Dark Night

by Stefany Rattles

  Robert pressed his lips in a line. “I’m sorry I was dealing with something, but you did the right thing.” He was nodding, and then he looked at me and almost smiled. Almost, "By the way, you and Bonnie never showed up." He said to me, and I remembered we were supposed to meet with him after the ceremony.

  I shrugged. Whatever it was, it could wait.

  “Well, thanks Genevieve even though you and Mia… don’t get along you did the right thing and I am so grateful for that...” Genevieve was saying, sarcastically.

  And now it seemed the best time to put our differences aside and deal with whatever was waiting for us out there.

  CHAPTER 26

  Genevieve took off the white button up shirt and underneath it she was wearing one of my red tank tops which she fixed as she put a… bullet proof vest on? Everybody else was in their own little world, looking for their things.

  I just stared, when she looked at me she pulled another one out. “Look, I don’t have time to explain this to you, but when something like this happens, it’s like if we were going to war, we have to be prepared for the worst. It’s one of the lessons that you still haven’t learned yet, I guess I’ll have to have a chat about this with mom and dad…” I took off the cardigan sweater I was wearing, leaving me with the black tank top and the vest on. She also pulled out some steeled, fashionable boots. “What size? Seven?” I nodded and put them on as well. She walked across the room-to where Payton was busy looking at a gun-and used a pad to open up a drawer that opened up a lot of others.

  I looked to see what was in there…

  “Guns… seriously?” I saw all different kinds of guns, and weapons I could not believe. Genevieve just rolled her eyes.

  “I guess it be worthless to give you one, if you don’t even know how to use it.” She shrugged. “Oh well…. Now let me see which one, which one… there we go… my favorite.” She took a gun that looked like it weighed about fifteen pounds, for a minute I thought she wouldn’t be able to hold it but very gracefully she pointed at the wall with one hand. “A Colt 45, only the old school best. Sometimes old school is better than fancy.” She thought about what she said for a second. “Pretend I never said that.” Which Payton and Delilah both heard. Then she went to the wall and took a very sharp looking knife and made some kind of fast movement with it that would have scared anyone else but me.

  Now, knives, swords they were my thing. I took a larger knife and a small sword that I had practiced with Abi. “How are we supposed to carry this stuff?” I asked not taking my eyes off the sword. Robert wasn’t putting anything on, all he was doing was pretending not to look at me and picking out guns and looking at some knives.

  Genevieve left me alone while she showed off. Anna handed me a waist belt where the sword could safely be put without me worrying about it, and the knife. “Now for the good stuff,” She basically skipped to another drawer and took out two mini backpacks that were almost weightless, but looked full. “ You have three silver stakes, a V3 hand held gun that can put a vampire to sleep in point three seconds, two shots of V2 and a vile of serum that gives you extra strength when you need it, it’ll only last for an hour or so use it wisely. Oh. I almost forgot, here.” She handed me a walkie-talkie cell phone. “Yep, the latest tech, just dial one and it works like a cell phone only you can’t text, yet. Okay, so Robert how do you want to do this? We split up or what?” Anna asked while everyone gathered in the center of the room.

  “Two groups, Anna, Gene and Mia is one and ’lilah, Payton and I are two is that clear?” Robert was all business like.

  “Yes sir.” Everyone said, but me. He didn’t care.

  “Alright, we’ll check the dorms. Meet you at the dining area. Make sure no one sees you.” His group left us alone. Now we were on our own.

  Anna turned the lights off and handed me a small flashlight that had a whole lot more light than you’d think. We went through a door and walked up some flight of stairs, then out to some other door, this time Genevieve did the thumb thing and took out her gun.

  When we were out in the open, we realized the lights were all out it was completely quiet and I didn’t recognize where we were. “Okay, I hate to say this because I’m scared shitless. But we have to split up, you two go left and I’ll go right. That way is towards the dining area, I’ll go to Illyanne’s office. Keep in contact, remember just press one and call. Go now.” Anna and I nodded.

