by Donna Flynn
A loud explosion filled the air. “Chad,” I screamed, looking toward the car that was now engulfed by flames. “No!” I cried out.
“Katie, I got him,” Paul called out, walking from the darkness and carrying Chad’s body towards safety as flames filled the sky. The metal of the car buckled and groaned in protest at the searing heat that overcame it, filling the air with its death knell. Paul placed Chad down, out of the way of the wreckage, and looked at me with worry.
“I’ve got her. You and Beth burn the body parts before the humans arrive. We can’t have them finding evidence of our kind,” Aidan growled.
Paul nodded and began tossing the vampire’s mangled body parts into the burning wreckage. Beth joined him in the gruesome task and I watched as flames and smoke circled higher into the sky, making an eerie sight in the inky blackness of the forest.
“Katie,” Aidan called out in a raspy voice, walking toward me cautiously. Worry creased his brow as he took in the damage my body had endured in the attack. Although he was still in vampire form, I found myself unafraid and completely at ease as he knelt next to me, checking my injuries, and swearing loudly when he surveyed my leg.
“What?” I managed to get out through clenched teeth.
“Don’t worry, we will get you help, it will be okay,” he assured me, but I could hear doubt in his voice and looked down to see my leg twisted at an odd angle that I knew was far from normal. Without thinking, I pulled my hand from the gash on my head to reach for my leg. Blood dripped from my fingers, splattering my jeans, and warm liquid rolled down my brow, flooding my vision. I cried out in alarm and all hell broke loose around me.
“Beth, no!” Paul screamed, tackling her to the ground as she ran toward me, throwing his body over hers to keep her from acting on the blood lust I saw in her eyes as she stared at me hungrily. Her fangs dripped with saliva and her face was feral, almost unrecognizable, as she fought Paul, seething, screeching, and fighting to get to get to me like a wild animal. Never before had I seen that side of any vampire I knew. It opened up a completely new understanding of what being a vampire really meant, and I was horrified.
“Aidan,” I murmured fearfully.
Aidan turned to look at me, his eyes black as coal, his gaze locked on the blood that ran from my forehead with longing. His desire for my blood was palpable. He wanted it, craved it, and I could feel his internal struggle not to take what he wanted so badly. I knew he was fighting with every fiber of his being to control his urge to drink from me. I remembered what he had told me about craving my blood and swallowed, knowing I needed to remain calm. My fear would only make the situation worse.
I struggled to breathe as he leaned closer, his mouth open revealing his long, deadly fangs. I had to stop him on my own, Paul could not hold off Beth and Aidan, so I counted on his feelings for me to make him see reason. “Aidan, please, stop,” I pleaded, my voice trembling. “You’re scaring me,” I explained as calmly as I could, given the circumstances. His eyes snapped to mine and I could see the internal struggle going on inside of him. “Please, you don’t want to hurt me,” I said softly. “You promised me that you would always protect me and never cause me harm,” I reminded. Yearning for my blood radiated from his every pore, but slowly I could see control coming back to him. The black ebbed slowly from his eyes until they become the brilliant blue I was familiar with, and finally I was able to breathe a sigh of relief.
“Katie,” he whispered, as if coming out of a trance.
“It’s alright,” I murmured, closing my eyes tiredly, the overwhelming pain I was in threatening to knock me out.
Beth snarled loudly and Aidan turned to my brother with a loud growl. “Get her out of here now!”
I struggled to open my eyes again as a loud, rage-filled roar filled the air. Somehow Beth managed to get free of Paul only to come up against Aidan, and he wasn’t taking the threat lightly. He snarled, tackling her to the ground, his hand locked on her neck as he sat on top of her, forcing her to stay down as she shrieked in outrage.
“Don’t kill her!” Paul pleaded, walking toward them, his hands raised in the air. “Please, don’t take her away from me.”
It was the most vulnerable I had ever seen him, and I took up his cause, knowing I was the only one who could make Aidan see reason. “Aidan, please,” I begged.
