Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Seventeen

I fell asleep somewhere between Atlanta and the border of Georgia because when I opened my eyes, the sun was shining in my eyes brighter than I had ever seen. The terrain was completely flat. We had made it to Florida, luckily alive. I looked over at Alexander whose face was completely blank as he drove steadily. It felt like we were going a normal speed but that could have been because I was used to driving at that speed already. I looked at the speedometer to see that I was right. We were going eighty miles per hour in a sixty miles per hour zone.
“Where are we going?” I asked with a brief stretch and yawn.
“A nice little town outside of Orlando.” Alexander replied.
“What town?”
“Polk City. It’s a very small town. It’s mostly retirement communities. It’s where Jagger has decided to crash. I won’t help you fight him, you know.” He told me.
“I know. I just want to be there. Won’t Jagger know that you brought me though?”
“Of course he will know. He’ll think it was a gift to bring you so close to him. That’s what he wants. It’s why he took your little human friend to begin with, more than likely. He knew that by destroying things around you that you loved most, it would make you go closer to him. I wouldn’t be surprised if this was a trap.” He stole a quick glance over at me to see if I was planning on asking him to turn around and take us home. I didn’t.
“Well, bring it on, I guess.”
Alexander chuckled. “You have a lot of bravery for such a weak human girl.”
I glared at him. “I’m not weak.” I retorted.
“Yes you are. Physically, compared to us, you definitely are. Emotionally, well, you are basically dead emotionally.”
“How do you know that?”
“I can read minds, remember?”
I sighed. “I know that. But how do you know what my emotions are?”
“Well, all vampires can read minds. It’s a given with our strength and amazing beauty.” Alexander smirked. I rolled my eyes and waited for him to continue. “But all vampires also come equipped with one special power that sets them apart from the rest. My power for example is ability to read emotions. Jagger can hypnotize people into doing what he wants. Gabriel can run at speeds that not even this car can reach. It’s very useful to have this additional power. I guess it kind of carries on from our past lives…when we were alive, I mean. Jagger used to force people into doing what he wanted by threats. I guess he always has been quite the enemy. When I was alive, I used to be very good at reading people’s emotions. I could read body language and facial expressions like people were telling me their emotions out loud. Now, I can just look at someone and a trigger in my brain says ‘angry’ or ‘hurt’ or ‘happy’. Sometimes I don’t give it a second thought. Now Gabriel, he’s always been strong. He was the outsider in our family when we were alive. I remember when he was angry or sad; he’d just get up and leave. He would go outside and run for hours. Most of the time, he wouldn’t come back until late at night after leaving around suppertime.” Alexander explained.
I nodded. It made sense. I began to wonder what kind of power I would have if I ever got changed.
“Don’t count on that, Jade.” Alexander said interrupting my straying thoughts.
“Count on what?” I asked innocently.
“Becoming like us. Jagger won’t spare you, I promise you that. He will take your blood until you are dead. Completely dead not like us.”
“Who said I wanted to become like you? I was just wondering what my power would be if it did happen.”
“I know you want to be like us. I can read minds so don’t try to lie your way out of this one. Why do you want to be one of us? For the strength? For the power? For Gabriel?”
“I don’t know, to tell you the truth. I just thought it’d be cool.”
He snorted. “Cool? Such a typical human response. You don’t want to become like us, Jade. None of us had a choice. As of right now, you do. When you get to Jagger, you will just be dead. You won’t become like us. We can still turn around, if you want. I won’t make you die tonight.”
I shook my head. “If he has Oliver, I have to try. What would that do to my conscious if I gave up now? We’re already in Florida so we might as complete the mission.”
“Fine. But remember, I didn’t make you do this. No one did. You did this to yourself. So when you are lying dying, think happy thoughts. It eases the pain.”
I gulped. “Thanks for the advice.”
Alexander laughed at my tone. “No problem. We’re almost there. Hold on tight, I’m going to gun it now.”
I held on the seat, holding my breath as Alexander pressed his foot against the gas like a maniac.


“Well, here we are. Welcome to Polk City.” Alexander announced after a few minutes, slowing the speed down.
“This is it?” I repeated, surprised. It was just a bunch of trees with the occasional house and gas station.
“Yupp. Now, let’s go see Jagger.”
We drove for a couple minutes more before Alexander pulled in to a long driveway with trees surrounding it. It felt like we were driving for miles before a small brick house suddenly appeared at the end. When he but the engine, I hesitated before getting out.
“Scared?” Alexander asked.
“A little.” I admitted before unbuckling my seatbelts.
“Well, good. At least you have some sense.”
I wanted to hit him. If it was his friend, wouldn’t he want to save him too? I opened the door and was hit with humidity and heat all at once. I moaned when I looked up at the sun that was bright in the sky without any clouds. It didn’t matter what the weather was. I was going to be inside when I died…or at least that’s what I was assuming. I took a deep breath before taking my first few steps to my death. My legs felt like Jell-O which caused me to walk sidestepped. I turned to see that Alexander was standing outside his car, leaning against it. He watched me carefully. I erased all fear from my face and tried to walk confidently to Jagger’s front door. I rang the doorbell twice and crossed my arms across my chest.
The door swung open and I was shocked at the sight I saw. I spun around and looked at Alexander who had straightened up and seemed just as surprised as I was.
“Where is Jagger?” I demanded pretending to not know him.
“He’s not here right now.”
“When will he return?”
“I don’t know but you probably don’t want to be here when he does.”
I crossed my arms and glared at him. “Oh believe me. I want to be here. He has Oliver.”
His eyes widened in surprise. “No he doesn’t.”
“Yes, he does. You may not care about humans anymore but I still care about both worlds. I had Alexander drive that freaking thing all the way down here to save Oliver and I’m not leaving until I can leave with him.”
“Leave, Jade. It’s not wise for you to stay.”
“Fine, I’m dumb then. I’m not leaving here without Oliver.”
I plopped down on the porch step and sat there. Alexander joined us after a minute or two.
“What are you doing here?” he asked.
“I’m staying with Jagger. I had no where else to go.”
“You could’ve stayed with me.”
Gabriel looked at me briefly before replying. “No, I don’t think I could have.”
I clenched my fists and shook with anger. I wanted to punch him.
“Whatever, man. It just gets sort of lonely in the house.”
Gabriel looked down at me now and held my gaze. “You mean you didn’t stay?” he asked me.
“No. What was the point?” I spat.
He didn’t respond. He sat down next to me looking into my eyes. “I left for a reason, Jade.” He told me softly.
I stood up abruptly. “Tell it to someone who cares!” I shouted before storming off the porch.
I decided I would wait in Alexander’s car. I watched Alexander and Gabriel talk for a while until I heard another car engine pulling up behind me. It was a red Ferrari F600. My jaw dropped. What was it with this family and expensive cars? Jagger was in the car but he wasn’t driving. I immediately jumped out of Alexander’s car to get a better look to see if my eyes were deceiving me. It wasn’t Jagger driving.
It was Alec.

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Sixteen

Oliver blinked once to see if I was serious. He then started laughing when my expression didn’t change.
“Vampires? Jade, you are really funny. Now, in seriousness, how crazy are we talking?” he responded.
“Oliver, stop laughing. I know how you were attacked. I was there. I know how Alec died.”
Oliver immediately stopped laughing and put his cards down on the floor. He stared at me intently.
“You know?” he repeated.
I nodded. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you but after I tell you, you’ll understand why I held back.”
He didn’t say anything. He just sat there staring and waiting.
“It was Jagger. He was after me…” I launched into the story then while Oliver listened carefully. I told him everything from beginning to end…about the first time I’d met Jagger, what he said to me, the dream, the storage closet…everything about the other world. When I was finished, I waited for Oliver’s reaction. His face remained expressionless. My heart began to race. Was he going to believe me or was I about to be declared insane? He had to believe me. What other explanation was there? I explained to him why he couldn’t remember. Wasn’t that enough?
“It was vampires. Vampires attacked me and you. Gabriel sucked out the venom to keep you from turning. Jagger is an evil, maniacal, bloodthirsty vampire who wanted you dead. Alec was a tool to get you to Jagger so he could attack you. He disposed of Alec. He attacked me to hurt you. Jagger is alos the one causing the all the murders. Am I missing anything?” Oliver finally said.
“Gabriel could have saved you and me but he didn’t. He listened to Jagger and left us to die.” I added.
“He left you to die.” He corrected.
I nodded feeling my chest constrict. I waited patiently for Oliver’s initial reaction. Was I crazy or was I truthful?
“Oliver…” I didn’t get to finish my sentence because a knock came on the front door.
“Hang on. I’ll get it.” He told me, standing up.
I nodded and waited. I heard Oliver open the front door and scream. I stood up abruptly and ran to the front door.
Oliver was gone.
I immediately put on my shoes and took off running. I looked left and right, up and down, sideways and back ways…Oliver was missing. Jagger had to have him. There was only one person that I could go to even if he didn’t want to speak to me.

