The Arrival, [Lucas]

[Annette Aylett]

She hoisted her bag up on her shoulder, gripping the strap with one hand as her eyes trailed around the faded wallpaper of the hotel they had stepped in. Running her tongue along the inside of her teeth and biting her lip, she looked at Lucas. Annette gave him a look that said 'well, it's better than nothing.' And it was, she supposed, better than nothing. Although, with all the run-down hotels and places they had stayed over the last ten months, she didn't think this was where they would end up permanently.

Annette took a breath and stepped forward. The place looked empty, or at least quite quiet on this particular evening. She stood at the front desk and waited, taking the time to examine and take everything in. Everything around her looked faded, like it was from an old storybook that had taken abuse. The wallpaper was peeling in some places and there were stains on the run and furniture (of what she didn't want to know) that looked as though they had been there for years. It didn't look as though it were infested or anything, it just looked old. Like a place that had long since been built and long since forgotten to renovate when was needed. At least the lights brightened up the mood a little, or she liked to think in somewhat of an optimistic way. Someone had to, since she would almost bet that Lucas was ready to say some snide remark. And Annette would be clearly surprised if he didn't.

Since they were waiting, Annette shifted her shoulder and dropped her bag on the ground. In landed with a dense 'thud' on the scuffed wooden floor. Her hands folded closely over her chest in a look that said she was starting to get impatient. She was tired, even though it was just the beginning of the night.

She had been tired a lot lately, keeping quiet about not being able to sleep hardly at all during the day. Whenever she shut her eyes, she was forced to think about, well, everything that was going on. That was something that the new vampire really did not want to think about. When sleep did overcome her exhaustion, dreams would ensue. Or nightmares, anyway, as she considered them all even if they had nothing to do with the massacre itself. Sometimes she saw the faces of her past; of Sophia or Conrad, or even her brother Joel. Sometimes they would be going on with simple everyday life tasks, and yet Annette would wake up in a cold sweat with tears in her eyes. There were always thoughts and wonders about if there was anything she could have done. If the faces in her dreams that haunted her could have been with her right now. Annette didn't like admitting it, and wouldn't even if she were asked, but she felt scared and guilty about leaving so many people in her life behind. It was what she was good at, what she was expected to be good at anyway - for that was what Lucas had seen of her. Not admitting her strength about the situation was wavering almost felt as though she preventing herself from letting Lucas down.

Raising her head slightly, she looked at him closely. It was a familiar look of encouragement to urge him that everything was okay, and to hide her own cowardliness. Shaking such thoughts out of her head, Annette forced herself back to reality. It was no time for sad sorrows, it was time to get a room.

"i wonder if anyone is alive in here." she said, arching an eyebrow at the vacated front desk.

[Lucas Bennett]

What Lucas wouldn�t give for a nice tropical getaway right about now.

The Bennett couldn�t help but give one derisive laugh at the look of the place. He didn�t exactly come from the best parts of the nation but this place was really something else. Though, there was one word that lingered in his mind that his mouth was unable to express. What was it again? Lucas looked from the stained, vomit colored carpet at his feet to the dull light overhead shadowed with bodies of dead flies. Charming? No, that wasn�t it. Also a strange odor with a slight trace of recently deceased rodent hung heavy in the air. Ah, he then realized what the word was.

�Quaint.� He muttered with lifted brow.

Annette shot him a look and his eyes narrowed in response. Unlike many times when he would usually misunderstand what ever she was trying to hint him, Lucas actually felt the same feeling. This was better than sleeping outside. Then again, they were prone to come across more dangers outside. Massachusetts wasn�t a scary place at all. Though, the minute they walked passed the sign announcing �Sparrow, Massachusetts�, the air had a noticeable change to it.

This place was rather�peculiar. The smell of the general area, the look of it, the feel of it � hell, even the taste of it was strange. This wasn�t to say that Lucas ran around licking telephone poles but a vile aftertaste lingered in his mouth every time he took a breath. However, he wasn�t going to say anything to Annette yet. After all, it was on his decision that the left the last place they stayed at � as well as the place before that and the place before that one.

Both of them were tired of running, Lucas could tell that much.

Since the Massacre, the Bennett couldn�t help but take action every time he had a bad feeling about a place. Perhaps this was an effort to make up for when he had ignored his gut feeling way back when. Of course, History could never be changed and this unnecessary amount of moving and settling down would be a futile attempt of an unspoken apology to the ninety-five deceased.

"i wonder if anyone is alive in here."

Lucas closed his mouth, his canines brazing his bottom lip. They were normal sized now but they sure as hell didn�t stay that way when he was hungry. As it was, Lucas realized there was technically no one alive in the room.

�That�s the wrong question to ask.� He stated quietly.

Jamming his palm upon the call bell, it gave a feeble ring. The ring quickly dissipated into the thick silence. The pair waited in the tense silence but was relieved to hear a shuffling of footsteps behind the door adjacent the counter. An ancient creaked open the paint chipped door and stepped out, cleaning his dirtied spectacles furiously with an oily rag. Lucas was about to say that he didn�t think that cleaning something dirty with something equally as dirty wouldn�t help, but he remained silent. The man gave a loud wheezing cough and uttered what Lucas supposed was an apology and explanation rolled in one. �Damn boiler.�

�We�d like a room.� Lucas replied, shifting the heavy bag upon his shoulder.

The old man continued to rub furiously at his glasses. Lucas was unsure of whether or not he had heard him. Hey, when people got old their hearing started to go. �Excuse me, we�d like ��

The old man interrupted him, �-a room, yeah yeah. Hold your horses.� He laughed once and the scoff quickly turned into a hacking cough. Placing the smudged lens upon his nose, the old man went to a cabinet and brought out the key. The key was a rusted metal one, dangling a ripped leather tag labeled with the number 4. Lucas glanced at him wondering if he�d tell him a price and the man pointed at a stained sign above him. Five dollars a night.

