Blood Bank

Chapter Three-

The darkness surrounded Valeria, pouring in like a smoke machine. Her vision was clouded, and she stumbled around, blind as a bat. Up ahead, a shimmering light guided her way. A light in a dark tunnel, a heavenly, gossamer light that was going to pull her out of this dark, tenebrous abyss. She ran and ran towards it, stumbling over god knows what in the foreboding darkness. Roots, branches, rocks, whatever it was, Valeria half stumbled, half fell over them, regaining her footing when she could and continuing her pursuit towards the light.

Breathless and panting, Valeria finally reached her destination. Through the pitch black darkness, she extended her hand, about to touch the light she yearned for so much.

She touched it, grasped it, and then it blinked out of existence.

And it was pitch black again.

Then light so strong it made Valeria wish for the darkness again, flashed on, and illuminated the whole area she was in. She covered her eyes with her arm, trying to stave off the blindness. She felt creepy, slimy hands slide up her arms as she did this, touching her, caressing her. The feel was familiar; it was...

Freddie.

The rapist.

She screamed in surprise and yanked her arm away. She stood staring at what she thought of as the devil incarnate. Freddie looked at her, wild, mangy hair, malevolent, sinister eyes, pouring into her soul. His short, stout build, accompanied by his round head. Valeria gasped and ran, but he pounced on her, laughing and screaming in delight again. She screamed, louder than two super cars beaming across the moonlit road at midnight, racing against the clock.

"Valeria, it's okay, it's me, me, Nick."

Valeria woke up sweating, breathing rapidly, and terrified. She felt like a toddler who had just had his first nightmare; of monsters creeping around under the bed, ready to snag the kid for a midnight crunchy meal.

"Nick?" Her eyes shone for a bit, then the light diminished. She didn't know what to think. Does he hate her? Think it's her fault?

"Yes." He leaned in closer, holding her hand, but not quite. It was reserved, his hand barely resting atop hers.

She turned her head, looking away. She was in a hospital bed, that much was clear. White washed walls and checker tiled floors, white linen sheets and curtains drawn up on either side. To her right was a bedside table with a lamp, and evidently, flowers that Nick most likely brought; to cheer her mood, or whatever else he had up his sleeve. She hoped to god he didn't blame her. Was it her fault? The very memory brought tears to her eyes.

Oh my god, how is he coping with this? He just found out I got raped... she thought somberly.

Valeria covered her mouth with her hand in sudden realization.

"How long have I been out?" She asked, somewhat nonplussed.

Nick breathed and sighed. Light poured in from the window at the end of the room, the sun's rays turning the room into a small light show, with beams slanting through the window in a golden haze. Valeria guessed it was around eight o' clock, a perfect august evening. She only wished she could spend it at home on the porch, drinking tea and reading a good mystery novel. Perhaps eating a snack she stole from the pantry, unbeknownst to Nick.

Nick looked back at her, and his once lovely hazel eyes shone bright for a second- breathtaking and lovely... it was the last time she would ever see them like that.

Then they turned to stone, taking on a hard demeanor. "Only a day or so. Valeria...why didn't you say anything? Anything at all? I really had to find out like that?" His tone was rigid and solid, hard and to the bone.