Shadowman (ZonaTea & Vyrania)

Aaron's head swam and once he regained himself, he had fallen against Emil. This made him cry out and try to pull away. The revelation that the one responsible for that terrible massacre that had spawned legends meant to terrify children - and sometimes adults - at night was too much. He could only assume had fainted for a brief moment, enough to take him off balance and land him fully in the grasp of this town's very own boogieman. Of course, that term was far too silly and immature to describe Emil, to describe what had happened to Aaron and what was going to happen again and again if he could not find a way to escape.

Emil would hold onto Aaron to make sure he didn't slip off the bed. Poor thing, he could tell that he wasn't doing well. The only way he'd be relaxed as as if he were to leave him but..really what was the point? He would have to get used to him sooner or later and he wasn't' going to be going anywhere. Not for a while yet at least. His hunger wasn't too bad, though he did need to go at some point to get himself a fresh new victim.

"You need to relax" he said. He knew what would help but not yet, he wanted to stay there for just a bit longer.

All thoughts of keeping Emil busy answering questions had fled Aaron's mind in the face of that one piece of information that had sent him beyond his limit. What good would it do anyway? They hadn't even been talking for an hour so far, and even if Aaron could somehow manage to fill hours with questions, there would be other nights. He was helpless, and the tears he had been fighting back finally started to flow.

"I can't!" he finally replied to the order he'd been given since Emil's arrival.

A deep sigh tore through the vampire. He would instead pull Aaron closer so that he could lay down on the bed again. But Emil didn't stay he would get up off the bed so that Aaron was simply laying there alone. "You can" he said. "AS much as I wish to stay it is obvious I am but a nightmare to you" which was fine by him, really but it was hard to try and deal with him when he was like this and he was very hungry he needed to feed.

"So I will leave, so do what you must but know there's going to be no escape for you" he could see him everywhere he went there. So he would head back into the living room. But it was a trick, he wanted to see what Aaron would do. He would turn the corner and melt into the shadows quickly and then wait.

Aaron, however, could not trust that he was alone. The creature had been stalking him for months without being seen; Aaron knew he was not safe until the sun came up. So, he just lay there, stewing in his fear and anxiety. He was so very tired and still quite sore from his first real encounter with the vampire. All of these things kept him lying awake, staring at the ceiling. Eventually, he sat up and turned on the lamp, then settled back with his phone to read. It was nearly impossible to concentrate, as he kept glancing up expecting Emil to be standing over him.

The only real plan he had was to leave, to flee this apartment and go somewhere far away. But where would he go? Who would he stay with? And, would Emil follow him, leave his castle and hunt him wherever he went? If that was the case, whoever Aaron stayed with would be in grave danger.

Aaron put a hand to his head. It was too much! What was he supposed to do? Just accept this? Just lie here each night and wait to be abused? Count the days until Emil grew bored and decided he would serve better as a meal?

Emil waited a moment before he really did leave the apartment, Aaron had simply waited there and hadn't followed him, apparently not curious enough to follow him to know how he disappeared into the wall. He had to find a new victim. Sneaking in next door to Aaron he would glance around. Hearing the shower running he smirked and would head towards the bathroom and peak in slowly. The steam from the shower greeted him as soon as he opened the door.

He would turn off the light and the person in the shower gasped and quickly turned off the water. Before they could really even react further and open the shower curtain he was right there behind them, sinking his fangs into their neck and slowly draining them of all their blood. Leaving the water on he would drink from the poor human until he felt satisfied. He didn't want to be filled up. He wanted to return to his frightened little lamb. Using his sharp teeth he would tear from where his fangs had entered the skin and make a nice long line to connect the two. That way no one could tell he had left fang marks. Turning the water to cold he would run it over the skin to close it.

It would look like she simply bled out considering the blood staining the bathtub. It would give him time to think about what he wanted to do.

