Bad Nightmare

We all loaded in the vans with our group and started heading west fast. Now that we had an idea of where Lissa was going, there was no way we were going to be stopping any time soon. If we had to, we'd sleep in the van and switch drivers every now and then. And that's what we planned.

Adrian said he'd take the first shift, hopping in the driver's seat without so much as waiting for anyone to say anything. So Dimitri and I sat back in the back seat. I grabbed some peanut butter crackers and some fruit punch from my box of goodies and snuggled up to Dimitri with a blanket. He didn't want to risk me getting sick again.

I fell asleep real fast, with Dimitri hugging me to him with my feet tucked under the blanket. I slept peacefully, well until I dreamt of Lissa. First I was excited, I completely missed her and I so wanted to see her. But then it all went bad.

I heard a shuffle behind me, so I ducked behind a barrel that happened to be in the room. I looked around, trying to find a weapon, and ended up finding a crowbar. I grabbed it fast, sticking to the shadows as I heard another step behind me, getting closer to Lissa. I hid behind another barrel closer to Lissa, almost completely by her now. I heard her let out a little whine, and then I heard the other person talk.

He had a deep voice and it was hard to understand him, but I did my best to make out everything. "Come here girl," he growled. "Now!" I saw Lissa slowly walk over to him with a limp. I looked her over, just now noticing how her clothes were torn and she had a few bruises all over her arms and a few on her legs. Then I looked at her neck, seeing that it was all red with a recent bite mark. I fisted my fist, so wanting to fill the thing that did this to Lissa.

But I'm only in a dream. Right?

It felt real. It looked real. I pinched my arm, trying to wake myself up, and when nothing happened, it just left me more confused. This is so weird. It's like I was in her head, but not at the same time 'cause I was actually her instead of just seeing what she saw and felt.

I looked back up at Lissa, noticing that the creature, the Strigoi, had his arms wrapped around her, whispering in her ear. I strained to hear what he was saying, but I couldn't even catch a word. I stepped forward, raising the crowbar above my head, ready to run at the huge Strigoi standing before me. I took another step as I saw Lissa's eyes look in my direction. And then I saw a tear slide down her cheek.

"Stop that damn crying of yours," the Strigoi yelled as he threw her on the ground. I took another step then, getting really pissed off. Lissa looked in my direction again when the Strigoi looked away from her murmuring things to himself.

'Stop,' I heard her say, but didn't see her lips move. I gave her a confused look, and then looked at the Strigoi and back at her. 'Don't. I only wanted to show you.' Still confused, I took a few steps back so I was behind the barrel again, and lowered the crowbar. I pecked another glance at the Strigoi just as he grabbed Lissa and picked her up so fast I didn't even see him move.

"So what is you answer?" he growled at her as he shook her entire body. She let out another squeal before shutting her mouth and closing her eyes, trying not to cry.

"I'm ready," she said out loud so I could hear her good.

"Good," he smiled. "'Cause we've made it to our location and the boss is getting ready to come in here. So you better make your choice. Is to die, or to change."

She let out a tear before she answered, making me want to yell at her and tell me already. Or just go over there and save her, but I still thought it was a dream. "Change," she whimpered loud and clear, making a tear fall down my face in a kind of relief that there was still a way to save her.

"Good," he grinned happily as he dropped her back on the floor. He walked out the door leaving Lissa behind to rub at her wounds.

I ran up to her then, hugging her to me with tears running down my face. "Oh Lissa. I'm so glad to see you. But how is this possible? I was in the car by Dimitri asleep," I rushed saying everything, wanting to hurry before another Strigoi, apparently the leader, came in and saw me.

"I was looking new things up that I could practice with spirit before I was taken. I've been trying to do it, but I didn't have enough strength. But lately the leader told them not to feed from me because he wanted me."

I looked over again, noticing the bite mark on her neck again. "Why don't you heal yourself?"

"I didn't know if I'd have enough strength to get you here then. I needed to see you before I went all mad and tried to kill everyone."

"Don't think about that. We will find you and we will save you."

"I hope so. I don't want this Rose. I really don't. But Adrian talked me out of just killing myself. I'd miss you guys too much then. Rose, I love you, you're my best friend. You have to promise me that when you see me as a Strigoi, kill me or save me, fast. I don't think I could stand myself if I hurt you or anyone at that."

"I love you too Liss. And I promise. I promise to save you the first chance I get. We've been training Adrian you know," I said with a small smile. "He really sucks."

She laughed at that and smiled at me. "Yeah, he told me. But if I could do it, he can too."

"I have a question though. How were you able to put a thought in my mind? Our bond is gone."

"Just in your sleep like this, I guess."

"Can other people hear and see me?"

"I don't know. This is the first time I've done this. But I don't know if I want to find out, just in case."

"Yeah. But shouldn't we at least see, just in case of future things."

