Lilah walked down a dark alley in Los Angeles. The sun had set hours ago, but her car was broken down and she had no other way of getting to her favourite club. Lilah looked beautiful in her stunning black slip dress and her sparkling silver shoes. Her blonde hair fell halfway down her back and her deep blue eyes darted around her surroundings looking for signs of trouble. With every sound, Lilah jumped, but refused to admit that she was scared. She had left her boyfriend a month ago and his final words were, "This isn't the end. I'll see you real soon..." Lilah felt as if he were watching her every move. She picked up the pace and rounded a corner, finally comming to the entrance of the club.1
She handed her ticket and flahsed her ID to the doorman before making her way in towards the bar. The club was packed, there was some punk-rock band playing and the crowd was going crazy. Lilah slid onto a bar stool and ordered a pink cosmo. The bartender took another order from a lady a few stools over before going off to mix the drinks. He came back a moment later with a hot pink cosmo grasped in his tanned hand. Lilah reached out to hand the man her money, but the bartender shook his head, "This one's on the house."2
Lilah nodded gratefully before taking a sip of her drink and slipping the bill back into her pocket. She began nodding her head to the music and tapping her foot, when someone tapped her on the shoulder. Lilah jumped before looking up to see a tall muscular guy with short, shaggy brown hair and glittering green eyes.3
"Is this seat taken?" the guy asked. Lilah shook her head and the man sat down beside her. He signaled for the bartender and ordered a vodka tonic for himself. "And can I get something sweet for the lady?" Lilah nodded and the bartender went to mix the drinks once again.4
"I'm Seth." the guy said, thrusting out his hand.5
Lilah shook it, "I'm Lilah."6
The bartender came back with a drink and Lilah quickly polished it off. 7
"You know that's gonna cost you right?" Seth asked.8
Lilah tilted her head to one side. "Excuse me? Oh! I have money."9
Seth shook his head. "No not money. I just wanted a dance with the prettiest girl at the club." 10
Lilah blushed before agreeing. Seth took her hand and led her to the dance floor. The music slowed down and Lilah wrapped her arms around Seth's neck. 11
"So...you have a boyfriend?" Seth asked kindly and Lilah's eyes filled with sadness as she shivered. 12
"Uh...Uh- No not anymore. It's complicated." 13
Seth nodded, "I had one of those too." 14
Yeah, there are plenty to go around, Lilah thought.15
"So you're not seeing anyone?" Seth continued.16
Lilah shook her head, "No...someone's not seeing me. He's history now that I've met you. It's just my ex that worries me." 17
Seth tilted Lilah's head up and looked into her beautiful blue eyes. "What went wrong?" 18
Lilah shivered again and pressed her head into Seth's shoulder, whispering in his ear. "He- got mean...so I called it off, but he told me I hadn't seen the last of him. The police are still looking for him."19
Seth wrapped his arms around her protectively. 20
"I know we don't know each other too well, but I won't let anything bad happen to you if I can help it." 21
Lilah looked up into his green eyes and sighed. 22
"I'm going to go finish off my drink. Then maybe I should go."23
Seth nodded. "I could walk you home. You shouldn't walk home alone in Los Angeles.24
Lilah dipped her head in thanks before making her way back over to the bar. She quickly finished off her cosmo before shivering insanely. 25
"Are you okay?" Seth asked, sounding concerned. "You've been shaking all night."26
Lilah looked around cautiously. "It's just- I feel like he's watching me." Suddenly Lilah began to grow dizzy.27
"I think I've had too much to drink..." she moaned.28
Seth picked up her glass and stuck his finger in the remaining liquid, tasting it a moment later. 29
"Someone spiked your drink. Come on, I'll take you home. You need some food, water and sleep." Lilah was too dizzy to protest so she allowed Seth to lead her out of the bar and out into the dark alley. The clouds were covering the moon and L.A seemed darker than ever...especially in an alley. Suddenly there was a bang and Lilah fell to the ground. Two men came running over and grabbed Seth on each arm. He tried desperately to free himself, but the guys were too strong. A man began to laugh and emerged from the shadows.30
"Hello Lilah. I told you I'd be back, but you went and found someone else. It's funny how things can change in the blink of an eye. Say you'll come back to me."31