“She could have killed you!” Aidan snarled loudly.
“But you stopped her,” I told him. “Please, for me, let Paul take her home.”
Aidan growled angrily but looked at Paul and nodded. “Take her away; she is more a danger to Katie now than anything else,” he growled.
“Are you going to be okay here alone with her?” Paul asked, obviously torn between leaving him with me and staying. Beth screamed and clawed to get at me, and he wrapped his arms around her like a vise, holding her tightly as she struggled.
“I’ll be fine,” Aidan answered sharply. “Just get her out of here, now!”
Paul nodded and gave me one last agonized look before dragging a screaming, snarling Beth away.
My vision was blurry, the pain in my body intense, and I was losing my fight to stay alert. I knew it would not be long before I passed out from the sheer amount of pain mixed with the blood loss. I had suffered too much for the human body to handle, and I felt my body fall limply to the side.
“Katie!” Aidan screamed.
“Aidan,” I whimpered in a small, almost fragile voice.
“Please fight, I cannot live without you,” he pleaded desperately one lone blood-red tear rolling down his cheek.
“Live,” I murmured, just before I sank blissfully into darkness.
Chapter Fifteen
Machines beeped loudly and the smell of antiseptic assailed my nose as I came awake. I struggled to open my eyes, but only one would open fully to reveal white ceiling tiles and fluorescent lights above me. Pain and fear raced through me as images of the horrific accident flooded my brain. I felt my heart rate increase and sweat bead my forehead as panic began to set in. I felt someone squeeze my hand, then Aidan’s anxious face appeared over me.
“Katie,” he said, brushing his finger down my cheek lovingly.
I wanted to speak, but a tube down my throat made it impossible, and I looked at him with fear.
“It’s okay. You couldn’t breathe well after the accident, so they put the tube in to help you out. The doctor is on his way, and I’m sure they will remove it now that you are awake.”
A tear rolled from the corner of my eye and he gently wiped it away. He looked like he wanted to say something to me, but the doctor walked in and Aidan was forced to back up so he could check me over. When the doctor was done, he assured me they would indeed remove the tube, and a nurse hurried in to assist him.
Aidan held my hand as they pulled the tube out, worry creasing his brow. As I took my first breath, a stabbing pain in my ribs made me cry out, and his skin paled more than should have been possible even for a vampire.
“I know it hurts,” the doctor said calmly. “We’re putting something in your IV to help the pain.” The nurse quickly pushed a needle into the small tube attached to my hand, and I laid my head back on the pillow, praying it would take effect quickly. “Now, you relax and let your body mend. I’ll be back later to check on you.”
Aidan’s face was taut, his expression one of agony as he stared down at me. The anxiety he felt was hard to ignore, and the fear I saw in his eyes made me want to reassure him. I tried to smile but it hurt, and I was sure it looked as awful as I felt.
The doctor too must have noticed his upset because he rushed to reassure him. “She is going to be fine, in time. The bruising on her face will fade and, aside from the one wound on her forehead that we had to stitch up, I don’t believe there will be any lasting scars. The way her leg was broken will make it a difficult recovery, but you called upon the best orthopedic man in the country to set it so I don’t expect any complications. There was a lot of bruising to her chest and a few br
oken ribs, but again that will all heal with time and rest. Right now, our main concern is the concussion she received. We want to keep a close eye on it for now.”
It was a long, frightening list, and I shuddered as he listed each of my injuries. It was the first time I really understood the scope of how close I came to losing my life, and it was scary.
“You are here; that is all that matters,” Aidan whispered, brushing his lips over my forehead.
“How long will she be here?” my father asked, startling me with his presence.
My first thought upon waking had been of Aidan and I hadn’t realized anyone else was in the room.
“For now, let’s just take it day by day. We can discuss it again after we run some more tests.”
“Thank you, doctor,” my mother said.
