Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ A Matter Of Choice ❯ Th First Step On the Road to Hell ( Chapter 42 )

The First Step on The Road To Hell

 

Torin wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. He sighed. He didn't like having to hunt like this, it was brutal and undignified. Still he was in a hurry. Disposing of the body carefully he turned and headed for the apartment. It had taken him barely half an hour to complete his gory task and return. He ran up the stairs, stopping suddenly, halfway through his journey. He found himself overwhelmed by a feeling of apprehension. Something wasn't right. He powered up to the top of the stairs only to be confronted by what he feared the most.

 

The apartment door was open, swinging gently in the breeze. Anger rose up inside of him in a torrent. He never should have left her. He stormed into the apartment, his intent murderous. If he found any intruder he would wring their necks if they were lucky, if they were not he would tear them limb from limb with his bare hands. He tore through the place, opening closets and doors. All of a sudden he stopped the realisation of what he should be worried about making him feel guilty. He ran into the bedroom to make sure she had not been harmed. To his dismay he found the bed empty, Tegan gone, rumpled and bloodstained sheets the only trace of her.

 

He sat on the bed, the full horror of it unimaginable. He had to think though it was nigh impossible when he was alarmingly close to panicking. Right get sensible, be logical. The apartment had shown no sign of a struggle; apart from Tegan being missing everything was exactly as he had left it. The only logical explanation was that she had left the apartment herself. He was suddenly afraid for her, the state she had been in last night, so out of it, there was no way she was strong enough and yet... She could be anywhere and anything could have happened to her. He cursed himself, if only he hadn't been so weak. There was no time for self reproach now. He had to find her before dawn.

 

He flew out into the night. She couldn't have gone very far, not in her current state; he hadn't been gone long enough. She was changing so quickly, but it was exhausting her. Still, he had no idea of what she was really capable of right now. He started down the dark alleyways, the places she had hunted before this had happened to her. His heart was pounding, hoping that every street would bring some news of her. He didn't know what he would do if he lost her this way. A scream interrupted his thoughts.

 

“Run!” Voices came to him from a few streets away.

 

“She's mad!”

 

The sound of people running towards him filled his ears.

 

“Someone call the cops!”

 

Gut instinct told him Tegan was there. He ran down the alley and into the street, narrowly avoiding being knocked over by a couple running hurriedly down the street. There chasing after them was Tegan, blades in hand, screaming like a banshee. He stepped out to face her and caught her in his arms as she lurched by, unaware of his presence. He struggled to contain her, pinning her to the wall became the only way he could control her violent form.

 

“I'll kill all of you bastards!” She spat. “Stuart! STUART!” She screamed.

 

As he held her sweat was pouring off her body. She was oblivious to everything around him, even to his hold on her.

 

“No!” She sobbed, starting to cry. “I won't let you kill him again Demetriov! I won't let you die Stuart!”

 

Suddenly she looked him dead the eyes and dived for him with a snarl.

 

“I'll kill you!”

 

He struggled to hold her back, her fury intense. He snatched the blades out of her hands, the action his only option right now hissing as the silver burned the skin of his hands, and pushed her back into the wall. Dropping the weapons he grabbed her arms and gently shook her.

 

“Tegan! Tegan it's me!” He pleaded with her, desperate to get some kind of sense, some kind of recognition from her.

 

She writhed in his grasp, spitting in his face.

 

“Tegan!” He screamed at her.

 

She looked him in the eyes puzzled. She smiled growing soft in his arms.

 

“Torin.” She breathed softly.

 

She leaned forward and kissed him gently, her earlier violence completely forgotten. Torin sighed and drew her into his arms. He was relieved to have her back to herself, even if the sudden switch in attitude was highly alarming. Suddenly she grew limp, having fainted in his arms. He held her close for a moment, thinking of his options, feeling the heat coming off her as her fever raged. Well her behaviour brought new meaning to the meaning fever dreams and he couldn't let this happen again. She was a danger to herself and she needed protecting. He couldn't do that all of the time, he couldn't watch her day and night, and look after himself too. The apartment was not an option but the alternative didn't exactly appeal. But what really mattered here? He needed help; he couldn't keep her safe on his own.

