“They called of the search for Elizabeth Swan this evening…” the blonde reporter was reporting further details about the mysterious disappearance of the teenage girl, the camera man was shooting home where the girl lived to high light it as a background for the news coverage.

People who gathered around the house began to back away as the Police cars skidded to a halt in front of the house, the reporter walked up to the chief to ask if he had any news, the police men gravely waved her off and headed into the house.

He went into the house where a man was lying on the floor gazing at his lost daughters photo frame. The police bent down on his knees beside him. “I’m afraid that he had killed her…” he said.

The ruffled looking man stared at the chief as silent tears dropped down his cheeks. “I killed her…”Was all he could say. The chief didn’t know how he could comfort his friend. The old man lost his wife only a month ago and now he had to face the disappearance of his only daughter.

The reporter eavesdropped over the entire conversation and reported it. The people who stood there were shocked when they heard what she was saying…The reporter talked to some of the local members.

“She was a nice girl always keeping to herself…I can’t believe it happened to her…”one of the neighbor said. “I think the girl ran away, she couldn’t take her mother’s death and her father was never there for her, he was never sober since his wife death…”Another one said.

A boy in nineteen ran past the police guards into the house, He ran to the chief and fell on his knees gasping for air. “Please…don’t call of the search. I know Lis would be alive somewhere…please…”he begged as tears ran down his face.

“I’m sorry…son…”The chief patted the boys shoulders and walked away. “Mr. Swan…please tell him that Liz is alive…” he begged. “Max…I’m afraid we lost her…” the old man said.

“Don’t you get it, she is alive….”He shrieked at the top of his voice. “Fine…if you don’t find her…I will…”he said and raced off into the forest.
“It seems her stalker had finished off what he had come for…” The news reporter ended.


I walked away from my mother’s memorial, I couldn’t listen to them talk about my mother in past tense. They all missed their good friend, neighbor, teacher and guide but for me she was everything…She was my mother. Why her? If there is anyone that god wanted to punish it should be me, I was the one who did that accident not her. In fact she insisted that she would drive but I…. I could never forgive myself for what I did to her.

I never imagined that a day would come when I would stand alone…Whom would I run to? When I had a problem? Who would I guide me in the right way? Who would be my crying shoulder? I threw stones at the sky hoping at least one would get that traitor who broke apart my family.

I sat in the grave yard crying out my life, mom always said that it’s good to cry out and ease off the burden on heart, no matter how much time I lay there crying, I always found that the burden hasn’t eased off, the welling up tears never dried off. I sat there well past into the night crying and made my way back home, my heart it felt unusually heavy and I wanted to just disappear just as my mother did but that wasn’t going to happen. I wasn’t dead and I had to live through this but I don’t know if I could just do it. My mom wasn’t with me to pull it through these tough times… I saw my home dull and dark which was a happy home just two days before.
I pushed the door open to meet the darkness; there wasn’t even a candle light. Dad wasn’t here? Where is he? My heart began to panic maybe it’s because of this day, I imagined the worst. I ran to his room, he wasn’t there…Where would he be at this time…? Was he at some friend’s house looking for a crying shoulder…? No…That’s not possible he wouldn’t leave me all alone here and dad never went to friends. In fact he didn’t have one, he is such an introvert.

I heard a small thud from the living room, I walked over to there and groped for the switches and turned them on…My dad was lying on the floor unconscious…I rushed to him and he smelled strongly of alcohol. I found an empty bottle and a half empty bottle on the table. I flinched at the pungent odor. I helped him up into the couch and spread a blanket over him and left to my own room.

Is this the way he chose to forget mom…I know that he loves her a lot but he is tainting her memories with drinking. Mom would have gone berserk if she had seen him out on the floor but that wasn’t happening, mom would never come to us again. She left us to fend on our own.

Mom would be disappointed in me, if she watched over us. She taught me to be a strong girl and I’m going to be one…I decided.

Morning rays filtered in through the window, I stretched myself, I glanced at the clock on my bed side table, It showed 8:00, Why didn’t mom wake me up? I would be late today; I freshened up quickly as I shouted for mom to prepare my breakfast…I ran through the entire steps and hurried into the kitchen and grabbed some juice. The kitchen didn’t smell like it usually did and my mom wasn’t there with her gentle face smiling and setting us breakfast. Mom…? I slumped on to the kitchen table remembering that I would never see her warm smile greeting me every day. I sat there for a few minutes getting used to the fact.

