chapter 3: Zero

I was awakened sometime later, this time by voices coming into the room.

“She ate the whole thing. This bowl was filled to the top with food!” Someone spoke surprised and disgusted at the same time.

“What greedy little monsters humans are!” Someone else said just as disgusted.

I heard the dishes cling again. They walked out of the room but were still talking. They weren't even whispering. They were practically shouting, even when they were right next to me.

“What I don't get is, where the hell did Zero learn to cook?”

“He made it himself?”

“Yeah.” He seemed to hiss. “It just doesn't make sense...”

There voices became murmurs as they walked farther away from me. They were gone now, slamming the door loudly behind them. I sat up, feeling a lot better. I got out of the bed, going out into the big room. I looked around wondering if I was really alone when my eye caught something sitting on a table, on the higher level, against the wall, next to the archway leading to darkness.

The reason it caught my eye was because it was a golden little box sitting all by itself in the middle of the table. So I went over to it. Me, being a curious human, opened it. It was a typical music box. The music was soft and very pretty, almost dreamy. The two little figures dancing were really strange, though they fascinated me.

The male figure stood tall. He was wearing a suit and tie, his hair was slicked back. I could tell his little eyes were looking at the girl hungrily. He was paler then her. His arms tightly wrapped around her, as if forcing her against him. It seemed this way because her body looked completely limp. She had her hands against his chest as if trying to push away from him. Her head was back a way, slightly tilted to the side as all of her hair fell where gravity intended it to go. Her eyes were half shut as if she wanted to look away but just couldn't do it. I watched them go around slowly as the music played softly.

Then out of the corner of my eye I saw someone's body. I looked up. It was Zero, gazing down at me. I didn't even hear him come in. I had no idea how long he had even been standing there. He took a step forward, I took two steps back. He came forward again and kept coming forward until I had nowhere to go by running into a wall.

He placed his hands on either side of me, blocking me between him and the wall with his arms. He pressed his body against mine. His eyes searched my face. I looked away.

“Where'd you learn to cook?” His body tensed at my question. “Did Kale...show you?” I looked at him frowning. Had they been somewhat like friends before he killed him? He shook his head slowly, leaning down closer to my face.

“You did...” His voice came out softly. His voice rang in my ears. That distinct voice that I would know anywhere. The one that I could pick out from a million vampires talking all at once. That strong voice that was soft at the same time.

I pressed my hands against his chest. He resisted for a moment but then took a step back, his arms fell to his sides. I took a good look at his face as I looked up at him. I soaked it in and studied him. Finally I forced myself to speak.

“K-Kale?” My eyes felt wide and i'm sure they were. “Why didn't you say anything before?” I asked, feeling embarrassed about how I freaked out thinking he was dead.

“I tried but I couldn't say anything in front of the others. I knew you would have recognized my voice and I didn't want them to see your reaction.” I stared at him. “When I got you alone, it was harder then I expected it to be.” He had moved closer to me again.

“Why didn't you want them to see my reaction?” I grabbed his arm with my hand as he placed them back on either side of me. He smiled.

“They've been secretly trying to find my weakness for a long time now...I didn't want you to get hurt.”

“What are you saying?” I cocked my head to the side.

“You know what i'm saying, Jamie. You have to know.”

I gazed into his eyes. Those beautiful blue eyes that I never thought I would see.

“You're Zero?” I asked abruptly. He tensed again.

“I am. I was Kale long before I was Zero though. I joined this clan to make sure Dante's clan wouldn't be ambushed. I joined this clan and suddenly I became Zero, stronger, faster, smarter then the others. Not even Dante knows about my double life.”

My eyes watched him carefully. “What happened? Why did your clan--” He knew what I was asking so he interrupted.

“I was gone a lot longer then usual. They were partly “worried” about me. They thought Dante's clan had captured, tortured and killed me. But in reality they only needed my help. We were having territory issues while I was away and they couldn't handle it themselves. It's all fixed now though.”

“Why were you gone longer then usual?”

He shrugged. “I found myself unable to leave you...”

I met his eyes again. He leaned down, inching closer to my face.

“Well don't leave me again.” I breathed out.

“Oh Jamie, I won't. Never again. Never.” He breathed back.