I banged on Gabriel’s door as hard as I could.
“Gabriel! Gabriel, please! Open the door!” I shouted as my fist began to throb.
The door swung open but it wasn’t Gabriel who awaited me.
“Alexander! Where is Gabriel?!” I exclaimed.
“Not here. He took off a few days ago. I haven’t seen him since. What’s going on?”
“I need your help. I don’t care if you like me or not. I just want you to help me. I think Jagger has my friend Oliver again. We have to do something. Please, will you help me?”
“I’d love to Jade, but I can’t. Jagger is my brother. I don’t want to ‘defeat’ him. You’re on your own.”
He started to close the door but I put my foot against the door frame.
“Please!” I begged. “I don’t want to ‘defeat’ Jagger! I just want my friend to be safe! Alexander, please, just do this one thing and I’ll never bother you again. I’ll never even come here again. Just, please, please, help me save my friend.”
Alexander sighed. “Fine. I’ll help you. Jagger probably is in Florida. That’s where you have to go. You can even borrow one of the fast cars.”
He closed the door behind him and led me to his three car garage. He typed in the code and the door slowly opened. He tossed a set of keys to me. When I looked up at the car he was pointing at for me to use, I gaped. It was a black Koenisegg CCX: a $730,000 car that can go from 0-60 in 3.2 seconds and was equipped with everything you could ever possibly need.
“Oh…my…God.” I gasped.
Alexander smirked. “Be careful with this. This is my baby. I am going to trust you with it. You break it, you buy it. Now, you might want to go. They are probably already half way there.”
I nodded and climbed into the car. At first, I wasn’t sure what to do. I was too overwhelmed with all the gadgets. The dashboard itself was pretty scary and everything was so high-tech. I wasn’t even sure how to drive the thing. Alexander was laughing at me.
“Maybe a simpler car for the simple minded?” he suggested.
I glared at him then snapped, “I can drive this one just fine thank you.”
I tapped my thumbs on the steering wheel thoughtfully wondering what the first thing to do was.
“Can you even drive stick shift?” Alexander asked me since I hadn’t started the car. He seemed annoyed.
“Uh…stick shift? Well…”
Alexander sighed. “Move over. I’ll take you.”
My face lit up. “Really?”
“Yes. Now move before I change my mind.”
I handed him the keys and climbed into the passenger seat, careful to not touch anything with my hands or feet.
“Buckle up. This baby can fly.”
I buckled up both shoulder harnesses wishing I could just go home and get my dad’s little simple Toyota Camry. Alexander shifted into reverse and floored it. I couldn’t help but scream when the breath got knocked out of me. Alexander was laughing as we sped down the street going close to 100 miles per hour.
“Alexander!” I gasped. “I’m still human! Please, slow down!”
He chuckled as he gradually let up on the gas. It was still fast when we got to a steady speed, but I could at least catch my breath.
“You must not like roller coasters.” He commented.
“I love roller coasters but I feel safer on those than sitting next to a maniac on a public road.”
“Aw, you think I’m a maniac. How sweet.” He took his hands off the steering wheel and propped his feet up on the dashboard, whistling.
“ALEXANDER!” I screamed.
He laughed and got back into a decent driving position.
“You worry too much. Relax.”
“I do not worry too much. You worry too little. You are driving fifty miles over the speed limit and driving like a freaking maniac!”
“Have you no trust for a poor old vampire?” Alexander teased.
“No!” I snapped automatically then regretted my words.
It was quiet for a while. I saw a sign that said, “Welcome to Georgia!” and settled into the seat for a long ride. I was anxious and fidgety thinking about Oliver.
“Would you sit still? Geez.” Alexander said after an hour.
“I’m sorry. My best friend is with an evil vampire who wants to kill him. I’m scared, alright?”
“He’s not the only evil vampire out there.” Alexander teased flashing me his fangs.
I shuddered involuntarily which made him laugh. If he was trying to lighten the mood, it wasn’t working. Alexander slowed down when we hit traffic on the interstate. He grumbled some choice words under his breath. He obviously was not a fan of traffic or going slow. I noticed a gas station sitting up on a hill as we inched forward in rush hour traffic. There were several cars parked there. One, I recognized.
“Alexander! Get off at this exit!” I exclaimed.
“What? Why?”
“Please, just do it!”
He pulled into the right lane and turned on his blinker, signaling our exit. I was growing impatient as the traffic ceased to move. I looked up at the gas station anxiously. The car was still there. I began chewing on my fingernails willing the traffic to move. It inched forward for about a minute and then came to another halt just yards from the exit. I groaned and leaned my head back against the headrest.
“Would you relax? What do you want to get off of here for anyway? Aren’t we going to rescue your little human?”
I glanced back at the gas station. The car was still there but it didn’t settle me at all.
“When is this traffic going to move?!” I screeched ignoring Alexander.
He sighed and sat back in his seat. I tapped my foot anxiously.
“So that’s it?” Alexander said suddenly, turning off his blinker.
“What’s it?”
“You see Gabriel’s car?” he asked.
I groaned again forgetting that vampires could read minds.
“Can we please get off here? I just want to make sure.”
“No. You want your human friend? Fine. We’ll go get him but we are not making any side trips. Gabriel can take care of himself. You’re the reason he left anyway.” Alexander shot back.
I flinched, feeling the verbal slap in his voice. I knew he was right but it didn’t sink in until he said it. My eyes welled up with tears but I refused to cry in front of Alexander.
The traffic inched forward again. This time we got to the exit. Alexander didn’t turn. I looked back at the gas station to see that Gabriel’s Jag was gone.

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Fifteen

During that day, Oliver and I curled up on the couch and watched movies…I preferred horror movies so I wouldn’t be reminded of love. I would have rather shit my pants from fear than be reminded of what my life was lacking. Monica stayed home from work to watch her family. A few times, I thought I heard her in her room crying but if Oliver wasn’t going to acknowledge it then neither was I. During every break from the movies we had, I tried to make sure Oliver and I were deeply conversing to keep my mind away from the pain. I figured he want to do the same because he too was dealing with his own pain even if he refused to show it.
“So, what do you want to watch now?” Oliver asked rubbing the side of his neck where he had gotten bitten.
“Does it hurt?” I nodded at his neck.
“It stings a little but it’s not like intense pain that I can’t deal with.”
“You sure? I can get you some ice or something…”
Oliver laughed. “Since when are you so selfless?”
Ouch. My face must’ve shown that I was a bit offended because Oliver apologized.
“No, you’re right. I am pretty damn selfish. I’ve been sitting her wallowing in my grief of losing Gabriel when you have a brother that’s not coming back. I didn’t lose anyone, not really. You did. I’m sorry for being so selfish. Is there anything I can do for you?”
Oliver looked stunned. “No, I’m fine, actually. I probably could have gone to school today. Wow. Seriously, though, what has gotten into you? Just a couple weeks ago you were still thinking you were the best damn thing on the planet. Now what?”
“Well, reality has finally hit. I know I’m not perfect. I still think I have good looks but I mean…I really don’t know.” I put my hand on my forehead. “Maybe it was the sight of seeing you dying there…there was so much blood, you know? And then Jagger…” I stopped myself. I had almost revealed my secret. I bit down hard on my tongue.
“Who the hell is Jagger? You’ve mentioned him before after that nightmare you had when you were outside. Who is he?”
“Um…Gabriel’s brother. He just gives me the creeps.”
“Is there something you are leaving out of this? I feel like your hiding something very big from me. How do you know there was a lot of blood?”
“I saw you getting wheeled in stupid.”
“But they wouldn’t have called you until AFTER I was already in, right?”
“I’m just saying what they told me! God, what is this? An interrogation? What are you so curious about?”
“How I was attacked! Wouldn’t you be wondering?”
I sighed and knew he was right. More than anything, I just wanted to tell him but I just was not ready to betray Gabriel’s secrets.
“I don’t know how you were attacked, Oliver. I’m sorry. I wish I knew but I don’t.” I felt terrible for lying but it was for his own good. Besides, what would he say if I told him the truth? He’d flat out call my crazy.
“I know. I’m sorry, too. I just don’t understand. My neck feels like something bit me, but there are just so many missing pieces.”
“Yeah, I know.”
I became thoughtful. How had Jagger gotten a hold of Oliver? Why did he kill Alec? Was Alec just a tool to get me to the church? The church had to have been a trap. Jagger wanted me so he used my weaknesses to get me to him. It was me he wanted to kill, not Oliver. Of course, he would have killed us both had the police not come in time. It probably would have been a painful death. He had wanted my blood since the moment he met me. He wasn’t going to spare a drop of it and he was going to make sure I was awake to feel every single drop go down his throat. But what I still could not get my mind around was the fact that Gabriel left me. He was going to let Jagger kill me. What kind of person could truly be that cold?
He’s not a person at all, though. I reminded myself.
“Jade? What are you thinking about?” Oliver asked bringing me out of my thoughtful state.
“Oh, uh, nothing. So, what do you want to do now?” I replied trying to change the subject.
“I was about to ask you the same thing. Let’s play Scrabble!”
He was joking but I agreed to it with a grunt that was supposed to be a laugh.
He went first and put down the word “Daisy” as his first word.
“Daisy? Is that your imaginary girlfriend?” I teased.
“Ha ha. It’s your turn.”
I used his D to spell out “Death”.
He used my T to spell out “time”.
I used his M to spell out “Maniac”.
He used my C to spell out “Cat.”
I used his T to spell out “truth”.
He used my H to spell out “hugs”.
I used his G to spell out “Gabriel”.
We both stopped playing. My hands shook when I noticed the pattern in my words. They were all very dark.
“Triple word score. Nice.” Oliver said writing down my new score, ignoring the actual word.
We continued to play with me spelling out “Demon”, “Fear”, “Hate”, and my favorite, “Vampire”.
“Alright, wow, you won Jade.” Oliver observed after all the letters were used up.
“Yay.” I responded trying to sound enthusiastic but it didn’t work. I was studying the board. All of Oliver’s words were happy words and all of mine were depressing.
“Jade, smile for me, please?”
I ignored him and began taking the tiles off the board. Oliver sighed exasperatedly and threw his hands in the air.
“You frustrate me, Jade Rolland.” He teased.
I smiled.
“FINALLY!” he exclaimed. “So, what now? Cards?”
I shrugged and leaned back against the couch with my arms crossed.
“Go Fish it is then!”
I smiled again. I didn’t understand how Oliver could be so darn happy with his brother dead. It gave me a little hope. I guess that Oliver was my silver lining in all the darkness. He took the cards out of a drawer in the side table. He began shuffling concentrating greatly on the cards fluttering in his hands.
“Oliver?” I prompted.
“Hmm?” was his response.
“How do you…” I paused and he looked up at me, waiting patiently. “How do you cope with it?”
Oliver turned back to his cards, knowing exactly what I was talking about. At first, I didn’t think he was going to answer but then he stopped shuffling and looked back at me.
“Alec…I cope with it by thinking about the positive things. Instead going through my life thinking only about the fact that he’s dead then that’s what sparks depression. Instead, I remember all the laughs we had when we he was alive. I think about our lives when we were with each other and I remember everything…even our fights. I just wish I knew how he died. My parents told me a car crash but I know that’s a load of bull.” Oliver answered seeming distant.
My face went from truly interested to guilt immediately. How could I not tell him how his brother died? Wasn’t it his right? But how could I tell Oliver how Alec died without telling Oliver everything I knew? I looked over at happy little Oliver and felt guilt rising in the pit of my stomach. It was also his right to know how he was attacked.
“Hey, Oliver? If I told you something that seemed completely crazy but it was the truth, well the truth by me, would you believe me?” I asked.
“Of course. How crazy are we talking?”
I took in a deep breath before answering. I was prepared to betray Gabriel. Gabriel was nothing to me. He was dead to me. Oliver never gave up on me. He wouldn’t have left me to die. Gabriel deserved betrayal after doing what he did to me.
“Vampires.” I said at last.

