Seventeen
TAKING A SHOWER WAS VERY therapeutic, as the hot water rushed over my body, washing away the stress and worry. Briefly forgetting Alec and Derek was what I really needed. Turning the shower off and wrapping a warm puffy towel around my chest, I allowed my hair to drip around me as I wiped the steamed mirror. My reflection was blurry as it became steamed again. But slowly the mirror un-fogged, and I recognized the girl in the mirror, the same blonde hair, plump pink lips, hazel eyes. Hidden away for no one to see was my anger, the small chance I could become Rogue if my attempt to kill Derek failed. My mission was a suicide one. Yet looking at my eyes, I wanted revenge, I want to be free of this bond. But that tiny speck of guilt in my heart, my feeling for Derek, was still there.
My eyesight became hazy, I felt like the ground was moving around me. Startled, I sat down. The room became less dizzy. Immediately I was sucked into another bond dream, unlike the previous ones, where it was in a forest, this was in Elizabeth Sladen’s kitchen. Her kitchen was light and happy. Pale blue walls, the color of the sky, her large Island in the middle. Marble counter tops. A true gourmet kitchen.
Off to the side was her living room that overlooked the ocean with the wraparound porch. It was one of the most breathtaking views in Palm Beach.
I was not expecting to see Elizabeth come into the kitchen. She was as beautiful as ever; her hair was pulled in a loose pony tail, so you could see how proportioned her face was. Her stunning light green eyes that always filled with so much compassion toward me now held sadness. She took a seat on a closer stool that sat around the island.
“Hello, Aimee,” she said softly.
I didn’t say anything to her at first; I just studied her.
“Elizabeth,” I said finally.
“It feels so long since I have seen you, and yet it was only a month ago you ran away from us.”
“Derek didn’t leave me a choice,” I said.
Her smile faltered a bit. “What Derek did or didn’t do is in the past now, doesn’t make a difference. Why can’t you come home? You are like a daughter to me. Don’t you care about my feelings?”
“I did care about your feelings, but that is in the past, too, now. I won’t turn Rogue like your family. I won’t kill innocents.”
“Aimee, it’s who we are. We were once great rulers. I believe Rogues are still.… Refusing to live in a vampire community doesn’t make us evil. We don’t want to bow down to vampires,” she said passionately.
“It’s not who I am. I will never be that,” I said.
“You already have it in you…Derek will never give up on you. He will find you.”
“Speaking of that, where is Derek now?”
“He doesn’t know about us meeting right now. He doesn’t want me meddling in his affairs. But I really miss you, and had to see you for myself. Don’t you miss me?”
She completely avoided my question.
“The only thing I miss is being innocent to the whole Rogue and vampire stuff,” I said stiffly. “You were once like me, you know. Do you remember?” I asked her. Her face was in thought for a moment.
“It doesn't matter what I was, this is my life now."
“Do you really wish upon me having my life stripped away to become a monster?" I asked.
“You are going to be a monster either way, Aimee ... my son’s happiness matters to me, and he chose you," she said.
This conversation was really going nowhere. I sighed. Elizabeth’s eyes widened on something behind me. She got up, growling.
“Derek!" she screamed. Derek appeared almost as quickly as she had said his name. Derek bounded into the kitchen, face in worry. He stopped abruptly, eyes narrowing. I stepped to the side so I could see what threat was behind me.
My eyes widened in shock. Under the shade of the trees was a wolf. His eyes just showed through the fur. I had never seen what a Rogue looked like. Well, like any werewolf in general, it was truly scary. Skin rough like leather, deep greyish brown, eyes bloodshot, snouts protruding but standing like a human; he was built like the hulk but a little leaner, more adapted to speed. When the Rogue looked at me, I could have sworn it smiled, as if to assure me I was going to be fine.
Derek, on the other hand, was baring his teeth.
“You know you aren't supposed to cross bonds,” Derek said ferociously. The Rogue just stood there, staring menacingly at them both, taunting them.
Before anything could happen, the kitchen became hazy and my bathroom appeared before my eyes. I was on the ground, towel still wrapped around me. I put my hands through my wet hair, wondering what the heck just happened. I didn't know other Rogues could cross paths in bond dreams. I'm sure they could fight, too, then. And I missed it! I really wanted to know what happened.
I quickly stood up and raced to my closet to throw on something. A pair of leggings and a long striped shirt and I was ready.
I didn't know who to talk to first, Alec, Iva or maybe Marcus.
I most likely looked crazy running down the hall. Whenever I needed someone; it would seem that no one was around. What the heck? I didn't even know where Alec or Iva's rooms were. Feeling dejected, I sat on a random bench, my back to a storefront. I closed my eyes, pressing my temples with my index fingers.
Okay, relax, Aimee, try and remember what happened. Keeping my eyes closed to recap everything, I nearly screamed when I was lightly tapped.
Iva’s curious eyes were on me.
“Is everything all right? You look paler than normal.”
“You won't believe what happened.” I began to tell her about Elizabeth and the mysterious Rogue. Her face remained the same. Not shocked at all.
