Author's Note: I took an extra week at this because it's such an important chapter, I've been working towards it for ages so I wanted to make sure I was happy with it before I uploaded, nevertheless I'm sorry for the delay in posting. I hope everyone had a great Christmas and is enjoying their holidays! Also I was very sad to hear Brooke McCarter passed away last Tuesday, he was truly a brilliant actor and a really cool guy. I want to thank all the people who have continued to read the story and those who have reviewed and added it to their favourites and follows. Thanks to JaliceJelsa4eva, TishaLiz and lostboysfan8797 for their reviews. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter, I'll be writing more over the next few days so keep an eye out for updates. Anyway, hope you guys enjoy and please review!
Disclaimer: I do not own The Lost Boys, just my OCs.
Max returned the next night with a pizza, the smell of food and his arrival has Thorn's ears perk up quicker than a whip, he climbed quickly off the chair he had occupied for most of the day and waited patiently at the door.
The door creaked open loudly and Max smiled as he entered, kicking the door closed behind him as his hands were full. In one hand a large pizza box and in the other a soda, both were deposited in front of me.
"Thanks." I answered automatically, my stomach had been voicing its hunger for most of the day, I was too grateful for food to try the silent treatment. I looked at Max expectantly and he gestured for me to lean forward whilst he quickly untied the ropes that had been holding my hands in place ever since I had first woken up here.
I breathed a sigh of relief as I rubbed the skin of my wrists, they were red and irritated but easy to ignore once I turned my attention to the pizza in front of me. Max took up residence in the chair previously vacated by Thorn, he petted the dog and talked in a low voice to him whilst I made my way through the food, only stopping when I had all but two crusts left. I sat back against the radiator with the bottle of soda, taking occasional sips and savouring each one.
"I often forget how often humans need food, I apologise for not bringing you something sooner." Max said, I chose to ignore the apology and crossed my ankles, setting the half-empty bottle down.
"Oh! I forgot something in the car, I'll be right back. I trust you won't try anything, Thorn will keep watch just in case." Max said, pointing to Thorn and giving me a warning look before going down the stairs.
Thorn seemed to understand his task perfectly and crossed the floor to sit precisely halfway between me and the door, sitting straight and staring at me intently as if daring me to make a move. I knew better, so I stayed still.
Max returned a few minutes later and I was surprised at what he had brought back, my hand reaching automatically for my bag I had brought to Santa Carla with me.
"My bag." I said as I took it from him, unzipping it to see all the clothes still inside, Dwayne's scarf tucked neatly into a discreet corner.
Max smiled proudly "Well I figured you'd like to take your own clothes with you when we leave. If you want anything new we can soon find you something, I know women like having endless amounts of pretty clothes."
I shrugged, "These are fine." I closed the bag again and hugged it to my chest, "I don't need anything new."
"Suit yourself." Max smiled, folding one leg over the other, "I have everything almost completely sorted for our departure. My houses go on the market as soon as possible, I don't expect this one to sell quickly but my home is sure to be snapped up quickly, it's a fine property. I have what I need in the car and all that remains is to tell my employees the shop will be up for sale soon and to tell the boys they are free to do as they please."
I sat alert, "Can I go with you?"
"To see the boys? I don't think that would be wise. You'll stay here and I'll return for you when we're leaving."
"But I want to say goodbye." I argued.
"Did you say goodbye before you left the last time?" He asked, I was about to tell him before stopping myself, if he found out from me that Dwayne knew I was leaving, who knows how much trouble he'd be in.
"No." I sighed, trying my best to appear sad, "That was a mistake, I want to this time."
"Well I'm afraid that won't be happening. It'll be much easier on both parties if your involvement isn't known to the boys. Besides, they already think you've left, it's not like it's entirely new to them."
I flinched at the remark, tightening the hold on my backpack as Max lifted the empty pizza box from beside me and dropped it on the chair, Thorn sniffed at it before turning away, obviously not fond of leftovers. Max took his glasses off to clean them, looking at me sympathetically.
"I'll have to secure your hands again while I'm out, Thorn hasn't gotten out today at all. He'll come with me to the boardwalk, I trust you don't need him here to behave."
I shook my head, "No I don't."
He stared for a few seconds before reaching out to touch my chin, I guessed he meant it to be affectionate but it sent chills down my spine.
"By tomorrow we'll be out of here, just you and I, Bryn. A proper little family." He grinned, finally releasing my chin after what felt like far too long, crossing back over to Thorn, giving his head a gentle pat, "We even have a dog to take with us. Have you ever had one?"
"No, my mom wasn't a fan of dogs. Got bit by one when she was little." Looking at Thorn, I could understand her nervousness over it happening again, "He doesn't exactly seem like a family dog." I observed, eyeing Thorn apprehensively. I wanted to find some way to protest the idea, Max was crazy if he thought somehow that having a pet would make the idea of being a family with him more appealing.
"Why not?" Max asked curiously, I shrugged.
