Chapter Twelve

Sookie was thankful to have the chains off. Her skin was slowly healing as she sighed heavily. Things were going from bad to worse quickly. With Russell back, she knew that it was only a matter of time before shit went south.

"I'm glad you have the chains off. Hungry?" Alcide walked in with a hamburger.

"Yes, starving." She walked over to the bars, and he passed the burger through to her. His hand lingered on hers.

"I'm really sorry about what happened to you. I know you would have never wanted this for yourself." He spoke softly and tears began once more. Alcide always knew her.

"Well, at least I can eat now." She wiped her face.

"You will always be my favorite girl." He pulled his hand back through the bars. "Anyway, I don't want to take up all your time."

"Are you kidding me, Alcide? Look where I am!" She laughed and sat on the floor close to the bars. "Tell me how you have been for the last six months."

"It's going to be a boring story." He sat down too.

"I hope it's the most boring thing in the world because if I hear that you have been living it up during the apocalypse then I will totally kick your ass."

"Oh, so we are going there, huh?" He laughed. "If I remember correctly, last time you tried a sneak attack on me you ended up on your back." He smirked playfully and she could remember why she had fallen so hard for him. He was just such a nice guy. His tone changed to serious as he looked at her. "You are going to leave with him, aren't you?"

Sookie nearly choked on her burger as she chewed a large piece. "What?" She tried to act shocked.

"You know I have keen instincts, right?" He smirked. "Plus, you are a horrible liar, Sookie Stackhouse."

She sighed with defeat. "Please don't tell anyone."

"You know I won't." He sighed. "I know why you are doing it too and as much as I hate the thought of you leaving. I respect why you are doing it."

"You are going to find your perfect person, Alcide. I know you will." She meant that too. He would make a wonderful husband and father. If things would have turned out differently then she was sure she would have ended up with Alcide. The short amount of time they had together had been some of her favorites. She felt normal with him. Sure, he was a werewolf, but he was also one of the most genuine men that she knew.

"I already did." He smiled softly and the air around them got quiet.

"How did I know that you two would find a way to make this awkward." Tara walked in the room and laughed as they both looked at her. Alcide stood up.

"So, I am going to go." Alcide walked over to the door and then stopped. "I'll come by later."

"I would like that very much." She smiled and then he left.

"Wow, this place is becoming love triangle center," Tara smirked. "No one expects their dead ex to come back."

"Oh me and Alcide are not…" Sookie began to ramble nervously.

"Like hell, you're not. You guys have a buttload of unfinished business."

"Things are always like that with me and Alcide." Sookie laughed nervously. "But enough about me. How have you been?"

"Well, it's been a shit show Sook." Tara sighed heavily. "I never gave much thought about the whole reincarnation thing." She took a seat on the floor. "Turns out that it is not all it's cracked up to be."

"Well, I am glad you're here." Sookie smiled. "I missed you so much."

"I wish I could say I missed you, but I don't remember anything except fighting off some guy and then I was waking back up on the ground." Tara shrugged her shoulders. "I still can't believe you guys buried my sludge."

"We had a beautiful memorial. You would have liked it."

"I'm sure I would have hated it." Tara laughed.

"Ok, you would have hated it so much!" Sookie laughed. "So, tell me about this place? Does everyone live here like one big happy family?"

"Basically, but it's all broken up into factions."

"Factions?"

"Russell feels it would be best to keep the species apart. Humans, witches, Vampires, and wolves. But the wolves refuse to sleep inside. They have packs around the property." She sighed. "The humans offer their blood for protection. It's a fucked-up cycle."

"I still can't believe Russell is back and in charge after everything he did. Why is no one standing up to him?" Sookie was still in shock.

"Because it's not just him. It's the authority too. They are all back and at the end of the day what they say goes." Tara rolled her eyes.

"Then why do you stay here?"

"Safety in numbers I supposed. It's not like there will be an election next year and we vote someone new into office." Tara sighed. "This is it. Who would have thought that we would see our very own apocalypse."

"It's only going to get worse, isn't it?"

"We've got each other. That's all that matters." Tara stood up now. "And as much as I hate that Eric is now your maker, well he is always good for shaking things up. So, who knows, maybe there will be a change after all."

"I worry about Jason and Adele."

"He's a really good dad too, Sook." Tara smiled. "He changes every diaper, and he refuses to let anyone feed her but him."

"I hate that he has to do it alone."

"I think he and Jessica might be rekindling something."

"Really? I know things ended kind of abruptly with them back in the day."

"Yeah well, the end of the world does weird things to people. I mean look at you and Eric." Tara rolled her eyes.

"I feel different with him." Sookie's tone got serious. "And now it's like…"

"Intense. I know. Pam and I have our moments."

"Are you two together?" Sookie's eyes got wide.

"No way she is a bitch." Tara smirked. "I might have someone on the side though."

"What? Girl, you know you better spill the beans!"

"You don't say anything ok, because it's not really anything." Tara looked around nervously.

"Just spit it out, Tara."

"Sam."

