Afterlife (Afterlife Saga) Page 59

  “But they won't let me up there.”

  “They will if you tell them what it is about...please Jack you’re the only one I can count on.” I could just see the Police uniform by the back door and I recognised Andy, Frank’s friend. So I took my chance and stuffed the letter into his hands leaving him still asking me questions as I ran to the back of the club.

  “Andy?” I asked knowing that it was, as I had seen him in the house a few times.

  “Keira, come with me, Frank told me what happened.” He said grabbing my arm and pulled me to the back door that he had entered through. Draven's men weren't guarding this door, they were the men Frank trained so when they saw Andy they opened the door without hesitation. As soon as we were outside I wanted to pull my arm out from under his tight grasp but he wouldn't let up.

  “You know I think I'm safe to walk on my own,” I said trying to sound calmer than I felt.

  “Let's just get you in the car, my partner is waiting for us.” He said in an eerily calm voice.

  The car wasn't far and now Andy was making me run towards it as if we were being chased by something I couldn't see. He opened the door for me and I slid in the back falling slightly as he pushed a little too hard for my liking.

  “Wow, you guys are efficient, Frank and you guys must go way back!” I said trying to make small talk but neither replied. I tried to look through the grating between me and the driver, to see if I recognised him but in the dark it made it difficult. He sped off onto the main road making the loose gravel spray out behind us and I wondered why they were high tailing it out of here as if they were in hot pursuit of a stolen vehicle?

  Five minutes had gone by and still not a word from the two in front and my palms were starting to sweat. I was starting to regret not demanding that Draven take me to the hospital himself, at least I would have felt safer. I quietly reached for the door handle just to check that I hadn't been locked in but considering this was a police car my chances weren't good.

  “Umm, how long is it till we get to the hospital?” I asked, as I didn't recognise the road we were on and it looked as if we were heading away from town instead of towards it. But still I received no answer and my sweaty palms were now itching into full panic. So after another five minutes I asked again.

  “Look guys. I know you live around here but I’m pretty sure we’re heading out of town,” I said but when they still didn't answer I banged my fist hard on the metal, making the caged space rattle.

  “That won't help Catherine.” A calm voice spoke and my panic tripled making my head ache with pain.

  “How do you know my name?” I asked as the tears welled up instantly. This time however the driver spoke and I leaned in placing my fingers in the square holes of the car’s cage, trying to see the face better.

  “Be good Catherine and don't make this difficult...not like last time!” As soon as his lips formed the words, a car came the other way and his high beamed headlights confirming my worst nightmare, lighting up the face of my own personal monster...

  Illuminating the face of Hugo Morgan.

  Chapter 47- Fooled Again

  “LET ME OUT!” I screamed as I banged my fist on the windows and the cage, until they were red raw.

  “Calm down,” Morgan said in an unemotional voice. But I couldn’t stop. My body wouldn't let me. My heart was pumping pure adrenaline around my veins making me morph into the most violent person I had ever been.

  “YOU CAN'T DO THIS!” I banged on the glass of the side window and I thought it might give at one point so I tried a new technique and used my foot. I could see it would nearly go if I just kept at it, but this made them pull over so I knew I didn't have long. I was shaking with a lethal combination of both fear and anger. It made me want to scratch their eyes out at the thought of being in the hands of that mad man again. I had been so goddamn foolish! Draven knew the dangers. He had warned me about this and I was just too pig headed, thinking I was in the right...and now I was going to pay dearly for it.

  They stopped the car and I screamed and screamed as they both opened their doors. They were coming round to my side and I didn't know which way to attack, because they were both going to take care of me. I turned to Morgan's side as he open the door first and lunged inside for me but I kicked out hitting him with the point of my heel.