  We left Genevieve by herself and regretted it, she seemed a whole lot more mature than I had thought she was capable of. It was completely dark and quiet, and I wondered if anyone was out here besides us or if they were all stuck at the dining room, which I didn’t want to know, honestly. But I had to be brave and remember all the practice I had with Abi and Robert, and how much I learned in such a short time. I held my flash light in one hand and the knife on the other. I felt a little heavy but was too numb to care.

  I kept my body pressed to the wall and tried to be fast and quiet, Anna was as quiet as silence. Seriously the girl was good, until I heard footsteps coming from behind me. That’s when I moved to the opposite side of the wall and bent down, turned the flashlight off and waited. When the steps were close behind me I moved quickly, I had no idea I could move that fast. Anna was ahead of me so I didn’t know if she could hear anything. I grabbed a stiff wrist pulled it behind their back and put the knife to their neck. She gasped. “What are you doing?” Sophie whispered, in terror. I let go of her and took a step back. Anna came up to us, Sophie didn’t see her.

  “Shh. What’s going on? And why are you strolling down the hall like it’s just another day?” I asked irritated, Anna came closer.

  “I-I was visiting Mereily when the lights went out. I don’t know what’s going on. Did something happen?” She was afraid, from what I could see and she looked small and worried.

  “Yes. Someone is doing this, we don’t know who or why but I need to get to my parents, have you seen them?”

  She thought about it for a second. “I saw them by Mereily’s room, I think they were talking to her parents, but I’m not sure. Here, come with me the other way.” She was shaking when she took my hand. “Don’t you have something I can defend myself with? Hey Anna, I didn’t see you.”

  “You need to be more careful, you don’t know what’s going on.“ Anna said seriously. I gave Sophie my backpack with the little stuff, I was sure I wouldn’t need. She nodded, and we kept moving, fast and without making much noise. Surprisingly Sophie was good at this, it was weird really but I knew she had to know more than me, everyone that had been here before me had too.

  When we reached the infirmary, I followed Sophie to Mereily’s room while Anna kept watch. It seemed like it was dead, my flashlight was the only source of light and nothing else. The nurse that had been in here wasn’t, in fact it seemed too lonely. Once Sophie opened Mereily’s door I heard a shout coming from the hall we were just on, Anna. Sophie pushed me in and closed the door behind me.

  “Stay in there, I’ll go check it out.” I tried to open the door but it was locked from the outside. “I promise I’ll be right back, take care of her Mia, please.” When I looked at Mereily she seemed dead, almost, if it wasn’t for her opened eyes.

  “Oh god,” I went to her side, dropping everything. “Mereily, you woke up! Finally! How do you feel?” She didn’t answer she just stared, it didn’t even seem like she was breathing, but I hugged her anyway. “Hey, it’s going to be alright. Don’t you worry, Sophie and Anna are going to get some help alright… you hang in there okay?” She still stared ahead, didn’t even move or anything, “Mereily?” There was a lamp in the room with dim light. Her face was pale and cold. I turned my flashlight towards her face, and tried to get a pulse…. Oh god… she was dead. I ran to the door and tried to open it but couldn’t, finally I kicked it hard only making a huge hole, then I kicked it two more times before I could open the door from the outside, the key was hanging, I opened it, and ran. I didn’t know where I was going to go, so I to
ok the walkie-talkie cell phone out and dialed one. No one picked up right away then I heard Genevieve’s voice.

  “Yeah?” She sounded annoyed.

  “Mereily’s dead. Where the hell are you?” I was crying and almost choking the words out. Genevieve seemed to struggle with that.

  “Dining Room,” Was all she said, I tried to call her back but she didn’t answer, Robert and the other group didn’t answer either. I wiped my eyes quickly and ran for the dining area.

