Date: Sun, 01 Jul 2001 03:18:13 -0000 From: Nathan Wolf Subject: Blood Angel (Chapter 9) Hey, it's me again. I've been getting a lot of complaints that I write way too slow, so I'm gonna try to post chapters as fast as I can. This one didn't take too long. For some weird reason, I just felt inspired, so I sat down and wrote this in a couple of hours. N'Sync and BSB are not gay... that's for that. Thanx to everyone for support, and don't forget to criticize. :o) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Justin gritted his teeth in his sleep. He was performing in front of millions of people without any clothes on... spinning of colors... he was running through the darkness of the streets and desperately trying to reach someone in time... spinning of colors... JC was falling from his window in slow motion and reaching towards Justin, while his screams echoed Justin's mind... spinning... reach in time, have to reach him in time... spinning... his mom was staring at him in disgust 'You're what?!'... spinning... reach in time, have to run faster, streets turning brighter... spinning... the people kept laughing and pointing, laughing, and laughing... spinning... faster, faster; this is it! This is it! The picture of the hotel he was staying in flashed through his head. Have to find him... spinning... knocking, knocking, knocking... Jumping up in the bed, Justin gripped the sheets around him desperately trying to steady his breath. The knocking on the door turned to violent pounding. The weak sun light slowly found its way to Justin's sweat soaked face. He looked at the clock; 6:15am. Getting off the bed, he tried to straighten up his clothes, but it seemed absolutely hopeless; every piece of clothing he had on was sweaty and rumpled. The pounding was consistent, and Justin saw no other choice but to open the door. As soon as he did, JC stumbled in and slammed the door closed behind him. His face was tear streaked, and his eyes bloodshot, while it was obvious that he had slept in his clothes too. It took Justin only couple of seconds to gather his thoughts. Right away, his hands were wrapped around JC's shoulders while leading him to the couch on the other side of the room. When JC sat down Justin threw the nearest blanket over his shoulders, and rubbing his back gently, waited until JC wanted to talk. He didn't have to wait long. JC looked at him and simply said: "I'm gay." And that was it. JC stared at him as if expecting a reaction. Justin didn't know what to say. He opened his mouth couple of times but closed them before saying anything. Instead, he wrapped his hands around JC's shoulders and hugged him tight, placing a gentle kiss on his forehead. JC pushed him away slightly and looked at Justin's face, his eyes wide: "You don't hate me?" Justin had to smile: "Of course I don't hate you. Josh, I've known you forever... I don't think anything could make me hate you. This especially, since I really don't think that there is anything wrong with being gay." "You don't?" "I just said I don't, didn't I?" JC buried his head in Justin's chest and whispered softly: "Thank you." Justin kissed the top of his head, and then made his voice half-angry: "Now let's talk about the fact that you woke me up at 6:15 in the morning." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Brian felt Robby tense up in his arms. Instantly, he was fully awake: "What's wrong?" They were curled up on Brian's bed with their arms around each other for hours, and Brian had almost managed to forget all the problems he was facing, along with almost dying numerous times. Such was the power of Robby's presence over him. He could simply forget everything that was wrong in his life, and be happy from just being able to have Robby resting on his chest. Being able to play with Robby's silky hair, and stare at those incredibly bright and beautiful green eyes without any regard for the time or anyone else's existence for that matter. Now he was scared again, and his hand gripped Robby's arm when he didn't answer: "Robby? What's wrong?" Robby's other hand covered Brian's, but his eyes stared somewhere through the wall as if he could see beyond it: "Someone is here... but I can't..." Brian felt his stomach sink. The Blood gang was here... to take away Robby forever, to torture him, kill him... His hear was pounding wildly: "I have to call security." Robby's grip on Brian's hand tightened: "No wait..." They sat in silence for couple of minutes, then Robby's grip relaxed. He turned to Brian and smiled: "It's Derrick... he's coming closer. He probably felt me change earlier... that helped him find where we're staying." Brian felt panic rise in his throat: "And that's a good thing?!" Robby frowned at him for a second, but then smiled again: "Of course, I haven't had a chance to tell you... Derrick is a friend. He's the only Blood member I trust. When Mark is gone, Derrick will be taking over..." How Brian still looked frightened, Robby hugged him: "Don't worry, Derrick would never betray us... I promise I won't let anything happen to you." "It's not me I'm worried about... The hunt is after you." "Too bad for them because they won't catch me. I promised I'd never leave you and I intend to keep that promise." Brian smiled slightly: "I love you." "I love you too" In the same instant they both cracked up. Brian tried to keep a straight face, but the smile wouldn't come of his face: "God, we're so corny." Robby laughed: "What do you mean, muffin?" Brian giggled and wrapped his hands around Robby. In couple of minutes though, his smile disappeared: "Seriously... promise you'll never leave me." "I promise. I will never leave you." Smiling, Brian rested his head on Robby's chest. Everything was going to be OK. