Fatal Attractions : The Masquerade

Chapter Nine

     Chloe slept peacefully through the night. I couldn't. I was tossing and turning constantly, simultaneously trying not to wake her.

     "You need to sleep," Alex's voice rang out in the darkness. He'd been sitting in a chair in the corner of the room the entire night, keeping a watchful eye on Chloe and I. I had let him carry up to bed, and he didn't want to leave the room after that.

     "I can't," I said. "I've got too much on my mind."

     "I can imagine. But you won't get much done tomorrow if you're half asleep the entire time." I fluffed up my pillow for the millionth time and laid my head down.

     "I just can't believe this is all happening. I mean, things were going so great-"

     "Who says they still aren't?" Alex interjected. "So we're now protecting a kidnapped child. It's not like we're not used to drama."

     "But this is different, Alex. Before, it was my life in danger. I can take care of myself, but this is a child. She's three, for Christ's sake. Why would anyone want to take her away from her family?" I asked, trying my best to keep my voice hushed.

     "We'll try our best to figure all that out tomorrow. Just please, get to sleep," he said. I let out a slow exhale and closed my eyes.

     "I'll try," I breathed.

     "Good," Alex whispered. He stood from the chair and approached my side of the bed, leaning down and planting a soft kiss on my forehead. He then quietly walked out of the room.

     I was left in silence with just the sound of mine and Chloe's shallow breathing. After what felt like a lifetime, I finally fell asleep.

                                                            * * *

     It was madness. Pure chaos. Everyone was running around, screaming their heads off. Where's Chloe! Where is she! I yelled over and over, but he only responded with a quiet smile. Someone ran past me and knocked me into him. I pulled myself away from Jack, my hands suddenly feeling sticky. I looked down and saw they were covered in red. Covered in blood. I looked up; Jack was covered in blood, too. Oh my God, I choked out. What did you do to her! He flashed a bloody fang and began laughing like a maniac, his eyes red and wild. All my thoughts were drowned out by the sound of his chaotic laughter.

     "No!" I screamed, jolting forward. My brow was covered in sweat and I felt like I was going to be sick.

     "It was only a nightmare," I whispered to myself. "Just a nightmare." I turned to Chloe, but she was gone. I felt my stomach drop like a brick.

     "Alex!" I screamed. "Alex!" Within moments he was bursting through the door.

     "What, what's wrong?" he asked, coming over to me.

     "Where is she?" I asked, my throat dry. I felt like I was going to vomit. Alex's expression changed from one of worry to one of understanding.

     "Lena, calm down. Sam went to get her some clothes, Grace is watching her in the living room." I hadn't realized I was holding my breath until I heard what he said and let out a burst of air.

     "Oh my God," I breathed, placing my hand over my rapidly beating heart. "You couldn't have told me you were taking her out of the room? I had a nightmare." I dragged the back of my hand across my forehead and wiped the moisture off on my pajama bottoms.

     "I'm sorry. I didn't want to wake you. What was your nightmare about?" he asked. I bit my lip hard and looked away, then back into his eyes.