The Vampire's Heart II - The Dying Heart (Phan)

Chapter 5 - Exceptions

Dan's POV

I couldn't tell if it was day or night, but I had just woken up, still strapped down. I didn't even remember going to sleep. I moaned, my arms and legs sore.

"Oh," Storm said from the other side of the room. "Good morning, Sleeping Beauty."

I swore.

"Would you like me to loosen the ropes? Maybe you'll be more comfortable that way."

"Yes! Please?" I said. Maybe I could break them then! I thought.

She first held a drink to my lips and forced it in my mouth. Not knowing what it was, I held it in my cheeks. It only tasted like water. Maybe she was being kind? She only stared at me, so I knew she wasn't going to do anything until I swallowed. I did, and she removed the ropes completely.

"Thank you," I said, trying to stand up so I could stretch and then run. I couldn't move my legs at all.

"Question," Storm said. "How did that taste?"

I struggled to move my toes or bend my knees. I couldn't. I was stuck in the chair. "Like nothing," I said. "Like water."

"Oh, good. I hope you don't mind. It's a paralysis liquid I made."

"What?!"

"Yeah. I figured you didn't like the ropes, so I made an alternative. You shouldn't be able to move your legs, then it will affect your arms, and lastly the rest of you. Don't freak out! I have an antidote too. This is just for now. I can't risk you running away," she said with an almost shy smile."Sorry."

I screamed, unsure of what else to do. I used my arms to pick up my legs to try and move, but it was useless. Her long, feminine finger crept across my chin.

"I do this because I love you, and I know you'll be happiest learning to love me too."

"I would never just love you," I spat. "I have someone that I love. I would never just forget or leave him."

"Him?" she asked. "No wonder you've been so stubborn. I hadn't realized you swung the other way."

"Yeah. I'm gay. Got a problem?"

"No, of course not. It's fine. However, I still know I can't give up on you. I know you can learn to love and appreciate me and all I can and will do for you."

"I don't like girls," I said blankly. "And I don't like you."

What almost made me feel bad was how truly hurt she looked when I said these things. Yes, it was true that I was gay and I already had someone that I loved more than anything in the world, and I couldn't help but feel sincere and utter hatred towards her, but yet she made me feel almost guilty for hurting her. Even so, she was so deep in denial that it didn't matter. Storm strained a smile and flicked her hair back.

"It's okay," she told me. "We all make exceptions for what and who we love." She walked on off to somewhere deeper in the cave, where she disappeared from sight. Unable to move my legs and the slow feeling of numbness contracting in my arms, I sat miserably, hoping Phil was doing okay on his own, and quietly longing to see and hear from him again.

Phil's POV

"So I think we should go there," I said, explaining the fire smoke I saw last night to Cynthia.

"Is it worth it?"

"Well he's obviously not in town. I thought it'd be worth the check."

She scratched her head and sighed. "Ok, we'll do it. It's not an entirely easy hike through the woods to that area. Knowing Dan, he probably wouldn't have made it there on his own. Somebody brought him there."

My first thought was the guys who had kidnapped Dan in order to attract me as a vampire way before, but that didn't feel the same. Not being a vampire anymore, they would have no interest in me. Someone else must be behind it.

"You're the boss," Cynthia said. "When do we go out?"

"As soon as possible," I decided quickly. If it was true that Dan was there, I needed to get him - now.

She nodded. "Ready when you are."

I scratched my head. "We should go tonight," I suggested.

"Tonight? Why would we bounce around in the woods tonight when we can go today? You know, when it's bright out and we can see?"

I had spent many years in the dark at night in woods or caves. I was used to it, and felt comfortable there. Plus, I had a feeling there would be a significant difference as to the results in the night versus the day. I felt there was a reason to go in the night. Something triggered it. "I just have a feeling. I think it would be best."

"Whatever you say," she said. "Phil," she said quietly. "I didn't want to bring this up, but we've been searching for so long, everywhere logical enough. What if... what if we don't find him?"

Just with those words, my chest compressed and twisted around. I felt sick. If I had recently eaten, I may have thrown up right there. I stared at her, my face feeling paler than usual. "We will find him," I flat out told her. "There is nothing that would make me stop searching. I love him so much and I can't bare to think that he might...."

I didn't realize I had been crying until she hugged me. "I know," she consoled. "I'm sorry. I know we're going to find him."

I knew it too. I'd search my whole life for him. Dan. I loved him with everything I had.

I love you Dan, I thought. I love you and I hope you know I'm going to find you.