They should be paying him to stay in this dump.

Lucas pulled out four crumpled twenties and tossed them on the counter. He nodded for Annette to follow him as he proceeding down the dank hallway, one suitcase in his hand and a large bag thrown over his shoulder. For some reason, Lucas was absolutely certain he wasn't going to like the condition of the room.

Lucas paused for a second and realized there was a problem. The room only had one bed. Frowning, he cast a apologetic look at Annette. He could tell she was tired by the way her eyes were lazily taking the area in. "You can take the bed."

He was going to stay up for a little while longer. After all, he wasn't sure if he could really trust this place.

This post has been edited by Lucas Bennett on Oct 8 2007, 11:20 AM

[Annette Aylett]

The woman scrunched her nose while Lucas talked to the man at the front desk. He smelled strongly of oil and grease and, when she followed Lucas past him he gave her a crooked 'knowing' smile and winked. Without a word Annette only responded with a look, narrowing her eyes and giving him a sarcastic smile as though she were issuing a warning.

Annette pushed open the door fully to look around. The sight of a quiet, dark room and a bed almost pushed her exhaustion over the edge. It seemed like days since she'd actually slept, although she knew even with this exhaustion it would be hard simply because of the situation. Still, her eyelids felt heavy as she dropped her two bags next to the bed and took a look around.

The room was small, dank, and dusty and every surface seemed to have a slight lingering of mould to it. The bed was pushed to the back wall and had a table and small lamp on either side. A small, old and stained chair sat by the far side of the bed in front of an equally small table. To the right was an open door leading, no doubt, to a small grungy bathroom. Now there was a place Annette did not feel like currently examining. Honestly, she didn't think she would ever be back to living in a place like this. She had thought, once her and her brother were stationed in New York, that life would be better. Although some places they ended up sleeping in on their way to maintaining their small flat were similar to this, their permanent living situation had been better. And the underground, although seemingly secluded from the rest of the world, had been very well kept and made Annette feel privileged for once in her life. Yet here, a look on her face said she clearly recognized living conditions like this.

She hoped they wouldn't have to stay here for too long.

Not only was she tired of moving around and being introduced to new places like this, but she was tired of being able to fit her entire life in two bags. There was another feeling in that had too much unwanted familiarity.

Her eyes, a bright green that seemed to shine even in the darkness of the room, looked over to Lucas. "Darling don't be stupid." she said, as though that were that. She knew it might prickle him, but being as tired as she currently was, her sympathy had grown thin. She cared about Lucas, and knew he was trying to make things more comfortable for her, almost as though he were apologetic and it was his fault they were here. It wasn't, he had to understand that she didn't think so for a second.

Annette sighed, as though it were a silent apology and letting him know she didn't mean to sound harsh. "Luca, if we're going to be staying here I'm not going to make you constantly sleep on the floor. I know you won't sleep anyway, but you should at least be a little more comfortable. The least we can do is share." she said it easily, as though there wasn't a second thought to sharing a bed with him. Perhaps. when she awoke finally rested, her thoughts would race with the feeling that Lucas was sleeping next to her. But still, her words sounded rational at least.

"I'll tell you what," she said, somewhat trying to lighten the situation, "if you snore, I'll push you off." she finished with a small wink of her emerald eyes. With that, she took a seat on the bed and waited for Lucas to make his decision.

[Lucas Bennett]

Sometimes Luca was thankful as well as regretful that Annette didn�t have telepathy.

"Darling don't be stupid."

The Bennett was regretful that she didn�t have the ability because now she couldn�t realize why he was reluctant to share a bed. For years, he had grown fond of her. Maybe a little too fond. Oddly enough, he had taken her under his wing at the age of thirteen. This act of kindness was rare especially since the Bennett was sure that he was cruel then as much as he was now. He didn�t even know why he would have done such a thing. Lucas was sure that the act was a foolish one he had undertaken at the height of his na�ve years. Now, he didn�t feel that she was a physical burden. Lucas reluctantly glanced at her through the side of his deep azure eye. She was a blur � but a pretty one at that.

"Luca, if we're going to be staying here I'm not going to make you constantly sleep on the floor. I know you won't sleep anyway, but you should at least be a little more comfortable. The least we can do is share."

Luca sighed in a mild sign of defeat. She wouldn�t get off his back unless he agreed to share. Oh sure � he�d agree but the moment she fell asleep, he�d roll off the bed and crash onto the floor. The past months had forced him to befriend floors. He liked wooden ones that were good for straightening his back. Carpeted floors � especially dirty ones were his worst enemy, housing bacteria, ticks, and bed bugs. The point was that Lucas was happy that he wasn�t sleeping beside Annette.

It wasn�t that he didn�t trust her. The past months made him realize he couldn�t trust himself.

For many countless nights after the Massacre, the Bennett sat awake at the windows of many motels. He never felt safe. Even now, he refused to let down his guard and he could tell Annette was tiring of his precautionary attitude. On his nightly guard duty, there was usually nothing to do. He sat for hours and what seemed like forever watching cars and observing the death of blinking lights. On one regular night, Luca�s eyes fell upon Annette�s sleeping form.

She was lying only a foot away on a shaky, unstable cot. As always, Luca had pulled a chair up next to her so that they could talk until she fell asleep. Many times, he watched her sleep but that night he managed to realize something. It was strange that he didn�t notice it before. The Aylett�s gentle face had been peaceful and undoubtedly beautiful, shadowed by parted threads of her dark hair. The raven hair fanned out over her shoulders, briefly covering the tattoo upon her arm. Her cheeks were tinted a rosy hue, pink lips parted to allow a breath to pass. Before he knew it, the Bennett had leaned forward, his lips inches away from hers. Luckily, a car beeped outside and Lucas drew himself back suddenly realizing how stupid he was. A flush newly rose in his face and Lucas forced himself face his chair the other way.

