3.11 The Deal

Entering the park they moved to the side closest to the hospital. Alanon turned to Percy and Heath "concentrate on Adam. Clear your minds of everything else," he instructed.

Closing his eyes Percy shoved all his concerns and worries away locking them into a corner of his mind as Alanon taught him. He forced all his thoughts and willpower to focus on Adam.

Heath looked at Percy and Alanon unsure what he was supposed to do. How could he just close his mind off to the worries and concerns he had. His child was growing up rapidly without him. His father was in a coma only they could break if they're lucky. How was he supposed to shove all that aside and concentrate only on this one thing. Taking a deep breath he closed his eyes concentrating only on his dad.

Sensing others around him Heath reached out. He felt someone take his hand "it's ok Heath you did it." Percy reassured him. Opening his eyes he groaned "it's still so dark. It's not working." His disappointment palpable.

"It's working," Alanon insisted moving towards them. "We're inside Adam's mind."

"How do you know?" Heath asked "it's so dark and foreboding. Just like before."

"Don't give up hope," Alanon asserted "we'll break through the dampening field. We have too."

Sighing Heath closed his eyes concentrating only on his dad. Several seconds later his eyes flew open "did you hear that?"

***

Covering his ears to block out the maniacal laughter Adam gritted his teeth. "Alessandro get out of my head," he demanded.

"I can come and go as I please," Alessandro said with glee "I've looked for you for years now that I've found you I'm not letting you go."

"I won't become like you," Adam shouted.

"You don't have a choice," Alessandro informed him "once I arrive you'll be given blood. Then you'll be my successor. You are the chosen one."

"I'm not. You chose Ambrogio..."

"Yes and I killed  him," he spat out "I've searched for his descendants and it brought me to you. I adopted you. Made you what you are today."

"I'll never be like you," Adam retorted.

"As I said before you have no choice," Alessandro stated "you must fulfill your destiny. You must produce the next heir..."

"Never" Adam shouted "I won't produce vampire children. I refuse to accept this is destiny. I won't drink blood. I won't give up my humanity."

"You talk like you have a choice. What will happen when I drain your loved ones of their life's blood?" Alessandro threatened "think about it. Can you live with that on your conscious? Everyone you love either dead or turned knowing you could have prevented it."

***

"Hear what?" Percy asked in concern looking towards Alanon "maybe this is too much for him."

Shaking his head Alanon knelt beside the boy "what did you hear?"

"Someone was laughing and my dad was shouting," Heath told him breathing hard. "I have to try again. I can feel him. He's close. I know he is."

Alanon nodded in agreement "this time we'll try together." He reached out and took Heath's hand as he cleared his mind and forced his way through the barrier. 

Heath could hear two voices. Their anger overwhelmed him as he recognized his father and the other was unfamiliar to him. Alanon murmured "Alessandro" as the shock seeped in it knocked them both from the field. Shaking his head he mumbled "I'm sorry." 

Heath turned towards Alanon "you know who was threatening my dad," he accused.

Nodding Alanon said his tone flat and lifeless "Alessandro." He pronounced the name like it was a curse. Percy shuddered hearing it.

"Who is Alessandro?" Heath asked.

"A powerful vampire," Alanon stated "ruler of Moonlight Falls and Midnight Hollow." Standing Alanon shook his head "to hear him so clearly he must be close."

"If he's the ruler," Heath began trying to piece together everything in his mind "he's the guy who wants my dad to remain a vampire. To succeed him."

"Yes and yes," Alanon shouted impatiently "we're running out of time. We have to break through this dampening field. You dad needs to wake up before all is lost."

***

"Alessandro," Ambrogio called out unable to remain silent "leave my descendant alone. He's my child not yours. I won't allow you to possess him as you have done so many others."

Laughing harshly Alessandro replied "so this is where you've been hiding baby brother. I thought you'd h ave been some place your lover or has he abandon you too," Alessandro taunted "you never could tell friend from foe."

"Selene may have been a mistake. At least I'm not married to the deceitful old hag. That pleasure's all yours." Ambrogio retorted having grown bolder through the centuries.

"Watch your tongue you little rodent before I rip it out," Alessandro spoke venting his anger.

"A little hard to do since I haven't got a body or a tongue for you to rip out," Ambrogio laughed at  him. "After all your lies and broken promises you still can't defeat me."

"I will," Alessandro snarled "all it will take is one drop of blood and Adam will be mine. Everything you strove to prevent. Everything you have done will be for nothing. I'll win and when I do you'll die. No coming back. No second chance. No prophecy to fulfill. No lover to prevent it from happening."

Silence fell around them almost as impenetrable as the darkness beyond. "Alessandro," Ambrogio screamed in despair. Falling forward he dropped his head in his hands giving in to the despair he felt. A firm hand on his shoulder squeezing tight brought him to alert awareness.

"I'm sorry," Adam said above him.

"So am I," Ambrogio sniffed "I'm sorry you were born of my descent. I'm sorry you were chosen. I'm sorry I can't protect you."