“It has to be someone you know," she said.
“You think so? I could have sworn the Rogue smiled at me."
“That would explain it. Why else would it be there? Do you think Marcus would?"
How come I didn't think of that, genius? I thought. “Good thinking, we should go talk to him," I said, turning to find Marcus, but Iva grabbed my shirt.
“Not now. There are other things to discuss right now."
“What is more important than this?" I threw my hands in the air, startling a group of girl Yurnlings. Iva was calm and collected as usual.
“Then tell me what we need to talk about," I said sarcastically.
“Have you finished your tantrum?"
I just glared at her, arms crossed. "Clearly."
“Come on, we can't talk here. Let's go to my room."
“Lead on, then," I said.
I don’t know how it was possible, but I had never been to Iva’s room before; it was down the same hall as my room.
It was smaller than mine and the bed was a simple sleigh bed, with a couch in the corner. It was cozy and intimate. I wasn't expecting it to be girlie, but you wouldn't know that anyone lived in the room because, unlike my room, it was pristine.
I ran and jumped on her bed. Iva smiled at me. “So what is so important that you had to tell me here?"
Her eyes became glassy as she turned to me.
“I’ll tell you when I get back; I left something in the hall."
She was acting really strange. Iva wasn't the normal Iva. Something was definitely wrong. I stood up without distracting her. She was close to the door. How would I leave the room? Iva sensed me and I didn't even see her coming. She had me pressed to the ground, hands on my shoulders.
“Iva, what is wrong with you?" I said, trying to breathe. Her glassy eyes were vacant. She was being compelled, I assumed. I had never seen what it looked like, but this had to be compulsion.
“You are to stay here," Iva said.
I was afraid as I was gasping for air.
“What do you plan on doing with me, then?" I said, in between gasps.
Iva was still pinning me down. All she said was, “You will stay here.”
“Fine, I will stay. Can you get off me now?" She hesitated, but go
t up. Where was my super strength I had had with Anthony? Maybe because it's Iva and I didn't want to hurt her. But this wasn't Iva my friend, it was compelled Iva. Iva didn't wait another moment; she was gone from the room, very fast. Vampire speed.
I already knew the door would be locked yet, I ran to it, turning the handle. Yep, locked. Who would compel her? Better question: who would lock me up?
I paced the door about a million times. What was I going to do? Did Alec know I was here?
I began looking for a vent of some sort. Of course, one was in the middle of the room on the ceiling. But I had nothing tall enough to reach it. This is just my luck.
Entering the bathroom, I saw just a vent that was so small my arm would not fit. Great.
How did I get in this mess?
Giving up, I lay on Iva’s bed. Or was this even her room? I just stared at the ceiling, as though it would help me.
Eighteen
SO IT WAS OFFICIAL,
being locked in a room with no windows, check; alone and going
crazy, check. I had no idea how long I had been in this room. It seemed like forever, but most likely a day or two. I also realized there was no clock or phone. How long would I be here? Iva hadn't even checked on me. Instead, I had been staring at the ceiling, at the air vent the only exit in this room. The room was pretty torn up out of anger. I was hungry, too. The tiny mini bar had a few snacks in it, but not enough to fill me. Was I going to starve? Alec had to be thinking about me. Wouldn't he be concerned about me? The sound in the room became a hum; my thoughts were tuned out also. I began hearing voices. They became loud, as though I had turned up the volume.
“Are you sure you haven't seen Aimee?" It was Alec.
“No, I haven't, last I saw her was … I can't remember,” Iva said.
“She wouldn't just leave. I checked her room earlier and she wasn't there. Rosemarie hasn't been available. Don't you find it strange?" Alec’s voice was saying.
“Alec I think you are thinking about things too much. Everything is fine. When Aimee wants to be seen she will turn up. "
Alec, I'm not okay! I thought loudly in my head. I was going mental. Hearing voices was sure sign of it.
"Aimee? Is that you?" he asked. Was I imagining him hearing me?
I couldn't hold that thought much longer and I felt the snap of sound turn off. It was bizarre feeling, like a balloon snapping.
Did Alec really hear my thoughts just now?
Okay, so my options were … I had none. Besides the vent....
I got off the bed and started to search the room for anything tall. The closet was empty and there was obviously no convenient ladder anywhere. My eyes fell on the dresser. It would be tall enough if I put a chair on top. I might die trying to get into the vent, but I had to try.
The dresser wasn't as light as I thought it would be and I almost pulled a muscle. What the heck!
With great difficulty, I managed to wiggle it close enough. I stood on top of the dresser to measure the distance I had left. I needed just an extra foot to get enough height. I jumped off onto the bed. And heard a crunch noise. Lying on the bed, I hung my head off the bed to check to see what crunched. It was some kind of device. Reaching for it, I burnt my finger. It was really hot. What is it? It looked like some kind of tracking device but larger, the size of an iPad. It stood on a stand. Was I truly being monitored? I really had to escape. Very dangerously, I pulled the chair on top of the dresser. I was pretty scared to stand on the chair. I began to balance myself on this contraption I built. It wobbled a bit under my unsteady feet. But fortunately I was able to push the vent open. Dust went in my face and I almost fell off the chair, coughing and gagging. Dust was my nemesis.
