Waking, Carol knew she wasn't in Kansas anymore, wasn't that what Dorothy said to Toto?, after all had she not woken in a strange land?, where thing's were not quite as they seemed. That was how she felt right this moment, glancing around the beautiful bedroom, she knew this was not her marriage home. She would never have been allowed the delicate, pastel colors, the room was decorated in, lilac's and shades of cream, clean, and refreshing. As though someone had read her thoughts, and put them all in this room. Even the old fashioned rocking chair with the soft fleece and two overgrown cushions, were so different from the rickety one she had in Sophia's room. The curtains had been pulled to, she knew it was late in the evening, a light on the teak wooden bedside cabinet, cast the room in a warm cream colour. Feeling the softness of the bedding, she sat up slowly, head hurting a little, but other than that she felt herself. A soft cry could be heard, from a corner of the room, a cot had been placed there, covered in bright yellow's and creams. Sophia, bless was she ok?, Carol's feet sank deep in to the soft carpet, ignoring the rest of the furniture, her mind focused on her daughter. Taking a deep breath she looked into the cot, there was Sophia, her thumb in her mouth, attempting a smile for her mummy. Her teddy and comfort blanket, close by her, picking the little girl up in her arms she nuzzled the soft skin.
"Don't know where we are darling, and mummy has no idea what we have gotten into" Carol noticed the little all in one Sophia had been put in, looked like she had been bathed and fed, obviously someone had located her bag, and fed her some milk, which she had expressed earlier at the shop. All her fears came rushing back, the shop, that woman?, her son ….. her thought's were hazy, had she imagined it?. No she couldn't have, after all she was here in this strange house, yet it made her feel safe, comfortable.
"She's awake" Daryl mumbled, taking his thumb from his mouth, he felt at a loss of what to do. He wasn't use to being vulnerable, yet, with this human he was. This was her fault, if his mother had let it be, they would have done this better.
"Well go see her son, go..." He shook his head, he wasn't ready for this, what if she rejected him?, the things he did to her in her dream's were so different to seeing her in the flesh. Part of him grateful for her fainting, it gave him more time, to... to what?.
"Daryl honey, you need to go see her, she's scared so unsure of what is going on. She is only up those stairs, go to her she needs you more now, than ever" Daryl felt for the human his mum was right, she was so scared and all he had to do was climb those few stairs, walk into that bedroom, wrap his arms tight around both her and their daughter, and she would feel calmness, so why did his feet not move?.
"I can't. Not yet" with that he turned away from the stairs, and walked from the cottage, his heart was not ready to be broken, if she rejected him, that would be the outcome, how would he live with a broken heart.
"Daryl!" He could hear his mum shouting him back, yet continued into the darkness of the night.
"Leave him darling, he needs to come to terms with it all, after finding her, he is unsure of her reaction. It has all happened so quickly, too quickly I think." Earl, pulled her tight into his arms comforting her, as best he could.
"I thought I did what was best, they have now met, she will know he does exist" sitting down on the soft sofa, she held her husband's hand tight, wishing her son did not hate her, as he did at that moment, she could feel his darkness being thrown at her through his anger.
Ed's eyes fluttered open, the room pitch black, his eyes adjusting quickly to it all, he felt as though he was hung over, not remembering much about last night. He did remember trying to force his wife, where was that bitch?, struggling to his feet, he felt the pain rush through his body. What the hell had happened the night before?. He thought back to the club, how Philip had introduced him to the women, he smirked as he thought of the young thing he had been buried deep inside last night. Nothing like his mouse of a wife, yet she still should service her husband, after all he had allowed her their child. Feeling along the walls, he felt the door, reaching for the handle, he was surprised that it was locked.
