A/N: Hi everyone, sorry for the abnormal time between updates! I've had a busy end of the week so I didn't have a lot of time to write. So thanks for waiting! This chapter is back to Alyssa's point of view! Thank you for reading and as always I really appreciate any feedback you might have about the story, or the chapters, or the characters, or whatever you want to share with me! It really drives me to write more, quicker. So thanks! I hope you enjoy!
I woke with a start, sucking in air in big gulps as I tried to figure out what happened. My stomach dropped when I tried to move my hands and found that they were bound behind me. My legs as well had been bound together at my ankles. With a grunt I pulled myself up into a sitting position and shook the hair from my face. My shoulder ached from laying awkwardly on it and I wondered how long I had been unconscious this time. I had woken up several times since I had been abducted.
I had quickly discovered that there were people guarding the closet I was being held in and they had no problem in making sure I didn't cause any trouble.
I had originally had my hands duct taped in front of me and tape over my mouth. It had taken me all of five minutes to tear the tape off of my mouth and then pull it away from my hands with my teeth. I had rushed out of the small closet without hesitating. Both my captors and I had learned a lesson from that.
The next time I had woken to my hands tied behind my back and around the base of one of the shelves that lined either side of the closet.
That time I had screamed my heart out hoping that we were somewhere where someone might have heard me, though I knew it was a slim chance. They had quickly rushed in and I had taken the opportunity to try and get information from them.
They hadn't been forthcoming by any means but I had managed to get enough out of them to know that I was just being used as bait for the vampires. It was simultaneously a relief to hear and made a cold feeling settle in my gut. I couldn't let them get their hands on Godric or Eric. Godric was doing so much better these past days. A small part of me doubted they would risk coming to rescue me if it meant the chance of these people trying to kill them. But at the same time I knew that they wouldn't just let these people kill me. And there was Evan as well. She would be looking for me. I could only hope that they kept her safe.
It had taken me what felt like a whole day to wear the cloth down against the sharp edge of the shelf enough to break them. My wrists were absolutely raw. I had waited until my guard moved away from the door for my chance. He would have to eat or use the bathroom at some point and all I needed was a couple seconds to get out and then I would figure out the rest. So when his shadow moved away from the door I had counted off a minute before wrenching on the door handle. I had expected it to be locked and used the adrenaline that pumped through me at having a chance to escape to fuel my powers. The lock had snapped open and I had darted out into the hallway. I didn't get more than three feet before someone threw me to the ground. It was just enough time to get a good look at my surroundings. I screamed and kicked with all my might, dragging my nails down the man's face as hard as I could.
His fist landed in my gut, knocking the wind out of me, and then across my face where it had swollen up from earlier that morning.
Black spots swam across my eyes. He took advantage of me being stunned to grip my hair and slam my head off of the hard floor.
And thus I had found myself once again tied up in the closet. Voices were arguing outside of my door, egging on the pounding headache that made it hard to concentrate. My ears were ringing and I shook my head again in the hopes of dispelling the feeling.
I blinked hard, trying to figure out what my next move was going to be. Clearly there were more people out there than I had anticipated and there was no chance of me being able to overpower them. But could I really just wait here in the hopes of being rescued?
I summoned my strength and imagined the bindings on my wrists being torn, just like picturing the glass in Godric's apartment moving without being able to see it. The sound of rending fabric greeted my ears a moment later. A small thrill of satisfaction ran through me as I brought my hands around to my front and massaged the sore joints of my shoulders. I quickly untied my feet and felt better for at least not being tied up. I stood and swayed harshly, catching myself on one of the shelves. I took several deep breaths while I regained my balance before taking stock of what was on the shelves.
I hadn't tried to lift more than one thing before but if I could get enough things going then perhaps I would be able to distract the guards long enough to get away.
I did my best, eyes squinting into a glare as I focused. One of the books on the shelf quivered as if being stirred by a breeze but nothing else happened. I pushed with all my might at the row of objects in front of me and nothing happened.
