by D McEntire
Mouth dry as if full of cotton, she swallowed once more. Again, the sharp pain made her wince.
"Oh, sorry about that, dear. The pain should fade after awhile."
David's voice sent a chill down her spine, but the feel of his finger sliding down her cheek, then over the painful spot on her neck brought her close to screaming.
"Where am I? What did you do to me?" Sonya asked in a hoarse whisper.
"Where doesn't matter. The only thing that matters is you are here with me, which is where you'll stay. You and I belong together, Sonya. I've been trying to tell you for months."
What is he talking about? Has he gone mad?
Her heart pounded and her lungs pumped to keep up. She told herself to remain calm, knowing flying into hysterics would not help her right now.
His finger continued to circle the skin on her neck.
"I know you want me, and I can't understand why you refuse to face it. Which is why I brought you here, so you can make it up to me."
Anger boiled over, shoving her fear aside. This man who was supposed to be her friend tricked her into allowing him into her home, attacked her and brought her to God knew where. "You're insane," she said through clenched teeth, ignoring the pain it caused.
David barked out a laugh, a chilling sound that poured down her spine like ice water. He was insane, her mind screamed.
"That may well be, my dear, but it doesn't matter. I know what I want, and I'll have it. It's as simple as that. Make it easy on yourself, Sonya, and admit you want it too."
Fear returned in an instant. Sonya tried to slow the fierce pounding of her heart. It was beating so hard and fast her chest hurt. Out of weakness and fear her ears rang. She knew if she didn't get control of her rapid breathing she'd hyperventilate and pass out. She wanted to remain conscious, terrified of what would happen to her if she didn't. With every ounce of willpower and energy she had left, she'd fight David if he tried to harm her again.
A sharp, stabbing pain close to her collarbone made her cry out. Tears formed under her lashes and spilled down her cheeks. David growled against her skin while his mouth pulled at her flesh, sucking out her blood. The sounds of his pleasure sickened her.
This can't be happening. This can't be happening. The thought ran through her head like a broken record.
When he released her, his hand settled at the nape of her neck, and he lifted her head slightly. She felt weaker than she'd been moments before. Before she could react, David's skin pressed against her lips.
Sonya tried to pull back or turn her head, but David's grip tightened and kept her from moving.
"Drink."
Fear and anger helped bolster Sonya's resolve not to open her mouth.
"I said drink."
David's addition of giving her head a rough shake and pulling on her hair while belting out the command caused her to gasp. The moment her mouth opened, coppery tasting liquid poured inside and down her throat. Her mind went into overdrive, screaming to every cell in her body that blood, his blood, was being poured down her throat. She choked and coughed several times, praying for him to stop. After several moments, he did.
Sonya couldn't stop the sob which escaped her throat or the flood of tears sliding down her cheeks. Terror, revulsion, fear, anger, confusion, all scrambled to make it to the head of the line in her head. What purpose did he have for doing this? She tried to ask just that, but found her voice had deserted her.
David's laughter echoed around her, then faded as footsteps scuffing on stairs heralded his departure. His leaving gave her a modicum of relief.
Sonya managed to roll onto her side and pull herself into a fetal position. She had no idea where she was, only that she was in some sort of musty basement or cellar. Her stomach burned. Bile rose in her throat. Finding the edge of whatever she laid atop, she hung her head over the side and vomited over and over, feeling as though her organs were going to come out her mouth.
"Don't cry, lady."
The sudden childish voice startled her. With a hiccup on a sob, she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and stilled, wondering if she'd imagined it. Holding her breath, she listened.
The approach of soft footsteps told her she hadn't. "Wh--who's there?"
Warm, small fingers brushed her bare arm. Sonya flinched, startling whoever had touched her.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. Please don't cry."
Sonya sucked in several breaths and wiped at her eyes, but kept them closed out of habit. A young boy was here. Discovering she wasn't alone momentarily had her mind dancing as if Robin Hood had come to her rescue.
