Fang Ranch

Someone Wicked

I don't remember falling asleep but I'm floating above my body and Time stands there. I swallow, scared for my life.

"Are you going to kill me?" He shakes his head. "Okay, then why are you here since I'm no longer a vampire or dead?" He looks over at Maria and Kyle, Kyle's asleep on her shoulder...She looks happy by it.

"Tell Maria that I still feel the same," There's tears in his eyes. "I will always feel the same...That's why I'm like this anyway," He blinks them away. "Also, the prophecy is that a couple brought together by vampires must die...You know who will sacrifice themselves without blinking." I look at Jade and Dante who are singing together.

"In another life, I would've chosen Damien, right?" Time looks down. "Are you saying if there was never any vampires, I would've chosen Angel?" I wake up as Angel sits beside me.

"Winter, would you punch me?" I don't answer, the unanswered question still bouncing around my mind. "Are you okay?" I shake my head, swallowing.

"Can you get Jade and Mad for me?" She nods and gets up. In another life, I would've chosen Angel? Would I have chosen her if I never turned? Jade and Mad sit beside me. "Do you two ever wonder what would've happened if the vampires never existed, would you have chosen to love someone else?" They both nod and Jade sighs.

"I've never told Kyle this but I was thinking about asking him out when the vampires attacked," She smiles sadly. "I would've chosen him if the vampires never attacked." Mad shrugs.

"I would always choose Alec, no matter what," She frowns at me. "Why are you asking these questions?" I look down at my paralysed legs.

"Time told me about the prophecy and when I asked him if I would've chosen Damien," I close my eyes. "He didn't answer and when I asked if I would've chosen Angel, he didn't get a chance to answer...What would've happened if I had an actual choice instead of oh, one of them thinks I'm a monster, I need to be with the other one?" Mad squeezes my hand while Jade looks at Dante who fell asleep.

"What's the prophecy?" Knowing that Jade will sacrifice herself to save the rest of us keeps me silent. "Winter, please. I need to know what the hell that prophecy is...I'm worried I'll lose Dante and my family," I frown at her. "My friends," She gestures around. "They're my family, we may be broken and have a lot of baggage but we'd take a bullet for each other without hesitation." The intercom crackles then there's just a woman breathing.

"A couple brought together by vampires must die...Time is getting naive now, telling a girl still in love with two people that she would've chosen differently," Dante swallows and Maria looks like she's been slapped. "Then again, he still loves Maria...Forever and always. See you at the beach, chosen ones." It goes off and Kyle frowns at Maria.

"How is Time in love with you?" She gives him a look. "You know what I mean, how does someone who is actual time able to fall in love with you?" Maria looks down.

"Because he was not always Time," She looks at a vampire that I think helped Mad. "He was my betrothed at one point," She takes Kyle's hand. "I never loved him but I think I am falling for you, Kyle." He kisses her and Jade grins at Dante.

"I win," The rest of us laugh until her grin disappears. "So, a couple brought together by vampires must die?" Dante looks down.

"I did not want to tell you until I had to," She snorts. "Jade, it might not even happen...It is only valid as long as all the prophesied is alive," He blinks. "Maybe since Winter died-" He suddenly starts coughing and his eyes rolled into the back of his head. "Not even death can halt the great prophecy." He collapses in his chair and Jade runs to him. Mad's boyfriend Alec clears his throat.

"I've got everyone's guns," He pulls out my shotgun out of a bag. "Whose is this?" I put my hand up and he passes it over. "What about the one that says Kyle's name on it?" Damien puts his hand up and he catches it, winking at me. I wink back even though I would've chosen differently. Alec keeps passing everyone their guns and I look down as I remember that Hercules is gone. I've lost the only dad I remember, the mom I just found, my home, my bike and Angel...I may have gotten my kiss but she actually killed me and I don't know if I can forgive her. Mad goes back to Alec and Damien sits down beside me with a smile.

"Hey," He kisses me but I don't kiss back. "Winter, what's wrong? Everything okay in that head of yours?" I look out the window.

"Damien, we need to talk," I hear him slam his head against the chair. "Time implied that in another life, I would've chosen Angel," I watch the land below us. "Damien, I think I would've chosen Angel if given the choice...I'm sorry, I think I was using you." Damien kisses my head.

"When you're sure about what you want, I'll be here," I look at him and see the tears in his eyes. "I'll always be here, Winter. I'll wait forever if that's what it'll take." He leaves me and Kyle sits beside me.

"It's okay, Winter," He pulls me against him. "You've done the right thing," He puts his cheek on my head. "Remember my nickname?" I snort. "Shut up, Snowy," He pulls away. "Will you be okay?" I nod, lying but Kyle believes me and I'm alone again. I look at Baby and load her even though I won't be firing anytime soon. I pump her and think about the voice on the intercom. I fall asleep again and I'm back in the barn with someone in a hood.

"Hello Winter," She lowers her head to reveal my mom. "I look like whoever would make you listen to me," She smiles. "I need your help with something," She touches my arm and I feel my will leave me like I'm sitting in the backseat of a car. "Make sure a prophesied dies and I'll give you what you desire the most." I wake up again and smile. Game on, prophesied.