The Truth in Lies: A TALE OF MANN

by Amelia Wilson

  Courtney was the only family she had and she would do anything to convince her that she is safe with Easton. Her acceptance would mean so much to them.

  Her aunt was taken aback by her question and she turned and tried to walk out, if not for Madison’s grip on her arm.

  “You know something. Please, let me know what’s bothering you so we can work this out.” A choke escaped Madison and she did not realize that tears started to form in her eyes.

  Courtney’s expression softened and Madison could see her struggle with the fleeting emotions flashing through her eyes. She wanted to say something. Madison was aware that her aunt had been hiding a secret that seemed to burden her more than anything. She wanted to know because she did not want her to suffer alone. She was willing to carry part of the burden if it means Courtney opening up to her.

  “I don’t know what you’re saying.”

  “No. You definitely know what I’m talking about Aunt Courtney. What is it? Tell me! What is it about Easton that you want me to stay away from him? I know it’s not just because he’s a vampire.” She was certain that she hit a nerve when her aunt gulped visibly and pulled her arm away.

  “I don’t know anything.” She hissed.

  Madison gave up and watched her back as she stomped her way up the stairs. She felt exhausted with their confrontation. Nothing was adding up and she had no clue to her aunt’s secret. Whatever it is, she had to make sure to make her confess because it obviously concerned her relationship with Easton.

  ***

  It was faint but she heard it in the dead silence of the night. Instead of panicking, she laid calmly and remained in her half-asleep state, knowing that it was Easton again who was sneaking inside her room.

  It was a habit she was not able to stop. Easton came from time to time and used her window to get in. She protested at first but soon let him be as he promised and he only wished to accompany her while sleeping.

  Admittedly, she loved the nights they spent together, cuddled beneath the warmth of her blankets. During those times, it felt like everything about them was normal. It was an alternate world where they were just a couple who enjoyed being together.

  The footsteps neared and she anticipated him lying down behind her and spooning her. What she did not expect was for a heavy weight to settle on her and large, cold hands gripping her wrists tightly.

  In shock, she was not able to struggle, still believing that it was Easton and he was just playing around. When the hold got tighter, she finally opened her eyes and was met with Gavin’s pair, which were dark and dilated.

  He looked furious and he panted heavily while staring at her, straddling her waist to cage her down. Madison was lost. The better part of her was telling her to scream and ask for help but she had to know why Gavin came barging in her room and why he looked like he was about to murder someone.

  She gulped at the unpleasant thought and forced herself to not panic. This is Gavin, Easton’s brother. He meant no harm. He had a good reason why he’s here and that’s what she should ask.

  “What,” her voice came out as a squeak. The fear was overpowering her senses. “What are you doing here?”

  Instead of answering, Gavin went straight to her neck and flicked his tongue on her skin, emitting an audible gasp from her. She started to thrash and tried to throw him off her body but he was bigger and stronger. He locked her jaw in a tight hold and forced her to meet his gaze.

  “Look at me.” He growled. Madison whimpered and she felt how he started to take over the control of her body, how numbness crawled across her torso and down to her limbs.

  The only thought running on her mind was Easton. What would he feel if he knew that his brother killed her? How would he react? Will he know about it or will Gavin make it look like somebody else did it?

  When she laid limp and she had no means to struggle, Gavin released her wrists and dipped down again her neck, licking hungrily in one area. He bared his fangs and poised it against her flesh. She could feel the start of a bite. The wound was still small and barely noticeable but there was blood seeping out.

  Gavin flicked his tongue against the wounds and moaned at the taste of Madison’s blood.

  “I knew you’d taste heavenly. No wonder Easton never seem to get enough of you.”

  Madison wanted to scream at him. To tell him that Easton was not with her just because of the taste of her blood. But she only managed to let out small yelps that did nothing to affect her assaulter.

  Gavin returned to his position and swept the remaining blood with his tongue, then he bit her again on the same spot, this time he went deeper and Madison could feel him sucking slowly, as if he was relishing the feeling.

  His hands roamed on her body, caressing her torso down to her waist. Tears prickled the edges of her eyes and they fell down in droplets, cascading down her temple.

  Gavin was moaning as he alternately licked the wound and drained blood from it. She felt him move his hips against hers and she felt horrified, thinking of the worst situation this could lead to.

  She willed herself to move, trying to remember how she managed to push Easton back then when he attacked her. He started to grind against her just when she was able to move her fingers and toes. She was practically pleading her body to move and escape whatever magic he used against her.

  He stopped sucking and gazed at her, desire and lust reflected in his eyes. He licked the blood off his lips and lowered his head. At this point, Madison raised her hips, twisting her body to the side as much as she could, catching him off guard. He stumbled down the bed but he was quick to return and hold her down.

