Her blood was the most delicious one he had for decades and he could not take the thought that it would be gone in an instant. Drinking the blood of a dead person would be synonymous to a mortal drinking spoiled milk.
His conflicting thoughts were interrupted when the door opened and the woman screamed. This was not part of his plan. He only wanted a taste, and possibly Madison reciprocating his touches. A hysterical woman was not included in his imagination.
Taken aback, he leaped away from the bed and walked backwards, keeping watch of the women who were petrified beyond belief.
When he reached the window, he opened it hastily and jumped out, running away at full speed.
Courtney hugged Madison, who was a complete mess, with tears decorating her cheeks and her voice hoarse as she cried. Courtney reached for the tissue box on the bedside table and pressed it against her wound. It would not suffice to stop the bleeding but right now, Madison needed comfort more than anything.
When Madison’s breathing became even, she hurried downstairs and fetched their first aid kit and attended to the wounds, relieved when they stopped bleeding.
Madison could not stop sobbing. She wanted to erase the memory of what happened but the wounds would serve as a reminder and it would take time before it heals. Fortunately, the slap only reddened her cheek and did not leave a mark.
She sniffled and hiccupped and wiped away her tears.
Meanwhile, Courtney fought down her emotions. When she heard Madison’s scream, she knew it had something to do with the bloodsuckers. She was not ignorant and she knew that Easton sometimes sneaked in. During those nights, she would lay awake on her bed, waiting for any sound that would signal that her niece was in trouble.
Her worry was useless until tonight. What she did not expect was to see the other bloodsucker, who she knew to be related with Easton. She was tempted to run to their house and set it on fire if not for her niece who needed her now more than anything.
She hushed her and coaxed her to lay down again and sleep.
“I can’t sleep.” Madison bit her lip as a fresh set of tears sprang out her eyes.
“Oh, dear.” Courtney decided to lay down beside her. “I’ll stay here, don’t worry.”
Madison reached for her hand and squeezed it tightly. “Sleep now, dear. I’m not leaving you alone.”
Needless to say, Courtney stayed awake the rest of the night, jumping at the slightest sound. She would do anything to protect Madison. All her life, she knew her main purpose was to protect Madison, no matter what. And she would not back down just because a bloodsucker decided that her niece’s blood tasted good.
Chapter-4
It was All My Fault
“Don’t you feel hot?” Easton gestured at her clothes.
She caressed her neck and smiled forcibly. “It’s a bit chilly at night so I prefer them.”
Since that night, Madison wore turtlenecks and hoodies to hide the wounds. She was hesitant to attend her classes the next day. She was scared at the idea of meeting Gavin but when he did not show up, she was relieved.
Maybe he regretted what he had done and he was just mustering the courage to ask for her forgiveness. Madison liked to think that was what he felt -- regret and remorse. She could not bear that Gavin would not feel any guilt with what he had done.
She hated lying to Easton. She knew that he was aware that there was something wrong. She avoided his touches and kisses and tried to spend as less time with him as possible. As long as the memories replayed vividly, she would find it difficult to face Easton like nothing happened.
Courtney told her to tell Easton but she refused. Easton was fond of Gavin and he often repeated how much he cherished his brother and that he could not have survived for long if not for him. She would not wish for their relationship to be tarnished because of her. For Easton, she was willing to forgive and forget. If only Gavin would apologize, then the sooner they could move on.
“The seat’s still free.” Easton grinned upon spotting the chairs at the corner of the lobby. They preferred the area as it was hidden from plain view, with a large circular post blocking people from seeing them immediately.
Easton jogged and Madison followed, trying to keep up with his strides.
He plopped down on the seat and patted the spot beside him.
“You should at least roll this down when…” He reached for the edge of her turtleneck and tugged it down. Madison gasped and jerked away, not expecting it.
“Did I do something wrong?” He eyed her worriedly, looking at her as she kept her hands secured on her clothes. For the first time, she was tempted to confess but she held her tongue.
“I just…” She stepped back. “I need to do something.”
“I’ll come with.”
“No.” She shouted. Both of them were shocked at her response. In a calmer tone, she continued. “I won’t be gone for long.”
***
There was nowhere to go. Her usual spots were the lobby, the library, and sometimes the cafeteria. She could not remember the last time when she stayed somewhere alone in the campus. She had been too used to Easton’s presence that she blindly reached for his hand, only to grasp in empty air.
Guilt was eating her. Easton was close to discovering about her secret but she was convinced that there was no use telling him. It would only create a ruckus. She only needed to hear Gavin’s sorry and she would let it go.
