Dead in the Water

(Nonnie’s POV)

I took a deep breath and stared into Patrick’s eyes. I was supposed to be persuading him to make me a sandwich that I wouldn’t be able to choke down even if I wanted to, but currently all I’ve been doing is staring at him.

“I don’t think it’s working,” I said looking away from Patrick to Martin.

“Non…” he said I could smell his frustration with me from across the room. Frank just laughed. Then came to stand in front of me.

“You ever really want something for a gift? So you sort of chant it in your head?” I nodded. “Try doing that but more of an order and ask him nicely out loud.” I brushed a piece of hair that fell into my face behind my ear. Then I concentrated harder.

“Patrick could you make me a sandwich?” I asked. Chanting it in my head as an order. Patrick stood up and headed for the kitchen.

“Sure no problem Non,” I smiled.

“Yes!” Frank came over and kissed me.

“Good job Non,” he said wrapping his arms around me. Then the front door burst open. Erelin and Brendon came in with Mikey tied up. Thet then threw him into a chair and proceeded to tie him up.

“I’m not telling you guys a damned thing.” he said looking at us. I was so angry at him, but I wasn’t even sure I had the right to be angry. It wasn’t like he wanted to be what he was. I walked into the room and he locked eyes with me. He smiled. “There she is, the dumbest girl on the planet. I still don’t see what Gerard sees in you. I mean other than a good fuck I don’t know what good you would be.” I closed my eyes at his harsh words and heard flesh collide with flesh.

“Speak to her again like that and you won’t live long,” I heard Erelin say knocking him around. She’d once told me that she thought Mikey was cute. I was happy that she had Brendon cause at least he was good. I thought about trying to talk to my friend Mikey but I knew he was gone. I mean the old Mikey loved me like a sister.

“You think he’s just going to let this go? You won’t be able to stand drinking those packets they live off.” Mikey whined as Erelin hit him again.

“Don’t talk to her at all, just pretend she’s not here,” she said.

“You’ve tasted human blood, just like Frank tasted yours. He craved it after that. You will crave fresh warm blood, cause there’s nothing sweeter. That’s why Gerard made you feed. He knew you would be addicted. You won’t…”

“Frank take her to visit you’re old friends. Tell them everything. They need to know…” Brendon said.

“We already called.” I said. I didn’t want to leave. I wanted to hear the rest of Gerard’s plans for me.

“They may need some protection. You guys are the best bet.” I looked at Erelin.

“I’m not leaving. I need to know what he has planned for me. I know you don’t want me to be upset, but I need to know what’s coming so I can try an be prepared.” I explained.

“Non persuasion doesn’t work on slayers as well as it does on normal people.” I rolled my eyes at Frank.

“I wasn’t trying to use it. I was talking to my friend.” I said once again looking at Erelin.

“I don’t know Non. I mean you’ve already gone through a lot tonight.”

“Just let me try to talk to him,” I said.

“No,” Frank said. I turned and growled at him instantly then my hand flew to cover my mouth. He took a step back surprised that I growled at him. I was surprised too.

“Sorry,” I said. “But you really make me mad when you tell me what to do,” I was trying to defend my growling at him. “I’m not used to this just chalk that up to the equivilent of me sucking my teeth after you’ve told me not to do something.” I smiled at him. He didn’t look amused. He turned and headed for the door. “Frank,” I called after him as he closed the door behind him.

“I’m sure Gerard…” Seconds after the name left Mikey’s lips my hand was around his throat.

“Don’t,” I said. “Just tell me what he’s planning or I’ll kill you right now. Don’t think I won’t. You betrayed me…”

“Family first,” he choked out.

“I always thought of you as family.” I said. He let out a strangled laugh.

“You really never knew about how Gerard felt?” he asked. “God you’re dense.” I threw him back into the chair.

“I guess you were right. I can’t handle this right now,” I said. Then I left. I started walking not really knowing where I should go. I had all this energy and anger. I already knew that all the things that were happening were my fault I didn’t need to be reminded every ten seconds.

“You know it wasn’t really smart for you to go out walking by yourself.” I heard Frank say. He ran a few feet to catch up with me and wrapped an arm around me.

“I’m sorry I growled at you,” I said.

“It’s okay. It just took me by surprise and I wasn’t expecting it at all.”

“I…”

“But I should have cause you’re not exactly yourself. I know sometimes you bottle up your feelings, but when you first change its kind of hard to control yourself. Your emotions rule you when they are strong. Like anger, sadness, and love. I mean I used to try and talk myself out of seeing you sometimes and before I could blink I’d be on your street, but then I learned to control it. It’s just going to take you sometime. Some people get the hang of it faster than others.”

“Frank what about what he said. About me craving blood. I don’t want to hurt anyone…”

“That’s how we know you are one of the good guys. I hadn’t tasted blood until I bit you. I don’t know about any of the others but that was the only time I’d ever bit a human. I craved you, but I could control it as long as I ate regularly and well didn’t bit you again. Then that time I was able to stop myself in the hospital. I’m telling you, you just need a little time.” he stopped and turned toward me. Then he wrapped his arms around me. He tilted my face up and brushed his lips across mine. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him closer deepening the kiss.

“Don’t get to used to that sweet heart. It won’t be much longer,” I pulled away from Frank and looked around frantically." I heard in the dark.

“Non?” Frank said looking around the same way I did.

“We should get back to the house now,” I said. I think there’s going to be trouble.