"None of those things are your fault. Why should you feel sorry for it? You've tried to help as much as you could. Sometimes we have to roll with the punches." Adam sighed heavily feeling as if his life was nothing more than one endless struggle. One thing he knew for sure he couldn't quit not when his family was involved.

***

"Dad," Heath called out desperate now for a response. It felt like he had been calling for his dad for days but in reality it had only been a few minutes. "It's hopeless," he cried opening his eyes breaking the link. Squinting his eyes as he looked out across the water imagining a world without his dad in it. Burying his head in his hands he gave vent to his bottled up feelings. Jumping as a hand landed upon his shoulder. Looking up he found Percy staring down at him.

"I know it's hard but you can't give up," Percy told the boy "we have to keep trying."

"For how long?" Heath asked staring out to sea.

"For however long it takes," came the harsh response from Alanon "quit feeling sorry for  yourself and...."

"Alanon give the kid a break," Percy said coming to Heath's defense. "You don't know what he's been through. Leave him alone."

"I'm not going to baby him," Alanon grumbled "we don't have time. We either do this now or not at all."

Grabbing his arm Percy squeezed hard "I'm telling you to layoff. He can't do anything if you keep pressuring him..."

Blocking out the sounds of the two older men bickering above him. Heath felt himself relax as a stirring within his mind alerted him to a presence. Closing his eyes he reached out tentatively "who are you?"

"I'm the guy who has your daughter," came the arrogant response.

"Daughter? Give her back," Heath shouted at him.

"I will...in time," came the cryptic response.

"How much time?" Heath demanded feeling his pulse quicken "she doesn't have time. Not within the time bubble. I want my child..."

"Haven't you heard patience is a virtue?" Silver taunted "after all the help I've given you this is the least you could do for me. After all I saved your life along with the life of your lover. You owe me your lives."

"I don't care," Heath shouted "all that matters to me is getting my daughter back. She's mine not yours..."

"Then you should have done a better job of protecting her." Silver laughed at him "I didn't contact you to discuss your daughter."

"Then why did you?" Heath grumbled knowing he wasn't going to be able to reach him or find his daughter without his dad's help.

"You give up too easily," Silver taunted "that's what I like about you. You remind me of your ancestor Ambrogio."

"What do you want?" Heath demanded.

"To offer you a deal. One you can't refuse...."

***

"Wake the kid up," Alanon told Percy ignoring Percy's attempts for him to be nicer. They didn't have time to be nice not when Alessandro was coming or may already be here.

Percy squatted down beside Heath shaking is shoulder. "Come on kid wake up. We've got to try again." He shook him harder often receiving no response. "I know your tired but this is your dad we're trying to save....Heath?" His irritation melted to concern as Heath continued to be unresponsive. 

"Alanon I think we have a problem."

"What now?" Alanon asked his irritation making his voice gruff and his manner harsh.

"Heath won't wake up."

Squatting beside him Alanon lifted Heath's eyelids peering into his eyes "not asleep," he muttered.

"What do you mean? What's happening to him?" Percy asked imagining Heath in a coma like Adam. 

"Is this happening because of our attempts to help Adam?"

"I don't think so," Alanon got up walking a few steps away running his hands through his hair 

"someone is in contact with him."

"Alessandro?" Percy asked his heart pounding at the thought.

Nodding "I think so," Alanon said.

"What can we do?" Percy asked frantic now that Alessandro was close to make contact with them. 

"Why would he be contacting Heath? Why not me?"

"I don't know," Alanon shook his head "I should have come sooner. Should have realized Alessandro would be aware of Adam's helplessness. I'm sorry."

***

"What deal?" Heath demanded.

"I'll tell you how to wake your father," Silver announced.

"In exchange for what?" Heath asked knowing Silver wanted something that Heath wouldn't want to give.

"Time."

"Time for what?" Heath asked becoming irritated with the half answers and snide remarks.

"To bond with your daughter. Two weeks should be enough..."

"No," Heath shouted "no way in hell. I want my daughter now. Not another minute more."

"Too bad," Silver tutted at him "you'll lose both your father and daughter now. You'll have no one to blame but yourself."

"What....what do you mean?" Heath asked appalled at the prospect "why would I lose both?"

"My dear boy refusing my deal Alessandro will arrive, force a blood transfusion on your father finishing his transformation. He won't be the same person you know not after Alessandro has control over him." Laughing Silver added "I'll just keep the girl and have someone in the time bubble raise her and in a year and half of your time she'll be dead. Do you really want that?"

"Why are you doing this?" Heath cried "I've done nothing to you..."

"It is what it is," Silver stated simply "we all must live with the decisions we've made."

"Doesn't that apply to you too?"

"It does more than you know," there was hint of regret in his voice "do we have a deal?"

***

A low moan caught Percy's attention "I think he's coming around." He peered into Heath's face watching him close for signs of coming around.

"Here let me," Alanon said holding a foul smelling rag over Heath's nose.

"What is that?" Percy asked gagging in disgust.

"You don't want to know," came Alanon's response "but I think its having the desired affect on our young friend."

Sure enough Heath was wrinkling his nose from the stench assaulting his senses. "Get that away," he grumbled swatting at Alanon's hand.