"I don't know, what kind of a family has a dog named "Thorn"?" I asked, deciding to stop there in case Max took offense. I switched instead to patting my bag in a random rhythm before an idea struck me, I thought carefully about how to continue before speaking again, "And most dogs have collars, to show someone owns them."
Max observed Thorn's bare neck before nodding thoughtfully, "I suppose we could get him a collar, I've never seem the need for one, but we could try it."
I nodded, pretending to agree. I didn't care if Thorn got a collar or not, I didn't want anything to do with Max never mind his pet, but I needed to keep up the lie if I was going to carry out my idea, "I have something that would look nice" I said, digging in my bag for Dwayne's scarf, holding it out to Max with a fake smile.
He appraised it cautiously, "I'm not sure a scarf is the best idea for a dog."
"But lots of dogs wear them, and it wouldn't be as tight as a collar, plus it looks really nice. I think Thorn would suit it, it's my favourite scarf." I lied, it wasn't technically mine, but that was the whole point.
"Well..." Max trailed off, taking the scarf from me, "I guess we could try it."
I crossed my fingers as he folded the scarf and fastened it around Thorn's neck with shaking fingers, praying the dog wouldn't freak out. He seemed to not mind it, and I forced a smile when Max looked back at me, "See, he looks lovely."
Max smiled, obviously pleased I seemed happy. He came closer with the rope that had been holding my hands together before, I leant forward without any debate, sitting back up once he was finished.
"I'll be back shortly, then we can leave." He said, picking up the pizza box and opening the door, gesturing for Thorn to exit before him. He shut the door behind him, I crossed my legs and sighed, the pressure starting to build up as I realised if my idea didn't pan out within the next hour I'd be screwed.
I needed the collar to stay on Thorn long enough for Dwayne to see it, he'd remember giving it to me before I left, there'd be no other way Thorn could have gotten it except if I had put it on him. Even if he realised there was no way to know Dwayne would find me, I had no clue exactly where I was, if he went to the wrong place and we left before he found me, I'd be gone without a trace.
No, he'd find me.
The front door swung open a while later, followed by footsteps taking the stairs two at a time, I sat up with hy heart thumping in aniticipation that maybe someone was here to help me.
My hopes died as soon as the door opened and the person on the other side turned out to be the same one that had left not that long ago, "Time to go."
Max looked excited, I couldn't share his eagerness, a sick feeling started to rise in my throat, I had to choke it down to speak.
"Where's Thorn?"
Max seemed surprised at my question, pointing behind him, "Downstairs. Waiting by the door for us, there's enough room in the back for him and your bag as well. Come on."
I tried to think of a way to stall him, he untied my hands efficiently and I grabbed my bag, "Do you mind if I changed clothes first?"
"You can change when we get stopped somewhere, I'll stop outside the town for gas."
I shook my head, "I've been wearing the same clothes for days, I wanna change now. You can head down to the car and I'll follow you."
Max sighed, "Fine, but I'm waiting right here." He said, stepping out into the hall and shutting the door behind him.
I rolled my eyes, pulling my bag open and digging inside for some fresh clothes, anything I could change into quickly.
I pulled a sweatshirt over my head and swapped jackets, crossing to the window and looking out through the gap Max had made the previous night, I could just about see his car- a red convertible with the roof up judging by the looks of it.
Three sharp knocks at the door made me jump, "Bryn we really have to get going." Max urged.
"One second!" I called back, grabbing a pair of sneakers room the bottom of the bag and throwing them on, searching the street for signs of anyone else. There was no one else here.
I spun round just as the door opened, Max gestured for me to come closer, "Let's go, we only have a few hours until dawn."
"Wait!" I said suddenly, not even thinking about what I would follow it with, "Is there a bathroom here?"
Max looked frustrated, "Across the hall. Hurry."
I jogged past him into the small bathroom and shut the door, turning the faucet on until a steady stream poured from it, then I flipped the lid down on the toilet and climbed up to pull at the handle of the small window at the back. The handle was held in place by rust and I couldn't get it to open, I pulled my hand away with a groan, so I wasn't getting out this way.
I thought of breaking the glass, but that would definitely give me away. Max would be in here before I managed to get my whole body through the window, there was no point in even trying.
I shut the water off and leaned on the sink, taking some deep breaths to calm myself. Max knocked the door loudly, "Bryn!"
It was no use, no amount of stalling would get me anywhere, nobody knew I was here. I'd have to get out myself, make a run for it while he went to get gas, sneak out while he slept. He'd eventually slip up, he couldn't keep me forever.
When I opened the door Max grabbed my arm, pulling me towards the stairs, Thorn was waiting patiently at the bottom, with the scarf still on. He musn't have been in the room when the guys met Max, or maybe Dwayne hadn't been there. Either way, my plan had failed.
The door to the house suddenly flew into the hall, splinters spraying everywhere, revealing a figure on the other side.
My heart jumped up into my throat, "Dwayne." Was all I could manage to say, my legs froze in shock where I had been stumbling down the stairs in front of Max, who moved to step down in front of me.
"What are you doing here?" He demanded, Thorn began growling menacingly at Dwayne, his back hunched and tail twitching.