 

Carefully he picked up the fallen blades, taking care to avoid the silver plating, being burned by them once tonight was enough. That done, he lifted her gently into his arms, bundling her to his chest. Full of apprehension, he set out for the vampire mansion with his precious cargo.

 

* * * * *

 

Demetriov was sat reading by the fire. He put down the book he was reading, thinking of the confrontation with Torin. Last night's discussion had shocked him. Tegan's suffering bothered him. He had never wanted this to happen, well not this set of circumstances at least. He wanted it to be over, Tegan adjusting to being a vampire. Instead no one knew exactly what was happening to her. Torin's so-called `rescue' had gone horribly wrong. He sighed. Things hadn't been going entirely to plan, but with Tegan, they never did. He would just have to wait and see what would happen, and then adapt. He smiled. Yes, that was what he was going to do.

 

A loud thumping interrupted his thoughts. He rose to his feet and rushed out into the corridor. His door swung on its single hinge. He would have to get that door fixed at some point but it was not his top priority. He reached the top of the stairs to see the double front doors burst open. In walked Torin, Tegan lying limp in his arms. The smell of fresh blood invaded his senses, unsettling him for a moment. He walked down the stairs and approached them. Then he saw why he smelled blood, seeing the cuts and sores on her skin. He sighed.

 

“Why have you…?” He asked tentatively.

 

For Torin to have brought her here of his own will, he had to be pretty desperate, especially after the way he had been treating his ex lover.

 

“She's okay, just about.” Torin replied interrupting him, pulling her into his chest. “But she's a danger to herself. When I went out to feed she went out onto the streets. The only problem is she was attacking everyone in sight. She's delirious.”

 

“So you need help.”

 

While the words could have been taunting Demetriov took care to make sure that his tone remained even and serious. Yes a large part of him wanted to gloat and gloat badly, but he was being handed a wonderful situation and he was not about to throw this chance away for the sake of crowing like a child would.

 

“I'm afraid so.” Torin admitted through gritted teeth.

 

“We'd best find her a room.” Demetriov replied gently.

 

He turned at the sound of footsteps. Daniel and Alicia had arrived to see what the commotion was. He quickly turned his back on them. They were simply of no concern to him. Now he had Tegan in the mansion, just as he had wanted her to be and the excitement rushed over him. Suddenly things were starting to turn round. He was by no means there yet in his machinations, but he could turn this situation to his advantage so now his focus was the girl.

 

“She's sensitive to the light, but I really think a bed would be the most appropriate.” Torin told him.

 

“She may be changing but she's not one of us.”

 

Yet.

 

“No.” Torin replied.

 

“Come.” Demetriov beckoned to Torin.

 

Torin started slowly up the stairs, Tegan moaning in her delirium.

 

“He's coming. I won't run… forever.”

 

“Hush my love.” He whispered to her.

 

Alicia smiled; the thought of Tegan being helpless appealed to her, after all Tegan had truly been a danger to them these past few years and seeing one's adversary brought so low had a delicious irony to it. Torin shot her a dark look, making it clear that she would not be feeding on his lover in her weakened state, no matter what fantasies were currently running through her head. He followed Demetriov to a room at the end of a corridor. It was right next to his own. Inside lay a four-poster bed, freshly made with clean sheets. Torin wondered how long ago Demetriov had set all this up for her.

 

“I had this room arranged for her. I thought it might help adjust after… well you know what I mean.”

 

He sounded almost sheepish, something that seemed completely at odds with the man Torin knew. Well not completely, but certainly the way Demetriov had been of late. Torin nodded. So he had thought ahead. He hadn't been giving Demetriov enough credit. Demetriov drew back the sheet and Torin laid her gently down. For the first time he noticed her bloody feet. She had torn them ragged, running through the streets barefooted. He drew the sheet over her, hiding the worst of her wounds. Demetriov stepped up behind him, finally seeing the disease raging inside of her. No matter how he had taunted her he really did care for her. This was why he tormented Torin so, his jealousy fierce. Seeing her like this pained him and he hung his head and sighed, his heart full of sorrow.

