Shed some Light

by Amber Naralim

  She was throwing herself at him hard. The problem was she was bouncing. Unfortunately, her winning personality wasn't. Edward kept wishing she would simply stop talking. He wanted a distraction from all his problems. Her body could definitely suffice. He just did not feel listening to her talk was worth it.

  Happily, Sandra was too absorbed in herself to notice his vague answers to her personal questions. Edward avoided most of them, giving up only his first name. Everything else needed an explanation that he just wasn't willing to give. He deflected everything rather easily by turning her questions back on her. She was perfectly willing to let him do it. More than comfortable to tell him everything about herself, he just wasn't interested in what she had to say.

  Edward suffered through another drink before he could take it no more. He threw back what was left in his glass and slammed it down onto the bar. His lips tensed. Tired of playing her game, he heaved a heavy sigh. Edward turned to her, letting his head fall on one side. “Are you drunk enough to take me home yet?” he asked point blank. His voice sounded annoyed to him. She didn't notice.

  “Well, honey, if you wanted to see me naked, all you had to do was ask,” Sandra told him with a laugh that sent an uncomfortable shiver down his spine. Edward fought hard against his revulsion and followed her out to her car, a permanent sneer on his mouth. Thankfully, the ride back to her place was a short trip.

  Sandra pulled her newer SUV into the driveway of a large house cut up into several tiny one-bedroom apartments, less than five minutes from the bar. It was late. There wasn't another house on her block with its lights on. Edward slipped out of the passenger side and was content looking out at the small houses that lined the quiet street. Most of them were Victorian, older in their construction than her place. With its vinyl siding, and simple covered front porch.

  Her heels clicked on the pavement. Her sidewalk and the narrow path to her steps shoveled recently. Edward shut the door of her car. The sound echoed down the deserted street. Edward turned to see her standing there. She looked at him, drinking him in. Compared to her glittering garb he felt underdressed. In nothing but a pair of comfortable jeans and a forest green button-down shirt, the top two buttons left open.

  Sandra gave him a wicked grin and jerked her head to the farthest of three doors. Edward forced a smile to his lips and let her take his hand. She pulled him down the porch. Turning the key in the lock, Sandra gave the knob a twist and the door swung open wide. She flipped the light on and turned toward him. Taking a few backward steps, she led him further into the apartment. Edward made sure to bat the door closed.

  The living room was small. The bright red couch was too big for the space. She pulled away from him, skipping further into the room. Sandra bent down, Edward noticed at the perfect angle to show off her ass. Sandra opened a cabinet that had built in open shelves above it. He looked at her knickknacks and photo frames. Edward felt dizzy, distracted. She hit a button and loud music came blaring out of hidden speakers.

  Not his particular style, the song had a heavy beat, fast and very pop. She moved her hips to the beat, her body flowing smoothly to the sound. In her element, Sandra was fascinating. She had a grace that was pure heat and extremely sexy. Quiet, at last, her body had Edward spellbound once again. She demanded his attention. He was drawn to the way her loose silver bracelets moved along her arm, glinting with the light.

  Edward took two steps into the room, coming up behind her. He didn’t take his eyes off her even once. Sandra turned and suddenly there was only a breath’s distance between them. She grabbed hold of the belt loops on his jeans and pulled him the rest of the way in. Sandra ground her hips against him, rolling them over the front of his body. Edward laid his hand against her ass a real smile playing across his lips. This was more what he was hoping for. Her sensuous body moving against his had his senses on fire.

  Her skin shimmered with a thin sheen of sweat, sparkling with glitter. Sandra bit her lower lip, moving her body, turning in a half circle so her back was facing him. She leaned back molding her body against his chest. Her face next to his, all he could smell was sweat and patchouli oil. Sandra slid down his body slow until she was squatting on her haunches. She spread those sculpted thighs, sliding her hand from her knee up to her shapely hip. She closed those legs and then came all the way back up in one fluid motion as though she were pulled by strings. She gave another half turn.

  Sandra flashed him that smoldering glare. She leaned in and laid an eager kiss on his lips. Deep, her tongue explored his mouth tasting him. Her fingertips slid down his chest. His hand traced over her smooth back, over the curve of her hip. Edward’s other hand grabbed the back of her neck pulling her against him none too gently.

