Crimson

I was in a room. A boy with black hair and white highlights walked up to me. "You're life just became living hell" he whispered into my ear. His icy breath sent shivers down my spine. His lips traveled down my neck which caused me to shiver even more. His lips were still traveling south down my neck. His eyes popped open. They were a piercing blue-gray color.1

A loud noise caused me to regain consciousness. The alarm clock. My arm flapped over and knocked it off the stand. Then, it turned off. shit I thought. It's Summer why the hell is it still on? Oh, cause were moving today I told myself then sighed. I got out of bed looked at the only outfit that wasn't packed in a box. A black hooded sweatshirt, light blue skinny jeans, and black and white checkered vans. I quickly did my hair with the stuff I had. I didn't even bother digging through a box for eyeliner, cover-up, mascara, and all that stuff.2

I picked everything left in my room up and the broken alarm clock and put it in a box. I picked the box up and carried it downstairs. Courtney looked overly happy. "Come on Hun I can't wait to get to New York" she said. She came over to me and wrapped me in a huge hug. I sighed and hugged back. She let go and grabbed my hands then, she looked at me and tears spilt down her perfect face. "I know this is hard but, I can't stay in this house without your father" she said. "I understand" I mumbled back. "Now lets get to the airport" she said and looked away obviously hiding her tears. I followed her out the door and said goodbye to the house I was raised in.3

When we got to the airport we got our tickets to New York and went to wait. Finally we got tired of waiting and went to see what all was in the airport. I saw couples walking and holding hands, little kids with their mom and dad I shivered at that word. People busily talking on their cell phones, people that were alone, teenagers walking around alone, and then I saw him. The boy from my dream. I gasped. He was stunning. No, not just stunning, absolutely beautiful. 4

I stopped dead in my tracks and watched him lean against a wall. He was looking at me. Our eyes locked on each other. He was about 10 feet away and still, I could tell his eyes were a piercing blue. Much more stunning in real life than my dream. I blinked a few times to make sure he was real. He was definitely real. I stood there with my mouth catching flies. I couldn't look away. It was like he was controlling my actions. I started to walk closer to him I wanted to touch him. To make sure I wasn't hallucinating this whole thing. 5

I stopped a few inches in front of him still wondering if this is still a dream. Last time I saw him it was all a dream why wasn't this? I reached out to stroke his cheek to feel his skin. It was smooth. No blemishes what-so-ever. He put his hand over mine and took my hand off his cheek. 6

I pulled away to walk back to Courtney. He grabbed me by my waist and pulled me closer to him. His cold lips went up my ear. "I'll always be there when you need me" he whispered. "Ill be your protector, you're best friend, I won't let anyone ever hurt you" he added. "Including me" he said in an ashamed voice. I didn't even know the kid and I felt like I never wanted to leave him. He placed a kiss right below my ear lobe.7

I closed my eyes and saw us together. 5 years from now dating, laughing, smiling. A couple. I closed my eyes listened to him sing. "I will never let you fall. I'll stand up with you forever. I'll be there with you through it all. Even if saving you sends me to heaven." I didn't even know his name and I was already in love with him. It's just lust. A voice in my head told me. I believed it. You don't know what it's like to be in love. You only like the way he’s treating you. It said again. Am I going crazy? I asked myself. I still didn't believe I was awake.8

I opened my eyes and he was gone. Great I said to myself. I probably look mentally challenged. I heard Courtney calling me and I went over to her. "Hurry. We're going to miss the flight" she said frantically. I hurriedly walked to her and boarded the plane. We took a seat and the captain told us to fasten our seatbelts for take off. I obeyed quickly.9

After the plane was in the air for quite some time I took off my seatbelt and shrunk back into the seat. I closed my eyes and imagined the boy. I could hear his voice perfectly. I felt his lips next to my ear. His icy breathe going through my ear. It wasn't just lust. I loved what's-his-face. I opened my eyes and saw him standing in the front of the plane. My eyes grew big and my jaw dropped. I closed my eyes tight then re-opened them. He was gone.10

I got up to go to the small one person bathroom. I walked down the aisle toward it. I looked at myself in the mirror in there. I looked like a ghost. No, I looked worse than a ghost. I was pale and the sweat made my skin look oily. I turned on the sink and grabbed a paper towel and dabbed it all over.11

