Hm.... what else? Oh yeah, Mindless Self Indulgence is doing a meet and greet today down at Zia Records, so I'm gonna go to that. I'm not going to the concert, though. I gave away the tickets to one of my friends.

Oh yeah, and is anyone going to see The Academy Is... on October14th? I want to go so bad, but my mom hates the House of Blues and it doesn't look like I can. *sobs*

So that's it for now, I think I'll come back and update from time to time. But right now, I need to go do a large amount of homework I've been procrastinating on. See you guys soon!

I'm closing my account on friendsorenemies. Not today, but after xxmynameherexx is finished with I'd Tell You, But Then I'd Have To Make You Mine. Then I'm done. Allow me to share with you why.

1. paranoia

My mom is even checking my email on aol now (not that she knows I know). If she ever found out about this, she'd throw another shit fit and I'd get upset and destroy whatever I'm currently writing, which leads to number two.

2. conficting schedules

I'm on to something big that I'm writing. An original story, not a fanficton, that I may get published someday. Quite frankly, I'm not even interested in finishing It's Hard To Say 'I Do' When I Don't anymore. I think doing a long sequel was just a bad idea.

So this is going to be my last journal. Thank you for the support over the past almost year. If you want to reach me, drop a line at sacrificextheory@yahoo.com. As a parting gift, here's two things for people to read before I go.

1. What happened when I went to Paramore

When I went to Paramore on Tuesday, It was crazy. First, my sister traded the Calavera Conspiracy tickets I had gotten from a friend that had won them for Mindless Self Indulgence tickets, which is AWESOME! Then, the same friend and my sister, my mom, other friend and I all had FRONT ROW SEATS! Not only did I get to high five Hayley, my sister gave her the necklace I wanted Zac to have (it's got a drum set on it) and she put it next to his set! *is happy* then at the end of the show, when Jeremy gave my sister his pick, his bass hit me in the face! And yes, it was the most awesome thing that's ever happened to me. How many people can say something like that happened? It almost topped meeting William Beckett (but not quite).

2. The general plot of the rest of It's Hard To Say 'I Do' When I Don't

Andy is being mentally tortured through his dreams. Helena tries to escape with Zac, but she gets recaptured along the way and is brainwashed by William and none other than... Ryland! (yep, he's evil too). Patrick finds a cure, but finds out it will only work if  given to the vampire that turned them all; William (Like in Blade: Trinity). Meanwhile, Trace tries to recapture Zac, but Zac kicks his ass and escapes to the woods where he joins up with the hunters. Andy realizes that it's going to be practically impossible to rescue Helena this time around, via reverse hypnosis (Dracula refrence *cough*). Zac copes with becoming a vampire and gets a crash course in vampire hunting. Andy is lured back to the Dandies after being unable to deal with William's mental manipulation (yay, alliteration!). Meanwhile, Zac wakes Pete to tell him he knows where Andy is. Helena wakes up and she and William are blood bound in a very heavy scene. Her tells her that Gerard is dead (she doesn't remember from the brainwashing) and introduces her new chevalier; Andy. The hunters reach the castle, only for Zac to get killed by Andy and his new sword Caliburn (Lords of Avalon: Sword of Darkness. I don't care if you don't like comic books, go read them. Or the book, which I haven't read.) Defeated, the hunters return to their hideout, where Patrick shows off his new weapon: a stake launching bazooka thing. (in my mind, it looks awesome). Helena gets ready for her coronation. William and Helena are crowned king and queen of the vampire population (cameo by the Volturi). Pete, Patrick and Joe burst in and start attacking and William tells Pete off for coming and ruining the ceremony. Helena's hypnosis wears off, but tells William that they both need to grow up and that she'll stay with him. She also reveals that she's pregnant. Commence happy ending.

Chapter Eleven

“Peter panda, wake up!”

Pete groaned softly, pulling a pillow over his head. They had just arrived in Albania late last night and he already hated it. Whether it was because of the overwhelming vampire presence or some unknown cause, the lure of blood was practically irresistible. He had tried drinking more of his blend, but it wasn’t helping. He looked up and saw Andy glancing at him.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

Pete shuddered, digging his nails into his arms.

“I-I have to get out of here,” he stammered, throwing off the sheets and heading for the door to the inn they were staying at.

“Wait!” Patrick exclaimed, jumping over the couch.

He shoved a glass of red liquid into Pete’s hand. Pete sniffed it tentatively.

“What is it?”

“Just drink it!” Patrick snapped. Pete quickly gulped it down and felt his stomach pains subsiding.

“Now will you tell me what I just drank?” he asked.

“Cow blood.”

Andy turned a strange shade of green and ran out of the room. Patrick rolled his eyes.

“It’s just a temporary solution for now. How do you feel?” he asked.

Pete waited until his shaking subsided.

“I think it worked.”

He collapsed into Patrick’s arms.

“I hate this, ‘Trick!” he cried. “Why did it have to be me? I just want Beckett to die!”