Sweat had broken out across my forehead with the effort of it yet still the most I could do was shift them a couple of inches. That wouldn't get me anywhere. I flopped back down to the ground and put my head in my hands.
I didn't have to worry for very long as several minutes later the door swung open. I hopped up as quickly as I could, swaying dangerously for a moment.
"Come on" a slim man with features that screamed 'average' commanded, motioning me out of the closet.
He was a head or so taller than me, wearing a plain grey shirt and jeans. When I hesitated he reached in and grabbed my upper arm roughly, yanking me along.
"Where are we going?" I questioned, stumbling after him.
The man yanked on my arm harder, causing me to stumble "shut up" he snapped.
I pulled back, digging my heels in "no! Tell me where you're taking me!" I demanded, trying to get my hand free.
"When the fuck did you get out of your restraints?" He growled, trying to catch my other hand in his. Growing quickly frustrated, he slammed me back against the wall, stunning me for a moment. I paused just long enough for him to grab both of my wrists. A man rushed forward and wrapped several layers of duct tape around them. Satisfied, the first man changed his grip to my hair and pulled me along.
I let out a pained gasp and grabbed at his wrist to prevent him from yanking my hair out but I was forced to follow after him.
He turned sharply down a hall and pushed a door open. The room looked like a college dorm room and it made me wonder how often they had people stay overnight to have rooms like this on hand. I wondered also for a moment, why I hadn't been kept in there to begin with but I supposed there were too many things in here that could be construed as a weapon either to hurt them or myself. It left the question then, why had they brought me there?
He pushed me roughly onto the bed and stood in front of me with his hands on his hips. I noticed then, the holster on his belt and my stomach dropped. If he was armed, I didn't stand a chance against him.
"Now, you're going to answer some questions and maybe I'll let you live until your vampire gets here before I kill you both" he curled his lip at me.
I summoned what courage I had and sat up straight, setting him with a glare "I'm not going to tell you jack shit."
The man backhanded me, causing me to fall against the bed. Slowly, I pulled myself up and pushed the hair out of my face. I returned my glare to him and waited.
"You're going to tell me where they sleep during the day" he demanded, raising his hand again in threat.
I shook my head "I don't know where they sleep." I was braced this time, for the strike, but it still sent me reeling. When I straightened, I tasted blood. I drew my lip into my mouth, sucking on it for a minute before spitting the blood at him.
He cursed and struck me again, the blow smacking against my temples. "Where do they sleep you dumb bitch?" He bellowed.
"I don't know!" I exclaimed.
"Oh right. I'm sure a little slut like you has never been in his bed" The man scoffed at me. "We've been watching you, you know. We know you're at that vile bar every night with them."
The thought of them stalking me for who knows how long sent a chill through me but I pushed it away. I could freak out later. I needed to survive this first. "If you've been watching me, then you know I haven't spent the day there" I pointed out.
"But you must know where they spend their day. And you're going to tell me. I'll get the young one tonight but the blond is going to be next" He informed me. I could only assume by young one he meant Godric and Eric would be his next target.
"Well I don't! They don't exactly go throwing that information around" I made my tone as condescending as possible.
The man grasped me by my hair, forcing me to stand before drawing his hand back and punching me in the gut. I fell to the ground with a groan and curled up into the fetal position. I felt like I was going to throw up.
He paced up and down the room, kicking me in the side as he reached me again "you really are of no use to me then. Well, no more use than as bait. I could just shoot you now and they wouldn't know until it was too late" he mused.
I coughed, struggling to catch my breath. "I have a bond with Godric. He will know if you kill me" I gasped. In reality I had no idea whether or not that was still true. He had said the bond wouldn't last very long since I hadn't taken much of his blood but I had never asked about it after that, just kind of forgotten it as the dreams became fewer and farther between.
The man sneered down at me "stupid fangbanging slut" he leered. He grabbed a fistful of my hair and pulled me up again, tossing me back onto the bed. "I guess we can have some fun then, while we wait. Do you think your vampire will be able to sense that?" He mocked, shoving me onto my back.
