“Wha…What do you want?” Madison asked, her voice quivering with fear and her heart beat quickening in her chest.
The two boys did not answer, they both remained motionless and their postures identical.
Madison’s breathing increased and slowly she began to drop her right foot down onto the step behind in preparation to turn and run back down onto the platform.
Before her foot had fully touched the step below, both boys lunged at her grabbing at her arms. Madison opened her mouth to scream but no sound came out, she was frozen. Her body became light and she lost control of all motor-functions. Slowly, she began to rock back and forth in the same kind of motion as if you’re standing on a boat. Whatever the two boys had done to her she was now completely paralyzed, unable to talk or move. Everything began to grow dark and the walls around her that had seemed so confiding a moment ago were now vibrating and growing wider. A feeling of lightness washed over her causing all of her limbs to become limp and almost twitch repeatedly at the bizarre occurrence.
The room began to dissolve around her paralyzed body and the two boys still clinging to her lifeless shell kept her pulled up right on her feet. It was like when you fall in a dream and you seem to fall forever in slow motion, weightlessness, frozen. Madison tried to struggle but it was no use, her eyes began to flicker as unconsciousness took its grip and dragged her in.
* * *
Madison stirred from beneath the unconsciousness that clung on tight. Distance voices sounded in the back ground, they were muffled and she was too still too dazed and confused to work out what they were saying. Her left cheek was frozen against a cold hard floor and it stuck slightly when she tried to lift her head. A strong smell of ale filled Madison’s nostrils – it was a smell she had become accustom to over the last few weeks, familiar, almost homely.
She opened her eyes, the room spun for a second but slowly her vision began to correct. She was disoriented and everything looked strange but some aspects also appeared oddly familiar. Madison was unsure of her surroundings at first, but quickly the haze began to lift and she realised where she had been taken.
Her back ached as she began to lift her head further off the wooden floor - she had been taken to Luxuriance. Her surrounding were clear now, she was led on the dance floor in a heap as if she had just been thrown there from the ceiling - her body twisted awkwardly.
Two identical twins stood either side of her; both of them wore identical suites and had stubble on their necks and chins. They appeared to be in their early twenties, but there features were waxy, almost perfect. Madison had become accustom to identifying these waxy appearances as Vampires.
She couldn’t differentiate between the twins, the way they stood and even their hair was exactly the same, blonde and spiky – gelled forwards. The twin’s eyes were bright yellow, cat like, only revealing a black slit of a pupil. Their lips long and thin parted slightly revealing a set of stunningly white teeth. A smirk twitched at the corner of their mouths as they both watched Madison curiously.
Her eyes shifted over to the two hooded boys that had attacked Madison in the underground, both of them stood in the center of the room their backs to her, posture identical and their heads and shoulders lowered. They were whispering to each other, their deep voices unnatural. The sound of their voice sent unnatural shivers up Madison’s spine. Her body was cold on the hard, wooden floor and she curled up into a defensive ball at the sight of the two boys. The two boys began to raise their voices as if they were disagreeing with someone who was not visible through the cover of darkness.
Madison moved again, stretching out her legs silently as to not draw any attention to herself.
“This is unacceptable. The deal was, we bring you the human and you give us what we want” said one of the boys, their voice unnatural, almost hallow.
“Breaking your side of the deal would be unwise on your part” said the other boy his voice just as unnatural.
Madison couldn’t work out which boy had spoken, neither of their bodies moved when they spoke and they were both completely motionless – still.
“Ummm……Gabby?” said a man’s voice.
The name ‘Gabby’ spoken aloud was enough to freeze Madison and cause her heart to pause instantly. She stared into the shadows her eyes searching the darkness for the face she feared most of all. Her heart resumed beating with a shudder that erupted out over her body. Her eyes flickered to the right; one of the twins was now staring at her – his eyes piecing her skin.
She felt another pair of eyes burning into the opposite side of her head as she turned to see the other twin staring at her in very much the same way as his brother. Madison eyed him wearily, fear stricken her heart pumped rapidly in her chest. Gabby was the one thing that scared her more than anything else and the one thing that really wanted her dead - the reason being… jealousy.
“Gabby!” one of the twins shouted. He turned, looked past the two boys into a thick cover of darkness. Slowly, he turned back to stare at Madison after he caught the eye of the thing that has orchestrate the whole event – directing her attention to Madison.
“What?!” Gabby spat coming out from her shadowy cover.
Her face was pasted in frustration and anger as it became illuminated by the dim lights of the nightclub. As always, it was still blemish free and stunningly beautiful and her facial features softened when she noticed that Madison had woken.
Her bright blonde hair was pinned up on the top of her head; it was shiny and fixed perfectly. She wore black leather trousers which clung to her skinny, but perfectly formed legs and a pink crop top which showed off her toned stomach and a shiny black leather jacket.
An amused grin spread across Gabby’s lips and her eyes narrowing at Madison’s terror.
“Madison. Long time no see!” Gabby said, stepping around the hooded boys, closing the gap between them.