She trusted him and here he was being no better than a lecherous fiend.

That was the reason why he was relieved Annette didn�t have telepathy.

"I'll tell you what, if you snore, I'll push you off."

Luca stifled a laugh. Snoring should be the least of things she had to worry about.

Sighing internally in his head, he set the suitcase down on the floor and let the heavy duffel bag fall to the ground. Luca crossed to the other side of the bed and dropped down. The mattress gave a heavy creak under his weight, making the Bennett doubtful that the bed could possibly last the night. He was sure it was going to give in and they would both end up sleeping on the floor.

His frown formed into a playful smile. �Happy? Now, go to sleep.�

Meanwhile, Luca�s eyes were searching the floor for a suitable place to lie down later. Hell, she would never know.

[Annette Aylett]

Her gaze was piercing, as though trying to look through the man standing before her. He seemed different from what many people she knew were like. Annette had seen Lucas in, what she thought, was almost every different situation possible. She had known him since she was eleven, he had always been a constant figure for her, even more that her own brother was. The difference between Lucas and Joel was, Lucas took her with him. If she was alone at the flat for days on end, he would come fetch her. If she needed distance, he'd give it to her but always be ready and willing to silently step forward because even he realized that words weren't always needed.

The two were almost getting used to stressful situations with each other, and Annette quite knew Lucas' temper at times. And yet, it never felt unhanded to her in a way that made her felt threatened. It was the only thing that kept her sane these past few months. Lucas was the only thing that kept her sane because as he sat next to her and they talked into the night, or sat in silence, she always felt safe.

Well, safe in a manner or speaking anyway.

Annette wasn't stupid, she knew very well they could be found one day and executed the next. During the massacre the woman was far from 'floating on cloud 9' in the safety region. When she left Joel, finally breaking all her ties of the past and stepped forward into an entire new world - which would be more than nerve wracking for anyone let alone a twelve-year-old, but there was one thing in common. There was always one constant through all those situations, and Annette couldn't help but realize and respect the fact that Lucas had been by her side through each of those situations. Sometimes it wasn't just a want for Lucas to be comfortable, and the girl felt more than selfish for feeling as such. But sometimes she needed Lucas to be next to her, in order for her to sleep. In order for her to even known that the next evening would come and she would actually be awake to see it.

Annette felt attached to everything Lucas had to offer, closer than a friend and, sometimes it felt, closer than a brother. It was hard to describe such a relationship in such words, because although when acknowledging it out loud or in her head she would say Lucas was like a brother. But in reality, and she knew it very well, it was different than that. In some way she didn't know, but it was different.

"Happy? Now, go to sleep"

She flashed a pearly white triumphant smile, standing up from the bed and looking at him from over her shoulder. "Good." she said, proceeding to shuffle around in one of her bags to fetch a change of clothing. She pulled out a pair of blue pajama bottoms, a black tank top, and her hairbrush and headed, deciding to brave the washroom. She shut the door half way so she could hide herself and talk to Lucas at the same time.

Arching an eyebrow to herself, she was relieved that the bathroom wasn't as bad as she expected. Although, she had expected a lot of very bad things. The tile was withered and cracked, and parts of it looked grungy but when running a finger over it, it seemed smooth enough. At least there was nothing caked and dried on it. The towels weren't something she was looking forward to using, because they looked as though they were either never changed, or stood for years without use.

Thank goodness she brought at least one towel of her own. Maybe it was a girl thing, but being in some of the places she had been, Annette knew you wanted something of your own that you trusted if you were going to be washing and drying and rubbing your face on it.

"I guess when they make you pay five dollars for this, they at least only make you pay what it's worth." she said, tugging up on the hem of her shirt and pulling it off. She threw it on the closed toilet seat with her pajamas. "I mean, it's not as bad as that place with the insect infestation we stayed in that one night." the woman paused, sticking her head out of the doorway to look at Lucas. "I'm not defending it though." she added, as though trying to reassure that fact, "don't use the towels in here. Unless you want ten years of scum rubbed all over you. Do you mind grabbing me my towel? It's on top of my bag." she added, pulling her head back in to look at herself in the mirror.

Even she could tell the subtle differences in her appearance from the last months wear and tear. Her eyes looked more tired, that was for sure. Although if they didn't, considering the lack of sleep she had been getting, it would be quite surprising. Her natural healthy color was fading, and Annette looked more and more pale in the last couple days. She knew what it was about too, she hadn't really eaten much lately. "Eaten" meaning exactly that which keeps vampires in their humanistic state, even if they need to do very un-humanistic activities to get there. Oh the road it was easier, bite a human and keep on travelling. But here... in a city. What were they supposed to do? Annette had been pretty much starving herself lately on that account, and didn't know how much longer her fangs could stay retracted.

She reached for her brush, trying not to think about it as she ran it though her hair, waiting for Lucas. She hoped tonight, at least, they both could get at least a little bit of sleep.

[Lucas Bennett]

Lucas resisted the urgent impulse to smack his forehead with one hand.

"Good."

The Bennett felt a sense of dread linger in his chest. Why was she being so damn na�ve? Sure, this was an attempt to be nice to him but he really didn�t want him. Give him a bare floor and he was a happy man. He really didn�t like the idea of sleeping next to her. It seemed too� awkward. Well, apparently he was the only one who felt that way. An hour from now, she would probably be laying sprawled on the bed - snoring up a storm while he curled up in a corner fighting an internal struggle. Lucas straightened up as she rummaged through her bags. He could do this. He cast a hard, determined look at her retreating back, Lucas was sure he could be responsible for his actions. He was capable of holding himself back. Hell, he had been responsible for his entire life!