“Promise?” I whispered.

“Promise.” And with that he pressed his lips against mine.

Mine moved beneath his as he moved his body closer to mine, working his arm around my waist, moving my body closer to his too. My arms wrapped around his neck. His other hand brushed against my face and threw my hair.

I could still hear the soft music in the distance as we kissed. Our lips seemed to have missed eachother as they moved quickly. It was getting a little intense as he pushed his lips deeper against mine. My fingers ran through his soft hair, never wanting this kiss to end.

But as our kiss deepened even more, I felt a pinch and a stinging sensation on my lip. He had actually bit it, re-breaking the little scar from when one of the vampires hit me. He licked my bottom lip, taking in some of the blood. I pushed him away from me, covering my mouth, surprised he had just done that. His eyes were completely black. He turned away from me.

“I lost control.” He murmured to himself. “I'm so sorry.” He spoke a little louder then spun around. “There's a bathroom just in that archway, first opening to the left.” He walked fast and left through the big wooden door.

I understood his meaning. I shut the music box and went into the bathroom to clean off the blood. Did he just get done promising he wouldn't leave me ever again?I guess he kind of had to in this situation.

I cleaned the bite but it wouldn't stop bleeding so I held a damp cloth to my lip. I went back out into the room where I sat on the steps, waiting for it to stop bleeding. Eventually it did. I threw the cloth away. When I came back out from the bathroom the door burst open.

“Where's Zero?!” That James guy snapped at me. He came in by himself.

“I-I don't know.” I stammered a little. He glared at me. Then abruptly started laughing in such an evil way, it made me cringe.

“He hit you?” It was a question but seemed more like a statement to me. I looked away. “You must be a stubborn one.” He remarked coldly.

The door opened behind him. I looked as he turned around. Kale, or Zero I should say, walked in. His eyes went from James quickly, searching for me. When his eyes finally met mine they flashed back to James.

“Why James, are you disturbing my guest?”

I noticed that Kale, I mean Zero, talked to other vampires differently then when he talked to me. I'm not sure how to describe it. I guess you could say he talked to me sweetly and gently. He talked to them like they bored him.

“No, Master Zero. I was just asking where you were.”

Zero stared at him, waiting for him to continue.

“We were wondering if you would join us on a hunt? It's been awhile.”

Kale, err Zero, didn't even think about it.

“No.” He said simply. James waited as if to make sure he was finished before nodding.

“Right. Some other time then?”

“Possibly.” He responded shortly.

James nodded again. “Nice work on the girl, Master Zero. A perfect hit.”

Zero didn't say anything at all. He only stared at him. After a moment James walked past him briskly. Zero was looking at me now.

“Ka--” I began. His eyes widened a little. James spun around in the doorway. I forgot for a second and froze. Then made it seem like I was just afraid to speak.

“Ca-can I go rest now?”

Kale nodded. I walked down the stairs to the bedroom. Behind me I heard the door shut. Then I heard footsteps. I stopped, turning around as he came up to me.

“I'm sorry.” I apologized softly. He shrugged.

“Quick thinking. At least you stopped yourself.” He became silent, then spoke again after a long second. “You have to help me, Jamie.”

I was frowning now. “What do you mean?”

“You have to tell me whenever my eyes change color, usually they turn black. That way I can leave without....doing that to you again.”

I nodded. Agreeing that I didn't want him to do that again.

“So what do we do now? Are we going back to Dante?” I asked, feeling suddenly curious. He sighed, looking away from me.

“No.”

I frowned again. “Why?”

He didn't answer, wouldn't look at me. I stepped closer to him, touching his arm with one hand and moved his face toward me with the other.

“Why, Kale?” I locked my eyes onto his. He tried to look away but seemed to not be able to.

“I know what Dante wants to do with you. You're safer here.”

“What could be so dangerous?”

He cringed. “He wants to turn you. Says you “would be one hell of a vampire”. “

My eyes widened. “Then let him...”

He frowned at me now. “You don't know what you're talking about.”

“But I do. Vampires live forever. You're going to live forever. Doesn't it get lonely?”

He was quiet. He pushed my hand away from his face, taking hold of my wrist.

