One Hundred and Twenty-Five…

One Hundred and Twenty-Five: Something Wicked…

This way comes.

Warning: Contains disturbing content.

Hunter turned the skull all around, scrutinizing the weird thing from every angle.

He’d fetched it from Justin’s room a few days earlier.

Someone knocked at the door.

“Come in.”

In stepped Justin. “Dad, Esha wanted that skull back in a few months. I don’t think it’d be a good idea to destroy it.”

“Esha might get pretty pissed off at us. So if I were you, I’d just give it back to her.”

“Right.” Hunter continued eying the skull.

I don’t know what to do. Should I return it and risk the witch giving it back to Justin? Or do I keep it and hide it somewhere?

Either way, the ugly thing is hypnotic as fuck.

Azura watched the water as it leisurely coursed throughout.

Vampires don’t believe in abortion. It’s a deadly sin to most of them.

It’s also a deadly sin to have an evil vampire’s baby. A baby that would likely turn out evil as well.

My family would hate me if I have it. Brent would hate me if I have it.

My baby would end up hating me… ’cause I don’t want it.

So what do I do?

What CAN I do…

Every day that passes the baby gets bigger. Time is running out.

She kicked off her shoes, heading to the water.

Azura dove in gracefully, though she was going to die.

Time slowed down to a crawl as if trapped inside a dream. Or nightmare.

As soon as she hit underwater her lungs starved for air.

Panic ensued.

NO! I won’t go to the top. I won’t.

Can’t… have this baby. I can’t. So screw it ALL.

Something crashed behind her. Swam toward her.

Wha—who?

Muscular arms wrapped around her.

They broke to the surface.

Against her will, Azura inhaled the air that rushed into her lungs; gasping and coughing up nasty water.

“No,” she cried. “Who are you?”

Now her stomach was weightless as they sailed close to the nighttime stars.

He didn’t answer.

She blacked out. Once she came to, the Dempire lowered her to the ground next to a house.

Tears rolled down.

“I wanted to die. Why did you save me? I can’t have his baby.”

“Everything will be okay. I’m here for you, Azura.”

How did he know her name?

More darkness.

She stirred, awakened, bolted upright.

Where am I?

Azura ventured outside the strange bedroom.

More strangeness awaited her.

Including the stranger who’d saved her life.

She remembered.

“Who are you? Why am I here?” This time she expected an answer.

“I’m Ezra.”

“So? Who exactly are you? Why did you save me and what do you want with me? I don’t get it!”

“I was hired by your brother to look after you.”

“Huh? You were hired by my brother? You mean Cody?”

“Yeah,” he said stepping toward her.

“Cody told me you were seeing the most vicious vampire in Shadowvale. After you two broke up, Cody told me to keep an eye on you to make sure you didn’t see Brent Novak again. Ever.”

“Cody wanted you to keep an eye on me? Like y’all are my baby sitters or some shit? No thank you. I don’t need a baby sitter.”

“Well, I think you do. Considering you tried to kill yourself.”

“Whatever. I’m outta here,” she said.

“We can do this the easy way, or the hard way.” Ezra’s golden eyes cut into her.

“You can’t keep me here. Good-bye.” She turned.

“No. I don’t think so.” Ezra grabbed her.

“I was paid to do a job. I’m gonna do it right.” He tightened his arms around her waist until it ached.

NO, no no. Let me go.

She peered at the Gothic chandelier before allowing Ezra to claim her.

Pointless to fight against a being who’s so much bigger and stronger.

After hours and hours of crying, Azura stared at the dark walls of the dark, menacing bedroom.

It wasn’t menacing per se, but the threat of a Dempire loomed somewhere in the house. Just waiting to capture her again if she tried to get away.

And the threat of having a baby she didn’t want. Having to tell her parents she was pregnant with Brent’s baby. Having to tell Brent she’s going to have his baby. She could only imagine each of their reactions.

It would be WWIII.

I tried to tell Ezra I couldn’t have Brent’s baby, but he’s just like everyone else in Shadowvale.

Vampires don’t believe in abortion. Why the hell not?

All Ezra said was that my pregnancy was ‘none of his business’ and he’s only here to make sure I’m safe.

Safe from what? Brent?

I could kill you Cody. You’re the one who caused this. You hired that idiot to babysit me.

She glanced at the closet door.

Has to be a way. This needs to end. Right now.

She drifted up to the closet. The door squealed as she pulled it open.

Amongst the many plastic hangers, she found the right one.

She’d done an internet search the previous week. A few sites had the information she needed.

It was a barbaric, horrific, dangerous approach at terminating her problem. Azura was desperate.

“God forgive me.”

With the hanger clenched in her left hand, she straightened out the other end.

Now it could be used as a weapon. A weapon against her own body.

Azura lowered the weapon between her legs.

Get it over with. Get it over with. Only a few seconds and it’ll be all over.

All over.

She inserted the straight tip inside her body.

Up… up… up… it started to hurt. Cramping. Azura bit her lip. Bitter-tasting blood followed.

Up… up… up… she whimpered, this time bit her tongue to keep from screaming.

She sucked in a huge breath, huffed it out. Over and over.

It stopped hurting. Maybe it was far enough in now. Could she pull it back out?

Yes, she could. Fluid rushed from her body. She yanked out the hanger.

Fell back on the bed, panting with relief.

Over. Over. Over.

The cramping returned.

“Oh. It hurts so bad.” She cried, feeling like a small child all over again…

Alone, helpless, afraid, crying for her father.

“Daddy. Daddy. Daddy I wish you were here.”

She grew weak and faint, floated in and out of blackness.

“I’m here, Azura.” His voice echoed. “Daddy’s here for you.”

Is this real? Are you really here or am I dreaming?

* * * *

Author’s note: In real life, never, never never never try what Azura did.

Never.

Just sayin’.

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