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fourteen

I had a nightmare again that night. It was awful. I dreamed that I was running away from something…or someone. I was running as fast as my dream would let me but still, I couldn’t seem to run fast enough. I wasn’t sure what I was running from; all I knew was the fear that pulsed through my veins as my feet pounded against the ground. The worst part of it was the fact that I wasn’t going anywhere. I seemed to be running in place and I couldn’t escape whatever was chasing me. Suddenly, a cold embrace stopped my run. Relief seemed to flood through my body but when I looked at my rescuer, I realized that it was Jagger. I screamed but she shushed me with a kiss. I fell into his embrace feeling warmth overcome me.
“Who was chasing me?” I asked when our lips parted.
Just as the words left my mouth, Gabriel appeared behind him with his eyes glowing red and his fangs shining in the moonlight. He looked like the monster he always believed he was. He attacked Jagger and ripped him to shreds. Surprisingly, Jagger didn’t bleed. It was disturbing just the same though because his body parts were lying all around me. When he finished off Jagger, he turned to me and growled. It was low and deep in his chest-a sound he had never used with me, only with Jagger.
“Gabriel, please, don’t!” I cried reaching out for him but he slapped my arms away.
“You are just a human. I will finish you and your kind off.” He responded angrily.
“No! Gabriel, please! I love you! You loved me! Remember? But you left me! Why did you leave me?!” Tears were streaming down my face and I couldn’t seem to catch my breath but Gabriel didn’t care.
“I don’t love you. I have never loved you. You are just a stupid human. I hate you just like all of the rest.”
My body was shaking violently as I spoke and I couldn’t steady my voice, “Please, I love you.” I whispered.
He roared and pounced on me and sank his teeth into my neck. I began shouting and screaming out his name.
My eyes flew open to see several people standing around me, each looking frightened. I rubbed my eyes trying to come back to reality and convince myself that the dream was just that-just a dream.
“Jade, are you alright, honey?” asked Monica with concern.
She stepped forward and put a cool cloth on my head. I realized that I was drenched in sweat.
I nodded but she didn’t look convinced.
“Mommy, what’s going on?” a sweet voice asked from the hallway. I looked over to see Annabelle rubbing her eyes sleepily.
“Nothing, sweetie. Go back to bed. I’ll come in a second to tuck you back in.” her mother answered.
“I really am fine.” I said quietly even though my voice still shook.
Bianca rolled her eyes and walked swiftly back to her and Annabelle’s room. Oliver stepped forward and sat down in front of the couch.
“I’ll stay with her, guys. It was just a bad dream.” He assured his parents.
James took his wife’s hand and led her back to their room whispering comforting words to her. When Oliver was sure they were gone, he stood up again.
“I’m really sorry.” I mumbled sitting up, wiping off as much sweat as I could.
“Don’t be.” Oliver replied smoothing back my hair.
My body was still shaking, I realized.
“So, what was your dream about?” he asked me trying to act uninterested.
I shook my head and he understood.
“You were shouting Gabriel’s name, you know.” He said softly. “Are you sure you don’t want to tell me what happened between you two?”
“Not now, Oliver, but I will tell you. Just not now. Not when it’s still so...so…raw.”
Tears welled up in my eyes and I cursed my stupid emotions.
“Jade, he really hurt you, didn’t he?” Oliver said surprised.
I sniffled and stifled a sob. “Of course he did, stupid.” I muttered, running my fingers through my hair.
“Do you want to try to go back to sleep?” he suggested.
I glanced at the digital clock by the couch. It read 4:15AM in big red block numbers. I shook my head. I wouldn’t be able to go back to sleep anyway and in a couple hours, I’d have to get up for school.
“You should try though. You probably need more rest than I do.” I told Oliver.
“Nah, I’m pretty awake now. You want to watch a movie or something? I’ll put in something that’s not Underworld.”
I flinched and Oliver mistook my reaction as a joke so he laughed. I didn’t.
“Well, let’s watch Blood and Chocolate.”
That should be okay. No vampires. Just werewolves. I can handle that, right?
The movie started. It went well for the first half but then the mortal fell in love with the wolf. She revealed herself and the mortal didn’t want her anymore. She ran away. The enemies tried to kill the mortal. She saved him.
A lump rose in my throat. Oliver was absorbed in the movie so he didn’t notice when I sniffled. The creature came back for her mortal. She saved him. Why didn’t Gabriel save me? Why couldn’t he just keep Jagger off of me and then run away? Did he want me to die?
Oliver glanced over at me to see my face in my hands.
“Jade, don’t tell me you find this movie scary as well?”
I shook my head, not removing my face from my hands. I was afraid of what I looked like.
“What’s wrong, then? Are you hurt?”
I sniffled again and put my hair down in my face to uncover my face.
“Oliver, I think for the first time in my life, I can admit that yes, yes I am hurt. Very much.” I took in a deep breath before continuing on. “I feel like part of me has been ripped away. I’d never felt so…alive. And now everything just feels dead. I can’t explain it, Oliver. All I know is this pain and that I want it gone.”
I finally looked at him and Oliver immediately just hugged me to him.
“I’ll kill him when I find him, okay?” he promised me.
I laughed and it seemed like a hollow sound coming from the pit of my empty stomach.
“You can’t kill him.” I muttered but Oliver ignored me.
“I’m really glad you are letting this happen, Jade.” He told me quietly.
“What this continuous hole that’s being ripped open?”
He sighed and snuggled his face into my hair. “No, letting me comfort you. Admitting you feel something. That kind of thing.”
We sat that for who knows how long until Bianca came into the room.
“Ugh. Oliver. Get a room. Mom wants you.” She said, popping that ever present gum.
“Alright. Tell her I’ll be there in one second.”
Oliver was gone for a few minutes, leaving me alone with my thoughts, which was dangerous considering the fact that my thoughts could lead anywhere good. I wrapped my arms around myself and took in a deep breath, steadying myself. I could not let my thoughts wander. That was dangerous for my mental and emotional health.
Oliver walked into the room again, his face showing no signs of what he and his mother discussed.
“We can stay home from school today.” He told me.
“Why?” I asked surprised.
“Well, for me, to rest. For my sisters, because of…” He paused and I knew what he was getting at.
“Okay, but why me?”
“My mom thinks it would be good if you rested as well.”
“If I go to sleep, the nightmare will come back.”
“Well, you can just chill then. I’m going to go make some coffee. You want anything?”
I bit my lower lip and looked out the window holding back the wave of emotion that threatened to crash over me.
“Yeah, I’ll just come with you and make it myself.” I finally answered.
I followed Oliver to the kitchen and watched him make a cup of coffee. He put lots of milk and lots of sugar in it before taking a big sip.
“So, what do you want? We have cocoa raspberry coffee.”
“That sounds good, actually.”
He put his cup down on the counter and shuffled around the kitchen making it. I wanted to protest but I felt like the words wouldn’t rise in my throat.
“Oliver, have you ever felt really lonely even though someone who cares about you is right next you?” I asked quietly when he handed me my coffee.
“Yeah, actually…quite often with you around.”
I sighed and looked up at him but he had turned his head. I had to face the facts though. Gabriel was gone. He didn’t love me like he said he did. He was never coming back.

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Thirteen

Oliver was released from the hospital three days later. He had lost a lot of blood but to my relief, was not a vampire. I rode to their house with him and his two sisters. Bianca sat in the front seat, arms crossed, popping her gum while Annabelle sat in the third row seat, sound asleep. Oliver and I sat on the second row. I knew I was sending him the wrong signals but I couldn’t let go of his hand or get my head off of his shoulder. I was just so relieved to see him alive. Oliver kept his arm around my shoulders but wouldn’t look at me or talk to me. He kept his face directed out the window the entire forty-five minute drive home. When we got to his house, Monica invited me in. I obliged but Oliver didn’t seem to want me there. Monica kissed her son on the cheek before heading off with the girls for bed. We sat alone in the living room, neither of us speaking. I wanted to say something…anything, really. Oliver seemed dazed and lost.
“Oliver…” I started but my voice was barely a whisper. I doubted he could hear me. Tears choked my throat. I had to inhale a deep breath to keep from collapsing. “Oliver, I’m sorry.” I said quietly.
He didn’t answer. Instead, he wrapped his fingers around mine and gave them a gentle squeeze. I couldn’t understand why he wasn’t talking.
I studied his face. He seemed confused. “Do you remember what happened?” I asked.
He shook his head. “That’s what is bothering me. How can I not remember? It’s frustrating. I do remember you being there, though. Or maybe that’s all part of my hallucination.”
I thought about telling him everything then. It would make things so much easier if he knew but then I thought of Gabriel. Even if he had left me, I felt the need to protect him.
“I wasn’t there.” I responded thinking back over the events. Seeing Oliver in the state he was in…feeling that emotion of almost having lost him.
I clutched Oliver’s arm and put my face against it.
“What’s gotten into you, Jade? You are a lot…friendlier than before.”
I laughed a heartless laugh. “Yeah, well, you really scared me. What was all that crap before you ‘moved’, Oliver? How we couldn’t be friends anymore?”
He looked like he really didn’t want to answer and I didn’t blame him. This was a question I wanted to avoid as well but I needed know.
“I didn’t want to do that. I was going to run away to California.”
My eyes widened with surprise. “Why?”
He frowned deeply. “You know, I don’t know.”
“You really don’t know?”
He nodded. We didn’t speak again for a while. A few times I felt like crying but I held it back. I could not be weak in front of Oliver.
“How are you feeling?” I asked after a while.
“Hm, fine, I guess. I’m just a little confused.”
I looked up into his green eyes. “Confused?”
“Yeah. Why are you here and not with Gabriel?”
I recoiled as if I had been slapped. Oliver looked surprised. I let go of his arm and sat back on the sofa.
“Jade?” He reached out and touched my hand but I pulled it away.
“It’s nothing, Oliver. You should rest. I’m going to go on home.”
I stood up and headed for the door.
“Which home?”
I flinched knowing I could never go back with Gabriel. “My home. Not with him.”
He stood up and walked over to me. “Why? What happened?”
I shook my head not wanting to talk about it. I wasn’t sure what to say without telling him the whole damn story.
“You can tell me anything, Jade. You know that, don’t you?”
Tears burned my eyes. I bit into my lip and looked away from him, taking a deep breath.
“I don’t know who to trust anymore.” I whispered to myself.
“You can trust me, Jade. Of course you know that.”
“No, I don’t, Oliver. You left me. You told me we couldn’t be friends anymore. I blamed it on your jealousy but I don’t know what it was. Gabriel left me. I feel like I’m the most lonely being on the planet, sometimes. And then when I find the two most important people in my life…” A tear rolled out of my eye and I quickly wiped it away. “You just don’t understand. There’s so much that you don’t know.”
Oliver looked at me with a lot of concern. “What are you talking about? Gabriel left you? As in broke up with you?”
“No. Worse. Look, Oliver, I am really glad you are okay but I’ve got to go.”
“How are you getting home?’
“I’ll walk.”
“No, you won’t. I’ll take you. Or you can just stay here.”
“Oliver, I—“
“No, Jade, seriously, just stay here for the night. I’ll go to my room and you can sleep on the couch. I promise you, my parents won’t mind.”
I gave in and walked back to the couch as Oliver made his way to his room. Before he turned the corner, I asked him a question that had been bugging me.
“Oliver, where is Alec?”
Oliver turned slowly and looked at me with a lost look, his eyes filled with sorrow. That was all I needed to know the answer to my question.

