Awakening (Awakening, #1)

Chapter Part 19

It has been one whole day. I can tell by the way the birds fall silent and then wake in the morning, in turn waking me. I watch silently as the condensation that always comes in the early morning hours, drips slowly down the small window to my right, carving its path to the ground. I stay that way for what feels like hours. Time passes so slowly here. Eventually, I hear a small, almost inaudible, whimper coming from my left.

Maggie.

I was beginning to worry about her, not just about her being here and potentially not leaving alive, but more so from the fact that she hadn't so much as moved since Asher had knocked her out with whatever drug he had used. Her whimpers turn into low moans of pain and anguish. Then she whips her head violently to the side and I see it. The big, blossoming red and purple bruise about the size of a fist staining her cheek. I suck in a deep breath at the sudden feeling of intense rage that rolls through my body. I am on edge.

"Hey," I try and keep quiet, but say it in a whisper so Maggie can hear me. "Hey," I say again, "wake up. Get up." She keeps writhing and wiggling around in her restraints, trying to loosen the ties around her wrists. But if I can't do it, I know she won't be able to.

Teegan hasn't come back downstairs to bother me since our confrontation last night. And I don't regret a single thing. She is the most destructive and manipulating person I have and will ever meet. She is the reason that all of this is happening to me, and all for some sick, twisted fantasy of me loving her.

And that's exactly what it is. A fucking fantasy.

I shake the thoughts out of my head for now, and run through all of the escape routes I have been thinking of, none of them seeming successful. Each and every one of them ends with me, Maggie, or both of us either having to be left behind, or getting killed in the attempt. Teegan no doubt has a soft spot for me, that much is true. If only I could get her on my side without dying of complete and absolute disgust taking over me causing me to throw up all of the contents of my empty stomach.

Another odd thing is that I haven't been the least bit hungry. Violet had told me that if I went a while without drinking blood, I would eventually die. Which reminds me..., "Hey, you're hungry aren't you?" Maggie's eyes fly open and she flinches violently, like I've just slapped her. I can see her face starting to contort and twist in what looks like a...

She screams. She screams, and screams, and then screams some more until her voice cracks from exhaustion and her voice is hoarse when she speaks. "Who are you? WHY AM I HERE? WHAT IS THIS PLACE?"

"Hey, hey, hey, calm down!" I try and get her to take it down a notch before-

Asher and Teegan come downstairs.

"Well, goodmorning, sweetheart!" Asher bellows. His loud voice rattles me to my core and makes me want nothing more than to have my hands free just to be able to cover my over-sensitive ears from the assault. Maggie looks up at the both of them with a look of pure irritation, which takes me completely by surprise. Asher is apparently surprised too. After a long moment of silence, probably for our impending doom, Asher starts cackling. It's almost like a screech, a howl, a breathy laugh that sounds like he's been smoking foot-long cigars since he was born. He doubles over, still laughing, pausing and then starting up again for effect.

If Maggie wasn't scared before, she has to see why she needs to be now.

When Asher finally comes up for air, he smooths his fingers through his greasy, salt and pepper hair. I could see how he could potentially be handsome to some women; his smooth swagger, his confident walk, natural tan. But he was no doubt a monster with sinister plans for all of us. He claps me on the shoulder and I flinch. "Hello, there, bucko. You remember what I told you the other night, right?" He kneels down beside me so that he's eye level. I do nothing but stare right back into his deep, dark eyes and I sort of see myself. I look disheveled, tired, and...scared.