Disclaimer: This story is rated T+/ M (Mature) Content may be suitable for persons ages 17 and older. Will most likely contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content, and strong language.
Layla's Pov
We were dropped off at a corner bus stop off the main strip close to the docks where we thought the rave could be. Hoping it would be less walking for me.
The sky had darkened, foreboding above us, and the city lights behind us refracted against the clouds, turning it into a smoky grey-green color.
I shivered, my bare shoulders hunched inward at the cold. Brianna had convinced me out of a jacket since 'it clashed' and 'we'd be in a sea of sweaty bodies soon.'
Where we were headed now, away from the lights and most establishments, encroached a deeper darkness that set us both on edge.
"If we don't see a sign around the next corner-" I started swinging the black light in step with my pace.
"Shine the light over there!" Brianna pointed to a spray-painted wall.
Like us, a group of people dressed for a rave walked ahead. I flashed the black light at the wall they lingered at before.
The blacklight revealed a number:'62'. "As in Warehouse 62!" Brianna whispered excitedly, linking arms with me. We picked up our pace; it couldn't be far now.
The thumping music gave away which alley to take. There, waiting in line, we found a few members of our old crew.
They entered the rave first, handing over their fake IDs and flyers that doubled as invitations.
I was ready to get mine out, too, when a finger tapped me on my shoulder.
"Hey, Layla." "Liam?!" I asked, astonished to see my 'sort of' ex. He hugged me abruptly.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, stunned and repulsed.
"I wanted to see DeadHaus5. The girls told me you were still going, so I thought, why not take the opportunity to catch up?"
"What?" I laughed without humor. "You're next in line." He pointed out.
Brianna's arm reached out, snatching me away, not noticing the highjacker of the night behind me.
It turned out that we didn't need our fake IDs to get in. The bouncer was too enthralled with B's scandalous outfit and flirtation abilities to care.
I slipped behind her like a shadow, checking the scene and separating myself from Liam as far as possible. This was supposed to be a girls' night.
The warehouse was decked out as we had hoped. Lit up with a color-changing floor and giant speakers. Both ends of the space held a platform for musical artists to perform. A round bar was strategically placed in the center far wall with seating on either side. Above, the former rafters were transformed into the VIP lounge section.
"This. is. epic!" Brianna bounced. "Let's get drinks before the set list we like comes on." She dragged me through the crowd, beelining for the bar.
I was glad for the bustling hive of people. It would be easy to deflect into the crowd if a certain someone were to find me. After a few rounds of drinks and broken conversations with our other two girlfriends, Brianna started picking out guys she liked.
"Take your pic!" I shouted over the base. I knew I only had a couple of songs in me before my ankle gave out, so I had to choose my songs wisely.
I sat back, sipping on my drink as I watched on. When my buzz kicked in, Manic Pixie came on.
"Come on!" B waved for me to join them. I swayed to the beat until my favorite song came on. The girls separated to make room for me and then gravitated toward the center, where more of the light show was apparent. Brianna found a partner to dance with, which left me on my own.
I didn't mind dancing on my own until the worst found me.
"You look incredible tonight." Liam leaned in closer as if to dance with me. His hot breath in my ear made me flinch.
"What?" It was so loud I could hardly hear him. He took my hand anyway.
"I'm good." I backed away, bumping into someone behind me. "Come on! Just one song for old-time sake?" He pressed.
I shook my head, no, and the light show went crazy, blinding us both, so I doubt Liam saw my gesture.
"Is this guy bothering you?" A clear voice cut through the noise. The lights glittered off the boy's skin oddly.
"No bro, you can-"Liam started. I nodded yes.
The boy I didn't know took my free hand and spun me away in the opposite direction, letting the sea of bodies swallow us up.
The beat dropped, and the crowd jumped, walling Liam off from me permanently.
I finished dancing to the song with my savior of the night. He wasn't trying to push up on me and held a considerate space between us, which allowed us to move freely to the beat. Something about him seemed familiar, though. When Manic Pixie ended, the opposite stage lit up, switching artists.
The guy draped an arm around my shoulders and led me off the dance floor.
We climbed a metal staircase and headed for the VIP lounge. Inside the glass box, it was much quieter.
