Bitten – Episode 16

Chapter 16 ♀

 

 

An explosive crack of thunder sent me jolting awake. My eyes were wide and alert as I glanced around the room wildly, confused. When lightning flashed by my

 

 

window I jumped, my heart leaping into my throat. Immediately my gaze went to my bedside, but Vincent wasn’t there. Anxiety crept over me as another crash rang through my room.

 

After a few moments of sitting up in bed, feeling the pounding of my heart, I decided I’d try to block the noise and fall back asleep. Pressing my hands over my ears as tightly as I could, I slipped under the covers and closed my eyes. It didn’t help. The thunder was so loud it nearly shook the manor.

 

“You’re kidding me,” I muttered irately, emerging from my blankets again. “How many times must it storm here? I’m sick of it!”

 

My gaze was attracted back to the window, where I watched a fantastic bolt of lightning light up the dark sky. For a moment I was mesmerized, but when the thunder came, I was terrified again. There was no way I could fall back asleep.

 

Grumbling to myself, I pushed myself out of my bed, and onto the freezing wood floor. Shivering, I padded to the door, slipping out into the hall silently. It was eerily silent as I traversed through the empty halls. Especially since vampires were supposedly creatures of the night. A smile crossed my face. They were about as much of creatures of the night as humans were.

 

I stumbled through the hallways blindly, knowing where I wanted to go, but not knowing how to get there. It was incredibly hard finding my way around the maze of halls… I paused when I realized something rather important. I had no idea where Vincent’s room was.

 

Thunder rumbled through the hallway, causing my pulse to quicken again. I started walking again, mentally cursing myself. Why hadn’t I thought about that before I left my room? Vincent had never showed me his room before! Scowling to myself, I decided to just got whosever’s room I came across first. They’d have to put up with me.

 

A clamorous crash came from the left, literally making me jump. For a moment I

 

thought it was an unreasonably loud crack of thunder until I heard a grunt of pain.

 

Curious, I came to a halt, turning in the direction the sound had came from. I came

 

face-to-face with a door. Listening hard, I slowly moved closer to it. After a

 

moment there was a thud and a groan.

 

I instantly recognized Joel’s voice.

 

Pushing open the door, I found myself blind in the pitch black room. “Joel? I called into the darkness.

 

There was no coherent response, just a moan of pain. Worried, I moved forward slowly, putting my hands out in front of me to keep from bumping into anything.

 

 

My hand trailed across the wall, searching for a light switch. After a few seconds I found the light switch and flipped it.

 

I blinked to adjust my eyes to the sudden light. When they were accustomed to it, I

 

glanced over the room, trying to find Joel. My brows furrowed together when I

 

couldn’t see him. Was I hearing things…?

 

“Emily…”

 

My eyes dropped to the ground where they landed on Joel. A startled gasp escaped my lips when I realized he was covered in blood. For a second my vision swam before me and I fought the urge to gag. There was so much of it… He had a large, gruesome gash across his chest, which he was holding with a bloody hand. Smaller scratches were across his face and hands, as well as a deep purple bruise. I couldn’t pull my gaze off the sickening sight.

 

.

 

.

 

.

 

“Emily,” he called again, sounding my clearer. “Get out.”

 

I snapped myself out of my trance. “What?”

 

“Leave.”

 

“Are you okay? What happened?” I demanded, ignoring his command. “Oh my god, you’re bleeding so much! We need to get you to a hospital-” He shook his head. “Get away from me.”

 

“But-”

 

“Go get Sebastian or Vincent or the King. You need to leave.”

 

I stared at him, too shocked to move. “Why?”

 

“I’m a vampire. I’ve lost a lot of blood. I need- ugh,” he groaned, shutting his eyes. “Hurry…”

 

Shaking my head, I dropped to my knees, taking off the sweatshirt I’d fallen asleep in. “You need to put pressure on the cut-”

 

“We don’t heal like humans,” he snapped, shoving his my hand away. “Go!”

 

“Joel!”

 

He pushed me away again, looking irritated. “Find someone. Quick.”

 

His increasingly paling face got the best of me and I nodded, pushing myself off the ground. “I-I’ll be right back then.”

 

“Hurry,” he commanded again weakly. “Go out the other way… Vincent’s room is right across the hall.”

 

“Okay,” I mumbled, carefully stepping around him. “I’ll wake him.”

 

 

Just as I took the first two steps toward the door, an amazing crash of thunder shook the house. The lights flickered and went out. A grimace crossed my face. Just perfect. Moving more slowly now, I brought up my arms again to make sure I didn’t bump into anything. Unfortunately for me, I ended up scraping my knee against the edge of something hard. I hissed in pain, stumbling back a few steps. “Emily?”

