Lies and Deception [Chapter 2]

"Damn," Josiah turned around, looking behind me, "we’ll have to take the long way."

"What are they fighting about?" She asked curiously, having to stand on her tiptoes to peer over his shoulder to try and catch a glimpse of the room before he closed the door.

There was a moment of silence as he lead her down the hallway, as if he didn’t know how to answer that. Katrina didn’t bring it up again incase he didn’t hear, it didn’t sound like a topic that could be talked about without consequences if over heard.

"Who they claim," He finally said, leading her through another door and up a flight of stairs. At the top of the stairs was another door, which lead to an empty room.

"Claim? What do you mean?"

Josiah sighed as if he didn’t want to explain no more, "We’re not suppose to tell."

"Oh."

"But, you’re going to learn soon anyway… So, I’ll just tell you because you don’t have to worry about it," He was rushing his words, like he was nervous. Katrina was unsure of what to think, but she waited patiently for him to continue as they headed they’re way out of there.

"They’re claiming, which means who they want as slaves or wives. You see, every so often, a group of new fledglings will be given to the other vampires. When this happens it becomes a big deal."

Katrina gasped, not sure how she didn’t have to worry about it. That sounded horrible, having to serve under another vampire and do what they want you to do.. But, to let him continue, she saved her questions.

"That’s what they were doing. They were arguing over who gets who, sometimes it can turn into a blood fight. What you just heard is barely what’s usually going on, so feel lucky about that."

"So you say, I’m going to be… given to some other vampire?" There was the pause of silence again, Josiah didn’t seem like he wanted to continue, "Josiah! How can you just walk there and no say anything. I’m going to have to be some vampire’s maid or… or worse! Josiah, you have to do something about this. "

This was not good. She could already picture all what was going to happen to her. First, she was going to find out that she was going to have to serve for one of the worst vampires out there. He’s going to make her do all the nasty work and clean for him, be his little slave. Whenever she would disobey, there would be punishments. The image she had was horrible.

"Josiah," Her head bent down, her fingers grasping her dark hair, "This isn’t happening. Please tell me this isn‘t true."

"I’m sorry, Katrina," But the sound of his voice, he didn’t sound like he was sorry. To her, it sounded like he was hiding something from her, but whatever it was it couldn’t be worse then what she had just learned.

"Please, Josiah, please tell me you did something about this," Katrina tried to remain hopeful, that he had perhaps convinced someone that she could remain free.

Lifting her head and letting go of her hair, Katrina moved it easily behind her ears. They were coming close to another door, Katrina suddenly felt the change of temperature. This had to be the right door, she’s soon going to be out of here. Josiah took the handle and opened the door slowly, looking outside before opening it entirely. Outside was an alleyway, even so, she was excited to see it.

"I did."

"What?" Momentarily, Katrina had forgotten about there conversation.

"I did do something about it."

"You did?" She felt a spark of hope inside her, that Josiah had actually done something to help her escaped the fate of being someone’s slave."

"Yeah," now he was smiling. She didn’t know what he could be smiling about.

"Well…." she took a step in front of him, turning towards him and stopped him from walking by placing a hand on his chest, which he grabbed with both of his hands, "what’d you do?"

Katrina looked at him, his black hair sticking out from all random places, yet his bangs hung in front of his eyes, partly hiding them from her. He had a childish face, round with freckles, she couldn’t help but think it was cute and that it fit him well. She watched him take in a deep breath.

"You’re my claim."