My journey to freedom

I can hear the faint sound of dripping water and rattling chains. I look up and see a girl pinned to one of the stone walls with stakes driven through her wrists, feet, and one, I believe to be protruding from her chest. I begin to advance toward her, in order to see if she is still alive but am stopped as a scream of sorrow and rage fills the air. I turn around and find that yet another girl, stands atop a platform, a noose loosely hanging around her neck. Realization finally comes to me as she falls and her neck contorts, they were twins, and very good friends of mine. I must look away, but as I do so I see a man, clad in fine linen, smiling at me. His smile turns into a sneer as he grabs my wrist with incredible strength and leads me into a hall-way. Wrenching my hand free of his grasp I run down the dimly-lit halls until I reach a stair case. Two men stand guard, seemingly invincible, but I quickly slash one's throat, pushing him onto the other guard and my pursuer. I enter the first door that is unlocked and run into the washroom, checking to see that the small window and door are barricaded. The man walks to the two inches of wood separating us and declares "you cannot stay in there forever..." Then, I hear the sound of glass shatter and curiosity overtakes me, I unlock the door and step into the main room. I find that the window has been broken by a chair, the wind slightly chilling, as a storm edges closer. The man, once cast in shadows now steps forward, the maroon-canopied bed at his side and motions for me to come to him. He is momentarily stunned that I listen and stand within arms length away. The man bares his fangs, long and gleaming white and than I feel a slight pinch as they pierce my skin. But that is soon replaced by the many images slowly intruding on my thoughts, memories that are not my own.

* * * *





I awake once again in a bed not my own, the comforter thickly filled with dove feathers and a Leopard's pelt lay at the foot of the bed. The shear curtain incasing me glistens golden in the early morning sun. I hear rattling outside of the door and in walks a maid, carrying clothing "put these on, once you are done the master wishes to see you." She smiles at me and places a thin, small hand over my own before leaving. I dress slowly, examining myself in the pretty dress, and head down the two cases of stairs, not giving a thought to "the master" and into the kitchen. A good acquaintance of mine and one of the servants regards me with a smile as she washes the dishes. "Hello there, Mariella may I help you with any thing?" I asked. She slightly turned happy that I offered but threw a dismissive had and said "No, no you are royalty leave the work to the workers, go..." She was interrupted by a loud yell coming from the main parlor. It was the very owner of the castle, I slowly begin to follow my friend toward the parlor to see what the commotion was of...Though I had an idea. I saw Damon, the master hit one of the maids "where is she!?" He yelled, towering over her as she landed on the floor. Another servant and Mariella were rushing to me, "we must go...Now. Hurry it is you he searches for." She said her eyes wide with fear and concern. "What of yourself and the others? You will surely be into trouble if he does not find me." I argued. "Do not worry for us now, quick...In here, follow until you reach the end, than find a way to escape." She instructed, pushing me into a secret passage behind a large Persian curtain. I walk, than suddenly I am on the balcony overlooking the parlor. The man looks small from here, yet unmistakably threatening as he displays his rage. "How can no one know where she is? I do not believe that none of you know. You will talk, I will find her location and you will all be punished until that time comes." He informed. I was torn, I did not wish to leave the people I had become so accustomed to harm. But I also did not wish to face whatever fate this potentially dangerous man may have for me and thus leave my dear friends to heart wrench. As the guards past I vowed to return for them, one way or another, before jumping out of the nearest window and into the darkened forest. Only once I was far deep into the forest, did I realize just what mistake I made...This was Special territory, I half froze walking slowly, cautiously, should they realize I am here, which they most likely have already they would kill me. For I am merely a Pretty, all but forbidden from these lands. I prepared myself for any thing, mustering all of my strength, physical and mental powers, after all, in our world, unknown to humans, you must expect the unexpected.