Patrick clutched his best friend tightly.

“I don’t know why he picked you, Pete. But I know this. I am going to find a cure if it’s the last thing I do!”

X                                                          *                                                          X

Joe ran confidently through the forest, enjoying his monthly transformation. Up in the sky, the full moon shone above the tree tops. Nothing felt better than running wild. In fact, it was better than pot. This was a new high.

A fierce snarl erupted from the bushes in front of him and another wolf pounced on top of him. It had shaggy dark fur and grey green eyes.

I know who you are and why you’re here, it thought. But you can’t beat him. Go home while you still can.

You work for Beckett!

Maybe, maybe not. But right now I’m just the messenger.

The other wolf climbed off him and began to walk away.

Wait! Where are they?

It paused and seemed to think for a moment.

There’s a castle on the other side of the forest near the mountains. But he has a new group of followers. It’s best if you just leave.

The wolf bounded into the shadows and disappeared. Joe got up and hesitated. Should he follow the other werewolf, or go tell the others what he had learned? He made his decision and ran into the night.

X                                                          *                                                          X

Ryland descended into the dungeon. He knew what he had done was both stupid and wrong, but he couldn’t help it. They deserved at least a warning. He walked through the hallway of cells, ignoring the prisoners’ cries.

“Saving her will not redeem you! You are all damned to hell!” one girl screamed. He vaguely remembered that she had been a devout Christian when William brought her here, and when he turned her she went insane.

“Shut up, Lacey,” he told her. “Going to hell with William is better than being in heaven with you.”

Satisfied by her silence, he continued until he found Helena’s cell. Trace had done his job well, judging by the number of cuts and bruises covering her lithe figure. She watched him come in with mournful eyes.

“Hey,” she said weakly.

“Hey yourself,” he replied. “I saw your friend Joe today. The others must have come with him to save you.”

“Great,” she scoffed. “So they can be killed or worse too.”

“Don’t you think you’re being a little negative?” he asked. “They haven’t even tried yet.”

“You don’t understand!” she yelled. “I might be . . . I might be . . .”

“Pregnant?” he finished.

“Yes,” she said in a choked sob. “Now please just go.”

Reluctantly he left as she continued to bleed and cry on the stone floor.

X                                                          *                                                          X

William watched the footage from the security camera in Helena’s cell, torn. He knew he needed to stop before he accidentally killed her. But he couldn’t afford to lose her. So he sat in his study and watched, imagining her blood dripping from his hands to the ivory carpet.

“Master Beckett?”

He turned his chair around.

“Yes, Ryland?”

“The hunters are here.”

“Excellent. Tell Gabe I will be downstairs shortly.”

“Yes, Master Beckett."

EDIT: Anyone who is planning on spamming Rodrigo's myspace, please don't. He has his own issues, and it was wrong of me to even put it up here even for one day. Yes, he was rude, but I was rude to him too.

Chapter Ten

When Helena woke up, she let out a steady stream of curses as she took in her surroundings. She was lying on a lumpy mattress in a dungeon cell that seemed to be straight out the dark ages. The only light was coming from far outside her cell. She could hear the cries of other prisoners somewhere beyond the dark walls.

“How dare you condemn me to your life of evil!? All of you will burn in the fires of hell!”

“Where am I? What have you done with my brother?”

“He told me he loved me . . . I never should have gone with him . . .”

She pressed the thin pillow to her head, trying to drown it all out.

Why didn’t I stay with Andy?  She silently asked herself. Why did I do that stupid video for Gerard?

But she was broken from her thoughts by the arrival of a strange visitor. He was a thin teenager, dressed in tight black jeans and with a grey t-shirt with wild grey eyes and long black hair. Tattoos ran up both his arms and he had two piercings just above his lip. He eyed her sadistically.

“Well, well, you must be Miss Dracul,” he said. “My name is Trace. You’re my five o’clock.”

She glanced at him nervously as he approached. He calmly picked her up from the bed and slammed her into the stone wall. She sank to the floor, her mind reeling. Who was this psychopath?

As if reading her thoughts as he began to beat her with a crowbar he manifested from nowhere, he started to talk.

“My life was just starting to get good. I had a band, I had an up and coming clothing line; it felt like I was finally starting to break out of my sister’s shadow. Then one night after a show, a shadow came up behind me and attacked. I blacked out and woke up here, where William told me what he had done and why.  Now thanks to you and your stupid boyfriend, I’m stuck here forever!!!”

He brought the crowbar crashing down on her skull, striking harder with every blow.

“That’s the problem with you assholes; you never think about what you’re doing! Do you think I wanted this?! To be trapped in the dark for the rest of my life, never to see my family again?! You just don’t get it!!! ”

He kicked her over and started stomping in her ribs. She gasped as one broke and punctured her lung.