Then he saw that she had left the door partly open.

The Bennett smacked both of his open hands upon his face and dragged them downward, suppressing a groan of frustration. Goddamn it. He couldn�t do this. Well, as long as he didn�t have to approach the door, he couldn�t give away how he felt for her. He was nearly to a breaking point. Lucas bent over, leaning his elbows on his eyes, relieved at an inevitable fact. All she saw in him was a brother figure. He had protected her for years and years and had never expected anything back. Why the hell should he bother wanting anything now? Well, he had given him friendship and company. Then again, what he really wanted out of life was his freedom and revenge. He didn�t need her.

Lucas glanced once more at the door to confirm his belief. He crumbled with the fragility of a card pyramid. The Bennett then massaged furiously at his temples. He was sure a headache was going to overtake him soon.

This was a hopeless situation.

"I guess when they make you pay five dollars for this, they at least only make you pay what it's worth. I mean, it's not as bad as that place with the insect infestation we stayed in that one night. I'm not defending it though. Don't use the towels in here. Unless you want ten years of scum rubbed all over you."

Lucas�s eyes were closed, but he remained nodding. It occurred to him then that she was incapable of seeing him nod but he didn�t care at the moment. He would have to speak up with loud �mhm�s and that seemed unnecessary. At the moment, the Bennett was debating whether or not he should take a trip down to the nearby store. He would be able to buy pig�s blood there and slake the thirst that had been driving him mad. Both of them didn�t have time to �eat� so Lucas was sure Annette was starting to feel the effects of withdrawal by now. Her skin was starting to look washed out and it worried him. Luca�s eyelids flew open, exposing cold blue orbs. The walk would probably clear his head. Lips parted, he tried to voice his decision to go out. However, as cruel father time permitted, he was interrupted.

�Do you mind grabbing me my towel? It's on top of my bag."

Lucas frowned and mentally shook his fist at the air. Fate was cruel. Hesitantly, he shifted on the bed, leaned over to finger through the open bag, and retrieved a solitary white towel. The Bennett sighed again and realized that he had probably sighed enough in the last fifteen minutes to satisfy a low-class drama season. Lucas crossed over to the washroom silently and looped his arm around the door to pass along the laundered cloth. Afterward, he turned on the spot and stood with his back grazing the door, his eyes set stubbornly on the carpet.

�I was wondering Annette, when was the last time you�erm...� Lucas looked up and vaguely remembered seeing a crumpled shirt upon the pile of pajamas through the slit in the door. Shaking the thought from his head, he continued, ��fed?�

This post has been edited by Lucas Bennett on Oct 8 2007, 10:45 PM

[Annette Aylett]

Annette watched Luca's hand reach around the door. Reaching for the towel, her hand brushed his gently when grabbing what he was offering. She lingered for a moment. His hands were warm, inviting, and she almost felt jealous she couldn't hold on and stay stationary for longer.

But before she knew it, he had pulled away, leaving her with nothing but a fleeting memory of unsettling feelings when part of her wished it would ensue. She stood silent for a moment, looking down at the towel and looking for excuses.

Maybe it was just the exhaustion. Maybe her body was reacting to lack of sleep and was unable to control emotions and thoughts. All she knew was that for a moment there, she thought of Lucas standing on the other side of that door. Her constant, her friend, and a man which she found attractive in features and alluring personality was within her reach, and her reach wanted him. For a moment all she anted to do was ignore her clothing sitting on the toilet seat, discard the towel she held, throw open the door and...

Annette shook her head, suddenly feeling overly naked, exposed, and uncomfortable for thinking and feeling such things. And feeling even more ashamed for almost missing and longing for the warmth her thoughts had included, although assuming the reaction of disgust from Luca was almost unbearable.

Even though she knew she was alone, Annette lifted the towel up to her chest as though trying to cover herself.

"Thanks." she mumbled through the half closed door, stepping back and farther out of sight, not wanting to shut the door on him and make loud of the obvious difference in the air she felt around her. She was supposed to be an expert of masking her thoughts and feelings if she really wanted to, and was still unused to the rare occurrence of things getting the better of her.

Without further word she finished changing quickly, and then turned on the tap to both wash her face and prevent any silence that might occur.

"I was wondering Annette, when was the last time you�erm...� ��fed?�

"At that last place we stayed at, remember? I left for a little while to go-.." Annette, disgruntled with herself, sighed and stopped saying anything to prevent herself from continuing to lie through her teeth. She suspected he would see right though her anyway. He knew her well enough. Hell, he had been with her for nearly the entire time travelling, he would know that wasn't the last time she fed. For one, the differences in her coloring and other aspects would have been obvious.

Really, she just didn't want him to worry about her, which she knew he would. He had himself and enough other things to worry about. Knowing she was causing him to worry about her made her feel selfish and in the spotlight. Still, a paler than normal complexion, slight but persistent head aches, and having to suppress uncontrollable urges were just beginning of a withdrawal, she knew.

Turning off the water, Annette opened the door to fund Lucas, as expected, still standing on the opposite side his hid back facing her. "Okay," she admitted, subconsciously restraining herself form standing too close or touching his arm to look at him properly. "so it's been a while." she continued on honestly, looking at him with a subtle tone of defeat. "We should probably find something, huh. Where do you think we should go?"

This post has been edited by Annette Aylett on Oct 9 2007, 04:46 PM

[Lucas Bennett]

Lucas tried hard to not associate an image to the rustle of clothing.

The Bennett was sure that if he had walked right in, he would not be well received. Had he entered, Lucas was without a doubt that he would not have been able to stop himself. His rough hands and lips ached to graze soft skin, all associated with an appetite he had managed to restrain for many past months. She seemed oblivious to his subtle change toward her. That was just as well. Part of him didn�t want her to know. Perhaps he was ashamed of his lecherous thoughts. Perhaps he felt ashamed he was weak for her.

