Chereads / STINGER / Chapter 18 - Love, For her

Chapter 18 - Love, For her

Soon enough after crying myself half to sleep, which didn't last for a blink or two I wake to a pulsing headache and twice as hungry but not any of what I have experienced before. I got myself off the bed after sighting a food cart standing by the dresser. I walked to it seeing that the food I hardly touched last night was sent back to me, it's good being the guest of honor what a hospitality (insert an eye roll). I took the plate back to my bed fulfilling one of my bucket list, check for food in bed. I just realized at the moment I didn't even have many items to check off my bucket list, it was already all done. I looked down at my cold ravioli not even getting a tingling behind my throat, I would normally drool all over everything for it's smell but now I had zero enthusiasm.

"Ravioli is one of your friends that likes you so much to let you eat him or her, hmm! What are you?! I'm sure you're a she taking how cute you are... Well I'm gonna eat you now, let's make some memories" I was stupidly talking to my food, it took me back to when mom would say you can talk to a plant and it hears you so maybe it might work with food. I took a ravioli bringing it slowly to my mouth gently letting it on my tongue, I had to chug down almost all of my glass before pushing it down my throat. I was already half full and it just tasted awful, maybe it went bad. I chugged down the rest of the water, turn off my bed lamp and slid under the sheets laying back down thinking over everything that happened especially tonight.

"I guess not" I murmured to myself sitting back up, I couldn't get my eyes to shut for some reason all that was coming back up was what my life used to be or what I would be doing right now if I was back home with my mom and Max. Some part of me still believes that all of this was a nightmare that I was still in the cab with my mother taking me to the station or better in my own room sleeping from the serum she gave me for my rash which was now mysteriously quite, I haven't even got to scratch it for so long that I forgot it was the beginning of this mess.

Who I am kidding?! Ofcourse I would never forget that. I ran my hand over my nape of my neck, it was good as ever....there wasn't any irritation. Oh great! One mess has cleaned out but million birthed over it. I just remembered how intrigued Lucinda sounded the day she brushed through my hair, and how my mom freaked out about it and then I'm mysteriously here everyone wanting to kill me. They must be connected

I switched the light back on walking to the full body mirror. I stood looking at my changed self, Skinner, dark circles and my skin was looking dull but my hair was dark, very dark It looked like dyed. I had to much to reason with about my mysterious hair color change, I pull it into a ponytail my grip keeping it in place. I turned around and tried tried to look over my shoulder to see but I couldn't make out what's on my neck that was getting everyone worked up alas of it were positioned on my back.

I remembered I could never see what's behind my neck even if I turned around and look to my side or continuously casing my tail like a dog. I groaned angrily getting myself back in bed starting over my new routine.

Stare down the wall until fallen asleep.

It's been days that I have seen anything that moves on its own accord, whenever I roll over peeling my eyes I was greeted by the food cart by the dresser holding food that can't seem to please me, I think their kitchen is definitely defective. I made no effort in moving this time, I kept looking at the steam dancing off whatever delicacy was kept on it waiting patiently for my treatment, up until there wasn't anymore. I didn't need to eat, I didn't want to eat or offend my taste buds any longer. I crave something else..... I needed some company.

I was snapped off my staring contest with my cold food at the sound of the door opening. I quickly sat up a smile spreading across my face when I sight her by the door.

"You're awake I see" Lucinda said avoiding eye contact which I knew was because of the little private chat with Cassius. She reached directly for the food cart her hand was on it but not taking it away, she probably noticed that I didn't even care to touch it this time not that I have been actually eating all this while. I would just stare through it, take a bite or two and finish my glass of water or tea.

I was just so happy that I jumped off the bed and rushed towards her wrapping my hand around her instinctively. I didn't know why I did that but she felt like the only person that wouldn't rip off my head from it's shoulders without second guessing. I somehow felt safe around the woman, not as safe as my home but deadly safe. I quickly retreated from my action after I realized how awkward it seems to hug my own kidnapper baby sitter/ nurse.

"You haven't touched your food?" she asked with an unclear tone. Good thing she decided to ignore the hugging part.

"Yeah well I wasn't getting anything that I actually love to eat...." she was facing me now completely as I sat back in the bed like I have just spoken a lie or something. Actually they kind of tried giving my favourites but there was something about them that doesn't taste right.

"And I have been having trouble keeping food down or even get it in" I added

she was right by my side as soon as my lips drop off my word. Her hand was up my forehead and then checking my eyes flashing a tiny flash light in them. She was so quick that it almost happened in half a second.

"No any pain or something?!" she asked getting all worried like my mom would whenever she felt me very warm and sometimes I don't even have a fever, she would all go mommy-doctor on me.

"No" I answered after she went over to the cart again, she came back with a glass of purple liquid just like the one mom gave me.

"Drink up, it will help" she said handing the glass over to be. I took it alright but I wasn't sure if it would do any good or make me feel the same sick way as it did. It tasted even worst than I remember.

"Is this shallow falls?!" I had been thinking of it lately shallow falls got me into this trouble, what mystery place it was and I just thought maybe I was already in it. They refused to tell me anything

"Lucinda, I know I've asked this before but I really need to know what's all this about, I have the right to know what I'm up against, why I'm here or why everybody hates me so much" I threw the question after she took my glass and was preparing to leave with the cart.

"Gia.." she paused turning around to face me again her face saddened, I don't know why it always happens with her when I ask such question. She came over to the bed sitting by me her hand patting down my hair softly.

"I really need to know why everyone here wants to have me?"

