The Vampire Who Loved Me

Chapter 25: Close encounter

A week after the meeting with Michael and Luke, the plans and building were well under way and my arm was slowly getting better. I spent most of the time resting in the cove or hunting. Damien would check on me once in a while but I was usually sleeping and he'd leave noted for me for when I woke up.

I decided to go down to the river and wash my wounds. The whole area had been sealed off from Michael and Luke so it was safe. The river was still open and had look outs to make sure nobody entered the camp that way before the final precautions were put up. I wadded out into the water, keeping some clothes on this time because of the look outs. I washed my wounds and felt refreshed upon doing so. I floated in the water for a while just relaxing.

I got out at the opposite side to look back across and check the fences. As I turned around to face the water again, something moved near me. I looked around and found nothing. I walked back towards the water.

Something or someone grabbed me, covering my mouth. It was him. "Don't scream, don't make any noise." He whispered in my ear, sending shivers through me, how could he have got through?

He released me. "Just act normal and talk to me from there because nobody can see me here."

"What do you want?" I asked staring at the water.

"You of course."

"No, I mean apart from that, what are you doing here?"

"Just came to remind you. Soon, once this arm is better, I shall come unexpectedly and take you, take them all out and find you. He'll be too busy fighting that you are alone and vulnerable, enough for you to disappear easily." Tears blended with the water streaming down my face. Damien was on the opposite side of the river watching me. I stared at him. Unable to alert him to Michael's presence for fear of our lives.

"Why do you have to do this? I am never going to love you again, or stop fighting. He will come after you and he won't stop."

"Oh, I'm counting on it. Soon enough though you'll be mine again." I shuddered.

"I hate you, you know that."

"Oh, hate is a strong word, are you sure you want to use it?" He angrily whispered whilst grabbing hold of my injured arm. I winced and felt sickened as the pain ripped through me. He laughed then let go.

"Very sure." I choked out.

"Ooh, I don't like that tone."

"Well, deal with it, I'm not changing."

"Oh you will." He ran his hand down my back and as Damien turned away momentarilyly to swim across to me, he pulled me towards him and sunk his teeth into my neck from behind. He drained only a small amount of blood from me. Laughed then fled as I collapsed to the floor.

"Lizzie? Lizzie?" Damien touched my face, worry etched across his voice. I opened my eyes and found him in front of me.

"Michael." Was all I could say, he looked around and saw Michael disappearing off, grin on face. Damien looked back to me and picking me up, walked me back across the river and sat me on the rocks. I watched him walk away and shout at the look outs. Everything seemed so slow motion and distant. I tried to concentrate but found only more disorientation and darkness. I blacked out and remembered nothing else.

A few days later...

"Lizzie?" Damien was at my side, holding my hand. The doctor was sorting my arm out and Damien held my hand as the pain hit me full force. I winced but tried to forget about the pain.

"What happened to me?"

"Well, Michael got to you somehow and I found you collapsed again. Rushed you here and you've only just come around. We've had the river sealed off and extra look outs in place." I nodded wincing again.

"What happened the the other look outs?"

"They have been dealt with."

"Damien?" I asked knowing he was holding back details.

"Well, you could have been taken or killed, they didn't do their job properly."

"Damien, we can't be fighting amungst our selves, we need all the help we can get and we need everyone even if they make a mistake like that!"

"Okay, I understand, I'm sorry."

"Good, now anyway, its going to take longer for recovery now so we need to train the troops up early, starting tomorrow when I'm there to watch."

"Lizzie..."

"No objections!" He sighed but smiled anyway, kissing my forehead.