The Girl In The Basement
The war was over, although the victors still had work to do.
Elizabeth had withdrawn, totally. The clan had survived, yet she wasn’t interested in celebrating the victory, she was simply grieving for what she had lost. She ate her meals with the group, then she wandered out and sat by the grave of her partner until it was time to bed down. Most days Vicky slept with Elizabeth and tried to comfort her, although it was hard work as Elizabeth cried herself to sleep every morning.
Elizabeth’s emotional well-being was the primary concern of the group, although another matter needed resolution, because they now had a prisoner chained in the basement.
Piper and Vicky met with Livinia to discuss their options.
“Missus C, what do we do with her?”
“From what I’ve seen of her Piper, the girl is very hostile, and I would suggest that if she is set free, she could present a danger to us.”
Vicky bowed her face, fully understanding the under-lying message of the reply. As far as Vicky was concerned, the war was over and there had already been too many lives lost. The girl had fought against them, so she was their enemy, although right at this moment, she was their prisoner. And because of the war, she was also the girl without a clan; a lone vampire.
“Livinia, I understand what you’re saying,” Vicky began, “But the girl is obviously frightened at the moment, and that is perfectly understandable in the circumstances; so I think we should try and talk to her, and you know, let her know that if she settles down, we will not harm her.”
“So you’re saying extend the hand of friendship and see where you come out?”
“That is my wish.” Vicky replied. “We have two choices; execute her, or alternatively, try and bring her into our group. From my point of view, too much blood has been spilt, and too many lives have been lost to simply carry out a merciless execution. If we have an alternative, I would like to explore it fully.”
Livinia considered for a moment, then turned her attention to Piper. “What are your thoughts?”
“Initially, I just wanted to get rid of her, but Vick’s convinced me that at the very least, we should try and get to know her better and see if she has a future with us.”
“Okay, you have my permission to talk to her, but until we are certain that she doesn’t present a danger to us, she stays exactly where she is.”
“Thank-you Livinia, and I will keep you updated on our progress.” Vicky stated.
“On to more important matters,” Livinia began, “Elizabeth?”
Piper blew out glumly and replied, “She’s struggling, but she knows that we’re all there for her.”
“She’s been shattered by the loss, but Beth is tough and resilient, and I’m certain that when she’s ready, she’ll come back to us.” Vicky added.
*
Piper stood in front of the group and said, “Camel, you and Rube go and see BB again and see what happens.”
“I think she just needs space Piper.” Aleisha replied.
“Yeah, I get that, but cruise by her, and if she’s ready to talk great, or if she just needs to be held or comforted, yeah, well do it.”
“We will Piper, but Aleisha’s right, I think she just needs space.” Ruby replied.
Isabelle asked, “What are you going to do Piper?”
“Ummm, Vick wants to speak to the girl again.”
“Fucking maniac.” Isabelle mumbled.
Vicky sucked her bottom lip and said uncertainly, “Look, she is pretty wild at the moment, but I’m hoping that the more she gets to know us, well, you know, she’ll start settling down.”
“Vick, she’s a psycho.” Aleisha stated.
Ruby nodded and added, “Goody, I can understand what you’re trying to do, but I think you’re wasting your time.”
Vicky pondered, then said, “Yes, you may be right, but that’s not going to stop me trying.”
Piper sighed, then said, “Okay, so we’re going in again, but you guys, be there for BB and let us know how you go.”
Piper and Vicky walked down to the basement and into the room, and they saw the chained girl sitting down, scrunched up in the corner.
“Hello.” Vicky said meekly.
The girl didn’t move, didn’t even look up.
“Ummm, we just want to talk to you.” Vicky said quietly.
Not a single movement, the girl’s face bowed in anguish, the poor creature looking so lost and helpless.
“If, if you like, we can get you something to eat.” Vicky mumbled nervously.
The girl turned away and pushed further into the corner.
Sighing, Vicky took two paces forward and said, “We will not harm you, we just want to talk to you.”
