I understood why Spazz would trust my father, ever since i met the woman who would be my step-mother Lissa i felt an uneasy feeling around her. Anything she said to me i felt like it was a lie or there was an ulterior motive behind it. Spazz looked at me for a moment worry etched in his face as he said in a soft voice," Las... lets get a move on, we might be able to find Niki and your father... hopefully it is not to late, besides i know A'kreath will want this hive destroyed..." I wondered 'if Spazz wanted to go fight by A'kreath's side rather than to babysit me.' I spoke up softly and said to Spazz, "Spazz why don't you go fight wi...." Spazz stopped and cut me off before i could finish what i was going to say, "Las, if you are about to say why am i not fighting along side A'kreath... let us just say i know that man can handle himself rather well. and i do not think you would like to see him as he is now Las... when he is on a mission, or on the blood path he is not himself... or perhaps i should say he is more true to himself... ever since..." Spazz seemed lost in thought before shaking his head softly. "Come on las, we need to keep moving those knuckle heads are after you and it is my job to protect you, as ordered by A'kreath and asked by your father if anything should ever happen to him." he said before gently grabbing my wrist and leading me further into what they called a hive.
As Spazz lead me further into the hive he suddenly stopped and pulled me behind him to protect me as he seemed to hear something or smell something, i peeked out from behind him hearing a pair of shuffling or stumbling foot steps seeing Tina walk around the corner she stopped at the sight of Spazz one of her hands went to her side holding an injury as she stared at him she looked as if she was wondering what she should do before her eyes fell upon me and seemed relieved. "Crystal! you are okay, i thought mom and Gabelli got you, i am so happy..." Tears started to trail down her cheeks as I run up to Tina and hugged her tightly, she winced in pain and let out a soft whimper before i looked to her and asked "Tina... what happened to you, why are you hurt?" Tina looked at me with a rather pathetic looking expression and in a soft tone said. "i got angry at mom and i made the mistake of attacking her... i have been trying to protect you from what we are crystal... i am sorry i failed." She looked at Spazz who was staring at her intently almost as if trying to decern if she was telling the truth or not." Crystal... I was going to try and save your father and your friend Niki, I am sorry for giving you a hard times over the years Crystal... i was only trying to keep you away so you did not find out about my families secret... please... just this once trust me and let me lead you to your father and Niki..."she said slowly walking away with a limp as she tried to lead us to my father and Niki.
I looked at Tina as she began to limp away and followed her, "Tina... granted i did not trust you often... i never really got the uneasy feeling from you like i have your mother... let us get dad and Niki and get us all out of her together safe and sound..." Tina nodded faintly and said, "They are down this way. but we need to be quiet and careful... mom is down here somewhere and she is not happy at all especially since there is a vampire down here now and he has been slaughtering everyone in sight..." After what seemed like hours and several stops to let something or someone pass to avoid conflict we made it to their holding cells, i looked back at Spazz who looked to be on guard, his head on a swivel to keep a careful eye out for danger.
Tina limped slightly ahead before motioning us over, i walked with Spazz up to where she was looking over a rock near the holding cells. "This is as far as i can take you guys, I am sorry Crystal i want to help, but at the same time I want to get out of this family alive. I hope you guys get out of here safe and sound without making a sacrifice..." As Tina started to turn and leave, Spazz grabbed her wrist softly and said, "Las, there is hope for ya, why don't ya stick with us i will protect you and take you to the silver forge after we are done las." Tina looked to Spazz confused for a moment. "but the silver forge is a myth." she said softly before Spazz chuckled softly. "Aye that is what they tell ya now isn't it, the forge is real las you are looking at someone who was thrown into the forge and made it out, now there is no promise your time will be short inside the forge but it gives you a chance las and i at least want you to have that chance."
Spazz let go of her wrist and waited for her response to which she nodded softly. "o...okay yeah... i would like to see the forge... if it actually exists." she said softly and still skeptical but it was obvious my step sister wanted to change her ways. Spazz smiled to her. "good las and it does just wait, you are going to be one stunned pup when you find out the stories are true." he chuckled and looked to me still smiling this goofy and gentle smile bringing some light to this dark time, Spazz slowly lead the way further into the area they kept their holding cells, as we got to the cells a foul smell assaulted my senses it was like something was rotting and feces. What we saw was horrible people sitting in their own excrement and other fluids i would rather not think about since it was white and thick. these people were wearing nothing but dirty rags and some were not wearing anything at all and were taking positions as if expecting to be taken in a sexual way, and the horrible scars on their bodies and injuries on others that looked like they might be infected, so this was what they were wanting to do with me, was all i could think.
I looked around in absolute horror at the scene before me as my eyes fell upon a man who looked like my father before Spazz covered my eyes so I could not see my fathers assets and said in a soft questioning tone, "Robert Gale Thompson is that you?" I couldn't hear much of a response besides grunts and movement and what sounded like as slight whimpering moan, Spazz sighed and he said, "I am Sorry Las, we are to late to save your father... he is to far gone i... i do not think you should see him like this." Spazz turned me to face himself and looked at me as i felt tears threatening to spill from my eyes, i looked over to Tina who was covering her mouth and also had tears threatening to fall, i looked back to Spazz before saying in a shaky voice. "There has to be way to save my father from being so broken... isn't there?" I then realized Niki is here too my heart sank at the thought of what they might have done to her, I pushed Spazz away and started looking through the cells trying to find Niki "We need to find Niki before it is to late." I felt tears going down my face afraid for my friend and afraid of losing her just like my father.
I called out for Niki not caring if i drew attention to my self at this point, Tina and Spazz looking through other cells trying to help me fine Niki, that is when i saw the beaten and battered form of Niki who could barely make a sound. "C..rys...tal.. please.... hel...p me... be...fore... she g...ets... back with... t...the males...." the tears in my eyes now flowing like a water fall as i looked upon her battered and used body i also felt anger and wanted to lash out i turned to fall for Spazz before i was grabbed from behind by a large inky black claw and heard a guttural feminine voice say. " oh no you don't you little bitch! i have been waiting for you patently, no one is going to save you now, not Tina the pathetic worthless piece of trash she is, and not that blasted vampire, and that freak." this, this was Lissa i could just tell as she held me close to her body i could smell nothing but oil and rot on her fur as she threatened to end my life in front of Spazz. " no sudden moves puppy..." she said before i heard a sickening sound of tearing flesh and felt the splattering of something warm on my head and down my back, the arm around me falling and a loud thud on the ground, I was confused at what was happening. I turned around slowly to see Lissa's headless body laying there on the ground and just a few feat away from her body was A'kreath he looked slightly different, he looked slightly taller his deep gray eyes now ice blue and looking draconic in a way as he stared at the head of my step mother, his hand had long blade like claws adorning it, i felt scared i could not explain it but this was not the man who i met in my shop not long ago, this, this was a cold hearted killer.