"I'm here for her, she stays." Dwayne's voice was low and threatening, he stepped into the hallway, his features distorted and orange eyes gleaming. His gaze flickered momentarily to Thorn and he bared his fangs at the dog, who barked loudly at the action.
"Dwayne, you have three seconds to get out of here before I have Thorn rip you apart." Max threatened.
"Let her go, now." Dwayne ordered.
I waited as a silence followed that seem to stretch out, the two vampires staring defiantly at each other. I didn't dare breathe, the only sound I could hear was Thorn growling, softer than before but still threatening.
In a flash things shifted dramatically, one minute Dwayne was stood tall and rigid in the hallway, next thing he had lept at Max grabbing him by the collar. Max's hand left my arm as he pushed Dwayne back down towards the hallway, he hit the wall beside the door and I could have sworn the whole house shook with the impact. Max seemed to forget all about me as he started down the stairs towards Dwayne.
"Run!" Dwayne shouted, I remained frozen for a fraction of a second before turning and stumbling back up the stairs, stopping halfway along the way towards the room I had been prisoner in, standing in the hallway as my gaze flickered from room to room. The bathroom window wouldn't open, and there were planks on the front window that I couldn't pull off myself.
"Thorn!"
I snuck a glance over the banister when I heard Max's voice, fear shooting through me at the prospect of Dwayne having to fight both Max and Thorn, but my fear was misplaced as I noticed the streak of white fur rapidly climbing the staircase. Thorn was after me.
I turned and headed back for the one room I hadn't been in before, it was the only one I didn't know if it had an opportunity for escape, but there was a good chance it was another dead-end like the others.
Just as I was about to cross the threshold of the room I cried out as a set of teeth clamped around my ankle, I fell forward onto the floor, scraping at the wooden planks as Thorn dragged me backwards, thrashing my leg from side to side and cutting into the flesh more and more.
With my other leg I kicked out as hard as I could and managed to hit him in the muzzle, he yelped as he flew back a foot, shaking himself before making a lunge for me again. I managed to swing the door closed and put all my weight against it, it shook violently where Thorn had begun throwing himself against it to try and get inside.
After a few seconds Thorn showed no signs of letting up, I looked around for anything I could use to keep the door closed, only a few sparse pieces of old furniture littered the room, my eyes stopped on a wardrobe just beside the door, it looked heavy and I deliberated for a second before running to the opposite side.
With as much strength as I could conjure I pushed the wardrobe, it landed with a loud thud on the floor just as Thorn made another jump for the door, thankfully it withstood his attempt at getting in.
I crossed to the window which had some planks covering it, not as many as the other window but they were still an obstacle, I grabbed one and pulled, it finally gave way and I fell back to the floor. I got back up and made a grab for another one, once this one gave way I'd have enough space to get out.
Just as the plank came away from the window, a much larger sound behind me had me turn, the door was now in the process of giving way after being kicked with immense power, another blow followed and it broke into two pieces.
I backed up right against the window, waiting to see who it was. I prayed for Dwayne to come through and help me get out of here, but when I saw who it was I turned and frantically tried to lift the window up.
Max spun me round and his hand went to my throat, my feet left the ground and I struggled to breathe.
"After everything I've done for you." He growled, his face contorted in rage, his orange eyes stared right at me.
"Fuck you." I spat.
"You must have let them know somehow, I mentioned nothing so how would he have known?" He demanded.
I managed a chuckle, "That scarf I put on Thorn? It belonged to Dwayne. I knew if he saw it he'd figure out something was up. The rest will be here in a minute I'm sure."
"They would have gotten here already, he came here alone. Biggest mistake he ever made, he's lying in the hall with a stake through his chest."
I cried out in frustration and anguish, straining against his hold around my throat, "Face it Max, you lost. You'll never get me mother, and you'll never get me either."
I felt my feet touch the ground and felt confused, Max's face had lost all emotion, his hand was still around my throat but it was a little looser. For a few seconds I honestly thought he was gonna let me go.
There was hardly enough time for me to protest before he went for my throat, his fangs puncturing flesh, a searing pain following that put the wound on my ankle to shame. I could hardly fight, my limbs started to feel weaker almost immediately as the blood started leaving my body.
I was only just staying conscious when a sound from the front of the house had Max finally pull away to look behind him, a hand automatically went for my throat and I felt moisture around the wound where blood had started seeping out slowly.
Max looked at me once more, blood dripped from his fangs onto his chin. His lips stretched in an evil smile before he shoved me backwards, I felt glass shatter against my back before I felt absolutely nothing.
The second it took for me to fall from the second-storey window of the house into the back yard seemed to stretch out, the wind whistled lightly past my ears and for that short stretch of time I didn't even feel anything.
Finally my body slammed onto concrete, I could feel bones shatter and splinter in a hundred different places. My breath left in a rush and my head swam for a few seconds, the stars above me seemed to double in numbers and move around by themselves. The sky was the last thing I saw as my vision faded and everything went black.
Happy New Year's in advance everyone!