The girl’s shoulders moved slightly, and Vicky sucked her bottom lip when she heard the quiet sobs. She took another two paces forward, although Piper warned, “That’s close enough.”
Vicky looked at Piper pleadingly as she said, “She’s upset.”
“Vick, you’re not going any closer.”
The girl rested her face on her knees, and began crying, her little shoulders gently rocking with the tortured cries.
“Ohhh, God Piper, the poor little thing.”
“Vick get a grip, we’ll come back later.” Piper stated firmly, then she turned to the girl and called out, “Hey, you, do you want something to eat or what?”
No answer, just more blubbering, and Vicky moaned, “No, this is breaking my heart.”
“Hey, tell us, you want something to eat or not?” Piper asked again.
Vicky couldn’t take it any longer, and she walked forward, and the girl, instinctive and alert, coiled her limbs and then sprung at her, snarling as she lashed out.
“Fuck!” Piper screamed, and she just managed to snatch Vicky back, as the chains snapped to their extremities.
Hissing and snarling, and with her eyes blazing with fury, the girl punched her fists forward, trying to snap the chains, although quickly she gave in, and with her shoulders hunched threateningly, she sneered with a bubbling hostility, “Yeah, yeah, I want sumfink to eat, I wanta fucking eat you fucker, so come closer, step right up yo, step in, step into death!”
“Fucking maniac!” Piper hissed back.
“Ohhhh, tough fucker!” the girl snorted. “Step in, step in with Giddy, we see how tough yo are!”
“You fucking idiot!” Piper screamed back. “We were gunna feed you, but fuck you!”
The girl snapped forward, her legs braced as she leant forward at a forty-five-degree angle and screamed, “Chop-chop the fuck outta you!”
Rattled by the ferocious aggression, Piper slapped Vicky on the shoulder and blurted, “Come on, we’re going!”
“Wait …”
“What?”
Vicky waited for her breathing to regulate, then she patted her chest as she said, “Just, just give me a minute.”
“No, we’re going now!”
“Piper …”
“What?”
“Just a minute, give me a minute.”
“Fuck.” Piper snorted.
Standing straight, breathing in deeply, Vicky said shakily, “Look Miss, settle down, just settle down.”
The chains drooped as the girl pushed back and let her hands dangle by her legs, and with her nostrils still flaring, she muttered, “Yeah, yeah, I’ma settling.”
“Okay, good,” Vicky replied. Patting her chest again, she said, “We, we have no wish to hurt you, so please, control yourself and listen to what I have to say.”
“First up, I have sumfink to say to youse …”
Vicky presumed that the girl was settling, so she said, “You may speak.”
Staring at Vicky, the girl said calmly, “I like that yo ain’t gunna hurt me, but me, I’ma gunna hurt you so bad, I’ma gunna hurt you to death.”
The statement was delivered so calmly, that it took the girl’s a moment to decipher it, then Piper roared, “You fucking idiot! She’s trying to be nice to you, and you’re threatening to kill her?”
“No, no,” the girl said coolly, “Not just her yo, you too, and iffen yo bring the other fuckers down here, I’ll kill youse all.”
“Fucking lunatic! You’re on our turf, and you’re chained in our basement, so you ain’t doing nothing psycho!”
They stared at one another, and the girl said quietly, “Can I say sumfink?”
“Make it quick.” Piper snapped.
“Let me go.”
“You’re fucking kidding, aren’t you?”
“Let me go.”
Piper turned to Vicky and muttered, “Come on, let’s go.”
“Hey yo Blondie, unchain me.”
Vicky faced her and said, “Look, until we are certain that you don’t present any danger to us, I’m sorry, but we won’t be able to unchain you.”
“Awww come on Blondie, I want yo to release me so’s I, I can, can …”
“What?”
She snapped forward and hissed, snarling as she spluttered, “Rip your fucking neck open!”
Enough was enough, so Piper grabbed Vicky’s arm and yanked her into motion.
“Come back, come back and die!” the girl screamed. “Get the other fuckers down here, I’ll tear ya all to fucking pieces!”
