CHAPTER NINETEEN- CAN'T I SAVE YOU?

Hey there, I'm so happy that you guys liked my last chapters, I worked hard on them, I try to do my best on all my writing so THANK YOU! Shouts to starlinc for your reviews and input, thanks to everyone else as well as one more shout out to XxNightxHeartsxX (sorry if I spelt your penname wrong). You have amazing ideas Night and I am for sure going to use them soon and you'll all figure out what they are when the chapters come out. So here is the next chapter…

The plane will take off in 5…4…get your ass over here, Alexander…3…2…hurry, hurry...1…we are leaving! I text Alexander and after a few seconds, I saw him jogging to the plane looking down at his cell phone, my text message probably. I turned my iPod up higher and looked out the window with a fist against my mouth and my leg bouncing to the music. I didn't make any move to acknowledge Alexander's presence as he entered, so I just kept staring out the window.

I didn't even glance at him. Not even when he came to sit beside me. The iPod was cranked so I didn't hear what he said, and then his strong hand was on my thigh. I turned my head slightly to look at him through my dark hair. He just looked at me and I didn't do anything but look at him for a second and return my cold gaze to the window. After a few minutes, he got up and left to sit in a different seat.

Finally, I thought in relief. I just kept bouncing my leg and staring out the window…something caught my eye outside, just as we were getting ready to take off. I narrowed my eyes and leaned forward to see what it was…Etienne.

It made me smile unconsciously. He was waving frantically and his messy hair was being pulled by the wind I could see how amazing his eyes were from here and I waved back. Then he made had signs and shouted. I took out my headphones and titled my head to the side.

Then I figured it out. He was grinning from ear to ear as he pointed to himself…made a heart shape with his hands…and pointed back to me…I laughed out loud and made the gestures back. His remarkably wide grin widened and lit up his face beautifully making him look totally angelic. I had to smile and I held my pinkie finger and thumb to my ear and he nodded furiously.

I laughed again and waved until I couldn't see him anymore. When I sighed and looked up and saw Alexander staring at me from a row up and across the isle.

"Who are you waving at?" he asks.

I shrug. "Just a really good friend," the answer comes effortlessly to my lips and it surprises and pleases me. I'm sitting there with a secret smile on my face and Alexander is still staring at me. "What?" I say annoyed.

He just keeps staring at me and I sigh in frustration and turn back to the window and I suddenly I'm happy and I want to listen to an upbeat song. I went to Saviour by Rise Against. I smiled to myself and thought about Etienne…

*****

They had to stop in some small city on the way to refill on gas, so I just sat in my seat staring out the window again. At this time, Alexander decides to try to take another crack at me.

He sits down and turns to me fully. "Rose," is all he says.

I turn to him. "Alexander,"

He looks at me in a peculiarly eccentric way. "How…how are you doing?" he stutters somewhat. He's nervous, I think.

"Just fine," and I turn my attention back to the window falsely, but I was still so much aware of Alexander's intimidating charisma.

"Rose, come on, I'm not an idiot," he sighs and I turn my cold eyes on him.

"I didn't say you were," I return frostily.

"Rose,"

"What Alexander? You've said my name four times now," I rolled my eyes and a small voice in the back of my head says I shouldn't be so rude to my superior.

He just sighs and stares at me sadly. "Why are you wearing black?"

"Because I want to,"

"Rose, you never wear black, what happened to those shorts and tank top in the rain. It's a beautiful day and you are wearing black jeans and a black sweater, you must be boiling,"

"No, I'm fine, thanks for your concern," now that he'd mentioned my outfit, I noticed what he was wearing, not his usual guardian attire: he was wearing olive green khakis shorts with a white and blue striped polo. Huh. Not bad.

"Rose," he whines.

"There it is again," I roll my eyes again, now I'm just irritated. "If you have something you want to say, say it,"

Then my cell phone vibrates, indicating that I have a text. I flip it open and it says: Rose! I miss you already, babe! I forgot to ask you where you were going. Just thought I'd ask; to see if you wanted me to drop in and see my favourite person in the entire world, because you totally are! It's no fun without you.

Love, Etienne…P.S I know you love me too, don't be afraid to show it!

I laugh out loudand totally forgot about Alexander beside me as I merrily text Etienne back: Hey, I'm glad you miss me, I know I'm irresistible, even so, I miss you too. I'm going to the Siberian Academy, drop in any time you like, call too and e-mail me at Rose_. I'm not having much fun either without YOU, ah, it sounds so pathetic! Miss you.

Love, Rose…yeah, maybe I love you. Hahahaha!

I sent it and flipped my phone shut with a content sigh. Etienne was PERFECT! I thought cheerily. Then Alexander cleared his throat quite loudly next to me and my smile vanishes as I turn to him, inaccessible once again. "What?"

"Who was it?" he asks, he seems irritated. Oh, you're one to talk!