The realization of what he intended to do made my stomach drop and my eyes widen. I began struggling and kicking immediately, trying to get away from him as best I could. He was on top of me before I could really get away, his legs pushed in between mine and he pulled my bound hands up over my head. I screamed as loudly as I could in his ear and he smacked me again, opening up the cut on my lip. His hand pushed its way between my thighs and groped at my panties.
I squirmed wildly around, trying to find some way of getting him off me when the gun brushed against my thigh. He was distracted fumbling with his zipper so I focused all my energy on the gun. It rose shakily from the holster and pointed towards his head.
The sound of a confrontation outside the door barely registered as I turned the safety off. The sound caught his attention as well. He froze and looked up. The sight of his gun floating in mid-air aimed at his forehead made his eyes widen. Shock covered his face and he gaped at the gun.
"What the fuck?" he questioned, eyes glued to the weapon in front of him.
"Get the fuck off of me" I growled.
Slowly, he backed away, raising his hands up in surrender. His gaze switched between me and the gun, not knowing what to do. After a moment's hesitation, I narrowed my eyes at him and pulled the trigger. I was just tearing through the tape around my wrists when the door slammed open. I trained the gun on the door without even thinking about it "don't come any closer" I warned in a low voice.
My voice had lost any shake that had previously been there and I squared my shoulders as I glared up at the two men in the doorway without registering what they looked like other than one was very tall and the other only slightly taller than me.
Their hands raised up in surrender just as the man had before I had shot him and the taller one took a slow step into the room "Alyssa, calm down" he spoke as if trying to calm an animal.
"I said don't come any closer" I snapped, moving the gun forward in a threat.
He continued to talk to me in a coaxing tone but I blocked out his words. I was starting to feel dizzy again and could feel myself swaying on the bed. It was taking all of my concentration just to keep the gun hovering in spot and even it shook faintly.
"You're going to let me go, right fucking now, do you understand? Or I'm going to shoot you both just like I shot this asshole" I ordered, nodding in the general direction of the body.
The shorter one mumbled something to the taller and was gone in the next second. Arms wrapped around me, drawing me against a hard chest. I screamed, the gun going off in my surprise before clattering to the floor as I tried to wrestle off the person holding me. He was impossibly strong and even as I landed blows to his chest and face he didn't react. I tired quickly, tears pouring down my face while sobs wracked my chest. It was only then that his voice registered.
"Shh, little one. You are safe. No one is going to hurt you" Godric soothed, pushing his hands through my tangled hair.
"Godric?" I gasped out his name.
"Yes little one. I am here now. I am so sorry my dear Alyssa. This is all my fault." He apologized.
I didn't have the energy to respond so I just curled into his lap and pushed my face into the crook of his neck. It dawned on me after a moment that he had been with another person, Eric, when he came in. I lifted my head and glanced around the room. Eric was kneeling by the door with blood all over his shirt. I thought most of it was from whoever had been guarding the door a moment ago but he had a hole in his shirt and blood was oozing out of it.
"Eric! Are you okay?" I questioned.
Eric glanced up at me with a worried look but pushed a smirk onto his face "fine, you just shot me. No big deal" he joked.
My eyes widened and I began a stream of apologies. I didn't stop until Eric raised his hand and rolled his eyes. "I will heal, Alyssa. It is of no concern. I'm impressed, really, that you were able to."
I watched tensely until the bullet pushed itself out of the wound, eliciting a grunt from Eric. A moment later the only evidence that it had happened was the hole in his shirt.
"Come, they are running out of distraction. We must get Alyssa out of here" Eric prompted.
Godric had been rubbing small circles into my back but pulled away at Eric's words. "Can you walk, little one? I will carry you if you would prefer?"
I shook my head "no, I think I can."
Godric gently helped me to my feet and let me walk a few steps. But I was swaying dangerously and had to catch myself on the end of the bed to keep from falling over "I'm really dizzy" I explained, embarrassed at my lack of coordination.
Godric picked me up easily, cradling me in his arms. We zipped through the basement and Godric set me down at the base of a window. I glanced at him questioningly, wondering why he was sneaking us out after already killing a bunch of people.