  Having no other way, she screamed and prayed that her aunt would hear her. Gavin covered her mouth with a hand and slapped her with the other. She could feel how sore her cheek was with the impact of the blow.

  She thrashed against him, lifting her body and hitting him with her fists but he did not budge. His nostrils flared and he ignored her hits. He was torn between leaving and killing her for good. It would not be hard for him to snap her neck but he was being held back.

  Her blood was the most delicious one he had for decades and he could not take the thought that it would be gone in an instant. Drinking the blood of a dead person would be synonymous to a mortal drinking spoiled milk.

  His conflicting thoughts were interrupted when the door opened and the woman screamed. This was not part of his plan. He only wanted a taste, and possibly Madison reciprocating his touches. A hysterical woman was not included in his imagination.

  Taken aback, he leaped away from the bed and walked backwards, keeping watch of the women who were petrified beyond belief.

  When he reached the window, he opened it hastily and jumped out, running away at full speed.

  Courtney hugged Madison, who was a complete mess, with tears decorating her cheeks and her voice hoarse as she cried. Courtney reached for the tissue box on the bedside table and pressed it against her wound. It would not suffice to stop the bleeding but right now, Madison needed comfort more than anything.

  When Madison’s breathing became even, she hurried downstairs and fetched their first aid kit and attended to the wounds, relieved when they stopped bleeding.

  Madison could not stop sobbing. She wanted to erase the memory of what happened but the wounds would serve as a reminder and it would take time before it heals. Fortunately, the slap only reddened her cheek and did not leave a mark.

  She sniffled and hiccupped and wiped away her tears.

  Meanwhile, Courtney fought down her emotions. When she heard Madison’s scream, she knew it had something to do with the bloodsuckers. She was not ignorant and she knew that Easton sometimes sneaked in. During those nights, she would lay awake on her bed, waiting for any sound that would signal that her niece was in trouble.

  Her worry was useless until tonight. What she did not expect was to see the other bloodsucker, who she knew to be related with Easton. She was tempted to run to their house and set it on fire if not f
or her niece who needed her now more than anything.

  She hushed her and coaxed her to lay down again and sleep.

  “I can’t sleep.” Madison bit her lip as a fresh set of tears sprang out her eyes.

  “Oh, dear.” Courtney decided to lay down beside her. “I’ll stay here, don’t worry.”

  Madison reached for her hand and squeezed it tightly. “Sleep now, dear. I’m not leaving you alone.”

  Needless to say, Courtney stayed awake the rest of the night, jumping at the slightest sound. She would do anything to protect Madison. All her life, she knew her main purpose was to protect Madison, no matter what. And she would not back down just because a bloodsucker decided that her niece’s blood tasted good.

  Chapter-4

  It was All My Fault

  “Don’t you feel hot?” Easton gestured at her clothes.

  She caressed her neck and smiled forcibly. “It’s a bit chilly at night so I prefer them.”

  Since that night, Madison wore turtlenecks and hoodies to hide the wounds. She was hesitant to attend her classes the next day. She was scared at the idea of meeting Gavin but when he did not show up, she was relieved.

  Maybe he regretted what he had done and he was just mustering the courage to ask for her forgiveness. Madison liked to think that was what he felt -- regret and remorse. She could not bear that Gavin would not feel any guilt with what he had done.

  She hated lying to Easton. She knew that he was aware that there was something wrong. She avoided his touches and kisses and tried to spend as less time with him as possible. As long as the memories replayed vividly, she would find it difficult to face Easton like nothing happened.

  Courtney told her to tell Easton but she refused. Easton was fond of Gavin and he often repeated how much he cherished his brother and that he could not have survived for long if not for him. She would not wish for their relationship to be tarnished because of her. For Easton, she was willing to forgive and forget. If only Gavin would apologize, then the sooner they could move on.

  “The seat’s still free.” Easton grinned upon spotting the chairs at the corner of the lobby. They preferred the area as it was hidden from plain view, with a large circular post blocking people from seeing them immediately.

  Easton jogged and Madison followed, trying to keep up with his strides.

  He plopped down on the seat and patted the spot beside him.

  “You should at least roll this down when…” He reached for the edge of her turtleneck and tugged it down. Madison gasped and jerked away, not expecting it.

  “Did I do something wrong?” He eyed her worriedly, looking at her as she kept her hands secured on her clothes. For the first time, she was tempted to confess but she held her tongue.

  “I just…” She stepped back. “I need to do something.”

  “I’ll come with.”

  “No.” She shouted. Both of them were shocked at her response. In a calmer tone, she continued. “I won’t be gone for long.”