“You all act like these perfect beings, but you’re not! You’re just a bunch of murdering sluts!” His wild grin grew wider as she looked up at him questioningly. “You think I don’t know my history? The night of your engagement, you slept with that Gerard. You know, I’m glad I’m not you. All your life you’ve been used! Gerard, Pete, Brendon. Heck, even William was only using you at first.”

“My past is none of your business,” she managed to retort.

“It is now,” he sneered, stabbing her in the side with a silver knife. “See you soon, sweetheart.”

Just like that, he left her battered and bleeding on the stone floor and walked out the door. She weakly tried to prop herself up, but her aching bones were no use. She slumped back to the floor.

“You got what you deserve, hellspawn,” a female voice spat. Helena looked toward the source. A petite young woman with tattered brown hair in a moth eaten dress and gloves looked at her through the bars in her cell.

“You have blue blood. That means you truly are the devil’s child.”

Helena looked down. As she eased the knife from her side, she saw the blood pouring from her wounds was no longer black, but a shimmering blue.

“My royal blood. It’s time for me to rule.”

“But you cannot rule without your mate, can you?” a familiar voice added.

She whirled around, causing a stab of pain to flash through her. William stood outside the door, watching her.

“You need to feed,” he said pointedly. She realized none of her injuries had begun to heal.

He unlocked the door and strode in, crouching to where she lay. She closed her eyes, wishing he would leave. He smiled wistfully and began caressing her gently.

“How long has it been since you fed?” he asked softly.

“Awhile,” she admitted drowsily.

“Please just give in,” he begged. “This is killing me; doing this to you.”

“I . . . I don’t know. Let me think.”

“What is there to think of?!” he demanded. “If you and I do not take over from those damn Volturi, we are doomed. We were supposed to begin our reign almost two hundred years ago! If you wish to sit down here and rot, very well. But I do not understand why you have acquired this death wish.”

He angrily stormed out, slamming the door behind him. With her last remaining strength, she mentally summoned Jared.

Long time no see. What are you doing in Albania?

It’s a very long story. But I think there’s something wrong with me.

What?

She paused.

I’m afraid.

Of what?

Ruling over all the vampires. It’s what I was trained for, but that was a long time ago.  And I don’t want to take away your freedom. If William and I are bound, then you will be forced to join his new legion of Dandies.

But what about Shannon?

If William can’t control him . . . I’m afraid he will be killed.

At least I'm trying.

Chapter Nine

            When Ryland entered the lab, he found Gabe with headphone on his ears, humming along while a young man he recognized as William’s newest “recruit” moaned in anguish on a gurney. Gabe noticed Ryland’s inquiring stare.

            “Pleasure Ryland! Don’t mind him; he just started his treatment,” he said as he pulled off his headphones. “So what’s up?”

            “Well, as you can see, William is tired of waiting for his future bride to be more obedient, so he set me to give her to you,” Ryland replied, gesturing.

            “You know, people who say I’m crazy have obviously never met him.”

            Gabe examined her for a minute.

            “She’s not my type, but I’ll admit she’s hot. Lay her down over there for a minute while I go get Zac back in his cell.”

            Ryland gently laid her down on a gurney.

            I could take her away, he thought. Somewhere far away, where she’ll never be found.

But he knew it was just a pipe dream. Gabe came back, wiping his hands on his purple hoodie.

“Alright, let’s see what I can do for her.”

He placed a hand on her forehead and she softly groaned, pulling away from his touch.

“She’s not going to be easy, I can tell you that right now,” he remarked.  “I’ll probably need Trace’s help.”

“But Gabe, he could kill her!”

“Does William know you like her? Because I’m pretty sure that’s a good way for you to get killed.”

Ryland stopped.

“Look, I’m sorry, but I have no choice. And if I remember correctly, neither do you. Go tell him I’ll give it my best. But there’s no guarantee.”

“Fine.”

X                                                          *                                                          X

            Zac clutched his head in agony, trying not to cry out. Something was very wrong. It felt like his head was going to explode.

“What’s happening?” he finally cried as flashes of memory rushed through his head. He looked up and saw the same Latin looking man who had caused this pain; a pale woman slumped in his arms. Zac fought a wave of nausea. Was she dead?

She’s not dead, only sleeping, like you should be. Close your eyes. Everything will be right in the morning.

Yes, that would make things alright. But before he could, Zac felt the sudden urge to say something about the woman; something that somehow, he just knew.

“She will die tragically by the hand of he who loves her more than his life.”

With that said, he fell into a dreamless sleep. Gabe studied him curiously.

“Prerecognition, huh? William will probably want to know about that.”

He lightly licked Zac for good measure.

“Beware the hunters,” he muttered.

With a shrug, Gabe took Helena and locked the door behind him. As he walked past his various “patients”, he telepathically continued to examine her.  After a good beating from Trace, she would be easy to bend. Of course, there were the hunters.  From what William had said, they were certainly a foe to face. But with Ryland on his side, he wasn’t too worried.

