Ends and Beginnings

Almost Freedom

     My feet began to bleed as I ran through the treacherous forest. That was the least of my concerns, though. I was not going to let him beat me. He was better than me at everything and made sure I was aware of that, except one thing. I was faster and swifter than everyone, male or female, in the secret little village. I was not going to let him win or I would never hear the end of it.

     I'm not a very competitive person but when it came to him, something gets stirred in me. He creates an agonizing anger that refuses to be let out. I suppose it's my fault for letting him get to me but every chance he gets, he starts egging at me or trying to seduce me. But of course, in front of one of the leaders, he acts like the perfect little angel they all think he is. I know what his motives are, he wishes to claim me. I'm guessing he has already put his claim on me to the other boys since none of them approach me anymore. Dear god, if I ever am his, I don't know what I would do.

     This race was already important but I decided to spice it up since I know I will win. I decided to make a bet. I'm not sure if this was the brightest idea but if I win, and I WILL, then he has to leave me alone, forever.  And forever is a long time for us. But, if he wins... I must obey to him.

     It sounds cheesy but in our world, it's very much real. Even for an 18-year-old he already has much dominance radiating off him, where I do not. He is only older than me by 11 months but even if we were the same age, it would not change much. As vampires, you are immediately born into a ranking system. There are ways to gain dominance and climb the system but it's a slow process and takes hard work. It's even harder for me. Since I don't have much dominance but I do have what everyone calls a "beautifully surreal face", I am treated like a deity little flower. Most of the other girls here are jealous and try their very hardest to be like me and do as I do, but this not the life for me. I want to do more than just sit around and be something pretty to look at.

   That is why I must win. Winning this race and being free of him is the first step to achieving my goal.

     I tune everything out and focus on my steps. I hear my heart beating like a little drum. I hear my breathing quickening from nerves and I try my best to steady them. Everything is going like it should until his presence hits me like a wall. I can sense his dominance reaching out to me, commanding me to slow down. No! That is cheating, he knows his place and is using it against me! I power through it, urging myself to go faster. I will not ever obey him. This will not nor will it ever be the day I surrender to him.

     I shake it off and pick up my pace using the adrenaline coursing through my veins. I feel his anger linger through the air and then a rush of his power commanding me, this time with more force, to slow down. I snarl at his foul play and think about all the times he has harassed, teased, and toyed with me. I push his dominance out of my mind with as much force as I can and keep going. This is unfair. If he causes me to lose because of this, the bet is off.

     I smell the presence of other young men. I'm almost there, I've almost won, he is almost out of my life. A quarter of a mile to go and this will all be over. And then I hear him, gaining fast. His dominance reaches out to me stronger than I have ever felt it. It fills my brain and forces me to give in. Before I even knew it I was running at the speed of a mere human.

     I cry out in pain from fighting it so hard. It doesn't take long for him to catch up, and even though I never saw his face, I could feel his smirk as he passed me. Fifteen more seconds was all I needed to get him out of my life, and now that is ruined. It doesn't matter, he didn't win anyways. He cheated. Regaining my speed I sprint to the crowd of men and easily single him out. I walk up to him, glaring ice daggers into his soul as we make eye contact.

     "I see you finally made it. But as you can see I made it first, and you understand my prize don't you?" He says those last words with a smirk and walks toward me, entertained by my obvious anger.

     I slap him across the face with full force, releasing all of my anger into it and these words. "YOU DID NOT WIN ROCCO."

     Taken back a little he regroups himself. "Awe, is sweet little Rishima upset she lost? That was the bet correct? I win you are to obey me, you win I will leave you alone?" A sadistic grin spreads across his face.

     "You cheated Rocco! You used your dominance!" I snarled back at him.

     He strides closer to me, still grinning. "I don't recall it being a rule that we were not allowed to use our strength. You could have used yours." His grin is now a smirk and he stands just inches away from me. He bends down so his face is level with my face. "Couldn't you?"

     I can feel his hot minty breath on my face. I close my eyes as a single tear escapes. How could this have happened? There is no way out of this.

     With victory in his eyes and a smirk on his face, he picks me up bridal style, loving how easily I had given up. I keep my eyes closed as he starts to walk and the crowd parts. He whispers in my ear, "Say you are mine".

     I find the last bit of fight in me and open my eyes and say "you are mine". 

     He looks at me for two seconds and chuckles. But then his face hardens and his eyes darken. "That was cute, but you know that is not what I asked. Say it, or I will make you."

     I close my eyes again and think about everything he has already done. It makes me fear what he will do if I don't hold up my end of the bet. So I give in, "I ...am yours".

     Another sadistic grin appears on his face as he continues to walk to the village with his prize.

     Another tear escapes and slides down my dread filled face.

     That was how it all ended and began at the same time, for the first time

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Two or three more chapters to come if your interested. Comment any tips or suggestions if you would like. Thank you.