Blood Lust Part 2

Courtni

I knew what he was talking about without opening my eyes. The last thing I had seen before passing out was the knife come out of her purse. She had come in the elevator with a plan and no matter what, she was going to get it done.

"I feel bad," Tanner said, "I didn't even know her name and yet I watched her die."
I was secretly glad I had passed out. I didn't want to have the guilt of someone killing themselves on me forever. Poor Tanner was forced to deal with it even after all he had already been through. "Don't beat yourself up about it, It's not your fault," I told him

'Courtni! Courtni, can you hear me? Are you in there?" the loud manly voice of my father's said.
"Yeah dad, I'm right here. I can hear you." I replied loudly.
"We are going to get you out of there. Just hang tight for a few more minutes," he told me.
Still holding Tanner's hand I stood up and smiled. Tanner stood up too and looked at me, watching me carefully. His eyes were filled with sorrow.
"What's wrong? We are getting out of here, how can you be sad?" I asked him.
"This is the last time I'm going to see you." He replied softly.
"No it won't. We can hang out after school, we can call..." I was interrupted by his finger on my lips.

"Shhh," He told me. "Don't worry about it yet. Just focus on getting out of here."
I couldn't help but smile. His hands were so warm. I frowned when he took his finger back and let go of my hand. There was something wrong, I could tell. I just wasn't sure what was going on inside of his brain.

Above us there was a lot of banging and smashing and cursing. We just waited it out, staring off into space. No one said a word. No one looked at the dead woman. After a while the noise stopped and silence filled the elevator once more.
"The power has actually been on for a while." Tanner finally spoke.

Seconds after, as if that was all it needed, the elevator powered on. The buttons flashed lights. A computer voice told us that the elevator had a small power failure and that we will be directed back to the first floor.

A few minutes later the elevator doors opened. I sighed of relief, I wasn't sure we were going to live to see those doors open again. I glanced over at Tanner, who looked extremely nervous. My dad came running forward with open arms. I smiled and embraced him warmly. It felt so good to see him again. Behind my father was Derek who I expected to be watching my every move, but he was looking past me. I let it go.

"Oh it's so nice to see you again. I was so scared. I didn't think I was ever going to make it out of there." I said letting go of my father. His body went rigid. He looked as if he had just seen a ghost. He wasn't even listening to me. I waved at him wondering what happened to him.
"What is...that?" he asked, pointing behind me into the elevator. I whipped around only to see that he was pointing at the bloody corpse.

"Sir, my name is Tanner O'Neil. I too was in the elevator. That woman was suicidal. She killed herself with a knife while we were stuck. I tried to stop her. I fought with her for it..." he trailed off realizing my father wasn't listening to him either.
"Call an ambulance NOW!" my dad shouted. He rushed over to her and kneeled. Slowly he went through the motions of checking a person to see if they were alive or dead. Obviously the woman showed no signs of life but he didn't give up. He tried everything he could to bring her back to life.

"Dad, she's been dead for hours. She is not alive. We saw her plunge the knife into her body." I said softly. Tanner stood quietly staring at the ground.
Dad sat back away from the woman, rubbing his eyes with the palms of his hands. "Courtni, please get Derek and Mr. O'Neil and show them to our apartment." he told me. He sounded stressed out. I nodded. "Oh and stay up there the rest of the night. Don't leave for anything."

I did as I was told, to afraid not too. No one said a word to me on the way up the stairs to our apartment. I lied down on my bed and fell asleep within minutes of arriving back home.

Tanner

I thought this was going to be an amazing night when I first saw her. Now I think that there is no way things can work out good for me tonight. I was in a whole lot of trouble as it was, now there is another dead girl and I was there. I learned two things by the end of the night: one that the world hates me and will never let me be happy, and two that I am in love with Courtni.

Courtni

I woke up and stared at the ceiling for what seemed like hours before Derek opened my door and peaked into my room.
"Come in." I said softly, quickly making sure I was fully clothed and decent looking.
As he stepped inside, he looked around. I guess he had never really been in my room before. Although I bet he had thought about it many times.
I waited for him to tell me what he wanted. I doubted it was going to be good. He must have notice I was waiting because he said, "I was just coming to check on you that's all."

"Yeah right. If you don't have something bad to say then you are coming in here to make a move and be a pervert."
"You know me so well." He said smirking.
"Get out of my room right now! I am not in the mood to put up with your childish games." I yelled. When he didn't move I added, "I will tell my dad."
His smirk turned into a full smile. "Actually that's what I came to talk to you about."
"Oh really? You came to talk about him? Surprise, surprise." I rolled my eyes.
"Don't be like that baby," he said to me as he walked over and sat on my bed. I moved my legs so he wouldn't sit on them. We sat in silence for few minutes just staring off into space. Finally he continued "So what happened last night?"
"Nothing. I rode in an elevator, it broke down, some lady killed herself, and then Tanner and I got off alive." I said, briefly seeing the whole night over in my head.
"I think there is more to it than that."