  Sandra broke the kiss first. The look in her eyes was one of surprise for just a split second. Her face fell in confusion. Her heart rate sped. She took in a shuddering breath. Edward’s hand tightened around the back of her neck almost painfully, drawing a gasp from her. The split-second thrill of fear that ran through her did more to turn him on than anything else in her bag of tricks.

  She swallowed hard, her eyes narrowing just a touch. Edward took in a sharp breath, forcing his grip on her to loosen. Sandra looked at him for a moment, running her tongue over those bowed lips. She took a moment to make her decision. Sandra slid her arm down his until she touched his hand. She took it in hers and pulled it up, laying it over the curve of her breast. The beat of the music pushed against him.

  His skin tightened with her touch. Edward found it hard to catch his breath after that kiss. Something about it was utterly electric. He leaned in close eliminating the distance between them, ready for another. Everything about her screamed sex and watching her dance had his senses begging for it. But it was the fear that had his heart racing. Her panic had his fingertips pricking with need.

  Edward slid that hand over her breast up the bare skin of her upper chest. Over her tight throat, he balled his hand into her hair. Closing his fist around its silky smoothness, Edward yanked back hard. It drew a cry from her. Her eyes widened. Her breath fell out of her, all the muscles in her body locked.

  “Let me go!” Sandra practically screamed the words.

  That spurred him on even more. Her dread was a heady perfume that had his head spinning. Edward gave another yank that sent her into blind panic. Her heart hammered against her ribcage. Her hand came up, clawing at the fist wrapped tightly in her hair. Sandra kicked at his shin. The pain registered and Edward felt his Darkness stir. The need to hurt her flared within him.

  “Scream for me,” he cried. Edward’s eyes were wide, his pupils pinned. His mouth salivating, he gulped at the air, dragging in breath after shallow breath.

  “What? Let me go you freak!” Her nails ripped at the thin flesh on the back of his hand. The smell of blood awoke the Monster inside him. It shook itself and pushed at the line of his control. His stomach seized with intense hunger. It sent a jolt of pain through him, hardening like he’d swallowed a heavy stone.

  Sandra bucked and pulled against him, tearing loose from his grip leaving him with a handful of red hair. Sandra fell backward. Slamming into the couch, the end of the arm hit her in the small of the back. She twisted trying to regain her balance. Sandra managed to get her feet beneath her and took off running further into the house.

  Edward froze, fighting a bloody battle between his will and the Monster. He couldn't believe what he’d done. What he wanted. He didn't understand the urge that drove itself through his brain like a sharp spike. Her fear was the sweetest sensation Edward had ever experienced. He could hear her heart beating. Her heels slamming down on the cheap wood floor, Sandra ran with as much speed as she could muster in those boots. Sandra practically fell into the bathroom slamming the door closed behind her.

  She fumbled with the chain lock at the top of the door. Cries and whimpers escaping her. Her hair made it difficult to see. Her hands were shaking so hard she couldn't keep a hold on the thing. All the color drained fr
om her face. Sandra could feel every hair turning to needles standing at attention. Her chest squeezed, pain shooting through her.

  “No, no, no, no, no, no! Oh my God, what am I going to do?” Her mind raced at a million miles a second. So fast, she couldn't grasp hold of any one thought. Hot tears spilled down her face. She slammed her eyes shut, trying to force herself to calm down enough to get the door locked. Sandra dropped the chain for the third time.

  She moaned. Taking a step closer, reaching for the dangling thing, her heel slipped on the linoleum. Her ankle twisted painfully, the heel snapping beneath her weight. Her breath fell out of her so fast it made her dizzy. Sandra was hyperventilating. Her body felt light, nausea breaking over her. Her legs were weak. Dark spots exploded across her vision.

  Edward could feel her terror. It fed his Beast, working it up to a fevered pitch. In the end, his will lost out. One moment he was standing there in the center of her living room. The next he was looming before the door, and he didn't remember moving. Edward closed his eyes and leaned his head back drawing in a deep breath of her.