"Sam?" Sookie asked with confusion and then her eyes got wide. "Sam Merlotte?"

"Can you keep your voice down. Like I said it's not really anything."

"Don't listen to her Sookie, she can't keep her hands off me." Sam walked into the room and Sookie gasped in shock. She hadn't seen him since he left town with his pregnant girlfriend. Sam walked over to the cage and smiled. "How did I know that you would get yourself locked up Sookie."

"You look good Sam."

"You do too but I have to say this whole vampire fairy thing is a bit overplayed if you ask me."

Sookie wanted to ask him what happened to his girlfriend, but she could see the sadness in his eyes. There was definitely a story there, but Sookie was not ready to hear it.

"So, what kind of trouble are you girls planning? A breakout?" Sam smirked.

"You know that idea isn't half bad." Tara grinned.

"I already had Eric promise that no one would do anything to get in trouble," Sookie interjected.

"Oh yeah, I forgot. You are with him now. Like forever and always thing." Sam added as he shoved his hands into his pockets.

"I won't make excuses for him but I know he wants to do better."

"You were always seeking the broken souls." Sam smiled softly. "I hope he knows how lucky he is."

"And what am I? Chopped liver." Tara laughed.

"More like hell on wheels." He laughed.

"You weren't complaining last night." Tara challenged him as he walked over to her.

"Ok, you guys. I'm good with seeing all of that." Sookie laughed.

"We'll have coffee when you get out of that." Sam smiled.

"Make it a beer and you're on." Sookie smiled as he left, and Tara blushed deeply. "Oh my god, you and Sam are like really together!"

"Listen it's still new. He's still mourning you know." Tara spoke quietly.

"And his baby?" Sookie couldn't help but ask as Tara shook her head no.

"It's dangerous out there, Sook. It's not just the other survivors, it's Lilith's army. You either join them or die. They are ruthless and getting stronger every day."

"Someone needs to stop them."

"How? She's literally like a god and then there is Warlow."

"They aren't just going to stop." Sookie let the realization of the situation sink in. They were fucked. Like royally fucked.

Eric stood in front of the makeshift council of witches. He was quickly losing his patience. He wasn't one for conforming.

"You have single-handedly killed over twenty members of the witch community." One of the head witches by the name of Alexandria spoke.

"There were extenuating circumstances." Eric looked at Lafayette and then back at the dark-haired witch.

"I think what Mr. Northman is trying to say is that he is very sorry and that he is working on himself." Nan smiled.

"Sure, let's say that." Eric rolled his eyes.

"We need to discuss this in private." Alexandria excused herself and the other witches as they went to another room to discuss what to do with him.

"You know it wouldn't kill you to try a bit harder, Eric." Nan sighed.

"I mean obviously I didn't kill off the entire community."

"That doesn't make it any better. I can only vouch for so much. You are going to have to get along with them if you plan on staying around."

The sound of yelling was heard out in the hallway. It was a familiar voice.

"Eric, no!" Nan chased after him as he opened the door and Russell stood there as Talbot slammed the door in his face.

He turned and looked at Eric. "Ah, just the vampire I wanted to see." He smiled. "You look well, Eric."

"And you're alive, again." Eric added dryly.

"I just want you to know that it's all water under the bridge. Sure, you killed me and Talbot but we're back so no need to bring it up." Russell grinned. "Join me for a drink?"

Eric looked at him suspiciously. "Sure." He didn't trust him one bit. Even death wouldn't change Russell.

"Nan, I got this from here." He grinned and then looked at Eric. "We have a lot to discuss."

"I will let you know when the witches have made their decision." Nan turned from them. "Try not to kill each other, again." She walked away.

"She was always so dramatic, don't you think?" Russell grinned as he began to walk down the hall. "I had a fresh pint drawn today. Now I know it's not like drinking from the source, but it makes the mortals anxious." Russell smirked as he entered a large study and Eric followed him.

He walked over to a cabinet and pulled out two glasses. "So, the end of the world, huh?"

"What are you planning Russell and don't give me this I've changed bullshit."

"I know I wasn't always the best example of calm but that has changed."

"You single-handedly tried to start a war among us."

"And look what that got me? Dead. A leopard can change its spots." He handed Eric a glass. He inhaled deep and then downed it.

"So, you are just on the straight and narrow now?" Eric rolled his eyes.

"Why is that so hard to believe? I admit that losing Talbot may have pushed me over the edge, but he is back and we're happy as can be."

Doesn't seem that way to me. He just shut you out of the room."

"I didn't say we were perfect." Russell grinned and sipped his drink. "I see that you finally got yourself the girl. A fairy vampire, how glorious!"

"You stay away from, Sookie." Eric warned.

"I mean no harm to you or your progeny."

"Uh-huh." Eric didn't believe one word coming out of his mouth. He may have everyone else fooled but Eric knew better.

"We have been given the ability to rebuild an even better world."

"And there it is." Eric narrowed his eyes.

"I don't mean like that, Eric. Lighten up."

"If you haven't noticed, Lilith is back and planning on destroying everything."

