3.14 A Cure and A Plan

Laying on the cold damp ground Ambrogio fought the urge to fight his bonds. The more he struggled the tighter they became. They gag restricted his breathing. He lay there for what felt like hours listening to the night scurrying of the nocturnal creatures of the forest. Shivering from cold he hoped that Silver would return soon even though his presence was torment in itself. Something soft and warm landed on him jerking him from his semi-sleep state.

Looking up he found Silver looking down at him. "I hope you like them," he said gesturing toward the clothes he had dumped on him. Ambrogio mumbled around the gag causing Silver to laugh at him. "It's kind of a turn on to see you so helpless" he stroked Ambrogio's face "but we don't have time for games no matter how enjoyable." He removed the gag only smother Ambrogio by driving his tongue into his mouth.

Heart beating fast Ambrogio waited until Silver was finished  hoping the kiss would be all. Relief washed over him as Silver got off him wiping his mouth. Eyes shining bright "if we only had the time," he whispered in Ambrogio's ear. Untying him Silver instructed "get dressed."

Stiff and awkward Ambrogio stood feeling on display as he shed his filthy tattered hospital garments for the new ones Silver had provided. Standing before Silver knowing he was being inspected. Shivering from more than cold Ambrogio a part of him wishing his existence would end before he had to bring the boy to this man. What other choice did he have

***

"How much longer?" Percy moaned from the couch.

"Not much longer," Alanon assured him "I have a few more tweaks to make to the potion..."

Unable to acknowledge Alanon or lift his head Percy lay there whimpering in pain. "Please hurry," his voice no louder than a whisper.

"I'm sorry Percy," Adam spoke inside his mind "I should have left sooner."

"No" he shouted "don't give up. Not yet. Alanon is almost done."

"He's been saying that for the past week" Adam shouted at him letting his frustration show "your dying Percy. I can feel it. My essence is too much for you."

"I can handle it," he said through gritted teeth "have faith Adam. Alanon will make the potion. We will find Ambrogio. We will protect Don from Silver. We will get your grand child back."

"That's a lot of promises coming from a guy who can't lift his head" Adam snapped "I don't want empty promises. I should have left when I told you to warn Don. Then you could have gone to Dragon Valley to warn Don instead of wasting time with making this potion nonsense."

"Adam," Percy called out in desperation "don't go. You can't give up. We're too close."

***

Dumping the body on the floor of the dark dank cave the creature moved to the far wall unsure what else to do. It wasn't even sure why it had taken the body with it. Who had dumped the body in the trash? Was it dead? The creature shook it's head. It didn't even know what it was. Led alone what the body was.

Grabbing it's head it whimpered in pain. Flashes of memory broke through the haze in it's brain. There should have been another body in that trash heap. Where was it? What happened to it? Covering it's head the creature moaned in pain rocking itself back and forth.

***

"Alanon, Alanon," Percy screamed. 

Nearly dropping the completed potion Alanon turned to look at him. "What's wrong?" he asked seeing the fear and anguish in Percy's eyes.

"He left. Adam left. I can't feel him inside my head any more," Percy cried overcome with dismay.

"Are you sure?" Alanon asked "you told him how close we were to having a working potion?"

Nodding Percy sat up free from the pan for the first time in a week "he's gone." His voice flat "I couldn't hold him anymore." Burying his head in his hands he mumbled "what am I going to tell his family?"

***

A stirring rustling sound form the nearby body caught the creatures attention. It watched as the body opened it's rather pretty eyes. Blinking in confusion it moaned. Was it pain? The creature couldn't tell as it cowered in the corner of the cave watching.

"Where? Where am I?" her voice echoed off the walls of the cave. Struggling to sit up Beverly moaned again "I should be dead," she muttered "how did I get here?"

A noise drew her attention to a form huddled in the far dark corner. "Who are you?" she asked. Her mouth felt dry and her heart beat wildly in her chest. She squinted towards the form in the corner. 

