CRIMSON

What is happening ?

- chapter thirty two -

It has been a week since Brielle disappeared and Victor was worried sick. He should have fought harder to be forgiven, he shouldn't have fought with Brielle. He cried each evening on his bed, hoping she was okay and that he would see her again and make sure they were on good terms. This week, he has been texting Ace too. It was his idea, he knew Ace was hurting and he felt like he could be the closest to understanding his pain since he was close to Brielle too. It was weird at first, not once would Victor have thought to send messages to Ace, he was used to it now.

He was alone at home today, he hadn't made it to class. Andrya and Cody had let it take a day; all past week Victor was just being inattentive. He had agreed to come back at the end of the week. His parents were therefore at work while his two brothers were in class.

He was in his room, lying down when someone knocked on the door. Slowly, he got out of bed and dragged his feet on the ground before opening the door. Ace? You're not in school too, huh? He opened the door for him a little more and motioned for him to enter. The hunter in front of him looked agitated and stressed as if something was bothering him.

— Is anyone home? Asked Ace, looking around. It was the first time he came here so seeing the house was a discovery.

— No, It's just me, replied Victor with a small smile, the only one he had for the whole week. Not even Rafe could cheer him up, it has been days since he last saw him. He left messages but never came. Right now, he was probably in school or at least leaving it, the day was almost over.

— It makes things easier, he declared before pulling a gun out of his back pocket and pointing it at the poor innocent human.

Victor backed away slightly, frightened. W-What are you doing?

"Follow me" was all Ace could say. He took him by the arm and led him into his car. He got into the driver's side and started the car at full speed, Victor was completely lost. What was going on? Why was Ace acting like that? Weren't they on good terms now? Why Victor wasn't stopping him?

***

Tears mixed with laughter filled the room. Elijah was torturing Brielle again but this time, harder. Brielle had been in this dump for over a week and she wasn't in great shape. Each time she was close to death, each time Elijah treated her just to keep her conscious.

She couldn't take it anymore, she just wanted to succumb to her injuries. She wanted her family to come to get her, save her. She wanted to reconcile with her best friend. She wanted to be everywhere but here.

Elijah walked away from the teenager, proud of his 'masterpiece'. She was covered with bandages almost everywhere and she was filled with sweat. Only her face had not been touched, he found it too beautiful to be modified by his art.

— You're pretty quiet today, he stated, looking at her, pouting. Sad that your beloved little family still hasn't come to save you?

— No, I was just wondering how bothered you must be to attack a teenager who looks like your ex from 4 centuries ago, she said with a neutral face. Still so addicted to her, huh? Knowing that she was a hunter, that she killed people like you and that she even tried to kill you, it hurts.

— Shut up, warned the vampire, putting his hands on his head.

— You must still feel that moment when your heart broke. My god, she laughed. That moment when she found out what kind of monster you were must have been painful.

— Shut up! Screamed the vampire, throwing a knife, making it land next to her face. He approached her dangerously and took her face violently. He forced her to look at him, mad rage coursing through his body. I have been too nice to you, I'm letting you live. You don't deserve that.