How Dark Is the Night?

As I lay back in my seat all comfortable, I could not help but remember the bad moments that Pete and I had went through. Especially, when after Beckett had attacked me and I layed in a hospital bed hurt and confused at how Pete could have left me. I remember I did not want to see him. Little did I know though, that we would always find our way back to each other.

(Flashback 1)
“Don’t touch me!” I said turning and letting go of Pete’s hand. “What are you doing here bothering me? Get out!” I said wincing in pain as I tried to sit up.

“Take it easy, Amanda. Don’t hurt yourself because of me.” Pete said backing away from me.

"Where’s Patrick? I told him not to let you in.” I said lying back breathing slowly.

“I told him to give me just five minutes. I thought you would sleep and I wasn’t going to bother you.” He said ready for whatever I was going to say next.

“Well, my reflexes are sharp and I was sleeping peacefully I may add until I sensed you trying to touch me.” I said looking away from Pete.

“Amanda, I am so sorry and I know that is not enough to ask for you to forgive me. I should have grabbed your hand. I should have just stayed with you and trusted you. I just could not handle it if I hurt you and what I thought I was doing right turned out hurting you instead. I will find Beckett.” Pete said trying to reassure me.

“You are right. Sorry is not enough. Pete you should not have come here. I cannot stand to be around you or see your face right now. I am fine and I will be fine but leave me alone. What I am trying to say is I don’t ever want to see you again and I wish I never met you that night.” I said so coldly.

“But I don’t understand. I thought we could start over.” Pete said to me slowly approaching my bed.

“I can’t be with or around someone who doesn’t trust me or runs from their problems. I was starting to fall for you Pete. I would do anything for you. All I asked was for you not to jump but to come to me and talk about what happened. We cannot ever have a relationship. You aren’t meant to. You aren’t meant for me. I was stupid to let my feelings get in the way again. I have been hurt too many times. This time I am the one walking away. I choose my own path. You are not in it. If we happen to be out in the same area slaying also, do not cross my path. Goodbye, Pete. Please leave me, now.” I said with hurt in my eyes.
(End of Flashback 1)

(Flashback 2)
I was in a slaying mood. I drove around the city following any feeling I had of vampires anywhere. I even parked my car a few times and scouted out certain areas killing a few vampires here and there. But I was left feeling empty like I wasn’t quite satisfied. So I got back in my car and drove to the one place I felt that I needed to be for closure; Lookout Point.

I ended up remembering the way there and parked my car in the same spot Pete had parked it last night. I got out grabbing my crossbow in one hand and putting some stakes in my pocket with the other. I was not going to let Beckett take advantage of me this time. I was prepared for him or any other vampire that decided to try and take me on tonight.

I walked over to the spot where Brendon had found me. I kneeled down to the ground and touched it remembering what had happened for me to have ended up there. I couldn’t wait to see Beckett again to see his face. Vampires may heal but I had hoped my scratch would leave a lasting scar on him to remember me by.

I then walked over to the edge of the cliff. I just looked down over the ledge wondering what it would be like to jump. Not that I was considering jumping and hurting myself or worse killing myself but to wonder how easy it was for Pete to jump. He said he could land on his feet. I guess landing on his feet was the easier option of getting away from his problem which had to be me.

I looked up at the beautiful stars that were out and made a wish on the first one I saw. I then saw the city skyline lit up all pretty at night. All those people in the city hadn’t a clue as to what really goes on in the night. Then all I once I had an old familiar feeling again that someone was watching me only it was a little different this time.
I raised my crossbow and turned around to see Pete standing by my car. It was weird but I felt him instead of just a vampire with a soul I knew it was him. How did he know I was here though?

“What are you doing here? I thought I made it clear I never wanted to see you again.” I said pointing my crossbow at him.

“Hey, you can put that down. You know I won’t hurt you.” Pete said stepping a little closer to me.

I shot off an arrow whizzing by his left arm just barely missing it. “That was a warning. Don’t come any closer to me Pete or I promise next time I won’t miss. It will hit your heart.” I said not taking my eyes away from him.

“I said I won’t hurt you!” Pete said confused as to why I shot at him.

“You may not hurt me physically, but you hurt me emotionally. I can’t and won’t let myself go through that again. What do you want Pete?” I said angrily.