I was probably holding people up so I finally walked out and up the aisle to my seat. I sat back down and re-closed my eyes. I tried not to think about him. It was a lot harder than I ever imagined it to be. Soon after I fell into a deep sleep. 12

He looked at me with hunger in his eyes. It didn't scare me. I trusted him. I loved him. Nothing would make me fear him. He shot forward at me with intense speed. I was surprised. I fell backward. I was suddenly afraid of him. His eyes were black. Not blue, black.13

"We are now landing please fasten you're seatbelts" a voice came over the intercom. A dream just a dream. I sighed a relief sigh and buckled the seatbelt. We finally landed and I looked out my window. I saw more planes. Amazing I said inside my head sarcastically.14

We got off and went to a taxi. Of course we didn't have any of our bags the moving van had already dropped our car, and belongings at our new apartment. An apartment? I asked myself. Wonderful I said inside my head with just a hint of sarcasm.15

We walked down out of the airport lodge and flagged a taxi. We told him where to go and he started driving. 16

I walked around the small 5 room apartment slowly. It wasn't my style at all I didn't want to be in New York City. I wanted to be back in Iowa. Lanesboro, Iowa. Tears gathered up at the corners of my eyes. I missed our dog, our house, my friends, and mostly my dad. I didn't know how long I could take pacing around the apartment. So I walked out the door and down the long hallway towards the elevator. I pushed the down button since we were on the top floor. About 5 or 6 minutes later the elevator doors slid over. 17

I got in and pushed lobby. It was like living in a hotel. I closed my eyes thinking of the boy again. Will I ever see him again? I asked myself. I knew I was going crazy. It was probably all a dream. He probably isn't even a real kid. A fragment of my imagination. 18

I closed my eyes and saw his face. His face, laid out like a map. Smooth, blemish free. I imagined his eyes, the stunning blue color I loved. Not the painful black. His eyes were most definitely hypnotizing. I heard his voice the soothing voice I could fall asleep to. He's not real I told myself. 19

The elevator dinged and I knew I had reached the lobby. I was shaken up. I couldn't think straight let alone walk a straight line. I stepped out of the elevator and sat in one of the lobby chairs. I put my elbows on my knees and my head in my hands. When I closed my eyes I saw him. At the airport. The flashback hit me hard. I felt everything he did to me. 20

I couldn't sit here in the lobby anymore. I had to walk. I had to see him. Whoever he is. I walked out of the apartment building and down some street. I didn't know where I was and honestly I really didn't care. I missed my old life. Where I knew I was sane. Now I'm in love with some mystery guy. I'm on the verge of a meltdown. I couldn't stand it. I had to find out who the hell the guy was. It's not something I could just let go. The dreams Maybe but, definitely not in the airport.21

I kept walking down the street not even caring where I was. Something in the back of my head told me to keep walking. I was probably going to get myself lost. No, I was going to get myself lost. No doubt about it. I fidgeted with my belt. I was nervous, yes. Was I scared?. No. It took a lot to scare me. 22

I kept walking in search of him. With my luck I bumped into someone. Shit I said mentally. I stared down at my feet waiting for him or her to yell at me. New Yorkers weren't exactly friendly. I looked up at whoever I had ran into. His eyes were red, crimson. Something I'd be able to see even in the dark. His face was expressionless like he just didn't give a damn about anything. His hair was gorgeous. A rich dark brown color. I looked into his eyes and almost immediately looked away. They were harsh. If his face didn't look it his eyes made up for it. 23

He made a hissing noise at me and walked away. Rude much? I thought. I rolled my eyes and continued walking down the street. I didn't know how long I walked, or how far or where I was. New York City was huge insanely huge. 24

It started to rain so I pulled my hood over my head. Since I was walking against the rain I watched my feet as I walked. Not the smartest thing I've ever done in my life. I looked ahead to see if there was a street I had to cross. Of course, there was. 25

My clothes were wet, my feet hurt, and I still haven't found the boy. It was probably around noon and I realized I hadn't eaten anything for lunch. Surprisingly I wasn't hungry. I figured it was out of anxiety.26

I grabbed my phone out of my pocket to assure Courtney I was okay. After a few rings she picked up. 27

"Michelle?" the tone in her voice was worried. I obviously forgot to tell her I was leaving. 28