  “Aarrr...Catherine. Don't struggle or this won't be pleasant!” He warned and even the sound of his voice made me want to do more damage. So with that in mind I kicked out again. Only this time he counter-acted my move by grabbing my leg and pulling me towards him. My skirt slid up and he looked down at me with hungry eyes, which made him loosen his grip. So I used this as my opportunity to lift up my knee hitting him hard right on the mark, making him howl in pain. I tried to struggle up past him but in his rage he punched me across the face knocking me down with a hefty blow. I was too stunned and dazed, which gave him back the advantage. I could taste the blood in my mouth but the pain didn't register from all of the adrenaline in my system.

  “We don't have time for this!” Andy said now speaking in a different voice than before. It didn't sound like Andy but more like the one I had heard in my dreams. At this my heart nearly stopped, giving way to a whole new fear.

  “Some help here!” Morgan snapped back at him as I squirmed around like a fish on a hook. He then opened the other door and reached in grabbing my wrists pulling my arms above my head and holding them there in an unbreakable grasp. Then Morgan put a knee either side of me, straddling me sitting on my crotch. I wanted to be sick at the feeling, as his eyes explored my body with obvious lust. He held up a syringe that flashed silver in the small car light. He was extracting liquid from a small medical bottle and I knew what was coming, so I tried one last effort as my body was failing from fear. I pulled my arms and wiggled my body trying to worm my way out of his hold but Morgan had finished now not needing his hands. He pushed me down and my arms got pulled out farther making me scream in pain as it felt like they would soon be ripped from their sockets!

  “Be good!” He warned flashing me an evil grin. One hand was on my stomach and it worked its way up my body, pressing down making the bones in my corset dig in. He was enjoying every minute of this, not being able to keep the sick smile off his face. He held his hand on my neck and turned my head to one side ready to stick the needle in.

  “Draven will kill you for this!” I said making his grin turn sour before he jabbed the needle in deep making me scream.

  “Draven will come for me...he will...he...” I said through the cloud that consumed me.

  “Oh we’re counting on it my dear!” Andy said, only when I looked it wasn't Andy anymore.

  It was Sammael...

  I woke in a mist that clouded my vision. I felt wrong, as though my body wasn't positioned right and it took me a while to come to and fully realise why. My hands were tied and pulled above my head but I was upright, unlike I had been in the car. The memories came back to me making my senses clearer. I was stuck to something and I wiggled about trying to move but it was no use, my hands were tied round something making my body hang down like a piece of butcher's meat. I looked up and there was a huge hook that hung down from a chain that was wrapped around a wooden beam. My feet just barely touched the floor making me unable to get free.

  “You’re not going anywhere...not this time!” Morgan's voice came from the corner of the room and I jumped at the sound but it was drowned out by the sound of my chains rattling as I was going crazy trying to get free. I twisted and turned, trying to pull myself up but just not having the strength so I had to give up. Morgan came at me out of the shadows and his hand was held over my mouth, as I must have been screaming with all my struggling.

  “SSSHHH...Calm down or I will have to sedate you again....Now are you going to be good?” He asked, as I could taste the skin from his hand on my lips, which made me want to gag. I nodded, to indicate a yes, as I just wanted him to stop touching me!

  “Ok, no more screaming and
I won't hurt you again.” He said in that creepy voice I had had so many nightmares about. But when he moved his hand from my mouth it didn't leave me entirely as it moved down my neck, resting there as he looked into my eyes smiling.

  “I have missed you Catherine, oh how I have thought about you.” He said as his hand slid further down past my chest and down to my side. His other hand went to the opposite side and he pulled my body into his as it swung easily on the chain making it impossible for me to move away. His face was inches from mine and I held my breath and closed my eyes wishing how much I hoped Draven would find me.

  “I wouldn't do that if I were you!” I whispered before his lips infected me.

  “And why is that my girl?” He said smiling as he lingered over my lips so that I could smell the sour liquor on his breath.

  “Because I am NOT your girl and the one I do belong to, is not going to be happy with you touching me!” I said trying to sound as serious as that threat was.

  “Oh and what will he do...take my soul!” He nearly spat out his words, and I could almost taste the cheap whiskey.