"Who are you? Are you alone? Is there someone here who can help me? Can you get me out of here?" Sonya knew she was talking fast, but couldn't stop the flood of questions pouring forth out of relief.
The boy didn't speak again. Sonya wondered if he was still with her. Finally, in a low, sad tone he answered. "I can't. My sister and I are stuck here too. They keep the doors locked, and we can't get out."
The tremble in his speech told her he fought back tears of his own. Reaching in the direction of the voice, Sonya grasped the boy's hand. "Shhh," she said in a soothing tone. "We'll figure out something."
He didn't reply, but his hand moved in hers. Sonya assumed he nodded in agreement.
"What's your name?"
"I'm Si, and my sister's name is Mya. She's scared so she's hiding in the corner behind the pipes."
"Oh," Sonya whispered. Her heart ached at the thought of two children held in this place. She didn't need eyes to tell her it was far from pleasant. "Si, how old are you and your sister?"
"I'm ten. Mya's three."
Sonya wished she hadn't asked.
Three? Ten? They're only babies. How could someone do such a thing? How could I have worked around David and not known how evil he is? How could I have overlooked something like that?
Sonya squeezed her eyes tighter. She'd always relied on her ability to sense people's true nature, and it had never failed her before. Or had it? The possibility made her stomach roll.
"What's your name?"
Si's question cut through her runaway thoughts, and she attempted a smile. She had to be strong, at least for them. They needed her. "My name's Sonya."
"Why don't you open your eyes?"
"Well, I'm blind, and my eyes aren't like yours or your sister's, so I keep them closed."
"Ooo, can I see?"
Sonya had to laugh at the sudden change in Si's voice. A typical ten-year-old boy, she mused. Interested in anything scary or gross. Attempting to lighten the mood from their dire situation, she acquiesced. "Okay, but don't say I didn't warn you," she teased and opened her lids slowly.
"Wow!" Si squealed. "Your eyes are white. That's so cool. Hey, Mya, come look at Sonya's eyes. Oh, don't be a baby. Come on."
Sonya quickly closed her eyes. "No, don't scare her. I'm sure being in this place has been terrifying enough."
Sonya had to ignore the pain in her heart when she thought again about the children's young ages. "Si, where are your parents?"
Si was quiet again. Waiting for his answer, she had a strong feeling it wasn't going to be good. After several moments, she prodded. "Si, where're your parents? Are they here too?"
"No." His voice was so soft she almost missed his answer. "The men killed them. They weren't our real parents though. They adopted us and were taking us home. Our real parents are gone. They had a car wreck in September."
Sonya couldn't stop her gasp. "Oh, God," she whispered, feeling tears well in her eyes once again. These poor children. I have to get them out of here.
"Sonya?"
Sonya felt Si's light touch on her arm again.
"Are you going to be okay? You don't look so good." He was quiet a moment before he spoke again. "Sometimes they forget to lock the door upstairs, and I can sneak into kitchen, but I've never been able to get outside. Those doors are always locked. I'll go up and try to find you some water."
The boy's concern touched her deeply. It also made her angry she wasn't able to get off the table and do something about their situation. Though she'd rarely allowed her blindness to be the cause behind any I can't excuse, she knew it definitely portrayed a major role this time.
A stab of pain hit her stomach, and a wave of nausea followed. "Si, I'm going to be sick again. Please go take care of your sister."
"Yes, ma'am. I'll get some water."
Sonya heard him scurry away as she leaned her head over, and once more her stomach erupted into another series of violent spasms.
Si made good on his promise. He returned to her side with a bottle of water.
"The door was unlocked, just like I said it would be. No one saw me."
Too weak to hold the bottle on her own. Sonya was thankful for Si's help. She held up her head as much as she could manage while he poured water into her mouth. Although he tried hard to pour slowly, some of it spilled down the front of her neck and onto her blouse, and he apologized profusely.