There were dilemmas that could be talked about but if Easton learned about it, there would be no talking. He would definitely resort to violence. She once saw him on the brink of his death and she never wished to him like that again, especially if it was in the hands of his own brother.
She must keep mum no matter what happened.
She strolled along the back of the music building. From inside, she could hear the muted sounds of instruments and voices which helped shake off her restlessness. She should only take a few minutes or else Easton would track her.
Rubbing the sore area in her neck, she wished for it to heal soon and for the marks to fade away. It was the only evidence and she was scared that Easton would know once he sees them.
The sounds of the instruments faded as she walked on when someone dragged her toward the end of the building, where no one passes by. She shrieked when she saw Gavin and she slapped him in an attempt to free herself. However, he was fast enough to hold her hand and he pulled her and threw her against the wall.
She whimpered in pain. Her back ached at the hardness of the cement.
Gavin held her face with both hands. “Listen to me.” He held her tightly until her cheeks were squished comically. She started to tremble in fear and she internally contemplated hitting him again for another chance of escape.
“I want you, do you hear that?” He licked his lips and smiled maniacally. It was different from the composed Gavin she knew, far from the Gavin always talked about.
“You’re disgusting.” She spat. “I’m with your brother, for fuck’s sake!”
He held her neck with a hand as if he was about to strangle her. “Then break it off with him and be with me.” He kissed her and forced his tongue in and Madison punched and kicked him but he was invincible to her attacks.
“Stop! Stop, please.” She pleaded. Tears were running down her face and it only reminded her how devastated she was the other night.
“Shh,” he brushed his thumb on her cheeks gently, a contrast to his harsh actions earlier. “Let me kiss you one last time and I’ll let you go.”
Holding on to his words, Madison shut her eyes tightly and braced for the onslaught of his lips. She remained unmoving as he ravished her, tasting her mouth. She felt sick to her stomach and she stood there like a lifeless doll, waiting for him to stop. Once he did, she pushed him with all her strength and she ran away. Her body trembled. She could hear him laughing even from a distance.
Gavin must be crazy and it was apparent he had no remorse nor regret. She would not get the apology that she w
anted and now, she felt tainted with his monstrosity.
***
The door was locked and so was her window. Easton had been knocking incessantly but she ignored him. She went straight to her home earlier because she could not stop shaking.
She sobbed softly under her covers, hoping that Easton would believe that she was just deep in sleep.
When her window rattled, she sat up on her bed, watching as Easton forced to open it. Worried that Courtney might get awake and rush to her, she hurriedly fixed herself and opened the locks.
“Oh, finally. Thank god.” He embraced her and Madison returned the affection. No one else but Easton could make her feel safe.
“What happened? Why did you suddenly leave?”
Madison refused to meet his eyes.
“I felt sick. I needed to sleep.”
“Madison.” He tilted her chin up with a finger. “Have I done something wrong? Did I offend you? Did I do anything to make you angry?”
She clutched at his shirt and shook her head no.
“Then why are you avoiding me?”
The gentleness of his voice was tempting Madison to let it all out. Easton is rarely soft-spoken. He always sounded cold and indifferent, and only her knew that it was just his default voice and that he was not being mean.
“I just really don’t feel well.” She smiled at him and reached for his lips, tracing it with her finger.
He kissed the finger softly and she bit back a sob.
“Then let’s get you some sleep.” He led her back to her bed and wrapped her in his arms. She suppressed her emotions until fatigue took her away.
***
What happened behind the music building was followed by more attempts. Although this time, Madison was wise enough to not walk alone, choosing paths that were frequented by people. There was one time when Gavin successfully pulled her in an alley but she was prepared and she kneed him in the groin at once, giving her enough time to make a dash out.
Madison thought he would grow tired after a few days but he was relentless and each time, he was getting more aggressive. Though she found ways to evade him, which is most of the time sticking by Easton’s side, she was not contented with their game of hide and seek. She wanted to put a stop to his madness. They could not go on like this and he would not stop unless she whacked some sense into him.
He was probably lurking somewhere. It creeped Madison out that Gavin must be hiding where he could still watch her but she continued walking. She was in the music building again and any minute now, he would come charging at her like a famished animal.
She hid a pocket knife in her waist. She did not want to hurt him but if he did not listen then she would have to sort to violence to defend herself.
As expected, Gavin was quick to take the opportunity and he trapped her between his arms.
“Gavin stop!”
She exhaled when he halted at her words.
“Why are you doing this?”
He scoffed. “I told you. I want you, Madison.”
“You know I can’t be with you.”
“You can. If you choose to, you can.”