He led me to sit with him on a white, edgeless couch. "Thank you so much. You have no idea." I thanked him.
"No problem. I saw you dancing from up here. You looked like you were having fun, so I thought I'd join you." He shrugged.
"I'm glad you did. I know this sounds crazy, but do I know you?" I asked unscrupulously. I couldn't let it go.
"That depends..." His eyes were a strange reddish color, squinted with humor. The realization hit me.
"You're Rocket Fire! I saw your debut in LA." The tension in his eyes eased.
"We're facing off with Torch Tribute tonight." He answered. "Awesome!" An attendant came by handing out bottled water.
We conversed about his music and his new coming up in the music industry. Turns out he was from Port Angeles.
I would have never guessed such a talent to come out of a small town. Then again, that's where undiscovered talent usually hid.
The more we talked, the more things I noticed about him. Something about him reminded me of the Cullens.
The marble cool fair skin, the sharpness of his gaze, and the grace with which he moved. I'd have to ask EJ if he had a cousin or something.
Caleb was around seventeen with similar short, wavy brown hair. He was also less boyish and considerably taller. That and Caleb had wider, distinct facial features with thicker brows and a freckle mid-cheek on the left side.
"It's almost time." A slender girl wearing a vest with nothing underneath and long pleather pants strutted up to us. A friend of his, maybe? She was beautiful in an androgynous kind of way.
"Hey, Tess." Caleb nudged his chin up in acknowledgment. "Who's this?" Tess asked, curious.
When she tilted her head, the silken, inky hair swayed to the side, exposing a shaved side dyed electric blue.
"Layla, You must be Tessa Tomlin." I stood up to shake her hand. "Big fan, huh?" She flashed a smile, exposing a sharp pair of eyeteeth.
"Kinda," I admitted, embarrassed. "Good, we need you." Tessa encouraged, eyeing me.
Caleb's easy expression turned cold. "Don't be like that 'Rocket.' We have something to prove tonight. Come on." Tessa turned on her heel for the stage.
I shivered, sitting back down. Caleb shrugged off his jacket and draped it over my bare shoulders. "Could you wait here?" He asked.
"Sure. I mean, I did come to see you guys play." I admitted lightly. I shivered again, expecting his jacket to be warm, but it wasn't.
"Okay, cool. Just don't leave with anyone you don't know." Caleb stepped off for the stage. That was chivalrous of him.
The green lights that beamed up from the stage scattered with the build-up of the techno-punk mix.
The DJ battle was incredible, and my night finally felt like it was turning around for the better.
Green switched to red, darting across Caleb and Tessa's skin again oddly. I had to admit whatever effect they were using looked cool.
Brianna finally found me clambering up the metal steps. The second bouncer let her in the lounge when I waved to her.
"There you are! You about scared me to death. You wouldn't guess who's here looking for you." She plopped down next to me on the white couch. I handed her the extra water bottle Caleb didn't take.
The glitter balm on her skin had separated into clumps where the sweat dried under her eyes.
"Are you ready to leave soon?" I asked, observing how tired she was. "Almost; I might have one more song in me. Wanna join?"
I shook my head no. My ankle was throbbing. "It is a nice view." She noted with a sigh, staring at Caleb, performing alone now.
His new single was yet to be completed, but here was a good place to test it.
"Would you like to meet the bands in the back?" Tessa asked, appearing out of nowhere. "For real?" Brianna bounced up.
"Sure, we're headed downtown to a lounge for just our talent. If you really are done for the night, though, its an easy place to grab a cab." Tessa coaxed us in.
We followed her downstairs. "Is Caleb coming?" I asked, remembering his request.
"Looks like he's on his way now." Tessa frowned. One of the bouncers ushered us toward the back.
"Tessa." Caleb hissed. His eyes sharpened on her.
"Relax, that's what we're here for. To have a good time, have a few drinks." Her eyes slid back over to us ominously.
My brows twisted in confusion. Brianna, obliviously intoxicated, went ahead, chatting with a bodyguard by the back door we were about to pass.
He looked over his shoulder to Caleb and Tessa, arguing lowly about something.
"Fine." Tessa's face brightened as she glided over to us. "Sorry about that. Bandmates butting heads."
She excused herself, walking up to my friend escorting her into the back alleyway.