"Yeah Courtney it's me I’m okay I just went out for a walk" I told her reassuringly. After awhile of convincing her I finally hung up and turned a corner. There was an alley so I headed down there. I didn't know why but, he seemed like an alley kind of guy.29

A hand cupped around my mouth and something was at my throat. A sharp something. Panic ran through me and I knew I was a dead girl walking. "This will be over soon sweetie" he said in a sharp voice. I knew he was smirking. Proud of himself. That disgusted me. That really disgusted me. 30

I closed my eyes and thought about Courtney. My dad gone and then me? No, I'm not letting this happen I Added mentally. I thought about what the boy said to me. "I'll be your protector I wont let anyone hurt you." If he was telling the truth I'd still be alive to see graduation day. The panic stopped and all I felt was excitement. I was going to see the boy. I knew it. 31

"Let her go Kray" the voice that promised to be my protector said in an unusually harsh voice. 32

"She's a human and I haven't fed" my attacker replied.33

"I don't care, let her go" the familiar voice said protectively.34

After awhile of the possibilities the hand was removed from my mouth and the knife was taken away from my throat. I collapsed right when he did so. My "protector" came over and kneeled by me. I wanted to cry but no tears came out. I was scared. This was in the daylight what could happen at night? I hated New York I wanted to go back to Iowa where I could go on walks at midnight and not worry about being attacked. He wrapped me in his arms and I immediately calmed down. I felt safe in his arms. Shortly after that I blacked out35

My eyes slowly opened. They stung. I re-closed and reopened them a few times until it the stinging sensation went away. "Well good morning." A familiar voice said. My eyes opened wide. I turned on my side to where the voice was coming from. I couldn't help but burst out what I was thinking. "You're real?!" It was the boy from my dreams. The one that I think saved me. 36

He chuckled. "Yes doll I'm real" he said with a killer smile. "B-b-but you w-were in my dreams, dreams are never real" I managed to stutter out at him. He raised a confused eyebrow at me. "Not a dreamer I see" he said sounding a little disappointed in me. "Then this is going to be than I thought" he said then sighed.37

I was completely confused. No, that was an understatement. "W-what do you m-mean?" I asked him still not understanding what the hell was going on. "Your name is Michelle Topaz Roland?, correct?" he asked me. "Yes.." I said very curious now. "Granddaughter of Topaz Elaine Roland and John Michael Roland?" he asked again. My eyes almost came out of my sockets. "Um, yes" I said after I got over shock. "And, daughter of Courtney Jean and Scott Dwaine Roland, yes?" He said smirking a little. "Listen, if you're a stalker rape me and get it over with" I said in a disgusted voice. "Michelle-" I cut him off. "Call me Shelly it's the least you could do."38

He looked taken aback. "Over the next few years I'll be doing a lot for you" I could detect a little harshness in his voice. After he calmed down he began again. "Listen, you're going to need my help the next few years." I listened intently. 39

"Shelly, this is going to be hard, you have to listen to every single word I say, understand?" he asked me. I nodded at him. He took a deep breath and began talking. "I'm immortal or, how your kind puts it a vampire" he said. I stared at him. Either he's a really good liar or he just might be telling the truth. He sighed knowing I was going to need more proof. He opened his mouth and hissed at me. My eyes shot out of my head again. That sound was the scariest thing I've ever heard. About three seconds later fangs extended down from two open spaces in his mouth. I gasped. He nodded and shut his mouth. "This is why I've been able to keep tabs on you, I move quickly from place to place" he said like it was all nothing new. 40

"I'm sorry Shelly, I have to take you with me. It's my job to protect you, and New York isn't a safe place." he said. I groaned. Moving once in a week was enough. "Where are we going?" I asked him. "The castle" he said with a smirk. I stared at him a, castle? "With towers and dungeons?" I asked him. He chuckled. "No, it's not that kind of castle it's more like.. an over sized mansion." he said matter-of-fact. "I want to know more about immortals" I told him. His face suddenly grew serious. "There's not enough time now, we have to pack your belongings and leave" he said. I sighed and went to stand up.41