  Once I was there, the door to the dining room opened, as if it was waiting for me. When I stepped in, I realized that it was the only place with light then doors shut behind me. I turned to look and there were two guards standing there, I was still holding my knife. “Where’s Genevieve?” I asked them, but they just ignored me and stared ahead. The room was still filled with people, sleeping all over. There was no movement, I didn’t see my parents but I saw Delilah and Payton when I checked their pulse, they were alive, but they were snoring and all of their things were gone. I tried shaking them but no answer. Same for everybody else, people were sleeping all over, some with their heads down on the tables and others just on the floor, as if they had fainted. Then, the light went out. I screamed, and ran to the door but they wouldn’t open, the bodyguards weren’t even there anymore, “Help! Someone please, help me!” Then I felt a hand go over my mouth. I tried kicking and screaming but it did no good.

  “Hush.” Robert said, and that immediately made me shut up. He let me go, but took my hand instead. I didn’t ask any questions. The feeling I was getting from his touch was like electricity, I knew he felt it too. But he didn’t let go, and I didn’t want him too. He took me to the other side of the room, then the lights came on again. In surprise he let go of my hand and I didn’t even look at him because something else had caught my eyes, and I was sure Robert’s too.

  My parents were tied up and asleep in their thrones, Genevieve was awake and she was also tied up, she couldn’t move but she spoke instead. “Don’t listen to her, whatever you do, don’t.,” Someone slapped her.

  Sophie.

  She was suddenly standing over her. “Shut up already, do you have any idea how crazy you are? I didn’t think so.” She was wearing a long fitted golden dress and a beautiful crown.

  “What the hell is going on?” I heard myself say, I tried going to her but I couldn’t. Robert held my wrist this time.

  Sophie slowly turned. “Well, I’m so glad you asked.” She grinned and then she was standing ten feet away from me with her arms crossed. “You see, it would be hard and boring to explain this to you. Jordan! Come here.” Jordan who was Mereily’s now ex-boyfriend stepped through the door that I had come in through. It was unlocked.

  “Yes?” He looked upset and tired. He was still wearing a nice tie, and black tuxedo.

  “Explain to these… idiots who I am.” She snapped her fingers at him.

  “She is Sophia daughter of Morpheus King of Greece, of course.” He said it as if it was recited. Sophie didn’t look satisfied, and Jordan rolled his eyes. “Queen Sophia.” And he bowed.

  “What?” I couldn’t believe my ears. Robert stepped towards her and laughed.

  “Excuse me? Perhaps you didn’t know but your parents are the only King and Queen from Greece, there cannot be two.” He said, as if he was talking to a little girl, which she did look way younger than Genevieve.

  She raised her eyebrows and sighed. “Just so you know I wasn’t talking about being queen of Greece, no. That I will not take from my parents, I’m the only queen of the U.S. Something they took away from me a long time ago, but I’ll now take back. Your parents don’t know a thing about having this much power, in fact I can destroy them both in five minutes flat.” She flashed her fangs at us, and Robert pulled me behind him. “Oh, don’t be afraid I won’t hurt you. Actually, I want to play a game.” She snapped her fingers and the two guards that had been standing by the doors earlier, listened to the orders she gave them. “Bring me the gun, and the girl. You, wake them up.” Then she turned her attention back to us. “Your parents should be waking up in a few minutes, so they can join the party. Now, let me see where to begin….” She thought for a minute.

  “Why are you doing this?” I demanded, I tried towards her but Robert held me back.

  “Weren’t you listening? I am the only queen. Your parents are intruders and I want you all out! It’s time for me to take my rightful place. I have been a vampire for over four hundred years! For centuries I stood by watching you humans control this world, I wanted to change things, but no my father would not allow it, and now I can finally do as I wish!” She grinned. Her getting worked up brought her thick Greek accent out. I would have never guessed that petit Sophie was such an evil bitch.

  “Then let them go!” I yelled at her, but she didn’t even flinch. She just smiled at me like we were best friends.

  “It’s not that simple Mia, you see there are things that happen around you and you don’t even know about! This is going to be so much fun! You have no idea how much.” She giggled, then she called Jordan again, and he brought with him an envelope that Sophie took and then dismissed him. The guard who was standing by my parents told Sophie something in her ear. She nodded slowly then went to standby them. The other guard brought her the gun and had Anna over his shoulder, she was unconscious and tied. Genevieve was just crying she didn’t seem to care about the way she looked right now, so vulnerable. Robert was in almost a fighting stance, tense and without taking his eyes off the guards. Then my parents started to stir, and when they opened their eyes they looked like they were going to pass out again. My mom and dad were tied around the entire throne with thick chains that they could break, but they were so out of it that it would be impossible if they tried.