“I don’t understand. You don’t like me.” She stalled for time but she was looking for a way out. Gavin was completely out of his mind. He was far from the Gavin she knew and speaking to him was a bad idea. He seemed to have slipped from reality.
“Oh, but I do like you.” He came closer and stopped, his mouth close to her ears. “I like you so much. Do you know how much I wanted to taste you again? You’re alluring, Madison. I was a fool not to notice it soon enough.” He flicked his tongue against her earlobe and she winced in disgust.
“But now I do. So come with me. You won’t regret choosing me.”
There was a rustle and suddenly, Gavin was nowhere near her.
“What the fuck is happening here?” Easton was seething. His hands were clenched into fists and he was fuming in anger.
“Madison?!” He turned to her and she cried when she saw how hurt he was.
“What is happening here?” He repeated, enunciating every word. “Please tell me I’m wrong with assuming that you two are chea--”
“Madison wants me.” Gavin said casually.
“You liar!” Madison grasped at the collar of his shirt. “Take that back!” She screamed.
“Is that true?” Easton asked.
Madison let go of Gavin’s shirt and walked near Easton, who held his hand up to stop her.
The action made her heart clench.
“No, Easton. God no. I…,” she gulped. She wanted to tell the truth. It was either Gavin will tell the real story or he turns the tables and makes her the bad guy.
“Gavin was--” She stammered, struggling to get the words out of her mouth.
Not having any choice, she pulled down her hoodie and revealed the mark, which was still reddened.
Easton’s eyes widened and he strode to Gavin and pulled him up to his feet. “What did you do to her?”
Instead of being affronted, Gavin just smiled.
He must be insane. He must be really insane. Madison saw his smirk and how he seemed to have expected Easton’s reaction. Gavin was taunting Easton and it was making her blood boil.
“You never told me about how delicious she is.” Gavin poked out his tongue to emphasize his point and Easton, losing the last string of his control, punched his brother and knocked him down.
Gavin was quick to retaliate and kicked Easton on the stomach and the chest. Madison screamed for them to stop. This was what she was fearing. They are brothers and they should not be fighting, especially not because of her.
Their movements were quick and Madison could not keep up. She screamed and tried to pull them away from each other but she was pushed off to the side, watching helplessly as they try to outdo the other.
Easton straddled Gavin and locked him in place, punching his face repeatedly until it was beaten blue. Easton reached for his neck, his body still overtaken with anger, when Madison screamed.
“Don’t kill him, please!”
And that was when he regained control of his emotions.
He was on the verge of snapping Gavin’s neck. Gavin, who was his only family. Gavin, his brother who took care of him and who was with him all the way.
He scrambled to get off his brother and looked at his hands, which was bruised with the force he used.
Gavin sneered. “Why didn’t you kill me? I deserve it don’t I?”
“Just go! Please.” Madison pushed him away and she did not take her eyes off him until he was a good distance from them.
She rushed to Easton’s side, dreading his expression.
“I almost killed my brother.” He sat there, staring at his hands. Madison hugged him and rested his head on her shoulders as his entire body shuddered.
This was her fault. It was all her fault.
Chapter-5
We are the Mirror of Our Past
Easton refused to say anything. She carded her fingers through his hair and he hummed in appreciation.
He still could not believe that his brother did that. He told Gavin how important Madison was to him. Of all people, he knew best that Madison was precious; that he would go crazy if anything bad happened to her.
That was why he was still shell-shocked that Gavin was the one who inflicted harm against her.
He balled his hands into fists and Madison, noticing the gesture, reached for his hand and unclenched them.
“Anger would get you nowhere.” She kissed his temple and he finally faced her after much prodding.
They went straight to Madison’s house and they were lying on her bed. He refused her help when she tried to cure his wounds. The bruises were not that deep, he assumed. It would only take three days at most for them to be gone.
“I’m angry at myself.” He confessed. He was suffering from conflicting emotions. At one hand, he was furious at Gavin for hurting Madison. At the other, he was furious at himself because he almost
killed his brother and that he was not able to protect Madison. It was a tormenting cycle that only brought self-hatred.
“You shouldn’t be.”
She brushed the hair away from his eyes. His forlorn expression made her worry.
“It was not anyone’s fault. No one wanted this to happen.”
“But I almost killed him.” He whispered.
Madison kept silent. She did not know what to reply because he really almost killed Gavin with his own hands, if not for her stopping him. It was probably anger taking control of his body and his actions were purely triggered by his emotions. Seeing how sad he is now, he must be regretting what he had done.
A Dark Truth Page 3