Lilah narrowed her eyes and spit at his feet. "No! I told you I never wanted to see you again! Now get lost Daniel!" She swayed as she tried to scramble to her feet. 32
Daniel looked down at his feet before taking a few steps back towards Seth.33
"Oh, that's too bad...see I thought we could be civilized and settle this without anyone getting hurt."34
Lilah began to tremble. "No. I don't want anyone to get hurt..."35
One of the two guys holding on to Seth began to laugh. "Then you better close your eyes!"36
Daniel walked over to Seth and punched him hard in the gut. Seth let out a low groan and looked up at Lilah. She was trying to get up, but she was still so weak from the drugs in her drink. Daniel slid on some brass-knuckles and punched Seth in the jaw. Seth's eyes began to water and he spit out blood on the ground. 37
"No! Stop!" Lilah screeched. Daniel turned around. 38
"Oh...do you have something to say?" 39
Seth began to struggle. "No Lilah! Don't you dare give in to him! I'll be okay...Run!" Lilah didn't move a muscle.40
"I- Daniel please...you blew your chances." 41
Daniel's eyes narrowed menacingly and he turned around to Seth again, this time pulling out a knife. 42
"Do you really want to make me angry Lilah? I could kill him quickly, but until you agree to go home with me...I will make this as slow as I want."43
Lilah glared angrily at him. "I would never go back with you! You're abusive and hiteous and dark. The only thing I want is for you to fall off the face of the earth or be eaten by a pack of wild dogs!" 44
Daniel stepped away from Seth and walked over to Lilah, tsssking all the way and shaking his finger at her like she was a naughty child.45
"Oh, I'm sorry you feel that way. Oh well...I guess I should kill him now." 46
Lilah whimpered. "No...please don't...I- I'll go with you if you just leave him alone."47
Seth began to yell, "No Lilah! Don't do it! You are being stupid! Go while you still can, I'll be fine."48
Lilah looked down at the ground and waited as Daniel hauled her up and tied her hands behind her back. Then he pulled out his cell phone, "Jason, bring the car. We got what we came for."49
"Make sure he stays down," Daniel ordered. One of Seth's captors punched Seth hard in he side of the face, knocking him to he ground before twisting his arm so that Seth screamed in pain.50
"No! Stop It! You said you'd let him go..." Daniel nodded and signaled for his followers to stop. 51
"So I did." Daniel agreed as if he had forgotten. 52
A black van came screeching to a hault and the two followers stuffed Lilah into the van. Daniel hopped into the front and gave one final look at Seth. "If you say anything, the girl dies."53
"You told me she wouldn't be hurt...you lied." Seth mouthed out.54
The doors to the van closed and it raced out of the alley.55
[2 days later]56
"Are you sure they spotted the van there?" Seth asked his friend Keith. 57
Keith nodded, "Yeah, it's at that old mansion on Crawford Street. It's been empty for over one hundred years, but it seems that the creeps are staying there now. So why is this van so important to you? And why can't I call the cops?" 58
Seth sighed. "Because...someone I like could get hurt. I need to do this- alone. Please understand. I just need the equiptment to take care of them." Keith nodded. "Fine. Take this gun and bullet-proof vest, but be careful." Seth nodded, "I will..."59
Before Keith could say another word, Seth had hopped into his navy blue convertable and had driven away.60
"Don't worry Lilah...I'll find you. And I'll make every one of them pay. They'll pay with blood...." Seth whispered. 61
Afer a two hour drive, Seth pulled up to the side fence of the mansion. He turned off the headlights and hid the car under branches. Taking a quick look around, Seth scaled the iron-bar fence and leaped to the ground on the otherside. He could hear dogs growling in the house and a single light was lit in a room on the right side of the house a few floors above the ground level. The mansion was surrounded by dead trees which had branches that stuck out all over. The backyard of the house was a huge forest of dead trees and at the side of the house was a large cemetary of the old family that used to live there. 62
Morbid much? 63
The sky was cloudy as if it was about to rain and the house cast off an erie glow. 64
Seth took a deep breath before sneaking over to the front of the house. He slowly made his way up the stone steps and between the statues until he came to two large black doors that looked as though they would fall off the hinges at any second. The shingles on the roof were peeling off and the window shutters opened and closed with the wind. 65
Suddenly screaming broke out. 66
"No! No let me go!" Seth would recognize that voice anywhere, it was Lilah. He had to do something. 67
He ran as fast as he could, bursting through the front doors and drawing his gun. Dogs barked madly in the backyard and Seth made his way up the creeking staircase. The two henchmen appeared in a doorway on the 3rd floor. Seth didn't want to have to kill anyone, so he shot each of them in the leg and quickly wrapped them up with some fishing wire he found on the floor. Lilah's screaming grew louder and louder.68
Seth ran up another flight of stairs losing his breath, he had no idea what he was doing. He had only just met this girl and already he was willing to risk his life to save her. The floor with the light on was empty and Seth could hear movement from somewhere above him. He realized there was a hole in the ceiling and through it he could see some of the attic. "Don't worry Lilah...I'm comming." he mumbled under his breath. 69
Seth slowed his pace, being as quiet as possible as he moved up the final staircase. The stairs squeaked and cracked under his feet until finally he was standing in the doorway. Lilah was strapped up to a chair with Daniel behind her. He had a gun to her head and a knife to her throat. Beside him stood the van driver Jason with a gun aimed at Seth himself. 70
"This ought to be interesting." mumbled Daniel.71
Seth clenched his free hand into a fist. "The only interesting thing will be the expression on your face when I shoot you."72
Daniel laughed, "take a step and Lilah dies." 73
Seth dropped his gun onto the floor and kicked it away towards the window. "Here's my deal...take me. Take me instead of her. I can't take you all on, but I can give my life for hers." 74
Daniel tilted his head. "You would give your life to save her? You're the reason she's here." 75
Seth nodded, "I would give everything to save her."76
Daniel ordered Jason to tie Seth's hands behind his back and release Lilah. Lilah squirmed and kicked with protest as Daniel aimed a gun at Seth. Finally she managed to get the tape off her mouth and scream. 77
"Don't you dare Daniel!" 78
Daniel turned to look at Lilah.79
"You're a coward! You want to know why I won't go back with you? It's not because you hit me...it's because you want what you can't have. My sister wouldn't have an affair with you when you were dating me so you killed her. I remember the first time a rattler crossed my path. You never looked like a rattler, but I was still thinking snake. I knew you long before we dated and I never would have dated you if you hadn't have threatened my family. You may be as cunning and as slippery as a snake, and your bite may be as deadly, but love is the antidote. I love Seth...and you won't take someone else away from me."80
Daniel pointed his gun at Lilah. "I'm tired of your attitude girl. Forget the deal! You die now!"81
Seth began to yell out. "No! Daniel that wasn't part of the deal! You promised the day we met that you only wanted to make her go back with you. You never said you were going to kill anyone. You told me you weren't going to take her away from the alley, but you did...and I-I've fallen in love."82
Lilah's eyes opened wide with disbelief. "You knew him? You were in on his plan all along?"83
Seth didn't respond, but his eyes began to water.84
"Oh course he was in on the plan!" Daniel snapped. "Why do you think he asked you to dance and bought you a drink. It was so I could drug it. Then he pretended to protect you so that we could win your loyalty. Okay...the injuries were real, but we pay him for that." 85
Lilah began to cry. "Just kill me now...all of this has been a lie. He never loved me..."86
Seth began to struggle. "No! I do love you. I didn't at first...at first you were just part of a mission, but now- now you are my mission. I love you and I won't let these creeps harm you." 87
Lilah closed her eyes. "Dawn my sister...I'll join you soon in heaven." 88
Seth wriggled free of the ropes and watched as Daniel raised the gun and took a few steps back, aiming it at Lilah's chest. 89
With a bang, the bullet was fired and Lilah prepared for her life to end. She waited and waited, but nothing happened. Finally she heard a thud and she slowly opened her eyes. Seth was on the floor bleeding out from his arm. 90