What was it? she wondered. "Did you bring me here?" she asked. Only silence greeted her questions.

Shrugging she turned her attention to where she was and why. Obvious answer was the creature brought her here. Did that mean.....where was Heath? Why wasn't he here?

Struggling to her feet she leaned heavily on the wall. "Where's the other one? There were two of us in that trash pile. Why save me and not him?" she cried moving closer.

***

Watching the reanimated body moving and making sounds was terrifying to the creature. It wanted it to lay back down, to stop making those terrifying noises. It wanted to feel safe. With the body moving around it felt anything but safe.

Moving farther into the cave it could hear it call out It didn't understand the words it was saying. Why it was intent on coming closer.

Tripping in its haste the creature fell. Knowing the body was close it lay still hoping to remain unnoticed in the dark. It didn't understand what was happening or what had motivated it to take the body in the first place. It knew it was vital he take the body even if it was frightened to do so. Something touched it's shoulder. Looking up into the bright green eyes it screamed....

***

Ambrogio walked into Dragon Valley alone. He fought the urge to runaway. He knew without a doubt Silver would find him no matter where he went. He had no choice but comply with his commands. Approaching the house he knew Don lived in Ambrogio took a deep breath preparing himself to respond and act the way Adam would. When he was ready he knocked on the door.

"Adam?" Don asked in surprise "when did you get out of the hospital?" Looking over Adam's shoulder "why isn't Heath with you?"

"That's why I'm here," Adam/Ambrogio said stepping into the entry way "I'm sorry Don but Alessandro has captured both Heath and Beverly. That's why I'm here. I need your help to get them out of Moonlight Falls."

"Of course I'll come," Don said anxious to find Heath "let's go." 

"Not so fast we need supplies," Adam/Ambrogio told him "let's discuss what we need. Do you have any plasma juice? My supply has been depleted."

"I might have some in the fridge," Don showed him into the kitchen.

Adam/Ambrogio went to the fridge and found a few plasma juice packs. Ripping them open he guzzled several without stopping to think what Don would think.

"Haven't you eaten in awhile?" Don asked stepping back.

"I've been rationing my supply and ran out a day or so ago," he explained wiping his mouth. Glancing out the window he hoped to delay leaving the house until dark. Glancing back at the boy he could see the worry and fear in Don's eyes. He could hear his heart beating in his chest. Hear how it raced. Hear the blood flowing through his veins. Hear the fetus as it moved inside him. Smiling sadly he knew he was about to do the unforgivable. He was pretending to be someone that could be trusted just to deliver the boy to his slaughter. The child will have no hope of a normal life once Silver got his hands on it.

"Adam is something wrong?" Don asked becoming concerned as he watched Adam stare into space and unresponsive to his questions.

"Yes everything is wrong" he replied "my wife and son are in the hands of vampires."

"Shouldn't we ask Kyle or Elliot to come with us? Surely the more help we have the better."

Shaking his head "no someone has to be here for the kids."

"Ok what do you think I need for the trip?" Don asked watching Adam/Ambrogio in a mixture of concern and doubt.

***

"Why would he choose now to leave?" Percy asked "I told him you were close..."

"I know you've told me several times" Alanon said trying to keep his annoyance and of his voice realizing his friend was bereft. "He must have had a good reason," he said for what felt like the hundredth time.

"He said I was dying. That he could feel it" Percy sounded as if the idea of anyone sacrificing himself for him was ludicrous.

Putting a hand on his friends shoulder "why do you find that so hard to believe?"

"Find what hard to believe?" Percy demanded.

"That Adam would leave to save your life?" He sighed groping for the right words "don't you think your worth that kind of sacrifice?"

Blinking in shock Percy nodded slightly before catching himself. He wanted to say no but he knew Alanon was right. He didn't feel worthy of that kind of sacrifice. He'd done to much in the past. He owed the Van Winkle family more then he could ever repay and he couldn't even do this for Adam. He had been too weak.