He laid Helena in an empty cell at the end of the hall. She was even paler than usual, her veins a river of blue on her translucent skin. She needed to feed soon. Which was just the way he needed her.

X                                                          *                                                          X

Meanwhile back in Chicago, Andy slashed through a group of punk vampires, his sword flashing in the dim light.

“Have mercy!” one screamed.

Andy responded by cleaving him in half. It felt good to be slaying again, and his powers provided him with an advantage. He was killing with lightning accuracy. Another punk tried to jump him from behind. He broke the vampire’s neck.

Soon Andy stood alone in the circle of corpses, not even sweating. He went out slaying every night, trying not to think of the strange dreams that plagued him during the day. He had a feeling that William was causing them, but he didn’t mention them to anyone else.  They didn’t need to know.

His phone began to ring, breaking him out of his contemplation.

“Hello?”

“We have a problem,” Patrick said.

“What is it?”

“Pete’s building a resistance to the blend. If I don’t a cure or we kill Beckett, we’re screwed.”

“If we kill him, he might not be the only one we end up killing.”

“I’m afraid we have no choice.”

Chapter Eight

Jared stared out at the Arctic landscape, his mind wandering to find the woman who changed his life. Shannon walked up next to him.

            “Can you feel it?” Jared asked quietly.

            “Feel what?”

            “There’s something wrong. She’s upset.”

            “You turned me, not her.” Shannon sighed, exasperated. “Jared, look around. We’re two hundred miles north of the Arctic Circle. Tomó survived. Sure, Matt ditched, but would it kill you to enjoy yourself for once?”

            Shannon turned to head back to his drum set.

            “Besides, isn’t she in L. A.?”

            “No,” Jared murmured to himself. “She’s not.”

X                                              *                                              X

            Helena uneasily walked back into Matron’s dreaded classroom. What she found surprised her. They were obviously supposed to be practicing stitchery, and unlike before, Hayley was actually doing it with Audrey and Amanda. She was so absorbed in their chatter; she didn’t even notice her friend approach.

             “Hayley?”

            She looked up at Helena.

            “Go do your work,” she sneered.

            “Hayley, what’s wrong?”

            “What’s wrong is you. Why don’t you give up your little noble act already? I swear you’re as bad as Peter. Maybe you should just move back in with him and the hunters.”           

The other girls laughed cattily. Hurt and confused, Helena sat in the back of the room instead.

            “Josh took her down to the infirmary.”

            She saw that Amy was talking from under her shroud of hair.

            “What did they do to her?”

            “They brainwashed her. William thought she was asking too many questions about where he took you. He basically runs this place you know,” Amy continued. “The others are just purebloods that went into hiding who share his warped logic, if you could call it logic.”     

            “But what did they do?”

            Amy shrugged.

            “It varies for each person. The guy that runs the place- Gabe, I think his name is- he’s a mad scientist. Likes to experiment what works for each of us. He can’t stand me.”

            “Why?”

            “Nothing worked on me. No matter what he tried, I was still ‘defiant’.”

            “Oh.”

            She waited for Amy to say more, but once again the strange young woman fell silent. She shrugged and picked up a needle and thread. Suddenly a strange compulsion overcame her. Checking to make sure Matron wasn’t watching, she pushed the needle into her arm. A thin stream of blood pulsed out, but she dug it in deeper.

Keep going, A voice in her head urged. You can do better than that.

Staring at the string dangling from her arm, she got an idea. She pulled the needle out and began stitching into her arm. Climbing vines of roses and broken hearts soon created a melancholy tattoo sleeve.

“What do you think you’re doing?!”

She calmly looked up from her work.

“Practicing my needlepoint, of course.”

Matron glared at her furiously, her face turning the color of a beet.

“Stop that right now,” a familiar voice added.

She smiled as William burst in the room, Ryland silently following.

“No.”

She pulled out a knitting needle and held it to her throat. William’s eyes glowed bright red.

Put it down.

Her hand trembled slightly and her eyes looked faintly glazed, but she held firm. He gazed at her without remorse.

You can’t resist me. Put down the needle and go to sleep.

She looked at him hopelessly and then lowered the needle.

“Fine,” she mumbled, lying on the floor.

He smiled with satisfaction.

“Good girl. Now let’s get you fixed up.”

Ryland watched William picked her up. Matron eyed him with scorn.

“So you’re still here,” she spat.

            “Yes, because despite what you might think, I’m more valuable than you,” he countered.

            “Ha! William has sired many children. What would make you so special?”

            “Must you two always bicker?!” William interrupted.

Matron and Ryland glared at each other sullenly.

            “Now, I need to go see Gabriel. I can’t keep putting her under temporary hypnosis like this. I may need something permanent.”

            “Which I told you from the beginning!” Matron cried.

            “Silence, crone,” William ordered. “You answer to my commands.”

            Matron looked as though she had been slapped. Ryland smirked at her as he followed William out the door.

            “She’s going to be the death of me, I tell you,” William muttered. “This one too.”

