I remained silent for the whole of Sunday. I slept in thirty minute lots and the activity outside my room had my dreams twisted into horrible nightmares and I was certain whatever was going out there was solely for my benefit, a warning of what they were capable of. I don't know how in those few hours the bathroom had been completely fixed up, the curtains replaced and the bed had different sheets but the lock that now kept the windows from opening was still new and sharp, the padlock a shiny gold that had I no chance of unlocking.

My bag was still by the foot of the bed and going through it I was surprised at the level of care that went beyond a jumper and my favorite jeans but a toilet bag and even a picture of Mandy and my parents, all things I missed in my quick grab yesterday afternoon. Finding some bobby pins in the outside pocket I tried to unlock the padlock, not sure where I'd go exactly considering how high up we were but my lack of experience made the movies look like liars. It wasn't as simple as poking it in the keyhole and waiting for a click.

One thing I hadn't been able to verify was the effectiveness of silver crosses so using a hair tie I broke more poles from the empty wardrobe cupboards and made two that I leant against the end of the bed. Silver bullets didn't help kill them but from the vampire I shot in the street, it did hurt them especially in the skull but I was certain I had seen a silver necklace around Luke's neck.

Maybe it was white gold?

The sky was starting to darken when everything went quiet out in the living area, the laughing, screams and savage animal like sounds gone and hesitantly I went near the door. It was locked, no surprises there but I was starving, wishing I had taken Luke up on the second order of food. If I had, maybe they wouldn't have been at the warehouse or maybe he would have decided to go somewhere different and we'd have joined up with my parents or gone somewhere else. There was a lot of should ofs, could ofs and if onlys and if I let myself dwell on them for to long, I'd go as mental as Ryan.

No Dominik.

All this time I had been haunted by that night, broken hearted over the loss of the man I loved and betrayed that he wanted to do the same to me. But everything had been a lie, years of my life wasted over another lie. He wasn't a man, he was a monster.

If only Michael had asked me to join the Night Watchers now.

I want to kill them all. My inner turmoil of accepting them for who and what they were had finally chose a side. I wanted to believe they were as much to blame as us, that there was no greater monster in them than the truly living. Dominik had made me see how blind I had been. The condition of being Human was a disease, it was what was making us weak and unable to see what was going on and that was what they had used to take over. We really were just pawns in their game and that needed to change.

I ripped apart the bedding, the knife I had tucked under the pillow and bedhead had to be there unless he had some amazing housecleaners which wouldn't surprise me considering how efficiently everything had been taken care of. I dropped to the floor, rolling under the bed it was gone and in a last attempt ran my fingers up between the mattress and the bedhead, the sharpness grazing my finger a sob of relief escaped me and tugging at the mattress the blade fell to the carpet and I quickly grabbed it, getting up and remade the bed.

It was still quiet out in the apartment, at least with the bathroom I had access to water and I could have been kept in worse conditions, thinking of the vampires that had been captured by the Night Watchers. Leaving the door I laid down on the floor, deciding to try and keep some fitness and had only done three sit-ups when there was a knock on the door.

"Miss?"

I grabbed the knife from where I left it beside me and got up, heading near the indent of the doorway. "Yes?"

"I have some food for you, please set away from the door" As soon as she said it I could smell the garlic and bacon coming under the gap below the door.

"I'm back" I wasn't but didn't care; I needed to see what was out there. The lock clicked and slowly the door was opened. The woman was old, maybe in her fifties with her short dark hair streaked with grey and the simple black shirt and pants covered her slightly larger build comfortably. She carried herself with a certain sense of purpose and poise, the pearls around her neck not looking out of place. She smiled seeing me as she pulled in a trolley behind her but I ignored it, looking out into the living area everything was how it had always been.

"I heard you like pasta, so I hope this is to your liking" She set up the tray, the bowl filled with fettuccine and a few thick slices of garlic bread I was close to drooling.

"Where is everyone?" I ignored the pain in my stomach as the food mocked it, needing to keep up to date on what was happening.

"Who dear?"

"I heard them today and the screaming" I left my post by the door and took a few steps towards the doorway, eager to look around but the click of a gun being loaded had me stopping and turning to find her looking wide eyed and more scared of me than the vampires who lived here. I knew she was human, well maybe not. Who knew these days but she was definitely not one of them I was sure of that.