 

“I can’t see where I’m going and I hit my knee!” I called, turning my head and trying to see in the dark. “Ouch…”

 

“Keep going,” Joel urged in a strain voice. “Get Vincent.”

 

I ground my teeth together, moving forward again. Apparently he didn’t understand the words I can’t see. Why couldn’t I just call… I blinked. Duh! “Vincent!” I called, stopping again. “Vincent, come here!”

 

“He can’t hear you,” Joel told me. “When vampires are asleep they’re instincts nullify.”

 

“That’s useful,” I muttered sarcastically.

 

Joel laughed, but it turned into a groan of pain. “Ugh…”

 

.

 

.My pace quickened at the sound. He definitely didn’t sound good. With my concern for Joel urging me, I proceeded ahead again, moving more swiftly then before. My knee throbbed in pain, but I ignored it. Joel’s wounds were more important. Just as I reached the far wall, the sound of Joel’s breathing cut off. “Joel?”

 

No answer.

 

“Joel?” I tried again, feeling panic well up in me. “Hold on, I’m almost to the door!”

 

My hands trailed against the wall as I shifted right, looking for the door handle. When I touched the cool metal of it, a breath of relief rushed through my lips. My fist closed around it and I twisted it quickly. Suddenly a hand landed on my shoulder.

 

I started, my breath catching in my throat. With my hand still on the door handle, I glanced to my left, where I could feel someone’s breath on my cheek. “Joel?” “It’s too late,” he panted.

 

“What is?” I questioned, holding my breath. “I can get Vincent, it’s not too late Joel!” Even though I couldn’t make out his face, I tried to stare him in the eyes. There was a short amount of silence before he spoke again. “I’m sorry.” “For what-”

 

 

My voice was cut off short when Joel abruptly pulled me away from the door, only to slam me back into it. I breathed out sharply, surprised by his action. One of his hands was pushing on my shoulder, holding me in place against the door. Terror crashed over me as I felt his breath at my neck. “Joel,” I whispered, feeling panicked. “Don’t…”

 

“I can’t,” he told me apologetically, running his lips at the base of my throat.

 

I started struggling to liberate myself from him. “Move Joel! Stop! I’m anemic, remember?” With a rude awakening, I realized I hadn’t taken my iron supplements in two days. “Joel!”

 

His free hand went to my face, cupping my cheek. “I’ll be quick.”

 

“If you ever need someone, don’t hesitate to call me. I’ll hear you.”

 

“Sebastian!” I shrieked, bringing my hands to Joel’s face and shoving it. “Help me! Sebastian!”

 

“Move your hands,” Joel growled, removing his hand from my face to smack mine down. “Stay still.”

 

“No! Help! Sebastian! Solomon!” I screamed, squirming in Joel’s grasp.

 

Without warning, he clapped a hand over my mouth. “There,” he sighed, ignoring my panicked, smothered shrieks. “You can squeeze my arm if you want.”

 

I didn’t have time to prepare myself before I felt two incredibly sharp, cool incisors

 

piercing the tender flesh of my neck. A harsh scream tore through my throat at the

 

discomforting feeling. My knees gave out at once- the only thing now holding me

 

up being Joel’s one hand pressed against my shoulder and the knee between my

 

legs. The excruciating burning sensation started at my throat and spread to the rest

 

of my body like poison. I moaned weakly, my vision swimming before me. I could

 

not pass out now.

 

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.Without warning, the door behind me burst open, knocking both Joel and I forward. He released me and I fell to the side, unable to support myself. My skin made a sickening slapping sound as I hit the wood floor.

 

“What the fu.ck?” Someone swore from above me. “Joel, what the hell do you think- what happened to you?”

 

I managed to turn my head to see Vincent looking completely thrown off guard. He glanced down at me, narrowing his eyes. In one swift motion he had me off the floor and into his arms, carrying me princess style. He stared at my neck for a moment, a scowl crossing his face.

 

“I…” I started, my eyes bulging when the small sound caused my throat to catch on fire.

 

“Shut up,” he ordered, turning his attention back to Joel. “Joel, can you walk?”

 

“I think so,” came the feeble reply. “It doesn’t hurt as much now.”

 

Vincent clenched his jaw. “I’d hope so, since you nearly killed this stupid girl.”

 

I wanted to tell him that he’d almost killed me before too, but decided it’d be safer if I didn’t. He started moving; going out the door he’d all but knocked down earlier. The swaying motion caused by his steps made me feel like I was going to be sick, but I managed to keep my stomach under control. I closed my eyes, deciding to let sleep take over me.