            “If you mean Helena, then why do you pursue her?” Ryland asked as they walked down the hall to Gabe’s lab.

            “It’s . . . complicated.” He sighed. “Actually, can you give her to him for me? I need to get some things sorted out.”

“But we’re already-”

William handed her to him and disappeared.

“-here,” he finished. “Jerk.”

Weak ending. I don't care. I met Mason from Metro Station at the Honda Civic Tour. I'm leaving now.

Chapter Seven

 Helena watched through half closed eyes as William entered her room. For a moment, he seemed genuinely concerned. He sat on the bed and brushed her tangled hair from her face.

 “Why are you doing this to me?” she asked softly.

 “You have left me with no choice,” he said sternly. “I have sacrificed everything for you. It is time you do the same.”

 She saw that his wrist was also bandaged.

 “William, did we . . .?”

 He shook his head, smiling.

 “Not yet, my love. It was just to keep you subdued.”

 She glared at him furiously.

 “You drive me mad, William Beckett, you know that? I could just kill you sometimes!”

 “Ssh, you mustn’t get so angry. Especially in your condition.”

 She froze as he continued to caress her.

 “What do you mean?”

 “Well,” he said conversationally, “You might be pregnant.”

 “WHAT?!” she yelled as the memories began to flicker back. A dungeon, the two of them covered in blood, her pained screams as he violently had his way with her. . .

 “I hate you,” she sobbed, pulling away from his touch. “I hate you so much.”

 “It wasn’t just me,” he snarled. “Or would you like to see the scratches you left down my back?”

 “B-b-but I can’t be pregnant! I thought we were naturally barren!”

 He chuckled darkly.

 “With your bloodline? Never.”

 “Oh, William,” she sighed. “You wonder why I don’t love you anymore, and then you go and knock me up? Actually, I consider this rape.”

“It’s not rape; it’s just sex you didn’t know you wanted.”

 She snorted. “Oh, that’s nice. So what am I supposed to do now?”

 “We wait. If you are pregnant, make sure you are taken care of. If not, we’ll try again later when you are more . . . compliant.”

 She rolled her eyes.

 “William, I’m not going to ‘comply’ with anything until you realize that can’t keep pulling me along like this. People aren’t playthings; you can’t just do what you want with them until you get bored. Besides, who said I want children?”

“I want a child, so you don’t have a choice. But unfortunately, I must leave you now to class. I have something urgent I must take care of.”

“Going to turn someone else?” she asked as he headed for the door.

“That’s not your concern.”

“I feel bad for him already.”

X                                              *                                              X

“Let me go!”

Zac Farro frantically looked around the lavish room. The last memory he had was of sitting at his drum set back home in Tennessee. Then he blacked out. When he woke up, he was tied to the bedpost in this strange place. As he struggled to free his wrists, he heard sharp footsteps come in from outside.

“Have you ever thought of your death?”

A pale young man spoke up from the shadows. He didn’t appear to be much older than Zac, with girlish features and dressed in strange clothes.

“What are you talking about?!” Zac yelled.

“How do you imagine dying? Do you think you’re going to heaven?” the stranger mocked.

Zac thought of the rosary tucked under his shirt.

“M-m-maybe,” he stammered. “Are you going to kill me?”

The young man’s sadistic grin grew wider.

“Yes.”

Zac’s panic kicked into overdrive. The stranger came closer, his hypnotic gaze paralyzing the terrified teen.

“Don’t worry, Zachary,” he assured him. “It won’t hurt for long.”

Zac squeezed his eyes shut as the stranger bit into his neck. An awful feeling of agony overtook him.

“Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name,” he moaned.

William released his hold for a moment and smiled, Zac’s blood all over his face.

“God can’t save you. You’re mine now.”

He bit back down and Zac whimpered pitifully as his whole body began to go numb. He closed his eyes, waiting for death to embrace him. Maybe the vampire was right. Death couldn’t be that bad. He lay quietly in a pool of his own blood. The pain was unbearable.

“Please kill me,” his managed to whisper. “I’m so cold . . .”

“Why would I do that?”

Zac tasted something bitter and a voice echoed from the void he found himself in.

“You have been condemned . . . prepare to join your brother as one of the damned.”

He cried out in terror as the world fell into a pitch black void.

Is this not one of the worst chapters I've ever written? Don't lie; I know it sucks. Don't expect any updates this weekend. Friday's the Honda Civic Tour, Saturday I'm going to see The Incredible Hulk, and Sunday's my birthday. Did you need to know all that? Probably not, but I felt like sharing. See ya later!

How's everyone doing? No one else's mom tried to choke them in public? No one got their Honda Civic Tour and Decaydancefest tickets taken away for a week because they didn't want to wear a pink dress? Almost stabbed themselves? Just me? Man, my life's nuts. But let's talk about happy things. This chapter makes me happy, but I won't spoil it for you. Read below!