"You heard nothing. Come away from the door"

"Will you shoot me if I don't?" I asked nervously, the way it trembled in her hand had me doubting her actions and not sure when and if I would need to again try fighting for me life, I didn't want to risk an injury slowing me down.

"I have been given orders to use whatever force necessary to keep you here. If you do not comply and get past me, there are three vampires in the hall who will make sure you stay here" She threatened, her confidence growing.

If I could get the gun, I might have a chance.

I held my hands up innocently and walked towards the trolley, not directly to her. "You win" 

She breathed out relieved; releasing the gun she tucked it away.

"As I was saying, I made you some dinner" I stopped listening and picked up the plate as she fussed around the room, not missing the way she checked the locks by the window and sliding door to the outside.

Had she been the one to place them there?

"Where is Nik?" I was salivating with the steaming pile of paste in front of me but honestly, I didn't quite trust her or the food.

"Out. I believe he will back later this evening" She frowned; noticing I hadn't touched the food yet as I idly stirred the fork around in it. "Is there something wrong?"

"Try it. I don't trust you or him, I want you to eat some first" Her hesitation proved me right before she smiled smartly, not impressed.

"Fine" Walking over she picked up another fork, staring at the dish the fact I had just stirred it all up clearly wasn't appreciated. She took barely a strand and ate it, smiling again. "Delicious"

"More" I took her fork and wound up a big pile; passing it back to her I waited. She looked at it like it was poison and as her eyes found mine I smiled innocently. "Surely your cooking isn't that bad?"

"Not at all" She gulped it down, hardly chewing before swallowing and coughing from taking way to much in one go, put the fork down triumphantly.

"And the bread" She cut a piece in half, taking a large bite she chewed it and stared at me the whole time but with none of the hesitation of the pasta.

"You're awfully paranoid" I shrugged, picking up some bread and took a bite. It was delicious, completely homemade and I fought the urge to shove more of it down my throat.

"I'm being held hostage by vampires do you blame me?" She looked surprise before shaking her head.

"No not at all. I better go" Stepping away she stumbled slightly, pausing to regain her balance I put down the pasta bowl.

"Are you ok?" I asked curiously, watching her stagger towards the door as she yawned.

"Fine dear. Eat up!" She tried to hurry towards the door but I stopped her.

"I like to talk while I eat, please stay with me. It's awfully frightening here" My eyes went watery but she ignored it.

"I need to go..." Her push against me was weak and I knew what ever had been put in the food was taking its toll. What would happen to me if I ate it all?

"Please stay" I pushed her backwards, not expecting her to completely fall and dropped to her side. "What was in it?"

"Something to make you sleep, so you don't get away tonight" She mumbled, yawning it must have been pretty dam strong to knock her out after a mouthful.

"It's ok, have a sleep. I won't go anywhere" It wasn't like she had a choice as her eyes finally closed and certain she was knocked out, started the struggle in getting her up and moving her to the sofa in the living area. I tried to move silently, not wanting to alert those outside what was going on. Sure enough on the kitchen counter the packet of tranquilizers was evidence enough and the fine dusting of white powder was beside it from where she had crushed them all up for the food.

No wonder she was knocked out after a mouthful maybe that was the plan because I didn't want to know what would have happened if I had ate the bowl.

I went back to her side, finding the small pistol that looked so much bigger, deadlier in her hands and went back into the room, pushing out the trolley I inspected the garlic bread but decided not to risk it and finding the bin in the kitchen threw it all away. Going through the cupboards food was scarce and finding some stale crackers decided that would have to do. Moving around the apartment I found another bedroom, the sheets were tangled on one end of the bed and a faint hint of blood and sweat still lingered in the air. Closing the door I didn't look around in there finding a laundry there was a mop stained red, the bucket beside it much the same and disinfectant was heavy in the room. Peeking into the washing machine dark red stains were all over the sheets and pulling out a light blue shirt it was much the same. Looking around there was nothing but bleach and cleaners, and in the kitchen the other knives were not all gone from the draw.

Voices outside had be running back into the bedroom, closing the door I couldn't lock it and jumped onto the bed as the voices got louder in the apartment, pulling up the blanket I readied the gun and held the knife tight.