  ***

  There was nowhere to go. Her usual spots were the lobby, the library, and sometimes the cafeteria. She could not remember the last time when she stayed somewhere alone in the campus. She had been too used to Easton’s presence that she blindly reached for his hand, only to grasp in empty air.

  Guilt was eating her. Easton was close to discovering about her secret but she was convinced that there was no use telling him. It would only create a ruckus. She only needed to hear Gavin’s sorry and she would let it go.

  There were dilemmas that could be talked about but if Easton learned about it, there would be no talking. He would definitely resort to violence. She once saw him on the brink of his death and she never wished to him like that again, especially if it was in the hands of his own brother.

  She must keep mum no matter what happened.

  She strolled along the back of the music building. From inside, she could hear the muted sounds of instruments and voices which helped shake off her restlessness. She should only take a few minutes or else Easton would track her.

  Rubbing the sore area in her neck, she wished for it to heal soon and for the marks to fade away. It was the only evidence and she was scared that Easton would know once he sees them.

  The sounds of the instruments faded as she walked on when someone dragged her toward the end of the building, where no one passes by. She shrieked when she saw Gavin and she slapped him in an attempt to free herself. However, he was fast enough to hold her hand and he pulled her and threw her against the wall.

  She whimpered in pain. Her back ached at the hardness of the cement.

  Gavin held her face with both hands. “Listen to me.” He held her tightly until her cheeks were squished comically. She started to tremble in fear and she internally contemplated hitting him again for another chance of escape.

  “I want you, do you hear that?” He licked his lips and smiled maniacally. It was different from the composed Gavin she knew, far from the Gavin always talked about.

  “You’re disgusting.” She spat. “I’m with your brother, for fuck’s sake!”

  He held her neck with a hand as if he was about to strangle her. “Then break it off with him and be with me.” He kissed her and forced his tongue in and Madison punched and kicked him but he was invincible to her attacks.

  “Stop! Stop, please.” She pleaded. Tears were running down her face and it only reminded her how devastated she was the other night.

  “Shh,” he brushed his thumb on her cheeks gently, a contrast to his harsh actions earlier. “Let me kiss you one last time and I’ll let you go.”

  Holding on to his words, Madison shut her eyes tightly and braced for the onslaught of his lips. She remained unmoving as he ravished her, tasting her mouth. She felt sick to her stomach and she stood there like a lifeless doll, waiting for him to stop. Once he did, she pushed him with all her strength and she ran away. Her body trembled. She could hear him laughing even from a distance.

  Gavin must be crazy and it was apparent he had no remorse nor regret. She would not get the apology that she wanted and now, she felt tainted with his monstrosity.

  ***

  The door was locked and so was her window. Easton had been knocking incessantly but she ignored him. She went straight to her home earlier because she could not stop shaking.

  She sobbed softly under her covers, hoping that Easton would believe that she was just deep in sleep.

  When her window rattled, she sat up on her bed, watching as Easton forced to open it. Worried that Courtney might get awake and rush to her, she hurriedly fixed herself and opened the locks.

  “Oh, finally. Thank god.” He embraced her and Madison returned the affection. No one else but Easton could make her feel safe.

  “What happened? Why did you suddenly leave?”

  Madison refused to meet his eyes.

  “I felt sick. I needed to sleep.”

  “Madison.” He tilted her chin up with a finger. “Have I done something wrong? Did I offend you? Did I do anything to make you angry?”

  She clutched at his shirt and shook her head no.

  “Then why are you avoiding me?”

  The gentleness of his voice was tempting Madison to let it all out. Easton is rarely soft-spoken. He always sounded cold and indifferent, and only her knew that it was just his default voice and that he was not being mean.

  “I just really don’t feel well.” She smiled at him and reached for his lips, tracing it with her finger.

  He kissed the finger softly and she bit back a sob.

  “Then let’s get you some sleep.” He led her back to her bed and wrapped her in his arms. She suppressed her emotions until fatigue took her away.

  ***

  What happened behind the music building was followed by more attempts. Although this time, Madison was wise enough to not walk alone, choosing paths that were frequented by people. There was one time when Gavin successfully pulled her in an alley but she was prepared and she kneed him
in the groin at once, giving her enough time to make a dash out.

  Madison thought he would grow tired after a few days but he was relentless and each time, he was getting more aggressive. Though she found ways to evade him, which is most of the time sticking by Easton’s side, she was not contented with their game of hide and seek. She wanted to put a stop to his madness. They could not go on like this and he would not stop unless she whacked some sense into him.

  He was probably lurking somewhere. It creeped Madison out that Gavin must be hiding where he could still watch her but she continued walking. She was in the music building again and any minute now, he would come charging at her like a famished animal.