Chapter Six

“Stop fighting me, my love. Just open the door.”

William smirked as Helena removed the barricade from behind the door and came outside. Holding out a wrist with a voice like poisoned honey, he began.

“Do you, Helena Dracul . . .”

X                                                          *                                                          X

“Helena, please wake up!”

Helena slowly opened her eyes to see Ryland standing above her, his voice full of worry.

“Oh, thank God you’re alive,” he breathed. “I would’ve murdered William. . .”

“What do you mean?”

“You’ve been missing for three days. I came here after class the next day, but you weren’t here. But when I asked William where you were, he told me it was ‘none of my concern’. What happened to you? You’re covered in bruises and cuts. I tried to fix you up, but I’m not a doctor.”

She tried to recall the chaotic night, but only drew a blank.

“I don’t know. I can’t remember.”

“Maybe this has something to do with it,” he remarked, tugging at the gauze wrapped around her wrist.

She pulled away the bandage to reveal a set of puncture wounds an inch apart on her wrist.

“He . . . there’s no way he could have. . .”

“What?”

“It appears that, during my absence, William and I have become blood mates.”

She slumped back against her mattress, sighing.

“Where is he?! I’ll kill him!” Ryland threatened.

“Don’t bother trying. You’d be dead before you got in a punch. Besides, I’m sure he’ll be in here in a moment or two.”

Ryland sat next to her on the bed.

“I wish you would have come with me instead of going out with him.”

“I know, but clearly if William can’t have me, no one can.”

“Do you want me to stay in case he comes?”

She smiled.

“I appreciate the offer, but I wouldn’t recommend it. He’s got a nasty temper, and if he thinks you and me. . .”

“What? You don’t like me?”

“No!” she said hastily. “It’s not that! It’s just. . .”

“If he knows, he’ll kill me.”

“Yes, that’s what I mean. I don’t want you dying because of me.”

“I gladly would, you know.”

“Why would you do that?”

He shrugged, standing up and kissing her forehead.

“I like you. But I know I can never have you.”

X                                                          *                                                          X

Knock, knock.

Andy ignored whoever was at the door, his eyes glued to the TV. Ever since William had escaped, he had isolated himself to his house. He despised what he had become and hadn’t adapted at all. He suffered from insomnia during all hours of the day, and for whatever reason, he couldn’t tolerate Pete’s blend. At least today there was a Star Wars marathon to keep his mind off of it; for now. In the back of his mind, his thirst gnawed at him, urging him to give in to the darkness.

Knock, knock.

“Go away,” he growled.

“Andy, let us in already!”

He froze.

“Joe?”

“And Patrick and Pete too. Come on, it’s important!”

With one last look of longing at the TV, he got up from his couch and opened the door.

“What do you want?” he asked irritably.

“It’s Helena,” Joe said. “She’s been kidnapped. Er, vampire-napped.”

“Why should I care?” Andy snapped. “I’m not her keeper. If she gets into trouble, it’s her own damn fault.”

“Because, dickhead,” Pete retorted. “It was William who took her. Now get the stake out of your ass. I know you care about her; what I don’t know is why you’re acting like a little shit.”

“I. . . I. . .”

“Look,” Patrick interrupted. “Can’t we all just get along? Not only did we bring your sword, I made a variation of the blend that may be able to hold you over.”

“Slayer,” Andy murmured, taking his shining blade from Joe’s hands. He looked up at his friends. “Okay, I’ll take whatever you got. Anything that keeps me from ripping someone in half.”

“Maybe after this, Fall Out Boy can come back!” Joe said hopefully.

“Maybe,” Pete said. “But first, to Albania. Patrick, do you think you can find her?”

“Jared would probably do it better, but he’s up at the Arctic Circle, so I’ll give it a shot.”

Patrick closed his eyes and sought her out.

"She's at Blackinton Castle. William’s made it his new home. She. . .”

He stopped as he saw what had happened to her over the last few days.

“We need to get out there, now. I don’t know how much longer she’ll survive."

Somewhat related rant, part two

First off, I know I keep really weird hours, but I haven't slept right in three weeks, so this gives me something to do. Secondly, wouldn't Helena and Ryland make a cute couple? Better yet, do they stand a chance? Knowing the way my mind works, probably not. But you never know. Thirdly, I can't help but feel bad for Andy in the chapters ahead. But changing the subject (no spoilers here!), I hightly recommend Goodbye Blues by The Hush Sound. It's definitely one of my favorite CDs right now. Yes, I still collect CDs. I don't like Ipods. So that's it for now, and if you know any FBR/Decaydance band members looking to adopt a teenage girl from Las Vegas, I'll be in my closet. Oh (long, isn't this?) and by the way, Jeremy, the pocket emo, is my little mascot. Also. . . crap! I can't remember what else I was going to say! (NOW I guess I'm done.)

Chapter Five

Helena glared at the large stack of books in her arms with disgust.

“Why should we learn Latin?” she complained. “It’s a waste of time.”

