Hiya! Thanks to Everyone who's reviewed and sent me PMs :) They keep me going... That and the fact this is my first FF story, I don't want to leave it unfinished! I'm not always going to have these quotes at the beginning of the chapters, but I really enjoy them. They fit well (and I love reading them). Let me know if you like them.

Sorry it took so long to post this.. Working :( and GCSE results soon so worrying as well.

Brotherly Love

Chapter 9: I Need a Hero

"Where have all the good men gone
And where are all the gods?
Where's the street-wise Hercules
To fight the rising odds?" – Holding Out for a Hero, Bonnie Tyler

I couldn't have been out for more than a few seconds because he was still in my house. My fear quickly fired up and I tried to get up. The pain in my head was too much and I gave in – there was nothing I could do. Jökull would kill but at least I would see Gran again.

Why was he taking so long? I looked up and what I saw was so shocking that it actually made me laugh, though it hurt my head, badly. Jökull had a very surprised look on his face, and he was trying to pull the knife that was deeply embedded in his shoulder, and burning the skin. He couldn't get a hold of the knife because he was still being forced out of the house by the revoked invitation. But that wasn't what was shocking... No, what was shocking was the amount of blood pouring from his wound and what I could see was going to happen. And as if thinking of it caused it, Jökull slid on the floor and fell to the ground. I've never seen a vampire fall over before – I didn't think it was even possible. Perhaps the blood loss was affecting his abilities, or perhaps he was too distracted. He fell slowly towards the floor and his eyes seemed to bug out. Finally, he landed with a splat and a bang which I swear shook the house.

Even though he was on the floor, without the aid of his feet, he continued to slid, through the blood, to the door. Amazing – I had no idea that would happen. Even through all the pain I could spare a thought to my poor floor and the clean up job I would have tomorrow.

I think he gave up trying to get up, because he fixed me with his gaze (which caused me to stop breathing) and I guessed he was trying to glamour me – probably trying to get me to invite him back in. I sent silent thanks to God, and my Grandfather, for my gift. Without it, I'd practically be his servant and I'd definitely be dead by now. Injured or not, he was deadly. He quickly figured out that I wasn't responded and looked like he was trying to get up again, but by now he was at the door. He tried to stop himself, I could see it in his face, but his hand was pulled, like a magnet, straight to the door handle.

I breathed out a sigh of relief – and sucked it in almost straight away as Jökull grabbed hold of my front door itself. It was very thick, since I needed a lot of protection (and after the fire, a strong door was at the top of my list) but I could hear it flex as Jökull tried to use it to hold himself inside the house. I thought that he might succeed, being so close to the threshold. It certainly seemed like it, as he wasn't moving and I tried backing away from him. He didn't get any closer and I saw that his feet were being pulled out of the house, far too slowly for my desire. The door was being dragged closed too, so I knew he had no hope. With a bang that terrified me, Jökull was dragged out the house and the door slammed violently shut.

He was gone... but I was trapped. How could I leave the house, with Jökull standing guard outside of my house? One step beyond my doorstep and I'd be dead. Oh my lord, what if someone came round? Once again, I was thankful that I had no neighbours to put in danger. But my brother might come round... He might be strong, but he was weaker than a baby compared to a vampire. Even the weakest vampire could smite him without much effort! Shit – what about feeding? I'd hurt Jökull badly, he needed to heal and for that he needed blood. He couldn't get me, not while I remained in the house, but a lone visitor to the graveyard would be an ideal target. Maybe I should just give in, and hope that Jökull would be satisfied with killing me. But I know better... I'd caused far too much damage to him – my blood wouldn't be sufficient to heal all his wounds.

Besides, I didn't have the strength to leave the house, nor the bravery to call him in. But I couldn't just lay here and wait for my blood to drown me... I lifted my arm, which felt heavier than steel, and reached for the fridge handle. I gripped it, though it took all of my strength, and lifted myself off the floor. As soon as I stood up, the blood flooded to my head and suddenly I was throwing up, onto the floor. I felt like everything I'd ever eaten was pouring out of my stomach. Even once I was done, I kept retching – the acrid smell flooded my nose.

I couldn't see straight, my eyes felt heavy, my head felt like lead and my throat was burning worse than fire... Basically, I felt like a squashed possum. I wanted so badly to sleep but I suspected that I had a concussion, and from what l had read, sleeping would only make it worse. But I couldn't do anything when I felt like this. Death now seemed the preferable option – where was the bloodsucking murder when you wanted him? Well.. an important part of him was lying on the floor. I started laughing at the sight of his penis, and then couldn't stop as tears flooded from my eyes. I had to sit back down and let the breakdown happen. I couldn't face trying to stop crying – it was laugh and cry, or breakdown completely and hide inside my head.

Eventually though, the tears stopped, the laughs halted and the burning in my throat began to lessen. I couldn't face standing up though. What can I do? If I can't get up, I can't get to my phone and call for help. Who to call is the next problem.

The blood was falling thick from my head, and the sight of it scared me – I had lost too much already. I saw that it had begun to puddle around me... and then I saw another puddle of blood lying near me, stretching towards the door. Vampire blood.

The thought of taking the blood of that bastard into my body froze my heart, but I knew the benefits of V, as it was known when it was sold. It could heal a body rapidly but it formed a bond between the vampire and the drinker. I couldn't bear the thought of binding myself to him. But if I didn't, then who would help Eric? No-one could possibly know that he was hurt – Jökull was too smart for that. He was evidently just as smart and cunning as Eric, but far more evil.

I have to do it... there's no-one left to save me. I seriously need Eric, I need my hero.