L I S A

The door behind me bunged with a loud thump and bolted subsequently whilst I had to stand there alone with my own feelings, clogging them from overwhelming me.

That imposter in Edward’s body, I’d heard him talking to Mason about some preparations for tonight and most probably I’d have to attend this scheming of them. Although I wouldn’t have even let out a pitiful squeal if I were to lie here all day—the wound in my back hurt really bad.

Getting abstracted from the pain and panic building up in my chest, my eyes took on the assignment to capture a good view of the monster room I was given.

The walls were a deep shade of maroon not surprisingly since the vampires appeared moderately obsessed with this color. There was a dressing table with all sorts of necessities and a door to the right of the two beds which supposedly was the washroom. And point to be noted, there wasn’t even a single hole in the room for allowance of fresh air from outside, one that wasn’t contaminated with the odor of blood.

As my eyes hovered over the quite a few clues in the room, I was soon struck with the realization that this wasn’t a room for a guest. This wasn’t a plush hospitality; this was a deluxe confinement, a grand five star prison perhaps. I could already feel my keeper’s mocking smirk beaming deviously at me.

I was mad. I didn’t what else I’d expected of these bloodthirsty monsters but I was extremely furious and sad. I was imprisoned by their lord and my only escape out of here was fighting his own battle. I wish Edward doesn’t turn out like her. I won’t be able to forgive myself if that ever happened.

Drained and exhausted, compelled by my body’s reactions I skimmed towards one of the two small beds with white and grey coverlets. Without much thought I lunged onto the nearest one and snuggled into the quilt like a little girl. It was really cold out here but those nonsensical vampires felt nothing.

My eyes fluttered open and close, I was a little more comfortable for my liking. However, it felt good to eventually relax after a long suffering in that ship. It was good to ultimately sleep without feeling like I’d puke my insides out any moment. I hugged myself as the bitter reminder of this cruel place hit me in the outward appearance of cold enveloping around me. I was on the verge of breaking down; the hot streams were all geared up to slither down my reddening eyes.

“Are you okay?” The voice was angelic, singing a lullaby to my aching heart as I clutched around the quilt tighter. It was all my imagination, this voice was solely in my mind, haunting me with the sweetest tone ever.

I felt a warm hand brush on my cheeks and tugged the golden strands behind my ears. My face became perceptible to the voice and hers took a humanly form in front of my eyes. I was startled at first, believing that this was just a vindictive game of my mind, it was just a sickening old trick but I wouldn’t fall for such hallucinations, not in this life at least.

My imagination was a girl in a green maxi. Her hair was loosely braided, allowing the few strand to create mess around her temples and forehead and her golden skin was adorned with several cuts and scars. She had a beautiful glowing complexion, not the kind I’d seen to belong to any vampire by now. She was a beautiful young woman—not a girl.

Her eyes snapped at me. She looked fretted at the sight of my tears welled up eyes. She had her hands constrained from making a move towards me until she took in the scene at my back where the arrow had pierced and left a mark. The sweatshirt I’d worn must’ve been stained with my blood. I sighed.

She promptly rushed towards me with her wobbly feet and began to examine my back. I thought she was a vampire but like me, she was a human and I was grateful for that fact.

"How did it happen? Did they do it?" She asked, genuine care dripping off her voice. She was genuinely worried about someone whom she’d just encountered. It was a mistrustful act because I had lost every little faith in humanity. Could it be possible for someone to care so indisputably and so much? The company of vampires had truly made me selfish and skeptical!

"Close, their enemy did it." I recalled her question and responded in a flippant tone.

I struggled to sit straight and she tenderly held my hands for support. She stuffed a pillow against the headboard to support my agonizing back. This girl hadn't even known me and she was already so caring. And that was what concerned me; I wasn't used to such care and genuineness.

"How did you end up here?" I asked out of curiosity. What could this childlike girl have possibly done to someone as strong as Mason and why was he keeping her here?

"They blackmailed my son into doing their dirty tasks." She replied nonchalantly.

I gulped down the lump forming in my throat as I inspected her beautiful big pale brown eyes—just like the ones he had. More tears stung my eyes as the realization of it all hit me. Not only Edward but someone as naïve as this woman was paying for my freedom all this time. I inspected the scars on her skin; some were fresh and some old and healed.

I had to cover my mouth with my hands as I let out a contemptible scream. How could this happen? How could I be the reason for all these injustice? What had I done to put this family in danger? Was that what being cursed felt like? My blood, was it my fault that I had this blood flowing in my veins?

She was confused at my sudden outburst but not more than me as I enfolded my arms around her neck and clung to her. My hands around her gripped her tightly, closer than life itself. I might be looking insane but it was necessary. I needed to feel her warmth closer in that cold.

"Merida?" I screeched knowing the answer well. She had her arms loosely around me, hugging me and she grew more puzzled upon hearing her name.

"How do you know my name?" She asked.