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Derrick eyed the security of the hotel from the shadows. He knew he couldn't pass them without a fight and possible killing, and he definitely had no intention of killing anyone. The sun was almost up, and longer he waited, his chances of getting in were slimmer and slimmer. He felt Robby's presence clearly now, but there was something suspicious in that hotel that he couldn't place his finger on. He couldn't understand why his mind played games on him while he ran... he felt someone inside of his head, but it wasn't another vampire. It was a human, and even the though of human being able to touch his mind was horrifying. That someone was right above him... some fifteen floors up, and the window of the room, from which Derrick sensed that other presence, was wide open. He hesitated for a moment but made up his mind quickly, and placing his hands on the building wall, started climbing easily like a giant black spider. JC stood up slowly and smiled: "Thanx Jus... I'm sorry I woke you up." Justin smiled back: "Don't worry about it... I was having nightmares anyway. You know you can come to me any time you need to talk." "I know..." They were both quiet for a moment, then JC spoke softly: "Well, I better get to my room and clean up... Breakfast in Kevin's room?" Justin just nodded while walking JC to the door. They hugged tightly, and JC whispered 'Thank you' in Justin's shoulder one more time before leaving. Closing the door behind him, Justin stretched and rubbed his eyes. He really needed sleep, but at that point, he didn't think he could have fallen asleep even if he wanted to. One thing he knew he had to do was get in the shower as soon as possible. As soon as that thought crossed his mind, someone's hand grabbed him around the waist while the other covered his mouth. For a second, Justin though he was dreaming. He was himself, but he was the person behind him... then he was both. Pain shot through his head. He could feel the person behind him draw a ragged breath and weaken the grip. Only then it occurred to Justin that he should fight. With his free hand, he elbowed the person behind him, and threw himself at the phone. He didn't make two steps towards the phone, when he felt his hands being roughly hand cuffed behind his back. Letting out a dull scream, he tried to run, but he stumbled over his own feet and ended up face down on the floor. Someone's weight pressed down on his back, and he felt hot breath on the back of his neck: "Scream again and I swear I'll cut your tongue out." Justin closed his mouth breathing heavily through his nose. He could barely breathe enough to form a sentence: "Who are you?" "My name is Derrick... you invaded my mind. I want to know why and how." "What?... I did what?... What are you talking about?... Who the hell are you?... Let me go!" Justin felt man's knee press into his lower back and barely kept himself from screaming in pain. The man's voice was harsh and broken up: "I told you not to be loud... now let's try this again. You invaded my mind. No human can do that... what are you?" Justin's face was twisted from pain: "I can't talk... you're hurting me..." He felt Derrick bend lower and his breath caressed Justin's ear in such a way that Justin shivered: "I'll let you sit up if you promise you won't try to run or call for help... I don't want to kill you, but if you test me I will shut you up forever. Understood?" "Yeah... I promise..." Justin felt the weight of Derrick's body lift off his back and made an attempt to sit up, but the pain in his back would not let his legs work properly. He heard Derrick sigh and mumble something about 'weak humans', then he felt the handcuffs being taken off his hands. Rising himself to his knees, Justin looked at his attacker for the first time and his mouth dropped. >From the depth of the voice he was listening to, he assumed that his attacker was at least in his thirty's. The guy across from was young, possibly in his twenties if not younger. His sand colored hair flew in soft waves down to his shoulders, and his eyes were the deepest, darkest brown Justin had ever seen on a man. Derrick was staring at him in such fashion that Justin felt uncomfortable and scared in the same time. Derrick's voice sounded so unnatural coming from such a young face: "You're a pretty little thing... Human alright. How did you enter my mind?" "I didn't... I mean, I don't know what you're talking about. Enter you mind? I've never even seen you before." Derrick's face dangerously moved closer to Justin's: "You're either lying, or you touched my mind unintentionally. But if you're lying..." "I swear, I'm not lying... I never... I don't know how... It's not possible to enter someone's mind..." Justin swallowed hard. Entered his mind? He couldn't figure out if the guy in front of him was completely crazy, or if everything that was happening was just another one of Justin's bizarre dreams. Derrick frowned: "You really have no clue what I'm talking about, do you?" "No... I don't..." "Damn!" Derrick stood up so quickly, that Justin froze in the place without breath, expecting to get hit. Nothing happened. Derrick started pacing up and down the room and rubbing his head furiously in the process. Justin waited some ten minutes, than gathered enough courage to ask: "You called me human... What are you." Derrick looked at him suddenly, his eyes piercing Justin's soul: "I'm a vampire." Then he continued pacing. Couple of seconds later, he faced Justin again: "What's