Dead in the Water

I left Nonnie's and did some shopping. Consider it therapy, and then I pulled into a McDonald's to eat dinner. I had been out since morning and now it was almost four pm. I got drive through and sat in my car. I wasn't really hungry, just upset but I knew I wouldn't hear the end of it from Martin, if I didn't eat.

Then there it was, Martin. I touched my neck. The wounds have healed into a nice little scar, I am sure that is barely visible now. That is how I have managed to hide the scar for so long. The wounds must have taken a little longer to heal this morning and yet I was so busy wanting to see my sister this morning about Ian that I hadn't paid any attention to my neck. I just fixed my hair in a hurry and left after I showered.

Why would he bite me? How long has he been doing this? Yet, I never feel tired or drained from him. When I am around him I always feel healthy and happy. I can't explain it. Martin can't be hurting me. He loves me, but does he love me too much?

I shuddered at the thought of him doing it to hurt me and make me a vampire, but all he had to do was drain me in one quick swoop if that was the case. I can't place it. I am mad but would talking to him really help when he already has me under his spell? I feel betrayed in a way.

My mind raced to Ian. I have almost two weeks until he plots some plan to make me his. I told Martin last night that it was nobody at the door. I didn't show him the note. I didn't want him to have to worry more about me. I'm not this fragile, breakable thing.

Yes, I was scared considering what Ian is capable of but I am a slayer. I handled Beckett. I killed him and he is the one who started my whole downfall to begin with.

I drank all of my sweet tea and decided to head home. I think I had made up my mind. I was going to confront Martin about the marks on my neck. Then, maybe I would tell him about Ian and having only two weeks to live according to Ian's note.

I made it to Martin's carrying all the bags of goodies I had bought. I somehow managed to get my keys out and unlock the door. When I walked in, there was someone other than Martin sitting in the living room. He looked very familiar.

"I was beginning to think that you weren't ever coming home." Martin smiled as he helped carry in my bags.

"Well, I started to..." I stopped realizing what I was about to say in front of company. Instead I just smiled.

"So you are the famous Amanda that Martin constantly talks about." The guest replied.

"You look strangely familiar." I said as Martin came back into the living room.

"He does. Amanda, meet my buddy Paul. You saw him from my memories." Martin said.

"Oh, well, a friend of Martin's is a friend of mine." I said shaking Paul's hand. "I think." I thought to myself and blocking it from Martin in case he decided to read my mind.

"You are prettier in person then from the way Martin described you." Paul said making me blush a little.

"How long are you in town for?" I asked smiling.

"A few weeks maybe. I needed to talk to Martin and I have some other people I was visiting in town." Paul replied.

"He is staying close to where your sister is staying at." Martin said.

"Well, Paul, it was nice to meet you. I need to go put my things away that I bought today. If you will excuse me." I said getting up off the couch.

"Oh, and make yourself at home." I smiled as Martin got up to kiss me because he hadn't seen me all day but I walked past him. Now was definately not the time to confront him about our problem. I didn't want to say anything to him with his friend over.

Instead, I put all my stuff away and got out a duffle bag from out of the closet. I just started packing clothes and my essentials. I couldn't stay here tonight. With Martin's friend in town, I just can't deal with our problems right now so I thought that it would be in my best interest to leave and stay a few days at my sister's. I am sure Andy and Chrissy wouldn't mind another crammed day in Elissa's apartment.

Once I had packed everything I headed into the kitchen to grab my keys and my purse. "Where are you going?" Martin asked.

"Oh, I just thought that I would spend a few days over at Elissa's. I will be back though." I said wanting to see his reaction due to the fact that he won't be biting me for the next few days.

"Are you sure?" Martin asked as he walked over to me.

"Yeah." I said kissing him but without any passion behind it.

"It was nice to meet you Paul. We should all hang out sometime." I said waving and then walking out the door.

I walked out of the apartment complex and to my car. I left Martin virtually speechless and I had him blocked out of my thoughts. Maybe next time he will think twice before biting me again.

I stayed out until it got dark and then drove over to my sister's. I knocked back on her door but was surprised to see Pete open the door. "Pete, where is Elissa?" I asked.

"Oh, she went out slaying with Erelin and Brendon. Chrissy and Andy went out with them and they have decided to move out. They will now be staying in an apartment next to your old one with Patrick and Jenny." Pete laughed.

"Sweet." I said as he invited me in.

"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be out slaying?" Pete asked.

"Actually, I thought if it was ok, I could stay here." I said.

"Sure, but is everything ok with you and Martin?" He asked as I sat my bag down on the floor.

I stared at Pete for a second and thought of his question. Is everything ok between us? I started to feel tears.

"Pete, I am going to be honest with you. Nonnie and Frank know, Elissa knows and so does Martin. Pete, I'm dying." I said not sure where to begin.