CHAPTER NINE:
On the drive back to my apartment, I cannot help but feel something is amiss. What it is, I don’t have a clue. As I continue the drive, I once مزید delve into my past…
CRYSTAL FALLS: 1850
I awaken an گھنٹہ later, still in pain from the sun’s rays. I feel Perry’s dried blood on my face, and find myself disgusted at what I have done. I cannot believe the situation I’ve landed myself in. About ten منٹ later, Perry returns to the cave. From where I do not care, یا even want to know. I feel nothing but burning hatred and contempt for him. I still do not know what prevented me from killing him earlier, یا at least trying. Then I remember how easily he snapped the neck of the man he turned nearly a week earlier. That I believe is the reason. Perry smiles when he notices I’m awake. “How do آپ feel?” he asks, and I notice a tone of happiness in his voice. “Horrible. I’m in so much pain and can’t stop feeling this lust for blood.” I say furiously. Perry nods. “Yes. That is horrible at first, isn’t it?” he mutters. “But here’s the good news. It gets better Ash. And after awhile, آپ genuinely stop caring about the people آپ kill. If آپ even want to, آپ don’t have to kill them, but for me I ponder, where’s the fun if آپ don’t kill?” I feel the anger still burning up inside of me with every word I hear come out of his mouth. “Why didn’t آپ kill me then?” I ask him. Perry shrugs. “Didn’t see the sport in it. Besides, I wasn’t hungry at the time. Another reason, is because I truly do respect and admire your father. He is one of the only people who gives a crap about other people’s lives. He’s not sexist nor do آپ and your mother seem to be. He’s a genuinely caring person.” Perry trails off. “Remember what I کہا earlier? Before آپ passed out?” he asked. I do remember, and I know at this point it is pointless to lie about it. “You کہا آپ had a proposition for me, but whatever it is, I won’t take it. I’d rather die than help آپ in any way.” Perry nods. “I thought that you’d say something like that, which is why I’ve got a backup plan.” He says, and once again, I detect the note of happiness in his voice. “What’s your backup plan?” I ask. Perry smiles. “If آپ don’t take my proposition, your father will die like your mother, only worse.” He says smiling. “But I really don’t want it to have to come to that Ashley. Like I کہا before, I honestly have much respect for the man, but I’ll do what I have to. And if آپ try to kill yourself to stop my fun, your father WILL suffer.” He says smiling. “Fine Perry! I’ll hear آپ out. But might I say آپ are truly a sociopath آپ freak!” Perry smiles sinisterly. “I knew you’d see it my way Ash. And please, call me سے طرف کی my real name. Pike.” He says, دکھانا his fangs.
CRYSTAL FALLS: OCTOBER 29, 1995:
I return to my apartment, once again feeling contempt for Pike. As I climb out of my car, I smell a scent. I know right then, a vampire is in my apartment. I sneak up the stairs and find the door open. Just when I think I’ve got the element of surprise on my side, I hear a voice. “You know Ash, I can sense آپ too.” I stop suddenly. It is Pike’s voice. I haven’t heard it in nearly thirty years. “Come in Ashley. We have so much to discuss.” I hear. “I didn’t come here to fight.” He replies. I can tell he’s telling the truth. This time, and reluctantly walk into the apartment. The scent of blood is all over. But I see no space it could be coming from. I see پائیک, پائک sitting on the couch, smoking a cigar. “Ashley! It’s been too long!” he says, smiling. “Not long enough.” I mutter. پائیک, پائک shrugs and stands up. “I’m sorry آپ feel like that.” He says casually. “Why is the scent of blood everywhere?” I ask. پائیک, پائک shrugs. “Details. Hate ‘em. We’ll get to that in a moment. But first, I saw on the news that آپ killed my lackeys. Sure they meant nothing, but I created them. Just like I created you. And آپ let yourself live all these years.” I stare at him “I didn’t have a choice.” پائیک, پائک smiles. “After your dad died آپ did. But let’s not stay stuck in the past. I want information out of you. And you’re going to help me.” He says smiling. “What information?” I ask him. پائیک, پائک smiles. “I’ve heard there’s a telepath here in town. And that آپ know where he یا she is.” I stare shocked, and realize I’ve just دیا away that I do know something. پائیک, پائک smiles. “And you’re going to tell me who it is and where I can find them.” I shake my head. “Why do آپ need a telepath so bad?” I ask. He smiles. “Let’s just say my plans depend on it. Now آپ will help me, یا آپ WILL pay the consequences. What’s it going to be?” he asks. “I’ll never tell.” I say, thinking of Harold and realizing he’s become involved whether I like it یا not. پائیک, پائک smiles. “Then it’s time to see what’s in your closet.” I watch as he walks over to the closet and opens the door. To my horror, Danny is in there, tied up and bleeding. پائیک, پائک smiles. “You could’ve saved him Ash. آپ still can, but to do it, you’ll have to break a promise آپ made to yourself all those years ago.” Before I can do anything, he slices into Danny’s stomach. “You know the only way to save him now. “I’ve got to run. Do a bit مزید digging, then I’ll take out any other دوستوں you’ve made here. And give آپ the choice again.” With that, پائیک, پائک leaves the room. I swiftly take the tape off Danny’s mouth, and hear him groan in pain. “Help me! Call someone! Do SOMETHING!” he pleads. I dare not untie him, he would bleed out to quickly. I know he will be dead before help would ever arrive. I look at him sadly, and know I have a choice to make. If I do what پائیک, پائک wants me to, I can save him. If not. He will die. I sigh. I ponder what to do, then against my better judgement, I make a decision.