Don't Look in the Basement

Chapter 4

Everything in the room had grown tense and quiet. Then the mystery guy stepped forward and finally spoke.

  "You need to let her go; she’s no use to you. You’re dealing with us not her. His manner was calm and collected, and he seemed like he had been through situations like this before. He was about my dad's height with honey blonde hair and light blue eyes and he didn't look much older then me. Yet, my dad was appearing to respect him as a leader and stepped back when he had started speaking.

"Well if it isn't Doctor Zedler? Oh that’s  right you prefer Henry don't you?" the vampire addressed him.

 Wait. He said doctor? The guy in front of me barely appeared to be out of high school, yet he was a doctor?

 "Please let her go." my mom spoke quietly and stepped forward clutching my dad's arm. Her eyes were wide and terrified as I'm sure were mine.

  Once again he just laughed. "I don't think she minds too much. After all she was brave enough to fight back." he rested his chin lightly on the top of my head.

 "Jacob, we’re not here to play games." Dr. Zedler stated slowly.

   "Oh I know that. You were going to kill me. So if you don't do what I tell you to, I won't have a problem killing her." the vampire-well Jacob-spoke casually as if he were discussing a business proposal and not my life. "Then again all of this has been a game. So why stop playing now? “his grip on my throat grew tighter and I ended up gasping for breath. "Just a little more pressure and her little neck is going to snap."

   "That’s enough!!!" My dad stepped forward again,his voice was frightened and enraged.

  "Not yet. In a few minutes it might be enough, but she won't be breathing then will she?” Jacob replied coldly.

   My eyes brimmed with tears as I tried to claw at his hands that were frozen in place and refused to budge. I didn't want to die like this. I hated the suffocating feeling as I was deprived of oxygen, while my lungs burned.

   "Stop please!!" I heard my mom scream in the background as my vision started to go black.

     "Jacob if you stop this now we can make a deal." Dr. Zedler spoke.

   Some of the pressure eased and I was able to get some air, as my vision started to return to me.

   "Deal? What could anything you humans offer to me, have value?" Jacob scoffed.

    "If, and only if, you let her go right now, I can offer you protection. Protection from the others like us who are hunting you right now." Dr. Zedler offered.

 "Only protection? Most of the time I can take care of myself. Maybe every other century or so, I have a few slip ups such as this, but I honestly thought you could come up with something better then that." he started to smooth my hair and I cringed, too afraid to try to move. "You know out of everything I could possibly want right now, all I would want is just another taste of this" he gestured down to me, his words making me feel ill and unclean, "and she tastes amazing."

   The next thing I knew my dad was running forward, with a cry of anger. He suddenly flew backwards and hit the wall by the counter, before slumping to the ground. Dr. Zedler started to run to where my dad was, but soon he flew backwards as well, and fell somewhere in the living room with a loud crash. My mom managed to make it to my dad and was kneeling by him on the ground, where he lay knocked out cold. The whole time I was pulling, kicking and punching, doing everything I could to get free.

 "You know on second thought, I think you might be useful alive still," Jacob spoke thoughtfully, and the next thing I knew I was being pulled towards the back door.

  I screamed and kicked, but effortlessly he dragged me closer to the door. I looked to my mom for help, and she only stared back at me with horrified, sad eyes. She wasn't going to do anything. I knew that if she tried, something worse could happen and she could end up lying unconscious on the floor like my dad and possibly Dr. Zedler, or even worse she could be killed. Her kneeling there helpless on the floor, was my last glimpse of her before I was pulled out into the chilly night air.

   My bare feet touched snow that had recently fallen maybe an hour or so ago. Instantly I was chilled to the bone as the harsh wind tore through my thin clothing. It couldn't have been more than 25 degrees outside, and it didn't help much that thick, white snowflakes were falling in torrents from the cloudy sky. Of course any of it didn't affect the monster who was dragging me through the blizzard in a direction I didn't recognize until I saw the tall pine trees. It was a small forest, if one could even call it that, that was located on my parent's property. It was supposed to lead to many of the hiking trails that were around the outskirts of town, but I had never ventured any of them. So any chance of knowing certain trails that could help me escape this mess was certainly out of the question.

  I tried dragging my feet to slow him down, but it was useless and the only thing it accomplished was making my feet colder than they already were. Screaming wouldn't do any good. The nearest neighbor was a mile away, which was one of the drawbacks of living outside of town.

   "Where are you taking me?" I managed to demand in a shaky voice.

   He didn't reply and just smiled in an eerie way.

  I plunged my feet deeper into the snow and managed to hold some ground which temporarily caused him to come to a halt.

   "Where are you taking me?" I said again.

  "Wouldn't you like to know?" He replied sarcastically, rolling his eyes.

  He started tugging on my arm again, but I refused to budge. I knew if he wanted to he could probably pull my arm out of my socket or even tear it off, but I was going to see how far I could go.

    "I'm not in the mood to play games." He growled baring his teeth and for a second I was reminded of a dangerous predatory animal about to attack. Roughly he yanked on my arm, causing my feet to slip out from in front of me. I fell backwards into the snow. For a few seconds I was immersed in the cold, damp, powder-like substance. But I was quickly pulled back to my feet. My pajama top by now, was entirely drenched and clung to my skin tightly causing my teeth to chatter. I knew if I was out here much longer, I wouldn't survive due to the cold and harsh winds. Yet he stood unaffected in a T-shirt that was nearing rags and jeans that didn't look much better.

     He sighed for a moment, whether out of annoyance or frustration, I didn't know, but then he grabbed my hand and started pulling me after him again. Defeated I followed him. If I tried to pull my hand away, he would squeeze it, until I thought all the bones would be crushed. If I tried to kick him, he would stop and threaten to break my legs if I didn't quit. If I started to scream for help, he would just laugh because he knew, like I knew, that no one could hear me. Fourteen minutes had maybe passed, until my voice went hoarse, then all together silent. We were somewhere in the middle of the small forest, going where I didn't know. Maybe he was just going to keep walking until I fell down dead, which was exactly what I felt like doing.

   By now, I was no longer freezing, and felt almost entirely numb. My legs felt like heavy bricks, and my eyes felt like lead. I was exhausted. I knew if I fell asleep though, there was a chance I might not wake up. I wondered if I had developed frostbite yet,or maybe I was already in the late stages of hypothermia. Whatever the case, I knew that in another minute or so, I would be unconscious. My last thoughts were small prayers.

       One was that my dad and my mom would be okay without me. Another was for Dr. Zedler in the hopes that he was unhurt. I didn't know him until night, but he still had tried to help save me and for that I was grateful. My last one was one for my friends and other family. I smiled briefly, and did indeed wonder if this was the last time I would be around on this earth. Either way, before any other last thoughts or prayers could come to mind, my eyes finally closed and stayed shut, due to the snowflakes that clung to them, helping them seal like glue. I felt my legs buckle forward, along with the rest of my body, and I anticipated the fall to the ground. Except, strong arms encircled me and I was caught. After that I knew no more.

  Sorry I haven't been able to update in awhile. I've had alot of schoolwork and other things that needed to get done. I'll try to update again whenever I can! But once again thanks to everyone who has read it and commented ,and I hope you enjoy this chapter!!! :)