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Twelve

“Gabriel!” I gasped, clutching his arm. I felt weak seeing Jagger standing there smiling as if we were dinner…as if I was dinner.
“I know, I know. Stay in the car.” He instructed me.
“The car? You want me to stay out here when Oliver is over there dying?!” I screeched.
“Please, Jade, just trust me, okay? Stay here unless I motion for you to follow.”
I crossed my arms and sat back in the seat. “Fine.”
“And I’m leaving the keys here. If something goes wrong, drive away as fast as you can, okay?”
I shook my head but didn’t argue. He knew as well I did that I wouldn’t leave him or Oliver there with that creature. Gabriel closed the car door and made a hand motion telling me to lock the doors. I wouldn’t do that. What if he needed to get in quickly? Or what if Oliver did? I looked out and saw Oliver out there, not moving, his pale skin seeming more pale than usual. I put my hand on the door handle ready to jump out and save Oliver before it was too late. Gabriel seemed to hear my thoughts and turned back with a death glare that read easily. It said, “If you do anything I do not tell you to do, I might have to kill you myself.” Fine. Let him think that, but Oliver needed me. When Jagger seemed distracted, I would jump out and save him…
I rolled down the window slightly so I could hear what was going on.
“Gabriel, my brother! Come to see the show? Oh and look, you brought a tasty snack.” Jagger said with a sly grin.
“Release him. He is nothing to you. It’s Jade you want. Don’t kill other innocent lives.” Gabriel responded with such venom in his voice, I shrunk back even though it was not directed at me.
“Little brother, you should know by now that I don’t listen to you. In minutes, this boy will dead and your girlfriend will join him. Oh, and such a shame what happened to the other one that came here. He did a good job getting her to come.”
No! No! No! Not Alec too! My thoughts screamed.
My hand tightened on the door handle.
“What did you do with him?” Gabriel demanded.
Jagger shrugged carelessly. “He’s as good as dead.”
“Where is he?”
“Why should that matter? Gabriel, you best leave. If you stand in my way of my plan, I may have to take you out as well. I don’t want to have to do that but I will do what is necessary.”
“You don’t have to kill, Jagger. You can stop this and be a better man.”
Jagger laughed darkly and took a step towards Gabriel. Jagger’s expression changed from dark humor to hatred and angst.
“I do have to kill, Gabriel. I’m not afraid of what we are. We are vampires, Gabriel. We were put here to kill. That’s why we are damned to the deepest levels of hell. We are not the good guys. We are meant to kill. It’s the stupid humans’ fault for denying our existence even though we have existed for centuries. It’s time we taught them a lesson. You can’t hide from yourself forever, Gabriel. You want to kill; I can see it in your eyes. You have that desire like all of us do. There is no such thing as a good vampire.”
The responses stopped coming and I wondered if they were having a telepathy conversation until I noticed that Gabriel was looking back at me with sorrow in his eyes. He turned back to Jagger.
“You are right, Jagger. We are meant to kill.” He sighed.
Jagger smiled. “I’m glad you are seeing things my way finally.”
Gabriel shook his head with regret and for a moment, I was scared of him. Was he going to give into Jagger’s manipulative ways?
“Are you going to run away again, Gabriel?” Jagger asked so softly, I hardly heard him.
Gabriel didn’t respond. I wished I could read his mind so I knew what was going on internally with him. I looked past Jagger and saw Oliver still lying there out cold. I couldn’t sit there and listen to them discuss what they were anymore. I opened the door and slipped out. Jagger noticed and smirked.
“I knew you’d warm up to me!” he exclaimed.
Gabriel looked over his shoulder but didn’t seem to care. He just stood there, watching me with expressionless eyes. Jagger crossed his arms and leaned against a handicap parking sign. I took a step forward. Nothing changed. I increased my strides and then I was beside Oliver. In the lamp post light, he looked so far gone. I wasn’t sure if there was any hope for him. I knelt down beside him and stroked his cold, pale hand. Tears burned my eyes. For a moment, I forgot that I was being watched by two vampires. All that was there were Oliver and me. I gently picked his upper half up and laid him across my lap. I stroked his cheek, trying to ignore the fact that his blood was dripping onto me.
“So, Gabriel, will you let me have her?” I heard Jagger ask.
I looked up to see both of them staring at me. One with longing. The other with regret.
Gabriel didn’t answer. He instead turned and walked to his car. He hesitated at the door and looked back at my confused expression. He turned his head away and got into the car. He ignited the engine and drove away. I stared at the skid marks left by his tires not knowing how to react. “Well, I’m impressed.” Jagger said with genuine surprise in his voice.
I wasn’t sure what to say or do. Gabriel left. He left me with Jagger. He left me to die.
“Well, I guess you are mine now, Jade.”
He stepped towards me. I didn’t feel fear for once since meeting Jagger. My mind was too far off thinking about what had just happened. Gabriel left me. He really left me.
“Leave…leave her alone.”
I looked down to see that the hoarse whisper came from Olive. His eyes were slightly open. Jagger seemed to hear too and began laughing.
“Humans! Now, who should I kill first? Finish off the bloody one or go for old flesh?”
I clutched Olive closer. “Please, don’t kill Oliver.” I begged quietly feeling tears well up in my eyes knowing that my pleading wouldn’t do any good.
Jagger laughed a hollow, dark sound that was missing humor. Oliver reached up and took my hand weakly.
“I’m so sorry, Jade.” He whispered.
I shook my head quickly, flinging my tears from side to side. He smiled.
“I still love you, you know.” His voice was getting weaker.
“Stop talking, you idiot. You need to save your breath.”
Jagger laughed. “How touching. Now, who would like to go first?”
Neither of us answered. Suddenly, there were sirens from far off in the distance. Jagger jerked around to see police vehicles pulling into the church parking lot. Jagger bolted but not before the headlights hit him.
“Who is out there?” called an officer.
“Over here!” I called, not standing. I didn’t want to leave Oliver’s side.
A male officer shined a flashlight on us. The sudden bright light in my eyes made me shield my face.
“What happened here? Call an ambulance, Mike!”
“Oliver was attacked. I tried to…save him. He was about to kill me.” I responded as calmly as I could.
“Who attacked you?” the officer asked.
I sighed knowing it was pointless to give the name but I had to try. “His name is Jagger. He is the one that’s been killing people.”
“Does he have a reason to?”
I shook my head. “His killings are random. His brother told me that.”
“Who is brother?”
“Alexander. I don’t know their last names.”
“Are you hurt?” he asked eyeing the blood on me.
“No. Oliver is though. Please, he needs medical help right away.”
“Calm down, sweetie, someone is on the way.”
I looked down at Oliver who had his eyes shut again. I could see his chest slowly moving up and down. I hoped and prayed that it wouldn’t be too late when help came. I stroked Oliver’s cheek. Concentrating on him was helping keep my mind off of Gabriel.
At the hospital, the doctors managed to stop the bleeding but Oliver still was unconscious. They wouldn’t allow me to see him. Only family members were permitted to go back which frustrated me. I had to talk to him. I was getting too fidgety. I noticed that Alec wasn’t around. That worried me and it worried me a lot. Jagger had said something about he had taken care of Alec…I hoped and prayed it wasn’t what I thought it was. Monica and James were holding each other in the lobby still in shock from the event. I had been in the hospital for hours. I had watched people coming in and out with tears or with joy on their faces. It was a depressing environment. I stood up and walked back to Oliver’s room. A nurse was standing outside his door with a clipboard.
“May I go in?” I asked politely.
“Family?” she responded without looking up.
“Yes.”
She opened the door for me then closed it behind me. The room was dark except for the moon that shone in through the window onto Oliver’s bed. His pale skin reminded me of…I chose not to think of him. It would be too painful. I sat down in a beige cushioned chair beside his bed. I took his hand which was very cold. His eyes stayed shut and the only sound was the quiet beeping of his heart monitor. Tears met my eyes. He looked so…so…dead. I shook my head convincing myself that vampire attacks were just traumatizing and that he was in shock or something but looking onto his face…I couldn’t seem to convince myself of that.
It was too quiet in the room with the only sounds being the heart monitor and my quiet sniffling. I decided to talk to him. I had heard that it helps the unconscious come back. I was about to find out if that was true.
“Oliver…” my voice came out as a croak. I cleared my throat. “Oliver, I’m so sorry. I treated you badly. I dragged you into a world you should’ve stayed away from…a world I should’ve stayed away from as well. And, you mean so much more to me than I let you in on. I’m sorry, I’m really, really sorry. Gabriel…he…” I couldn’t finish the sentence.
What could I say to an unconscious person? Gabriel left me with you for both of us to die by a seemingly rabid vampire. I shook my head feeling a tear roll out of my eye. I wiped it away quickly as if Oliver would actually see it. I stroked the back of his hand wondering why I really DIDN’T have feelings for him the way he had feelings for me. He would treat me so well. He wouldn’t abandon me in my greatest time of need-especially not abandon me in a life threatening situation.

