Taken (h.s.) **EDITING**

Taken: Ch. 13

First Draft. Will be changed. Once so,  the following chapters will not make sense nor correspond with this chapter. You will be alerted when each chapter is redone.

[Friday, 8:01 p.m.]

"I'm thirsy, be back in an hour or so," I say quickly, alerting the lads to my departure, before bolting out of the house and racing towards the first thing I smell, besides my Maya.

"My Maya," I whisper to myself, liking the feeling of it rolling on my tongue. My tongue darts out to wet my lips, as if tasting the remnants of the sweet words that fell from them, the rapid sound of my ever-slowing footsteps reverberating off the trees of the deep forest. Does Maya like the outdoors? I think absentmindedly.

I stop the instant I hear a scatter of hoofed steps through the underbrush, sheathing myself with the invisibility I possess, sneaking up to the game, which I identify as a female moose. The cover of night would probably suffice, but I feel that my ability just makes it easier.

My body pounces, forgetting itself and letting it's rabid vampire senses take over, blocking out the dying cries of the cow as I sink my elongated set of fangs into it's thick-furred, meaty jugular. Sloshing and fleshy gurgles succeed the howls, becoming the only sound for miles as the forest falls silent, as if mourning the death of the female moose. Finally my prey is drained, so I stand and wipe the red smear from my lips.

And then an idea pops into my still-invisible head. I turn and, silently, dart back to the house, vaulting effortlessly to the fourth-floor window. From there, I peer in and grin at the sight of my sleeping Maya.

Ever so carefully, I lift open the window, erasing the only barrier between us and slinking in to lay beside her on the white-sheeted mattress. I securely wrap my arms around her and close my eyes, drifting to sleep.


[Saturday, 12:17 a.m.]

I awake to voices downstairs, holding back a grumble as I lift myself from my position with Maya, who thankfully didn't wake up during the time I was dozing. Night is still upon us, thank fucking god. I don't know what she'd do if she found me laying with her.

"I wonder where's Harry?" Niall says. Why can't he hear my thoughts?

I run my slender digits trough my annoyingly tangled curls, looking down at my feet. I stifle a loud yelp as I realize I'm staring at thin air.

So that's why Niall couldn't detect me. I was still under the impression of my power.

When I use invisibility, it's almost like I'm hiding. Think as if you're on a battlefield, and you hold a shield in front of yourself. Your form is hidden until you remove the protective measure, and you're blocked from any attacks. In my case, from people or things sniffing me out or hearing my thoughts. But, when you're behind the shield, you can still reach out and attack, affect the world beyond the steel guardian. And the people on the other side can still hear sounds you make.

That's my theory towards invisibility. The few others I've met with the same "gift," as some would call it, agree with my explanation. Yes, it's messed-up, but that's the easiest way to describe the way it works.

"Hey, is that a draft?"

"Is a window open or something?"

"What if Maya..."

"Shit," I recognize this voice as Liam. I can hear him start up the steps.

Liam, you fucker. You know she's mine.

"Hurry."

Footsteps thunder up the flights and I panic, clambering out the open window and narrowing the opening slightly, before jumping down and bolting off into the forest for another stress-relieving meal.

[Saturday, 2:54 a.m.]

After my third kill tonight, I decide I should head back. Feet flying, I stop at the front door.

Fourteen miles, I think to myself, clicking open the door quickly and zooming to my dark bedroom.

Flomp.

The bed springs bounce and creak a bit as I adjust my position on the covers. I'm so exhausted. The rush from my hunt has subsided so now I am left with the exhaustion and need for rest. I try flipping on the black flat screen in my various shades of red, white, grey and black bedroom, putting it on the sports channel. My attempt at dozing off is interrupted when it goes to a special bulletin, one I recognize as for a missing person.

"Seventeen-year-old Maya Estelle Muncey was found missing after leaving work Thursday night around nine o'clock. Tasha Danke reporting from Calgary with further news." The television switches from a shot of a balding man to that of a blonde wearing way too much makeup.

"Thanks, Shay." She's standing on the street by wherever that shit-dump Maya was working in, Damon's I think, and I can tell it's the 6:00 news from earlier today replaying from Global Edmonton. She holds up her microphone and says, "This evening I'm with Maya's mother and forensic anthropologist Dr. Meghan Brenda Muncey and Maya's co-worker, Keaton Bennet. What were you saying?" The woman lifts the mic. to in between the two.

