Appreciation: Hi all. I appreciate those who 'favourited' this story and for the kind reviews. This is my first attempt at this sort of thing. Finger's crossed it goes well.
CHAP 3:
I woke slowly, sunlight filtering in through my eyelids. The surface beneath me moved and a shadow fell over my face. Opening my eyes I saw Elijah sat beside me. When I eyed his own surveying one's I groaned, pulling the covers up over my head and turning onto my side. The movement was laboured and I felt weak. The pounding in my head causing me to grimace.
"Go away." I groaned. Elijah chuckled.
"I assume you're not feeling the best sweetheart?" I didn't answer. "Elena." I still didn't answer, so he pulled the covers down to expose my head and neck. I sighed aloud.
"On the contrary. I'm feeling fantastic." I finally replied sarcastically, keeping my eyes closed. Snapping them open as something gently swept across my forehead and through my hair. Elijah's hand retreated to his side.
"Would you like something to make that statement true?"
"As in?" I felt the bed move again and the throbbing in my head and worsened. "Can you not do that?" I asked in strained exasperation.
"My apologies." His voice right behind my head made me jump.
"And can you not do that?"
"Well, we'll see about that." Instantly he was moulded against my back as his wrist met my mouth with an offering of blood. I began to struggle, but regretted my movement instantly. The intense pain in my head making me reel. Being so weak, I couldn't put up much of a fight anyway. So I had no choice but to let Elijah's blood flow into my mouth. The taste coaxing a guttural moan from deep in my throat, as heat spread through my body. When the pounding in my head eased, I turned my head into the pillow and away from his wound. He didn't force me to continue drinking, for which I was thankful. I didn't want to have a repeat of what happened in my room. The fact that I moaned was injury enough to insult. As I lay there relieved, Elijah trailed my loose hair to fall behind my ear and nestled into the crook of my neck. My cue to leave. I thought and sat up. Instantly I wished I hadn't.
A strangled groan escaped my lips as the pounding in my head intensified. Dizziness blinded my vision and I felt Elijah gently lay me back down on the bed.
"Why isn't your blood working?" I asked after my head settled. He snaked an arm around my waist and snuggled in close.
"It's working." His warm breath heating up the skin across my chest. " It's just taking a bit longer this time. After all, in your room I was only healing your skin. This time my blood's healing your skin as well as replenishing the amount of blood in your system. I drank a lot from you before we left."
"Before you took me, you mean. We didn't mutually agree to leave."
"You, seemed to comply."
"That was my body, not my mind. There was no conscious thought." I said spitefully.
"Never mind. One day there will be. Truthfully there already is. You're just rather ignorant." I sighed and fell silent.
"Admitting defeat sweetheart?"
"No. I just thought I'd leave you to your own delusions." He chuckled softly. I felt more than heard his laughter as his chest shifted against my back. Elijah pressed a soft kiss to my neck and we descended into silence.
I waited what felt like fifteen minutes, before lifting Elijah's arm from my body and sat up. Feeling fine I looked around the room taking in my surroundings. While the decor was nice, I wasn't really giving it much attention. I was focused on the doors, planning my escape route. The bed was king sized, causing Elijah's closeness to annoy me further. At the end of the bed was a wall that was all glass, bordered by black window fittings. It was done in a way that made the fittings look glossed. Which really lifted their appearance and made the window a feature. Everything about the room said clean cut, modern and conservative. There really wasn't any personal aspects to it. Nor did it have any character. A set of draws carved with intricate patterns sat against the wall in the far left of the room. They only caught my eyes because of the door to the right of them. Another door was in the far corner of the right wall. I looked over Elijah, to find double doors in the left wall located a few metres from the bed. All the while trying to ignore the amused expression on his face as he watched me. I bolted for the door in the right wall and began to open it.
"That's the en suite." Elijah stated. I looked in and he wasn't lying. He's smiling isn't he? I thought. It was like I could feel his enjoyment. I looked back at him and sure enough he had a broad smile across his face. It was then I noticed the feature wall that the head of the bed almost blended into. Both were painted a deep brown with gold flecks throughout. The colour added some well-needed personality to the room. But I didn't dwell on it for long. Moving to the door next to the draws. "That's the door you'll be most interested in." I heard Elijah state encouragingly. Opening it I was met with a tiled hallway, walled by another stretch of glass.