"Open your eyes first then I will," Alanon demanded.

"I hate deals," Heath mumbled opening his eyes. Sitting up he said "we have to hurry. Alessandro is almost here."

Percy and Alanon exchanged a worried glance as they helped Heath up. "We'll proceed as soon as your up to it."

Nodding Heath leaned back as he said "I'm ready now."

***

"Ambrogio what's it like to be a full vampire Adam asked full of dread as he felt Alessandro's presence become stronger and fill him with terror.

"That's not going to happen..."

"It is. You and I both know it," Adam insisted "as long as I remain asleep I'm helpless to prevent it. Beverly can't protect me from someone like Alessandro. Hes too powerful and ordinary laws won't detour him from getting what he wants."

"I know," Ambrogio acknowledged sounding defeated.

"So what's going to happen to me?" Adam asked again.

Sighing Ambrogio decided Adam deserved the truth as bad as the truth might be. "Very few retain their true selves. I'm an oddity I remained much as I was before the transformation. Most become soulless evil creatures."

"Your talking about those who are turned later in life not those born as vampires," Adam stated more than asked.

"Yes the transformation is difficult on normal humans and many lose their minds becoming a danger to their loved ones. For those who are able to maintain control are miserable creatures..."

"Are you miserable?" Adam asked his ancestor.

"I have been but not since I met you and become a part of  you," Ambrogio admitted "I'll help you maintain control. I know your strong enough. You won't become a monster."

"Shh did you hear that?" Adam asked alert.

"Hear what?"

"That," Adam shouted excited "Heath is that you?"

"Dad," Heath cried as he made the connection "I'm coming. Hold on I'm almost there."

Adam pulled Heath in a fierce hug as soon as he broke the barrier. "Dad you can hug me for real once we're out of here."

"I know, I know." Adam mumbled as Heath set to work on remove what Silver had done. Ambrogio observed his every movement. When it had become obvious he asked "when have you been in contact with Silver?"

Faltering in his process Heath hedged "what makes you think Silver has been in contact me?"

"You too much and are too sure of what your doing. The only person who would know how to undo this would be Silver." Approaching the boy he asked "when did Silver contact you?"

"Today alright," Heath wheeled around facing Ambrogio "he made a deal I couldn't refuse...."

"Silver can't be trusted."

"Don't you think I know that?" Heath shouted "but what was I supposed to do? He told me if I didn't accept it he'd keep my baby girl until she grew old and died in the time bubble. Dad would become like Alessandro. This way I can help dad and if Silver is on the level he'll bring my little girl to me in two weeks." Tears welled in his eyes "this way even if Silver doesn't keep his word we can still search for him. You and dad know how to locate the time bubbles. I don't. I can't lose both. I've already lost my baby. I can't lose my dad too. This way gives me hope."

"Heath as soon as we're out of here we'll look for Silver. We won't stop until we find your daughter," Adam asserted.

Nodding Heath turned his attention towards Silver's handiwork. What his dad told him bolstered his confidence. It's what he expected. The two of them together. Silver didn't stand a chance.

***

Unaware of what was happening inside Adam's head Beverly sat holding his hand. She refused to give up hope despite the dire predictions of the so called vampire specialist. Adam was going to wake up and he wouldn't need blood to do it.

A low moan from Adam had her attention riveted to him so she did not see the dark sinister figure enter the room behind her. "Adam" she cried as his eyes blinked open focusing on the man behind his pretty wife.

"No" he shouted as Alessandro grabbed Beverly from behind sinking his teeth into the tender skin of her neck. She cried out startled but became lip as he sucked her life's blood from her. Ripping his teeth from her, leaving large jagged tears in her skin he smiled licking blood from his mouth. "Let's see if you'll resist me when your wife joins me for eternity." He sank his teeth into again transmitting the transformation venom into her veins before dropping her limp and lifeless body to the floor.

Falling from the bed Adam pulled himself to Beverly's body. Cradling her in his arms he pulled her tight as tears streamed from his eyes. This was his deepest fear ever since this nightmare began. he had wanted to spare her this pain. Could he face living knowing he had brought this upon her? Did he want to become human again if she were doomed to be a vampire for eternity? Could he give himself to Alessandro's will to give her back her mortality? The answers to that last question was a resounding yes. He would do whatever it took to give her back her life.

"Adam you mustn't give into Alessandro's will," Ambrogio spoke in his  head.

Sniffing loudly "what do you expect me to do? I can't let her suffer alone. She doesn't deserve this..."

"Neither did any of us," Ambrogio told him "Beverly wouldn't want you to sacrifice yourself to save her."

Shaking his head unwilling to listen. Unable to see beyond the darkness that surrounded him. Without the light of his life he didn't want to live.

"Think of your son," Ambrogio entreated "you promised you would help him find his daughter. What about your other children? They need you now more than ever."

Shaking like a leaf in wind storm Adam cried out in anguish. He knew Ambrogio was correct. He couldn't abandon his children. Beverly wouldn't want that. If nothing else he owed that much to Beverly. Maybe there was another way to save her from this fate worse than death.