felt so damn good on my muscles. And I didn't flinch every time the water hit my wrist.
I exited the shower and took a good look at myself in the mirror. I had a few dark circles under my eyes but that was it. Make-up could cover it.
My wrist was a few more shades than before. I almost regretted refusing Godric's offer. But Freddy would for sure have noticed if it was suddenly healed the next day.
I then remembered what he did to me. How he acted. It frightened me to return to him. But maybe Andre would stay with us all day.
I packed my duffle bag and put on my usual uniform. Black tank top, black work out shorts, leg warmers, and proper dance shoes. I put my hair into a high pony and headed out. My ride would be waiting.
I exited the apartment building seeing my escort waiting.
He looked happy when I got in the car, "Morning!"
"Hey," I said with a side smile.
His gaze suddenly went cold, "How your wrist?"
"It's um…" I showed him thinking he could decide for himself.
"Don't trip and fall while we're dancing," he said and then put the car in gear.
It didn't take him long at all to get to the dance studio. Going fifteen miles over the speed limit was his specialty.
It was old, the studio. I got out of the car and carried my own stuff in following Freddy. I saw Andre's car and prayed that he stayed the whole day.
Andre was something else. He looked more like a fitness trainer than a choreographer. Bald, fit, and bossy.
"I hope you're ready for today. I see lots of blood, sweat, and tears coming," He said as we threw our bags down.
"Oh, you do have a figure still, good," Andre said looking me over.
I sighed and took it. His verbal abuse was better than Freddy's physical abuse.
"Alright it's a vampire themed paso doble and Freddy you're the vampire," Andre said being us into the room.
My eyes widened.
"Whoa! Hold on here, I was told it was the foxtrot and there is no way in hell I'm being a vampire," Freddy said making some drama.
Andre pursed his lips, "It's either a vampire themed paso doble, or a bubbly Jive."
Freddy and Andre exchanged cold stares.
Freddy hated the Jive more than he hated vampires… but I was still in the dark on which he would actually take.
"Any other options?" Freddy asked stone like.
"Paso Doble or Jive?" Andre asked a final time.
Freddy was silent for a while.
"Fine! I'll do the fucking paso doble!" he exploded.
Andre laughed, "Is that how they teach you to talk at The Fellowship of the Sun?"
Freddy shot Andre a glare.
This is gunna be an interesting day, I though to myself.
"So, the paso doble," Andre continued. "Is basically a love hate relationship between you and her."
Easy enough, I thought glancing over at Freddy.
"And why is it vampire themed?" Freddy asked agitated.
"Really, boy? You live in Dallas, look it up," Andre spat getting into Freddy's face.
Andre positioned me against Freddy for a starting place. He told us we'd be in the dark at first pretending to be secret lovers. But once the light came on, everyone would see Freddy's fangs.
"What? I have to wear fangs?" Freddy whined.
Andre pointed directly in-between Freddy's eyes, "I don't wanna hear anymore puss!"
The day went by quickly. And since no one held the space after six, Andre kept us until dark. We had most of our dance down except for the dramatic ending. Andre said he'd work on that for a little bit. A few ideas were sill zooming around in his head.
"You quit whining," Andre said at the very end giving us advice for next time.
"And you," he said pointing to me, "Quit hurting yourself."
I glanced down at my wrist. Now would have been the perfect time to tell him the truth… but I couldn't bring myself to it.
Andre and Freddy left before I could gather all my stuff.
"Looks like I'm walking home then," I said exiting the building.
I walked outside and immediately wished I didn't. Isabel was waiting for me by a black limo. I slowly approached her knowing what was to come.
I glanced up at her.
"He's not pleased with you," she spoke softly.
"Do I have to go?" I asked as she opened the door for me.
"He's not giving you anymore freebies," she answered.
"So last night was a freebie?" I asked.
"Oh please, even a newborn vampire could have caught up to you if they desired," she answered with a slight smile.
I got in peacefully knowing Isabel would have gone to desperate measures if I refused. She didn't get in behind me though. I was in a limo by myself until I arrived at Godric's house.