  The lock blessedly slid into the track and Sandra backed away from the door. The blaring music was all that could be heard. She wondered if he was still out there. Sandra took a moment to listen staring wide-eyed at the door. Then suddenly, the idea rang like bells inside her head. She dug into her pocket pulling her phone free. Sandra flipped it open and pressed down on the nine, then the one.

  Edward heard the tone of it and part of his brain knew what she was doing. Edward slammed both palms against the center of the door. It shuddered with the force of it, tearing the lock from its pathetic plate. A crack spilled down the right side and the thing sagged in on itself. It swung in shattering the knob against the opposite wall tearing a scream from her. She jumped with the sound and the phone fell to the floor.

  Sandra looked up in terror, shaking her head. Her heart stopped cold. Her body shook. Edward took a step toward her and she froze. Sandra opened her mouth to scream. No sound came. Her body went rigid, glued to the spot. Edward’s head fell to one side and his eyes softened. He took another step closing the distance between them. His hands came up over her throat, slipping over her jawline, cupping the sides of her face.

  “Shh, you're alright, everything is just fine,” Edward cooed.

  Little noises escaped her raw, ragged throat. But nothing like the scream that would not come. He leaned in, his face mere inches from hers. Edward took in a deep breath of her, savoring that wondrous bouquet of her distress. Sandra wanted to pull away. She wanted to get as far away from him as she could get. Her feet just would not move.

  “9-1-1 dispatch what's your emergency?” The voice was small.

  It sent a tiny bit of panic through the part of Edward that could still think. Again, he fought that battle against his Monster. He won a small victory. Instead of ripping into her flesh, he gave a sharp twist. The sound of bones shattering echoed through the tiny room. Her lifeless body fell to the floor, twitching and shuddering. Edward watched her with interest, unable to tear his gaze away.

  Chapter 12

  Ellie sat in the chair trying to look like she wasn't freaking out. She watched Charlie look over the formula. She read through it again, and again. Ellie counted to ten. She plucked the Rubik's cube from the table. Ellie spun the different pieces back and forth, up and down. She wanted to scream. Patience was not a virtue Ellie put a lot of stock in.

  Ellie exhaled, plastering her lips down into a thin line. She looked up at Charlie. Ellie ground her teeth together. When Charlie finally looked up, Ellie dropped the cube to her lap and stared wide-eyed at her. Charlie heaved a heavy sigh.

  “I refuse to promise you anything,” Charlie told her. “We have a good seven months’ worth of the serum to work with. I will do my very best but, Ellie, I am not a geneticist. I am not a scientist, and truth be told. I am not a witch doctor, which to my mind is what we really need here.” Charlie sighed. “This is something they should never have messed with,” she said, shaking her head.

  “But, you will try?” That was the one question Ellie needed answered.

  Charlie took in a deep breath. “I will try.”

  Ellie nodded a bit too fast. She had entirely too much hope in her voice. Ellie was asking for a miracle. Charlie wasn't a miracle worker. Still, she couldn't tell the little girl no. Charlie looked at her. “I will need equipment.” She started making notes on a small notebook that she got from Shane.

  “Whatever it is, I’ll get it,” Ellie told her. She worked hard to contain her excitement. Ellie’s mind raced. The beginnings of a plan were starting to bubble in her head. She kept nodding. When she heard his footsteps come out of the hall Ellie turned to look.

  Edward wore only a pair of silk pajama bottoms, his upper body was bare. His greasy blond hair hung straight to his broad shoulders. Ellie flashed him a smile. It was only eight A.M. She knew better than to go near him before he had his coffee. Edward didn't need it anymore, but some habits die hard.

  Ellie spared a smile for Charlie who got up, heading back upstairs. Ellie padded barefoot over to the table and sat down. She watched her brother pour himself a cup of coffee. Edward’s hands shook almost imperceptibly. When he woke up this morning he wanted to believe the memories from the night before were part drunken haze, part dream. But no matter how hard he tried Edward couldn't convince himself of it. He hesitated at the counter afraid that somehow Ellie would know exactly what guilty thoughts were screaming in his head. The guards and the orderly he’d killed were... different.

