The following day I was so depressed it took all the strength I had to leave our new room. We had switched hotels that night, I had only a moment to get my Christmas gifts from the management before we set off. I wasn't going to give up on finding Evra, evening if it meant only recovering her body. I refused to let her rot somewhere in this godforsaken city. I'd bring her home-alive or dead. I also didn't bother telling the vampire my plan-with my luck hed lock me in his coffin, there's no way hed want me to go chasing a killer,
As I was walking down the road, racking my brain for possible places to start my search, I spotted Debbie hanging around her apartment complex and immediately ran up to her.
"Sam! Where have you been?" She glanced over my shoulder. "Where's Evra?"
"I'm sorry...she's not…." I couldn't finish my lie. "She's not here right now. Listen, we might be leaving soon-"
She cut me off, "Uh-Oh! No way! Don't tell me you guys are bailing? I asked my parents, and they said they want you to come over from Christmas Eve. Honestly I think my mom's just glad I'm not seeing-"
I quickly interrupted, "Debbie, we can't-"
"I'm not taking no for an answer," she smiled brightly as she opened the door to her car. "I'm can't imagine what's it's like...not to be with family on christmas. Please?" Her cell phone rang and she groaned. "I'm have to go. Listen, stop by later. I'll be home around 9 we can talk more then. Bye!"
I angrily kicked some slush as I went back down the street. Cursing myself for being such an idiot and losing Evra. I felt so low. I was so stuck in my head I almost didn't hear it: a soft chuckling noise beneath my feet. Glancing down through the bars of the water drain I saw nothing and thought I must have been losing my mind. But then a voice came up out of the shadows. "I like your pretty friend," it said with a giggle, and I knew instantly who was down there. "A very tasty dish. Good enough to eat, wouldn't you say? Much tastier-looking than your other friend. Much tastier than Evra." It was dark down there, but after a few seconds I was able to make out the rough figure of the fat vampaneze. "What's your friend's name, hmmm?" Murlough asked.
"How did you find me!" I gasped.
"Easy enough, young Murlough has a lot brains ,yes, he does! Snakey told me where you were staying. Played a few scales on her with my knife. Sang like a bird." he giggled like a lunatic.
"Please! Let her go!" I cried, dropping to my knees. "She never hurt you."
He seemed to consider my plea with mild interest."Maybe...Snakey tastes foul...Pretty girl, little Debbie might taste sweet. A Christmas treat."
"You want...You want her?" I said shakily.
"Yessss..." He hissed. "Give them to me. You can have Snakey back."
"I want your word, you have to promise me you crazy bastard."
I thought he would get mad, he only laughed in response. "Murlough gives his words. Little Girl for Snakey. I'll be just like sante-y claus, coming down little Debbie's chimney."
"We have to do something!" I finished telling the vampire what had transpired while he slept. He was deep in thought.
The vampire sat in one of the window chairs, he rubbed at his scar and sighed. "Murlough is holed away in the Tunnels. We must begin our plan at once if this is to work…"
"I'm scared," I whispered fearfully. "What if he catches on before we succeed?"
"Then we must not fail...For everyone's sake…"
"Hi Mrs. Hemlock!" I said cheerily.
Debbie's mother was a picture of a happy homemaker. All smiles and soft touches."Sam, it's so good too see you. Where are your friends?"
I gave my best smile, trying to charm the woman,"They couldn't make it, they're busy packing. We're leaving tomorrow." Heavy footfalls came barreling down the stairs.
"Merry Christmas!" Debbie yelled and launched herself at me. Her hug would have been soul crushing to a human. To me it was just tight.
I laughed and hugged her back," Oh, by the way,I have some great wine for us to enjoy tonight. A good way to start off the new year."
"Oh mom, can I?" Debbie whined.