“Not a problem,” he replied politely. “I will be back later to check in on you,” he said to me, before walking out, rapidly issuing orders to the nurse as he went.
“Katie, honey,” my father said at my side. I looked at my parents, taking in their haggard appearances with a sigh. My mother struggled to smile, but I could feel her upset. My father, on the other hand, didn’t bother hiding his emotions. I could see his angst in his eyes and it unnerved me. I closed my eyes, unable to deal with the emotions that churned around me. They must have all thought the medicine had taken effect because they started talking as if I was indeed asleep.
“Aidan, you must go feed now,” my mother said worriedly.
“I’m fine,” he assured her, his voice low and laced with tiredness.
“Katie is going to need you to be strong now. It will upset her to see you looking so haggard and weak. It has been days since you last fed. You cannot continue on this course; it is self destructive,” my father cautioned.
“I cannot leave her,” he insisted, gripping my hand.
I wanted to tell him to go and get the blood he needed, but I didn’t want them to know I had been listening, so I remained quiet.
“She’s sleeping. She won’t even know you are gone.”
“Just step into the bathroom and handle it. I left a cooler in there for you,” Paul called from the direction of the doorway. “We will all be here to keep an eye on her.”
Aidan let go of my hand, but he wasn’t gone more than ten minutes before he was back picking it up again, lacing my fingers with his own.
“Beth and I are going to check things out and make sure our people are all set to keep this place secure, since we can’t move Katie right now,” Paul said.
“That’s a good idea. We’ll go with you,” my mother said.
“Paul can handle it,” my father said gruffly.
“I’m sure he can, but Katie is asleep, so we might as well take a walk and stretch our legs.”
I could have kissed her. As much as I loved my family, I wanted time to talk to Aidan alone, and as soon as they left I took the opportunity. “Aidan,” I croaked.
“It’s okay, do not talk yet; your throat needs to heal,” he told me. I shook my head in frustration, which made him smile. “Just think of what you want to say and direct it toward me.”
I wasn’t sure it would work for us like it did for my parents but I gave it a try. “What happened?” I thought, concentrating on him.
“There was an attack. From what Paul told me, a vampire appeared in the middle of the road. Chad swerved to avoid hitting him and the car went down a ravine. Paul and Beth were behind you but there were a few other vampires’ they had to contend with before they could get to you. The vampire that caused the accident used that distraction to try and kill you. Thankfully, I was close enough to stop that from happening.” I could see the look of remorse on his face and rushed to comfort him.
“It wasn’t your fault. I asked Paul not to even follow me on that date,” I thought. He frowned and I was sure he would have scolded me, if not for my present condition. “How long have I been here?”
“Three days.”
“Is Chad alright?”
“He’s okay; he believes a deer ran in front of the car. He had a concussion and some bruises, but he went home that night.”
“I’m guessing he looks better than me, then.” I tried to smile but it hurt, and I flinched instead.
Aidan chuckled. “You are beautiful.”
“Is she communicating with you mentally?” my father asked from the doorway. Aidan tensed and nodded.
“It’s too soon for that,” my father growled angrily.
“Is it?” Aidan asked. “Don’t you think nature knows better than we do when it is time?”
“She’s too young!” my father snarled, his face filled with rage.
“Why don’t we discuss this in the hall?” Mom said, pulling my father towards the doorway.
“Good idea,” Aidan responded tightly.
“Why are they angry?” I thought, biting my lip then crying out at the pain my action caused.
He took my hand and squeezed it gently. “It’s okay; they just don’t understand why we can communicate this way so soon, that’s all. I’ll get this straightened out with your father and be right back.”
“Paul, why don’t you go with them? I’ll stay with Katie,” Beth said, looking worried.
I silently thanked her, worried myself that the man I loved and my father might come to blows right there in the hospital.
“Will you be okay alone with her?” Paul asked uncertainly.
“I’m fine. I’m in control now,” Beth answered, looking uncomfortable.