"Who is on... oh hello Maggie. Maggie?" I was certain that was Curtis, was he as useful to know as Darvid right now?

"What's wrong with her?" Another voice asked.

"She's asleep. Quick check to see if Lu is still in there" Curtis ordered, no doubt in my mind that it was him now and the door was opened. Heavy footsteps came closer and I was certain Nik wasn't amongst them, were these guys the ones from outside?

The blanket was pulled down slightly from where I had it up around my head. "Yeah she's out cold like Mags. Clever bitch probably got her to eat some too"

"Ok, I'll let Curtis know. Thought Nik was going have our heads for a minute then, good thing we came inside when we did. Would be hard to explain otherwise" This was it, he wasn't here and I had a short space of time to get away. If I could use the scar to let him know I was still around, he would have no reason to go after Owen or my family or even Luke.

"Yeah good thing" I mumbled, pulling the gun out I fired straight into the guy closest to me. He dropped down screaming as the other ran towards me snarling and praying there was more than one bullet, fired again.

I missed.

He ripped back the blankets as I fumbled with the gun, Curtis joining us as I fired again and this time I didn't miss.

"What the fuck!" He roared, looking stunned as the duo wriggled on the floor like headless chickens. "You are in so much shit"

"Me? You're the idiots who can't even watch a human" I snapped, rolling onto the other side of the bed and standing, taking aim at him.

He instantly held his hands up.

"Let me shut these guys up before they attract more attention ok?" Confused I watched him go over and with a growl he snapped their necks, twisting again to remove the heads, ash soon replaced the bodies. "Put down the gun Lu"

"No"

He had just helped me, what the hell was his game?

"What do you plan on doing now?" He asked angrily, wiping his hands on his jeans he glared at me.

"Hiding was my first goal" I shrugged.

"Cause that's going to help you, Nik's coming like we just got a call hence why we came in to check on Mags cause she hadn't come out. Where are you going to hide, under the bed?" He challenged.

"I was going to try the roof"

"It's freezing out there and probably going to snow tonight. Really?"

"Well what do you think then?" Why I was asking for his advice was beyond me.

"Slash me up, shoot my arm or something non vital. I'll knock Maggie out and make it look like those two came in here to rough you up a bit, Smith is a known asshole so that's believable and I tried to stop them. Ok?" He ran from the room, and watching he slapped Maggie in the side of the head hard and I couldn't bring myself to pity the maid. "Shoot me!"

I checked the bullets, one left. I could save it for Nik. "Now Lu!"

Loading it ready I took a shot and got his leg. He hissed in pain, spying my knife nodded at it. "Take your best shot"

I started to punch him, slicing his other arm, his cheek before he knocked me hard in the gut, winding me. "Asshole"

"You're good but you're not fucking wonder woman" He snapped, fighting his own rage and pain. "Can you cry or want me to hurt you some more?"

He already had hurt me and rather than acting strong I let it out, not sure if I would actually be able to stop now. Holding my side I wondered if he had actually broken a rib and was too much in shock to protest as he managed to pick me up and sat on the bed, holding me in his lap. "Hug me ok?"

Nodding I did as he said, not caring about the fact his blood was soaking into my sweater from where I had sliced him and I honestly cried against his good shoulder. Not just over this, but for everything though he would never know that.

Would this fool Nik or would he see right through our set up?

"Smith? Curt...." NIk stopped in the doorframe and through wet eyes I looked over at him, watching as his features gave way to rage. "What happened in here?"

I didn't need Curtis to tell me how to act this time. Getting off his lap I realized that was the main cause of his anger and stormed up to Nik, still holding my side the way I was cringing in pain wasn't an act.

"You, you're an asshole. I get it; I'm stuck here but constantly testing me with your fucking goons? If Curtis hadn't been able to stop them what do you think you'd be coming back to? If you want me dead, kill me yourself" I pushed against him hard but he didn't budge, looking at Curtis trying to understand.

"Curtis, what happened?" I stood beside Nik breathing hard, and Curtis winced as he stood, holding his side where there was no injury before putting his fingers in to where I shot him and pulled out the bullet which he tossed to the ground amongst the ash.