Mr. and Mrs. Hemlock exchanged a smile, "Alright I suppose." the man said as he adjusted his glasses. The three of us made our way into the dining room. Mr.s Hemlock was a fantastic cook; eating her food made me feel like I hadn't been eating properly since leaving how and I vowed to pick up some cooking books when all this drama has blown over. After a wonderful dinner filled with great food and even better company. My plan began to fall into place as each member of the Hemlock family drank the special wine I'd brought.
The house was as quiet as a grave and yet I still didn't here him come in. 'Debbie' was fast asleep in her bed, and my back was too the window. I was ready for him. The smell of blood was heavy in the air. The window banged shut and I nearly jumped out of my skin. Evra softly whimpered as she was roughly shoved into me as I stood up.
Murlough was grinning ear to ear. The sight alone nearly sent me running for the hills but I stood my ground.
"Now, little girl. Haven't you ever seen death before?" He laughed, eyeing the bed. "Isn't it beautiful?"
"It's disgusting." I said as I smoothed down Evra said hair as she softly cried into my chest. Her entire right shoulder was pinkish where some scales had been removed. Her face was bloody and cut up like she'd gone three rounds with Mike Tyson. I was furious, but I held myself back. So far everything was going correctly.
"You are young, you will learn" Evra whimpered and Murlough growled. Tell her to shut up. Or when I'm finished with the sweet one I'll come for the two of you. Treaty be damned."
You're a monster. I thought to myself, I didn't want to incur his wrath any vampaneze inched forward, the pale moonlight glinting off his blades. He sprinkled salt in a circle and chanted under his breath like a grim cultist.
When he reached forward and ripped back the covers he began stabbing away at the body then pounced. If it had been Debbie, she would have died instantly.
If it was Debbie.
Murlough reeled away from the bed, "It's a...It's a…"
Very calmly, like a parent explaining to a small child, I replied with a smirk."It's a goat you dumb fuck."
Form the closet, Mr. Crepsley sprang forward looking more fearsome and terrifying than the vampaneze ever could. The fight was blurred, the sounds of a struggle filled my ears as Mr. Crepsley sunk his knife into Murlough's arm, then leap on him like a cat on a mouse. Murlough gained purchase and tossed his knife, which flew past the vampire and landed its mark on the true target.
Me.
As the blade sunk into my shoulder I felt myself slipping forward as Mr. Crepsley delivered the fatal blow. Murlough collapse to the ground in a puddle of his own, dark blood. He wheezed his last words, eyes locked with mine."C-Clever Girl, hmmmm?" And then he was gone.
With no warning the knife was ripped from my flesh. It wasn't a fatal blow, but it still hurt. Mr. Crepsley made quick work of tending to it. Evra refused to unbury her face from my chest. "Is it finally over?" she whispered.
"It's over," I sighed. Tears slipping through my eyes as I held her close. "I'm so sorry."
She sniffled and wiped her eyes,"You saved me."
"Of course we did!" I laughed and hugged her close,"Besides, it was my fault you were hurt in the first place."
Evra placed her head on my shoulder and laughed,"I'm okay now that's all that matters."
We made short work of the body. We tied it up in a plastic bag and tossed it into the sewers. The Tunnels ran with blood and it seemed a fitting burial as any. Then we cleaned up the room and retrieved Debbie and her parents from the attic. Debbie would have a small scar on her ankle from the blood we had taken to use for her scent, but given the strength of the laced wine, she shouldn't remember a thing.
The three of us returned to the hotel room in the wee hours of the morning. After bathing and changing into fresh clothes, it was decided that we would stick around for one more day then depart the next night. Evra and I were in the bathroom preparing to sleep when she shot up and dove for her stuff.
"It's Christmas!" Evra exclaimed. She reached into her travel bag and retrieved a poorly wrapped gift. "I hoped that you wouldn't find this...I'm glad I'm here to give it to you." She smiled and tossed it to me.
I quickly tore open the packaging and started crying when I saw it. It was framed picture of the two of us taken nearly a year ago: Evra had Pepper wrapped around her neck, I was in my dance costume and was kissing her cheek. I put it on with a grin and gave her a hug, "I love it!"
