Nightmares

Chapter Three

“What happened on stage?” The peppy person asked when we walked back onto the train.

“Where’s the next stop?” I asked her instead of answering.

“You will head to the arena.” She nodded and I nodded before walking out of the room.

“Can I explain?” Eli asked by a set of stairs. I nodded and he opened his hand helping me onto the top of the train. I smiled when I saw the moon and just looked at it.

“When I was young…” I started to whisper, “Daddy would always tell me when the government had him working that if I ever missed him that I would know that we were looking at the same moon.” I told him and his arms wrapped around my waist. “Do you think that’s still true?” I asked looking up at Eli.

“Yes. I think it’s true.” He promised and just let me look up at the moon. Suddenly the train started moving and I stumbled back into Eli. “We can talk now and even if they are filming us they won’t hear.” He promised and I smiled.

“How did you find this out?”

“I was in the first Choosing.” He whispered and I jumped shocked. “I am one of the vampires, Bree. My family was vampires and…” He trailed off. Vampires had been found out about in the old days and were one of the reasons for the big war. The government had given them donor and synthetic blood ever since and if they attacked a human, outside of the Choosing, then they were immediately burned to death, the only way to kill a vampire.

“And?” I asked when he didn’t continue.

“The reason that you’ve never been able to reciprocate the love that Austin has and you are able to let me hold you and be comforted by me is…” he trailed off again and I turned in his arms so that I could look at him. “How much do you know about vampires?”

“Just what they teach us in school.” I shrugged.

“So you know what happens with a vampire when they fall in love?” he questioned and I tensed suddenly. “Bree?” he whispered.

“You’re telling me that I’m your…”

“Mate.” He nodded.

“That means that I will…” I trailed off and he nodded.

“I’ll be beside you the entire Choosing and if you start to change then…”

“We’ll both die.” I whispered.

“No.” He shook his head, “I will protect you.” He promised.

“What are you going to do, Eli?” I whispered, “They don’t give you any blood here.” I realized then that I hadn’t ever seen him drink.

“They’ve been giving me raw meat for dinner and blood throughout the day. If I have enough blood now and don’t end up too hurt anytime during the games then I won’t have to feed.”

“If we find anybody dead in the country then I want you to take their blood.” I whispered and he nodded.

“I’ll find some way to bag it so that if I need it we’ll have it.” He promised tightening his hold. “You realize that I’m not going to be able to leave you while we’re in there.” He asked and I looked up, “As my mate… it will be almost impossible for me to ever leave if you are in danger and this… this is one of the most dangerous things you will ever go through.” I sighed and just leaned into his hold.

“I like this…” I admitted, “I like being able to be held.” I smiled up at him, “You have no idea how long it’s been since I’ve been able to deal with it and how many times I have wished that I could.” He smiled and put his chin on my head. “I have a question.” I said looking up into his face.

“What’s that?” He asked with another smile.

“Do you still have to sleep when you are a vampire?”

“Yes.” He nodded but then he sighed, “The guards found us we have to get downstairs and eat.” He pulled away but kept one arm around me leading me back downstairs but before I let him pull me down the stairs I looked up at the moon one more time. “If you want we can have a picnic up here tomorrow night.” He promised and I smiled before nodding. “It’s a date then.” He promised and I let him lead me down and into the dining room.

“There you two are.” The peppy woman smiled.

“What’s your name?” I asked.

“Olivia.” She introduced herself. “Oh!” She jumped when the phone rang. She jumped up and Eli reached over and took my hand pulling me closer to him on the bench. I smiled up at him as he wrapped his arm around my waist again.

“Brenin? Eli?” Olivia questioned and I looked over sighing as Eli removed his arm.

“Yes?”

“August would like to do a private interview with you two tomorrow. It has come to the Governments attention what Eli is.” Eli wrapped his arm around me pulling me closer.

“So they know what we are?” I whispered and she nodded.

“Since you didn’t get your full interview this morning they gave August special permission to come onto the train tomorrow when we stop for a break and finish your interview.” I nodded and just picked at the food.

“Please eat.” Eli whispered, “I need you healthy before we go.” He begged and so I took an actual bite of the soup. He held me close as he drank blood and watched me eat until he was sure that I had eaten enough.

“I’ve never been so full.” I shook my head when he brought in some frozen treat.

“Please help me eat this.” He requested and I looked up surprised, “Vampires can still eat real food. I happen to enjoy sweet things.” He smiled lifting a spoon of it to my lips. I carefully took a bite of it and then smiled as it melted in my mouth.

“What is this?” I asked him as he moved me in between his legs and against his chest.

“Ice Cream.” He smiled, “We can’t afford it at home because it’s too hot.” He explained and I smiled taking the spoon and eating another bite. The bowl was soon gone between the two of us and so I just laid curled up into him. “Come on let’s get you to sleep.” He whispered later waking me up. I sighed but let him help me up and lead me to my room.

“Where’s your room?” I whispered and he smiled leading me a few doors down.

“I’m right here if you ever need me.” He promised pulling me closer, “And I will always be there for you.” I smiled at that and stretched so that I could kiss his cheek. “Goodnight Bree.” He whispered and I just leaned farther into him. “Do you want to sleep in here?” He asked after a few seconds and I nodded slowly. I didn’t want to wake up once again alone after my normal nightmare and I knew that when I woke up tonight he would understand.