"I-I...," the guy sniffs. "I asked if she could close up for me. Like Maya always did if I asked, she did. I left a few minutes early but a guy came in after Diablo's was supposed to be closed, a few seconds after I left." The interviewer nodded encouragingly. "I think he took her."

And then the older woman, Ms. Muncey, speaks up. "A man wouldn't take my Maya unless he planned on killing her. It's how many of the cases I solve turn out. Rape, then murder. Sadly, I doubt she is even alive anymore." Each word she says sickens me to the stomach and I hold back a gag at the expressionless look on the woman's face, and the disgust plain on Keaton's.

A rough drawing of someone familiar appears in the corner and I choke. It's me, pretty much. But the lips have something off, and my forehead's too big. Not to mention my eye colour is all wrong.

What the fuck am I doing?

An older photograph, probably from a few months ago, appears next to the sketch of me. Her name is written underneath, while under mine the only words are "suspected perpetrator."

"If you have any information on this girl, please call crime stop-"

The remote is thrown across the room by my tiny bit of telekinesis and I hit the power button on the T.V. with my power as well.

Groaning, I turn over and attempt to sleep.

The blood won't process into extra strength for an hour or so. And I need to make sure I'm fast asleep and away from Maya, because it sometimes brings rage as well.

It's good this only happens after hunting....

I toss, turn, flip, and fall off the bed multiple times before finally becoming frustrated enough to lope upstairs to yet again join Maya. On the way up I discover that all the lads are asleep, though Liam is a light sleeper and his snores are almost non-existent, the soft breathing resounding from each of their doors are tell-tale signs of their slumber.

A flash of bare skin and sweats is the only evidence of me as I bolt up the last few stairs and tiptoe to her room, trying desperately for her to not wake up. I know the anger and instinct are preparing to kick in soon, and I don't want to be awake and around her when that happens.

I creak the door open, cursing to myself when the spare kitchen light streams into her bedroom, causing sweet Maya to stir.

"Wha, huh?" she mumbles adorably, blocking her face from the brightness.

"Aw, shh, honey. I didn't mean to wake you," I whisper lovingly, although she doesn't seem to get it.

"Harry, what are you doing in here?" Maya complains, yawning. I move through the door and shut it soundlessly behind me, flashing to the bed and sitting on the opposite end as her, forcing the planes of her face which I now realize closely resemble her mother's to be hidden from view.

"I need to be with you," I admit softly, just itching to caress her.

"No, you don't," she grumbles lowly, obviously grumpy that I interrupted her sleep. I settle the rest on the way on the bed and shuffle myself under the covers. My bare chest is pressed lightly against her back, and my slightly tattooed bodice encircles her firmly, keeping her in place. I bury my head in her neck and kiss her there once.

"Yes, I do," I smile, almost a smirk, but not quite. I actually enjoy our bickering; she's cute when she's annoyed.

"Ugh, what time is it?" In my arms I feel her relax.

"Almost three thirty."

"Fuck, Harry!" Shit, now she's angry. I sense my cheeky, less controllable and closer to instinct side taking control and it decides to make a perverted remark.

"Shush, babe. The guys might get the wrong idea about what's going on up here."

"That's it,"she stands, grabbing the pillow we were just sharing out from under my head angrily, and Maya walks out. I attempt to use my super-speed to get out before her but almost slam directly into the now-closed door. I open it slowly.

'Tsk'ing a few times, I try to mock a little kid voice. Personally, I think I nail it, "Maya's been a bad, bad girl!" I scold.

"Harry, stop," my love's voice cracks as she looks to the floor, the pillow hanging limp from her hand. She's probably forgotten it's there.

"Babe, I'm sorry. C'mere," I coo, reaching around her and pulling her lovingly into my chest.

"Don't call me that! Get away from me!"

I let her run from my touch, and I look down at the plain hardwood floor, as I remember how I'd hurt her during dinner. A few tears fall from my face and onto the golden brown wood.

