(AJ's POV)
"The song came and went Like the times that we spent Hiding out from the rain Under the carnival tent
I laughed and she'd smile It would last for awhile You don't know what you got Til you lose it all again
Listen to the mandolin rain Listen to the music on the lake, Oh listen to my heart break Every time she runs away
Oh, listen to the banjo wind A sad song drifting low Listen to the tears roll Down my face as she turns to go
A cool evening dance Listening to the bluegrass band takes the chill From the air Til they play the last song
I'll do my time Keeping you off my mind but there's moments That I find I'm not feeling so strong.."
The freeing jazz sound of the piano brought AJ's mind back to the first time she'd heard jazz piano. It had been in the little speakeasies downtown, back when alcohol was illegal. Looking at the drink in her hand, she laughed, "Funny how times change."
Setting her drink down at the bar, she got up and dropped a tip in the jar, catching the player's smile before walking away. The years hadn't changed her a bit, the music still made something click within her. The only thing that had changed, however, was the style of the music. She had adapted well since being turned, speech patterns changing along with dress and things of that nature.
The only thing that she could never figure out, was who she had exactly been sired by. She knew she had been bit as a toddler by the werewolf that cursed her, but by the time she was old enough to drink at 19 she'd already made some stupid decisions that may or may not had included sleeping with the one who turned her.
Come to think of it, she couldn't even remember a name, let alone a face. Not that it mattered now anyways, because as she saw it, immortality was just another excuse to do the stupidest, craziest shit one could come up with, knowing that they wouldn't die.
Of course, her craziest idea could kill her in the end, but she wasn't looking that far ahead.
Having gotten bored of this bar, she grabbed her phone and went to call Charlotte, only to have her partner in crime pick up and explain, "Yeah, can't really hang now. I'm knee deep in this game, and staying ahead of Gabe's a little harder than I thought. If I can keep this up, we should plan for thursday night, your place. Scary movie and popcorn? I mean, it's been forever since the three of us hung out."
"Lottie, if Rae's around and either one of our victims shows up, you know how bad that'll look."
"Doesn't matter. You play the game, you have to accept the terms and conditions." she added, before AJ cut in, "Oh, right. And when's the last time you've actually read through them without clicking right away."
"I never read them. But neither do you. Let's just see how this goes, okay? I gotta go. Talk to you later."
"Yep, see ya." AJ hung up, still surprised Charlotte sounded like she was enjoying playing her game.
She figured Amelia would be home by now, and being she wanted to mention something about the possible movie night Charlotte had suggested, she started walking home.
Humming to herself as she approached the apartment building, she couldn't help feeling something was a little off.
Shaking it off, she took the stairs and then found their door.
As soon as AJ entered her and Amelia's apartment, it became clear there was something up.
"Rae? I'm really sorry I'm late again, I'll try to break this habit, I promise." She called, setting her jacket down on the couch.
No answer came.
"Rae? Are you home even?"
Again, no answer. AJ looked around. Everything at first glance looked fine, but then again-
The pictures that had been ontop of the TV were on the floor, frames smashed into shreds. The cushions on either end of the couch had rips in them, and some of the walls had what looked like almost burn marks on them, accented with gashes in the wallpaper.
"You've got to be fucking kidding me. This is a dream, and I'm going to wake up and Amelia's just going to be standing in front of me laughing. It's a dream." AJ said aloud, anything to try and not think what she was thinking about.
But in the end, she knew what had happened.
Running into her room, she immediately dove for her closet, running a hand along the top shelf.
The hat. It wasn't there!
"Shit. Shit. Shit! Great, she's probably dead. My best friend's kidnapped just because I'm playing this stupid little game. He told me he was good, but damn, what have I gotten myself into?!"
Grabbing for her cell, she went to call Charlotte.
"Lottie, Lottie, please pick the fuck up!"
One ring. Two. Three. Four.
"Lottie, get over here right now. I don't care how your game's going, he took Amelia." AJ said in a rush, Lottie only managing a, "Wait, wh-wh-what?"
"Came home late like I always do y'know? Said I'd try to change. There's no answer, and then I noticed there was some kind of a struggle here. Stuff broken and burned. Then, I went into my room to look for it, and it's not where I left it."
"Left what?"
"The hat. His hat. Sucker pulled an Indiana Jones and grabbed it before he left with my best friend! We've gotta find them, Charlotte. I don't like having her involved - things are going to get out of control fast...just get over here as soon as you can, I really don't like being alone when I know they have her. And, I mean, what if they all didn't leave? It's a horror movie cliche, but...Lottie, what if he's still-"
She paused, had she just felt something tap her shoulder?
"He-" before the word was out of her mouth, someone had grabbed her phone and hung up on Charlotte.
AJ didn't have to think twice to realize who it was.
Me and my big mouth. I really need to learn to not jinx myself.
"You really should be careful who you talk to, Adeline. You never know who's a friend and who's a foe."
And there William stood, derby hat on his head, blocking the only escape route she had.
(William's POV)
It had been easy once Gabe told him about the hybrid's friend, finding out where they lived and kidnapping the girl had been simple, although the girl had put up a fight before going down.
As an extra precaution, one of the boys had smashed her phone to prevent others from getting a hold of her.
To shake the hybrid a bit more, William decided to remain in the apartment while the others retreated, taking the other girl with them.
He had to admit, the amount of concern in her voice as she called another friend upon discovering her room mate was gone seemed almost human, like she truly had cared about the other girl. And then, the shock registering on her face as her grabbed her phone?
She was right to say it was a horror movie cliche, for her reaction had been one as well.
"H-How'd you kn-know where we lived?" she asked, eyes darting around the room, looking for any escape.
"Remember that guy you talking to at the club the other night when we met? He's the same one your friend ran into as you both left her workplace. And, from what I've heard, he's also playing the game with the friend that had been on the phone," William explained, walking into the room.
They were both playing the game, he knew she wasn't leaving right away.
"And?" She doesn't move, just tilts her head to the side as though she's confused.
"He's one of my closest friends besides those in my coven. It was quite convenient, once he ran into her at her work. But you've figured that out already, that's why she's not here."
"Where is she now?" AJ asked, noticing with every step, there was a plan. And there always was, you had to have one if you were playing these games. You always had to be one step ahead.
He smiled, and not two seconds later had crossed the room until he stood in front of her.
"Now," why why why did I have to play with a Dandie? I'm not thinking straight! Gah, that smile, I think I'll just- NO! Snap out of it, AJ!
His lips brushed against her forehead.
Fuck. Fuck. Don't lose yourself, keep your head. Don't blink. Don't get lost.
"If I told you now, where would the fun be in that?"
She almost smiled at that. If he was going to be all secretive and not play by the rules, fine by her.
"And by the way, your other friend's on her way here, sounded rather panicked when I hung up. But I'm sure you'll find me again."
And with that, AJ thought it was over, this round had ended. But no.
Not three seconds later she gave a cry of pain as his fangs buried themselves in her neck. Soon, all she saw was black.