“Of course it does! But i'm not going to selfishly just sit back and watch you be turned into a...a monster! I don't want you to be like me!” He was trembling. I think it was from anger. He held fast to my wrist. His jaw was tense, his eyes shifted wildly as he looked at me.

“You're not a monster, Kale.” I told him quietly.

“I am.” He sneered.

“You're not.” I repeated, firmly.

“I bit you.”

“You only bit my lip and you didn't mean to.”

“I have no control.”

“Yes, you do.”

“No.”

“Kale--”

“No!” He snapped, gripping my wrist even tighter.

“Kale!” I couldn't help but yelp in pain. He let go, backing away.

“See! Damn it! Don't you see?! The one person in my life that I absolutely and completely care about more then anything else, I keep hurting! Damn it, Jamie! Damn it! You don't want to be like me!” He spun around to leave, I ran forward, grabbing him.

“Okay Kale! I won't let him do it, I won't!” I let out quickly, not wanting to be left alone again. “Just keep your promise and don't leave me.” I begged him softly.

He stood there as I had a hold of his arm. I hung on to as much of it as I could but it was kind of hard. His arm was so much bigger then my hand because of his muscles. He finally turned back to me. I let go, looking up at him.

“Sorry.” He muttered. I took his hand.

“Let's not do that anymore.” I suggested.

“What?”

“Apologize so much.”

He smiled. “I guess we both do that a lot, don't we?”

I nodded and smiled back at him.

“I'm glad you turned out to be Zero, Kale.”

“I'm glad my clan was loyal enough to bring you back to me alive.”

“Yeah...Me too...”

He gripped my hand tighter and leaned down kissing me softly on the lips. I think he just intended on giving me a sweet little peck but when he pulled away for half a second he came forward again.

I began to back up as he followed me, I wasn't sure where I was going. I wasn't sure where I was going. I reached back with my free hand as he still gripped my other one. I felt an empty space. And then it got a little darker. We were in the bedroom now.

I felt the back of my legs hit the edge of the bed. It happened so fast, I fell back onto the bed. He kept his lips against mine, falling on me. He held himself up as to not suffocate me. He kissed me harder. He kissed me as if he hadn't kissed me in months, even though we just did not even 20 minutes ago. He began snarling as I gasped for breath. My eyes opened slightly for some reason. I wasn't really sure why. I blinked. His eyes opened too.

I gasped, pushing on his chest. I pushed a little harder as he wouldn't budge. His eyes were a solid pitch black. He pulled his lips away from mine. He stared down at me, snarling still, his fangs showing.

“Kale, your eyes...” I breathed.

His black eyes widened. He jumped off of me and ran out of the room in one smooth motion. I wasn't sure how much more of this I could take. I took in a deep breath and through my hands over my face. His eyes were burned into my mind. Those black eyes that haunted me. I didn't like seeing him like that.

After a moment I sat up. As soon as I did my mouth opened, trying to form a scream but couldn't let it out. One of the hooded vampires flashed over to me, slapping his hard hand over my mouth.

“Dante's waiting for us.” He whispered. “I'll get you out safely. Kale might just be alive!” He grabbed my arm as he pulled his hand away from my mouth. I realized it was Jared and was surprised how persistent he was.

“Jared I shouldn't. You shouldn't be here, Zero is just outside.” I tried to get him to leave before Kale came back, or before he forced me to actually leave with him.

“Well then let's go before he comes in.” He growled.

“No. He'll have you all killed if I leave.” I was trying so hard. I didn't want to see anyone get hurt. His mouth was turned down. I could almost hear him ask, 'why are you being so stubborn?' but he never got to say it as the big wooden door flew open. There were footsteps, running footsteps from more then one pair of feet.

We both turned and looked out the doorway. In front of us stood five vampires. One of which was James, the other was the blonde from before and the other three I didn't recognize. They growled and sneered at Jared. He moved in front of me, I moved back around him.

“Please, don't!” I cried. “D-don't touch him. Don't hurt him!”

“They can't hurt me. I'm stronger and faster then any of them.” Jared hissed.

“You want to prove that?!” One of them snapped.