"There isn't. That's what happened. End of story." I sat up in the bed so we were talking face to face. I was able to look at him closer. He was wearing the same clothes as yesterday only they were slightly wrinkled. He had bags under his eyes, making him look older. And I could barely see little stubble hair on his chin.
"You do know that Tanner has killed someone before."
"He has not!" I yelled louder than necessary.
"So there was more to the story, please go on." He smirked. I had fallen into another game of his. This game felt more like a trap.
"Okay, okay. He told me about Stacy. But really that's it. The elevator was really quiet most of the time."

"Was that before or after he killed Miss Reed?"
I gasped, "You think Tanner killed her? She was suicidal. Tanner had nothing to do with it. It was just bad timing, that's all I swear."
"Oh really, it's just a coincidence? Prove it."
"Check the knife for-"

"We did. Miss Reed's and Tanners fingerprints showed up"
"Check the camera."
"We can't the power was down. Nothing recorded."
I was running out of things to say, "I was there, you just have to trust me."
"How do we know he didn't threaten you to not tell us anything that happened?"
"Because he is a really sweet guy who cares about me!" I said.
"Okay its blackmail. Thank you Courtni. Don't worry we will put this guy away for what he did," he smiled at me.

We sat still looking at each other until Derek leaned in to kiss me. I turned my head away. How could he possibly think about kissing after questioning me about someone's death? Then my door opened to bring yet another person into my room.
"Derek, give me a moment please." My father's voice sounded annoyed.
Derek nodded before getting up and leaving the room. The silence got awkward. I turned to watch my dad, trying to figure out what he was thinking. He looked confused.
"Courtni." He whispered. I waited patiently, letting him think about what he was going to say to me before he said it.

"Please be careful." He said simply before turning around and walking out the door Derek had just walked out of. He peaked his head back in and said "And get dressed. You have a big day ahead of you." Then he shut the door leaving me alone to think.

Tanner

The morning after the elevator incident, I woke up on a couch. I looked around completely confused. Where was I?
"Mr. O'Neil? Are you awake?" said a manly voice. I sat up trying to find the person speaking to me. As soon as I saw him I remembered everything.
"Yes, chief, I'm awake." I replied to Courtni's father. "You can call me Tanner, sir," I added.

"Alright, Tanner, let's go for a walk," he said, handing me a cup of coffee.
I took a sip then set it down on the coffee table in front of me. I stood up, stretched, and straightened out my clothes a little. I didn't want to go on a walk, I wanted to see Courtni, but I didn't think I could back out of this. "Okay. I'm ready when you are." I said to him.

"Good. I will meet you down in the lobby," he told me before walking up to a bedroom door in the hallway across from the living room that I was in. "Oh and please don't take the elevator." He added before going inside the bedroom.
I watched after him wondering if that was Courtni's room. When Derek stepped out I figured it wasn't.

"You look like crap man," Derek said to me. I had met Derek right after I got off the elevator. He told me not to try anything funny, especially with Courtni, before I had fallen asleep last night. So I figured that Derek was her brother or something.
"Thanks dude," I said. I looked around trying to find the front door.
"It's over there," Derek said pointing to a door that looked like all the other doors, "Have fun." He walked away into what looked like the kitchen.
I took one last glance into the apartment, wondering if I would ever see it again, and walked out the apartment door.

Courtni

I got out of my bed and stood up. "Be careful of what?" I asked myself. I walked over to my dresser and looked for some jeans and a t-shirt. Fancy wasn't what I was going for today. I didn't think Tanner would mind much about how I looked the day after a murder. "Tanner!" I said louder than necessary, remembering that he was here.

"He left a few minutes ago," Derek said suddenly appearing at my door again. This time he was looking a little cleaner and had an apple in his hand.
"He is coming back right?" I asked, worried. I didn't even get to say goodbye.
"Probably not, and I'm not just saying that because I don't like him, I honestly don't think he will be back." He took a bite of the apple.
"Where will he go? What are they going to do to him? When will he be back? He's not in trouble is he? He didn't do anything. Daddy knows that, doesn't he? They won't hurt him right?" I was talking fast. Too fast for Derek.

"Your dad is with him right now. They went on a walk. Don't worry about him."
"You don't understand Derek, I need to see him or be with him or something." I pushed past Derek in the doorway and walked to the bathroom across the hall. Shutting the door hard I started stripping off the clothes I was in.

"Wait, let me get this straight, you like him? No, you more than like him. Do you think you are in love with this guy, this murderer? He killed two people Courtni! He is so poor. He has been in jail before. He... is all wrong for you! He doesn't even have a house here yet. What are you thinking developing feelings for him? You hardly even know him. You spent three hours together in a small space and you automatically love him? That's all it takes, a pretty smile, a bad boy rep, and some alone time with you? Well baby, I can be bad if you want me too. And look, we are alone let's just make the best o..."

