Lost In Time

Right Choices, Hard Feelings

I hardly left the office all week, just searching and researching the database. We had so much...surely one of them could help, right? Nope. Everyone, even Peter, pitched in, searching the Vault, paperwork, electronic record database, even going on Trips...nothing. Not a single thing. Now it was Thursday and Raide's time was almost run out. She was at peace with it, Blake keeping me updated as I hadn't set a foot in the Hospital Ward all week, but Narkus and Dim were going crazy. Still, even if she was down to a few hours of life, I refused to give up. There had to be something I hadn't tried yet...Wearily, I searched my backpack for the protein bar and energy drinks I had stashed in there, only to find a relic bag tucked away. Dracula's button. Oh no. Wildly, I checked my calendar, it hadn't been a week yet, had it? Almost. Oh no. I had to go now, if I was going to be within his time limit.

As quick as I could, I checked my map and my pictures, finding a deserted tiny island with scant trees and not much else. Perfect. If anything went wrong, no one would bear witness to my murder and the wrath of a vampire. Less witnesses meant less collateral damage in my world. Feverishly, I ripped off some paper, writing a note for whoever would be rooting through my desk in my (hopefully) not long absence, and stashed the picture and the note in my top drawer, locking it for good measure, before zipping up my bag and yanking it on my shoulders. I didn't have much time left. I rushed out of my office, running into the open rift.

I crashed into the sandy beach, a wave splashing up behind me, soaking me up to my neck. Thank goodness my bag is waterproof. A single large boulder sat on the beach not far from me, basking in the moonlight, providing a perfect view of endless ocean all the way around. Sighing, I trudged towards it and sat down, shivering at the continuous cool breeze coming off of the serene waters. Such a gorgeous place for a dangerous meeting. I put my backpack down in front of me, and pulled out three things; an energy drink, a protein bar, and the button. I took a few minutes to prepare myself and eat, taking the last swig of the drink before shoving the trash back into my bag. It was time.

"Dracula." I said finally, the breeze carrying my voice far, far away. Would this actually work? Nothing happened. "Drac? Hello....Dracula!" My voice got louder and louder, yet no one appeared...at least in front of me.

"You called, little dove?" A voice said, directly behind me, minty breath blowing on the back of my exposed neck.

"AH!" I yelped, falling off the boulder. To his merit, Dracula didn't laugh, keeping a pleasant smile on his face as I crawled backwards in the sand.

"Do you enjoy scaring the living daylights out of me!?" Taking deep breaths was doing nothing for my rapidly beating heart as I stood.

"Of course, it brings me great enjoyment. Not as much enjoyment as listening to your quickened heartbeat, all of that blood..." Okay then, just creep me out will you.

"Okay then. Ah, I have what you want." The unspoken question was, would he kill me once he had it?

Reading my mind, he spoke. "Thank you, I understand this week has been a bit...difficult for you. But, to reassure you, I give you my word I won't kill you once I have my...button back." His lips quirked up, even he found the humor in a button.

I was surprised. Why would he want me alive? "...Alright then, here it is." I held the bag out in front of me, in between us. We were standing far apart, yet if he wanted to, he could be in front of me without me acknowledging it, in a single heartbeat. Talk about intimidation.

"Ah yes. Thank you." He said sincerely, yet he didn't step forward and take it, instead smirking at me devilishly. "But, since you have been so kind as to get it back for me, I have something for you. Two somethings, actually, but you may only choose one." I didn't have a good feeling about this as he pulled something out of his jacket, which I only just now noticed the missing button, in the middle of the line of buttons.