Leaving the bedroom I hurried down the hall to find an open living area. The kitchen was to my right, a beautiful stone bench taking up most of the space. To my left was a lounge area with a huge tv, sat in front of a beautiful spacious lounge setting. Another wall of glass took up the far side of it. Large windows seemed like a recurring theme. I flew by spotting another door, opened it to find a dining room that had no windows at all. There were two hallways so I sped down the one on my left. I came across two more doors. Both led into other rooms packed with storage. The hallway branched off into a dead-end with a bathroom and toilet so I backtracked. After finding another room of storage I found myself in the open living area again. No doors led outside. Don't panic, there has to be a way out. I thought to myself. But not able to keep my anxiety at bay. I had to get out. There was plenty of glass that showed gardens outside. If I had to I would break some to get out. Perhaps I've missed something. I wondered.
I headed back past the kitchen double checking. It puzzled me that Elijah hadn't come after me yet, which made me think of the only remaining door I hadn't tried. The double doors in the bedroom I woke in. It seemed weird that the only door out would be in a bedroom. But stranger things have happened. Yeah, like vampires being real and one thinking that we're meant to be together. Regretfully I walked back up the hallway to the room I woke up in. My steps getting shorter, as they took me back to Elijah. If he was still in there. Opening the door I saw Elijah sat on the bottom of the bed watching me. I suspected he'd sensed me coming. But it wouldn't surprise me if he'd watched and waited for me to return. He seemed so comfortably sure as he sat on the bed, and it just seemed like something he would do. Because I've known him all of five minutes and suddenly 'know' him? I questioned myself haughtily. Realising that I have no idea at all about Elijah. I tried not to think about the possibility that he was some sadistic killer. Scaring myself wouldn't get me anywhere. As I walked past him, I tried to ignore his watchful gaze and flung the double doors open. Revealing a huge walk-in-robe. I sighed loudly in exasperation.
"Where's the doors?"
"Why do you need to know?" I turned to face him quickly.
"Why else? I would like to leave." He stood up from the bed and advanced slowly toward me.
"Well, since you won't be leaving. You don't need to know." I clenched my fists tightly.
"Tell me where the damn doors are!" I practically yelled at him.
"No need to yell Elena." I couldn't help but back away as he came closer.
"If I feel the need to yell, I will!" I realised that when I'd stepped away from him that I'd backed into the robe. The large space behind me suddenly feeling small. Feeling even more trapped, I lunged forward. Pushing past Elijah so that I was out in the bedroom again. Confused that he hadn't grabbed me as I rushed past.
When I was at the door to the hallway again I looked back. Elijah was standing across the room watching me, a curious expression on his face. I regarded him cautiously. He didn't seem like an overly violent person. Vampire. I corrected. But that's no guarantee he wouldn't hurt me, kill me. No matter what he said, I had no idea about this man. First impressions aren't always the best with anyone. But his first impression was completely outrageous. Elijah's expression changed and he looked like he was pondering something. I felt like I was being evaluated. Finally his gaze became intense again before he stepped forward.
"Elena."
"Help! Can anyone hear me?" I turned and quickly left the room and checked through the house again, yelling out the whole while, hoping that someone would hear.
After numerous turns around the house and my voice becoming hoarse, I decided to give it a rest. It also had something to do with the view out of all the windows. Vast lawns surrounded the whole house. It was clear from the view that no one would hear me. Additionally hundreds of metres from the house the lawn became thick vegetation. It looked so dense, I couldn't see myself moving through it fast enough even if I did get out. Elijah would easily catch up to me. Who was I kidding? Like I'd get that far anyway. And did I really want to escape? Of course. Why else would I be looking for a way to escape? I was torn. While I understood why I was here. That the world was safe. I didn't want to be kept like a caged animal. With him. Who knew what he had planned for me? I wasn't going to have a melt-down about it. But I was afraid. I will just have to stay as far away from him as possible. I thought decidedly, trying to ignore my pessimism.
I'd have loved to hide amongst the storage in one of the spare bedrooms. But then I'd be trapped in a small space if, no, when Elijah found me. I knew he'd find me. His senses being heightened, it would be impossible to hide. I'd rather not be trapped in such a small space. So I found myself sat down in front of the large wall-sized window in the lounge room. Looking at the fittings to see if there was some sort of latch. Elijah had come to sit on the lounge, but I'd been ignoring him. Deciding I'd have to break the glass somehow, I got up and grabbed a stool from the set at the kitchen bench. Before I'd moved a step Elijah had a hand on it, stopping me. I tugged against him, but of course he didn't budge.
"Let go of the stool Elena."
"No. You let go." Elijah's mouth curved upwards in a humorous smirk.