“Erelin called me. She said you snuck off on her and Brendon.” Pete said trying to step a little closer.

“She called you?” I asked still pointing the crossbow at Pete.

“Yes. She went to check on you and saw you had left them. And you left your cell phone which is how she called me. Brendon went to find Beckett because he was worried you may get hurt again and Erelin is waiting at your place for you to come back safely.” Pete explained inching closer.

“I didn’t mean to ruin their date. I just needed to get away. I just wanted to clear my head. I thought I could kill some vampires to take my pain away of you. I thought if I came back here…” I said lowering the crossbow a bit.

“It’s alright.” Pete said grabbing the crossbow from my hands and placing it on the ground. I then collapsed in his arms and he held me sitting on the ground.

“I am so sorry for everything, Amanda.” He said holding me and rubbing his hands through my hair.

“Pete,” I said starting to cry, “how do I turn my feelings for you off when I think I have fallen in love with you. I know we haven’t known each other long, I know I shouldn’t feel this way but I do. I say I don’t want to be with you but I do. I don’t care if we can’t be together I want to. But you push me away. You hurt me, here.” I said putting his hand on my heart.

“I know.” He said wiping away my tears. “And I know you know why we can’t be together. Believe me it hurts me too but you are right in what you said the other night. We shouldn’t try to see each other and only when necessary.” Pete said in all seriousness.

“Then why did you come here? I asked.

“Why did you point a crossbow at me?” Pete replied.

“I was mad at you. And I can feel you now, Pete. I guess when you bit me it was definitely a lot harder of a bite than the last time. I can’t explain it but it has made me aware now that it is you and not just some vampire with a soul. Now answer me. Why are you here?” I asked getting up.

“I’m here because of Erelin.” Pete responded getting up as well.

“Are you sure it wasn’t just because you were worried about me as well?” I asked.
Pete didn’t give me an answer. He didn’t have time to. We were ambushed by some Dandies. Beckett had some spies lurking around. Where were they when I really needed something to kill earlier?

“Friends of yours?” I jokingly said over to Pete who was fighting off a few of them.

“No. I thought they were with you.” He yelled back.

There were about five of them. Pete and I could easily take them. It did feel nice to be working alongside Pete even if it meant as slaying vampires together. I tossed him a stake and I stepped on the crossbow lying on the ground flipping it up not paying attention that this is what sort of happened in my dream Pete and I shared. I shot at one of the vampires Pete was fighting and killed him, turning into dust.

One vampire tackled me down to the ground and ended up somehow scratching my right arm pretty big. I fought him off with a stake then flipped up with my crossbow and aimed for the vampire about to lunge at me to see dust flying in front of me. Pete had already staked him from behind.

“Hey, that was my kill!” I said.

“I’m sorry but I saw him first.” Pete said. “I didn’t see your name on it.” He finished.
We were both laughing. It was a good sign. Maybe there was hope for us after all. Maybe we can’t be together now but the future looked good.

“Hey, you’re hurt.” He said looking at my arm.

“Oh, it’s just a scratch. I’ll be fine.” I said. “Whoa.” I said backing up from him.

“What?” Pete asked.

“You don’t see it?” I asked throwing my weapons in the car.

“See what?” He asked with a confused look in his face.

“The dream we shared,” I said, “its coming true.”

“How? It’s not like we are having sex right now.” Pete responded.

“Ok, you appear to find me. Yes, it may have happened differently in the dream but you are here. Then, I step on my crossbow and kill a vampire with it. Next, you kill a vampire for me and then tell me I am hurt. Need I say more?” I explained.

“But it doesn’t mean it will come true.” Pete said.

“Yes, but I am the slayer. My dreams could come true. And so far it is starting too.” I said.

“C’mon let’s get you home.” Pete said taking my keys.

“Maybe you should walk home or jump over a cliff then.” I said getting into the car.

“That wasn’t very nice.” Pete said getting into the car.

Pete drove me home and followed me inside to check on Erelin. We found her asleep on the couch with a vampire movie of all things on the television.

“Should we wake her?” Pete asked.

“Why are you still here? You can leave now you see that she is alright.” I turned around and said.

“No, not yet.” He said taking off up towards my room.