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Eleven

Oliver didn’t come back to school that week. The body still had not been identified and I started putting pieces together without proper evidence. It was frustrating not knowing where he was. It worried me and I was restless at night. I hardly was getting any sleep at all. Gabriel tried to get me to relax at night but at most, I was getting two hours of sleep each night.
“Where is Oliver?” I whispered one night as Gabriel was rocking me to sleep.
“I thought you didn’t want to know his thoughts.”
“Gabriel, please. Just tell me, where is he?”
He sighed and put me on the bed. He rolled over and propped himself up on his elbow, looking hesitant. I knew what he was about to tell me and I braced myself for the pain.
“He’s not coming back, Jade.” He said gently.
The first blow. I bit my lip and fought back the shaking and the sobbing.
“He’s not coming back to school or this town.”
The second blow. It became harder to control myself.
“Jade, he’s not—“
“Stop, Gabriel. Just save me the pain, okay?” I rolled onto my side with my back facing him. He rolled me onto my other side.
“He’s not dead.”
“I know I said save me the pain, but you don’t have to lie.” I snapped.
“I’m not lying, Jade. He moved to California.”
I sat up abruptly. “What?”
“He moved. That’s why he was acting so strange around you. He was dreading saying goodbye so he figured that he could skip them by acting the way he did. It’s inexcusable, if you ask me, but that was his logic.”
I was shaking my head. I needed to call him… I had to talk to him to believe that he wasn’t dead.
“Jade, he isn’t dead. He’s just on the other side of the country. Trust me, okay? I’m the mind reader, remember?”
I shook my head. Mind reader or not, I had to talk to Oliver. “I’m going to call him.”
“Jade, it’s late.”
“It’s three hours earlier there, though.” I reminded him.
“It’s still late. Midnight is not exactly early anywhere, Jade.”
“I don’t care. I have to talk to him.”
I pulled out my cell phone and dialed Oliver’s number. It was silent for a moment while the call connected. A robotic woman’s voice came on.
“I’m sorry but the customer you are trying to reach is no longer available. For more options press one.”
I snapped my phone closed and threw it against the wall. Unfortunately, it just bounced off and lay on the floor, taunting me completely unbroken.
“How could he do this? How could he just befriend me like that and then leave. It’s like he’s trying to erase his existence from me.” I said to myself. I looked up at Gabriel remembering that he was with me still. “Why did he do this to me?”
Gabriel reached out a hand to touch me comfortingly but I moved just enough to where his hand missed my hand.
“Is there more to it? There has to be. Oliver wouldn’t just completely ignore me before moving hundreds of miles away…and then his number is no long available. Oliver isn’t alive, is he Gabriel?”
He didn’t answer at first. He stared past my head in the darkness with a blank zombie-like stare. He then looked at me with intensity in his eyes. “He did move, Jade, but as far as his living status, I don’t know. Jagger…” He looked at me cautiously but I masked my thoughts and my eyes. “Jagger wants you so badly. He had a taste of your blood and now he’s turned into a monster. A dead person is going to show up daily now. He wants you in as much pain as possible when he comes for you so you will willingly give up your blood. He’s going to go after Oliver.”
“No! No, he can’t! We have to go to California!” I exclaimed scrambling to get my phone off the floor. I logged onto the internet knowing my parents would be pissed if the phone bill showed anything above five dollars use on my bill but I didn’t care. Let them cut off my phone. I had to contact Oliver one way or another.
I logged onto the yellow pages and typed in California and then typed in Oliver’s dad’s name. Fifty-thousand people came up. I groaned and narrowed my search by using his father’s and his mother’s name. Forty-thousand.
“Why did this have to be difficult?” I mumbled scrolling through every James Stephenson with the wife named Monica looking for a family with that many siblings.
I jumped when my phone began to ring. I logged off the internet and saw a number I didn’t recognize. I looked up at Gabriel. He motioned for me to answer it.
“Is this Jade?” came a familiar voice.
I breathed a sigh of slight relief. It wasn’t Oliver but it was the closest thing I had. “Alec, it is so good to talk to you. Yes, this is Jade.”
“Where is Oliver?” he demanded.
I was silent for a moment taking in what he had just asked. “He moved with the rest of your family. They are in California.”
“What? Where did you hear that shit from?”
I glared up at Gabriel as I said, “A source I thought was reliable. What do you mean where is Oliver?”
“He ran away from home last week. I was wondering if you knew where he went.”
“Oliver ran away?”
“Yes. Do you know where he is?”
“Okay, wait, he ran away?”
Alec groaned and started to get frustrated. “Yes, yes he ran away! Now where is my little brother?!”
“I’m sorry, Alec. I don’t know where he is! I thought he moved. He was acting strange at school and he ignored me.”
“He actually ignored you? There is definitely something going on with that kid. He’s in love with you. Is it okay if we meet somewhere to talk about this?”
“Right now? It’s late…”
“Do you care?”
“No, not really. Is it okay if I bring someone with me that could be a big help?” I looked up at Gabriel who gave me a menacing glare.
“Of course. Let’s meet at the Methodist church on Dale Street.”
“Sounds good. Alec, I’m really sorry about Oliver. I feel like this could be my fault.”
Alec was quiet as if processing what I had just said. Finally he said calmly, “Let’s just talk about this when we meet, okay?”
We hung up. I went to go get changed. Gabriel wasn’t speaking like he normally would have been. He seemed angry that I dragged him into this. He was looking politely away as I threw off my shirt and put on a new one.
“Gabriel, say something.” I finally said tugging on some jeans.
“What is there to say?”
“Are you angry with me?”
He didn’t answer and allowed us to sit in silence for a couple minutes. I threw on some tennis shoes and brushed my hair.
“I am not angry with YOU. I’m angry with myself for not seeing this. I misread his thoughts. I messed up. I caused you pain.” He said quietly as I grabbed my purse and tossed my phone on the floor.
“This isn’t your fault. It was a simple mistake. Now let’s go.”
Gabriel didn’t respond as he led me out to his sleek black Jag XJ220. I whistled when I climbed into the car to see all the bells and whistles.
“Nice car, Gabriel.” I commented. I had never seen this car. I always say his simple Lexus SUV RX400H…a simple but expensive car.
Now, the Jag was sleek and fast. As soon as I climbed in, I buckled my seatbelt knowing that I was in for a ride.
“I didn’t know you were secretly rich.” I tried to be teasing but Gabriel didn’t respond.
We didn’t speak again until we arrived at the church parking lot within a matter of three minutes. In a normal car, it would have taken us ten minutes.
“I’m sorry, Jade.” Gabriel said quietly with his hands still on the steering wheel.
“For what? I mean, it’s not your fault. You are forgiven. Let it go, Gabriel.”
He was shaking his head as I spoke.
“Gabriel, I—“
He shushed me and at first, I was slightly offended. He never cut me off. His eyes were intent on something and I looked in the direction of where he was looking. Jagger was standing there with a wide grin on his face. Oliver was lying at his feet, bleeding and unconscious.

Chapter Ten

Chapter Ten

At Gabriel’s that night, I was unusually quiet. I blocked out all of my thoughts from Gabriel to keep him from knowing what was going on. It drove him nuts.
He plopped down on the bed next to me even though I insisted on sleeping. It was only eight o’ clock.
“Jade, you are acting strange. What happened with you and Oliver? Did he hurt you?”
I responded with a sigh and buried my head into my pillow.
That night, I had a nightmare. The worst one yet.
Jagger was following me through a forest. I was lost and I couldn’t see Jagger but I knew he was behind me. Fear swept through me. I tried to pick up my pace but found it difficult with all the underbrush. I stumbled as my walk gradually broke into a run. My breathing was staggered. My foot caught on a tree root and I fell to the floor of the forest. I rolled over and saw Jagger standing above me looking as menacing as ever. I screamed. I screamed the loudest I’ve ever screamed. Someone took my hand in theirs and helped me stand up. I saw a flash of red hair as my body stabilized itself. Oliver. He sat crouched down in front of me like a cat ready to pounce. Jagger got into the same position. I couldn’t stop screaming. Something terrible was about to go down. My body was shaking.
“OLIVER! OLIVER, NO!” I screeched as he pounced onto Jagger.
Jagger began to rip into Oliver’s frail body. My screaming seemed to get louder and higher in pitch. Jagger was ripping Oliver to shreds. Oliver was dying before my eyes. Tears were running down my face. I couldn’t stop this. I wanted to jump onto Jagger myself but my body wouldn’t move. All I could do was scream their names and tremor. My knees fell out from underneath me. I began to beat the forest floor with my fists when everything went quiet. The only sound in the forest was my cry of pain as I stared at Oliver’s blood. Suddenly, my body began to bleed from all open places. My tears were turning from the salty wetness to rust-scented, sticky blood. My body thrashed furiously but the blood continuously poured from my body. Soon, my skin could no longer be seen. All I was now was a blood covered monster. My head tilted up to the sky. I screamed. It rang through the forest and seemed to echo for eternity.
My eyes remained tightly shut when I finally escaped the dream. I was panting and sobbing uncontrollably. I hugged myself tightly trying to block out what my dream had just shown me. I curled my knees into my chest and rocked gently. My body was moving suddenly. Coldness embraced me and I felt comforted immediately. I couldn’t stop my sobbing. Fear was overtaking me…fear and pain.
“It was a dream. A dream.” I cried into Gabriel’s chest.
He rocked slowly and buried his face into my hair whispering comforting words in my ear.
I kept shaking my head whispering Oliver’s name. How could I ever erase that images I had just seen in my dream? I didn’t find it possible.
When I was settled down enough, I went to take a shower. I couldn’t eat breakfast though even though Alexander has made a delicious looking breakfast buffet. Instead, I turned my attention to the newspaper sitting in Jagger’s usual seat. I picked it up.
“Body Found Close to Home-work of the same mass killer?” I read. My heart began pounding. Jagger was venturing out. It had to be him. I have no proof, I reminded myself but I couldn’t seem to keep the thoughts away. “The body was found close to Calhoun Falls but at this time, forensic officers cannot identify the body. It was found too mangled and covered in blood. Even the color of hair could not be identified from the amount of blood. ‘It may be the worst massacre Calhoun Falls has ever seen’, police official Donald Roberts says. ‘It’s terrible what’s happened but we will continue to run things as usual. Security will be increased but that’s about all we can do before we have more evidence.’ Roberts continues…” I stopped reading and felt a shudder go down my spine.
“It’s nothing to worry about. Nothing that your boyfriend and I can’t handle ourselves.” Alexander told me with an amused expression.
“You know who it is?” I asked.
“Of course. So do you. Don’t worry about it.”
“Do you know who got killed?”
“Nope. Jagger’s killings are random. He doesn’t have a reason. He sees prey and when the prey is alone, he attacks it. If he’s not careful, he’s going to expose us. You must have been one of his lucky victims. He left you breathing.”
“Enough, Alexander.” Came an authoritative voice from the doorway of the kitchen.
“Ah, lighten up Gabriel. She already knows.”
“No reason to frighten her more, though.” He turned to me and smiled. “Are you ready to go?”
I nodded even though my stomach churned like I would vomit at any given moment.
“She doesn’t look so good.” Alexander commented. “Rough night? I heard screaming. I thought I told you to be gentle with the pet.”
“Alexander that will be quite enough.” Gabriel’s voice remained calm but it rang with such authority that Alexander kept his mouth shut.