I went upstairs and slumped on to the bed…I didn’t want to go to school and behave like nothing changed in my life when everything turned upside down. Tears welled up in my eyes…I promised to be a big girl but… I hid my face in the pillows and cried. I cried into sleep… I woke up as my stomach hurt me very much. I ignored it until I couldn’t stand it any longer; I clutched it and made it downstairs… I found some bread and ate it… Dad wasn’t there in the living room. Did he leave to office…? I checked in his room and found him drinking. I didn’t dare go inside… I wanted to give him some space until he got back to his normal life...

“I can do this…”I whispered for the hundredth time as people came to me to say sorry for my loss. I thought that school would be a best place to occupy my mind on other things but I was very wrong. I couldn’t stand it anymore; I just ran away into the forest and sat alone crying…

“Hey…”one of the boys from our class said tentatively. I ignored him and started to walk away. “I just thought that …”he mumbled. “You just thought what…?” I scowled. He stared at me. “Leave me alone…”I cried and ran away from him.

As the day passed on…I felt better when I went into my home all my left over spirit crashed down as I saw my dad drinking… He just needed sometime… I assured myself.

“Look…I’m sorry for screaming at you yesterday…I just…” I trailed off as I apologized to Mike. “I know you just need sometime…”he said.

I opened my locker to get the books for my next period and was surprised to see a red rose and a letter. It said never feel alone…I’m always with you… M. What does ‘M’ stand for? I scanned the entire corridor to see who it was, it’s empty. I nodded my head in disbelief and left for the class room. I couldn’t pay attention in any of the class, not because of the letter; I was worried about my father…If he goes on drinking he would be sick… What should I do? Maybe a talk with him…?

I found another red rose and letter in the afternoon at my desk…The letter said… Always keep your mind busy to keep your mind away from things…Take a walk over the bridge…you’ll find it settling your emotions.. I crumpled the paper; a walk wasn’t going to change things…He didn’t know what I’m going through… I thought.

Another note was left on my windshield and a red rose… the note said…”Don’t you ever think that you are the only one having trouble with life…Everyone does but it takes a brave heart to get through those troubles…”

Mom always said this to me and I thought I was brave enough to face anything at that time but now I don’t know if I could ever forgive myself for what I did to mom… Dad was watching TV by the time I was home. I thought he was doing well…I left to my room and freshened up myself, prepared dinner for us.

“Dad…” I called him…he didn’t respond…he didn’t even turn back to see why I called him. I called one more time… What’s with him…? Why won’t he respond..? I walked up to him and saw him staring at the TV. “Dad…I have been calling you…” I shouted still he didn’t respond. I jerked him…his gaze slowly shifted from the TV screen towards me…he blinked and stood up staggering… I caught him before he fell. Without another word…he walked away into his room and closed the door. I was furious… Why was he acting this way…? I pounded on the door…no response… I waited for hours pounding his door still he wouldn’t respond. I grabbed the jacket and ran into the streets wanted to be away from everything… I lost mom and now dad wouldn’t talk to me…maybe he believes that I was her murderer that’s why he wouldn’t talk to me…

I ran into the dark streets not knowing where my legs are leading me too… I saw the silhouette of the bridge and ran towards it. Why would I come here…? My ears picked up the splashing sounds of water against the rocks… I slowly walked over and saw the stream flowing… the full moon is reflected in its waters… it was a beautiful sight to see the moon’s image flickering. My eyes darted over to the sky to see the full moon shining bright and beautiful in the sky… I was frustrated when a black cloud passed over it and I couldn’t see it anymore.

“Enjoying the sight…huh?” Mike smiled. I frowned. “I thought you would come…” he said. I realized that he was the one that wrote me letters but why would he…? I mean he was the high school jock and a player as if reading my thoughts… “I know that you need someone to be by your side at this time…” he said. “I don’t need anyone…” I said facing away from him.