"There will always be a villain to every new beginning."

"Fine, if you are so changed then what do you plan on doing to stop her?"

"She was killed once."

"And she came back."

"The witches are working on a spell to keep her bound in Bill's body so that she can be taken down."

"And you feel that it will be that easy?" Eric rolled his eyes.

"Eric, this is a great opportunity for all of us."

"Pardon me if I don't see the light at the end of the tunnel."

"You don't need to worry about any of that. You should focus your time on your newfound relationship."

"So then you will advocate for Sookie to be let out?"

"I am not the enemy here, Eric. I am all for young love." He grinned.

"Then what is up with this collar I am being forced to wear?"

"Just precautions, that's all. It will be removed soon enough." Russell walked over to him. "You know if you were to help me out a little then maybe I could pull more strings."

"Now this sounds more like the Russell I know." Eric rolled his eyes.

Russell sighed. "It's not what you think."

"If it has anything to do with Sookie then the answer is no."

Russell rolled his eyes. "I don't think you understand the opportunity we have here to fix things. We could attack Lilith during the day and catch her off guard."

"You're not having Sookie's blood."

"Oh, Eric stop being so dramatic. A few drops here and there won't hurt your fairy."

"No."

Russell forced a smile. "Ok. Sorry, I asked."

"If I even think that you look at her wrong then I will kill you in a way that you will never come back from." Eric turned for the door.

"We all need to work together if we want to get rid of Lilith. Remember that."

"I don't care what you do to kill her but leave Sookie out of it." Eric left the room.

Meanwhile, Sookie was doing something that she didn't think was possible considering her new lifestyle. She was actually dreaming.

She was back at her home, and she was laying in the backyard sun tanning.

"Sookie I made some lunch!" Her gran called out as she looked up and smiled.

"Coming, Gran." She tossed a shirt on over her bikini top and walked inside. Instead of seeing her gran making sandwiches, she saw her bloodied body on the ground. She gasped in shock as it brought her right back to finding her gran's body all those years ago. "Gran. GRAN!" She crumbled to the floor beside her body. The air around her got dark as she sobbed heavily.

"I could bring her back, Sookie." A familiar voice made her stiffen as she looked up and saw Bill standing there. "I can bring them all back."

"Get away from me!" Sookie shot out a beam of light from her hand but it just went through Bill and didn't even touch him.

"Haven't you learned anything by now, Sookie? You can't hurt me." He stepped closer and she backed up as she tried to find something to use as a weapon. Seconds later Bill was right in front of her.

"I'm dreaming. This isn't real. I'm going to wake up." She gasped as she tried to force herself to wake.

"I can keep you here as long as I want." Bill smiled wickedly. "Don't make this harder than it has to be."

The sound of more footsteps made her eyes get wide as Warlow walked into the kitchen.

"Hello, Sookie." He smiled at her.

"Stay back, both of you!" She yelled and then took off running out the back door. Once outside it was as if the sun disappeared and nothing, but dark clouds loomed overhead. She ran as fast as she could and then she saw Eric in the distance. "Eric!" She cried out to him as he waved. Her eyes got wide as she saw Warlow walk up behind him. "Eric! He's behind you!" She cried out as he just stood there. Seconds before she reached him, Warlow slammed his fist through his chest and yanked his heart out. He fell to the ground and exploded as Sookie screamed. She fell to the ground as her hands tried to collect his innards.

"Come with us and this will never become a reality." Warlow stared down at her as she continued to sob uncontrollably.

"This is just the beginning. Imagine all your friends and family gone in an instant." Bill walked over as she cried. One by one she saw her friends dying and she was powerless to stop them. They left Jason and his daughter for last.

"Please, don't! Stop!" She cried. "I will do what you want. I will!"

"Then wake up." Bill smiled.

Sookie gasped as her eyes shot open. She had tears rolling down her face as she sat up. The sight of the cage door open made her eyes open wider. She could still hear them in her head. They were taunting her.

"Come to us, Sookie. Save your friends."

Eric was beyond frustrated as he made his way back to her. He needed to get them out of this place soon. He knew Russell was up to no good. He stepped into the basement and glanced at the empty cages.

"Sookie?" He walked over to her opened cage. Had Nan let her out? He quickly went to find her. He made his way back down the hall and he saw Nan talking to Jason. "Where is she?"

They both turned to him.

"Where's Sookie?"

"What do you mean?" Nan asked with confusion and then a loud alarm went off. "What did you do, Eric?"

"I didn't do shit. Where is Sookie!"

"My sister is missing?" Jason interjected but Eric didn't stand around to hear the rest as he took off with incredible speed. He made his way outside where a lot of the wolves looked frantic.

"There's been a breach." One of them yelled and then they took off. Eric followed them.

He could see Sookie in the distance, but she wasn't alone. Warlow was there with Bill.

"SOOKIE!" He yelled as he lunged for them but the spell protection on the territory and the collar around his neck stopped him violently as he got tossed backward by an invisible force. He slammed into a nearby tree and it cracked audibly.