At school, I searched for red hair but found none. A sinking feeling told me that I probably would not see red hair today. I felt sick wondering where he could be. Gabriel’s cool hand touched my shoulder.
“The murdered human in the paper wasn’t Oliver, don’t worry.” Gabriel informed me.
I found myself shaking my head slowly. “Then where is he?”
“That I cannot answer.”
“Then how do you know the person killed wasn’t him? How do you know?” Sobs were choking my throat and I felt scared for Oliver. I just couldn’t shake off the emotion the nightmare had left me with.
“Don’t worry, Jade. Oliver is just fine, I’m sure of it.”
Tears were streaking my face. Why was I being such a big baby all of a sudden? Gabriel put his arm around me and that did it for me. I was sobbing hysterically both from fear and the loss of Oliver’s friendship. Gabriel led me outside and he sat beside me on a bench waiting for my sobs to decrease in hysteria.
“Oliver…why am I such a big bitch? If I would have just…” I couldn’t finish the sentence because tears choked up my throat again. “And then my parents…why can’t they love me?” I squeaked feeling a new emotion overcome me. Something other than the fear. It was pain-true and genuine pain. It was collapsing over me. I allowed myself to feel it and I allowed myself to show my weakness. I loved Gabriel and I loved staying with him but it was such a sickening feeling to know the reason why I stayed with him. I just wanted my life to be perfect. I wanted Oliver to be my friend and I wanted Gabriel to my boyfriend. I wanted my parents to love me and welcome me with open arms when I came home each day from school. I wanted to come to their home and inhale the aroma of cleaners, not alcohol. I wanted so much that I just couldn’t have.
Gabriel stroked my hair. He had no idea how I felt about him. He thought it was just a crush or that I was just attracted to him physically. He had no idea the extent of my love for him. I couldn’t describe the feeling when I saw him and when I was around him but love seemed like too small of a word. And “boyfriend” seemed like too small of a word. Soul-mate was what I wanted to use but Gabriel didn’t care about me like that. He felt the way he thought I felt towards him. Maybe I would have been better off with Oliver. At least then I knew I was loved genuinely.
“I love you, Gabriel.” I said through gasps not knowing what to expect, only knowing that he need to know how I felt.
It was quiet and I feared I had expressed too much but then Gabriel held my chin in his hands and he pulled my face gently towards his. His cold lips pressed against mine and everything was still…my crying, the world, even the birds seemed to stop singing. The world was just him and I at that moment and I wrapped my arms tightly around his neck never wanting to let go. Gabriel allowed me to part his lips before he pushed me away. I was smiling through my tears. It was the best kiss I had ever experienced. It felt so surreal.
“I love you, too, Jade.” Gabriel whispered into my ear. It sent chills down my spine but not in the way of fear…in the way of excitement and the desire to kiss him again. I had to ball my hands into fists to keep from pouncing on him and making out with him right then and there. It was obvious he didn’t want to go that far at the time.
My day seemed to brighten even if the fears and worries were still in the back of my mind. I wiped the tears from under my eyes feeling giddy like a little girl who finally got her pony after years of birthday wishes.
“So, am I a good kisser?” Gabriel asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Holy crap, yes, you are amazing. What about me?”
“Holy crap, yes, you are amazing.” He replied, mocking me.
I rolled my eyes and giggled.
“In all seriousness, yes, Jade, you are a great kisser.” He leaned over and kissed my cheek making my head feel light for a moment.
I sighed and leaned against him. “Let’s skip today.”
“You need your grades though. You only get to live in high school once. You’ve missed enough school already.”
“You’d sound like my father if he gave a crap about my grades and me.” I felt a sinking in my chest briefly but I shook it off before Gabriel could notice.
“C’mon. It’s just a couple more days until the weekend. And then we have Christmas break the week after next so relax and just go to school like a normal human being.”
“I’m far from normal.” I said softly.
Gabriel laughed his musical laugh. “You’re right. You’re dating a vampire who could snap you in half at any given moment and you aren’t afraid.”
I’m still afraid. I thought, afraid to say the words out loud.
“Why? I mean, you should be, but I’m not going to hurt you intentionally.”
I buried my face into his chest before answering with my thoughts.
I’m afraid of losing you. You are the best thing that’s ever happened to me. You make me feel like I’m worth something.
Gabriel held me tighter. “I won’t leave you, Jade. I’m here to stay. We’re too deep into this for me to do the right thing now. I’m afraid that I’m too selfish.”
I smirked. “I like you being selfish.”
He laughed softly and then stood up. “Time to go to class. We’re already a couple minutes late.”
I sighed and followed him to Biology, happy that I got to spend at least forty more minutes with him by my side.

Chapter Nine

Chapter Nine

I had nightmares after that night. They were about Jagger. I couldn’t get him out of my head even if he was temporarily out of my life. Paranoia swept through me every moment I was awake and every moment I was asleep, I had to relive the times with him. I would wake myself either screaming or with Gabriel shaking me to pull me from the nightmarish slumber. Gabriel began to question if staying with him was the best idea. I insisted that it was and I truly did believe it was. He didn’t know my true feelings for him. I was learning to jumble my thoughts to where none of them made sense or to block them to where Gabriel couldn’t get anything out of my head. Sometimes I slipped but I was becoming very good at confusing him with my thoughts. It was amusing at times but other times, I just wanted him to know how I felt about him. It was too risky though. The slightest mistake could send me packing and I would have to go back home. As for school and Oliver…my grades had been slipping slightly each week due to my paranoia with Jagger. Oliver was barely speaking to me whether it be because of jealousy or anger. It was hard to read him. Gabriel offered to let me in on his thoughts but I refused to invade Oliver’s privacy like that even if the curiosity was about to be the death of me.
I decided I had had enough when I saw Oliver at school on a Thursday morning, talking to one of his friends from Astronomy Club. He ignored me when I sat down.
“Oliver.” I said calmly.
He didn’t turn around.
“Oliver. We need to talk now.” My tone became more commanding.
His friend stopped talking and looked over Oliver’s shoulder uncertainly.
“Oliver Wayne Stephenson. Turn around and look at me!”
Oliver turned, surprised at my tone. “What?”
“We need to talk, I said. Now.”
“What about?”
“Why are you ignoring me?”
“Why should you care? You have Gabriel, don’t you?”
I clenched my fists beginning to fume. “Yes, I have Gabriel. Is he what this is about? Gabriel? Oliver, you know you are my best friend. Why are you ditching me because of your jealousy?”
“I-am-not-jealous!” He exclaimed through his teeth.
“Yes you are! Why else would you be ignoring me? You are jealous that Gabriel and I have finally hooked up and now you are taking it out on me like it’s my fault. I’m sorry if you can’t be my friend while I have a boyfriend, Oliver! I’m sorry if you can’t handle that! Grow up! I am not into you like that and I never will be!”
I stood up and stormed out of the cafeteria, tears burning my eyes either from anger or from the memory of the obvious shock and pain on Oliver’s face. I saw Gabriel standing against the wall by the front door. He looked up and smiled a crooked smile in my direction. I tried to return the smile but my insides were twisting knowing that I could have possibly been giving up Oliver for Gabriel. I crossed the hall to stand with Gabriel. He touched my shoulder briefly.
“Oliver.” I said simply and Gabriel didn’t have to ask more. He could read minds after all.
“What happened?” he asked, pushing my hair from my face.
“I can’t talk about it. I’m opening my thoughts to you. Just read them.”
It was quiet for a moment as he scanned my thoughts for Oliver’s name. When he found what he was looking for, his expression turned sympathetic.
“You don’t have to choose between us, you know. Oliver will come around. Are you sure you don’t want to know his thoughts?” Gabriel said.
I shook my head. “Of course, I WANT to know but I don’t want to invade his privacy. I figured that if we are close enough friends, he will tell me what is bothering him…won’t he?”
I looked into Gabriel’s face. He seemed uncertain. “He’s just worried, Jade. Give his some more credit. Of course he’s jealous but he has a bad feeling about me…as he should.”
I glared at him. “What did I just say? Didn’t I just say that I didn’t want to know his thoughts?”
“That wasn’t his thoughts. That just was just a male detecting male instinct. He wants to protect what’s rightfully his. He did, after all, see you first and like you first."
“So that entitles him to be a jerk?”
Gabriel shrugged. “His pride is just hurt. Like I said, give him some time.” When the sentence left his mouth, I looked up to see Oliver walking towards me.
My body tensed and I noticed that Gabriel’s did as well.
When Oliver joined us, he too went a little rigid. “Gabriel.” He acknowledged with a nod.
Gabriel gave a nod in return before leaving us alone.
“Jade, I’m sorry. But I’m thinking we can’t be friends anymore.”
I could feel the shock spread through my body and how it traveled to my face with an unknown expression.
“I really am sorry, Jade. It will be as if we never met.” His face was expressionless. My eyes looked into his, pleading with him. He shook his head.
“Why?” I demanded in a voice that was no more than a choke.
Oliver shook his head. This was not happening. Oliver wouldn’t do this. Would he? Oliver was becoming more and more a part of me than I had imagined. I knew he was important but, he had a hold on my heart. He was a part of that. He was a part of me.
“Wow. You really do care.” He whispered.
Tears sprang to my eyes and I cursed them and looked away. “Of course I do, you idiot.”
He turned my chin to face him. I clenched my jaw, fighting back the raging waterfall of tears. “I love you.” He told me fiercely.
“What are you talking about? YOU’RE the one dumping ME.”
He bit on his lip and released my face. “Curious isn’t it, though?” His face leaned down closer to mine as if he was going to kiss me but he stopped just centimeters from my lips.
“Oliver, what is going on? You’re scaring me.” My vulnerability and my need for him were shining through now, embarrassing me.
“I’m sorry, Jade. I really am.”
He turned to walk away. “Oliver Wayne! What the HELL is going on? You are going to tell me right now!” I shouted, wiping tears off my face.
He kept walking. I didn’t go after him. I was too angry and hurt and confused. If he wanted to walk away from me, fine. But I would get an explanation out of him. Even if it killed me.

Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight

I woke up still in Gabriel’s arms. It was still cold but I didn’t care. Gabriel brought out the best in me. The me that wasn’t so self-absorbed. I shifted slightly to where my body was closer to him. He didn’t push me away and seemed to not care.
“I’m tired of pretending.” He said quietly.
I opened my eyes. “What?”
“I’m tired of pretending that I don’t care for you. I do, Jade. It’s just hard because you frustrate me so bad. I love it when you are the way you are right now, vulnerable and open. But when you put on the mask that is mean and too into yourself, I hate it.” He stroked my cheek with his thumb as he spoke. “But I’m through pretending that you aren’t the most important human being I’ve come across.”
His words surprised me. I wasn’t expecting to hear such sincerity in his voice.
“How do you feel?” he questioned, moving his thumb down to the base of my throat.
I shrugged. The pain was mostly gone but it still stung. Mostly, I felt exhausted.
“You’re tired.” He concluded.
“Would you stop doing that?” I whined, referring to his mindreading.
“I didn’t this time. I can just tell.”
I grumbled and sat up, sitting in his lap. He smiled at me. “You don’t ever have to go home, you know. You can stay with me.” He offered.
My eyes widened. “Are you serious?”
He nodded. “I don’t want you to have to go home to that. It’s obvious your parents wouldn’t notice.” I winced. “I’m sorry. Do you want to stay here?”
I thought about it. If it was just him, my answer would be an automatic yes. But if Jagger and Alexander were around…
“They won’t be.” He assured my unspoken thoughts. “Well, Alexander might be around for a while but he can control himself. Jagger is moving to another colony somewhere down south.”
I studied his face closely. “Are you going to miss him?” I asked, reaching up to touch his face. I stopped before my fingertips touched his lips and let my hands fall back into my lap.
His voice was thoughtful. “Maybe a little. He could be a major jerk at times but I mean he was there for Alexander and me. It’s hard to not miss him. Of course, I had to send him away. He was endangering the population…” He looked down into my face. “And you.” He added.
“Why now?” My voice was barely audible but I knew that he heard me.
He cocked his head to the side, confused.
“I mean, why are you choosing to be kind to me now?”
He didn’t answer right away. “Since the moment I met you, I felt a connection but your attitude…God, it bugged me so much. But then I heard some of your thoughts and saw vulnerability and it was clear why you put on the tough exterior. You had to in order to face your parents. I began to slowly understand you, even if I still didn’t approve. But who you are right now, I like this. You aren’t being full of yourself. You’re being who I always knew you were. I’ve never felt so close to someone in such a short time. It’s probably not a good thing. I could kill you. But you haven’t run away yet. You seem strangely calm about vampires.”
“I’m not afraid of you. I’m afraid of Jagger and a little bit of Alexander.” I heard snickering in the hall and that told me Alexander was listening in. I rolled my eyes.
“You shouldn’t be scared of Alexander…actually, you probably should be scared of him and me. Jagger mostly though. You have a right fear him. But, why aren’t you afraid of me?”
I shrugged truly not knowing. I knew I was supposed to be and should be…any sane person would be but then again, any sane person would not believe in vampires to begin with. So, I defied all the rules of sanity.
Gabriel put his nose into my air and inhaled deeply. “I never thought I would be this close to you without hurting you and here I am…I saved your life.” He shook his head. “The others won’t be happy.”
“Others?” I repeated, feeling my heart begin to pound.
“Relax. Just others of our kind.”
I couldn’t relax though. This whole other world had been opened to me and it was hard to not be afraid of any of the creatures that weren’t like Gabriel.
“Are you scared yet?” he asked in a teasing tone.
I glared at him and rested my face against his shoulder. I couldn’t get over how cold he was. It made me shiver and want to put him in front of the fire to thaw out.
“Why are you cold?” I asked quietly putting my arms around his waist.
He laughed darkly. “I’ve technically been dead for three hundred years.” He waited for my reaction but he didn’t get one.
“Wow. Long time. How did you…” I paused and looked up into his face afraid of offending him. “How did you get turned into one?”
He looked thoughtful for a moment but not offended or angry. “I got changed by a stranger. My memories are very…vague. All I remember was walking home one night from somewhere in 1718 and was attacked. I remember that it was painful…God, the worst pain I’ve ever felt. I remember begging God to just let me die. I would have rather died than go through what I felt.” He looked down at me. “That’s one reason why I saved you from this fate.”
My cell phone started to ring in my pocket. Oliver was calling me.
“Answer it.” He told me.
“Oliver. Hi.” I said into the phone.
“Jade! Oh my gosh, I don’t know what I did wrong, but whatever it is, please forgive me! I’m so sorry!” he exclaimed.
I felt Gabriel laugh quietly. I shot him a quick glare. “No, it’s okay Oliver. You didn’t do anything. I just…freaked out.” That’s putting it mildly. I added in my head.
“I could have just turned the movie off though. Why did you leave? I thought I said something wrong or did something wrong. Alec hasn’t let me forget it. You haven’t come to school. Are you sick? Gabriel’s been out too…are you with him? Jade, just give me something to go on here. I’m worried.”
“Oliver, I’m okay. I promise. Yes, I’m with Gabriel but it’s complicated. I can’t discuss it right now. I’m sorry. Just know that I am fine and no, I’m not sick. Tell Alec to shove it. I’m coming back soon, I promise.”
“Are you sure, Jade? Are you sure that you’re okay? I can come pick you up if you want me to.”
“Oliver, relax. I promise that I’m okay. There is nothing to worry about.”
“Okay, well, call me when you get home, okay?”
“Um…I won’t be going home.”
“What are you talking about?” he demanded.
“Gabriel offered to let me stay with him. I think I’m going to take that offer because…I feel safer here than at home because…well, you know.”
“Yes, I know. But look, I don’t feel comfortable with you staying with a guy your age that you hardly know.”
“But you would let me stay with you if I needed to, right?”
“Well, I-that’s different, Jade. You’ve barely spoken to Gabriel.”
“It’s not different. I’m staying with him. End of story. I have to go, Oliver. I’m fine. I promise.”
He sighed heavily with disapproval. “Fine. But if you want to stay with someone normal, you know my door is always open.”
“I know. ‘Bye Oliver.”
We hung up and I threw my phone on the bed with frustration. When I looked at Gabriel’s face, he seemed amused. He stood up and laid me on the bed alone.
“Where are you going?” I asked sitting up.
“I’ve got to talk to my brothers. Don’t you fret. I’ll be back before you can blink.”
I blinked. “You’re not back.”
He rolled his eyes. “Just give me five minutes.”
“Fine. Hurry back.”
He kissed my forehead, sending my heart into hysteric thumping. I wasn’t sure what to do while I waited. So, I just stared at the ceiling losing myself in my thoughts. Everything had been happening so fast. One second Gabriel wanted nothing to do with me. The next, he’s sucking venom out and professing his like for me. The only things that were certain at that time were this: One, Gabriel and his family were without doubt vampires. Two, I was in grave danger staying with him. Three, I was madly and totally lost in love with him. Four, I wanted to be one of them.