 

Suddenly I was jerked up. My eyes flew open and I stared at Vincent in shock. He narrowed his eyes at me. “Stay awake.”

 

I opened my mouth to ask him why, but he cut me off. “Don’t talk.”

 

Now it was my turn to narrow my eyes. Where did he get off ordering me around? I was the one in agony!

 

“Doesn’t it hurt to talk?” he inquired, guessing my thoughts. I blinked at him. He was right. “That’s what I thought.”

 

Little did he know that staying up was a tougher task than expected. The weariness weighed upon my shoulder like weights. It was an endeavor just trying to keep my eyes open. I could hear Joel trailing behind us, his labored breath a little more comforting than before. It didn’t sound like he was dying know. “Can you talk, Joel?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

“What happened?”

 

There was a small sigh. “Some of Ashton’s goons. They attacked me while I was on the way home from hanging out with Samuel.” “How many?” Vincent questioned, his voice hard.

 

“Four.”

 

He set his jaw. “On one? How weak.”

 

“Hey! I did my best to fend them off! It’s kind of hard, especially when one has a

 

dagger!” Joel cried in defense.

 

.

 

.

 

“Not you,” Vincent corrected. “Ashton.”

 

“Oh.”

 

If I could, I would have smiled, but I didn’t have the energy. Vincent abruptly stopped, causing my head to pound from the sudden stop in motion. He yanked open the door we were before, entering swiftly. Light flooded the room, causing me to squint my eyes as they adjusted.

 

“Fiona,” Vincent said loudly. “Wake up.”

 

I turned my head; my eyes now adjusted to the new brightness, and recognized

 

Fiona’s pink walls. My eyes shifted to the side, where Fiona was sitting up in bed,

 

looking utterly confused. Her gaze landed on my neck and her mouth dropped

 

open.

 

“Vincent!”

 

“It wasn’t me,” he snapped. “It was the other idiot.”

 

Fiona looked at Joel. “Joel?”

 

“Guilty,” he responded sheepishly. “I’m afraid… I might be hurt.”

 

The sound of someone dropping to the ground made my heart skip a beat. Fiona was out of her bed in a flash, shooting behind us. “Joel!” “I thought you said you could walk!” Vincent accused him.

 

“Emily is more important than me,” he replied simply, sounding in pain again. “I’ll be okay.”

 

Fiona appeared at Vincent’s side, looking me over. “That looks so gross…”

 

“Take her and help her,” Vincent demanded, shoving me into Fiona’s arms. “I have to go inform Father of what happened. Where do you want me to bring Joel?” “The medicine room,” she responded, heading toward the door. “I’ll check them out as soon as I’m done with Emily.”

 

She moved silently and briskly, hastening down the hallway, Vincent following right behind her. I bit my lip to keep myself awake. My neck had gone numb now-I wasn’t sure to be worried or happy about it. Soon we were in a familiar white room and I was pretty much tossed onto a bed. “Put Joel on the other bed,” Fiona ordered.

 

“Sure.”

 

She disappeared from my view for a few seconds, returning a moment later with a bottle of liquid in one hand and a cloth in the other. “This might hurt,” she warned me.

 

I grit my teeth together, preparing myself for the stinging sensation. It wasn’t as bad as I expected- or maybe it was, and I just couldn’t feel it. Either way, I managed to stay silent as she cleaned the blood from my neck. “How much blood did you drink?”

 

“I don’t know,” I heard Joel respond. “I wasn’t really keeping track, you know?” She frowned at him. “That doesn’t help. Geez, Joel. You couldn’t have given her a cleaner bite?”

 

“I was a little preoccupied by my instinctual needs.”

 

“Still.”

 

 

I used most of my strength to lightly slap Fiona’s side with my hand. Her eyes shot back to me, a sheepish smile crossing her face. “Sorry. I bet you’re tired, huh?” I nodded. Was she going to let me sleep?

 

“You just need to take this pill before you can rest,” she told me, once again disappearing from my vision for a moment. “It’ll be tough… Open your mouth.” I did as she ordered, nearly closing it when pain shot through my body. Just the feeling of air against my throat caused it to burn. She placed the pill in it and I immediately closed it, making a face at the acrid taste of the medicine. “Ready?”

 

I shook my head, causing her to laugh. After a moment I braced myself, making my hands into fists. Then I swallowed.

 

It wasn’t as painful as I assumed it would be. It hurt like hell still, but I managed to swallow it in when try. Tears formed at the edges of my eyes, but I managed to blink them away.

 

“Good girl,” Fiona commented, patting my head. “You can sleep now. I’m going to set up an IV and give you some blood…”

 

Her words became garbled as I allowed myself to drift off into unconsciousness.