Funny enough, at the moment, he would have given anything to be inside that seedy, scum ridden washroom with her. Any other time, he would have stayed clear from such a filthy room. Now, the Bennett couldn�t help but skim scenarios in his head.

Had he been bolder, he would have stridden through the door, caught her smooth shoulders, and closed his mouth roughly over hers before she had a chance to speak. Annette�s tousled dark hair would fall before her surprised, jade eyes, several strands bordering a neck that strained against his ravenous impulse. The force of his clashing movement would cause her to back into the grimy, rusted sink, leaving her trapped against his assault. The situation would immediately intensify, the grasp of his fingertips strengthening in response to this seductive yet subtle sign of surrender. The Bennett�s lips would then aggressively skim the length of smooth skin on the side of her neck, his touch sending any thought of the requested towel into oblivion�

Lucas took the opportunity now to mentally smack his forehead. His thoughts of Annette were getting harder and harder to control. At the moment, the Bennett was afraid of what would happen during his breaking point. He wanted her - badly. Though, the idea of forcing his carnal desire on her was out of the question.

"At that last place we stayed at, remember? I left for a little while to go-.."

Lucas cast a tired look at the peeling paint of the ceiling. Lie. He knew quite well that it had been some time. He would have known if she had gotten nourishment. Minutes later, the Bennett was surprised as he heard her voice behind him. He hadn�t even heard the creaking of the door as if opened all the way. Startled, he took a hesitant step forward but then quickly retraced the step to cover his surprise.

"Okay, so it's been a while. We should probably find something, huh. Where do you think we should go?"

Lucas ran one hand heavily through his hair. His eyes continued to scan the �cozy� room they shared tonight. �I�ll walk to the store and find something.� He muttered, his azure gaze still searching the windows and door. He was scoping out the room for any potential ways of escape like he had done countless times in other motel rooms. They could never be too safe.

After a duration of what seemed like five minutes, his gaze finally fell upon her. Luca�s broad hand caught Annette�s chin and tilted her face gently upwards. The dim light caught her features and sparked alight her fiery, green irises. He brought his face close to scan her eyes. She was beautiful but the bags beneath her eyes were glaring. �You�re definitely tired. Take a rest, I�ll be back soon.�

This post has been edited by Lucas Bennett on Oct 9 2007, 07:23 PM

[Annette Aylett]

She could relate to the uneasy feeling about the room, and to the uneasy feeling about Lucas.

To her, every place felt too quiet, to unfamiliar, as though the stillness were waiting to be broken by a masked face in the window or someone kicking down the door. Between the two of them, Luca seemed more outwardly cautious. Of course she saw him scan every room they were in, watching for unusual or suspicious activity. Annette, she held her caution more internally. Her insides would jump without an external sign. She would strain her ears for the sound of anything and everything, and examine what she did look at extremely closely.

Lately, because of her exhaustion, she gave in and trusted Lucas did his habit well enough.

But as he looked around, she did too. Outside was dark and still, but this town seemed different than the rest. It was as though, even if outside was still, it wasn't supposed to be. It seemed used to itching for activity. Even though they had no sign of anything to be wary of since they left New York, that one simple fact of this new city on it's own put her on edge.

�I�ll walk to the store and find something.�

Annette simply nodded, feeling awkward about disturbing the silence that ensued when Lucas examined the room. Seconds dragged into minutes.

She looked back at him as he looked as her.

She felt the hand upon her chin and her breath caught in her throat. She stood still, silent, almost afraid to move as he brought his face close to hers. Part of her didn't know whether he was simply taking note of her features, or if he was about to kiss her. The unfortunate part was, the largest part of her wished for the latter, and her rational self barely controlled herself from making that exact move. His breath was warm on her face and the moonlight, streaking across from the window, gave a rather delicate hue of light which shone in his azure eyes. It was strange how much those eyes could affect her, control her.

His scent lingered and the longer he stood in front of her, the weaker she felt her control was getting. Soft pink lips parted slightly and, perhaps it was only imagined, but she seemed to move closer. What little blood was left in her body seemed to rush to her face, giving her a pink, healthy tinge. Cracking slightly, her hand began to raise, yearning to brush the side of his face and pull it closer, willing to lose herself in the ecstasy of a revered situation.

The corner of her own eye caught the motion of her own untamed body and, last minute from grazing the side of Lucas' face, she gently gripped his wrist at the base or his hand.

For a moment she stayed in that exact position, as if hesitating with the consideration of either pulling away or pulling closer. Her parted lips finally closed as she mentally, although not yet physically, tore herself away.

"Thanks." she said softly in sincerity. "I don't know what I'd do without you." she added, in complete truthfulness. It sounded like something she would say, a line that wasn't too far fetched. He had been a faithful friend, and she'd be nowhere without it. In fact, she'd be dead without it. Although her tone, the way the words were said, perhaps hinted and indicated that what she may have normally meant, wasn't what she currently meant.

Her eyes dipped, as well as her head, breaking the locking gaze he held upon her. The hand, still resting upon his, dropped as she looked back up, breaking the contact between her chin and his hand as well. He couldn't do this to her... she wouldn't be able to take it.

When Annette looked back up, the distance between them seemed physically larger, and she then looked over at the small digital clock on one of the bed-side stands. It was getting late, well, early.

"I'll make sure it's light tight." Annette said, indicating to the windows and the blinds. She needed an excuse, any excuse, to step away. To hold back from him. And she used it, beginning to walk toward her bag to deposit her clothing and towel.

"I'll see you in a few minutes?" she said, avoiding looking at him while the heat in her features began to, thankfully, dissipate.

