(Vlad's POV)

"Time's up." Lunas said as he entered the room once again. "I've given you the chance to discuss your options. Now I hope we can come to a pleasing agreement."

As Jasper and I both got to our feet, Jasper put an arm out in front of me protectively. I peeked around him warily as two guards followed Lunas in. "We'll never tell you anything." I said, though my confidence wavered at the chains in their hands

Lunas sighed deeply and clasped his hands together, shaking his head sadly. "If that's how you truly feel..." He sounded genuinely disappointed in our answer. Then he snapped at the guards. "Take Vladimir back to his room. As for the other one, send him down to the lower levels for the research group to play with."

"What?" My grip on Jasper's sleeve tightened. The guards advanced towards us as we backed away. "You can't do that."

"Oh, you'll find that I most certainly can." Lunas said.

One of the guards grabbed the front of Jasper's shirt and hauled him away from me while the other got between us. I tried to get around him, but he grabbed me around the waist. "Let go of me! Jasper!" I kicked and fought, but to no avail.

Jasper growled and sank his teeth into the arm of the vampire holding him who hissed and withdrew quickly. He tried to grab my arm, but the guard he'd bitten retaliated by swinging the chain in his hands against Jasper's back. I choked back a scream as Jasper fell to his knees. "Stop!"

The guard stepped on Jasper's back as he attempted to stand, knocking him into his stomach. "Stay down." He growled, holding him down as he chained Jasper's hands behind his back.

I was still fighting as Jasper was pulled to his feet. He yanked on the chain, but the angle was awkward and he couldn't pull free. From there it was no challenge to throw me over the one guard's shoulder and manhandle Jasper the opposite direction.

Lunas looked on with mild concern as Jasper and I were torn from each other and dragged down separate hallways. I lashed out and screamed my rage, but was eventually brought back to the room I'd been kept in before. Lunas made sure the door was locked before he told the guard to set me down.

Immediately, I ran to the door. Lunas frowned at my futile efforts to pull the door open. "Don't strain yourself. It would be no good for you to get sick."

When I realized the door really wouldn't open, I turned my anger on Lunas. "If you hurt him-"

"I wouldn't dream of it, I can assure you." He paused. "That's up to our research group."

Revoltion boiled in my stomach. At first, I didn't even realized it was happening. With a roar, I slammed into him, knocking him down.

Lunas looked shocked as I grabbed his throat before he grew annoyed and grabbed my wrists, easily pulling them away as he sat up. He threw me off of him and got to his feet with a huff. I stared up at him as he brushed himself off. "I don't have time for your childishness." He muttered.

My chest heaved with anger as he shook his head and began to leave. As I watched his back, I scrambled to my feet in one last attempt. "If you hurt him, I'll kill you!" I shouted.

Before I even had a firm grip on him he turned and shoved me back so forcefully I hit the wall. I dropped to the floor, dazed. Lunas glared down at me. "That is no longer any of your concern." He snapped.

Then he turned on his heel and left the room. The guard followed him out and locked the door. I clenched my teeth. Jasper... He was being taken to God knows where and I was gonna be locked up here like some sort of... some sort of sick pet. I begged myself not to cry as the situation overwhelmed me. I closed my eyes and took shallow breaths.

Suddenly someone touched my shoulder. I scratched their hand before I realized it was only Melody. She stumbled back, clutching her hand to her chest in surprise. When I saw her my anger dissipated and I relaxed. "Oh... I'm sorry." I said.

She hesitated, looking wary of me as I got to my feet. When I turned away however, she stepped forward. "Um..." I glanced at her and she dropped her eyes. "You're... you're not like them... right?"

It was the first time I'd heard her speak. I blinked. "No. I'm not." I said.

That visibly set her at ease and she looked back up. She gave me a small smile. I returned it as best I could, but it dropped quickly as I thought about Jasper again. Seeing my distress, Melody asked, "Did they hurt you too?"

I shook my head. "Not me." It was funny. I was safe from any physical pain, but everyone I loved was going to be hurt; because of me. I sighed and walked over to sit down next to the door. "Everyone, but me."

"Oh..." She said, sounding confused. When I looked up, Melody had sat down on the bed and was staring at her lap. I didn't notice right away, but looking at her, I realized she was shivering. My eyebrows drew together. I never really got cold anymore and I didn't always remember humans could. "Are you cold?" I asked.

She looked up and blushed. "A little."

I patted the floor next to me. "It's warmer with two people. You can bring a blanket from the bed if you want." I offered.

She seemed to swallow nervously for a second before the chill in the room got the better of her and she grabbed the comforter from the bed and came towards me slowly. As she sat down beside me, I pulled the blanket around our shoulders. "Better?" I asked.

She nodded, leaning into me for more warmth. I stared across the room sadly, too exhausted to even be hungry at the smell of her blood. I wouldn't do that to her anyways. It would scare her and I didn't want to do that.

Melody was silent for a while too, looking between the floor and my face every few minutes. I was just beginning to drift off when, timidly, she said, "You should be careful. They'll come when you're sleeping..."

I glanced at her. Her caring lifted my spirits. Just a bit. It was a wonder to think that people like me had hurt her so badly, yet, she didn't hate me. She should. I would be the downfall of her entire world, if she hadn't lost her whole world already. I owed her though. She was the first person to be nice to me, here in this horrible place.

"Thank you." I said. Then I reached over her head to grab the lamp I'd taken away from her before. I took the top off, making it a good club, and weighed it in my hands, sending her a grateful smile. "I'll be sure to sleep with one eye open." She watched the new weapon in my hands. I loosened my grip on it and put an arm around her shoulders. "And I'll protect you too."

She rested her head on my shoulder, blinking sleepily. It was comforting to feel someone else's skin on mine, even if it wasn't Jasper's. It was comforting to know there was still someone with me. As my eyes began to drift closed I thought about how it felt to be alone and, though I tried, a tear slipped down my cheek.

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Hey everyone! I'm meh about this chapter. It's okay. I would like to ask you guys a favor though. I posted a message about funding on my profile and I'd be really happy I'd you guys would read it and tell me what you think. Hope you enjoyed this chapter! AS ALWAYS, VOTE, COMMENT, FOLLOW, AND STAY AWESOME!

-Nekoco