He stood by my side not talking just watching my every move… I didn’t know what came over me when I spoke the next words… “I wanted to be big girl and move on but it’s very hard to forget the only person that I ever loved…” “It’s not wrong to feel like that but time will help you heal your wounds… I promise…” he said squeezing my hands gently. That gentle touch broke away all the barriers that I have created so well. “I know… every time I think that I could manage…someone would remind me of her and then… my dad won’t even talk to me… he hates me and is never sober. I know that he lost his loving wife but I lost my mom too…” I cried slumping onto the floor. Mike wrapped his hands around me and pulled me closer.

“He’s been drinking too much and I worry about him…What if something happened to him…? He is the only left for me…” I sobbed. “He will be alright… he just needs time…” he said. “I keep myself saying that but I need him damn it…” I shouted. Mike sat there all the time comforting me… I cried to sleep.

“You got her at last…” a silhouette whispered. “Yeah! She is vulnerable at this time and it would be easy to get to her…” Mike replied. “Why wait then…?” the shadow whispered. “I can’t… I need to gain her trust first…This time I’m not going to let her go… I have waited all these years for this…” Mike said his eyes distant.


I couldn’t remember anything about last night; I hurried to school after fixing breakfast to dad. I knocked once before leaving and as expected he didn’t reply.
“Hey…how are you feeling…?” Mike asked leaning onto his locker. Images of last night flooded my mind…I fell asleep on his shoulders…? That explains why my neck is soar…I thought. “Thanks…”I mumbled.

He grinned. “You need a friend or crying shoulder…you know what to do…”he said winking. I nodded. At lunch he joined me at my table… why is he being so nice to me…? What does he want…? Maybe he wants some help with the assignments… “Hey…baby…”Mike’s current girl friend Lana walked in. “Hey…What are you doing here…?” I picked up my plate and began to walk away…Listening to her snide remarks is the last thing I want now. Mike held my hand and pulled me to sit… I was surprised by his move; “sit down…”was all he said.

Lana and her friends grabbed chairs and rounded me. “I’m sorry about your mother…” Lana said, she knew mentioning her would hurt me and she did purposely. I nodded silently…I didn’t want to hear anymore from them…I tuned them out of my mind and picked at my food. “You need to eat…you look pale…” Mike said. Was that concern I see in his eyes…?

The day was surprisingly long and dull…When I walked to my locker I saw Mike and Lana fighting over something… I ignored them and collected my books and made it to the class room. I saw Lana glaring at me the whole time; her puffy eyes said that she cried a lot. By evening the news of Lana and Mike’s breakup spread out through the whole school. I wondered why he broke up with her…. I mean she is the most beautiful girl in the school. They were all over each other a few days ago.

“Liz…”I woke up startled as I saw Mike standing over my bed in my room. “What…?” I shouted, he quickly pressed his hands to my mouth. “I waited for you by the bridge…you never came so I thought I should check over you…”he said. I gestured him to remove his hands off me.

“Why would you wait for me…?” I asked. “I thought you know the reason…”he said. I stared at him. “I love you…” he said. “How many girls did you say this too…?” I smirked. “None…” he whispered. “I’m not dumb…” I scowled. “No…I flirt with girls…true but I never loved anyone…It has been always you…” he said sitting on my bed. I stared at him wondering if I should believe him….

“I need some time to think over it…”I said. “ I understand…take your own time but don’t say ‘no’...”he said. “Now…if you will please leave…” I pointed him towards the door. He stood up tentatively; I sneaked him out the door. I didn’t give any more thought about him that night…I know I’m not yet ready for this thing…I was kind of having my own problems.

I saw that he left a red rose in my locker, I need a friend and it could be him and mean while I will decide if I could have a relation with him. Mike sat with me the whole day and that resulted in Lana glaring at me… Days passed the same way and I grew fond of Mike…he is like my support stopping me from falling down and breaking into pieces… I never saw dad anymore but I had strong feeling that he is still drinking… Mike brought some light into my dark and gloomy life…He never pushed me to see him more than a friend but I know that I fell for him.

“Liz… I was thinking…”Mike was about to say something when I heard a familiar voice… “Max…” My heart skipped with joy on seeing him. He and I are childhood friends… we were brought up together… I ran towards him and he picked me up the floor and gave me big hug. “Max…Where have you been…?” I asked. “I’m sorry Liz…I wasn’t there for you when you needed me…”he said. “Liz…”Mike said standing beside me…I saw them glare at each other.