I opened the bathroom door, shocked and fully clothed in clean clothes. "Derek. Shut up!" I closed the bathroom door and walked back into my bedroom. Derek followed me. "I thought I had feelings for you but they don't even come close to my feelings for Tanner. I don't know how to describe it. It's like we are soulmates or something." I said smiling, I liked that idea.

Derek opened his mouth as if he was going to say something. "Yeah I know that sounds cheesy, but it is true. You were right, I do love him. I can't believe I am telling you this. I have to see him." I said. I put my tennis shoes on in a hurry.

My heart was fluttering, and my cheeks were red. Suddenly nothing mattered. I had figured it out. Derek said something but I didn't hear him. I ran out of our apartment and rushed down the stairs to the lobby. I heard footsteps behind me so I figured Derek was following me but I didn't care. I just had to see Tanner.

When I reached the last step I looked around. The few people in the room were blurs. They didn't matter to me right now. I walked to the front door, in what seemed like, three steps.

Outside. It was wet. I walked along the sidewalk, hoping my father had taken Tanner to daddy's favorite breakfast food place. I didn't have to walk very far before I saw Tanner strolling along with my dad. I slowed down and hung back. I wasn't going to let them notice me. But I was going to follow them and try to eavesdrop.

Tanner

The rustling wind was cold and I would have done almost anything to go inside, but the chief was determined to get to know me more. He wasn't blaming me for anything but he was being nosey.
"Details" he told me. "I just want to get the details."

"I'm sorry chief but it's all a little fuzzy. I can only really remember what I already told you. I'm sure you could get more from Courtni."
"I want to try to keep her out of this as much as I can. I don't want her to be involved with this or you, or any of it. This is not what she needs. She deserves better. Way better." He said trailing of and mumbling.

"Then Sir, I have to confess something. I think I am in love with your daughter."
The chief stopped walking. He looked at me with his mouth dropped open. Anger lit up in his eyes. I could tell he was furious with me. "Leave." He whispered. "Just go, now!" he pointed a finger in the direction we were walking. "I never want to see you again, ever. LEAVE!" he turned around and started walking back to his house.
I watched him walk away, frozen in place. I messed that up big time. I can't believe that just actually happened. I guess I could only do one thing. I turned around and started walking away with my head down. I had to leave. I had no other choice. I would never see Courtni again and it was my entire fault.

"Tanner!" a familiar voice said, behind me. I spun around and smiled. She ran up to me and hugged me tight. I held her close. I never wanted to let go.
Courtni let go and smiled up at me. Her smile could brighten the world. "I love you too." She said unfaltering.
I took a step back, "No, you can't. Courtni you have to go home. I can't be around you. Your dad was right. You deserve better." I felt horrible saying this too her. This isn't what I wanted. I wanted her to hug me again. I wanted to be with her forever. I didn't want to have to worry about what might happen to her if I stay or if I leave. This wasn't fair. This isn't what I wanted.
She frowned. Her eyes got darker. I was afraid she was going to cry. "You don't mean that." she said it with confidence.

"Yes I do."
"This isn't what you want. Because I know you feel it too. I know you feel what I feel. You love me Tanner. You said so yourself. Just be with me then."
"I can't. I have to leave. You don't..." I was cut off. She had put her finger against my lips. I felt like I was going to melt just from her touch.
She got up on the top of her toes, making herself taller, and leaned in closer to me. Her breath was hot against my face. I tried not to move, tried not to give in. She was so tempting. Her lips touched mine and I caught on fire.

I backed away. "No, Courtni. I..." her face was glowing. She looked like an angel to me. I couldn't stop this. I grabbed her by the waist and pulled her into me. I kissed her softly, wanting to savor the moment. She wrapped her arms around my neck and for the first time in a long time, I felt truly happy. Like nothing could ruin this.
Courtni pulled away from my lips but we were still close. "Stay with me," she whispered. "Please." Her eyes looked into mine as if they were searching for something.

I shook my head. "Your dad doesn't want to see me again. He doesn't want us to be together."
She sighed. I pushed the hair out of her face and ran my thumb across her cheek. She was warm to the touch. A sly smile formed on her lips. "Then run away with me."

Derek

There she was, the love of my life, in someone else's arms. I'm not going to lie, it hurt, and it hurt badly. There was nothing I could do about it. She said so herself.
Hand-in-hand they started to walk away. Tanner called a cab. They both got in and drove away. I stood there for a while before I figured out that they were not going to come back. Good thing your dad is a cop, Courtni.

I pulled out my cell phone and dialed the Chief's cell phone number. "Hello chief? I think Tanner just kidnapped your daughter."

-To be continued-