"Sorry about that. Did you have a good time?" Caleb questioned, glancing over his shoulder.
The crisp air shattered the heat wave from inside the rave. Brianna clung to her core, experiencing the same thing.
The entertainers didn't seem affected by the change as we continued down the cobblestone walkway.
I checked my phone from my purse. It was just after midnight.
Rain trickled down in cold needles.
"Brianna King. What did you do?" I raised my voice, increasing my pace to meet her. She flinched at my tone.
"I figured you needed a little help." B knew exactly what I was talking about.
There were several missed calls and text messages from Jacob. I opened them discretely.
"You sent him a picture of me? You said it was for Ashely!" I caught up with her hissing in a heated whisper.
"I don't see what the big deal is. You like him, don't you?" Brianna whispered back. I glowered at her.
"Okay, okay. I'm sorry. I should have asked." Brianna caved into an apology.
"You shouldn't have done it at all! I didn't tell anyone I was going out tonight for a reason." My whispers climbed into full speech volume in my frustration.
"Oops." Brianna shrank back. I sighed dramatically, backing off now.
"I need to get back to the apartment, sober up, and call Jake before he jumps to conclusions. No, better yet, I pray he doesn't hate me after this. If he tells Syd or my dad, I'm screwed." I ranted, stomping ahead, ignoring my ankle's shouts of pain.
"You're looking at this all the wrong way. He won't throw you under the bus if he likes you." B tried to reason with me, but I was already over it and wanted to leave.
"Wait, Wait. I'll come with you to explain! I can change my flight and everything." Brianna galloped in her chunky heels to meet me.
"Don't bother." I had no idea which direction we were headed.
"Just up here." Tessa appeared before us.
Caleb was beside me now with a smooth expression. His jaw flexed as if he was holding his breath.
"Actually, we might pass on the offer. It's late." Brianna vouched.
We reached the end of the alley, where a wooden picket fence met another building.
"We totally understand. Why not grab a bite before you go?" Tessa opened a large metal door, discretely hidden in the wall of the building.
The lone street lamp above us flickered a few times.
Brianna looked at me, and I nodded. I didn't want her to miss out on hanging out with Manic Pixie if there was a chance she should be there.
Then, a sinking feeling assaulted my stomach, and a shiver shot up my spine. I stopped in my tracks.
"Layla?" Brianna asked, looking back. "Did you forget your jacket?" I asked her.
"I didn't bring one." Brianna was slow tonight. We both knew she didn't bring one.
Our usual girl code wasn't applicable here, so I was trying to improvise. Whenever one of us felt unsafe, we usually dished it out in the girl's bathroom and left a party. Here. Outside in the open, I was limited. I stared back at her for a long minute, hoping she would get it.
"I think getting out of the rain would help." Tessa probed impatiently.
"Yeah, let's talk inside." Brianna nodded, finally getting it.
When they entered through the thick metal door, it looked like it led to the cellar. It was common in Seattle to have a two-level bar.
I could see the bar through the slats of the wooden fence just before walking in. Maybe my worry was for nothing.
Once inside the short tunnel, Caleb shut the heavy metal door behind us, sealing off all the light.
Brianna screamed. Another door on the far end opened and slammed. I was too scared to scream.
"B?" I called. No answer.
A dim red light flickered on above me. I turned to run the opposite way we came. But Caleb faced me, catching my arms.
"Please, don't. Whatever you are doing. Don't." I begged, my voice barely audible, increased in panic. Caleb grimaced.
My legs trembled. "I am sorry about this." Caleb turned me around and made me walk with him forward.
"Tessa's wrong for doing this, but we have a job to do." He whispered as if reminding himself of that.
My heart pounded so hard that it pounded in my head. "You might want to slow your heart rate if you want to survive this..."
"Be silent; keep still. You and your friend will get home safely," Caleb promised. The assurance in his voice was strangely believable.
"Okay." I breathed, still shaking. He pulled me through the second door to a new room just as dimly lit.
It looked like a wine cellar. The inventory stretched down the long corridor; on either side of the walkway in front of it was a line of chairs facing inward.
People were sitting in these chairs. Slumped over, dazed and confused.
I thrashed once in his arms. "Don't," Caleb warned.
"It's okay to close your eyes." He assured again.