 

“I'm sorry Tegan, this I never meant to happen.”

 

“But what's done is done.” Torin replied bitterly, never once looking at his former lover. “All we can do is try and make her comfortable.”

 

“I didn't know that it would be like this.” Demetriov said honestly, shocked by what was happening to her.

 

“I know, but neither did I. If I had, I wouldn't have stopped you once you had started.” Torin's voice was soft and full of regret.

 

It was the truth, if he could turn back time he would prevent the suffering she was going through now. Yes, Tegan changed was not the situation he wanted, but it would be over and adjusting. It shouldn't be like this.

 

Demetriov's apprehension was palpable. Finally he plucked up the courage to address the real issue.

 

“Will she live?”

 

“I have no idea. I want her to, but the virus was never supposed to act in this way.”

 

“Virus?” Demetriov asked puzzled. “Ah yes! You tried to explain it to me once. I never really understood. When I look at her it all becomes clear.”

 

They both turned as they heard footsteps coming up the corridor, Adam's figure becoming discernible from the shadows.

 

“Why? Why me… Michael.” Tegan murmured, everyone turning to her. “Why did I have to lose you?”

 

Demetriov approached the bed, cautious, aware of Torin's anger both at him for starting this, and himself for her current plight.

 

“I hope you are happy!” Torin spat bitterly. “You put me in a position where I was forced to hurt her, even though I didn't know it.” He clarified.

 

Demetriov looked up sharply, his gaze questioning.

 

“I knew you were going to try Demetriov. Human or vampire, I didn't care. She would still love me, as I would love her. If you hadn't put me in that position it would be over now, for better or worse. Instead, she is in limbo and I'm not sure she will survive. She is neither one nor the other. I can only imagine the pain that she's in and I only have myself to blame.” He ranted out, his voice tight with emotion, Demetriov aware he was close to tears in his frustration.

 

“Hmm.” Demetriov replied. “But then, who am I to talk. Is there anything you need?” He asked, offering the olive branch; Tegan was their priority here.

 

“If you could help me watch her, maybe while I sleep and feed.”

 

“Done. Will she live?”

 

“We won't know until she comes round. Then maybe she might forgive you. She has a kind heart, and kindness enough perhaps to overcome her hate.”

 

“I know Torin.” Demetriov squeezed his shoulder. “I'll leave you alone. I'm not sure I'm the person she wants to see when she wakes.”

 

Torin nodded. Demetriov's exit went unobserved, Torin's attention on his lover. He took her hand, bringing it to his lips, kissing it softly. He went to the sink, fetching a bowl of cold water and a towel. Pulling up a chair he sat beside her and mopped her brow, trying to soothe her fever. Patiently he watched and waited for her to wake hoping that even temporarily, she might be herself.

 

* * * * *

 

Tegan opened her eyes slowly, her vision blurred and uncertain. A figure sat beside her, she strained to make him out, his voice coming to her from far away.

 

“…Gan… Tegan. Are you alright?”

 

“Yes.” She sighed wearily, beginning to cough. “Oh Torin…I feel so…awful.”

 

He smiled at her gently. She looked around her, not recognising her surroundings.

 

“Where am I?” She asked quietly.

 

“I brought you to the mansion. I couldn't watch you all the time. I left you to feed and you left the apartment. You were attacking people.”

 

“Ah.” She sighed, catching her breath.

 

It was all she could say, speaking was such an effort. She had really done that? She really had been that out of it. Each breath came harder than the last, rasping and laboured and her body ached as she tried to move as if in answer. She sighed.

 

“Why did I…? What was I thinking?” She asked.

 

“You were delirious. You didn't know what you were doing.”

 

“Is that why my feet hurt so much?”