"It's not your fault," Alanon told him "you can't blame yourself."

"How can I not?" he cried "I owe them so much and when it really mattered I failed." He felt strong arms around him holding him tight. That simple gesture was too much and it was like it opened up a flood gate inside him.

***

Scrambling backwards Beverly screamed as the creature continued to scream. Regaining some sense Beverly asked "what are you?"

Breathing heavily the creature stared at her. Flashes of memories her biting into its neck. Draining it's life from him. Draining him until he was a limp lifeless doll. The horror of it overwhelmed him. He was a doll. A lifeless image of the man he used to be. "you....you....you..." he stuttered unable to come up with the words he needed. He had become his worst nightmare. The ugly doll he had begged his dad to take away when he was a toddler. Bringing his hands up he started to wail. An unnerving sound that vibrated and bounced off the cave walls.

Something in the creatures mannerisms in his voice seemed familiar. Beverly moved forward holding her hands out approaching the creature "Heath is that you?"

A low keening sound replaced the screams as it allowed Beverly to come closer. She wrapped her arms around him as he fell to the ground. "It's ok baby I've got you," he heard her say as he lost consciousness.

***

It had been too easy for Ambrogio to pose as Adam. Don followed him without complaint or doubt. Arriving at the designated meeting point Ambrogio waited for Silver to make his appearance. Idly he watched Don as he stopped to get something from his pack. Looking up startled as a man's voice broke the silence.

"Well done my boy well done," Silver said coming into the clearing.

The shock and fright that washed over Don wasn't missed by either or Ambrogio. "What...What are you doing here?" 

"I've come to get what's mine," Silver told him.

"I have nothing that's yours" Don took a step backwards as Silver reached out to touch his stomach.

"That's where your wrong," Silver told him "this is mine," he said robbing Don's expanding stomach. "This child is mine along with it's sister. I have great things planned for them."

Knocking Silver's hand away Don shouted "not if I can help it."

Laughing Silver shook his head "you can't prevent it."

Glancing towards Adam/Ambrogio Don asked "why? Why did you do this? This is your grandchild. Isn't it bad enough he already has my daughter?"

"Adam can't help you," Silver laughed enjoying the boys confusion "Adam no longer inhabits his body. Ambrogio kicked him out..."

Taking several steps away from them Don sought a way of escape, fearing it was already too late. He had trusted Adam or who he thought was Adam. Did that mean Adam was dead? Heath? He turned and ran into the woods a heartless cackling laugh followed him as he ran.

"Go after him," Silver ordered. 

Without hesitation Ambrogio went after the boy. His energy renewed Ambrogio had no problem catching up and capturing the frightened boy.

"Why? Why are you doing this?" Don asked.

"I have no choice," Ambrogio replied "Silver saved my life once long ago. He owns me now."

"This isn't right," Don protested "fight him. Stand up for yourself."

"It's no use" Ambrogio shook his head "Silver would only come after me..."

"That's right I would," Silver spoke from behind them causing both Don and Ambrogio to jump at the sound of his voice. "I'm very powerful. You'd do well to remember that." Turning to Ambrogio he commanded "tie him up."

Nodding he stepped up to the boy mumbling "I'm sorry," as he tied his hands and feet. When he was done Silver inspected his knots nodding in approval.

"Very good," he smiled pulling Ambrogio close and forcefully kissing him hands groping his body.

"No no no please Silver stop," Ambrogio begged "not in front of the boy. Please I...."

Gripping his throat Silver growled "don't presume to dictate when and where I chose to do things." Squeezing hard blocking Ambrogio's air way "do you understand?"

A slight nod was all Ambrogio could manage in response as the world grew dark. "Good" Silver said releasing his grip letting Ambrogio fall to the ground at his feet.

Gasping for air Ambrogio made eye contact with Don who quickly averted his gaze.

"I'm sorry master," he gasped between breaths.

"See that you remember this lesson," Silver walked away preparing the way into the time bubble.

