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

Chapter 7 - Parallel Lives

Phil's POV

I couldn't help it. I ran up to the cave and demanded Storm to face me.

"What do you want, you mortal fool?" she hissed evilly.

"I had to tell you that what you think you're doing wont work!" I bellowed at her through the large window-like hole in the cave entrance.

"It worked for you, didn't it?"

"It worked for me because Dan actually loved me! He doesn't love you! I'm trying to save you from disappointment right now."

"Disappointment? I think not! Of course Dan might have been a little surprised when I drugged and kidnapped him, and it may have taken some time to warm up here, but love is a thing that is just there! I love Dan, and I know he loves me."

"You're wrong and obsessed. Love doesn't work that way. Love is a commitment! You work together and love each other. Dan doesn't love you. You're just insane."

"You're jealous that Dan is staying with me and not you."

I clenched my fist. "Storm, listen to me. We have had similar lives! We were both living humans, then unexpectedly were changed for what we thought would be forever. I didn't look for Dan, he just found me. He didn't immediately fall in love with me. It took time and bonding and all this other stuff. But after all him and I have been through, you really expect me to believe that he is going to give all that up for someone who abducted him and is forcing herself onto him? Dan is smarter than that. And please, Storm, from one vampire to another, I know what it feels like to have nothing. Absolutely nothing. All I have is Dan. Can't you please just let me have the one thing that I care more about than my own life?"

Her face was crinkled with disgust as I spoke these words. "I don't believe you," she said in a forced whisper. "Caring more about someone than your own life? That's foolish and weak."

"No it isn't," I differed. "That's love."

Her eyes were blazing with hatred. "Enough from you! It's over! You lost! Words are useless now!" Storm stepped away from the rock entrance and over to Dan. She sat on his lap. "A kiss? A kiss is all that's required! A kiss from someone who loves you! I want my old life! I want to be human! I want to live among the normal and be treated like one of you!" She pet Dan's head. "Sweet Dan," she cooed, "like you did for the other, please, love me like I love you and set me free."

Dan's eyes were terrified as she looked lovingly at him. He was still frozen in time. What was wrong? Why couldn't he move?

Cynthia had disappeared somewhere. Dan was helpless. Storm was just some ignorant moron. It was up to me. I had to do something to get Dan out of there. Being nice was always my way, but in drastic times, I would have to take drastic measures.

Dan's POV

My body felt a tense strain when Storm approached me. I wanted to get up and run away. I wanted to go to Phil, standing helplessly at the rocked-up window.

Storm, sitting on my lap gently, began to go back to her state of awe and shyness. She touched my face. "It's okay," she said. "After all this, I still love you."

I stared past her at Phil, who was now quiet and just looking back at me. His fingers curled. "Give me a sign that I'm right," he mouthed.

I read his lips, and I was thinking it, but I didn't know what to do. I couldn't move or speak. My heart pumped painfully as I imagined Phil believing her and walking away. He would never do that, right? I pictured him giving up and leaving. A rock sunk in my stomach. Tears began to pour from my face before I realized it. I couldn't love Phil more than I already did. He had to know that.

He saw me beginning to cry, and his face lit up. It worked! He took it as a sign! He smiled and slowly mouthed the beautiful words: "I love you," to me. "I'm going to get you out."