your name?" "Justin." "Justin... it fits your pretty-boy face." Justin's mind was barely registering what was being said. A vampire... in his room. Something clicked in his head: "But the sun just came up... aren't you supposed to... I mean, how are you still here?" Derrick grinned and Justin lost his breath. For a second there, Derrick looked like a young innocent boy with large sad eyes. But that picture disappeared as fast as it came: "How am I still here? Kid, this is twenty first century... we don't sleep in coffins during the day any more... we don't wear red capes any more either." He grinned again, exposing two rows of perfect white teeth: "Relax kid... I'm not gonna kill you. It's obvious you have no clue what's going on." "Don't call me kid." As soon as those words left his mouth, Justin cursed himself for not keeping quiet. However, Derrick just laughed: "So, you decided to show some guts... not bad. Alright then, Justin it is." Then his face grew serious again: "I can't let you go until I find my friend. He'll know what to do next. Until then, you can either be good and come with me, or I'm gonna handcuff you again and drag you along." It didn't take long for Justin to answer: "I'll come with you." "Good choice." To Justin's surprise, Derrick held out his hand to help him rise off the floor. His hand was strong but cold... he pulled Justin up with ease and then frowned: "I didn't hurt you too bad, did I?" Caught off guard, Justin mumbled: "Um... no, I don't think so..." "Good. Let's go." They left the room, and Derrick paused for a second. It seemed as if he was testing the air with his hand, then he pulled Justin down the hallway. Stopping in front of the last door on the right, he waited for couple of seconds not doing anything. The door opened right away, and a young blonde guy with large green eyes motioned for them to come in quickly. Justin stepped inside of the room and then blinked. Standing right in front of him was Brian... Brian Littrel from the BSB. Brian seemed even more surprised: "Justin??" Before saying anything, Justin noticed Derrick pulling the green-eyed guy aside and speaking to him in quick, hushed sentences. He focused back on Brian: "Hey... um, we're staying in the same hotel... What the hell is going on here? This guy just told me he's a vampire and he's looking for his friend... The friend he seemed to have found in your room." Brian scratched his head: "It's a very long story..." "Well, they seem to be busy so we have time." Brian sighed: "You better sit down for this one." Derrick gripped Robby's arm: "It's so good to see you... the hunt is after me now too. Mike is going crazy, he turned the town upside down to find you. Where the hell were you?" "At Colleen's... had to get out couple of bullets out of my body." Derrick looked at Brian for a second: "Is that the guy you risked your ass for?" "Yeah... that's the guy." There was something in that sentence that made Derrick look at Robby more closely. He couldn't believe what he was seeing: "You're in love with him??" Robby smiled slightly: "Yes, I am... he's in love with me too." "He's a human Robby... do you have any idea how risky that is?" Robby frowned at the floor: "I know, I'm not stupid... I just can't do anything about it..." He looked up with fire in his eyes: "I love him... I can't exist without him. If this cost me my eternity, it would be worth it..." Derrick sighed. When Robby made up his mind about something, there was no changing it. Love? Derrick could barely recall what love felt like. He was familiar with caring... but love was something he hadn't felt in so long. Robby cleared his throat: "I see you decided to pick up someone along the way too." For some reason, Derrick felt his face grow hot. Touching his cheek in wonder, he couldn't remember the feeling that caused them to turn red. In serious voice, he answered: "He touched my mind." "He what? How?" Derrick shook his head in desperation: "I don't know... that's the problem. He's isn't even aware that he did it." "But that's impossible! He's not..." "No he's not... he's a human. I don't understand. No human should be able to do that." Robby frowned: "Some people I healed can... Brian can because I love him and he loves me. But you... no human should be capable of touching your mind." Derrick glanced towards Justin. He was sitting on the bed, and Brian was on the floor in front of the bed with his legs crossed. Derrick could sense more than hear what Brian was saying, and with every his sentence, Justin's mouth dropped further. He looked cute with his mouth hanging open. He just seemed so innocent and weak, but there was that brave side to him too which surprised Derrick. Just looking at that boy made his chest grow warm... Robby's voice sounded extremely amused: "If you're done staring..." Derrick jumped up as if pinched and his face grew hot again. He touched his cheek for the second time and looked at Robby: "What's wrong with me?" Robby was grinning: "Nothing is wrong you idiot, you're just embarrassed because I caught you drooling over that kid. You like him." "I what?" "You like him... you know, you think he's cute. You have crush on him." Derrick looked at Justin again, his eyes wide. Like him? Such a weird feeling... Robby touched his arm: "Let's go talk to them. They're involved in this now just as much as we are. Who knows, Justin might be of some help to us." Derrick barely heard him while still staring at Justin. Like him? Well, how did you like that? Derrick and Justin? AJ and JC? or maybe Justin and JC... e-mail me what you think, and don't forget to criticize, criticize, criticize...