“I think we need to head to our class…”Mike said looking at me. “Yes…”I said and walked away with him one last smile at Max.

Our door bell rang… I ran to the door thinking it would be Mike…”Mike…”I said opening the door and was surprised to see Max standing at the door.

“Come in…” I said opening the door wide…He ducked his head to get inside which surprised me very much. “Wow! You have grown so tall…”I exclaimed. He smiled. “And you’re strong…”I said looking at his muscular body as he removed his jacket exposing his shirt that fitted well to his muscular frame. He laughed at me as I stared. “How did you grow so much in fifteen days…?” I asked. He shrugged his shoulders and relaxed on to the arm chair.

“Where have you been all these days…?” I asked sitting beside him. “I had some family business to take care of?” he said. “Since when were you interested in your father’s business…?” I asked. “I had no choice…”he said. I frowned at him that’s not an answer and the look on his face told me that he wouldn’t talk about it anymore.

“I waited up for you in the evening…I thought I could drop you…” he said tactically changing the subject. “Mike dropped me home…” At the very mention of his name he went rigid.

“Um…can I say something…?” he asked tentatively. I nodded. “Mike…he is not a good guy…I think it’s good for you to be away from him…”he said. “I mean…you know that he is a big flirt…” he said quickly. “Max…I know that he used to be a flirt but he changed a lot since you last met him…” I could see that he is not convinced. “He was the one who held me together when I…”I trailed off. “I’m sorry…I should be the one to…”I cut him off. “Don’t be…I know if you had any chance to be here you would surely come to me…” I said. “Thanks…”He said.

“Where’s Mr. Swan…?” he asked. “I don’t know…”I mumbled weakly. I haven’t seen him since a week, he locks himself up in the room, and the occasional sounds that come from the room are the only things that assured me that he is still there.

“What’s wrong…?” he asked raising my chin up to meet his eyes. “He hates me…he thinks that I’m the murderer of mom…”she said. Tears rolled down my eyes…

“Did he say that…?” he asked. There is no need to say it, I could understand that… he never talks to me and he keeps himself locked in the room. What else would be the reason for him to act like that? I thought. “He didn’t say that…right?” Max asked. “I know it…”I said.

“Liz…you know your dad well…he wouldn’t think like that of you… you know how much he loved you and your mother…it’s his way to face the grief…” he said. “I don’t know…Max…I need him now more than anytime and all he does is lock himself up in that room and when I get to see him; he is never sober… sometimes I feel like I’m all alone in this house…”I cried. Max enveloped me in his arms and hushed me. It felt really good to have him back after all these days…he was like my big brother always being there for me.

“Everything is going to be alright…okay…”he whispered. I know I have been hearing this for a while but hearing it from him somehow boosted up my confidence. He stayed up until late night and left after making sure I’m holding up good.


I recollected Max’s words about Mike as I went to sleep. I had a strange dream… A tall blonde with a dazzling smile was walking towards a thin framed girl with thick black curly hair, pixie face and twinkling, big, blue eyes, waving at him. Another tall, muscular, brown skinned with perfect features whisked the girl away from the blonde’s grip. The blonde snarled at him and the Tall guy glared at him with a big, throaty growl. The pixie girl ran to them trying to stop something and after what seemed to be hours, she saw each of them laying their head on her laps dripped in blood.

I woke up startled and couldn’t sleep after that dream. I was sure that the blonde was Mike and the tall guy was Max and the pixie girl is me. I understood that much but rest of the dream was a puzzle to me. I nodded my head in disbelief; it was just some stupid dream, I’m thinking too much… I scolded myself for my over thinking.

“It seems that you don’t need me anymore…” Mike said eying Max who was coming to join me at lunch. “Don’t say that…You’re my friend…I’ll always need you…”I said. “Too bad…I thought you would say something more than a friend…” He smiled. I blushed at his comment.

Max set his plate down on the table. “Is he going to join us…?” He said eying Mike. I nodded; I could see disappointment in his face. “I’ll talk to you later…”Mike said. When I asked why? He just shrugged his shoulders but I know that it has something to do with Max sitting with me.