Aaron could always hear the plumbing of his neighbors, and thus he was vaguely aware in the back of his mind that water was running in the next apartment over. However, there was nothing strange about that and he was far too focused to notice how the water turned off then on again, not that he would have thought anything of it had he noticed.

The creeping sensation was gone, and he did eventually feel brave enough to get out of bed and go wash his face. He felt abysmal: tired, sore, and nauseous. He looked about as bad as he felt, and he wanted nothing more than to just go to sleep. He walked back into his room and lay down on the freshly-washed sheets, keeping the lamp on as if it would help him. He clutched a pillow to his face and tried to calm down, tried to talk himself into going to sleep, but all he could think was that Emil would return and he would have a very unpleasant awakening.

Emil would lean against the wall in the other apartment. He really ought to go back to his castle, leave his little lamb home for the night perhaps even a few nights he would stay away but he would have to make sure that Aaron wouldn't run from him. But really where would he go to get away? No where that's what. There was no where he could go that he would be able to get away from him. Even if he were to, Aaron would be safe but he would just find another obsession.

There would likely always be nice little lambs for him to fuck with. He could always change his ways and be good of course but there was just something delicious about evil that he thoroughly enjoyed. Maybe even Aaron would get the better of him one day but oh wouldn't that be nice to finally sleep. He missed that the most..sleep.

At some point, the fear and the exhaustion blended and became too much. Aaron could not have said when or for how long he lay awake, but he did eventually drift off to sleep into restless dreams he would not remember upon waking. Even in sleep, he prayed for the sun to rise, for this long winter night to pass by and take with it the danger that lurked inthe darkness.

Eventually the day would come and Emil was forced to retreat to his home. He would have to go home. Back to his lonely castle. Perhaps he would invite his frightened lamb there. Even if all Aaron wanted to do was destroy him. Silver, perhaps it might but he hadn't known. He hadn't had a reason to get into his gems and coins. Perhaps he would make it up to him and give him a gold coin. Surely, his old currency was worth a lot more value then it had been. He had chests full of them. The kingdom had been very rich. In fact, there were several chests that might still be buried. Perhaps a few of those nights instead of bothering his little lamb he would dig them up.

The sun was at its zenith when Aaron woke, and he hardly felt rested at all. He lay in bed for a time, staring at the curtains over window and lamenting his hopeless situation. What was he to do? What if this really kept going? What about school and his hopes for his future and...?

He choked back tears and sat up. He couldn't think that far ahead right now, and he couldn't just lie there and await the sick pleasures of some vile, monstrous creature. He had to do something! Had to run, to hide, to find a weapon that would actually make a difference.

London. He could go stay with his uncle in London! There was no way Emil could track him that far and find him in a city that big! His hopes flaring, Aaron scrambled out of bed and grabbed his phone. He found his uncle's number and held the phone between his ear and shoulder as he hastily dug his suitcase from his closet and started throwing clothes into it. He would need a train ticket. It would be expensive at such short notice, but his parents' deaths and the lawsuit surrounding the entire affair had at least left him with the means to make a life for himself; he could afford it for such an emergency.

Of course, first he had to try and convince his uncle to let him stay. The man was - unsurprisingly - suspicious of Aaron's urgency. He had to promise over and over again that he was not in any kind of legal trouble. In the middle of the conversation, however, there was a firm knock on Aaron's apartment door. He asked his uncle to wait and went to open it, feeling understandably anxious.

He found police at his door, and the shock and worry was written on his face. "Are you the tenant of this apartment?" one of the officer's asked.

"Y-yes, sir."

"Did you know Ms. Jill Anderson next door?" The man's tone was flat, all business.

Aaron blinked. "N-no, sir. I suppose I may have seen her in passing, but I wasn't even aware that was her name." He had a terrible sinking feeling. "Why? What's happened?"

"Ms. Anderson was murdered last night, sir. Would you happen to know anything about that?"