What were we here for? Were they going to drug us and harvest our organs? Or are we to be sedated and trafficked?
"What do you want?" The tremor of fear was tangible. How did my night of fun turn to horror?
"A donation," Caleb whispered.
When I was close enough, he nudged me back in a chair.
I fell back easily.
A second later, I was hooked up and strapped into the chair.
I winced as something pricked my arm. A needle.
Then, I nearly gagged when I looked up from my arm. An IV was hooked up, and it seemed as though they were collecting blood.
Everyone's blood. Why were they doing this?
I felt like I was going to throw up. The stench of blood tainted the air despite the draft.
A man in a white coat came by, working his way down, removing IVs and gathering filled blood bags. He loaded them carefully onto a medical cart in the center aisle.
I watched him work down the line until my vision distorted and my head drooped just like the others.
"B, can you hear me?" I asked in a frantic whisper, feeling myself fade out.
"Quiet." I heard Caleb repeat himself. I bit my trembling lower lip.
"Please," I whimpered even quieter, closing my eyes.
I wasn't sure how much time had passed when I woke up, but I heard something crank open like a vault.
Then, a light shone through from the opposite end. I peeked to see what was happening.
A dark silhouette of a man's shadow stretched between the line of chairs.
"Collect the wine first. Then bring the samples through individually."
"Yes, Sir." I heard voices agree to the instruction.
I squeezed my eyes shut again until I felt a slight tug and the release of my restraints.
"You did well. Now. Whatever you do, don't try to run. I wouldn't be able to stop them all," Caleb whispered in my ear again.
My eyes snapped open at that. Every chair around me was now empty.
"And maybe consider never coming back to Seattle." He mumbled to himself.
I felt light-headed. Our movement felt slow, and my vision distorted as he moved me.
I looked forward towards the light clinging to Caleb's arm that carried me.
We paused at the top as if waiting in line.
Near the door, one more person slumped over in the corner. A male grayish-pale in color draped his head back in an unnatural way.
Two figures over him argued in hushed tones.
It took me a moment to realize the man was dead.
The two figures noticed us. Caleb glared and ceased their banter to step in front of my line of sight.
That should have sent me screaming, but I got ridged.
Maybe what they say is true. Fight, flight, or freeze really was a thing.
I was completely unnerved inside yet completely aware of my surroundings.
It felt like pins and needles were crawling up, down, and all around my body.
Like when you sit for too long, cutting off your circulation, and then stand up to feel the blood flow return.
My head swam. "Hold on." Caleb brought me into a room of brighter light. I was temporarily blinded.
The floor underneath me switched to tile. The sounds of classical music and people conversing erupted.
The stench of blood dissipated into a collective sweet scent of perfume and cool air.
When my vision adjusted and my witness somewhat gathered. I witnessed a room full of pompous-looking aristocrats in fine cocktail attire.
They seemed to be in the middle of a wine tasting, sampling in the size of a shot glass.
"Number 23." A woman's voice announced. They all lifted a cup to their lips.
Caleb hooked his arm under mine as if I were his evening escort to this semi-formal event.
I kept my eyes lowered to the checkered marble floor. I didn't want to remember any faces and give them a reason to kill me.
I shivered again at that dark thought.
He walked me around the room close enough to see their feet brush mine.
I could feel them lean in and inhale a breath in my personal space.
"Pretty, isn't she?" "I think she smells too flowery. Bring back the other one." "How can you tell with that stupid jacket on?"
Caleb hissed when the last man got too close. The sound startled me and made my heart pulse in a frenzy. It made me dizzy again.
"Pardon me." The stranger spoke sarcastically and took a step back. Caleb's next hiss was quieter in a lingering warning.
"Well done tonight. Caleb, Tess. We have quite the variety tonight." The announcer woman's high voice trilled joyfully.
"That's good news, Greta." Caleb greeted plainly.
His grip tightened on my arm, making me look up, wincing in pain.
I saw the woman Greta. Her tall, willowy box frame was wrapped in a shimmery, peachy beige dress. It was covered in intricate clear beadings. The ends of the hem were see-through, showing off her long legs. Like everyone here, she was hauntingly beautiful.