Jared growled. He lunged forward, past me. I tried to grab his arm only to miss. Not that it would have done much anyways. The others came forward. I wasn't sure what was happening. Things were moving so fast.

I took a step back seeing Jared grab James by the throat and lift him from the ground. One of the others shoved him with such strength that when he let go of James, James flew up into the air and came back down hard on his feet. Another one grabbed Jared by his throat now.

I watched in horror as the one that grabbed him snarled. His eyes were solid black, his mouth opened and his fangs looked extremely sharp. I wasn't sure but I think he was about to tear into him. I didn't see because the others began to crowd around him. My vision was blocked.

I heard a blood curling cry and heard a snarl. Jared was crying out and I heard a sudden gurgling sound. I couldn't stand the noise. I didn't know where to go. Without realizing it, I crouched down sitting on my heels, shoving my fingers into my ears and shutting my eyes.

It seemed to only be minutes later that someone grabbed my arm, pulling me up. My fingers were yanked forcefully out of my ears one at a time. My eyes finally snapped open, they dodged around the whole room which was empty. They landed on Kale, who was looking at me at eye level. I glanced down. He held me by the waist close to him, my feet hovered above the ground.

“What happened, Jamie? Was Jared here?” He asked wide eyed and extremely worried. I opened my mouth and looked around again.

“They took him...Kale, you have to—Zero, help him!” My eyes were wide too. I looked around again.

He opened his mouth to speak again but the door opened behind him. He set me down, turning around, his hand grabbing my arm and pulling me closer beside him.

“Master Zero!” One of them said relived as he looked at us. We moved, meeting him and some others in the middle of the room.

“Good, you're back.” Another one said. Then the blonde one stepped forward a little.

“Our rival clan sent one of there hooded creatures your pet.”

Kale, I mean Zero, looked at them carefully. I shot a quick glare at the blonde. The corner of his lip twitched as if he were trying not to smirk at me.

“Where did you take him?” Zero decided to just ignore his comment.

“The West Wing.” Another one answered. The blonde spoke again.

“What do you want us to do with him, Master Zero?”

Zero was quiet. Then he spoke.

“Nothing for now Jake. I think I'll pay him a little visit.”

“Do you want us to watch your....the girl?” Jake asked, seeming to rethink calling me a pet as he looked at Zero.

“No.” He answered, pulling me along and didn't say anything else.

We hurried down the tunnel. We seemed to get to the open room a lot faster then when they first brought me to Kale's quarters. We turned, going passed a few vampires then down the other forking tunnel.

No one followed us. We went down the tunnel, turning a few times. Everything looked the same. Finally, we stopped at one of the openings. This tunnel too had a bunch of openings all over the sides. He pushed me against the wall right next to the opening as if silently telling me to stay. He went in. There was instant growling.

“Who the hell are you?!” Jared hissed. There was silence. “Are you Zero?!” He snapped after a moment. “Answer me!”

Zero came back out of the room, took my arm and bent close to my ear.

“Try to calm him the best you can. I forgot he doesn't know who I am.” He whispered. I nodded as he pulled me away from the wall and pushed me toward the room. He disappeared.

“Jared...What did they do to you?” I gasped as I saw him in the dimness of the small room we were in. His neck looked swollen and as far as I could tell his face was a greyish color. He had blood dripping from the corner of his mouth.

“Nothing.” He murmured, becoming quiet. “You should have just came when I told you to!” He then snapped.

“But I--”

“Stubborn human!” He interrupted angrily. “You stupid bi--”

“Enough!” I heard Zero snap behind me.

I spun around. My eyes met his black hood. I jumped back thinking I was going to meet his blue eyes. Jared must have mistook this as a different kind of surprise.

“Kale--” Jared's voice came out in shock.

“You have to get out of here, Jared. I can protect her now, she'll be safe with me.” He interrupted him.

“But Dante--”

“Go while you have the chance!” Kale interrupted him again.

Jared must have stared at him, glanced at me, then stared at him again until he finally nodded. Kale began explaining the way out. I think I might have purposely tuned him out at this point. Why would I want to know the way out now? I was with Kale and didn't want to be anywhere else.