Aaron had to lean on the doorframe to steady himself. "I.... I-I don't know if it... would be connected, but... s-someone attacked me three nights ago, but I didn't see them at all." He left out that they had returned last night. Perhaps it was wrong, but saying so would probably mean he'd be taken into the station, questioned, and then it would be too late to run. He had to make the most of the daylight.

The officer frowned. "That might be a long shot. We will keep looking into this and we'll be back if we need your statement."

Aaron bit his lip. If he left, they'd think he was running. "Um... W-well I might be leaving today, actually. I can give you my contact information. I'm going to stay with family over winter break."

The officer's frown deepened, but he nodded. Information was given, and Aaron returned to his phone call. Now, he could inform his uncle that there was something really frightening going on and that his next door neighbor had just been murdered. He was frightened and needed to get away until all of this was settled. At last, his uncle agreed and Aaron was back to running around his house, packing everything he could fit into a single suitcase and a small travel bag. He of course brought his laptop as well, but that had its own bag.

And so, hoping he hadn't forgotten anything, Aaron turned off everything in his apartment, locked the door, and took a taxi to the train station. He would be on the train overnight, but being in a moving vehicle hour and hours away was probably safer than anywhere else he could be at night.

Emil was watching Aaron of course. He had heard the whole conversation about going to London. No way he was going to let him just run away. Oh his naughty little lamb would feel his wrath that was for sure. He wasn't going to let him go, not that easily. Just because he was leaving in the day time didn't mean he couldn't follow him. There were plenty of shadows that he could travel and he knew the lands well. He had often traveled them long ago. Surely it wouldn't be too hard to find out where he was going. Some of the places hadn't changed yet, just had gotten a more up to date feel.

He would be safe, for a good few hours of course. Aaron was his and he wasn't going to be getting away anytime soon. He had a brief window before he wouldn't be able to get to him, thankfully traveling by shadows was as fast as any moving vehicle. Seeing him stop at the train station he felt that was a perfect place. It was dark enough there and he could blend in with the crowd. The building was old and needed an update but for the most part it was covered without too many windows to let in the sunshine.

All he had to do was wait like a crocodile and then pounce when his little lamb was least expecting it, knowing he had such a short window of opportunity...

Aaron was dismayed to realize that the next train for London wouldn't be leaving for two hours yet. He considered just hopping on the next train for anywhere and getting to London from wherever he ended up, but he talked himself out of this by thinking of how the sun would still be up in two hours. So, he bought the ticket and then went to find somewhere to sit and wait. He was certain his heart had not stopped racing since he'd awakened that morning - afternoon? - and it was utterly exhausting. He sat on a bench with his phone, trying to distract himself and keep from nodding off, which he caught himself doing from time to time.

It was certainly tricky getting around but Emil was patient. He had seen where Aaron had parked himself, right close to the sunshine, clever little lamb. But, no matter it wouldn't save him. No not this time, not for running away from him. His little lamb was coming with him whether he wanted to or not! Now it would only just be a matter of getting to him, biding his time he would move forward whenever a shadow passed close enough so he wouldn't get burned from the sun.

Finding his chance he would move in suddenly and place his hands over Aaron's mouth so he wouldn't draw any attention while he dragged him into the shadows with him, pulling on his body quickly. It was cool, he noticed but how it would feel to his little lamb was unclear, it could feel like an icy bath or just a cool breeze but either way he had gotten him. "You're a naughty little thing, running off like that. And here I was thinking of going easy on you" he growled as he threw the other boy up over his shoulder. They were underground, it was the only solid place he could take him. But no matter, they'd be there soon enough.

At the feel of a cold hand over his mouth, Aaron's eyes went wide and he lurched. However, he didn't even have time to scream as he was yanked backward into what felt like the dead of winter. The sudden icy cold constricted his lungs and stole his breath, leaving him unable to even gasp.

