Chapter 6

UNEDITED-

Obviously Lucille couldn't reply.. but she was screaming in her mind 'Stay away from my mouth!!'

Ellie opened Lucilles mouth again and shoved her two fingers right to the back of the girls throat.. Lucilles body started heaving but Ellie didn't stop this time.. she pushed her fingers a little further, until a huge gush of alcohol and old food came shooting out of Lu's mouth, covering the bottom of the shower before it slowly got washed down the drain.. Lucilles eyes flicked open long enough for Ellie to see them roll to the back of her head. The blonde let out a tired sigh whilst rubbing her vomit covered hand in the water that was still falling all around them.. 'At least it's out now. She should be fine when she wakes up'..

"It's alright now.." Ellie hugged Lucilles head as relief washed over her. "I really wish I could understand you.." Ellie spoke again while gently wiping her thumb across Lucilles forehead, where little streams of red were still seeping out.. As curiosity set in, her hand moved to the red ribbon tied around Lu's neck.

Lucilles eyes shot open.. Her purple orbs stared back at Ellie, her motor skills began returning rapidly. She grabbed Ellies hand from the ribbon and slowly sat up, releasing it as soon as she was upright. Lu slid herself to sit leaning against the glass panel facing Ellie.. The girls looked to each other through the falling water, with the same confused expression. Lucilles mind was blank until something popped into her head.. "Why are you wearing pajamas?" Lu asked while cupping her hands and slurping some of the water to spit out..

Ellie shook her head, then replied with her own question.."What are you doing here Lucille?" Even she didn't know why she spoke with a sad tone.

"I was invited.."

"Why are your eyes.. purple?"

"Contact lenses.. I'm wearing contacts.."

The bathroom door opened.. "Ellie is everything alright?" Connor stumbled through the door.. "Ah Lu! Thank god you're alive!" He jumped straight into the shower and knelt down to hug Lucille..

"I'm sorry about all this.. I ruined your party.." Connor was still too drunk to notice how quickly Lucille had sobered up, despite being drugged and unconscious just minutes ago.

"You didn't.. the mother fucker who spiked your drink did.."

"Well I'm sorry anyway.. I hope you still had fun." