Cinderella and a Vampire Fall in Love Part Seven

I raced for the door. Suddenly, I stopped. With my hand frozen over the polished, brass doorknob and my heart racing, I took a deep breath and thought.1

If it were Casper, he was probably here to kill me and eat me and get it over with. I peeked through the spy-hole. Yep. It was Casper, alright.2

I cautiously opened the door. There he was, holding a banquet of blood-red roses and smiling widely, his teeth glinting in the early morning sunlight.3

I shudderd.4

Even though he had taken me to the ball last night, I still hated him, for killing my family, and for trying to love me.5

I growled and, throwing as much venom into my voice as possible, I hissed, "Yes?"6

Casper's face fell. I had been so drunken by the dancing last night he probably thought I had changed my feelings.7

Taking pity, I added in a gentler, but still venomous tone, "Casper, why are you here?"8

He looked up, then handed me the flowers.9

I sighed and took them with resignation. 10

"You hate me that much?" He muttered reaching out to stroke my face.11

I pulled away. "Don't touch me, vampire."12

Casper pulled back as if he had been burned.13

I regreted saying the words that made Casper pull back. Some small part of me called for his icy touch on my cheek. I shuddered as that same part wailed for a kiss...14

I slammed the door in his face. I refused to look at him any longer. I wouldn't come to the ball tonight. Maybe then, possibly, impossibly, he'd leave me alone.15

Growling, I stormed up to my room and tossed the flowers on my bed, straight into Casper's lap.16

I backed away and picked up my broomstick.17

"Stay away." I muttered, trying ot sound strong and brave. My voice came out choked and strangled. Some great battle was raging inside me.18

Casper or no Casper.19

Casper was winning, pulling me into his power.20

I choked out and started to run away from this eternal nightmare. He simply followed me, plodding down the steps.21

I tried to scream. My throat was dry as a desert.22

I landed on the couch. 23

Burying my face in a pillow, I tried to stop myself from looking at this...this thing haunting my nightmares, stalking me.24

Casper took my hand. I jerked away, and buried my hand in the soft, swan feathers of the pillow.25

I would stay like this until he left. He had to go sometime.26

"Ella, I just..."27

Casper began. My voice muffled by th pillow, I answered, "Go away and leave me alone. Please. I can't love you. You're a..." I struggled to find the words. "You're a...monster!"28

The word sprang out of my thraot before I could catch it, like an untamed animal.29

I knew Casper was gone. His running feet were silent, but the sound of the door slamming rang loud and clear through my ears.30

Then, I felt his hand on mine, anda voice calling out, "Ella?"31

Prunella was home, and Casper was still in the house.