What startled me the most about her appearance was her eyes. Bugging bright, practically glowing blood red. How they were set in her short round face reminded me of a living doll. The creepy kind.
"Number 24," Greta announced, taking the tiny glass off the bronze plate being offered around.
Everyone raised a glass to take the shot.
Looking me dead in the eyes, Greta threw it back.
My brain couldn't register what was happening, but the action made me feel appalled.
"Excuse us." Caleb pulled me away to a buffet table full of food.
Brianna was there filling her plate and stuffing her face simultaneously. Caleb's grip kept me in place and from going to her.
I noticed a platinum-blond man speaking with her.
"Get her out," I whispered to Caleb in the calmest tone I could manage.
"Yes. She is on her way out. But first, you need to eat something." He left me to speak with the man in the all-black suit.
Woozy, I braced myself with the table. It shook, trembling the bountiful display.
A bronze cup was thrust in front of me. "Drink. All of it." A faint trace of a Russian accent ordered me.
I did as I asked. The pomegranate juice stung the back of my dry throat, but I gulped it down.
Some of it dripped down the corners of my mouth, but I didn't care much.
"Good. Now, would you like to continue donating with us in the future? Or would you like this to be your last time?" He asked.
"What?" I croaked. He lifted my chin to look at him and removed my glass.
His fingers were like ice, as were the rest of his features. His platinum blond hair was slicked back with gel; his face was sharply angular, and where I expected, pale blue eyes...dim crimson stared back at me.
"For every bag, it is typically 150. You gave about three tonight, so you will receive about 450 USD." He didn't elaborate further.
"What? I want to leave." I stated, confused.
He nodded and handed me a plate. "Eat."
My hand shook as I picked grapes and popped them into my mouth. I plucked assorted cheeses off the tower and stuffed truffled chocolates into my purse that was somehow back on my arm.
"That's it for tonight! The wine bottle bidding begins in the next room." Greta pulled back a red velvet curtain, exposing a lush dining area.
Caleb hovered behind me at the food table with that man, who seemed to be monitoring the line of clients exiting the room with Greta.
The man with the white coat from the cellar, now dressed as an old bartender, pushed a cart of dark-glassed wine bottles toward the dining area.
Tessa, trying to step out of the way of clients, accidentally kicked a wine bottle from the lower part of the cart.
It shattered on the ground at my feet. A thick, sticky liquid splattered in an expanding pool at my feet.
Eyes wide, I finally registered what was happening.
I dropped my plate and screamed.
"Get her out!" Caleb shoved me into the arms of the Russian man in the black suit.
"Da." He grabbed me roughly and darted us out.
"What did I tell you-?!" Greta growled.
In the blink of an eye, we were outside and down a different street on a block I didn't know.
He set me down. The lights were gone, and the sprinkling rain stung my exposed skin.
The world spun around me, and I staggered on my wedges.
I gripped the stop sign to stabilize myself. I leaned over, gasping and dry heaving.
"You're all sickos! Freaks!" I shrieked. The man ignored me, pulling out his cell phone.
I took this opportunity to kick off my shoes and bolt.
Before I could make it down the street or scream for help, the man appeared before me.
"Don't make this harder than it needs to be." His accent thickened.
"Vitaly." A charming voice chided. "What is the meaning of this?" Niccolò strode around the corner.
"Nothing. Just wrapping up the loose end." The man holding me hostage spoke.
"Niccolò! Please, help me!" I gasped in a panic, yanking my arms. Probably bruising them further.
Niccolò strolled closer unalarmed. "Miss Layla? What are you doing out here, so late at night, with my friend?"
His eyes were accusing as if he caught a friend with a lover.
Vitaly let go of me and stepped back while Niccolò stepped forward, grasping my face in one hand.
My heart raced in a flurry of panic painfully.
His eyes were the same as those of blood drinkers. Bright crimson.
"I have so many questions." He clicked his tongue disapprovingly.
"But first..." Then he leaned in close. I froze. Holding my breath.
Niccolò craned down, licking the dried juice I spilled. From my neck to my jaw, stopping at the outer corner of my lips.
I teared up, fearful. Then he hovered at my neck again before whispering in my ear.
"Unfortunately, I am a busy man tonight." Niccolò stepped away from me.
I kept holding my breath, watching him. Because I knew the moment I gasped for air, hysterics were in store.
