Chapter 45 Run Away, Vanessa
Vanessa
I don't like the way he's gawking at me, like I'm some alien from outer space.
Once Elda gripped my hand, I felt pressure bloom behind my eyes. It wasn't pain, more like weight, something shifting it's attention.
Then she speaks of a seal, and suddenly her grip tightens painfully but I don't pull away.
Something snarls from deep within me, it fights and claws on something, and I feel Elda yank away from me.
The world tilts and I open my eyes but the world reflects back to me in fractured gold, a familiar feeling that I've experienced more than once. It is then I understand what the look on Xander's face means.
"Is something on my face?" I ask again, wanting to be sure.
"Firecracker," he whispers in awe, almost reverently even. His steps are slow, tentative as if afraid I'll run if he moves any faster.
"Okay, now you're starting to freak me out," I mumble.
Finally he's in front of me and cups my face, thumbs grazing the under of my eyes as his stares into their depth. "Your eyes..." he trails off.
My heart flops. "M-my eyes? What's wrong with my eyes?"
"They're golden."
Panic seize me at that moment and on instinct, I rip my face away from him. He frowns, a look of hurt flickers in his eyes so fast, I almost think I imagined it.
No. No. No. No. No.
I thought - wished - that it wasn't real all those times I saw it. But, now even Xander and Elda see it.
Elda. Where's Elda?
My eyes widen in horror when I see her slumped in one corner of the couch, her clothes and hands bloodied from the bleeding in her nose.
"Oh my God, Elda! Are you okay?" I ask, fussing over her but her hand shoots out to grab mine, and she gives me a warm smile.
"I am alright, child. You should be more worried about yourself." A worried look appears on her face.
"What do you mean?"
She hesitates and looks away for a second, as if trying to decide whether or not she should tell me. "I do not fully understand the extent of it's reach, but something..." she stops speaking, closes her eyes and shakes her head slightly.
"Elda, what is it?" Xander asks urgently.
"I need to look into it more." Then she rests her head back against the back of the couch, signalling the end of the conversation.
I sit there awkwardly for a few seconds, not knowing what to do.
"I-I need to go," I blurt.
"Vanessa, wait," Xander says, reaching for me but I dodge his touch and walk briskly out of the door. I don't stop until I reach my room, slamming the door loudly.
I lay still on the bed looking up at the ceiling, my arms folded on my stomach. I don't move, I don't speak, barely even breathing.
The events of the past two hours flooding my head and my ears start to ring, louder than ever in the stillness of the darkness.
I thought I wouldn't be able to even shut my eyes, but I slept anyway...I even think I still am, because she appears to me again.
"Vanessa!" her voice is sharper, more urgent than the last time.
"Mom," I scramble to my feet, gathering her into my arms but she rips herself away from me. That single actions stings harder than a slap.
"Vanessa, you have to go!" she cries, and I take one step back. I've never seen her so hysterical before.
"Mom, what's going on?" my voice is surprisingly calm, even though my heart beats a million miles per second.
She doesn't respond immediately, instead, she grabs my hand and starts to pull me forward. I try to twist out of her grip but she's so strong.
"Mom!" I snap and place a firm grip on her shoulder, halting her movement. She turns around to face me.
Her blue eyes have a wild look in them, even her clothes aren't as pristine as they used to be. "Vanessa, listen to me. You don't know what you're dealing with here. They're closer than you think. I've spent most of my life running from them and I don't want you to end up like me," she tries to reason with me.
What is it with everyone and trying to make me run and hide?
"No. I'm not going anywhere, I'll stay, and fight if I have to but I won't be a coward about what I don't even know anything about," I reply bitterly.
Her body relaxes a little, and that unsettles me ever further. "You have left me no choice, Vanessa," she says.
Suddenly, a calmness and numbness washes over me. I try to speak but my mouth won't cooperate.
Mom! What are you doing? I try to shout, but the words don't get carried through the air, only in my head.
I watch as her eyes start to glow, blue becomes white and a faint pulse of energy envelopes my body. Then I start to move. My hand involuntarily opens my bedroom door and I step outside, no one in sight.
This must be some kind of practical joke, because tell me why the hell I'm moving but can't speak.
It's because I seized your voice, and use my magic to control your body, I hear her voice say in my head.
What the fuck?
Language, Vanessa.
No! Don't fucking tell me what to do. This is spiritual captivity and a violation of freedom!
I won't leave you for dead, Vanessa. Hate me all you want but it's for your own safety.
Oh really? Where do you know that you're taking me?
A much...safer place.
How are you so sure 'they' won't find me there either, if they're so powerful and dangerous like you claim?
My steps falter and I realize the thought probably didn't occur to her. By now, we're feet away from the mansion and edging closer to the pack gates.
Didn't think of that now, did you?
I did. The place will offer more protection than here will.
Like it did you? I reply sarcastically, and I suck in a breath, but the damage had already been done.
I'm sorry, I mutter.
She doesn't reply, but I feel the hurt radiating from her.
It's... alright.
"Vanessa?" a familiar voice calls. Footsteps echo and I wait until he's right in front of me.
Vanessa, you can't stop now. Go! My legs start to move and he yells after me.
"Hey! Vanessa, wait! Where are you going?" Max snatches up my arm, seizing my movements.
Vanessa, my mom calls, her voice is now faint, and I feel her start to slip away. Don't... then she fades away.
Mom! I call, no response.
A strangled gasp tears out of my throat as soon as the pressure on my body lifts, and my body starts to shake.
"Vanessa! What the hell is up with you?" Max exclaims and gathers me in his arms before I fall.
"Mom," I pant.
"Your mom?" he looks around, as if trying to see if she's lurking somewhere.
I shake my head, unable to talk and just let myself sink into his warmth.
"Stay with me, Nessa. Let's get you back home." He runs with me in his arms, and with his supernatural speed, we get inside.
We're in the hallway when Xander appears, and he stomps towards us.
"What happened?" his voice booms.
Oh, pretty boy, it's a long story.