The same thing happened throughout the day whenever Mike saw Max, he would just go away…I wondered what’s going on between them. In the evening Max dropped me at home…

“Hey…Are you sleeping…?” Mike was staring down at me, I woke up rubbing my eyes, and I was so used to his unusual appearances at nights so I didn’t shriek anymore.

He sat on my bed. “I’m never having enough time with you with that Max always around you…” Mike mumbled. I nodded stifling a yawn. “I was thinking…” “What…?” “May be we could go to the masquerade ball together…” he asked tentatively. “Sure…” I said. “Is that it…?” I asked. He nodded. “If you don’t mind I want to sleep now…”I said.

He waited for a few seconds unsure of what he should do and then I heard him leaving.

“Hey…good morning…”I waved to Max who was waiting for me in his car. As soon as he saw me get into the car, his face went rigid… “Did you meet Mike…? At night…?”He shrieked. “He stopped by to ask if I would go to the masquerade ball with him….” I said strapping the belt. “And…?” “I said ‘yes’” “After that…?” Max was impatient now. What’s wrong with him…? “He left…” I said.

“I don’t want you to meet him anymore…” He said sternly. “Why…?” “Just do as I say…” He may be my best friend and I know that whatever he does is for my own good but his attitude these days is throwing me insane, if he wants something from me than he must give me the answers…

“Seriously…Max. I don’t know what’s between you and him… but you both are my friends and I can’t lose one for the other…” I said. “He is not good for you…he’ll hurt you…” “Why do you say that… he is nothing but nice to me all these days…”

“Have you ever considered how pale you are being these days…?” “What does that have to do with Mike…?” I shrieked frustrated at him for skipping through conversations. He ran his hands in his hair in frustration.

I unbuckled and slammed the car door shut… Max looked at me dumbfounded. “Go…” I stomped away from him. He ran after me. “Please…Liz. Just try to understand me…I can’t tell you some things… but you need to trust when I say Mike is going to hurt you…” he pleaded. I just ignored him and walked away.

Max tried to talk to me…I just ignored him and kept walking. “Is everything alright?” Mike asked. I shrugged my shoulders…”You stay out of this…It’s none of your business…”Max growled. He squared his shoulders and fixed a threatening glare towards Mike. “Ow! What’s that for?” Mike stumbled a bit back.

Max was never like this…He was never a guy to threaten or bully…the Max I see now is different…It’s like I met his other side now. “It has everything to do with him because I’m his girlfriend and it is his responsibility to watch over me…” I said sternly. Max flinched at my words…he kicked the lockers in frustration and left.

“Girlfriend…?” Mike asked excited. “I’m your friend and I’m girl…so girlfriend…”I said casually. “I thought something else…” he shook his head. I laughed at him.

Three days I ignored Max… I wanted to talk to him and sort out things between us but he didn’t stop badgering me about being away from Mike… Things got even worse at home… Dad lost his job due to his addiction to drinking and it didn’t affect him, he just drank more now… At nights I could hear him wailing and throwing things here and there. I tried talking to him but he wouldn’t listen to me…he would just shut the door on me.

I cried all the time until my throat hurt…I didn’t know how everything would end up… I can’t lose dad… he is the only one for me. Each day I would wait for him but he would never be sober when he returned home…One of his friends would drop him home every day. He would drink until he lost conscious and one of them would bring him home. In the mornings he would shut himself in that room.

I cried saying everything to Mike…He promised that he would talk to the bar owner to not to allow my dad into the bar… Next day I waited patiently thinking that Mike’s plan would work out and dad will come home sober… When I heard a honk… I ran in anticipation to see dad sober but I slumped down as I saw Mike carrying an unconscious dad towards our house.

“What happened…?”I cried…”When the bar owner tried to stop him…he just beat them and stole the wine and they called me complaining about him. I drove by and paid them to stop them from taking legal action on your dad… I found him unconscious on the way…” he said easing him on to the couch.

What the hell was going on with my life…? Why am I still living…? To see this…? Mom…How could you leave me in such a mess…? I cried…It seems that is the only thing that I do these days…
Mike was always with me trying to cheer up…Max threw wary looks at us and if he saw Mike moving any closer to me…he would throw threatening glares at him…Why is he acting so weird…?