Piper slammed the door closed and locked it, then she shook her head in frustration. Blowing out a breath, she muttered, “Got a feeling that lunatic isn’t going to be around much longer.”
*
Livinia was relieved that most of the Mephistopheles Clan had survived the brutal war, although Livinia was aware that the mood around the Academy was somber and gloomy. Elizabeth had been broken apart by the loss of her partner, and putting her back together again was going to be a slow process. The girl in the basement was hostile and aggressive, and an unpalatable decision on her future seemed to be looming ever closer. For the previous two years, the young women of the Pistols had brought the august halls and grounds of the Academy alive, as every evening excited chatter could be heard as they bounded around with energy and vitality, faces smiling, creatures roaring with laughter, every night turning into a celebration of simply being alive. Through the early days of fall though, the laughter and the smiles had vanished as the true cost of the war settled depressingly over the group.
Livinia approached Aleisha one evening after dinner, knowing that her request could produce a much-needed smile. “Favour if you could …”
“Anything, yes, whatever you ask.” Aleisha replied.
“I have packaged half the blood for the witches, and I was thinking, let me see, who do I have available who could take it to them?”
Livinia saw Aleisha’s eyes light up, then the girl embraced her.
Heartened by the sparkle in the girl’s eyes, Livinia said, “Take whichever vehicle you wish, and stay safe.”
Excited by the prospect of seeing Apollonia, Aleisha sought out her partner. “Rube, Livinia wants me to take the blood to the witches, and you know, while I’m there, I mean, you know, if you don’t mind …”
Ruby understood the request, and she didn’t feel jealous, she felt special.
“Lucky witch-bitch.” Ruby muttered coyly.
“So, so you don’t mind if I stay for awhile?”
Ruby gazed into her eyes as she grabbed both of her hands and said, “I’m just so grateful that you’re still here, that I’m still here, so, yeah, enjoy, and I mean that, enjoy her and enjoy your life, because I love you so much.”
With an excited skip in her stride, Aleisha jumped in a car and idled as Piper opened the gates. Piper leant over and rested her arms on the open window frame of the car as she asked wryly, “Let me guess, humping in mid-air again?”
“Excuse me Great Leader, I am simply obeying Livinia’s instruction and delivering this present to the witches as a token of our appreciation.” Aleisha replied.
“Yeah, that’s what I said; humping in mid-air again!” Piper smirked.
Aleisha curled her lips into a smile and said, “Well, put it this way, my fingers are crossed.”
“Anyway, fuck off and I’ll see you tomorrow.”
An hour later, Aleisha drove down the dirt track and parked opposite the bikes.
Two witches marched over, and one of them asked guardedly, “Has Mistress called for you?”
“No, but I have brought the vampire blood as she requested.” Aleisha replied.
The two faces lit up in pleasant surprise, and one of them said, “Come.”
Apollonia met her by the stairwell and embraced her. “Hello little Blood-Sucker.”
“Great Queen, I come bearing gifts.”
Apollonia opened the freezer box and sucked on her bottom lip, then with a breaking grin, she said, “Tell Mother Superior that the gift is accepted with gratitude.”
“I shall pass the message on.”
“Can you stay for awhile?”
“I was hoping that would be the question that you would ask, and yes, I’d love to.”
Apollonia handed the box to Charlene and said, “Snookums, in the fridge please.” Then she turned to Jenna and said, “It’s a beautiful night, so can you check our brooms?”
“As you wish Mistress.”
“Brooms?” Aleisha asked.
“Come, come sit with me.” Apollonia replied as she took Aleisha’s hand and led her into the sitting room.
“So, how goes it at the Academy?” Apollonia asked as she opened a cashmere pouch and sprinkled a portion of white powder on to a sparkling silver tray.
“Ummm, everybody is still trying to come to grips with the whole thing, but I’m sure that in the fullness of time, we will all repair.”
“I’m pleased to hear it.” Apollonia replied, then after separating the powder into two lines, she asked, “Can I tempt you?”