"None of your business, Guardian Contrive," I replied icily. I was suddenly wishing that I had Etienne's eyes, they would be so astounding and I already knew that they matched with our hair. Hmm…our hair…I liked it, for some reason.

Look at you, desperate for attention; can't you just settle with the nervous wreck that you are? That iniquitous voice sneered at me. But thoughts of Etienne and his wonderful charm brushed it away. I smiled again and wanted to get away from Alexander when the pilot came in with an apologetic expression on his haggard face. Flying must be stressful, I found myself thinking.

"I'm so sorry, but there is something wrong with the right turbine, I'm going to ask you to disembark off the plane for about an hour or two."

"Wonderful! That will be no problem at all," I said quickly and I stood. "Shall we take our bags, good sir?" I joked, using Etienne's old way of talking, but he shook his head seriously.

"No, ma'am,"

"Alright, I will be back in…say, an hour and a half," and then I walked quickly down the steps and out of the plane leaving Alexander behind. Too bad he caught up to me.

"Rose! Wait, Rose! Where are you going?" he called after me.

"To the mall," I said and I flagged down a taxi.

"I'm coming with you," he said it like there was no way around it.

I sighed. "If you really want to,"

****

So I found myself entering the mall in some small town with Alexander's hand on the small of my back possessively. I wanted to shrug him off, but I already had once and he looked so hurt I felt guilty, but I'm sorry I don't like being treated like I'm about five years old.

I spotted and electronics store and I thought of how I'd pretty much been neglecting Blake and Tory since we got to the Academy. I went and Alexander followed quietly, but his presence was practically vibrating with confusion. I ignored him and smiled at the store clerk.

"Hey," I say sweetly and I gently brush my hair out of my face. I was in a good mood, so I could afford to flirt if I wanted to. "Can you get me two cell phones, please?" I said turned on a dazzling smile and the young man seemed taken back. But he wasn't my type; he was nerdy, with the glasses, pocket protectors and all. But it's not like I couldn't be nice…right? Or was this mean? Oh well, he probably figured that I had a boyfriend, or many. I chuckled quietly and saw the man's envious glare in Alexander's direction.

"Would you care to look at the selection, miss?" he says and I smile before turning to Alexander.

"Can you please go grab me an ice cap from the Tim Horton's, Alexander? And get anything you'd like for yourself," I handed him a twenty and turned back to the clerk with another bright smile. "Shall we?"

He seemed surprised by my manner but he nodded nervously then he led me to the selection of cell phones.

"See, this one here comes with a free plan for the first month, ma'am," he pointed to a black phone and I smiled and nodded. Then I walked to a different phone.

"May I get two of these?" I asked as I picked up and iPhone box.

The clerk nodded. "Have you and your boyfriend in need of new phones?" he asked and I heard a large amount of venom in his words.

I laughed out loud. "Alexander is not my boyfriend!" I exclaimed through my giggles. "Not even close!"

The clerk seemed so confused and I laughed harder.

"So would you mind if I gave you…gave you my number?" he puffed his chest out and I had to bite back more laughter and put on my best distraught face I could.

"I'm sorry, but my parents will not let me date until I am twenty, I'm only eighteen. Alexander is my brother," I hung my head in false shame and sadness.

There was a pause and when I quickly glanced up at him through my hair, he looked almost as sad as I was pretending to be.

"Let's never mind my parents' mental minds and pay for these phones, yeah?" I said over my shoulder to him, leaving him with no choice but to follow. I paid for the phones and almost ran into Alexander who was right behind me. He handed me my ice cap silently and I had to pretend he was my brother because the young man was still listening.

"Thank you, brother, keep the change," I put my arm through his so we were linked and I led him out of hearing range of the man before he could utter a peep.

"Brother?" he asked incredulously as we neared the doors to leave.

"The clerk was trying to hit on me, but it was practically my fault, I was flirting, so when he said that you were my boyfriend, I told him you were my brother and that my parents would not let me date until I reached twenty." I laughed and Alexander looked at me strangely as I held my hand out for a cab.

I ignored his stare and sipped my ice cap in silence as the cab pulled up. I held the door open for Alexander and when I went to enter the cab after him, I slipped and fell onto his lap in the cab.

"Are you alright, miss?" the cab driver asked as he turned around. The car smelt strongly of cigarette smoke and my sight was blurry for a few seconds before I had a mind numbing headache, wait, scratch that: I wouldn't mind if it was mind numbing not mind killing.

I sighed and pulled my legs in and closed the door, it felt like that was much louder than usual, the sound echoed in my ears and I groaned and plugged my ears, leaning back against the seat.

"Rose, what's wrong? Are you okay?" Alexander's apprehensive voice cut through my mind, brining more pain to the headache.

"No," I groaned and squeezed my eyes shut. "Don't talk, okay?" I mumbled and slumped to the side. I felt a strong arm wrap around my shoulders and pulling me to a chest, it was obviously Alexander and when my head was resting against his chest and his left arm joined his right one around me in a gentle, protecting cradle.