Glad I wore leggings because they were so flexible, I pulled myself into the vent. It was a long silver old tunnel, and it was dark. I can do this! Sure, I didn't know where it led and I would have to try to be quiet. I know vamps have acute senses and would be able to hear me clanking above their heads.
I began crawling in the very confined space. Luckily, I wasn’t claustrophobic, because then I would surely perish in here.
Glancing into some vents as I passed, I looked for my room. I knew I was only a few doors from it. I was hoping I had gone the right way. My breathing was getting heavier and the smell was awful; I would die of mold poisoning if I stayed any longer. And my knees were crying in pain. I was also driving myself crazy with the complaining. Anyone would shoot me. I was annoying myself.
I had to get out of this air vent. I reached the next opening and took the vent cover off. Peeking my head down, I saw it was empty. That's one good thing. Problem, I never thought about how I was going to get down. Would I break my leg from the fall? Why does this stuff happen to me?
Putting my feet first and holding onto the rims, I dangled for a moment. If someone were to come back to their room and see me dangling from the ceiling it would be quite comical.
Taking a deep breath, I released my hold, anticipating my fall.
The fall didn't break my leg as far as I knew. I landed on my feet surprisingly, it didn't hurt, but it was still uncomfortable. Making a jog to the door and opening it, quickly glancing out the door, the hall was empty.
Do I take a chance and go to my room or make a run for Alec? I didn’t think my room would be smart; for all I knew Iva could be there. I ran down the hall passing some young vampires that jumped out of my way, giving me a death stare as I passed them.
The main court was busy with Yurnlings; I guess it was lunchtime. Alec where are you? Why was he never around when I needed him? Well, that wasn’t true, he was always around. I slowed to a walk and began swiftly making my way to my mom’s office area. She would know what to do.
Sitting straight in her chair, with such a smug face, I saw Beth at a distance; she was at her usual spot, the front desk by the koi pond.
Reaching her, she glanced up at me; her smug expression was irritating.
“Beth, I need to see my mother," I told her. Her lips curled into a smile; it wasn’t a friendly one, more like the one you would punch in the face for being irritating.
“She is unavailable," she said happily.
“I don’t care, this is important." I said, slamming my fist on her glass desk.
She flinched. “I’m sorry. I can leave her a message."
Not good enough. I ignored her and walked toward the door. Beth was at the door first, of course, vampire speed. Her smile broadened. I felt that same fire in my chest and creeping in my skin. Everything that I’d gone through the last couple days really was building. My temper was boiling. Beth touched my arm and set me off. Back slapping her, she flew backward and hit her desk.
I stood there, frozen for a moment, mouth ajar, completely shocked at what I'd just done. It felt good.
Again my crazy strength had come out of nowhere. I didn't check to see if she was okay; instead I rushed inside the room, making my way to my mom’s office. It was quiet in the hall, an unusual quiet.
I reached her office, anxious, but her room … she wasn’t there. The lounge area was vacant. Scanning the room for anything unusual I didn’t notice anything. What is going on? My arm hairs began to prickle up. Something wasn't right.
Alec, I thought. Maybe he could hear me. “I’m in my mom’s office. Please, if you hear me. Come to me." I thought really hard, focusing on him. I didn't know if it worked or not; I might actually be going crazy. I walked to my mom’s desk and found a planner. Opening the planner I looked for today's date. She was supposed to have a meeting in this room today. I heard the door open and I didn't even have time to hide. I looked stunned, more or less like a fool; it was Alec. Cautiously, I stayed where I stood.
"Aimee?" he said, unsure.
I blinked a couple times before coming to my senses.
“Alec, are you okay?” I asked. He looked at me, confused.
“Yes, why wouldn't I b
e? What about you, you have been gone for days! I have been so worried. And your mother, she disappeared. I have been asking to see her but she apparently has been busy."
“She’s not here,” I said, stating the obvious. “Iva was compelled and trapped me in a room."
"Iva?" he said, shocked.
“Yes, I escaped through an air vent.… Did you hear me call you?" I asked.
He smiled. “I thought it was my imagination, but I listened to it."
“So you really heard me?" I said, excited.
“I believe so."
“Cool. I just thought hard about you, then I heard you talking, and I don't know, I gave it a shot, but couldn't keep it long."
“I heard you then and this time, very clearly. It was like you were in my head."
So I may be slight crazy but it was worth finding Alec. How was this even possible?
“We need to find my mom. Something is seriously wrong!" I said.
“I know. I feel something is wrong,” Alec said.
“Where is Iva?" I asked.
He shrugged. “I don't know. I saw her yesterday and this morning, but that's it."
“What do we do?" I asked, he came to me and hugged me.
“We find your mom. But first we need to go somewhere safe,” Alec said.
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