"Ba-" I pause to correct myself. "Maya, I'm... I'm so sorry that I hurt you." I pause again. "You must hate me." My voice cracks when I mumble the sentence.

She must think it's an act of pity but, in reality it isn't. I really am sorry.

I hear her soft, slow footsteps near me and I look up slightly. Maya approaches me cautiously and opens her arms, smiling lightly. I wrap my arms around her carefully, so I don't hurt her and bury my head into the crook of her neck.

Gently picking her up, I bring her to the bed. I sit down, placing Maya beside me and stroke her arms a few times, reassuringly.

"Please Maya, I need you. Don't break my heart." I feel the tears start to drop down my face.

"I won't," She says, but it almost seems like she hesitates slightly.

"I know what you're thinking, that you can't hold true." I chuckle half-heartedly.

"I..." She takes a deep breath and starts again. "I don't know if I can keep it, but I'll try, Harry. I'll try for you."

"Thank you..." I say. "I- I love you."

"Harry, I need to know you better before I say that."

"I know."

She snuggles cutely into my chest and all I can think is, this girl belongs here. In my arms. With me.

The two of us just sit there for a while, doing what I think - hope - is bonding.

"Harry, what did you mean before by, 'she's mine'?" Maya yawns and looks up at my face.

I sigh. "I- I got protective. I got protective because I have a claim on you.... I've had one since I saw you in that... dumpy... grocery store." As I plant a kiss on her nose, she blushes bright red. Chuckling, I put another kiss on the same place, causing Maya to giggle.

"So what's a claim?" I smile down at her innocence and run hand through my curly, brown locks.

"It's something that happens when a vampire finds who he's meant to be with, who'll complete him." I look into her eyes and see her shocked expression. I immediately try to fix things nervously, "It doesn't mean you have to be with me." But I want it to.

She laughs. I push back a strand of her beautiful hair, lean down and cup her chin, raising it ever so slightly to kiss her.

"Mmh," she hums into the kiss.

I wrap an arm around her waist, placing my free hand on the back of her neck and I pull her closer. I deepen the kiss, running my tongue smoothly along her lip begging for entrance, which, much to my surprise, she accepts.

I can feel the instincts rising to be in control, my only need is to make her undoubtedly mine and no one else's, to rock her, and keep her safe if need be.

Every piece of me is struggling with the other to gain presidency in my feral mind, leaving the ever-reining bit of instincts to do whatever it pleases with me, and my Maya.

I swiftly grab her hips, rocking back and forth. I faintly hear Maya gasp but, I'm not sure. I was distracted and wanting more by the second.

In my excitement, I harden and hope that Maya doesn't notice. She starts struggling and fighting against me. Surprised, I pull away. It doesn't occur to me that she must've felt me harden. I look around alertly. Why was she distressed all of the sudden?

"Babe, what's wrong? Did you see something?" I ask, wide alert, and pull Maya up with me. My eyes explore the dark corners of the room. What is she afraid of? I ask myself, tugging her into my protective front.

Maya shoves at my chest, her sharp action taking me by surprise. I let her move me away, shocked. "Harry, I didn't see anything. I'm just... not ready."

"Not ready to what, accept my claim? Well it's a little late babe, you accepted it more than a day ago when you kissed me in that alley," I spit before I can think. A tiny smirk appears on my lips. Gotcha. She gasps, taken aback by my confession.

"Harry, why didn't you tell me?" she says angrily. Does she not love me? Am I, the most powerful vampire, not good enough for her?

Anger and hurt battle in my expression until the latter wins. "So you don't love me? You don't want to try!?"

"Harry, I want to love you, and I want to try, but I can't make any kind of promises!"

She stands, and so do I, blocking her path to the door. I'm surprised our quiet shouting hasn't woken the boys. Angrily, I slam her into the wall and pin her there. So helpless.

Our faces are close, so very close, and yet so far. What I'm doing to her in this uncontrollable moment is definitely going to interrupt our bond, and this scares me. 

My beauty stares up into my eyes. Her icy blue ones show even more fear than before, and I wonder what she sees. Does she see the black consuming the green, the red consuming the black? 

My internal struggle is lost and I'm forced to watch from the inside at the damage I'm causing.

She presses herself away from my touch, and I can sense what my evil side is going to do.