Alive. (The Drake Chronicles Fan Fiction)

Chapter 2

Christabel's thoughts kept her up that night. That and the footsteps she could hear outside of her room. Gee, did they think she was going to sneak out and get herself killed? Well... that thought had crossed her mind, honestly.... But really? They were worse than actual bodyguards. How was she supposed to get her thoughts in check when there were two very nosy boys right outside her door? Let alone, two vampire boys, who could just about hear anything and everything. She couldn't even open a window without one of then bursting inside and asking what she was doing.

She couldn't help but think about how Connor was.. What he was doing... how he was holding up... and even more importantly; was he even alive? Christabel couldn't even bring herself to think of that scenario, but now that it was planted inside her head, it was all she could think about. What if, when they found Connor, he was in a terrible state? One that they couldn't get him back from? One that made his skin a blue tint and smelled of mushrooms and was just... gross.

That was the thing that scared her the most. He'd still be here, but he wouldn't be Connor. He wouldn't be her Connor. And that thought alone was something that Christabel, and probably even the others didn't want to think about.

"Chris? Are you decent?" A voice, obviously Duncan, called out as a knock came next.

Huh. Duncan was still prying around the door. Who would've thought?

"I- yeah.. You can come in.." Christabel responded, sitting up a little from her spot on the bed and setting the book that she had been reading on the nightstand. She couldn't even concentrate with reading, due to her thoughts deciding to keep her up and occupied.

As the door opened, Duncan gave her a smile. It was obvious that he had taken some time away from his babysitting duty to work in the garage. He was dressed in a pair of denim jeans, along with a shirt that had the sleeves cut off; which revealed just how broad his shoulders were. Oh, and his muscles. Who couldn't notice those?

"So, uh.. What's up?" Christabel asked, mainly to make a conversation and divert her attention from his... attractiveness.

It wasn't a secret that all the Drake brothers shared a common characteristic; their attractive genes. And their eyes all shared that grayish tint. And not the dull, boring gray. It was actually a really pretty color. So Christabel found herself just looking at them sometimes... it wasn't a bad thing, though, right? Even though she was with Connor? She could look... just not touch.

"Well, my mom and I were talking..." He started off, walking over and taking a seat at the end of the bed, obviously trying to get the sheets dirty. "As long as you're staying here, and there's a threat, you need to know the basics of defending yourself." Duncan looked over at her after he finished, laughing at the expression on her face. It was obvious that Christabel hadn't even picked up a weapon, let alone had to hit someone.... Unless you count that one time when she was with Lucy and gave some guy a bloody nose.

"So you're saying that Helena wants me to, like... learn self defense?" Christabel asked, amusement clear in her tone. "I guess I can just take-"

"No, you're missing the point." Duncan cut her off, laughing softly as he shook his head. "In a class, you couldn't possibly learn how to handle yourself if you were ever faced with a Hel-Blar. Therefore, we're going to teach you, Christabel. You need to know how to use a stake." Duncan finished, looking at Chris.

"...You're kidding me, right? I can't use a stake, Duncan!" How the hell was she supposed to use a stake? Have they not met her? The only damage she'd ever done to someone was when a guy was irritating her, so she simply knocked him in the nose, and with more force than she wanted to. "I can't possibly use a stake, Duncan. I'm not capable of it. And I wouldn't stand chance against a Hel-Blar." Wasn't that obvious? Christabel would be knocked out cold if she were ever to go against one of those... creatures.

"Well, I'm gonna teach you, so be ready." Duncan told her and nodded sternly before he stood up. "Be outside in two hours. That's when we start." He told her, walking to the door and stepping out, then he paused to look back to her, "And Chris?" He said, waiting for her to look at him. "Have a little faith, yeah? You'll be amazed at what you can do if you put your mind to it." And with that being said, Duncan walked out and down the hall; doing whatever it was that he had previously done.

Great. She was going to have to use a stake. How the hell was she even going to be able to decide what she needed to do? What she had to do?

But, at the moment, what could she do? This family wouldn't take their eyes off of her for too long. So, in a way, she was already damned.