"You can't break the windows, they are to a bullet-proof standard."
"If they are then you wont mind me hauling one pf these at one."
"Oh, I don't mind. But I don't need you breaking the stool."
"I need to test the windows with something if they are indeed made with bullet proof glass."
"Have I given you any reason to doubt me?" I baulked at this. Considering him for a moment.
"No. You certainly weren't lying when you said you wanted me to come live with you."
"There you go."
"Fine." Releasing the stool. I'd try it when he wasn't around to stop me.
Instead I slumped down on the lounge and tilted my head back over the top. Staring at the ceiling I didn't even hear Elijah set the it down, when he was suddenly sat next to me. I made to move away but Elijah put a hand on my thigh with enough pressure to keep me still.
"Remove your hand. Please." I ordered. When he didn't I tried grasping his forearm but I couldn't move his arm. I kicked and struggled and tried to push away from him but was getting no where.
"Elena. Settle yourself." He said finally.
"What is that? Some comment like make yourself at home, in a house that isn't your home. With a complete stranger?"
"Please. I need to outline a couple of things with you."
"Things?"
"Yes. I know that while you're here, left to you own devices you would continue to keep me at arms length. Further away than that if I'm to be truthful. However while you're here, I intend to give you a nudge in the right direction-,"
"The right direction?" I butted in sharply. He regarded me for a moment. Happily, I didn't think he appreciated my interruption. Too bad.
"For you to become accustomed to my presence."
"Oh! Is that all?" I asked in mock sweetness.
"Now, as I was saying. There are a couple of things I would like you to comply with."
"Just a couple?" I offered again in mock sweetness. To which his face became blank and I couldn't help the sudden jolt of my heartbeat from the change in Elijah's demeanour. A chill rolled up my spine. He looked livid. Silent anger rolling off him as he sat there looking at me with cold eyes, his mouth set hard.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you." Elijah's face softened and the tone of his voice turned remorseful. "Although I am certain of how I feel towards you. I haven't embraced such emotion for too long a time. So I am a little unsteady."
"You don't scare me." I said strongly. He smiled ruefully. "Apart from the involuntary fear of the person who's abducted you." I finished sheepishly.
"In any case. When I approach you, like I have now. I would like you to remain unless there is some functional reason for you to move away. I will restrain you if need be. Like I have just now. But it would make it easier if you would comply."
"Huh. Easier for you."
I was about to reply somewhat snakily but Elijah cut me off.
"Now. I'm sure you'd like to clean yourself up. You've got some blood on your top." He gestured by looking down. I saw that he was right, and realised that I was still wearing my revealingly cut singlet. Like I'd anticipated when taking off my cardigan. I wasn't comfortable at all with Elijah seeing me in my sleepwear and made to get up again. Elijah's hand still perched on my thigh kept me still. I looked straight ahead at the black tv screen, ignoring him and his intrigued gaze. Having a shower sounded good. It would get me away from him for a bit.
"Let me go so I can get cleaned up." I said through gritted teeth.
"I'll show you to the en suite and bring some clean clothes in for you."
"Oh I can use the main bathroom. It's furthest away from the rest of this place, and hopefully you." I said being obvious with my reasons.
"No, you'll be using the en suite."
"Elijah-."
"The en suite Elena." I just glared at him.
He brought his hand up to stroke the back of his index finger down my cheek. I shied away watching him apprehensively.
"Don't fear me." He said softly. I could have sworn it was a plea. From the way his features softened, and his eyes lacked their usual intensity. He looked vulnerable and cast his eyes down. I couldn't help but feel affected by him in this moment. He seemed troubled and I couldn't help but feel concerned for him. I felt responsible. Why? I had nothing to do with this. Except that I'm his infatuation. Though he seems so confident, I believed that what he said about neglecting his emotions was true. And I knew he was taking a great risk with me. Essentially he had the weight of the world on his shoulders.
Unconsciously I moved my hand to cover his, but stopped mid movement. Shocked and confused I managed to rein in the motion. But not before Elijah had noticed. He looked up, quizzically. Something dawned in his eyes and he looked at me adoringly. I realised I was probably watching him too intently and looked away.
"You amaze me." He murmured. Looking back at him a little off-guard, I cleared my throat nervously.
"You said there was a couple of things you wanted me to comply with. But you only said one." I reminded as I endured his boring stare.
"I'll let you get cleaned up first." With that he stood and offered me his hand. I ignored it and walked past him. Back toward the room I woke in and the waiting en suite.