And suddenly he was in a different place. Emil was speaking to him, had a hold of him. Aaron's chest and throat were so tight that all he could do was stare in utter horror. He had thought he was safe! Vampires weren't supposed to be out in the daytime! That was a rule, wasn't it?! Even Emil had said the sun would burn him! Had that been a lie, a trick to see what he would do?

Aaron had not the strength to even stuggle as he was thrown over Emil's shoulder. He hung there dazed and trying both to comprehend and not to think about what was going to happen to him. As a result, the least of his concerns came to the forefront of his mind: he'd dropped his phone in the train station, and now it was just sitting there unguarded with his luggage and his laptop. What if someone stole it? What if the police found it and assumed he'd run off?

He realized then that he was shaking, and it wasn't from the cold. God, what was about to happen to him...?

Good thing for shadows, though Emil didn't exactly feel at 100% at the moment. Damn that sunlight. He could even feel where it had burned into his flesh, a dark mark on his arms where he had reached out for Aaron. It was well worth it though and before too long they would be back as he could take short cuts through the shadows. Likely each time would feel like an icy plunge, as they were moving from shadow to shadow. He was glad to be back though. His castle was nice and dark. Hardly any light seeped in and even if it did, it wasn't actual sunlight, just where the sun was shining through the dark heavy curtains.

It was there that he put Aaron down, not very gently either, letting him drop onto the hard stone. Without wasting any time he would grip him by the arm and start to drag him off. "I suggest you try and pull yourself up, the stones can be unforgiving" but he said this rather coldly. He was done playing nice.

Aaron cried out when he hit the floor. He was shivering badly from the constant waves of ice he had felt during the rapid travel. Heart pounding, Aaron tried in vain to stand while he was being dragged, but in the end he just had to settle for trying to keep his head from hitting the floor. His wide eyes darted around, but he could hardly see a thing in the dark interior. Was this the castle? Was he near the school? Could he escape and find help?

For now, the answer was certainly no as he was dragged by his arm. The fear was intense, but he knew fighting or running were impossible, so his panic had nowhere to go.

Emil would drag Aaron on deeper into the darkness of his castle, he shouldn't have tried to run. If Aaron had just stayed been a good little lamb, he wouldn't have gone this far. The young human could have had the safety and comfort of his own home but it was too late now he was in his. Gripping him a little harder he would turn suddenly. There was only more darkness on ahead, like inky blackness and he knew the temperature would start to drop the further they went. Not caring that he was heading down stairs, Emil would continue to force his little lamb along into the freezing room.

Letting him go finally he would reach down and grip him by the hair. "Should have stayed home Aaron" he said coldly. "Now I'm going to have to punish you"

Aaron cried out in pain as he was dragged down stairs, his body twisting and bumping against the harsh stones until - by the end - he was bruised, battered, and had tears trickling down his cheeks. Of course his fear contributed to this last reaction, and it was what made him curl up into a ball once his arm was released.

"Please let me go..." he begged uselessly, shivering with the fright and the cold. "Please... I... I won't run... Please..." Anything to keep from being imprisoned in a place like this and tortured anyway.

Emil's jaw tightened. "You blew your chance trying to run away" he growled as he continued to drag him by the hair to a wall with rusty looking chains. But, only he could see that. Emil could see very well in the dark. Slamming him against the wall he would quickly switch from grabbing Aaron's hair to putting some pressure on his neck. With the other he would take the rusty, blood soaked chains and secure him. They were old, from before he was born.

"You're mine Aaron" he said touching his cheek with his equally cold hands. Once he had him chained by his arms he would move away from him. Using an old flint he would light a few torches so his captive could see just what was going on there. He had a lot of medieval torturing devices. It was a dungeon after all.

The stench in the air was gagging, smelling of blood and rot. Breathing too deeply made Aaron cough, but hitting the wall knocked the wind out of him, making even that impossible for a time. By the time Emil released his throat and stepped away, he was gasping and retching.