  “Hello there Mr. and Mrs. Stuart,” Sophie waved at them and then smiled at us. “Now that you have joined us let the party begin,” She threw the envelope at me, but Robert caught it in midair and tore it open. I couldn’t see the contents but Robert seemed to be shocked then mad. Sophie simply laughed. “Oh, that is priceless. Now you should let Mia look at the photos I wonder if she would even think about saving dear Gene after she looked at those compromising pictures.” She continued to laugh, and Genevieve went still then she began shouting at Sophie all kinds of names. Sophie simply went over to her then punched her right on her face, Genevieve went limp. “That should shut her up for a while.” I took the photos from Robert who tried to take them back but it was too late. In one photo was Genevieve holding hands with Jack, my ex-boyfriend, in another she was touching his chest. Then they got more intimate, they kissed, they lost clothes, until they were down to their underwear and Genevieve was cradled on his lap on a couch. I looked at Sophie and shrugged.

  “Jack is free to sleep with whoever he wants, I could care less. Is that all you’ve got?” I shot at her. And she studied me for a moment then nodded, and smiled again.

  “You are so naïve Mia, you think those photos were taken when you two broke up. Well, if that is what you’re thinking I can tell you how wrong you are, because you are. Not only were those two sneaking around you and Robert… oh, - poor Robert,- but they actually screwed each other over, and over again and not a soul other than Jordan and I knew about it. How great is that?” She smirked.

  I threw the pictures at her that made her frown. “Robert, control your pet! I wasn’t going to hurt her but if she continues with this attitude then I might___”

  “She won’t.” He glared at her then whispered in my ear. “Stay calm, remember what I taught you.” And I did, I had to stay calm so I could find a way out of this and take Genevieve and my parents away. Genevieve wouldn’t look at me, not even a glace, she pleaded to Robert for forgiveness. But he just ignored her.

  “Robert, please look at me! I’m sorry I did that to you… but I love him, I really do and he loves me back. You…. I care about, but not the same. You understand don’t you? It’s not like you love me! I know you want her, ever sinc
e the first time you saw Mia you know you fell for her, and I knew it. But because of all this crap, we couldn’t break up, we can’t or you know what will happen__” Sophie slapped her again, this time Genevieve’s lip started bleeding.

  “Let her go! I don’t care what you say, just let them go!” I started towards her but again Robert stopped me.

  “Not yet, we’re not done here.” She paused as Anna stirred on the floor and her eyes opened. The guard sat her on a chair, just like Genevieve and Anna glared at Sophie. “Hey there, I know. I know… it’s not what I was planning to do but… you were close to finding out who I was before and I couldn’t have that, now let me catch you up. Gene here seems to be madly in “Love” with Jack, so she’s been sleeping with him this entire time Robert and Mia have been fighting to stay away from each other for their sakes. Oh, but there’s more…” She had a folder, which she handed to the guard to give to me. “Look at it, then tell me what you see.”

  I did, inside the blue folder was a contract signed by my parents. “Business contract, what about it?” I closed it not reading it, at a time like this. Was she serious?

  “Yes, but read it. I want you to know ‘who’ this is about.” I shook my head and she sighed. “Fine I’ll tell you but you won’t believe me.” She walked over to stand in front of my parents who were now paying close attention to her. “Mia, your parents didn’t tell you the whole truth about you. I guess you deserve to know… where to begin.. Ah yes! Basically my parents got your parents out of a bad deal they made with the mob and made a deal with them, the contract is basically what says that you and Genevieve belong to my parents…. Yes.” I was shaking my head. “Read it, like I told you, you won’t believe me. But it’s true, what my parents wanted you both for I still can’t figure it out, and really I don’t care as long as I’m Queen. But there you have it, any questions?” She raised her eyebrows at me, I just wanted to pound on her.