Blood Loss

Isabella

Isabella walked up to the cabin casually. To act suspicious wouldn't be wise right now. She thought about what might happen to Joel if they didn't get their dad back. She really did care for him, but she knew that her actions had been impulsive and decisively wrong for both her and Joel.

Opening the door she smiled calmly and closed the door behind her. Taking a deep breath she walked towards Anna and Joels father sitting bent over on a chair by the fire. He was tied to the chair with everything possible. His mouth was clear though. She guessed they'd taken tape off since he was unconscious. None of her other work mates were on this level. What Anna and Joel didn't realise was that this cabin was actually bigger than it looked. Three floors made up this quarters. She was surprised their dad, Arthur she believed his name was, wasn't downstairs where they could check on him. But then, he was tied up and maybe they gathered he wouldn't be escaping anytime soon. Ron and Perry, the men in charge of his capture, really need to be more careful. It's not to say she was against them exactly, but she did want to help Joel. To help her conscience if nothing else.

The weather was actually turning cold in the evenings now. Usually Isabella, like most vampires, didn't feel the cold, but she supposed it was her nerves knocking down all her defences that was making the feeling worse.

She checked the hatch for any signs of life when she heard a small moan coming from behind her. She turned quickly, ready for attack if necessary.

“Hummmphh” Arthur was trying to say something but clearly he was too out of it to pronounce properly.

She closed the hatch and and went over to kneel infront of arthur. He still had his head down. When she lifted it up carefully, she could see how much they had been abusing him.

Clear dark bruises were now showing in lumps and scars all over his cheeks and forehead. Both of his eyes were swollen and his lips were starting to swell aswell. She couldn't believe he would give in so easily, but then, if he thought he was innocent, then maybe he thought they'd get revenge some way.

She knew making any noise would attract attention from downstairs. She whispered to arthur.

“Your son and daughter are outside waiting to get you. Dont make any sudden noises, not that you could.” she felt bad for him all of a sudden. “I'll be right back” She let his head drop back down and quietly left the cabin.

Walking back to the tree where Joel, Anna and their friend were hiding, she thought about her life after all this is done. Would she get in trouble. Actually, there was no doubt about that. They would torture her. She shivered at the thought and soon caught up to them to tell them of the situation./

“Hey, so your dad is tied up. He looks pretty bad but there's no one else in the room with him.” They nodded.

“He's alive though?” Anna questioned. She already looked tired. Isabella didn't suppose either of them had fed in the last 48 hours. Joel certainly not. She thought they were running on enthusiasm alone. Isabella looked at their friend, Sophie.

“You, I need a word.” She motioned for her to follow. They stopped about ten feet away.

Sophie was looking more nervous than she had on their trip to the cabin. Wasn't surprising really.

“I need to ask a favour off of you. It's for Anna and Joel. It's pretty big.”

“What is it? I'll do anything.” She seemed genuine. Only time would tell though.

“I need you to -” She whispered the rest in her ear. “- let them take some blood off you.”

She gasped and suddenly Joel and Anna were upon them.

“What are you doing to her?” Joel whispered frantically.

Isabella cursed quietly. She didn't mean for Sophie to be so shocked. Surely she didn't expect her to come along and not be needed.

Sophie, all shocked and eyes wide, suddenly nodded. Anna looked at her worried.

“What are you nodding for?”

“Alright, I'll do it. Anything for them.” Sophie said confidently.

Isabella thought she was being very courageous given the circumstances. Quickly she told Anna to bite Sophie on the wrist.

“No! No! I won't. I can't!” Anna exclaimed, astonished at the request. Her eyes were saying one thing while her mouth said another. It was in retrospect, natural.

“You must. You won't survive a minute in there if it comes to a fight. Neither will Joel.” She turned to Joel. He looked sick at the thought.

“Joel.. you have to.” He shook his head manically and turned away.

She put a hand on his shoulder. As he turned around, their eyes met. She didn't realise how it happened, but suddenly the world stopped. Sounds really cheesy, she knew it couldn't happen. Anna coughed quietly and then she was back in the forest with a mission even she knew wouldn't go to plan. No matter how much she wanted it to.

Anna took a deep breath and as Sophie lifted her wrist, she bit gently. Isabella coughed quietly.

“A bit harder. You're never going to get anything by being gentle.”

She knew Anna had done it right when Sophie gasped in pain. Soon the pain would fade and be replaced by a relaxant. That's what their venom did.

After a minute, Anna lifted her head away from Sophies wrist. She looked to Joel, who was covering his mouth in disgust.

“Come on. You managed alright when you fed off me.”

He looked sorry for a moment before doing the same as Anna did.

Lifting her wrist to his mouth, he bit and begun to drink. By now Sophie was starting to waver on the pale side and after another minute Isabella motioned for him to stop.

She passed Sophie a bottle of water from her backpack.

“Here. Take some. You're going to need it. Now we don't want you involved in anything unless we call for it.” she looked intently at Sophie, trying to convey the message across. “You understand?”

Sophie nodded warily and blinked away the haziness that was causing her to sway.

Anna caught her quickly before she fainted.

“We have to get her to a safe place. If anyone finds her here, she'll be...” Anna couldn't bare to finish the sentence. Joel seemed to agree with her as they half carried her behind a tree a further thirty feet away from their original tree. The night was still. Only the moon could be seen through the trees as it made a halo of light over the surrounding forest.

Lowering her to the ground, resting her head against the tree. Isabella told Joel to stay with her.

“Look, if it gets serious, you will know and then if Sophie is better,” She pointed to the water she had given Sophie, “which should be soon given what's in that stuff, then you can help.”

Joel didn't protest, but he didn't take too kindly to being left behind when it was also his dad inside. She tried to portray a sympathetic face.

Anna strode up beside her.

“Okay so let's go.”

Leaving Joel in the the shadows, they marched along to the cabin with only the night sky to guide them.

Author's Note

i hope you like :D