Hayley shrugged miserably.

“Who knows? At least it’s been quiet on your end. William still hasn’t come to talk to you?”

“I know, it’s really-” she stopped short. “Crap in a hat.”

William was leaning against her bedroom door.

“Is that any way to greet me?” he asked.

“I could think of worse things to say, but you’re not worth my time,” she said acidly. “What do you want?”

“A chance to talk.”

“Why? Am I not living up to your mindless drone expectation?”

He scowled.

“Because, I said so and here you follow my orders. I expect you at the dining hall in fifteen minutes.”

He tipped his hat and disappeared. She and Hayley stormed into her room.

“What are you going to do?” Hayley asked.

“I guess I have to go. It’s not like I have a choice in anything I do here,” Helena replied.

She opened her closet and began flipping through her various black band shirts when Hayley picked up a package from her bed.

“What’s this? It’s addressed to you,” she said.

Helena warily opened it and pulled out a red velvet dress with gold ribbon laced through the bodice.

“That asshole expects me to wear this?” she exclaimed.

“I’m gonna say yes.”

“Fine,” she grumbled. She quickly stripped from her AFI shirt and struggled to get the dress on. “How do I look?”

“Probably like his dream come true.”

“Fan-fucking-tastic. Wish me luck.”

She gathered up her skirts just as there was a knock at the door. She tentatively opened the door. Ryland stood outside the door, holding a bouquet of lilies.

“Hey,” he said nervously. “I got these for you.”

“Thanks. What’s up?” she asked, putting the flowers in a vase on her nightstand.

“Well,” he started, ruffling his hair, “I was wondering what you were doing tonight.”

“Sadly, having some kind of discussion with William. Either that or he’s going to do something ghastly to me.”

“Oh.”

She noted his disappointed expression.

“Ryland, was there something you wanted?”

“Well, I was going to ask you to dinner, but I don’t want to interfere with William’s plans.”

“I wish you could. But my friend Hayley is free.”

Helena gestured to Hayley, who was watching the conversation with a mix of awe and shock. Ryland smiled and gave a half bow.

“Pleasure to meet you, Hayley.”

She nodded.

“Well, I better go,” Helena said grimly. She ran through the dormitory and up a flight of stairs, wracking her brain to remember where the dining hall was. Finally she made her way into the dark and elegant room.  William sat at the head of the table, dressed in a black suit that flawlessly set off his pale skin. He nodded cordially in her direction.

“My lady,” he murmured.

She glared at him as she sat down across from him.

“I get it; you’ve never looked better and I can’t stand it. What do you want?” she demanded.

Surprisingly, he had a wounded look on his face.

“I merely wanted to explain my actions.”

She sighed heavily.

“Fine. Explain yourself.”

“I need you. I lived without you for almost a year and it nearly killed me. When I came back, when I saw you with Gerard. . . I couldn’t think of anything but taking you back. Making you mine.”

He paused, scrutinizing her intently. She said nothing. With a sigh, he continued.

“I hate this world. Yes, sometimes a human shows promise, but it’s just not worth hiding anymore. Starting petty fights with hunters who think they can destroy me . . . it’s a waste of my time. I want more.”

He stood up and walked behind her chair.

“Would it really be so bad, being my queen?” he murmured in her ear. “You would have ultimate power, power to do whatever you desire. . .”

She managed to find her voice.

“How did you find me?”

He smiled as he traced random shapes on her skin.

“You could say it was a parting gift from Aro. He saw how miserable I was and told me to go.”

His hand trailed down to her waist and she knew if she didn’t stop him now, she’d never leave.

“William, for fuck’s sake, stop!” she cried, wrenching out of his arms. “I can’t do this! I told you before, you lost your chance! You’re nothing to me now!”

She ran from the room without looking back.

Where to go , where to go, she thought, hearing William’s footsteps close behind her. She ran into the first room she saw and slammed the door behind her.

“You can’t hide,” he taunted. “I own you here.”

She locked the door and began shoving furniture against it, finding herself in another small bedroom. He rattled the handle furiously.

Get out here, he commanded.

Fuck off!  she retorted.

You don’t want to fight me. Let me in.

No . . .

Yes. It will be so much easier if you just give up.

 She winced, rubbing her temples. His telepathic persuasion was more powerful than it had ever been.

Pete, wherever you are, help me!

X                                                          *                                                          X

Pete woke up suddenly, laying on the weather beaten couch in the warehouse living room.

Helena? Where the fuck are you? he thought.

Albania, where the fuck are you? I called for you when he first grabbed me!  Came the frantic reply.

I’m sorry, we’re trying to find Andy. We’ll come as soon as we can.

You’ll be too late- shit! He’s getting in!

Wait! I’ll get Patrick!

But she was already gone.

William's musings were based on quotes by Jareth the Goblin King from Jim Henson's Labryinth. For not knowing that, I order all of you to go watch it after you read this chapter and comment. But seriously, it's an amazing movie.