"Maggie didn't come straight out. After about half hour we decided to check on her and she was clearing the dishes, whining about how this one refused to eat anything. Smith said he'd teach her a lesson and Xavier followed while I tried to stop them. Maggie got out her gun and followed them, warning them not to touch her but Smith knocked her down. I put her on the sofa and in that time they went in and had circled Lu, I went to stop them, Xavier got smart with me and Lu ran finding Maggie's gun from where she dropped it and came in, telling us all to get out" Nik's eyes glazed over with his anger, clearly wishing he still had Smith and Xavier here to take out that anger on.

"Then what"

"She shot Smith, a good shot to, right between the eyes. She fired again and missed and the third got me. Thanks for that"

"I'm just sorry I didn't aim higher" I snapped, playing along, wincing as Nik put his arm around my back and the pressure of his hold only made everything hurt more and didn't care that he looked hurt as I moved away.

"Right. Xavier attacked me and I ended up killing him as Smith lunged one more time and I had no choice but to do that to him too. Then I checked on Lucy to make sure she was ok and you came in" He finished, holding his breath we wondered if Nik would be believe it. If he did, I owed Curtis.

"And why do you look like you were slashed with a knife?" I coughed awkwardly, moving to the bed and picked up the knife that was smeared with Curtis's blood.

"I still attacked him. I had this hidden under the bed from the other night and he got it off me before trying to calm me down" Curtis nodded, we were like two school children in trouble with the principal and scratching his head Nik looked like he was believing it.

"Leave us. Take Maggie with you" Nik ordered. Curtis nodded, looking at me I tried to offer him a smile and as he passed I stopped him, hugging him tightly.

"Thank you for helping me" and lowering my voice in a bid to make sure Nik didn't hear, "Please tell Luke to get Owen and go to my parents. I want them all safe and away from here"

"No problems" He answered, I hoped he meant that for both the things I told him. As the front door closed I stood awkwardly in the bedroom with Nik, not sure what to do now.

"I can make you heal" He finally offered, looking at the dust pile frowning.

"I don't want any help from you" I snapped, folding my arms I quickly stopped as it hurt too much.

"I don't know why everyone is suddenly so disobedient all of a sudden. I keep good company, what is it about you that changes them?" He wondered.

"Luke says I always attract trouble" I regretted bringing him up, hoping to keep all of my friends and family off the discussion list but Nik smiled slightly, nodding.

"I think he's right. I'll let you clean yourself up; you've probably noticed the shower is fixed" He walked out without another word and looking at my blood stained clothes it seemed like a good idea. Finding a fresh set of clothes from my bag I headed out to the living area as my bedroom confinement ended.

"How you feeling?" He asked, looking up from the TV and seeing Family Guy on I cast an interested look in its direction.

"Better"

"Can I get you anything?" I sat on the chair opposite him, bring my legs up to hug my body I gritted my teeth as the sharp stabbing pain went through my chest.

So much for staying injury free.

"Food" I blurted out without really thinking before then quickly adding, "minus the sleep pills?"

"Well, there isn't much here. Fancy a walk?" I didn't but nodded, getting up I found my boots.

"Where did you get those?" He asked as I reappeared, looking at them curiously. Clearly he didn't see any sign of commando boots in my wardrobe when he went to the apartment or that I had them on last time I ran away too.

"I stole them from the watchers van while you were killing them all" I shrugged; walking towards the door I didn't hide the bitter edge to my tone.

"After you ran away again? Notice a theme here, you run I kill?" He challenged.

"You don't need to kill people. Be like Batman and just knock them out" Nik laughed as he closed his door following behind me.

"Batman?"

"Yeah or Spiderman. He just knots everyone in spider webs" We exited the building and he guided me to the left. Curtis was right, my roof idea was stupid. It was too cold.

"But they're not vampires or real"

"So? Vampires were not real until a few years ago"

"Do you think Luke doesn't kill people?" He was stirring me up; I knew it and sighing I had to answer.

"He probably does. But he has never done it front of me or because he wasn't getting his own way" I couldn't help it, even trying to keep him in this kind of good mood was failing, I just couldn't take him seriously.

"Do you like him?" Thankfully he wasn't getting annoyed and as we turned the corner I prayed we were going to the small restaurant up head. I wasn't entirely sure of the time, but the fact lights were on inside was a good sign.