"Your ancestors brought you here, they are the reason" she struggled to let those words out of her, it felt like they tore through her instead. My ancestors put me in this situation but why would a human associate with these dangerous creatures. From the looks of it, it's no more than a less friendly association which could only arise from one angle... Hunters

"Vampire hunters?" I mumbled out quite unsure of my own words. My family cannot be hunters they have the most normal jobs, grand dad was with the army and Nan was a waitress maybe.. I don't even know and not definitely my parents they save lives not take them which would present ironic if it were to be true . Lucinda was quite now just looking at me with a straight face.

"Is it what's all this about? Lucinda this cannot be it. I don't even know how to—how to use a cross bow or something. I'm not a threat" I was so confused I didn't know what to say. She simply stared back at me

"Excuse me!" My gaze quickly move to the roaring voice by the door–knowing quite well who it had been. It was Damien again a vein working up on his forehead, he was enraged seeing me with Lucinda getting too close to start disclosing what Cassius sternly warned against.

"Yes Damien, I'll be right there" she said quickly moving away from me drawing the cart out of the room. I had never heard her sounded so afraid and vulnerable, she hasn't even looked Damien in the eyes.

"Damien–" I said very quickly before he could turn around to leave the room, I actually didn't know why or what made me called out to him but I knew it was I oddly care for Lucinda

"What's that?" He said stepping inside the room fully leaving the door slightly open. I took a step back although there was ton of space between us, I couldn't risk him close.

"She didn't do a thing, I promise. Lucinda was just– please don't tell Cassius we talked" I pleaded just as his form tensed, he wasn't a fan of my honesty.

"Are you feeling love for her?" He asked bitterly

"Love? No!" I somehow ended up sounding doubtful

"She's one of you, keeping me hostage. I just don't want to get her in trouble like,"

He cut in rudely "Like Bryan Lowry?"

I fell silent quickly lowering my gaze from his to my feet

"We have been at peace with them and now because I had to save you, Master Cassuis suffered for it"

"I know Lucinda's soft, we will have to deal with that" He was about to turn round when I stopped him with my yelling

"No, Damien please. I can fix this by compensating for her. Anything"

Lucinda says that every wrong deed has it's punishment, I caused this and I will have to make amends even if I like it or not

"If you are so afraid for her why don't you just make it easier for all of us" it sure sounded like a threat not that it wasn't all that have been going on for like–ever but it scared me shit, I might has just forgotten what it used to sound like.

I backed away as he close the distance between us with my heart pounding hard which was like music to his ears, his eyes were starting to turn red when I heard a faint swoosh of air and Cassius appeared right in-between us placing his hand on Damien's chest.

"You're not to touch her!" he warned sternly reminding his right hand man that it wasn't the right time to end me which I would prefer to my current situation. I could feel the whole air tense up with the moment although I couldn't see Damien's blood red eyes now but I knew they held that same glare and hate towards me. Cassius turned around swiftly looking me head to toe, I could have said something like fear or shock took over his face for a moment. He didn't say a word but just walked out on me leaving the door opened behind him.

I sat back on my bed feeling anxious and afraid but not for me, I now knew what my mom felt. I knew she will be in trouble for this and she might never be allowed to tend me again–If she gets to live. Death penalties are very easy passed around this world, but maybe she might get a pass just like Bryan Lowry had for her years of loyalty. It was my fault that she will be hopefully fired or banished and I really need her support and company I would lose my mind without her, call me selfish but it's more of me than her here.

I hugged my legs to my chest putting my chin on my knees watching the door for any movement of life or death but there wasn't any, it was dead silent again but I know better

Never to leave through an already opened door in this castle

Another brief of a nap stole through my consciousness pulling into a nightmare that had been going on forever.

She was back again at the edge of the cliff, the brisk cold forest wind whistling in-between the tree tops as they rustle bathing the moment in a sound like nature music. It was different again this time, the long chase didn't happen it was like a cut scene bringing me directly to her suicide jump. I was standing there her back facing me this time I was on alert, it was like every sense of mine had grown a million times sharper. I could hear her sob silently and behind it was a cry, very faint like a child's.

"Wait, don't jump!" I pleaded taking steps forward my heart banging against my chest because I know how it ends.

"I need to know why I'm here, why you keep bringing me here. What do you want me to know?!"

"I need to Know"

Suddenly there was some noises in the background coming from behind me, feet shuffling around in the dark as the air filled with distress and spite. I glanced over both shoulders but there was nothing to have made that sound but only the visible roaring dust that was coming at me–with the voices getting clearer and louder. I quickly turn around looking back to the lady that was glancing behind her, her blue eyes glossy with tears. I heard her suck in air deeply before she jumped with a slight gasp, the sound of an angry army came right at me like they'd went right through me and others closing in with it the dust. It normally ends there when she throw herself off the cliff but it didn't, I rushed forward to the edge too, knowing where to play my cards.

The dust storm grew much angry, it roared like an army of men, speeding towards me with great wind sending small gravels of sand towards me, cutting against my skin roughly. I forced myself to look away from it

Looking down was a flowing river with mean turbulence I couldn't dare to jump that height and into that. My heart was in my throat now as I turn around meeting with the cloud of dust coming right at me. I couldn't move my feet–I froze or just couldn't jump, I shielded my face as a scream erupt from my throat before the dust consumed me whole.

~~~~

I gasped awake sucking air down rapidly, it felt like I was being chocked. I sat up from the cold flooring that I was laying against, If I could remember I was on the bed and how the hell am 2 feet away. I pushed up realizing that my door was still opened but I still wasn't going through it, I closed back the door. Sitting back down on my bed I noticed that there wasn't any food cart waiting for me and I was hell hungry.

There has to be none when I need it.

It wasn't just the hunger that's over powering me but something else, I felt sick at a moment and then cannot control my emotions on the next and pain all around my body on the next and finally hallucinations. Not just my parents I could see the red haired suicide lady in the room and it just keeps happening in circle

For a person desperate for company, believe me it's no fun!