“I’ll be right back,” Aidan said to me, releasing my hand and walking to where Paul waited by the door.
“Can I get you anything?” Beth asked nervously at my side.
I shook my head no, regretful that all of our time together was now marred by her slip of control at the accident. I tried to smile reassuringly. She smiled too but it did not reach her eyes, and I wondered if she would ever forgive herself. I hoped so, because I held no grudge against her. She was a vampire: it came as no surprise that all of that blood was too much to handle. Although, I admit, I now had a more healthy fear of them.
My eyes were growing heavy when I felt Aidan take my hand once more. I struggled to open them again, to find out what happened with my father, but it was useless. The pain medication was dragging me under. I felt him kiss me softly just before I fell into a deep, peaceful, pain-free sleep.
*****
When I woke next, I was not sure what day it was, or how long I had been in the hospital. Thanks to the pain medication they kept pumping into me, the days and nights had mixed together and were all a fog, but Aidan was there holding my hand, so that was all that mattered.
“How are you, beautiful?” he said, smiling down on me.
“Liar, I’m sure I look hideous,” I whispered, my throat still scratchy and sore.
“You’re always gorgeous to me,” he assured me, pressing a gentle kiss to my lips.
“You must be blind,” I teased.
“Vampires have excellent eyesight,” he chuckled, kissing me once again. Something I knew I feared I could grow very used to.
“It’s good to hear your voice again, honey,” my father said walking into the room, giving Aidan a scathing look of disapproval before kissing my forehead.
“Where’s Mom?” I asked, trying to distract him.
“She went shopping to get you some pajamas that would fit over the cast on your leg.”
I sighed. The last thing I needed were more pajamas, I had a so many at home.
“I know, but she could use some shopping therapy right now. She’s been worried to death about you,” he told me with a smile.
I laughed, but it hurt and I cried out, clutching my stomach.
Aidan looked on with concern. “Rest, your friends will be here soon. Jess has been everyday but you were always asleep, so I know they will be glad to see you awake and able to talk. They have been very concerned about you. You are lucky to have such good friends in your life.”
“Yes, I am,” I whispered, humbled by the amount of love that surrounded me. My mother and Beth came into the room with their hands full of bags, and I turned to them with a grimace. “Did you buy up the whole store?”
“You never know what you’ll need,” my mother answered, as she began pulling things from the bags and removing tags before sliding the clothes into a small cabinet across the room under the window.
As she worked an elderly volunteer walked into the room carrying a large cut-glass vase overflowing with long-stemmed pink roses. “Good afternoon,” she said cheerfully. “These are for you. Where would you like me to put them?”
I stared at the flowers speechlessly, unable to believe that I was the recipient of such a lavish bouquet.
“Here, I’ll take them,” my mother said, relieving the poor woman of her burden.
I looked to Aidan, positive he was the sender, and he smiled. “Did you think I had forgotten that pink roses were your favorite?” he asked.
I had been thirteen when he had given me a vase of pink roses for Valentine’s Day instead of the usual teddy bear or box of chocolates I had received as a child. It was my first real grownup gift and I had declared them to be my favorite flower ever. Apparently, he too remembered that day as fondly as I did, and it touched my heart.
“Hey, they were supposed to make you happy,” Aidan said, wiping away the tear that rolled down my cheek with his finger.
“They do, thank you,” I whispered, overwhelmed with emotion for the man before me.
A commotion in the hallway interrupted the moment and we both looked to the doorway where Jess appeared with Josh, Chris, and Chad in tow. She wasted no time coming to my side, her concern and upset written upon her face. Josh hovered behind her, nodding to Aidan, who returned the nod with one of his own. It was an odd exchange. I had no idea Aidan even knew Josh, and I made a mental note to ask him about it later.
“Don’t you ever scare me like this again,” Jess mumbled, taking my hand in her trembling one. Tears filled her eyes, and her body began to tremble as she stared down at me sadly.