I didn’t want to go to the ball when I’m immersed in my own troubles but I promised Mike; I would come and this is a small way of repaying him for all the kindness he had shown to me.

“Hey…I have something for you…”he said as he dropped me at home. He handed me a red cover wrapped gift box. “What’s in it…?” he gestured me to open… My eyes went wide as I saw a red colored fabric in it… “I can’t take this…”I said. “Why not…?”He asked. “Because I can’t repay you…” I said tentatively. “You already did by being my friend and accepting to come to the ball with me…” he said winking… I turned red…He can be such a sweetie sometimes…

I’m not in the mood of pretending that everything is alright with me when it’s not. I hope Mike understands it but I wore the red ball gown not wanting to hurt Mike.

“You look absolutely stunning…”he said. I’m no different this day…I didn’t try to take time to put on some make up but if he thinks I’m still beautiful well... at least he is happy. I thought.

“Do you want to dance…?” he asked as the music rolled on. “I don’t think…”I could see his disappointed face even behind the mask. “Okay…But get me a drink first…” I said smiling. He lit up instantly.

One of the guys in black tux and golden mask that matched his earth brown eyes walked over to me. “You look beautiful…” I instantly recognized the voice. “Thanks…”I said. “Um…I know… that you don’t want to talk to me… but… please don’t go alone anywhere with him…please…” he begged. I was about to ask why but I knew that he wouldn’t answer me anyway.

“Drink…”Mike said and Max left soon after he saw him coming. He took me over to the dance floor. Our bodies swayed to the music… Mike drew me closer with each beat… I could see from the corner of my eye… Max is glaring at him. His face contorted with pain when Mike kissed me lightly…He hurried out of the doors.

Mike closed the distance between us brushing my lips gently… I shivered at his touch and my body tingled all over. “Meet me at the backyard alone…” He whispered into my ears seductively.

He left kissing my knuckles with a secretive wink. As the magic of his lips fazed my mind…I stood there unwilling to move… Max’s words echoed in my mind which woke me up away from the stupor. Should I go…? I shrugged. Why shouldn’t I? It’s not like he is going to bite me. I made my way carefully out of the crowd.

“I’m sorry…” I recognized Lana’s voice…she spilled the drink over me. I glowered at her and left to the wash room.

<Mike’s POV>
I was paralyzed by Liz’s beauty…She looked perfect in the red dress, it hugged her curves…her thick hair fell over her shoulders in waves, her big blue eyes twinkled in spite of the dark circles that showed signs of stress…Her cheeks were flushed pink and her full lips bathed in red which allured him even more. I couldn’t take it anymore…I need to have her.

When I asked for a dance she said no which was a deep blow to my craving her heart but I was soon surprised to listen her saying okay…her gentle touch unleashed the wild animal inside me… her body swayed in perfect harmony with mine... I pulled her closer closing the distance between us; I could feel the warmth of her skin against mine… I noticed her eyes watching someone else and was surprised to see Max watching her every move. I raged with fury…She is mine and I’m going to prove it. I brushed her lips gently knowing that would be enough to set her on fire.

“Meet me at the backyard alone…”I whispered seductively in her ears. She blushed.
I waited impatiently at the backyard…My body groaned with need…my throat burnt with wild fire…When I listened to heels clicking…My eyes turned fiery red and with one swift move I had her in my hands…I kissed her passionately… She giggled. It didn’t sound like her…I removed her mask and was surprised to see Lana staring at me…

She pulled me close and crashed her lips against mine… I complied with her needs for a while and darted my mouth to her neck and teased her for a while kissing it. I pulled out my fangs and sank into her vein drinking eagerly. “You deserve it…you meddling bitch…” I said.

As I drained her out… I smelled the familiar scent of Liz…I turned around to see Liz’s horror struck face.

<Liz’s POV>
I can’t believe that Lana did this to me…I ran into the backyard hoping that I didn’t wait up Mike for a long time. I hurried into the backyard and was surprised to a silhouette of two people…who would it be…? I walked further and was surprised to see Lana in Mike’s arms. I froze in tracks to see them sharing an intimate kiss, Tears welled up in my eyes as I saw Mike intimate with someone else…He’s after all playing with me…I ran towards him hoping I could kill him but I was stopped when I heard the blood curdling scream of Lana.