Once he got his breath and his eyes adjusted to the light, he felt a new wave of fear grip him. He shook his head as if in denial, squeezing his eyes shut so that he would not have to see the cruel apparatuses all around him or the dried blood coating not only his chains, but nearly everything in the room. He knew some of it had to be rust and it wasn't easy to tell the difference in the light, but the smell told him that a lot of it was indeed blood. Soon, his would be added to it, and his mind could not comprehend what was about to happen.

It didn't matter what Aaron did, get sick, cry, Emil wasn't going to stop. He was pissed off at him that he would even think to leaving. HIS lamb was far too precious to lose! He wouldn't be going to Paris, or wherever he had planed. Honestly that part had never mattered to the vampire prince, all he had wanted to do was press himself inside of the younger male and enjoy the warmth of his body. Perhaps feed on him on occasion. Was that really so bad?

"Closing your eyes will only make things worse" he warned. This wasn't his first torturing. He didn't want to be too terribly cruel. "Should I leave you here?" he mused cruelly. "Douse the light of the torches so it is nothing but darkness, to fend off what you can't see?" a dark laugh came out of him. Rats were certainly a possibility down there. "Or perhaps..." he said moving to a wall. An old animal hyde whip hung there, covered in dust and cob webs. About a good fifteen foot one, good for whipping cattle actually his father had adopted it to whipping naughty slaves and servants. "..You want this" his voice getting darker. "Choose carefully.."

Aaron had to open his eyes to see what 'this' was, and they opened wide. How was that thing even practical?! He shook and heard himself whimper as he turned his head away. "L-leave me be... please..." In the past weeks he had become afraid of the dark, but it had to be better than being beaten with that thing, right? If it was dark, he couldn't see all the torture devices, all the blood.

Emil would run his hands over the whip and suddenly it would fly through the air, the sound deafening as it cracked loudly, the tip of the whip a mere inch away from where Aaron's hands were chained. There was such a force that a bit of the wall flew off. He'd done a lot of repairs, knew what type of materials would keep his castle strong. It wasn't anything they used now a days. "As you wish" he told him, the whip was just for scare really but, he wouldn't mind whipping his beautiful lamb. Placing it back he would grab the torches off the wall and instead of dousing them he would move them to the far end of the dungeon making the shadows worse.

"I'll be back for you when I please" he told him disappearing into the shadows. Then there was silence for a few minutes before a gentle creaking sound above Aaron, if he looked up he would see the decomposed or nearly decomposed bodies of his victims he'd strung up like dolls. A few of his neighbors too perhaps people he might have passed on the street. It was unclear to the vampire, yet he'd specifically put Aaron in that room to torture him.

The silence was oppressive and it made Aaron aware of his breath and his pounding heart. He tried to take shallow breaths to minimize how much of the stench reached him, but as frightened as he was, it was difficult to control. The deep shadows began to play tricks on his eyes, making him think he could see movement within them, so he tried just staring at the cluster of torches instead. The contrast hurt his eyes, however, so he just closed them.

The creaking he could ignore at first, but when it persisted, he could no longer pass it off as the structure settling or air pressure. He opened his eyes and cautiously raised them to the ceiling.

Those eyes went wide in utter horror as he saw the corpses above him in various stages of decay. He was frozen in shock, staring at the ghastly sight, and he did indeed vaguely recognize two of the rotting faces. Suddenly, the stench of decay grew stronger, and combined with the sight, Aaron's constitution failed. He hunched against his chains and began to vomit, violently coughing and retching until he could not breath. His body refused to pull in the foul air, too preoccupied with expelling everything he had eaten this day and probably the last - anything left in his stomach at all.

When there was nothing left to throw up, he continued to gag and retch, dry heaving as tears streamed down his face and his lungs burned for air. Each time he got a breath, it would make him gag again, and the tears turned to hysterical bawling.