"Seth?" Lila asked. Instead of answering, Seth pulled another gun from his pocket and shot Daniel in the chest before rounding on Jason and shooting him in the leg. Lilah let out a shriek of shock as both men came crashing to the floor. 91
Lilah grabbed Daniel's cell phone and dialed 911. "Hello? I'm at the old mansion on Crawford Street. There has been a shooting. Five men shot, four are criminals. Please...you have to help him." 92
The women on the other line was typing away. "Okay we have your location, the police and ambulances are on the way. Now, we have to save who?" 93
Lilah stared at Seth with shock. His eyes were starting to close. "Hurry." she murmured into the phone before hanging up.94
She tore off a piece of her dress and thrust it against Seth's arm trying to slow the bleeding. "It's okay...I'm going to take care of you. I love you, stranger-danger." Seth lifted his healthy arm up and slid his hand down the side of her face.95
"I'm so so sorry. I never meant for you to get hurt. I just needed money for my mom...she needs a heart transplant. You weren't supposed to be hurt. He said he just needed to talk with you. Please forgive me." 96
Lilah pressed her finger to his lips. "Shhh...Don't worry. All is forgiven just no more secrets."97
Seth's eyes started to close. "I think it's my time now. I've done what I needed to do. Please...tell my mother I'm sorry and I tried."98
Lilah's eyes narrowed angrily. "No! You can tell her yourself when we walk out of here. I love you and that's all that matters! Love is all we need to survive." 99
Seth's eyes filled with sorrow. "Oh Lilah...please don't, this is hard enough. And love...it isn't enough." 100
Lilah pulled away from him. "Prove it! Show me that love isn't enough. It has to be, because if it's not...then nothing is ever enough and I refuse to believe that."101
Seth remained silent. The ambulances arrived and the paramedics lifted Seth onto a stretcher and carried him down to the ambulance. Lilah hopped in with him, holding his hand the entire way.102
* * *103
"We need to opperate right away!" the doctor expalined.104
Lilah nodded. "Then what are you waiting for? Do something!"105
The doctors rushed Seth into surgery and Lilah sat down in the waiting room. Two hours later the surgeon came out to get her. 106
"We managed to get the bullet out, but he won't be able to move his arm ever again." the surgeon explained.107
Lilah nodded. "Can I- can I see him?" The surgeon nodded and led her towards the room that Seth was waiting for her in. Lilah sat down in a chair and waited for another day, hoping he would wake up. Finally as she started to fall asleep, Seth opened his eyes. 108
"Lilah?" he whispered, his breath caught in his throat and he had to choke the words out. 109
Lilah held his hand. "Yes. It's me. You're going to be okay."110
"I can't feel my arm..." Seth mumbled groggily. 111
Lilah kissed his head and tears streaked down her rosey cheeks. "I know. The doctors got out the bullet, but they couldn't save your arm."112
Seth closed his eyes for minute. "Before I went into surgery...I signed a will leaving everything to you. Just incase...You're my everything."113
Lilah blushed, "I never was one for all the romantic talk, but seeing you in that hospital gown is kind of sexy," she chirped with amusement.114
Seth smiled, "Kiss me." 115
"Mmmm, finally something I want to do." Lilah whispered as she leaned in for a long lingering kiss.116
As she pulled away Seth's face grew pale and he began to choke. Nurses came running in. "What's wrong with him?" Lilah demanded.117
"We're not sure...it may be a bloodclot in his heart or lungs."118
"Lilah" Seth coughed. "If love were enough...we would be together."119
She shook her head. "We are together, silly."120
"No. I see it all clearly now. I'll be okay, my father waits for me in heaven. I'll send your regards to your sister. I- I love you." 121
Then he was silent and he did not move again.122
"I love you too..." Lilah cried, placing her head on his chest.123
"Time of death. 3:41" the doctor called before leaving the room. The nurses turned off the machine that was humming to mark the beats of his heart that no longer exhisted, then they left, too, leaving Lilah alone with the body.124
"We'll be together my love...I'll see you real soon." Lilah whispered as she grabbed a needle, filled it with air and turned out the lights and then, all was quiet....125
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Adding your comment:
Hehe, mew!