"It would be much more satisfying to slaughter every last person in this church but your sister and Sookie are also here. Pam will see them safely out and we will return another night" Godric explained grimly.
I accepted his explanation and waited until Eric had pulled himself up through the window to make sure no one was around before allowing Godric to help me out as well. I thought in any other situation I wouldn't like the idea of the two vampires murdering a bunch of people. But considering what the people involved had been willing to do, and would likely be even more determined to do now that Godric and Eric had killed some of their people, I couldn't summon remorse at the thought of their deaths.
Safely out of the church I took a deep breath and felt bile rise in the back of my throat. With barely time to give the vampires a warning, my chest heaved and I threw up against the side of the building. I threw up several times until my stomach was empty and I could do nothing more than dry heave until it passed.
When I straightened and wiped my mouth off Godric was watching me with a concerned expression. "Did you hit your head, little one?" Godric asked, gently cupping the side of my face.
I thought back and nodded "a couple times. My head was smacked against the floor a few times earlier."
Godric frowned at me "we should get you home."
He stepped forward and scooped me up. Eric was gone, I realized, looking around curiously. I asked Godric where he had gone and he explained that Eric had gone to make sure Pam, Evan, and Sookie had gotten out safely.
I was glad that Pam would have backup in getting the other girls out of the church. Godric sped me home and I clutched at his shirt, my hair whipping in my face. Godric slowed outside of my apartment and I was only able to give him a small warning to set me down before I was throwing up again. When I was finished again, Godric wound his arm around my waist and pulled mine across his shoulders so that he could help me up the stairs rather than carrying me. I wanted nothing more than to build a cocoon out of my bed and stay under the sheets for several years. But first I needed to make sure Evan made it home safely.
I desperately needed to change so Godric led me to my room and grabbed the clothes I had instructed him to while I slumped on the edge of my bed. He respectfully stepped out of the room while I changed the nightgown I had been wearing since the morning for a pair of flannel pants and a thick sweater. I slowly made my way to the living room with Godric hovering at my elbow in case I was hit with another wave of dizziness. I successfully made it to the couch and before I could ask, Godric was handing me a glass of water.
I was finishing the last of it at Godric's request when the door flew open and Evan rushed in. she was followed by Eric, Sookie, and Pam who were much less rushed to get into the apartment. Evan skidded into the living room and flung herself at me. Her arms wound around my waist. She curled around my knees, kneeling in front of me and I bent over her, clutching her as close as I could.
She cried into my lap and I couldn't help the tears that streamed down my cheeks in response. The events of the day were hitting me full force and I was soon sobbing uncontrollably.
The others had stepped out of the living room to give us space and I could hear their voices coming from the other room. Evan pulled back after a moment to look at me. We both wiped the tears from our eyes and sniffed. It took me several minutes to get the crying under control again but every once and a while another tear slipped down my cheeks.
"Don't ever do that again! I was beside myself worrying about you!" Evan admonished, trying to put an angry look on her face.
I gave her a shaky smile and nodded to her "I'll try not to." I affectionately pushed hair out of her face and sighed.
The vampires came back into the room sometime later. Eric's hand was balanced on Sookie's shoulder I noticed, keeping her close to him even though they didn't otherwise touch. Pam was doing her best to look bored but I thought I could detect some concern in her eyes and it made me feel good to know that despite her cold exterior she did care a little bit.
"Are you okay Alyssa?" Sookie asked carefully "I mean, physically of course."
I paused to take stock of my injuries before I answered. My wrists were bruised from being tied up and I had more bruises covering the rest of my body. I thought I probably was going to have a black eye since I could tell my cheek was swelling already. Then there was the pounding headache I had and the dizziness. It wasn't a good sign, was it? My head was fuzzy though and I couldn't bring up why I thought it was abnormal. I listed off my injuries to Sookie and asked Evan to grab my a couple ibuprofen for my headache.
"I think you likely have a concussion, little one" Godric informed me gently.