This post has been edited by Annette Aylett on Oct 10 2007, 08:58 AM

[Lucas Bennett]

The close proximity was dangerous.

The seconds seemed to crawl as Lucas held her face close to his. He was waiting for her to pull away but she didn�t. His fingertips were resting under her graceful chin, supporting the smooth curve, and savoring the feeling of her satin skin. The gaze was absolute and unbroken, almost an unspoken challenge he dangled before her. He couldn�t help but admire the different ringed hues of jade and emerald rimming her eyes. Annette�s eyes were alluring and fully capable of drawing him in. Perhaps this was why he considered the close proximity dangerous. Those tantalizing willow irises were able to befuddle him, just as they were doing now. A sweet, familiar scent wafted from her body and perhaps this was what froze him in his place. A thick daze caught him as he fought between a wild urge to kiss her and a cautious demand to step away.

What he wouldn�t give to kiss her.

As his body tensed in preparation to take a step closer, her fingers gently closed over his wrist. An obvious sign he was overstepping boundaries. Disappointment struck once at his insides as he struggled to keep his true feelings from showing on his face. His lips frowned slightly but his eyes still remained nonchalant.

"Thanks, I don't know what I'd do without you."

Lucas felt a shallow sadness as her body pulled away from him. However, mixed in with the sadness was a bitter relief. The Bennett sighed internally and chided his wasted efforts. It was obvious that Annette didn�t feel anything more for him than a sister would toward their brother. Immediately, he felt foolish.

"I'll make sure it's light tight."

�Sure.� Lucas gave a small laugh and cupped the side of his neck with one hand as an attempt to act casual. There was no doubt about it, the air was now awkward. His mind began to scold himself once more. Stupid, stupid, stupid. He was going to drive himself insane one day. He really was. That walk in the chilly air was starting to sound really good right about now.

"I'll see you in a few minutes?"

It was obvious that the Bennett was rushing. He had pulled a dark coat from his suitcase with such strength that he had nearly fallen backward when it came loose. He swiftly slid the coat over himself and approached the door. He gave a casual nod, his eyes directed to the side, and pulled open the room door. For some reason, Lucas couldn't bring himself to look at her. Without an audible reply, the Bennett stepped out and closed the door behind him. He paused outside the door and heavily slid one hand through his hair.

He noticed something that was driving him crazy:
Was it just his imagination or had a pink blush diffused over her cheeks?

Plagued with his insane hope, the Bennett continued down the hall.

(I�ll be back haha, don�t worry)

[Annette Aylett]

Her back was still turned against him, but she slowed down her actions to pay closer attention to his. To listen as he walked to his bag, where she could watch him from the corner of her eye. He wasn't looking at her. Purposely, she knew. It was obvious. As he ripped his jacket from his bag, Annette jumped, speeding herself up to make herself look busy by shuffling things around in her bag. In actuality, there wasn't anything she needed, except for a cover not to look at him.

When she heard the door shut roughly, Annette straightened up in reflex. Her hears strained for something, anything - for shuffling outside the door, for murmuring of words Luca may have said to himself, for sounds of disgust against her. Something. Anything.

Nothing.

Silence pressed densely against the girl's ears as she stood, still holding her towel tightly. Finally, she shook her head, heat rising to her face again but this time in anger and annoyance toward herself.

How could she be so stupid? How could she think such thoughts about Lucas. Like he would ever want her, like he would ever see her as anything except the little girl he took under his wing all those years ago. She was like a sister to him, nothing more, and any ideas of them together would seem like incest to him, she was sure.

Annette continued to silently scold herself as she marched around the room, turning the light off in the bathroom and checking the blinds, and making sure they were as tight as could be. Throwing her towel back inside her bag, she rummaged around for a large piece of material she took along with her, using it to re-cover any window that may need it to prevent light from creeping in. She tossed it rougly and secured it against the blinds the room already have. With this she kept herself busy, distracting her thoughts away from Lucas.

As she worked she found herself peeking through the cracks every so often, searching the street and wondering when he would come back. Maybe she should explain it to him? Come out and say what she felt?.... And then have him throw it in her face and laugh. No, it didn't sound at all like a good idea.

What Annette wanted right now was a drink.

Although, she supposed that would be useless as well. Not only was there nothing alcoholic in the room with her, but her lack of feeding lately told her that turning for a drink instead, on such an empty stomach and body, was probably not the best idea.

After a long while, after working and reworking, tearing down the blinds and doing it all over again, Annette found there was nothing else left to do. The girl stood with her back, leaning against the wall until she finally slid down to the floor. Thoughts and images of Lucas swirled through her mind, causing her to throw her face into her arms, folding them and resting her head, face down, upon them.. And now, now she had to share a bed with him. As awkward as it would be, as painful and distracting, it would be even more so if she told him to sleep on the floor. She did not want to be the one to point out the (even though obvious) awkwardness and change in the room.

She didn't know how long she sat there on the floor, back against the wall, next to the door, with her head in her arms, and in the dark. Minutes dragged on and Annette even started to dose, exhaustion slowly getting the better of her now that she was sitting still. She hoped sleep would be an escape, and not a nightmare, but even with this amount of tiredness, Annette found it hard to sleep.

Her headache had returned and, as if on cue, her stomach growled angrily at her. She ignored it, staying in the same position until...

Footsteps were coming closer from the opposite side of the door. The sound of the handle turning made Annette jump awake. Finally lifting her head, she stayed where she was. Waiting. What else was there to do, really?

[Lucas Bennett]

(Sorry for delay - and I wanted to say that I did find out I had a midterm yesterday haha. Sigh.)

He was being definitely being followed.