"Rose?" she whispered, with a tear escaping down her cheek. "Didn't you hear Thomas?"

"Who?"

"The Strigoi," she whispered as she looked up into my eyes. "We're at the location of their leader."

"I heard bits and pieces; it was hard to understand anything he was saying. You made me hide, remember?"

"Well the leader's about to be here."

"Here, here? Like now?" I asked with wide eyes.

"Yeah," she whispered under her breath. "He's here to kill me."

"No," I whimpered.

"Or change me." And that's when it finally came back to me when she practically yelled 'Change' earlier.

"So he, or she, or whatever, is going to change you?"

"That's what it sounds like."

"Now?"

"Yeap." How could this be happening? Okay, so before Adrian actually got a hold of her, I already thought she was a Strigoi. And I know it's better than being dead since there is now a way to change her back. But now, when I finally got a hold of her, or well she got a hold of me.

"But there's so many things I needed to ask you? Like . . . like, where are you?" I asked the first question that came to mind. Which if you had to ask me, was a good one. We really did need to know where she was if she was going to turn Strigoi, like soon.

"If I remember right, I think the last place we were headed towards California. At least I think. After Colorado, they started driving fast at night because the leader, or whatever, told them to hurry up. He's a very impatient person from what I've heard."

"Okay, so around California, have you met the leader yet?"

"No, but I heard he's a big ass."

"Lissa, I hope you know that we will try everything to save you. And I mean everything."

"I know. And I can't tell you have much I appreciate that." She hugged me to her chest, squeezing me to death. "I'll miss you," she whispered. We both started crying, not even realizing that there were footsteps coming up behind us.

"Stand up, now," someone yelled, or growled would be better. "Stop that damn crying, I hate it."

Lissa let go of me and stood up, still holding my hand tight. "What were you doing little one?" he snarled. Gosh. Who is it? He stood in the dark corner, with shadows all over his face. If only he could step forward so I could see him. "Who were you talking too?"

"Nobody, sir," she whispered.

"Don't lie to me," he yelled, making her flinch. Gosh, how did he even hear her? I hardly did. I stared at him, trying to make him out, but the only thing that popped out were his bright red eyes, indicating he was Strigoi. "I know you better than that, Lissa."

"Ho-how do you know me, sir?"

"I know you. You and poor little Rose. How is Rose anyway?" he asked, moving forward a little, but not enough. "And Adrian? And of course her sweet, sweet Dimitri, how could I forget him?"

"Ho-?" She looked at me, confusion all in her eyes. She squeezed my hand again and looked back at the leader. "I wouldn't know, you guys kidnapped me. I haven't had contact with them, remember? You ordered them to keep me weak," Lissa stood up straight, looking the Strigoi right in the eyes, all her fear gone.

"Now now Lissa. It was necessary. If only you knew the plan."

"Lissa," I whispered, tugging on her arm. "Lissa?"

"And are you going to tell me?"

"And ruin the fun? Why would I do that for?"

"Lissa?" She finally looked at me, smiling just slightly, not wanting the Strigoi to know that I was actually here, well sort of. "You got to promise me something. Promise me that when you're Strigoi; try to let Adrian through your dreams?" She just nodded her head as she looked back at the Strigoi.

"So what do you want from me?" Lissa asked.

"It will all come in time. Now come over here so I can see you better," he demanded. Lissa let go of my hand and slowly, slowly walked over the red ringed eyed man. "Here we go," I murmured as he lifted his hand to her neck. "I can smell you, oh so sweet."

"You?" Lissa whispered loud enough for me to hear her. I stood up slowly, not wanting to make to much noise. I walked slowly over to Lissa and him, wanting so bad to know who he was.

"Shh," he whispered as he put his whole hand over her mouth. "Don't scream. It won't hurt as bad as you think, or . . . "he went to her neck so fast I didn't even see him move. "Or maybe it just might," he said against her neck, biting down, spilling her blood down his chin. She screamed into his hand as I reached them and hit the Strigoi over the head with the crowbar. But it just went right through him.

I kept trying to hit him, over and over again, but nothing happened. I looked at Lissa, with her eyes shut tight, gripping the Strigoi's shirt as she continually screamed in his hand. He bit down harder on her neck and finally moved his hand from her mouth to her waist, pulling her closer to him. She let out an ear platting scream as he pulled away sharply, licking his lips of her blood.

He moved her to his other side and grabbed her ass with both of his hands as he bit the other side of her neck.

"PROMISE!" was the last thing I heard from Lissa as everything turned black and I found myself sitting upright in the van, next to Dimitri. And then I remembered the Strigoi's face...

I hoped you enjoyed. I already have the next few chapters ready.
It's just a matter if y'all respond, 'just click the review button below',
to if I update soon or not.

So PLEASE respond...