The Midnight Within

Chapter 48

In all his long years Black had made few mistakes, one of them being his decision to ride with the James gang. It had been a choice that had changed his life forever, and now he was faced with another choice - Tear Broken apart or remain calm and show no fear. He chose the later, fighting through the pain as he rose up off the floor, spitting blood and teeth. There was no doubt that he was pissed and punishment would be meted out later. For now he needed to concentrate on healing.

" She's mine." Broken stood over Kate's unmoving body, the sledge still clutched in one hand.

" Yes, she's all yours. " Black raised his hands, backing away, just in case Broken was going to start swinging again.

" Hungry. " Daniel spoke from the darkness. " I want to hunt now. "

Both men turned to stare at Daniel who was holding himself up with one arm braced against the wall. His hungry eyes were on Kate. He must have smelled freshly shed blood.

" Mine. " Broken dropped his weapon and scooped her up. She moaned but did not wake.

To diffuse the situation Black stepped towards Daniel, holding out his arm for the newly made vampire to drink from. He needed to feed himself to heal faster but Daniel was more important and he didn't wait. He sank his fangs into Black's wrist. Clutching it as he fed.

" Better? " Black asked when Daniel let him go, "

" Much, what happened? "

" Nothing you need to know. " He watched Broken carry Kate out the door wondering what he was going to do with her. " Come on, I have a surprise for you. "

" You do? " Daniel looked excited as Black slid an arm around his waist. He seemed to be adapting much better than most. Perhaps he had always been destined to be immortal. Some took to the life easily while others spiraled out of control, never making it past the change.

" I do, but it's not here it's in the barn. " Pulling away from Daniel, Black walked to the door where Shatter was pacing on the front steps.

" Look who decided to join us. " Black looked for Broken and saw only empty shadows. He would have tried to touch minds with him but Broken was focused on one thing and it wasn't the party. They would have to let him be for now.

" You look like shit. " Shatter grabbed Daniel by the neck and pushed him down the stairs.

Daniel went sprawling into the dirt, still a little disoriented by all the new sounds and smells. When he stood up he was punched hard and forced to stumble back. Shatter came at him and Daniel was more ready this time, staying on his feet until the ground under him was gone and went falling into a hole that Shatter had dug. Spitting blood he tried to shake the fog from his brain and realized that there was an open wooden box under his back. Laughing Shatter closed the lid and he could hear the sounds of dirt hitting the top of the lid.

" I won't miss you. " Shatter's laugh was muffled.

Daniel tried not to panic, wondering why Black had not stepped in and knew that this was pretty much a test to see what he would do. He knew some Vampires were buried even before the full change. He had a few choices. He could wait for them to stop or he could panic and bust out before they could finish. He chose to freak out and shoved at the lid of the wooden box, it

moved, but barely. He was still weak and for a moment thought he would not be able to do it. Closing his eyes he fixed on the image of Broken carrying Kate out the door and used what strength he had left to punch a hole into the lid. Kicking and punching he was able to break it enough to get out.

Sitting up from the box Daniel began to swear as he got to his feet. He pulled himself out of the hole looking to continue the fight only to find Black and Shatter gone. Shaking the dirt from his cloths he grabbed the shovel and snapped it over his knee before collapsing onto the wet ground once more.

Black stood scowling at Daniel and cursed himself for wanting to go to him. Shatter had been kind to him by not filling in the hole yet he felt they had been harsh to do that to him. Daniel was no different than any other vampire that Black had embraced, he was surprised he had lasted this long as most of them never made it up out of the ground.

Shatter held out a bottle to him, grinning like mad. " Come party."

He took the offered bottle and drank it down. If Daniel didn't find them later on then he would come back and end it for good. Weakness was not something he enjoyed and something the twins didn't tolerate. Speaking of.....He lifted his head to try and fix on Broken and caught a glimpse of the haunted house. So he had not gone far then. Handing the bottle back, he turned, dissolving into shadow.

Pain, pain inside her head and in his back. Smothering darkness and for a moment she saw blurry ground, rocks and pumpkins before the welcoming darkness returned. She dreamed of a baby crying, could hear the baby but not see it. They were taking the baby away and it was crying. Her baby was crying and they wouldn't bring it back.

~ NO leave my baby alone. Give it to me, please. ~

Kate awoke with a start, her eyes snapping open to find herself face to face with her brother. He looked so different yet exactly the same. His cold hands stroked her face and hair. She fought to hold her scream in and lay still. Were they still in the trailer or someplace else? From above them she heard spooky sounds and pounding feet, dust trickling down from the cracks in the floor. There was a lit lantern hanging on a beam and what looked like a bunch of old crates, all with some kind of company name on them.

" They won't steal you again. I won't let them. " Leland or Broken as he was going by was gripping her hand tightly. Would he hurt her if he got mad enough? He had before and that was when they were young.

" I won't leave. I promise. " It was hard for her to talk and even harder to get her bearings. Like Mia, Kate stayed away from scary movies and haunted attractions. Her life at the orphanage had been horror enough.

" You won't? You stay mine. " He bent his head to kiss her and she shuddered. He smelled bad and his lips were icy. Shuddering she tried not to move and felt him shift. His grip was tighter. " You love him. You love that moldy puppy. " She heard the anger and tamped down her fear.

" No. I love you. "

" Liar. " He growled, pulling her head back to expose her throat. " Always a lie. "

Broken reached above her head and pulled down a length of rope. He lifted his head to listen before grinning down at her pale face. " You stay and then we can go away. " He quickly tied her arms over her head, securing her to the post before getting up.

" Please don't take the light. " She was almost in tears as he grabbed the lantern.

" Hush hush baby, sleep now. " He walked to the stairs that led up from the cellar with the lantern in hand, leaving her crying and alone in the suffocating darkness.