Taking several unnecessary glances over his shoulder, Lucas couldn�t help but be paranoid. His azure eyes flickered a dull gleam with every streetlight he quickly passed by. His gaze was intense and concentrated, traveling quickly to any source of noise or movement near him. Even the slight crackle of a leaf he had trod on set him at unease. The silence through the street, apart from the crinkling plastic bag in his hand, was the most unsettling. Where the hell were all the people now? The windows were darkened and the streets lay innocently, waiting to be ambled on. Still, he was the only one out and about it seemed. Then again, every now and then, Lucas was sure he saw a pair of light eyes staring at him from an alley way.

This place was so goddamn strange. The butcher didn�t even ask why he wanted the blood. Well, maybe he was just going crazy.

The Bennett took to taking long stride through the streets � a sort of pace that allowed him to run but not appear as if he were doing so. He didn�t want to appear intimidated by this place. No, to be honest � Lucas didn�t want to look as if he were scared.

Reaching the seedy motel, he quickly strode through the entrance door and slammed it behind him. His back pressed against the door, Lucas awaited any strange sound or movement to break the brittle silence. For several crawling minutes, he stood there with a stubborn impatience. Finally, the Bennett realized he was suffering the side effects of being overly cautious. Mentally scolding himself, Lucas let his dark eyes travel to his familiar surroundings. The unwelcoming lobby was deserted (as usual) and Lucas was able to relax in a shallow feeling of security. Exhaling a breath of long length, the Bennett willed himself to move and strolled into the side hall. He and Annette weren�t convicts but they were wanted by a force powerful enough to challenge the police.

Lucas approached the room and reached for the handle. He shook from his head the shame of a previous memory that had occurred only an hour ago. Perhaps she would have forgotten his awkwardness by now. Lucas pressed his lips together in concentration. Perhaps he should get another room. His eyes rolled involuntarily. Like was he able to afford it. The Bennett had no choice. Gripping the handle, Lucas opened the door and met a strange sight. He started and took one step back in reflex.

�Shit, Annette � you scared me.� He muttered under his breath. He then noticed she didn�t acknowledge his comment.

His dark, navy eyes fell upon the familiar figure. Internationally, he knew the position to be one of defeat. Then again, that really didn�t make sense to him. He took two steps and closed the door quietly. Arching an eyebrow, Lucas knelt down and set the plastic bag upon the stained carpet. The flimsy handles of the plastic bag unraveled from his grip and fell to the translucent sides of its contents. Three, large, one-quart, plastic containers became exposed. All of these were filled with a obviously conspicuous, thick, crimson substance.

Lucas placed one hand on her shoulder. Was she hiding? �What are you doing on the floor?�

This post has been edited by Lucas Bennett on Oct 12 2007, 06:38 PM

[Annette Aylett]

((Ew Midterms. No worries, I totally know how that feels. P.S. Sorry it's short. Didn't have much time. ))

Lucas looked agitated. Annette didn't doubt it was her fault.

Maybe it was just a bad night for her. The while thing felt... weird. She wasn't used to looking so... weak. She wasn't used to having to battle fighting the urge to hold Luca close, she wasn't used to not feeling, looking and acting confident, she wasn't used to showing her soft side. Although, if anyone had seen it before, it would have been Lucas. She didn't know if that was a grace, or if it just made her feel worse.

Annette was watching the bag that Lucas put down, instead of him. Her eyes were kept straight and her head kept still as she felt the hand on her shoulder. His hands still felt warm to her. Inviting. But her Vampire side over took part of her senses, helping her to prevent her gaze from drifting to her right were Lucas knelt. Why was she on the floor? Cause that's where she felt she should be. Either on the floor, or six feet under it.

But how could she say that to Lucas. She was usually the encouraging one, the one who stuck her nose in the air when he thought that something was unsafe. There were few times when Annette felt scared enough to show it, and - sitting against a dirty hotel wall - that's exactly what she felt like. Defeated; by Lucas and her feelings for him and, more recently, by the entire situation with the SDG. How dare she feel happy and comfortable. How dare she feel anything but regret, guilt, and sadness after what happened - and here she was worrying about whether or not she would be rejected by Lucas if she were to kiss him.

The bag, and it's contents, that Lucas had brought back were tempting here, but her face was neutral. How dare she even satisfy her own greed and give in to her exhaustion and hunger.

Still, Annette couldn't help but let her mind wander and think. Was there anything she could have done? If she had gone back, could she have saved someone else?

The woman's mouth opened in response to Lucas' question, but no words came out. She still avoided looking at him as she finally did speak, always afraid of what reaction he would give her. "Do you ever feel guilty? ... Selfish? For being here when others..." she paused for a moment before finishing, "aren't.?"

[Lucas Bennett]

The point of living life was to chase happiness, right?

However, Lucas wasn�t really sure he was still in the running to get to his ideal place of happiness. He felt that he had suddenly made a wrong turn and run down a long, dark, and unforgiving tunnel. He was still at a strong pace but there was no light that he could possibly make out at the end of that tunnel. Still, he felt there was no way he could possibly turn back and choose another way. There really weren�t options for a person like him. The attitude of his was a annoying and terse one. However, being blunt had a unpleasant result on him as well as others � he was forced to be the most blunt to himself. There was nothing like living with a constant critic in your head. Well, Lucas was sure of something now. He would not obtain happiness for a long time � maybe he never would.

Happiness wasn�t his main priority � so the Bennett didn�t feel he was missing out on anything.

"Do you ever feel guilty? ... Selfish? For being here when others...aren�t?"