Chapter Four

“GET UP!”

Helena pulled her pillow over her head. The screaming voice made her long for her coffin back home. She fumbled on her nightstand and threw the first thing she grabbed. There was a thud and abruptly she was yanked out of bed.

“You think you get to sleep in late?!”

She blearily opened her eyes. Matron was screaming in her face, suspending her by her hair.

“Ungrateful wench! I can’t even begin to understand why he wants you!”

As she slowly tried to focus on why she was being screamed at, Matron dragged her out the door until at last she was taken into the infirmary. Matron brusquely shoved her into a wooden chair.

“What are you doing?” Helena demanded.

“You are currently truant,” Matron said as she bound her to the chair with thick leather straps. “As such, I must ensure you are never late again.”

Helena could only watch as a large syringe of pale yellow liquid was jabbed in her arm and slowly fed into her. Each drop sent horrible burning pains scorching through the veins she thought born dead, and it only got worse.

There’s no way I’ll let this douche bag see me suffer, she though, gritting her teeth.

But the fire spread through her quickly, causing more agony then all the suffering, physical and mental, ever inflicted on her. She tugged fiercely in the straps, but they wouldn’t budge.

“Embedded with sliver!” Matron cackled. “There’s no escaping those!”

The fiery pain flooded her head, searing the pain into her very thoughts. As it took away her only refuge, she could bear it no longer. She let out an ear piercing scream that resonated throughout the castle.

“That’s it! Scream like the whore that you are!”

Helena hung her head, ashamed of how weak she was. She didn’t even notice when another needle pushed through her skin and the pain died away.

Andy would be embarrassed by what a coward I am, she thought bleakly.

Matron removed the straps and shoved her to the ground.

“That will teach you to be late to my class. Now get upstairs.”

She stumbled out of the room as fast as she could, which in her current state, wasn’t fast at all. When she got about one floor above the dungeon, she finally collapsed onto someone.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

She looked up. He looked a bit like William, but somewhat taller and with darker hair. He gazed at her with the most beautiful olive green eyes she had ever seen.

“I honestly don’t know anymore,” she admitted.

“Well, you’re obviously new here, so I’ll let the tumble slide.”

She was taken aback by the kind stranger.

“How did you know?”

He shrugged as he pulled her to her feet.

“The new ones always get it worst. I’m Ryland. You are…?”

“Helena.” She studied him. “You know, you don’t really seem like the kind of person who would…”

“Kidnap lovely young women and participate in Victorian dress-up?” he finished. “I’m not. But as long as I don’t interfere, it’s a free place to live. Now if only I could get all these assholes out, I’d be able to claim by inheritance.”

“Inheritance?”

“Yeah, this is my castle. Blackinton Castle; population a shitload of nutjobs who destroyed my life. I’ll tell you about it on the way upstairs if you want.”

“Well, it’s not like I have anything better to do,” she replied.

As he walked her to class, he told her his story.

“I just found out about the castle a few months ago. But by the time I came with my girlfriend Victoria, William was already here. He told me if we tried to leave, he’d kill us both.  I almost wish he had.”

“What happened?” she asked.

“He took Victoria from me. Slowly, he began to brainwash her into all this. But once she realized what was happening, she couldn’t take it anymore. So she jumped off the tower.”

“I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t be,” he said angrily. “At least she got out of here. When William found out, he bit me. And because of his stupid hypnosis, I can’t leave the castle. Unless someone kills him, I’m trapped. And I know you won’t do it, because you’re his puppet.”

“Let’s get something straight,” she snapped. “I am not his puppet. We haven’t been together in a year. He brought me here.”

“Well he obviously still wants you.”

“No shit, Sherlock.” She stared at the classroom door. “I should go.”

“See you around.”

As she walked in the classroom, not caring whether she was late or not, the evening’s exhaustion came rushing back. She sank into the chair next to Hayley.

“Where have you been?” she asked.

“Getting tortured by liquid fire.”

“Oh. She injected you with essence of garlic. Stings like heck, doesn’t it?”

“Big time. Have you met Ryland Blackinton?”

Hayley’s eyes grew wide.

“You mean he really exists? To us, he’s like an urban legend. He’s such a recluse; none of us have ever seen him. ”

“He’s very . . . interesting.”

At mentions of Ryland, the other girls started to look up with interest. But at the moment, Matron came in and the room fell silent.

X                                                          *                                                          X

“Did she fall for it?”

Ryland smirked at William.

“Hook, line, and sinker.”

“Excellent. Earn her trust, then bring her to her knees when she least expects it.”

“She’s so desperate; it will be a piece of cake.”

“And Ryland? Don’t get attached.”

He nodded dutifully.

“Whatever you say, Master Beckett.”

I don't really like this chapter much either. Maybe by chapter five I'll be happy. Anyway, I wish it was Monday. I need to talk to Rico or I will lose my mind. I can't stand how much I like him!