Mike turned towards me…his eyes were burning red and as soon as he saw me…his face flinched. He let the limp body of Lana fall to the ground…Panic struck my heart… I shivered…I ran away from him as my heart accelerated so fast that I thought it would stop any second.

Mike appeared out of nowhere in front of me…He grabbed my arms tightly that hurt me very much…I screamed in pain… He bent over my neck when the doors burst open and max walked in with a group of other fellow students… Mike let me go and ran into the night. I ran towards Max…He enveloped his arms protectively over me…


Max stayed with me until I felt better, Lana’s cry of pain still reverberated in my mind… I shivered every time I remembered it. How could he kill her like that so brutally? Is he even a human…? My subconscious mind answered ‘no’. I’ve read about this somewhere in book. I searched my mind for that one piece of information. The undead people who drink blood from humans…Vampires…? Damn it, is that what he is? I need to do some research on it.

“Liz…Are you okay…?” Max asked. I nodded,”The police need your statement, do you want to tell them…?” he asked tentatively. “Yes…I will.” “Keep it simple…” Max whispered taking my hands into his and walked me to the police man who was now examining the body.

He nodded when he saw me… he is my dad’s friend the chief of police.”What did you see Miss. Swan?” he asked all duty like. I couldn’t tell my theory about the murderer; he would just laugh at me and think I have gone mad with stress. “Mike killed Lana…” I said in a barely audible voice. “Did you see how he killed her…?”He asked. “No…I just walked in to see him with blood covered face and as soon as he saw me, he ran away leaving Lana’s body here…” I said. He nodded.

“We’ll catch the culprit but I suggest you to be careful, he might attack you too since you were there at the scene of crime…”he said. That sent shivers across my spine… Will he kill me too? How could I stop him…?

Max dropped me at home and promised to come back soon. I panicked to be all alone in the house. I locked every door and window. I checked them twice to make sure that they are all locked. As the clock ticked…My nerves began to fail me…I knocked at my dad’s room, he didn’t answer.

“Please…dad. I need to talk to you…Please…”I cried. He wouldn’t answer…10 minutes passed since Max left…I slumped on to the floor crying and hitting at the door repeatedly. “Leave me alone…I don’t want to see or talk to anyone…”came the hoarse voice of my dad. “Dad…Please…I’m scared…”I cried. There is no noise from inside. There is no way he was going to listen to me…”For god’s sake…open the door…”I cried.

“Shh…Why are you crying darling…?”A familiar voice breathed at my neck…my heart rate increased tremendously…I didn’t want to see him; if I did I’m sure going to die of heart attack.

“He won’t wake up…I knocked him unconscious after drinking from him…”he whispered grazing my neck. I trembled as his breath grazed my skin and sent chills. “You know how luscious you look…” he said grazing my neck. I shivered at his touch… “Max…please come soon…”my voice croaked as I prayed.

“He won’t come…he is afraid of me…” he said with vicious laugh. He leaned closer…I always wanted to taste those lips…he leaned forward… I hid my face sobbing…he raised my chin and crushed his lips over mine. He was so immersed in the pleasure; I hit him in ribs with my knees and ran away from him. He groaned as if that it didn’t hurt…but it sure broke my bones…

“Come on…honey…Are you playing hide and seek with me now…?”His voice was mean. I hid in the kitchen, under the table catching my breath. “Do you know vampires have great senses?” he laughed. He walked past over the table lazily and in one sudden swift movement his face was inches away from me. My heart stopped literally to see him that close all of a sudden.

He stretched his hands forward towards me…I moved to the corner end of the table trying to avoid him. “Liz...come on…enough of these games…” He stood up frustrated and lifted up the table and threw it aside.

“Please…don’t hurt me…I will take the complaint back…”I cried. “I won’t hurt you…Liz…I love you so much…”he said and his eyes were sincere. He picked me up from the floor and sat me on his laps… “I won’t hurt you Liz...you are my mate…” he said kissing me. His trail of kisses ended at my neck… He smelled as if he was an animal… my instincts told me to run away from him…I tried to get up but his hands didn’t let me go. He punctured my skin and pain shot through my system as he started to draw blood from me. I fell unconscious as I began to feel energy drain away from me.