Her sweet, soft voice instantly sent waves of fear through Madison body. Never before had she heard something so beautiful but equally so terrifying.
“I kind of thought we would meet sooner, but I’m glad it’s like this. This way is so much more fun!” Gabby spat, casually walking towards Madison and crouching down beside her.
Madison gathered her strength and pushed herself up onto her feet, she felt sick that Gabby was so close to her – almost repulsed.
Her legs wobbled beneath her, she swayed in dizziness from standing up too quickly.
Both twins now eyed Madison, watching her carefully. The two boys remained motionless, their backs to her in the same position they had been while they were disagreeing
“That’s funny, I kind of hoped it would be longer” Madison said sarcastically, slightly shocked as to where her brave and bitter statement had come from.
“Wow, look who just grew a pair!” Gabby clapped in amusement, standing up to face her.
“Where’s Stephanie?” Madison demanded, focusing back on to the reason why she had travelled back to London.
“She’s here, upstairs. Don’t worry, Trace is keeping her company” Gabby said slowly, surprised by Madison’s new strong attitude.
The two boys shuffled behind Gabby, their heads hunched over towards the ground covering their faces in utter darkness.
“I want to see her!” Madison demanded, staring hard into Gabby’s eyes.
“In time... but now I really want you to stick around down here - with me” Gabby said wheeling around to face the two hooded boys like she was performing some type of dance routine.
“No! You have me you can let her go now!” Madison protested stepping towards Gabby trying to draw her attention back.
Both twins moved towards her in a defensive manner - protecting their boss. Gabby threw her hand up to stop them, knowing Madison wouldn’t get too close to her – not if she valued her own life.
Both twins followed her instruction instantly, freezing on the spot, relaxing and straightening up.
“I really think she’s fine where she is.
I might even let her stick around for a while. Besides, I haven’t finished with her yet!” Gabby said spitefully, turning to face Madison once again – narrowing her eyes in disgust.
“No! Leave her out of this!” she shouted, anger rippling through her body clouding her self-control.
“You know, I was never very good at keeping promises. Why start now?” Gabby chuckled as she turned to walk back towards the two hooded boys.
“You bitch!” Madison spat, shocked.
She felt light on her feet, dizzy almost. A cool breeze caught Madison’s hair, sending it flying out behind her. A sudden pressure filled the soles of Madison’s feet, colours and objects seemed to fly past her head. A few seconds pasted before she realised she had sprinted past the twins and was now passing the two boys and Gabby. Then suddenly Madison found herself passing the double doors which led out into the corridor of the stairs which led up to the VIP lounge. Her legs still ached and wobbled from whatever the two boys had done to her, but she didn’t care – she had to find Stephanie. Madison now reached the bottom of the stairs, she turned briefly to look back towards the corridor entrance – it was empty. The twins, the two hooded boys and Gabby had let Madison go and they were not in pursuit. This could only mean one thing - Gabby wanted Madison to find something. Madison knew that she had no chance of escaping and there was little hope that Gabby would let her go so easily, especially when she had gone to all this trouble to make Madison’s life a living hell.
Her legs almost buckled as she took the first stair, stumbling she regained her balance and took the next stair in a large stride.
“Get her! Slowly…” Gabby shouted orders at the twins, her voice echoing.
Madison heart jumped into her mouth, she sucked in air in large gulps. Using her hands she pushed herself up the stairs faster and faster. She felt the presence of the twins hot on her tail. Oddly, the twins seemed to allow Madison to continue to climb the stairs, even though they were fast enough to stop her at any time.
Desperation forced tears out over Madison’s cheeks and she had to know that Stephanie was alright even it was only for a split second.
The stairs veered off to the left, she began to take two steps at a time, grabbing the banister for support. Footsteps sounded behind her, gaining, faster than before. The door to the VIP area was insight and only feet away. Madison almost threw her body at the large wooden door, aching to reach it for a glimpse of her best friend.
She was inched away from her fingers touching the grainy wood of the VIP door when her leg caught on something, causing her to trip and her chin to impact with the edge of the top stair. Wailing in a pain a small droplet of blood gathered at the small cut on the tip of her chin, the metal edging of the stairs had pieced the skin. She turned quickly to see what had caused her fall - one of the twins gripped her foot. He pulled at her foot; his fingers twisted and ripped her skin. Madison winced again and grabbed the banister to stop her being dragged towards him. Wriggling her foot and kicking out she tried to break his hold – he was too strong. He began to pull Madison further towards him and his hand beginning to climb to her calf. Panicking Madison kicked out her leg trying to shake it free and her foot impacted with the twins face. He released his grip imminently, knocking him down a few steps towards the other twin that caught him from falling back completely.
Taking her chance, she jumped up and sprinting the remaining few stairs towards the VIP area - pushing the door open on impact.
Once inside, Madison froze. The VIP area was still, a row of expensive sofas and coffee tables lined the wall to the right. On the left was a shiny marble bar, identical to the bar in the main club downstairs. At the far end was a small dance floor, alongside it a glass wall that overlooked the dance floor downstairs.