"Now, what do you need?" he asked me. "Um, how long are we going to be gone?" I asked him. "You may never see this apartment again" he told me very seriously. I gaped at him. Never see Courtney, again? He looked at me sympathetically. My eyes were threatening to start spilling tears. "She knows about us Shelly" he told me. "She knows that this day would come some time or another" he quickly added on to what he had already said. "How?" I asked him demanding answers before I went anywhere with him. "Your father" he said flatly. "But, you're immortal right?" he asked him. "Yes, he was an ancient immortal he was murdered" he said with an edge of sadness in his voice. "Does Courtney know you're taking me?" I asked him. "Yes" he said quickly.42

I got up and got a huge duffle bag off the top shelf in my closet. I sat it on the bed and went to get essentials that I'd be needing. "You're going to need more than a duffle bag full of stuff" he shouted to me. I groaned. Carrying this was going to be hell. "I can get you another bag if you please" he yelled about five minutes later. "Why don't you help me instead of standing around then?!" I shouted to him a little peeved. He came into the bathroom that I was in and spoke in a calm voice. "Somebody's a little prissy I see" He said. "y’ know I could calm you down with just one kiss" he said then grinned. I was dying to have him kiss me again. I didn't want him to know that though. "No. Thank. You" I spoke not showing how much I wanted his lips pressed firmly against mine.43

I was gathering everything I needed and he was standing there just staring at me. This annoyed me to no end. "So, whatever your name is I thought I told you to help me" I said. He grinned. "Prissy and bossy" he said. "By the way, my names Jet" he told me. Jet. What an amazing name for a vampire. I smiled while I gathered up everything else. Once I had my makeup bag, a couple brushes and combs, hair spray, toothbrush, toothpaste, face wash, flat iron, and blow dryer I walked back into my room to get clothes and other belongings.44

I put the stuff I got out of the bathroom and put most of it in a side pocket on the duffle bag. I put the flat iron and blow dryer in the side pocket on the opposite end. I went to my closet and gathered a bunch of clothes in my arms not caring what they were. I threw them in the duffle bag and got another arm full and threw them in, too. That was a majority of my clothes. That I liked anyway. The stuff I hated was still packed away in a box. I got my I-pod and laptop and placed them gently in the bag.45

He grabbed the duffle bag and scooped me up into his arms. I looked back at my room for anything else I'd need or want. "It's okay where were going there'll be stores" he whispered into my ear then kissed my neck and inhaled into my hair. My eyes started to tear up. I was scared and I knew I was going to miss Courtney a whole lot. 46

He jumped out of my window and I screamed at the top of my lungs. A short while after we landed on a rooftop building. He jumped again and we landed on another. He said something under his breath and I fell asleep.47

The red eyes glowered at me. They showed bloodlust. For my blood. It was Jet. His blonde highlights were practically glowing. He opened his mouth and hissed. The two pointy canines clearly visible. I bit my lip trying to force back the scream that was welling up in my throat. I closed my eyes waiting for him to attack and drain the blood out of me. This was it. He was going to end my life. 48

My eyes snapped open. Two boys were standing above me. Jet and one I didn't know. He had black hair that came to his chin then curled up on the ends and thick bangs that went to the bridge of his nose. I drew air into my lungs trying to breathe normally. When my breathing slowed I laid there staring up into the deep blue eyes of the guy I didn't realize. The blue stuck out like a sore thumb against the whites of his eyes. I looked at Jet trying to read his face for some emotion. The boy I wasn't familiar with spoke first. "Hi, I'm Alexander Jake Renegade but, call me Alex, please" he said with a smile. "Uh, I'm Michelle Topaz Roland, call me Shelly though" I said in a confused tone. "I know" he said still smiling. "Now, where am I?" I asked them trying to make out my surroundings.49

"This, is the castle" Jet said while grinning widely. "What state?" I asked. "That, is confidential" Alex said. I sighed. I closed my eyes and groaned. I didn't want to be here. I rather be eating ice-cream with Courtney while sitting on the couch watching some dumb chick-flick. "Sweetie did you have a nightmare earlier?" Alex asked concerned. I nodded I didn't want to explain it to him. He kissed my forehead. "Don't worry those nightmares wont come true, I promise" he spoke clearly and smoothly. Jet leaned down and kissed me softly on the lips then came up and looked into my eyes. His eyes were caring and soft. I wondered if I was really falling for him.50

"We'll let you sleep" Alex said glaring at Jet. Jet kissed my nose and stood up straight and went to the door followed by Alex. Alex turned the light off as he walked out and shot me a painful glance. I turned on my side and pulled the blanket over my head.51