Cradling the transformed figure of her son Beverly wept. She had done this to him. When she drained him of his life he had no choice but to revert to his toy form. Why had he taken her from the trash pile they had been tossed in? What motivated him? She doubted it was a conscious thought out plan. More of an instinctual act for him.

He moaned blinking his doll eyes up at her. "Mom?" he asked.

"I'm here baby," she blinked back tears that threatened to blind her.

"What happened?" he asked a look of confusion passed over him. Lifting his hands he stared at his doll hands as he groped to understand what was happening to him. An anguished cry escaped his lips.

Hugging him tight Beverly wanted to take the fear and confusion from him. "I don't know baby. I think when I...when I," she burst into tears "this is all my fault I did this. I'm sorry I ...." Catching her breath she reigned in her emotions seeking a calm she didn't feel. She knew Heath needed her to be strong "I think you reverted to toy form when I drained you."

Staring at her Heath nodded as images of her attacking him ran vividly through his mind. Fear had his heart racing. Heart? Did  he still have a heart? He must have as he could feel it beating inside his chest. Maybe this form was temporary. Maybe he could go back to normal. "Alessandro made you..."

Nodding she looked away "I should have tried harder. Should have protected you."

"Not your fault," he managed to say sitting up pulling away from her.

"I should be dead," she muttered to herself.

"Why?" Heath asked turning to look at her while avoiding direct eye contact.

"Alessandro said IF blood is poison to vampires..." she stopped talking as thoughts passed through his mind. "I wonder if your blood is different being a halfling."

"You don't look like a vampire," Heath told her "your eyes aren't glowing like dad's." Looking at her closely "you don't have the mark either. You don't think that..."

Touching her neck where Alessandro had bitten her. She wondered if it was true. She couldn't hear any of Heath's thoughts or smell his blood. That could just be because of him being in doll form or it could be "OMG," she uttered aloud "this could be the cure..."

***

Being tied up Don was unable to prevent being forced in the time bubble. He fell heavily to the ground as Ambrogio lost his grip on him. "Sorry," he heard him mutter as he helped him up. With a sinking feeling Don recognized the same house he and Heath had been trapped in. Why was this happening to him? What was going to happen to his baby? All these questions ran through his mind. A shrill little girls voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Daddy," she cried running towards them. Silver smirked as he held his arms out to her. Frowning as she ran past him and wrapped her arms around Don. "Daddy I knew you'd come."

"How? How did you know?" he asked looking down at the little girl.

"I know lots of things," she announced "are coming to take me home?"

"Allora come here," Silver demanded.

"My name is Kimberly," she frowned at him "that's the name my other daddy called me in his heart when I was born. I don't like Allora...." she stood in front of Silver hand on hips "and I don't like you"

"You will obey me," his voice menacing and venomous.

Shaking her head "can't make me," she giggled as he tried to pick her up.

"Now while he's distracted," a voice within Ambrogio's mind demanded. Nodding Ambrogio moved to untie Don. Then started to chant the spell he used to eject Adam from his body in reverse. As he did so he felt his control over Adam's body decrease until he was outside it. "Now Adam" he called out urgently.

Adam moved opening the portal back into their world. "Don when Kimberly comes close grab her."

Nodding in understanding Don grabbed his little girl as Adam pushed them through the portal. Adam held the portal open calling out to Ambrogio "come on let's go."

"No I've done too much. It's my time," Ambrogio told him ready to let is essence disburse.

"No," Adam cried out to him refusing to let him go. "All of this we did together. The  only way we had of getting Silver to take us to where he had my granddaughter. We couldn't have done this without your help. Come with me. You're the only one who knows how to close the portal for good."

Ambrogio hesitated looking back at Silver. He could see the anger as Silver realized he had been double crossed. There was no going back. Silver would kill him. "Once we close the portal trapping Silver inside  you must let me go. Promise me."

"I promise but only after you talk to Alanon" Adam amended "come on hurry up. I can't hold the portal open much longer."