Madison’s eyes narrowed towards a figure slumped on a stall seated at the bar – it was another Vampire. A Vampire that Madison had met briefly before. His dark brown hair was pulled back into a pony tail and his face lowered examining a glass of whisky or brandy that he clutched in his hand. He didn’t flinch at the sight of Madison entering the room. He was completely wrapped up in his own torture – pain stricken. Madison recognised him instantly; he had been at the club with Brendan before she had been attacked by the Skin Crawlers that night. He had been defensive and unfriendly to her on their first encounter, eyeing her with disgust. Now he seemed lost in his own thoughts, conflicted within his own head, almost remorseful.
A scratching sound caught her attention and she found herself sprinting towards a section of sofas where the sound seemed to of originated from.
The two twins burst through the door of the VIP area in the same manner Madison had, but she did not turn at the sound of them, she was close to Stephanie now – she could feel it.
“Trace, we’re sorry! She’s got a bloody good kick on her!” one of the twins said cradling a red lump on his cheek.
The other twin squeezed past his brother who stood in the door way and moved towards her.
She reached the red sofa before the twin had a chance to stop her and leant over the back of the sofa searching for a glimpse of her friend.
Madison froze, her blood ran cold and her face turned horror stricken.
Her stomach flipped, she doubled over gagging, bile rose and she vomited over the back of the sofa. What Madison saw was something she half expected but was equally unexpected at the same time. It was a sight that would haunt her for the rest of her life and the image would be imprinted behind her eyes forever.
Faye’s lifeless body was laid in a pool of her own blood, her eyes wide and bloodshot. Open wounds around her neck and arms and her clothes drenched in her own blood. Her body was eerily still and positioned awkwardly as if her arms and legs had been broken out in different directions. One of her legs was bent around and upwards, both arms flung out to her sides. Within this ghastly, terrible sight was something far worse…Stephanie knelt over Faye, her lips pressed to a wound on her neck, her teeth sunk into her fresh extracting the blood.
Madison sudden appearance startled the newborn Vampire, Stephanie. She jumped back from Faye’s corpse and let out a defensive, unnatural growl. Her eyes were a blood red – she looked at Madison as if she didn’t recongise her.
Stephanie flashed her blood stained razor sharp teeth, blood running down her chin onto the pretty flowery summer dress she wore. Strands of her red/brown hair clung to the blood on her face. Stephanie was almost unrecognisable, she was wild and dangerous.
“Steph?” Madison wept tears running thick and fast.
Stephanie’s eyes grew soft for a moment as the memory of Madison came flooding back, as quickly as realisation set in the Vampire gene took over again. Stephanie opened her mouth wide snapping her over-grown canine teeth at her.
Madison flinched. A scream erupted from the top of her lungs and her voice withered at the strain on her vocal cords.
Tears streamed down Madison’s face, she wasn’t afraid of whether the newborn Vampire would kill her, she was heartbroken at the knowledge that she had done this to her best friend.
Her body became limp and she felt the lightness of falling in a dream again - her body beginning to descend towards the floor. Two arms grabbed around her waist and swung her around onto her feet before she could impact with the ground.
Madison’s limp body dangled from one of the twin’s arms and her legs shuffled on the ground as she furiously tried to support the weight of her own body.
Tears streamed simultaneously down her cheeks, but she made no sound now – she was frozen with grief. Her heart thumbed slowly in my chest and her features went blank. Madison stared into the empty space in front of her, not directly looking at anything nor daydreaming at the same time. Stephanie growled furious behind her and the twin, sounds of glugging and swallowing followed at Stephanie began to feed of Faye’s corpse once again.
Madison was empty, every thought and feeling had slipped out of her body from the moment she saw what the Vampire’s had done
to Stephanie. The emptiness was beginning to consume her - swallow her whole. The emptiness would not allow any small fragment of feeling to escape – she was numb to the world now. Stephanie had been stolen from Madison – turned against her. Gabby had done the worst thing imaginable to get her revenge. There was no turning back now… Madison was broken.
Chapter Twelve: Breaking point.
Madison was empty. Gabby and her tormentors had squeezed out every last spark of hope. She felt nothing. She took swallow breaths, wheezing after each shallow exhale. All hope was gone, Madison didn’t care now whether they killed her not. She knew Brendan would get over it eventually, they had only spent a very limited amount of time together and even though their bond was strong, Gabby would make sure it was broken one way or the other. Madison suspected in time, he would meet someone else, after all she felt inferior compared to the other women Vampire’s she had been acquainted with so far. She was a weak, feeble human who comes with a lot of emotional baggage and life for Brendan would be easier if she was not in it.
The Twins began to carry Madison back downstairs to Gabby after they apologised to Trace several times.
Trace didn’t seem to notice the commotion of what had occurred nor did he seem concerned in the slightest. He still was consumed in heavy thoughts, only raising his head slightly to sip his dark, tar-like alcohol.
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