"He has his moments. But yeah, I guess I do. Mandy and I risked our lives for him so I guess that stands for something" We crossed the road and my stomach was growling in anticipation of finally being bed.

"Because he is in a way your family" He said seeking confirmation.

"Yeah, you know my family. We're a close little group and so what if he missed a bunch a years and people. Dad wants to meet him, a living piece of his family tree puzzle" He opened the door and I realized what I had just said. He knew my family, he lived amongst us, my parents accepted him and just the two of us going out for dinner was so casual and familiar it was hard to keep that wall in place.

"That's true. They are good people and I'm sure your Dad will sit and listen to him talk for hours" He said fondly as we followed the waiter to our table. I didn't hold back, ordering a burger with the lot and chips.

"Vamps aren't meant to eat people food. How did you do it?" Turns out the waiter was vampire too and didn't ask any questions as I ordered and he didn't. Two Christmas dinners, numerous Sunday roasts and all the other times we'd gone out he never missed a meal. Then again he never really ate a lot, just enough so my Mum wasnt offended.

"Surprised none of you ever asked if I had an eating disorder but then I was never caught and good at hiding it. I had to vomit otherwise I'd get sick until my body was able to repel it" I was kind of surprised by his answer. I had a lot of questions about many aspects of our relationship but that was one of the more trivial ones.

'Why did you try so hard to be human, living amongst us like that? You could have come into town and lived secretly or drove through. Befriend us even, you didn't have to go fishing with my Dad or work at the diner. Why did you fool us all like that?" I was close to crying again and a few nearby patrons glanced at us curiously but I didn't care and he was silent. I took a few deep breaths trying to keep some kind of control.

But these were all the questions that had been holding me back these last few years and I needed the answers.

My order was put down in front of me but my appetite was gone. "This isn't the place"

"Hell it is" I snapped, my agony turning to rage. I deserved to know why he chose us, me, for his little game.

"Eat and then I'll tell you" I frowned, not wanting to make another deal but the ache inside of me outweighed my need to know and I didn't hold back on the burger. Instead we filled the time with trivial conversation; he asked me why I decided to move here as I had always loved the country, if Mandy's father ever showed up and how I liked my job. Anything I asked was diverted - ignored and clearly I was the only one expected to share anything about the last three years. I couldn't finish the chips. The burger sat heavy against my chest as my body tried to process the sudden loading of food and with my belly full all I now wanted was to sleep. Yawning I finished my coke, looking at him expectantly he got up, going to pay and I refused to move, knowing he was trying to avoid answering me now I'd finished.

"Come on, the cleaners should have finished by now" He held out his hand to help me up but I looked away. "Did you need more?"

"No. I need your answer"

"Not here" He took my hand in his and pulled me up and pulling my hand free I walked ahead of him and back down the street towards the apartment.

"So you have a cleaning crew on call? What the hell happens at your place?" An assortment of things ran through my mind, including all the things I had been subject to listening to this morning and regretted answering.

"Things can get a little messy. Since you're arrival they've been three times"

"I'm pretty sure one of those times had nothing to do with me Batman"

"Point taken"

I hated that conversation was so easy, that he was still able to be just Ryan to me. Sure enough I went take off my boots, the bedroom was vampire dust free, the blood on the bed gone and another fresh set of sheets were made to hotel perfection in its place and the heating was already on making the place warm and inviting and only making me even sleepier. I could happily curl up on the bed and go back to sleep but he owed me an answer. The folded square of pink by the pillow got my attention and I was surprised to find my pink polka dot pajamas, the last time I'd seen them was what felt like weeks ago, thrown messily over the chair in my room.

Had he gone back to my apartment again?

He walked past into the wardrobe and again I couldn't stop my mouth from making noise. "Why haven't you killed me yet?"

"I still don't know what I'm going to do with you. Kill you, change you, or let you go. You make me mad enough to kill you, after the other night I still want to change you and then when you sit there eating burgers and chips talking about your family, I want to let you go. I'm in quite a predicament." I quickly changed into my pajamas and as he emerged shirtless in a pair of sweatpants, again I could only stare at the scar I left him with.