Despite fighting the urge, a gloomy frown appeared on his lips. Lucas silently rose to his feet and grabbed the containers, balancing them in his arms. For some reason, he didn�t feel he needed to reply to her. Then again, this was probably one of those times where he wouldn�t be able to escape without answering her. Walking steadily over to a shaking table at the edge of room, he made a quick search of cups. Producing a pack from the bathroom, he nonchalantly ripped open the plastic and readied two cups. The dark, crimson liquid sloshed against the smooth curved, paper walls. His eyes were drawn suddenly and desperately to the blood. His fangs were steadily growing and Lucas acknowledged them, running his tongue over his extended canines.

Ten minutes had passed in the silence interrupted only by his movements.

Lucas held his thirst at bay. Instead, he busied himself with pouring the blood into another cup. He should have gotten more. Then again, he didn�t want to make himself a suspicious figure for ordering fifty cartons of pig�s blood. The Bennett tilted the carton slightly to allow the ruby liquid to flow out. Luca�s voice abruptly broke the air, startling even himself.

�Would you rather we died with them?� The Bennett paused and closed his eyes. Two seconds later, his eyes shot back open we he realized he had over poured. His back faced her as he poured. �At least we can avenge them.�

Lucas then grasped the cups by their mouths and brought them over to Annette�s corner. She was still seated and he was forced to kneel while making sure the blood didn�t spill over the sides. He held the cup of blood before her, normally � a gruesome offer. However, his fangs were in a crazed hunger for the blood. His disgust at the idea of drinking blood had long been conquered. Who ever heard of a vampire who didn�t like to drink blood? It was this or die. Dying of thirst was worse than dying by any other means.

�They were the selfish ones� to die and leave us all alone.� Lucas glanced at Annette to monitor her reaction to such a statement.

That was how he felt. Revenge was going to be a hard task. It would have been easier if they had more people to help. However, corpses were no more use to him now than grotesque door jams.

[Annette Aylett]

To Annette, it felt as though everyone in her life had left her behind, and she had left them too.

Her father, blindly drinking until his mind was gone and the only contact she got from him were slaps and shoves. Her mother only coming home to argue, and spending most of her time away to pretend life wasn't what it really was. Annette had left home with Joel when she knew it wouldn't matter because she had no parents to go back to. None that would receive her anyway.

And Joel, a brother who was gone every day, working to try and raise Annette while she was busy raising herself. He regretted his decision of taking care of her - not to say he didn't love her, but simply mourning what he lost and what he could have had if it weren't for her. So while Joel was gone from her, away at work, Annette had left as well.

And the Underground... Annette had turned her back on them to run. To save herself. And they hadn't followed, they had gone and died on her.

Lucas hadn't answered her question. Instead he had stood and moved away from her. Annette felt ashamed for even asking the question, continuing to lean back against the wall as though trying to sink right in. It hadn't been her place to ask.

He had been the only one so far that hadn't left her. But Annette still wasn't sure if she could continue stopping herself from running from him.

She watched his back while he poured to glasses full of the thick crimson liquid. Annette could feel the teeth growing in her mouth, causing her to shift her lips slightly. They parted as her mind screamed at her to reach out and take it right then and there. Her body sat, unmoving, as Lucas finally spoke.

�Would you rather we died with them?� �At least we can avenge them.�

Sometimes. It was the first thought that ran though her head, but she forced herself not to say it out loud. If it was a choice between continuing to lose everything and everyone time and time again in her life, and death... well, sometimes she felt she wanted to choose death.

So while Annette did not answer the question, the seconds of silence that followed may have hinted at her thoughts. And revenge was something she wanted. It was something that itched and ripped at her in the middle of the night - those who did this to the SDG deserved to have revenge decided upon them and taken out as Annette and Lucas pleased. And she would follow through, Annette had promised that to herself. But right now, it was just hard to see. How were they supposed to seek revenge when it was the who were running?

She was supposed to be the optimistic one. The one who spoke her mind but hid her heart. The one who had cocky words and comments which would put a light hearted smirk on someone's face. But lately it seemed as though Annette's optimism was failing, and her heart was finally showing through. She didn't like it.

Shutting her mouth, as Lucas turned, to hide her fangs (although they were quite obvious) Annette let her knees drop from their position close to her chest, to a more relaxed position. She was slowly starting to gather herself. Perhaps it was the prospect of finally eating. After all, if a human went as long as Annette did without eating, they would probably be showing way more signs of sickness than she was.

She grasped one hand around the offered cup, mumbling a 'thanks.' As Lucas spoke his mind, Annette looked down at the liquid in her cup. She dipped a slender finger in slowly, just to the tip, and held it up to her lips. She licked the blood carefully off her finger, as though thinking just as carefully about what to say. The metallic taste hit her senses like a sledgehammer to the head, making her yearn for more. Even with just the prospect of feeding, the illusion of color seemed to flush her skin, even in the dark room. Her cherry lips tugged slightly at the sides in a look of acceptance, silently calling out to Lucas to join her. The faded light in her eyes disappeared, and emerald gems shone brightly once more as thoughts of both feeding and revenge - a blood lust to all of her senses and being - flooded her mind. It gave her an eerie lure in the darkened, dirty hotel room. The fierce loyalty that Annette had for her friends who were killed outweighed her own self pity.

Yes, once again her normal life had been ripped unwillingly from her. And not just her, from Lucas too. And from every single member - mother, husband, child - who lived in the Underground. This time, Annette decided she would only run so far before stopping and fighting back. She knew Luca felt the same way.

The woman held up her cup slightly, looking at Lucas thoughtfully. "Cheers." she said softly, something that could be taken in many ways. It could be avoiding the question because she didn't agree, but just as easily agreeing with him and therefore 'toasting in agreement'. But all just as likely, Annette had said what she did because of both of those reasons. Her anger blamed it sometimes on them as well as herself, but one word always stood out whenever they talked about any scenario.

Revenge.

For the first time in a long time, Annette drank. And it felt great.

This post has been edited by Annette Aylett on Oct 20 2007, 12:54 PM