"Go home for now. Rest up, my Bella." Niccolò's words tangibly bound around me like a chain.
"Vi." He spoke his friend's name in an authoritative tone.
"Make sure of this and that it's done immediately." He turned to go back the way he came.
"Why not you?" Vi sounded displeased with this chore.
"I have to find her bottle before a hunt breaks out. Il suo sangue cantera solo per me." Niccolò laughed in a dark melody, disappearing around the corner in which he came.
The black SUV from last night pulled up, running the curb to collect us. Like before, the movement was quick.
I trembled under Vi's icy grip in the backseat. My shoes were oddly on my feet again, and my purse was in my lap.
"Who let you drive? You weren't even born in the century cars were made." Vi complained.
"Everyone's preoccupied." The driver griped and then laughed.
I gasped shallow, quick breaths. They were building into a full-blown panic attack.
"Ah, we got a new one." He noted. Vitaly slapped me just enough to snap me out of the spiral. "I asked where are we taking you?"
I gave him my dad's address. Then my trembling began again.
"My Apologies. I don't particularly like hurting women." I think Vi spoke to me.
Silent tears rolled down my face. "Niccolò's orders are to be followed without question. We have a lot at stake." The driver nodded.
"Da." Vitaly sighed. "Did the Voltari send a spy? I thought Franco said all the careless newborns were eliminated."
"Maybe you should come to the meetings if you have an opinion," Vitaly answered coldy.
"You know how Nic flips...and that Greta girl-" The driver shook his head. "She's an ill omen."
The door propped open, and Vi reappeared, helping me out of the vehicle. My head spun again as I got up too quickly.
Vitaly then gripped both sides of my head, pressing my temples lightly with his fingers.
"You will forget tonight." He ordered. "How can I?" My voice cracked.
A white mental fog crept slowly into my mind, distorting things.
"You and your friends went to rave. You danced all night and drank too much."
My mouth hung open as I stared into his eyes. "I had too much… to drink?"
"Yes. Do yourself a favor. When you head upstairs, have a very strong drink. Then go home. Sleep, rest." Vi instructed.
I nodded once in agreement, and he let me go.
He left in a blink of an eye, and the SUV pulled off the lot.
Then like a mesmerized zombie, I headed up to the apartment.
It felt like I was watching my body move on its own. I flung the apartment door open. Brianna was passed out on the couch, snoring loudly.
I marched over to the bar cart, unhinging the top of my dad's scotch decanter, poured myself a full glass, and chugged it.
"Damn it! That burns." I coughed, dropping the crystal glass on the cart.
I gathered my things sloppily and stuffed them in my suitcase quickly.
I returned to the ground-floor parking lot for my vehicle.
My limbs continued to move, but I had no clue where I was going.
Once in my car, I started crying silently again. No matter how much I willed, my body wouldn't listen to the shouts of my mind.
Where was I going in this state? Where was home?
My grip on the wheel hardened, locked in a white-knuckled blurry-eyed ride. I had no business driving.
Not only did I have trouble driving in the rain, being from LA, but the back winding country roads in the dark? While piss drunk?
I had to call someone for help. The first person who came to mind was Jacob.
The clock on the dash read 1 am. I didn't know if he was awake or if Jacob could, or would, be willing to help me.
I called anyway. It took one ring. "Hello? Layla?" His voice was clear like he had been awake. That was good.
"Oh, Jake, thank God you're awake!" I cried.
"What is it? What's wrong?" Jacob asked; his urgency matched mine.
"I-I." The images of tonight and the memories in my mind were blurring away as if a white misty fog were eating it.
"I needed to leave. Something wasn't right. I'm driving home now, and I just needed to tell someone." My voice cracked at the end.
"Just tell me where you are, and I'll come get you." "I'm already driving back." I fought to keep my words from slurring and wiped my eyes.
The rain was coming down harder as I accelerated. I leaned forward, focusing harder on the path before me.
Once off the bridge, it was a straight shot up the woods.
"Where do I meet you?" Jacob's voice cut out.
"Jake? Jake! No no no…" My phone died. I tossed it aside.
It clattered to the passenger floorboard.
Author's Note:
This chapter was fun to write. I hope you guys are enjoying the action.