"Alright," he said quietly and I found myself drifting off…into a different world…the World of the Dead…shit! I so did not need this!

My headache numbed and I was grateful for that, but completely terrified because of where I was. The ghosts were whispering around me and this time, I could make out some of their words.

She is scared…

Terrified…

Saved her mother…

Can save us…

Just a child…

"SILENCE!" my voice echoes off into the darkness and all the ghosts' whispers come to a halt. The mist is still swirling around me and I can feel that the ghosts are restless and surprised. One makes himself know in front of me. I brace myself to see Dimitri…but it's not…it's…

Melanie.

She was one of the guardians that we'd lost in the raid against the Strigoi. It surprised and saddened me to see her sorrow full face. She raises her hand like she wants to brush my cheek.

"Melanie?" I whisper.

She nods.

"What's going on?"

She just looks at me.

"Can't you speak?" I ask hopefully with wide eyes.

She struggled for only seconds then she says, "You are in our world now, Rose, it is strange but you must become accustomed to it."

"Why?" I say in a low voice.

"For this," she murmurs and makes a sweeping gesture with her arm and everything disappears.

Suddenly, I'm at the Academy…I'm walking beside Blake and Tory…

"This is going to be GREAT!" Blake exclaims.

What's going to be great? I want to ask but instead I say, "Yeah, but you need to be careful," Why do they need to be careful?

"Oh, Rose, you are not our mother! Let's have SOME fun!" Tory complains. Doing what? I am frustrated now, what the hell are they talking about? And why can't I control myself.

"Fine," I sigh and we reach the gates and I nod to the guardians there and we leave to go outside the Academy. I get the feeling of extreme danger…something horrible was going to happen…I could feel it.

NO, you idiots! No, get back here right NOW! I want to scream, but I can't say anything.

Blake and Tory wonder out happily and I can feel that neither of them are scared, they are excited. Why? I want to talk so much, but I CAN'T!

Suddenly, my body is running away from Blake and Tory. "Try and catch me!" I call and I vanish into the cover of the trees.

"Rose! That's not fair, you have a head start!" I hear Blake calling as he and Tory and pounding after me.

Then I am grabbed and a hand is over my mouth and nose, making it so I can't breath or speak.

"You are going to call to your friends, make them come to you, do you understand?" a cruel voice hissed in my ears and I nodded feebly.

"Do it now," it orders and the hand is removed, but I am pressed harder to the body behind mine, it hurts.

"BLAKE! TORY!" I scream. "I'M OVER HERE! COME QUICK!" No, don't come, run away, don't come, NO!

"Rose, what's wrong?" Tory's voice comes to my ears clearly and them the two of them come closer until they are just ten feet away.

"Rose, what are you doing?" Blake asks and I just shake my head, I'm about to yell at them to run, but a hand comes down over my mouth again stopping me from saying anything. I struggle and kick but the person just restrains me with super-strength. Oh, no, Strigoi!

"Mmm! Mmm! Mmm-hmmm!" I tried to shout at them, but it was no use. There are tears in my eyes…no, I can't lose them…no!

Then my captor releases me and throws me to the ground like I'm worthless. I look up in fear to see…Dimitri…how can he do this to me? My mind shrieks.

"Rose!" Blake takes a step forward to help me and then a Strigoi stands in his way, he stops dead in his tracks. I know that this might be my only chance to save them. I kick the legs out from under the Strigoi and try to roll away, but he's on top of me.

"Now, now…play nice, Arthur…" Dimitri chides then turns his attention to Blake and Tory. "You two, if you move so much as a step towards lovely Miss Hathaway here…you will both die and she will be subjected to witness it." He says threateningly.

I see the tears in their eyes. Blake's are falling down his cheeks. No, no, don't cry for me, I'll get us out of this, don't cry, no…

"R-Rose, I-I'm s-sorry!" Blake sobs and stumbles towards me. NO, STOP, STAY STILL!

Two Strigoi are now holding Blake and Tory.

"NO! LET THEM GO!" I scream and thrash against the Strigoi's hold.

"If you say so," Dimitri said calmly and made one quick movement with his wrist and the Strigoi broke Blake and Tory's necks. On my fucking God. He didn't…no…no…NO!

I am sobbing now, uncontrollably.

"You didn't say where to let them go," Dimitri said in fake innocence and looks down on me with pure hate.

NO, NO! I LOST THEM! BLAKE! TORY! NO! My soul was crying for them…NO!

So did you guys like it? A little cliffhanger for you, as you know, I love them. Well, you know that I would owe you the world if you just clicked this little green button down here...so if you feel the need to, please do so. I'm looking for some ideas, because right now, I've got scattered parts that I'll put into my story, but I need middle parts.

Please review this chapter and the many to come, pretty please...hey, just a side note...flames are allowed, if you really feel that one of my chapters is really shitty, give me the torch...light it on fire and burn it to the ground...

Alice