Taking What's His

Chapter Fourteen

I didn't have time to sit here crying. Forcing my tears back, I bolted up from the couch and ran to the front door, violently yanking it open before peering outside. They had dragged me out the back last time, and that was where Ashton had stormed off to, so hopefully I wouldn't be caught. Not caring if I left the door open, I dashed to my car and got in, pushing down all the locks before I drove the keys into the ignition and turned it on.

My car gently came to life, and praying for once in my life, I tore out of the driveway and down the street. I caught a glimpse of Ruby and Ashton appearing out of nowhere in the driveway, but the sight of them only had me pushing my car even faster. Ragged breaths escaped me as I slammed my foot down even harder on the gas. I was pushing about a 100 MPH now, desperate to merely get away. Woodbine left behind, I pressed on, now speeding down the main road my mother had used to bring us to this cursed town, forest surrounding every side of me.

I had no doubt in my mind that they would chase me. I had no doubt that they would catch me. But just for a while--at least just for an hour, I wanted to pretend that I was safe, that I could escape. I didn't slow down; even if I pushed my car to the limit, I knew they could catch me, but it was nice to pretend. I rolled down the windows, gasping for the fresh air that flooded the car and violently whipped my hair in my face. I felt caged. Being in this small town, being surrounded by vampires, surely being hunted by a monster more fearsome than I was sure Ashton or Ruby could ever be, I felt as if I was being backed into a corner with no way of escape.

The road was empty, stretching straight on through the trees and giving me the smoothness I needed to push my car as fast as it could go. I knew if a bend came up, I wouldn't be able to stop. I would surely crash, and the thought of the freedom of death was exhilarating, yet terrifying. Letting out a great sigh, I slowly eased up on the gas, and the car slowed to a normal pace.

I laid my head back, my finger flicking on the radio and surfing idly through the channels as I drove. Why did it have to be me of all people? I'm not mean nor selfish enough to wish such a life on someone else, but why did it have to be me--out of 7 billion people, to end up with this life? It was about 4'o clock now, and as the surrounding forest's light continued to dim, I wondered what other kind of creatures were out there. Was there possibly something worse than vampires stalking this forest?

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{ Ashton's POV }

"Damn--we shouldn't have left her alone!" I ground out through clenched teeth, my fist connecting with the side of her house that we now stood by.

"There's no use in getting upset about it now. Let's just go after her and bring her back. The way she was speeding off in that car simply screams trouble if we leave her for too long." Ruby sighed, her fangs nipping at a single hair-band on her wrist as she put her hair up.

"I'll go after her--you can stay here and do something useful--like fixing up her house." I answered dryly, rotating my now throbbing wrist slowing before crossing my arms, my bloodied knuckle already healing.

"Excuse me? I'm not a maid! Why don't you stay here and clean up while I go fetch her. She doesn't even like you in the first place."

I took a threatening step towards her, my patience having already been run thing and her back-talk now helping in the slightest. "You will stay here." I ordered her with a snarl, as her creator giving her no choice in the matter. There was pure fury in her eyes, and I could feel her gaze burning into my back as I stepped around her without a care to retrieve Delilah.

'If she doesn't shove a stake through your heart soon, I will!'

I ignored her spiteful thoughts, and in a few seconds I was no longer in range to hear them at all. I moved swiftly through the forest, following Delilah's trail far from Woodbine. Her scent was being carried on the wind, and I knew that if that damn Cyril was near, he would smell her too.

I understood Delilah's fear. Even though I have forgotten most of my human life as the years have passed, I distinctly remember the raw terror I had felt when I had first met a vampire. It was natural for her to be afraid of us. I have never met anyone who hasn't been terrified when they found out what I truly was--besides Ruby of course.

That stupid girl was absolutely enthralled with me in the past, and it was her wish to become a vampire to gain immortality, and at the time, to stay by my side. Now I wish I had just left her behind. She has constantly been a thorn in my side since we had our fallout a century ago.

I was getting close. Her scent was stronger now, and I could faintly hear the sound of her car engine and radio playing. I maneuvered my way quickly through the forest, wondering how she would take it if I burst out of the trees and onto her windshield or car roof. 'Both of those would be a bad idea.' I thought with a grimace. I had to find a way to get to her and bring her back, because without a doubt, there's no possible way she'd stop just because I told her to.

I ran out on to the road, her car in my sights. Strands of her hair were attacked by the wind that whipped through her car due to the rolled down windows, and I now knew why her scent had been so prominent. I let out a small sigh of relief, glad that she was alright and had not run off the road with the way she had been speeding when she pulled out the driveway.

It seemed my relief was short lived. I had always thought that my life was cursed since I had become the monster I am now. Any happiness was always short lived for me; the world would always find someway to snuff it out. And here it was, the universe doing what it does best. I was frozen to the spot, knowing that even with my reflexes I would not reach her in time.

I could only stand and watch as she caught sight of me in her review mirror, terror flashing in her eyes and causing her to speed up her car. She was so focused on me that she did not even register the massive 18-wheeler heading straight for her, swerving over the line as it sped at a near equal speed. Her name was lodged in my throat as I rushed towards her, praying to the God I no longer held a belief in that I would not lose her too. Not her.