I wordlessly laughed at that. I wasn’t sure if it was a joyful one that Jenna and I always felt while we’re teasing each other, a merciful one that my enemies could show to empower me or was that a laugh meant to hide the sadness behind my pathetic tone? I didn’t know. "I'm the dirty task."

Her eyes widened at my confession and I hadn’t expected anything less. She drew back and looked at me as if I was a ghost. Her eyes were big as two giant cannonballs and they’re about to get puffy and red soon. It was an inevitable occurrence. Her mouth had formed a piteous O, unable to say anything. No she knew what to say but seemed as though her voice wasn’t favoring her condition.

"How's my son?" She asked.

Her eyes had gained a light spark at his mention. No wonder she’d missed Edward—hell I missed him! It was just the kind of personality he had, to make everyone around him fall in love with him. But how was I to answer that? I knew the answer but she was so hopeful and giving her the heartrending news was tear-jerking.

"He's possessed." I decided to scratch the bandage right off and shut my eyes, unable to see her response.

I heard her gasp and moments later she slowly broke down into crying and I couldn't help but let my guard down myself. I held onto her as tears dripped down her eyes and rubbed her back to soothe her down. Nothing was working. She was terrified and scared and my own heartbeat was catching up with hers. What were we two fragile humans going to do about our conditions?

That was when the door opened and a figure made itself presentable in front of us. I ripped away from Merida still holding a good amount of her wrists as my eyes fell on the other pair of pale brown ones, a man with bulky shoulders was standing at the threshold to my prison. His gaze was deadly, lethal and even piercing. I couldn’t look at his roughness for long and averted my gaze.

I really hoped it was under different circumstances as I held onto Merida, preventing her from making a move towards the person she called her son. Edward wasn't himself and I tried to tell her that, almost hit her on the head in the process but who could win against the love of a mother?

She freed herself from my clasp and ran towards the imposter, thrusting her tiny body right into his arms and cried her eyes out while my heart humped loudly in my chest. Please . . . please . . . please . . . I begged and crossed my fingers but I didn't know for what; maybe for him to not react like a caveman and push her away? It'd relentlessly break her heart.

He didn't do it, he didn’t react like a cavemen but he didn't hug her back either. His hands balled into fists at his sides. He was gnashing his teeth but he wasn't reacting and as she pulled back not getting a reaction from him, I hurled her far away from him as possible and was quick to throw my body between the two of them.

I'd lost Edward to him and I wasn't losing his mother too. I was also gratified that she backed away willingly when she saw his eyes turned a different shade. She was hurt no doubt. And now I was left to deal with the Devil.

He averted his gaze to mine and without an emotion stared blankly. "Rest.” He ordered clearly not concerned with my health the slightest. “There is an occasion you must tend to tonight." And he turned around to leave but I had to open my big mouth.

“I’m wounded. I can’t join you.” I admitted between gritted teeth.

The next moment before I knew both my wrists were stuck in one of his holds and with the other hand he was strangling me, killing me. “Remind me when was I concerned about your opinion little Beth?” I gasped uncontrollably as he barked at my face, clutching my throat firmly.

He was taking his anger out on me. But he had a fair point since I was the one to push him. He bent down and shockingly grazed his fangs against my neck before letting go of me and scampering out the door in a hurry. And I stood there, befuddled.

* * *

The dress had lain brilliantly on my bed. It was a crimson gown with slight gold on the edges, a very expensive one with a stunning necklace. The moment I’d perceived the dress I knew I was going to die out of suffocation in it tonight but it was either wear the dress or . . . never mind, his threats were just as disgusting as him!

Merida helped me got my hair up in a bun and some blonde strand flowed down the sides like golden little cascades. In this dress, I looked twice as fatter as I was thin. This gown was very big and like the old styles. It was already making me lose my balance had the urge to rip it open. I had no idea how long I would be able to tolerate it.

The necklace his men had left here, Merida put it around my neck and gave me a final kiss on the head. I looked taller than her in my Cinderella heels. And perhaps lastly I was good to go.

"Take care." She reminded with tears welling up in her eyes. We’d had a heart to heart when she was dressing me up and I had to promise her that I was going to return to her alive tonight. I wasn’t planning on dying too soon.

"You too." I took her hands in both of mine and whispered carefully another promise I was going to keep, "I will save him." I said with much fortitude in my eyes and she nodded softly convinced by my words.

There was a knock at the door before Mason made his appearance visible. He was in a black tux and pants and waited for me patiently. I couldn’t deny that the black tux did a good job in hiding his predatory looks. His jet black hair was slicked back and his blue eyes pierced into mine. When he perceived me his expressions changed and he reached into his back pocket and took out a matching crimson mask.

"What's this?" I asked furiously. What were they planning?

"Everyone is wearing one." He admitted imperturbably. And to add to my worries, I figured that it was not just a ball but a freaking vampire masquerade ball. Good, just good!

He took my hand and curled it around his and began walking skipping the formalities of course. My heart thumped louder as the noise of the crowd neared us, the clicking of heels, the chattering and cheering of glasses. No one knew what would be made out of tonight; no one could predict the million miseries going on a room full of vampires.