"Must be horrible for you" I said dryly and he nodded, missing my sarcasm about the fact he had my life in his hands and he didn't know what to do with it.

Or maybe he did and just didn't care.

It was surreal, like Mandy had asked how did we talk of death so casually and now here I was talking about my fate as easy as it was the weather?

Taking off his watch he sat it on the bedside table, leaving the room I decided to follow and as he opened the lower section of the fridge I leant against the door surprised to find it now stocked with human food and soft drink. "No more running and I won't keep you locked up in there"

"Cause that's been working for you so far" He rolled his eyes, opening the freezer and pulled out a tub of chocolate ice-cream.

"Now I have things to bribe you with" I poked my tongue out, taking the ice-cream and going to the draw, grabbed out a teaspoon before opening the one where the knives had been kept to find them all still missing. "I'm not stupid Lulu"

"What? I was looking for a bigger spoon" I lied.

"That wolf really taught you well didn't he?" Nodding I smiled thinking of Owen and our first session. We had nearly died from Gerri's workout and again from the shock of what he wanted us to do in the ring. Pulling off the lid I couldn't stop being a little proud at Mandy and I and how far we'd come since that day.

"He had too. It's dangerous out there and if you're not prepared for it, you're dead"

"Did you know what he was?" He asked curiously as I jumped up to sit on the bench and started on the icecream.

"Not until a few weeks ago, Luke hinted they existed and I put two and two together but he wasn't happy when I asked him"

"I'm glad you sent them away, I have no doubt he would be here with his little pack come the blood moon" How did he know that? Had Curtis told him?

"Don't look so surprised. I have eyes everywhere and since Curtis is close with Luke figured there would be more going on between you two. Did I come home to early before he could help you get away?"

"No. He wanted me to stay. The others did attack and he helped me with them" Well it wasn't a complete lie.

"I know I felt how nervous you were hence why I came back earlier than I had planned. But you weren't scared. Any time I leave I have no idea what I'm coming home to. What do you do to my employees to have them breaking orders?"

"If I told you I'd have to kill you" I challenged knowing full well I had been completely responsible for the last one but Valerie had been acting like a rebel teen breaking into her parent's liquor cabinet when they weren't home.

"I'd like to see you try Lulu" There was an edge of excitement in his voice as his blue eyes seemed to darken as his pupils dilated. It was just a game and the outcome would be based on whether I manage to live or die. "It would make my decision on what to do with you so much easier"

"Glad I can help" I felt sick from the ice-cream I had just been shoveling down my throat and putting the lid back on held it out for him to put it away and dropped the spoon into the sink.

"Does your rib still hurt?" His concern was clear as he closed the freezer, coming to stand between my legs from where I hadn't got down yet.

"A little but I'm sure it's not broken" I couldn't stop the yawn and he held out his hand to help me down.

"You know I was going to wait until Thursday to come and get you, but after all the trouble you seemed to be attracting lately especially with those demons, the fact you could even be at risk at being infected by a wolf and then from the fear you were feeling when that Watcher attacked you I thought you'd be safer here with me" He sounded confused, upset even.

"Well like I said, I attract trouble and you're not an exception of that" That didn't help him any despite the fact I was only teasing he was clearly thinking it over. We stood by the bed and I wasn't sure what he was now expecting. The other night had been a mistake, nostalgia at its worse and I wouldn't be going down that path again.

As he got in I grabbed a pillow, deciding to sleep on the sofa. "Stay, I'll tell you what you wanted to know"

"You are going to tell me anyway" I stopped, hugging the pillow as he got comfortable sitting up against the bed head.

"I don't have to do anything, it's now or you'll never know" I hesitated, taking a step towards the living room but in the end, climbed in beside him and as he extended his arm I settled in at his side, struggling to keep my eyes open as held me against him.

"No funny business" I warned, shifting as the current angle hurt slightly.

"Noted. Don't worry I won't bite either" He teased, smoothing my hair back from my face I didn't look up at to meet his gaze and instead my hand rested on the silvered scar above his heart.

"Good. So why did you do it?" I didn't last long, the gentle hum of his words starting from the point he had killed Ryan Miles was like a lullaby and I drifted off into a peaceful sleep, knowing that had been his plan but unable to fight it any longer.