I spun around as I heard the crack of a twig behind me, and another to my left. Figures, looming in the white of the moon began to form around me. I could hear my heart beat racing, my instincts telling me to stand my ground, yet also to flee. Suddenly laughter, deep and menacing filled the cool air. The shadows turned to men, one stood out, his dark hair falling in strands near his eyes before settling down his shoulders. Eyes blazing crimson with interest and fangs bared, I got the strangest feeling of recognition toward this terrifyingly handsome man. “Look what we have here, having you lost you way?” I was still, my stomach dropped, but my head remained high. “Just passing through.” I answered, the men laughed. One stepped closer and I drew out my dagger, throwing it by the tip and hitting him in the chest. In less than a minute I was contained –for lack of a better word- and brought to this so familiar man, who obviously seemed to be in charge. “Look what you’ve done. Made a mess of every thing. But…We may have use for you yet.” He said, face darkened. I spat in his face, smiling defiantly, baring my fangs. He hit me hard enough that I fell to the ground trying to mask the searing pain that coursed through my jaw. As the men around me moved closer, to take me some where dreadful, I was lingering on the edges of consciousness. Finally, I could resist no longer and succumbed to the darkness that threatened my eyes.



A woman stood in front of me, her long white-blonde hair falling past her shoulders, blue-green eyes shinning with love. I’ve seen this woman before, she was my mother. She walked gracefully toward me, her feet appearing to float above the meadow ground slightly. “Belladonna, ciao bella come mai vedo.” She greeted. Of course, only my mother would greet me saying I am as beautiful as ever when we haven’t seen each other since her death; centuries ago. I smiled, and ran to hug her tightly, but fell through her, meeting only the hard ground. Than, the ground began to open up below me, I tried to grasp for some thing to hold onto, but there was nothing and I fell, into the abyss. ------------- I awoke in time to find myself being thrown into a semi-medium sized stone room, two men locking the cell-like door behind them. There sits a bed, a table, a blanket, pillow, and a pair of clothing, I observed. I made a mental note to burn those clothes as soon as the opportunity displayed itself. I walked to the spring-filled mattress, lay strewn across it, and fall into sleep. For once in long years, dreams elude me, I awake during the night wondering, how long has it been. How long have I been secretly watching, hiding, and running from the same damned man. How long has it been since I was placed into this retched place? Days, weeks, years even? All I seem to know is this corner I sit in, the dear old friend who always shows; the moon and all her glory, the thoughts that course through me, an endless river of worries, questions, and revenge. And oh, of course the blood, the very thing that can truly affect me mentally as well as physically, the very thing that these men ration. My thoughts are interrupted by the jangle of chains, and the sound of the cell door opening as two men enter. They each grab one of my arms; tightly and practically drag me down the corridor. I hear the soft, almost inaudible orders, and pleas from people who have suffered the same fate as I. “Help us...” “No! Do not listen to that old geezer, get away, escape to some where safe child, before your time is up.” A woman tells me, momentarily reaching her hand out. The man at my right slightly turns, to order her away when I see his blue artery, throbbing, full of warmth and energy I so lack. I muster all of my strength (most of which came from the desire to feed.) and kick the guard at my left’s knee in. He stumbles and I grab his knife jamming it deep into his shoulder. His companion turns quickly, but the woman, though wan held him back against the bars. I ran, my feet pounding on the hard-yet soft dirt, than on twigs, and rocks, as I raced into the forest, yet again. Pain shot through my leg at every sharp object that cut into my bare-feet, but that was soon numbed once I entered a clearing and ran through ice-cold, powder snow. I hid beneath a tree, catching my breath, but not for long. I could hear their pounding paws over the whistling wind like thunder on the horizon, than I spotted their mostly camouflaged coats against the snow, pass the tree line and race toward me. Even though my life was at stake, I couldn’t help but think how beautiful they looked, eyes a-blaze with the hunt, blood rushing in their veins, it all but made me long to be beside them as well. Off in the distance I heard…How miraculous, a car, I ran to it, forgetting the danger behind me, my speed gaining with every step. I waved my arms to get the driver’s attention and my effort was rewarded as they stopped and told me to get in quickly. Before entering though, I looked back, expecting to see the wolves but feet from me, there was nothing. I knew they were still present, I could feel them powerful, yet cold spirits, waiting, determining whether they should follow. I got the odd feeling of dread, as we drove away, looking through the window at the still falling snow I wondered if they would ever find me again, if Lucus; one of my greatest former acquaintance, my inside voice to the specials would keep his unspoken promise to find me.