"It's okay, Si. It actually feels good. I don't know what's wrong with me. I feel as though I have the flu or something." Sonya tried to will the water to stay in her stomach. In the recesses of her mind, she knew whatever was wrong with her wasn't the flu, but obviously something much worse. She felt as though she were dying. The idea frightened her, but she held on to her control and what humor she could muster for the sake of the children.
When Si brought the bottle to her mouth once more, she shook her head. "Thank you, Si. I think I've had enough." She wanted to ask more questions, but felt herself begin to drift away. Resting her head on her arm and finding herself unable to fight the lethargy any longer, she drifted off into a deep, exhausted sleep.
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Chapter Five
Tank jolted upright in his bed. Even though he, Kern and the two newbies had taken out several Rogues last evening, he still hadn't been able to sleep peacefully. Another dream about Sonya had plagued his slumber. This one far worse than any of the others. He felt her slipping away from him. Her fear and pain had come through strongly in the previous dreams, but this one was different. The energy of her essence seemed to dim.
Sonya had reached out as she'd done before, but this time, he'd tried to go to her. She had been too far away, out of his reach. When he'd finally managed to get close enough to see her, she shimmered and faded until she had become transparent. Within moments she had disappeared, leaving behind only an echoing cry. The sound had ripped right through him. Tank could still hear it replaying in his head.
"Sonya," he groaned and placed his face in his hands. "Why do you haunt my dreams? What do you want from me?"
Another day of restless sleep had passed and another evening of uncertainty waited. Tank slid out of bed, showered and dressed. He couldn't push aside the fact the dreams were wearing him down big time, something he couldn't afford. He had a Cell to run, a job to do, and spinning around in circles wondering what the hell was going on in his head was not something he had time for. Growling low in his throat, Tank opened the door to his room and headed for the stairs.
The aroma of another delicious dinner played with his senses. If his stomach weren't already in a knot, it probably would've rumbled loudly in anticipation of Robyn's mouthwatering concoctions. Even the scent of chocolate chip cookies baking in the oven didn't tempt him.
"Hi, Tank," Robyn called over her shoulder as she peered inside the oven through the glass door.
"Robyn." The grumbled greeting was all he could manage.
Yanking open the refrigerator door with a little more force than intended, caused the contents rattled and clank together loudly.
He didn't miss the one eyebrow raised glance from Robyn, no doubt in reference to his obvious bad mood. "Did we wake up on the wrong side of the bed this afternoon?"
Tank scowled at her, then sighed. Robyn was right about his sour behavior. "Sorry."
"Still haven't been sleeping well?"
Tank pulled out a chair and sat heavily. He twisted the top off the beer he'd removed from the refrigerator and took a long, hard pull, nearly draining the bottle in one gulp.
"Want to talk about it?"
Lowering the bottle from his lips, he caught Robyn's stare. Concern was evident on her face and showed in her eyes. He watched her wipe her hands on a dishtowel, obviously waiting for him to start talking.
Tank felt as though he was going insane. "I just don't get it. I saw Sonya last night at the school. She was fine. The concert went well, and she made it home safely. So why am I still dreaming about her?"
Robyn went silent, pulled out a chair and sat. Tank figured she thought of her next question.
"Are the dreams always the same? Repeating themselves like a broken record?"
Tank shook his head. They weren't always the same, and this one had been the worst. He'd awakened feeling as though he wouldn't see Sonya again, either in the dream world or the real world.
Taking another pull of his beer, this time finishing it off, he tossed the empty bottle across the room. It disappeared into the recycle bin where it clanged with the other bottles and cans inside.
Tank ignored Robyn's smug smile. A stickler for saving the planet by recycling she'd practically beat the idea of going green into their heads, giving them the third degree every time she found something in the trash which could be recycled.
Tank blew out a long breath. "No, not really. I've gone over and over each one in my head, and I can't shake the feeling they're warning something's going to happen to Sonya. This last one was different. It was stronger, almost as if something's already happened to her."
