Safety is Relative

Chapter Twenty-Two - Mission Impossible

When I come crashing back to reality, I throw up outside. Then I start crying, feeling weak and shaky and awful inside. I can’t believe what is happening.

I can’t believe my father could do that to someone.

My mind rejects that path of thought almost immediately, vying away from something that causes me so much pain inside. There is only one thing that my brain can focus on- something only marginally less painful to think of, but at least it is not beyond my control.

I have to rescue Nate.

I can’t leave him there, chained to the wall like an animal. Vampire or not, Nate is my friend. In fact, he is more than my friend. I love him. I can’t just let my own family torture him like that. I don’t think I would ever be comfortable letting my family do that to anyone, much less someone I care deeply about.

And I know that Nate is not a monster. Whether Nathaniel Lovell really is the stuff of monsters, I don’t care. All I know is that the boy who I know, the boy I am in love with, he is innocent of the crimes they are hurting him for. Nate would not do anything to hurt someone.

‘What did you see?’ asks Sara anxiously when I come back inside. ‘Is he alright? Please tell me he is alright…’

‘He’s in my cellar,’ I tell her, and am shocked to see her start crying brokenly. Is her view of my family, as slayers, really that bad?

‘He’s still alive,’ I say quickly. ‘But we need to get him out of there as soon as possible.’

I turn to Jasper, but then decide against it. I need someone who is comfortable around my family, someone they know quite well. My parents only know Jasper as the boy who was attacked at the same time as me- not really something I want them thinking about whilst Nate is at their mercy.

Outside, Nina is sat on the step, shredding a daisy.

‘Nina, I need your help.’

Nina springs up immediately. ‘Say the word, and I’ll be there. I’m so bored right now I would happily do all the chores for my Mum if she asked me.’

‘You may not like what I’m asking you to do,’ I stall.

Nina looks at me, and then pulls me into a hug. ‘Rue, you’re my friend. I would do anything to help you.’

I take a deep breath and the whole awful story comes spilling from my lips. Five minutes later, she is looking white-faced and shocked, and I didn’t even tell her his real name, fearing that would be too far.

‘Nina,’ I say quietly, on the verge of breaking down. ‘Please, just trust me. Nate’s innocent- he’s your friend. You know what he is like. He needs your help. I need your help.’

Nina turns away, looking distressed. ‘He’s a vampire?’

‘Look, I know it’s a shock,’ I say, trying hard to keep in control. I need her. ‘I can’t believe it either-’

‘You didn’t know about this?’

I stare at her, shocked. ‘Of course not!’

Nina looks down. ‘I- I’m sorry. I thought-’

‘No, I didn’t know,’ I say quietly. ‘I didn’t know. He didn’t tell me.’

Nina looks up, biting her lip. ‘Did he know about us?’

I can’t answer her. Did Nate know about me, being a slayer? And he still loved me, despite the fact I stand against everything he is?

Nina shakes her head. ‘I- what- I don’t know how to deal with this. He’s locked up in your cellar, you say?’