“What is it?”
“One of my own mixes, and it is designed to slightly alter the dimension you’re in.”
“If it’s the one you gave me last time, I still have fond memories of that experience.” Aleisha said shyly.
“It’s in the same family, but please, be my guest.”
Aleisha leant over and snorted it in, then closed her eyes as she rested back in the chair. Blowing out a contented sigh, she opened her eyes and looked at her. “You Apollonia, you and your people saved us.”
Apollonia snorted in her line, then sat back and gazed at her affectionately. “Looking at your gorgeous face right now, I’m very pleased that I did.”
Comfortable and relaxed already, Aleisha asked, “How did you know?”
“How did I know what?”
“How did you know that we were under attack? I mean you came prepared for battle.”
“The wheel of good fortune stopped on your clan’s number that night, because one of my girl’s, Jenna, was on her way over to see her friend.”
“Ohhh, Piper.”
“Yes, I believe so,” Apollonia replied contentedly. “She came screaming back and told me what she saw, and yeah, the cavalry came a’charging.”
“I, we, the whole clan will never forget what you did.”
“Yeah, well I’m pleased to have a clan of vampires owing me a favour, but him, that evil fucking monster, he’s been on our radar for more than eight years.”
Aleisha felt the pleasant bubbles of magic popping in her mind, and she asked, “And what of him?”
“Sorry Pretty?”
“Cordeir, is he still with us?”
“My initial intention was to torture him and make him suffer, but the mere sight of him made my skin crawl, so we slit him open and drained his blood, then burnt his remains.”
“A fitting end I would suggest.”
“Indeed.” Apollonia nodded, then she settled back in the couch and asked, “Why did it happen, I mean why did they come for your clan? Was he trying to reclaim the estate?”
“Ummm, they wanted something, and it wasn’t the estate; so they issued an ultimatum, give them what they wanted or else they would come for us.”
“What did they want?”
Aleisha sighed, and then said quietly, “Me.”
“Hmmm, the vampire with the face to launch a thousand ships, and obviously that face can start a war as well.”
“They killed Athena, and even though we knew that we were hopelessly outnumbered, we declared war on them, so yes, you and yours saved us, and I will forever be in your debt.”
“Good,” Apollonia smiled, “And you can start repaying the debt by undressing.”
“Ohhh yeah, excellent! Aleisha thought, then she asked cheekily, “Great Queen, what would be the purpose of me disrobing before you?” Aleisha asked cheekily.
“Disrobe and you shall replace out.”
The black leather jumpsuit was peeled off slowly, and Aleisha stood before her, enjoying the sparkle in the roaming eyes. “Great Queen, I hope your intentions are honourable, and you do not take advantage of this poor, innocent vampire.”
“Pretty Pretty, my intention is to take advantage of you.”
Aleisha struck a provocative pose, and with hands on her bare hips she cooed, “Then come, take.”
Apollonia squeezed in for a kiss, although Aleisha was dismayed as the lips separated before the kiss got serious.
“I have no desire to usurp the Great Queen, although my wish was that this kiss would go on forever.” Aleisha said with a feigned tone of annoyance.
Apollonia undressed completely, although surprisingly, rather than hustle back into the embrace, she pulled on a long, thick leather jacket, and also a pair of knee-high leather boots. The jacket reached halfway down her shins, and Aleisha cocked her head and said, “Hmmm, interesting; clothes come off, but then a jacket and boots go on. I’m not sure that I know this game.”
Apollonia took Aleisha’s right hand and said, “Come, come with me.”
Before moving out of the room, Aleisha asked, “Should I dress?”
“No.”
“Ummm, you have the jacket on.”
Apollonia pulled her into motion as she said, “Just shut up and come with me.”
Hand-in-hand, they walked into the hallway and through the entrance, and Aleisha felt strangely modest as two witches stared at her, although soon they were through the door and down the steps, walking onto the lawn. “What are we doing?”
“I might have s surprise in store for you.” Apollonia replied quietly.
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