  “No doubt he will simply kill you.” I said calmly as I knew this was true, knowing Draven if he saw this he wouldn't bat an eyelid at destroying him. But Morgan was back in control as he pulled a large blade from his back and held it up to my neck. I let out a moan at the sight.

  “Ssshh, don't move or we might have another accident like last time and well... this one we won't be coming back from. How did that feel anyway? I was always curious...it must have been excruciating?” He said pulling away the sharp metal from my skin and pointing to my arms with it.

  “It was worth it!” I said feeling my blood boil under my skin and wishing I were a demon for the first time in my life!

  “Tut, tut, don't say that Catherine, that's not nice and you will pay for it.” He said as his free hand touched my leg and moved up my thigh making my skin crawl!

  “GET OFF ME!” I screamed as I thrashed around but the blade came back up to my neck, stopping me instantly.

  “Behave!” He shouted back at me as his hand was trying to find what it wanted and the tears started to fall down my cheeks, some landing on the cold blade beneath my chin.

  “Don't... please!” I pleaded and his face softened slightly but not enough to crush his fantasy and I cried out as he found his mark.

  “MORGAN! Leave her!” A stern voice growled at him and he reluctantly removed his hand but he winked at me before walking back to his corner. I could feel the acid in my mouth from the effect he had on me.

  Sammael was back to looking like Andy but he was no longer wearing the uniform and neither was Morgan. I looked around as there were a few candles lit, casting shadows about the room, making my fear double, as I didn't know what was real or what was in my head anymore.

  “She is strong, incredibly so for a Human.” Sammael said in a low terrifying voice that made me sob softly. He was making the shadows move around me like sea serpents and I could feel them biting my skin but it wasn't real! I was screaming with pain but I was trying to concentrate knowing this was my only chance against him. COME ON KEIRA THINK!!!! I shouted to myself in my head. I needed to be strong...hold it… hold it now! I found where he was and pushed as I had done when Draven tried to enter my mind. The shadows evaporated into dust and the pain slowly disappeared. I could finally breathe and my body flopped down feeling exhausted with the effort it took.

  Sammael clapped his hands, as this was all very entertaining to him.

  “Very good my dear...I am impressed, a rare thing indeed. No wonder Draven has claimed you for himself. You are a nice quirky addition to his following.” He said making it sound as if I was property. I still couldn't speak as I was panting after the breath had been wiped out of me.

  “I told you she was different!” Morgan said as if being proud of me.

  “Yes, you did well, now give her some water before she faints. I need her awake for this next part,” he said and my panicked breathing nearly started again at what the next part would be. Morgan came towards me and put a glass to my lips but he couldn't resist where his other hand went so when he pulled back the glass from my lips, I spat it all back out at him!

  “BITCH!” He screamed as his hand came crashing down on my face again and I felt my lip burst open and the blood drip down my chin. I hung my head down from the blow, but could hear the laughter from Sammael.

  “She is feisty, well she would have to be to wet Draven's appetite,” Sammael said sounding more than amused at my outburst.

  “NO! There is no way she has been with him like that!” Morgan shouted and now I started to laugh but I wasn't sure why, maybe I had finally lost it!

  “SHUT UP!” He barked at me. “Make her see!” He demanded Sammael, but he was unmoved by Morgan's denial.

  “She already has the sight, she has seen him Morgan and she doesn't care what he is! Don't be naive...of course she has mated with him, he would not be able to contain his urge around such temptations. He would have made her his at the first opportunity.”

  “I don't believe it!” Morgan was outraged at this, which only made me laugh more. This was, after all, the only revenge that I had.

  “Ask her.” Sammael said gesturing to me. Morgan came at me, breathing heavy under the strain of the truth. His face twisted with hate and I found great pleasure in telling him something that would cripple him!