Chapter Seven

Chapter Seven

I arrived on Gabriel’s doorstep, praying that it would be him that answered and not one of his brothers. My prayers were answered when Gabriel swung open the door looking slightly smug.
“Gabriel, I know, you were right. I have to talk to you. Unless you already read my mind and you know why I’m here then you can just talk to me and I’ll listen.” I said frantically, out of breath from running.
“So, do you believe in vampires now?” he asked leaving the smug look on his face.
“Yes I do. Please, help me. Tell me what to do.” My voice was becoming pleading from the fear of being in the presence of another creature capable of doing what Jagger did to me.
“First of all, you need to relax. You dream means nothing. It’s just fear.”
My eyes widened. “Dream?”
“Yeah, isn’t that why you came? The dream with you and Jagger in the woods…”
I shook my head feeling faint. Gabriel’s expression changed from the smug look to horror.
“Then why ARE you here?” he asked, expecting the worst.
“Jagger bit me.” I answered, my voice reaching a pitch of hysteria.
“How do you know that?”
“I just remember, okay? Right after you left when we were in the storage closet, Jagger came in and attacked me! I don’t remember the details but—“
“You remember?” he repeated dumbfounded.
I sighed, exasperated wondering why I was getting more questions than answers. “Yes, I remember.”
“You shouldn’t.” he informed me.
“Well, I do.”
“It makes no sense. When you are attacked by a vampire, you aren’t supposed to remember unless…” Gabriel’s face drained of what color was already present.
“Unless what?! Gabriel! Unless what?!” My voice was rising in pitches and I was starting to feel lightheaded and like I might start hyperventilating.
“Are you positive you weren’t dreaming?”
I bit into my lip harder than usual. “Yes.” I finally said.
“This is impossible. JAGGER!!!” His voice seemed to reverberate off of every solid thing around. I covered my ears and ducked instinctively.
Jagger appeared behind Gabriel. I stumbled backwards feeling my heart begin to race. My knees gave out and I sat on all fours, trying to catch my breath.
“We should discuss this inside.” Jagger said calmly.
Gabriel nodded, agreeing, and bent down to pick me up. I tried to shove him away but he insisted and suddenly, my body was against his cool chest. I felt woozy. I clutched my stomach and felt vomit rise in my throat. I felt Gabriel’s body sink and I realized we were on the couch. He didn’t let me go though. I was about to inquire why but Gabriel answered my unspoken question.
“The coolness of my body will keep you conscious.” He whispered.
I nodded, informing him that I had heard him. I closed my eyes, almost wanting to lose consciousness.
“Jagger, what the hell have you done?” Gabriel demanded his tone different now, harsher.
“I was hungry. She was a tasty snack.” Jagger responded indifferently.
Gabriel shook with anger. “Why her? Why not some other unfortunate human being? I thought we agreed we wouldn’t feast on humans anymore!”
“Correction-you agreed, I shrugged. And her because her blood is the sweetest. I could almost taste it before it hit my tongue. I would do it again if I got her alone.”
“You won’t be able to do it again.” Gabriel snapped.
“And why not?”
“She remembers.”
A deafening silence fell over the room. Did I dare to open my eyes? Not a chance. Instead, I shifted my body to where I was closer to Gabriel’s chest. It may have been the only chance I got to be this close to him whether he liked it or not.
“That’s impossible. I didn’t take enough.” Jagger’s voice was matter-of-fact.
“You must have. She remembers!”
“She remembers her dream. Not the attack.”
Gabriel’s body shook again, this time more violently. “The storage closet was in her dream? I don’t think so. You stay the hell away from her!”
I heard the seat across from Gabriel and I shift. Jagger had stood up. “Fine. But you better watch your pet, Gabriel.” He spat his name with such intensity, that I flinched. Gabriel clutched me tighter. “She won’t last long in our world.” He finished then stormed out.
Gabriel waited a couple seconds then spoke to me. “Jade?”
I opened my eyes.
“I’m sorry about him but we need to ignore him for now. I have to suck the venom out.”
I sat up, not moving from his lap. “What?”
“Jagger injected you with enough venom to change you into one of us. I don’t want that fate for you…for anyone. I have to suck the venom out or you’ll begin to experience the change within a matter of hours.”
“Wait, like you have to do for a snake bite?”
Gabriel grimaced. “Something like that, yeah.”
“Okay…go for it then.” I moved my hair to the side, waiting.
“It’s not that easy.” He said stroking where I had gotten bitten. “I have to be so very careful so I don’t lose control. The taste of human blood after so long…” He stopped and shook his head.
“You could just let me change. How hard could it be living like you?”
Gabriel’s face turned to horror and then anger. “Maybe I should just let you turn. It will do you some good.” He shoved me away from him.
I sat on the couch in silence beside him longing to touch him again.
“But I won’t let that happen. I will suck out the venom.” He whispered, clenching his fists. He looked back at me. “It will be painful so try to relax; it will make it hurt less.”
When I looked into his eyes, I saw something I had never seen in his eyes before-compassion. I nodded, holding my breath. He scooted towards me and put his nose into my collar bone, inhaling deeply.
“Your scent is almost irresistible. It’s going to take a lot of power to not just drain you.”
I shuddered. “Where are we going to do it?” I asked almost breathless.
“Not in here obviously. There’d be a big mess. Let us go into the kitchen.” He stood up and waited for me.
I followed him, feeling faint again. The kitchen had tile floors, perfect for cleaning up blood. He inspected me for a moment.
“Take off your jacket.” He told me.
I took it off and looked down at myself to realize there was still blood down my front.
“I assume you don’t care that you get more on it since it’s already ruined?”
I shook my head. Gabriel shuffled around the kitchen. First, he got a towel and rolled it, telling me to lie down and put my head on it. He then got an icepack and set it to the side.
“Okay, I think I’m ready.” He said gently, sitting beside me. I nodded in response, chewing on my lip. “Try to relax the best you can, okay?” He was being unusually kind meaning that this was definitely going to hurt.
He leaned down to me and hesitantly opened his mouth to my neck. He lifted me onto his lap to where his leg was my pillow. “Your clothes…” I mumbled. He shook his head with a smile that didn’t quite touch his eyes.
His mouth opened and he clutched me tighter and then I felt it. Pain. The worst pain I have ever felt. My body shook with the urge to scream or cry…or die. I was biting into my lip trying so hard to stay conscious. I felt him sucking with technique at the wounds. My body began to shake violently. Gabriel pulled away momentarily and studied my face. I couldn’t get my eyes to focus on him. He bent down slowly and I thought I saw a twinge of regret cross his face. The pain came through, more intense this time. I opened my mouth and I’m pretty sure a sob escaped my mouth…or maybe it was a scream. I couldn’t tell which. And then it was over. My body was still shaking and tears were pouring from my eyes. I was whimpering like a puppy. He held me close to his body and placed the icepack over my neck.
“Breathe slowly.” He instructed, stroking my hair.
“W-w-why…” I couldn’t get the question to form in my voice.
“Sssh.” He rocked slowly back and forth. The motion did help but I couldn’t stop shaking. It still hurt so much.
I finally just allowed myself to sleep, however that was possible with the pain and the ice. It was a dreamless sleep but somehow, I was aware of Gabriel holding me and I liked that; I liked it very much.

Chapter Six

Chapter Six

I woke up when light flooded into wherever I was. I opened my eyes to see a bright light above me. Was I dead?
“Jade! Thank God I found you! No one knew where you went and…” His voice trailed off.
I wasn’t dead. I was lying on the floor in the storage closet. Oliver was standing above me, talking to me. What was he saying now? I didn’t care. I felt strangely disoriented like I had been sleeping for hours on end. Why was I in the storage closet anyway? Something had happened…Gabriel had talked to me in here. That I remembered but…I drew a blank. Gabriel had told me I was stupid for not going home. So, did I just fall asleep? It didn’t seem likely. There was something that had happened in between Oliver standing above me and Gabriel talking to me. But what?
I decided to not dwell on it. It must not have been too important if I forgot about it.
“Are you feeling okay?” Oliver asked, holding out his hand to help me up.
I took it and nodded.
“That’s good. I guess we can go home now.”
“Home?” I repeated surprised.
“Yeah, it’s the end of the day. I guess you had yourself a good nap, huh?” Oliver tried to be lighthearted but he seemed more worried.
“Guess so.” I mumbled, rubbing my forehead.
I looked around to realize my bags weren’t with me. “Crap. Where are my bags?”
“I have them. You never came back so I took them. Here” He handed me my book bag.
“Thanks, Oliver. Let’s go then.”
When we got outside, it was close to a hundred degrees. I groaned. The walk home was going to seem longer than usual.
“Do you…” Oliver paused and rubbed the back of his neck. “Do you want to come home with me?” he offered.
I looked at him disapprovingly.
“No, no! I just mean so you don’t have to go home to your parents. You sit outside most of the day anyway, right? So, why not come home with me. My mom won’t mind.”
I shifted uncertainly then glanced back up at the sky. The sun seemed to get closer to me and make me even hotter. I caved.
“Alright. Let’s go.”
Oliver’s face lit up. “Awesome!”
I cringed on the inside. Oliver was the nicest person and a great friend but I just wished he could see that that was where it ended. I got into his car and he drove to his house. It wasn’t the first time I’d seen his house but it didn’t keep me from gasping at the size. His parents had enough money to support their family and my family. It was crazy. Oliver had two sisters and a brother. His youngest sister, Annabelle, was seven years old and resembled Oliver in ways that they could pass for twins if she was taller. She was really sweet and I tended to like her the best. Bianca, Oliver’s fourteen year old sister, was a bit bratty. She personally got on my nerves and didn’t resemble any of her siblings. She was pretty if you could look past the attitude. The final sibling was Oliver’s older brother, Alec. He was nineteen and in college. I had not yet met him but I had seen pictures of him. He looked NOTHING like any of his siblings. He was gorgeous…almost as gorgeous as Gabriel’s little family.
Gabriel. My heart sank thinking of him. He would never love me but that didn’t matter. I couldn’t help but let my fantasies run off with him.
“Oh, Alec is home.” Oliver muttered unhappily, taking the keys from the ignition.
“Really? Let me go meet him, then.” I replied, with a smirk on my face.
“I don’t think you’d like him.” Oliver countered quickly.
“Why not?”
“He’s not your type.”
I snorted. “And you know what my type is.” I stated sarcastically.
Oliver’s hands tightened on the steering wheel. “You’re in love with Gabriel aren’t you? He is nothing like Alec.”
My lips hardened into a straight line.
“Maybe I should just go home.”
Oliver sighed and shook his head. “No, don’t. Come on in.”
I crossed my arms and glared out the window showing no signs of moving.
“Jade, I’m sorry, okay? Come on, let’s just go inside and have a good time.”
I sighed and this time, followed him to the front steps and into the house. It smelled like floral arrangements as usual.
“Mom? Dad? Alec? I’m home! Jade is with me!” he called into the house.
Footsteps rushed down the steps. I looked up to see Alec skipping stairs to get down them.
“Little bro’!” he exclaimed and then tackled him.
Alec was so much cuter in person. He had medium length hair that hung loosely around his face that looked like it was rarely groomed. He had a crooked smile that gave my stomach butterflies. His skin was just as pale as Oliver’s but on Alec, it worked. He had muscle that was obvious in a way that wasn’t buff. When he stood up, he momentarily stared at me.
“Who’s this?” he asked, crossing his arms seeming to undress me with his eyes.
“This is my girlfriend, Jade.” He responded proudly.
My head snapped over at him and I glared at him. He gave me a pleading look to go along with it. It wasn’t going to happen.
“Actually, we are just FRIENDS. Hi. You must be Alec.” I smiled sweetly at him and held out my hand delicately. He took it more gently than I expected and let it linger a moment too long.
Alec nudged Oliver in the ribs with his elbow. “I like this one.” He said just loud enough for me to hear.
“Yeah, me too.” Oliver whispered, rubbing his ribs looking very unhappy.
“Well, I guess I’ll let you to have your little powwow.” He looked over at me and winked as he said, “If you need me, call me.”
He went back up the steps slowly so I could watch him leave. I sighed when he was gone then looked back at my jealous friend. His arms were tensed by his side and his hands were balled into fists. He looked like he wanted to punch something.
“You want to go watch a movie or something?” I suggested trying to act innocent. It didn’t work.
“No, not really, but please, let’s.” he answered through his teeth.
He walked into the living room and I followed. He popped in the movie Underworld. At first, I wasn’t paying much attention but then something caught my eye. Vampires. A familiar shudder raced through my shoulders and down my back. I felt the color drain from my face. I couldn’t explain why a lump was rising in my throat with the urge to scream out loud. Oliver had relaxed a bit by now and glanced over at me.
“If it’s too scary, I can turn it off.” He said uncertainly.
I stared at the screen with my hands balled into fists, trying to remember how to breathe. I shook my head and bit into my lip.
“Okay, okay, fine. I’ll turn it off. Would you rather watch My Little Ponies?” he teased.
A name came into my head. Jagger. It jogged a few memories but I couldn’t place the fear. Yes, I had had a nightmare where he attacked me but why…oh my God. I stood up abruptly and grabbed my book bag. I rushed out of the living room and out the front door but not before I heard Alec’s voice.
“Jeez, what’d you do to her?” he asked in a teasing tone.
I had to talk to Gabriel even if he was going to say, “I told you so”. I just needed to talk to him and I needed to talk to him now.