  Edward had to get a hold on this. He had to get a hold on his emotions. His eyes slid over Ellie. She was staring at him. He took in a deep breath and coming out from around the island, sat down at the head of the table. He eyed her for a moment.

  “You okay, big brother?” The smile she wore he knew could only mean trouble.

  Edward opened his mouth to say something. He was surprised at how easily he lied to her. “Just peachy.”

  Edward blinked at her taking a sip of his black coffee. Ellie shifted her weight, turning to watch him. She sighed, getting impatient. She waited for Charlie three days before Charlie would give her an answer. Ellie was at the end of the frayed rope that was her patience. “So, how did the hunt go?” she asked conversationally.

  Edward eyed her for a minute longer, quietly sipping at his coffee. Ellie narrowed her eyes at him. She gave him a dirty look when she figured that he was playing with her.

  “Dick,” she growled.

  Edward smirked at her. “It went fine. I followed your pet out into the woods. I saw a deer. I tore it to pieces,” Edward told her in summation.

  “He is not my pet!” Ellie grumbled, her voice full of annoyance. “Does it help?”

  Edward took another drink. The hot, bitter liquid scalded his throat. “Yes, little Lottie, it helps, a little,” Edward lied. He didn't need to eat the creatures they hunted. What rang his bell was the chase. The kill. But it was nothing compared to the night before with the girl. Edward couldn't tell her that, though. His little white lies made her smile. Ellie shifted again. She stared into those tri-color blue eyes.

  “If I asked you a question, would you answer me honestly?” Ellie asked. Her face set into worried lines.

  Edward looked at his little sister. Her hair had gotten longer since this adventure began. It wasn’t hard to tell she didn't feel safe here. Ellie walked around with her shoulder holster on, her guns never out of reach. It was strange to see. Light colored Levis, a tight tank top, and her shoulder holster. Edward didn't know what bothered him more to see, the guns, or the scars.

  Ellie stared at him. Her eyes roved over his face, his stark blue eyes, his pale hair. She swallowed the lump in her throat. “Did they hurt you?” Ellie asked finally. Her voice was gentle, full of concern. Her eyes shined with unshed tears. “Torture you?”

  Edward thought back to his time at The Foundation. Dr. Bennet had been rather polite. She injected him with
the serum. That was painful, but they didn't do anything to him like they had done to Vincent. Edward read through the notes the first night they came back. The knowledge made Edward understand the guy a bit better.

  Edward gave her a sad smile. “No, Ellie, they didn't do anything to me like they did to Vincent,” he assured her.

  “You know what they did to him too?” she asked annoyed.

  “I read the notes,” Edward said. His eyebrows knit together in confusion. “You haven't?”

  Her shoulders slumped and Ellie gave him pouting lips. “He doesn't want me to know. He thinks that all I will feel for him is pity,” Ellie explained.

  Edward got that. The notes read like something Joseph Mengele would have written. The kid was such a victim. Edward sighed. Vincent wasn't exactly a kid. He understood why Vincent didn't want Ellie to think of him as a victim. Edward ran his hand over her hair. “Let this one go, Squirt.”

  Ellie plastered her lips together in a thin line. She nodded her head. “Just tell me, is it that bad?” she asked with wide eyes.

  He sighed. “Vincent went through some awful shit. I get why he protects you the way he does, now,” Edward told her honestly.

  She smiled at him. “I love you, you know.”

  Edward returned her smile. “Yeah, I know,” he told her. “Now let me finish my coffee without you bugging me,” he said jokingly. Ellie stuck her tongue out at him.

  “Fine then, Meany,” Ellie said getting up from the table.

  She walked behind her brother and wrapped her arms around his neck the way she used to. Edward could admit that he missed it. Ellie laid a kiss on the top of his head. She wandered around the kitchen for a while, opening the cupboards, the fridge. She wasn't hungry. She was bored. Ellie still hadn't acclimated to this settled down way of life and it had been nearly two months since they got here. Vincent was out hunting. Ellie didn't really do TV anymore. She’d read a few of the paperbacks but most of them weren't anything she was interested in. John Grisham was boring. With nothing else to do, she headed upstairs.