Before I knew it, Jared rushed past me and disappeared into the darkness, like i've seen these vampires do so many times. I looked at Kale. He pulled back his hood, meeting my eyes.

“He's not the type to give up easily. I have to get you and the others away from here, at least for now.”

I watched him carefully. Then nodded understanding his logic. He pulled off the trench coat and rested his hand on my lower back, leading me out into the tunnel.

“Just head straight down. Ill be back before you get to the turn.”

He pushed me forward gently and disappeared. Another thing I should have been used to by now, them disappearing like that. I glanced over my shoulder and hesitantly felt my way down the tunnel. I got far enough to hear murmuring just around the corner I was coming up to.

I heard a noise behind me, I jumped in surprise. Kale appeared out of nowhere. He led me until we came to the open room. The murmuring turned into endless chatter. But it stopped abruptly as we came in. Everyone turned to us. We kept walking as there eyes burned into us. Into me really.

“Prepare to leave.” Kale said without looking at any of them. They all looked at eachother but didn't say anything, they all just scattered in different directions.

Kale gripped my arm tighter as we went down the tunnel that we first came into. Instead of going up the stairs we turned to the left, eventually coming up to yet another door. He opened it and we came into a garage that was laid out just the way Dante's was. He led me to the big black truck which was made for three people. He opened the passenger door, helping me get in.

“Get into the middle.” He ordered quietly, so I did. “Stay here. I have to go--”

“What?!” I interrupted, turning to move back to him. He leaned in pushing my shoulder gently, but strong enough for my whole body to be turned straight and facing the windshield.

“Just for not even a second. I'll be back quicker then you can even have time to miss me.” He kissed my forehead, jumped out of the truck, shut the door and well, you know, disappeared.

I sat back farther in the seat, annoyed that he left me again. The truth of the matter was I wanted to Kale to be by my side all the time. I wasn't sure why. I just felt comfortable and safe with him. He was my best friend, and maybe even more. I've never felt this way about anyone.

But I knew that I also wanted Dante to turn me. And that meant that if I actually decided to go through with what I was thinking, I would have to leave Kale. I could either do what he wanted, not become a vampire or do what I wanted...

Just as I came to my final decision the garage door opened. It wasn't Kale that came in, it was everyone else. All the other vampires who piled into the other cars and trucks. My eyes were suddenly hooked on the blonde vampire, Jake.

He came around the truck to the passenger side. I stared at him as he climbed in and shut the door. He looked at me now. I began to scoot away from him. He opened his mouth to speak when the driver side opened. My body jumped and my heart almost lurched out of my throat. I turned terrified that it was going to be yet another vampire. And it was, but luckily, it was only Kale or I should say Zero now. He gazed at me.

“You driving?” He asked sounding amused. I realized that I had moved all the way over to the drivers seat.

“Ohh...” I slid back to my seat in the middle. He got in, started the truck and rolled down the window which I noticed others had too. As the garage door opened, he spoke. He told a few, whose names I didn't catch to head East. The one's he told to head that way sped out of the garage at the same time after they nodded an understanding at him.

“The rest of you, stay close.” I heard multiple engines rev up before Zero rolled his window back up. We took off first at a very dangerous speed.

“Put your seatbelt on.” Zero demanded, glancing at me.

I grabbed the belt but couldn't find where the buckle was. Jake watched me struggle to dig in the seat for it. He glanced at Zero who was distracted by the road. Jake pushed my hand with the back of his, I pulled away and looked up at him as he dug it out. He took the seatbelt from me, clicking into place. He sat up, looking back at me.

“Thanks.” I said quietly.

Zero glanced at us. Jake looked away. I noticed Jake, in such a similar way, reminded me of Kale. As my mind wandered, thinking about Kale, Zero and Jake, I grew tired and low and behold ended up falling asleep. They let me sleep, which was good because I needed it.

Note: I know this story is going a bit fast still but it will slow down, not that it will get boring, but you won't be learning about some things right away like how I made it known that the hooded people are vampires, and Zero actually turned out to be Kale...you all might have seen that coming tho! When I wrote this I was just really excited to get to certain parts that I kind of rushed the beginning. But then again, I really don't see a point in stalling to get to the action of a story ;)

The picture in this chapter is Kale/Zero