  “What he says is true, I belong to him!” I said smiling as I enjoyed each word that came out of my bloody lips. But again he hit me making the burning pain heat my skin on one cheek, it was still worth it though, which made me wonder if I was getting used to the pain. He was about to do it again but stopped as he had a different idea. He walked over to Sammael and handed him the large knife.

  “DO IT! We had a deal!” He said, but Sammael held up his hand, passing on the knife offered.

  “We do and I will fulfil my end of the bargain but I will not be needing that.” He grinned and even though Andy usually had a kind face, this time it turned hard and terrifying. He had changed him into a killer and my body went into panic, as I knew Draven mustn't be able to find me and I had run out of time!

  With each step he made my heart rate increased making the pounding in my chest hurt and my rib cage rattle with fear. The tears came without control and I shook making the chains clang against the wooden beam. Morgan came up behind him, getting a better view, as his sick mind enjoyed watching me squirm.

  Sammael's eyes devoured my body admiring it for himself... no doubt taking his fair share of human girls over the years. His hand touched my waist and clamped it into a deadly hold. He forcefully pulled me close and I could feel the wood give a little under the added pressure. This shot a pain through my side making me whimper which he enjoyed even more.

  “Just to warn you...this will hurt.” He said licking his lips and I could smell the black tar that I had seen in my dream on his breath. He found my arm and ripped my glove off exposing my now red scars from the heat that coursed through my blood. Beads of sweat ran down my forehead and they trickled to my lips to join my tears.

  “Why don't we use your arm as that seems to be your preference?” He said flashing me his evil grin. He held up one hand and showed me the deadly claws growing out of his nails and they reminded me of Ava's, black and razor sharp. I screamed knowing this was my time and the last word on my lips would be his name. He didn't do it quickly, but oh so slowly he tore four long slashes into my skin and I howled in pain as this was like nothing I had ever felt before.

  “DRAVEN!” I screamed out and it echoed into the night leaving me breathless from emptying my lungs. The pain made my body convulse and I nearly passed out. I swung round making the wood splinter little bits to the floor as the chain rubbed away at it. I could feel the blood gushing out of my arm making it's way down through my dress and down my side. My mind couldn't concentrate on what I wanted it to do. My head fell backwards and my eyes rolled upwards as all I wanted to do was b
lack out. I could hear words being said but couldn't process anything but the immense pain and blood that was leaving my body.

  He then pulled me back and placed his hand over the gushing wound making heat fill my veins. The feeling was similar to when Draven had done the same thing to the wound Layla had caused, only when he had done it, I had felt no pain. Now when Sammael touched me my blood felt as though it was mixing with lava burning evil and I couldn't hear anything above the screams. Over and over they erupted filling the forest with the noise of agony. It took me a moment to realise they were coming from me as finally the pain started to subside.

  “He won't be long now, no doubt he heard that and knows she is here,” Sammael said sounding pleased as if they wanted Draven to come. I hung down exhausted, but couldn't feel my blood dripping to the floor any more so when I looked up I noticed my arm was glowing red from the effect his touch had left. When I turned to face the others I found myself screaming again at the sight of Sammael.

  His face was even more hideous than my dream had shown me. The black tar was alive around his face moving in and out of his dead looking skin as though keeping him together. The blood oozed from his disgusting lips and dripped like mine had on the floor around him. His crude metal stitches that had once held his lips caged were now cut and bent outwards sticking through the holes in his cracked skin.

  I wanted to vomit at the sight and knew I would, if he came near me again. His wings wrapped around his body like cloth that had claws attached to the ends. They weren't made up from feathers like Draven's, they were like webbed fingers, black and also dripping with tar. This is what Morgan wanted me to see, he wanted me to see Demon forms thinking that when I saw Draven I would run from him. He was foolish again, continuing his deluded state even after Sammael had told him.

  “I will leave as he will be here shortly, I need to summon the others...but you remember your part of the bargain don't you...Morgan?” He said placing one long flaky hand on his shoulder, as Morgan couldn't take his eyes off me.