I woke up screaming as I remembered what happened to me…Max was sitting by my side…I hugged him fiercely and cried. “He was here…He… bit…me…” I blabbered and unconsciously my hands grazed the skin of my neck where he bit me previously. I now remembered that he was doing this to me every night over and over all these days…How could I have forgotten such thing…Did he glamour me...? That bite brought memories of every night he spent here drinking my blood. After all Max was right…he was hurting me all the time by sweet talking to me. It awoke more fear in me. If he could this then what else could he do? I shivered at the thought.

“I won’t let him hurt you…” Max promised. I felt calm for a while but how could he protect me from something like it? He is a mere human. I can’t risk his life for mine which is forfeited to die in Mike’s hands…

“You don’t know who he is…We don’t stand a chance against him…” I cried. He wiped away my tears… “Whatever he is…he is not going to hurt you again…” he said. “Now…sleep.” He said.

I nodded; he cradled me in his arms. “Dad…Is he safe…?” I asked. “He just lost some blood…he will be okay by tomorrow… get some sleep now…”he said. “Will I be like him…? I mean he drank from me…Isn’t that supposed to be how they turn us into one of them…?” I mumbled. “He didn’t inject his venom into you…unless he does that you won’t turn…”he said. “How did you know…?” I asked. I didn’t wait to hear his answer as sleep consumed over me.

Early morning I woke up to the chaos in the house…I ran downstairs to see the chief talking to Max and his friends… Dad…? I ran into his room, I breathed a sigh of relief as I saw him breathing. Max saw me running to dad’s room and he walked to me.

“He’ll be fine. Don’t worry…”he said. “The chief agreed to send guards to your home…” he said. I nodded and leaned on to his shoulders…looking at my father.
He woke up and blabbered incoherently… but I understood what he was trying to tell. “It’s okay…Dad the chief is on his way to find the culprit…” I assured him. He hugged me. “Are you okay…my child…?” he asked eying me. “I’m fine…”I lied though I am absolutely not. Though Max assured me and police were guarding us…I highly doubt that they would prevent him.

Max stayed over at the night…chief sent three more men to guard us…My father stayed home and surprisingly he didn’t drink today, which was one good thing that came out of this…

“Liz…how could you betray me…? I loved you and you are going for that Max…” Mike shouted at me. I flinched at his voice… “Please…Liz… do not leave me… I won’t be able to live without you…”he cried clutching my hands to his face… I trembled at how his cold marble skin felt against my skin. “I love you…”he cried. I felt really sorry for him as he shattered into sobs before me. I tentatively reached up a hand towards him. He pulled me into a deep hug.

“Promise me that you won’t leave me…”he said. He kissed me passionately as his hands snaked over my waist pulling me closer. His mouth darted to my neck and he bit me one more time…The pain in my neck woke me up with a scream…Max startled at her scream…he ran towards her to see that her neck had two tiny puncture marks…He cursed himself for not thinking about this possibility. He cleaned the wound and asked me to change into some nice clothes while he talked to one of his friends…

I was damn sure that it was my dream but how did the puncture marks appeared on my neck…My mind swirled with all the questions and I fell on the floor unconscious…

My neck felt soar and I rubbed it with my hands and saw Max looking worried at me. “Does it hurt…?” he asked. “A little bit…”I lied. “Did he come again…?” I asked. “No…he was in your dream…” I frowned. “But the bite was real…?” I asked. “Yes…they could do such things…” he said. “Why didn’t he come back again then…?” I asked. “Dreams don’t come when you are unconscious…”he said. I didn’t understand but I nodded. “The dreams that occur at the REM stage…” I cut him off. “You are such a nerd…”I laughed.


I was surprised to see dad at breakfast table…he looked much alive and sober. “I’m sorry for not being there for you when you need me…”My dad mumbled. I smiled at him and squeezed his hands. “I promise I won’t be like that again…”he said.

Impressum

Tag der Veröffentlichung: 06.12.2011

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To all my bookrix friends and a special thanks to sami13, your comments always made me feel good.