The Demon Complex

Chapter 1 - Charlie/Lindsey

Charlie

It was dark when I came to, really dark. I hurt all over and I could feel my clothes sticking to my body. I could feel my arms aching but when I tried to move them I found that I couldn't, they were bound above me and my toes only just reached the ground. My mind was fuzzy and I couldn't remember exactly what had happened or how long I'd been here but it more than likely involved some stupid smartass comment on my part. I'm guessing that that didn't go down too well with whatever monster we were hunting this time. I tried to yell for help hut nothing came out, my throat was hoarse from lack of water and I could feel that I wasn't going to be able to hold myself up for much longer. I could feel my eyes welling up; I was so stupid to let myself get taken. I knew that the boys would be out looking for me right now, risking themselves to find me and although I wouldn't admit it to anybody, I was scared. What if something happened to them? Or what if they couldn't find me? More than anything I hated feeling helpless or dependant on somebody else but in this situation I couldn't really help but feel both. An involuntary sob racked my body and I could feel my eyes welling up but I quickly tried to hide it as I heard muffled footsteps coming towards where I was.

"Jamie? Gregor?" I managed to call out. There was a pounding of metal on metal before a door swung open letting light flood into the room. It took a while for my eyes to adjust to the brightness but when they did, I saw that I was in a small room, more like a box really. I blinked hard a few times to get used to the light and saw that the person standing before me wasn't Gregor or Jamie. He had red hair and dark green eyes, a small cut above his eyebrow and he looked as shocked to see me as I was to see him.

"Well help me then." I croaked at him. His eyes were locked on mine as he nodded and then approached me. All of a sudden I hear pounding footsteps coming towards us and the boy looked panicked, but just a second later two bodies I recognise come barrelling into the room.

"Charlie!" Thank god you're okay!" It was Gregor, Jamie with him. Jamie rushed towards me, not wasting a moment and pulled out a knife to cut my hands free. I collapsed to the floor but he caught me before I could hit it. I landed in his arms and I could feel my eyelids drooping as he lowered me to the ground, placing my head on his knees.

"Gregor she needs water. Now!" He shouted. I felt his hand gently stroking my hair.

"It hurts Jamie... It hurts so much" I said to him, nothing more than a whisper.

"Shh, it's okay, it's going to be okay." He said. I saw Gregor fumbling around in his rucksack for a bottle of water but before he could, the red haired boy was handing him one. Jamie nodded in thanks before quickly uncapped it and pressed it to my lips. I gulped it down hungrily, until there was nothing left. I closed my eyes and breathed in Jamie's familiar scent.

"Who are you?" Gregor said, presumably to the red haired boy.

"And what were you doing here with Charlie?"

The next voice I heard was unexpected, Scottish maybe. "I'm Lindsey, I was hunting the thing - a wendigo - that took her and I found her in here."

"Why didn't you help her as soon as you found her then?" Gregor said, and edge to his voice.

"I-"

"What's wrong? You're going red." Jamie said.

"Um- "

"Jamie... look" Gregor cut him off, I opened my eyes to see what it was and he was looking down at my stomach. I felt Jamie reach down and lift up my shirt. "Shit, we have to get her out of here. Stay awake Charlie, okay? Just stay awake."

"What is it?" I asked, reaching up and slipping my hand into Jamie's, he squeezed gently as he spoke.

"You're bleeding Charlie... But it'll be okay don't worry."