Robyn patted his shoulder, then bounded out of the chair, grabbed a thick potholder and pulled a tray of cookies from the oven. "It's a good thing Vane isn't here or these would be gone before they even cooled."
Tank couldn't bring himself to laugh at Robyn's humor, though he knew it to be the truth. With Vane around, no food left unguarded was safe.
Robyn cleared her throat as she slid the cookies onto a cooling rack. "What does your gut tell you? I mean deep down? Perhaps trying to dismiss the dreams, especially this last one, isn't such a good idea. Maybe you should, I don't know, sit quietly and let your instincts take over. You might come up with something." Robyn let out an unladylike snort. "I sound like some sort of New Ager, don't I?"
Tank pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling a headache forming behind his eyes. "No, that doesn't sound crazy. In fact, it actually makes sense." He pushed his chair away from the table and stood. "I'll be in the office if anyone's looking for me."
"Aren't you joining us for dinner?"
Tank shook his head and placed his hand over his stomach. "I don't have much of an appetite."
Robyn's feigned wounded expression almost made him smile, but he was too tired to move the necessary muscles. Shoving the chair under the table, he left the kitchen, heading for the office.
With the door shut behind him, Tank settled into the chair in front of the computer. Still waiting on information regarding the two newbies' assignments, he glanced at the fax machine. The output tray was empty. He inwardly groaned. He couldn't wait for them to leave and torment some poor sucker at another Cell.
Placing his elbows on the desk, he rested his face in his hands. Inhaling deeply, he tried to dismiss the dread, which had settled like lead in his stomach since he'd awakened from the dream. After several cleansing breaths, he willed himself to relax and attempted to clear his mind. He'd decided on following Robyn's suggestion and let it come to him, let whatever is eating at him come forth, reveal the problem, and hopefully the answer.
Tank's breathing slowed, and he sank deeper and deeper into a somewhat semi-tranquil state using the training Watchers received in the art of meditation, stress reduction and relaxation. Hell, they'd even been sent to yoga classes. Tank's thoughts wandered as he pictured a room filled with muscle-driven, testosterone-filled warriors trying to move their bodies into v
arious odd and uncomfortable positions while light-toned, soothing music played in the background. Yep, definitely America's Funniest Home Videos material right there, he mused.
Forcing himself once again to clear his mind of all thought, he began to reach his destination. Sonya's image within the mist came to the forefront, and he struggled to hold on to it. He pushed his senses to drift closer, to hear her voice clearly and brush aside the fear and despair, which washed over him, and made focusing all the more difficult.
Tank knew the first thing he needed to do was learn the dream's location. Taking a moment, he absorbed as much as he could of what his senses detected of his surroundings.
The musty scent in the air caught his attention. The thought of an old house or unused basement or cellar came to mind. After making a mental note, he pushed it aside and studied the air further--cold, but without a breeze or wind.
Tank listened intently, trying hard to get past the whimpers, moans and pleas for help from Sonya. Squeaks, squeals and a slight scratching sifted through. He studied the sounds until he realized the noise was the scuttling of mice or rats. Squeezing his eyelids tighter and straining his ears revealed nothing more.
Tank almost lost his breath when he managed to get a closer view of Sonya. Her face was tear-streaked and dark circles shown beneath her closed eyes. The warm, mocha colored skin he had marveled at the other night at the concert was now pale and pasty. Red, angry marks marred her neck and collarbone. Tank recognized the marks--vampire bites.
The image began to fade. Tank couldn't hold on to it any longer. Swearing loudly in several languages, he lifted his head and slammed his hand down on the desk in frustration. He hadn't been able to decipher the location of the dream.
Unable to sit still any longer, Tank yanked open the door and stomped out. He snatched up his leather coat from the back of the chair and was almost at the door when Kern stopped him.
"Tank, where're ya' headed?"
Tank turned at Kern's question. He found the Watcher, Marie, Robyn and the two newbies, Eric and Nathan, seated at the table where they'd just finished dinner.
"I'm going to Sonya's place. Something's up, I can feel it."