"CAROL OPEN THE FUCKING DOOR, BEFORE I BEAT THE SHIT OUT OF YOU" His fists hammered on the door, his anger rising, reaching for the handle again, he felt it give under his strength, then light rushed in blinding him, his hand burning, what the hell were all the lights on for, he was so going to punish her ass, this would cost him money. Walking into their bedroom, he was surprised to see an empty bed, looking around, he glanced over at the cabinet, her stuff had gone. That wasn't what, had made him take a step back, it was his reflection in the mirror that hung above the cabinet, or rather lack of it, his face paled, oh my god what was happening to him?. He was almost transparent, looking at his hands, they seemed fine, he inched closer, unable to miss the large mark on his neck. His hand rubbed over it, causing his body to shiver, that woman had done this. She had marked him deeply, damn he was going to kill her, had he not told the little bitch not too mark him?. He looked closer, it was like two puncture marks, what the hell was this?. Rushing into Sophia's room, her things had gone too, so his wife thought she could escape him. She will find out soon that was not the case. Storming from the house, he ran towards the club, before he did anything, he had to know what was going on, and what Philip had brought him into. How late in the night it was, didn't bother him, he had heard the rumors, and if the snippets of information that came into his head were true, then those rumors could very well be real. Entering the club, he hadn't noticed the doors shut tight behind him, he was too busy taking in the state of the place, it looked like a damn slaughterhouse, blood everywhere, and in the middle of it all was Philip gorging on a young woman, drinking deeply from her neck, whilst others waited patiently for his attention.
"Ed my man, come feast yourself on these bodies, fill your stomach with the blood your body will crave soon." No this wasn't happening, stepping back, he felt the doors had already locked behind him, he didn't want this not yet.
Philip could feel him fighting the inevitable, he would enjoy watching his struggles, eventually he would give in, take what was so freely offered in the room. He had to push this forward, force him to drink if he had to, he wanted the woman that Ed called his wife, only way was to bring this disgusting man on board, have him involved as much as possible, he would eventually leave his wife, for the women, who seemed to circle them, leaving Carol alone and unable to cope with the baby, then Philip could roll in like a hero, saving her and making her his. The young woman in his arms collapsed, he had drank her dry, time for another, which lucky one would he pick?. Ignoring Ed's futile attempt to escape, he reached for the next young woman, who wanted to be changed, foolish people, but then humans were foolish.
Her footsteps were quiet as she walked down the stairs, her stomach churned with fear, holding Sophia closer to her breast, she tip toed into the hall way. She could sense he had been here, she smelt his aroma, letting it wash over her comforting her. Her feet took her towards a large door way, glancing in afraid of what she would see, she breathed a sigh of relief, empty, the fire roaring in the corner, warmed the room. The large over sized chairs, looked so comfortable, how she wished she could just relax and sink into them, yet she was still on edge. She knew, exactly where this place was, she had only been looking at it a while back, the cottage she had agreed to rent. Tears fell from her eyes, her breathing came in small gasps, she felt light-headed, praying she would not faint again, moving towards the nearest chair, she sank down into it, this place had been decorated for her and Sophia, she felt it deep in her bones.
"Ya like it darlin?" the voice came from the far corner of the room, the light from the fire not reaching that far. Sophia moved in her arms, then settled back to sleep, as if she knew they were safe.
"Yes" she whispered wishing they would move into the light. Movement came from the corner, footsteps could be heard, unafraid she looked up, as he came into view. His head bowed, hands crossed tight under his arms, he reminded her of a scared little boy, not the man who had worshiped her body in her dreams.
"Ya ok there sweetheart?" It was all he could think of saying, she had robbed him of words when he felt her coming down the stairs. When he left the cottage earlier, he had ran for miles trying to escape his thoughts, the reality that he would have to meet her face to face. Sensing his family leave the cottage, he took flight, she could not be left alone, they knew this. His Pa had made sure he stepped up, as he should. Daryl, sat for hours in the chair watching the fire roar, wondering what to say to her. He had a big speech until she entered the room, all words had escaped his head. She was beautiful, more stunning then anyone he had ever seen, and she was his. He had moved quickly from the chair, hiding in the darkness of the shadows, unable yet to face her. Watching her walk into the room, see the tears in her eyes, had him aching to reach for her. The soft smile she had on her face, proved she knew they had done this all for her, this cottage was the image of her dreams.
"Your real" she had yet to see his blue eyes, it was still too dark, but she knew it was him, his voice, the way he moved, his smell. The comfort and safety she felt, the arousal she could feel rushing through her blood.
"Yes darlin I am" he moved closer, still unsure of his welcome, yet the vibes she was sending were positive, and no negativity could be felt in the room.
"So that means" He smirked, he could read exactly what she was thinking, it was on his mind too. He stood now in front of her, looking down at her. Hands moving from under his arms, placing them on top of the over sized chair.
"That the dream's are true too, yes" he softly confirmed, bending closer, letting his words sink in, whilst his lips took hers.