A/N: I'm nervous about this chapter. I've never really written drama/suspense/horror anything, so at the end please let me know how I did.

Chapter 23: Terror

The vampire ran with me for several hours. We stopped only once. He hid me in a bush and returned with a blanket, mumbling about how his plan wouldn't work if I died from hypothermia. I was utterly confused. If he was hungry, why hadn't he fed on me yet? He seemed to have an ulterior motive. It was strange to sit here and think about death. Agony ripped through me as I realized that if I'd just stayed inside like Seth warned, I wouldn't have been kidnapped by a sadistic vampire, and I would have been able to see Seth again.

We made our final stop at a snow logged cabin. I decided that we had gone far north. Would Seth even realize I was gone? The vampire set me on a moth-eaten couch and unbound the gag. I just stared up at him, waiting.

"What, no screaming?" He asked in a smooth voice.

I shook my head.

"Well I'm Nicolai. Are you wondering why you're here?" He was by my side in a flash, his head near mine. "Why I haven't sucked you dry?"

I nodded.

"I want those wolf things for myself! I watched how they guard the Cullen's when I witnessed the trial of their demon child. It's fantastic! They're just what I need to overthrow those filthy Volturi. And I've been watching how they fawn over their females. You're just the unlucky one who left herself unprotected. Now he'll come for you and I will trap him, and his pack." He sneered, a crazed look in his eyes. I got the distinct feeling that he wasn't entirely sane.

He stood by the window, waiting for the pack. I was torn. I desperately wished for them to save me, but I also didn't know what Nicolai was capable of. Was it possible that he could trap so many wolves? I turned my attention to my bonds. If I twisted my hands just so, I could almost wiggle out of them. They were only made of towel like material. Inconspicuously, I tried to loosen them by putting pressure on them, pulling my hands apart. Nicolai didn't even notice. He was too busy talking to himself. I knew then that he stood no chance against the pack. Even I could tell he was inexperienced and mentally unstable. That didn't make him any less terrifying.

The knot around my wrists pulled apart, leaving me with a strip of material. I quickly retied it looser and slipped my wrists back in. No need for him to know I'd freed myself. I was able to use my hands though, so I untied the bond around my ankles and retied it looser as well. If anyone came for me, I'd be able to join them easily. Nicolai slipped outside, saying he would wait for them. I could hear him talking to himself outside.

Suddenly I heard a chorus of growls. The pack had found me! The door flew open and Nicolai pulled me up in front of him, his hands around my neck.

"One move against me and I crush her neck!" He screamed.

Sam came in, in his human form. Behind him were the wolves. He spoke. "We only wish to negotiate her life."

"The only way for her to live is for you to obey me as your master." Nicolai said; a hint of madness in his tone.

"I don't know if I can agree to that."

The hands squeezed a little tighter around my neck. I whimpered unwillingly.

Abruptly, we both fell forward. Then Nicolai was slung off me. He flew amidst the wolves, landing on his feet and immediately lunging at them. I put my head in my hands, too scared to watch. But I could still hear.

"NO!" He shrieked. "YOU WILL OBEY ME!" He laughed maniacally. I started to scream. Then his laughter turned into screams of pain. I heard the door swing open and the battle went outside. I began to sob. A furry head nuzzled me. I turned around and buried my face in the fur, feeling the pain shoot through my neck as I struggled to breathe. A pair of warm arms picked me up. I felt the cool air rush around me before the world spun into black again.

Beep. Beep. Beep… A heart monitor? I couldn't remember where I was or why I would be anywhere but home. I cracked my eyes open. All I saw was white. Was I in the snow? I couldn't be. I was too warm. Heaven then? Did heaven beep? I remembered something hurting me, but I didn't think I was hurt that bad. The word hospital popped into my mind as the room slowly came into focus. And right above me was the face I'd longed to see for so many days.

"Seth." I breathed.

"I'm here Kayla." He said, a little gruff. "I'll always be here."

"What happened?"

He sighed. "Nicolai kidnapped you when you ran away into the snow. We came to save you but he threatened to crush your neck." I saw tears in his eyes. "He was insane. And very stupid. He left the back door unlocked so I was able to sneak up behind him and throw him to the pack." A tear slid down his cheek. "They took care of him, but he almost killed you! You have hypothermia! And his hands left bruises around your neck. I should have never left you alone, even for a minute!"

"It's ok." I said, my voice raspy. "You had the whole town to protect from him."

"But I failed to protect the one thing I promised to always care for."

I shook my head, ignoring the pain. "I failed. I should have just listened to you." I coughed roughly. He helped me drink some water since my arms were bandaged, possibly to keep the heat in. "Mom and Lily just made me so mad, I didn't even think, I just ran. Besides, I'm alive, that's all that matters."

His fingers brushed my cheeks. "I missed you."

"I missed you too. It felt like nobody in the world cared."

"Never again." He vowed.

"What do my parents think happened?"

A flash of anger crossed his eyes. "Apparently your mom never even reported you missing. You've been gone two days. Your dad knows, and he was ready to book a flight home, but we convinced him to stay. They extended his trip. He knows we'll take care of you, and he can keep his job. If the bruises fade, we can leave out that you got kidnapped. Oh, and Lily is with your grandmother."

"I knew she didn't care." I whispered bitterly. "So, if I get out before Dad comes home, can I stay with you?" I begged.

"I wouldn't have it any other way." He assured me.

"Wait, did you say two days?! That means it's…"

"Merry Christmas." He said sadly.

"I never did like Christmas."

"I got you a present, if that helps."

"It might." I said with a small smile.

He was about to hand me a wrapped square, about the size of a tile, but he remembered that I was wrapped in gauze. He pulled off the wrapping paper and showed me a beautiful little scrapbook. It was full of pictures that I hadn't even realized had been taken. They were all pictures of Seth and I, and we looked gloriously happy in all of them.

"Thank you!" I said softly.

He responded by kissing me softly and whispering: "I love you."

A/N: So, what do you think? Let me know please! Also, new poll, please vote!