"Your turn." I gave her the box addressed to her. She loved the makeup kit, and immediately dove into it and began playing around with the cosmetics. With a laugh I closed the bathroom door and palmed a small box in my sweaty hand.
Mr. Crepsley sat by the window, enjoying the last of the night air. He had taken off his usual vest and suit jacket and was wearing only his white dress shirt and some slacks. His orange hair was messy and he kept running his hand over his scar pensively as he stared out into the city.
"Merry christmas." I said softly and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Merry Christmas," His lips curled upwards in a small smile. My heart raced in my chest. "A silly holiday, but I suppose given the circumstances we all could use some cheer."
After a few moments I finally worked up the courage to ask the question we both were thinking "Will they find him?" I said fearfully
"If they do," Crepsley said. "They will come for us. They will kill us."
"Comforting." I scoffed. Yet I couldn't find it in my heart to feel guilty for what I'd done. Murlough was murderer and a fiend who wouldn't stop killing until he was was put down like some feral animal.
Crepsley raised and eyebrow, "Would you rather me lie to you?"
"No!" I exclaimed. "No more lies. No more secrets." I twisted the box around in my and. "That means," My whole body tensed with nerves. "That means me too." Without another moment's hesitation I handed the vampire the secret I'd been holding in my hand and consequently in my heart for over a year now.
"You should not have," He seemed alarmed and could not control the blush that rose to his cheeks as he opened the small box. Inside lay a medal of a red tulip bulb pressed and preserved between two small,round panes of glass It hung on the sturdiest chain that I could get my hands on.
I was practically bright red, "I know you don't really buy into the holiday but-"
"Thank you. I will cherish it." the vampire stopped me before I began to babble. His face was nearly as red as his hair, was it possible he knew the language of flowers? My heart skipped a beat at his words. He slid the necklace on over his head and under his shirt. A private gift between the two of us.
"I need to tell you something. I...I don't want to keep anything from you. Not even this," All my words were coming out faster than I wanted them too. I kept my eyes glued to the ground.
"I think that maybe...Perhaps I…." I found it very difficult to breath, I looked up and met his startled gaze. His eyes were wide as he was hanging onto my words.
Just bite the bullet Sam! Don't be a coward…."Mr. Crepsley I-"
Evra burst out of the restroom, her face freshly made up, "Am I interrupting something?"The air was filled with a heavy silence. I lost my nerve completely.
Idiot! I screamed to myself. You could have told him! You could have told him everything you were feeling!
"Nevermind," I said, feeling miserable. I refused to meet his eye as I headed toward me and Evra's bedroom. The door slide shut behind me but I was miles away in my own self exile. As I settled onto the bed I heard something crinkle with the movement. Feeling around in the dark I held up a bag in the faint morning light filtering through my window.
"Who…" I rummaged through the bag and withdrew the contents quickly. There was no note attached to it but I didn't need a signature to tell me where it had come from. I couldn't contain my smile. It was a ring. Small. Simple. The pure black color of the stainless steel felt cool in my hands as I held it to my chest. As I slid it onto my the middle finger of my left hand I felt something rise in my chest.
Hope.
End Book 3
Things are heating up, then cooling down, then heating up again. Unrequited love...or is it?. Only time will tell.
I've started a playlist for this fic, here's what i got so far (in no particular order):
Bite Marks by Atlas Sound
That's Christmas To Me by Penatonix
Can't Sleep Love by Penatonix
First Time by Lifehouse
Ghostine by Mother Mother
Honestly by Cartel
Controvento by Arisa
Sting by Stellar (any kpop fans?)
Since Yesterday by Strawberry Switchblade
If You Leave by OMITD
Bizarre Love Triangle by New Order
Space Song by Beach House
Myth by Beachhouse
Thank you everyone who keeps coming back, leave some comments and let me know what you think? -PMD