“Hey!” I said. Ooh he can really get on my nerves at times. Who does he think he is?
About that time, Erelin woke up. She sat up and looked around to see that I was back safe and sound. My eyes were focused on upstairs. Why did he go to my room?
Pete?” I said walking into my room and shutting the door.

I found Pete sitting on my bed. He looked so different. His face had no smile on it. I was tired of all the apologies. I just wanted him to leave me alone now. At least part of our dream had come true and it was a start. Just then Pete got up and came towards me.

I let him get close to me as I was in shock of his behavior. He face had a look of wanting on it. I knew he wanted me; he just didn’t want to admit it. He began to kiss me and the feelings I was trying to hide came rushing back. With every kiss I wanted more. Screw the consequences.

“Pete.” I tried to say, him shushing me by kissing me harder.
He moved me by the bed and took his shirt off. I wanted his body so bad. He was so fine. I took my shirt off. Pete took off my bra and kissed me from my neck down to the waistline of my pants.

Pete got down on his knees and unbuttoned and unzipped my pants. Every second seemed one step closer to bliss. I wanted him and I knew he wanted me. He taunted and toyed with me before finally I was lying on the bed and he had taken my pants off. I ached for him and wanted more than just his kiss. I was ready to be set off.

Pete was lying on top of me and leaned over to my ear, whispering, “Are you sure you are ready for this?”

I responded with a “Yes.” I wanted him to come inside me and he already had me moaning from every touch and sensation he could stir in me.

Just as I wanted him to, Pete entered me and it was everything and more I hoped it would be. I was in pure bliss as our eyes locked into each other’s. I came and said his name rubbing my hands down his back with my nails, gently sending chills up his spine.

Then Pete rolled over and I found my way to his chest and placed my head on his shoulder lying beside him, my hand where his heart would be. I thought I was in heaven and everything felt right. Pete kissed my forehead.

“Pete, I love you.” I said looking up into his eyes. I could tell he wanted to say it too but couldn’t.

“Amanda?” He said.

“Yes, Pete?” I replied.

“I’m sorry.” He said rolling over and kissing my neck.

“Why are you sorry now? Do you regret what we just did?” I asked all confused.

“No. I could never regret this moment but it should have never happened. Don’t worry. You need to stay focused.” Pete said looking at me now.

“Focused?” I repeated.

“Yes for what may happen soon.” He said kissing me passionately to keep me from talking anymore.

Then the next thing I knew he went back to my neck again. I didn’t mind it. I just hoped he wouldn’t flip out again. This time though was different. He sank his teeth into me and sucked blood this time. The room began to spin and the pain I felt when Mike had bit me returned.

I couldn’t scream. I couldn’t move. The closest thing I could do was dig my nails in Pete’s back to get him to stop. I finally got out a, “No.” Then I was out but not before I heard Pete say, “I do love you.”
(End of Flashback 2)

I hated what he did. I remembered it well. I was so mad him that he thought that by erasing my memories of us being together that night I would be happier and safer but that backfired and made me even madder when I learned what he did and pushed me into another man’s arms for a bit. Sigh. Oh how you got under my skin, Pete.

(Flashback 3)
I got off the phone with Bev to find Erelin hitting me. I just kind of gave her a calm down look. It was weird running into Jason here in the mall of all things. He had Rick with him too who was also in his band.

“Hi guys!” I said making sure Erelin wouldn’t embarrass me.

“It is nice to see you again, Amanda.” Jason said as he approached us. “You too, Erelin.” He added.

I could so tell Erelin was about to die inside. It was funny. Why be nervous?

“Hi.” She said looking at Jason. “I’m Erelin as Jason already said.” Erelin said sticking her hand out to Rick.

“I’m Rick.” He said back to Erelin. “I play the drums in the band.” He added.

“That’s cool.” Erelin said.

“So since we ran into each other again, do you have any plans for tonight?” Jason asked me.

“No, she doesn’t and she would love to go!” Erelin said before I could say anything.
I gave her this what are you doing look. I then looked at Jason embarrassed for what just happened. He and Rick were laughing.

“Well, what I meant to say was would you join me for dinner at this wonderful fancy restaurant across town around eight tonight?” Jason continued.

“I would love to.” I said looking at Erelin. She was just smiling and happy for me.

“Great! It’s a date then.” Jason said. “Just wear something nice like a dress or something.” He added smiling.
(End of Flashback 3)