 

“They're cut to ribbons. I cleaned them for you.”

 

“No matter. It's fitting that I should die here.” Tegan said resignedly.

 

“Tegan! Don't talk like that.” He snatched her hand and came close to her face. “Don't ever talk like that. We can get through this together. I love you and I'll do whatever it takes.”

 

“I know but you can't help me this time.” She smiled at him weakly.

 

“Tegan no!” He shook his head, refusing to believe what he was hearing.

 

“I can feel it. I'm not strong enough. I can't fight it anymore.”

 

“No.” He was on the verge of tears. “You can't! I need you, I love you.”

 

She couldn't be talking this way, like it was the end. He could not, he would not lose her, not now, not after everything, he refused to!

 

“I love you too. Always have.” She murmured and stroked his face as the first tear fell. “I just want it to be over.” Her back arched as a wave of pain hit her, gritting her teeth against it. “God it hurts so much.”

 

“I know; I wish there was more I could do.”

 

“Stay with me.” Her voice caught in her throat. “I'm scared. So scared.”

 

They both started to cry. Torin's blood tears dropped onto the white sheet, the red droplets spreading like blossoming flowers.

 

“I don't want to die.” She sobbed.

 

He held her to him; Tegan wrapping her arms round him. The cast felt heavy against his back. She sobbed against him, gasping for each breath. He nuzzled into her soft throat. He could feel the blood flowing through the arteries in her neck, each pulse a little weaker than the last. If only he could…. The two turned to each other, both thinking the same thing. The change had not been complete, but what if Torin finished the job, what if he gave the virus the chance to do its work like it should?

 

“Could it still be done?” She asked hesitantly, not sure she wanted this, but unable to deny the thoughts that were on her mind.

 

“I don't know. No one has ever done it like this before.”

 

She was dying, she knew it. Her body was tearing itself apart as the virus raged through her system and she was getting steadily weaker as time wore on. Lucid she may be now, but she might not be again. Did she have a choice? Death or damnation, that was what was laid before her, but she was in so much pain, it made it hard to think. But she was afraid, so afraid, but was she afraid of dying or becoming the monster? She feared both, but right now she did not know which fear outweighed the other.

 

“I don't want to die, but I'm so confused.”

 

“I know my love. It isn't an easy choice.”

 

“If I asked would you try for me?” She asked him seriously.

 

“What if it kills you?” His voice was suddenly soft, barely above a whisper, betraying his own fear.

 

“Then at least it wouldn't hurt anymore.” She said honestly.

 

“Tegan I don't know, I don't want to hurt you.” He hesitated.

 

“Please, I can't die not like this. It's all so undignified.”

 

No, she should die in battle, fighting to the bitter end. Not like this, weak and helpless in a sickbed, this was not how it was meant to be!

 

“Never.” He laughed gently. “You could never be undignified.”

 

Tegan tensed, a strangled cry tearing from her throat as a wave of pain rushed over her. She panted, trying to catch her breath.

 

“It's all happening so fast. No time to think.”

 

“Then don't think. You have to go with what you know.” He said honestly.

 

While he was scared that such an action would backfire he was more scared of losing her and of being able to do nothing while he watched her slip away. He had to help, had to do something, anything, and if this would save her then… even if there were risks, there was a chance, no matter how slim and he felt he had to grasp onto that with all he had.

 

“I'm so scared Torin.”

 

Tears rolled slowly down her cheek. He kissed her hand, gently caressing her fingers with his own. Choked by emotion he had no voice to say anything in reply, feeling her fear as if it were his own. They simply held each other, Tegan trembling in his arms as she battled with her conflicting desires, the swirl of emotions running through her, the fear rising, almost becoming panic. And in that moment one thing overrode everything else in the midst of the turmoil that was her heart.

 

“I don't want to die!”

 

She screamed out in pain, the cry echoing into the night.

 

***************************************************************** **********************************

 

AN:

Well here we go, things are really starting to move. I will get there eventually I assure you. Till next time!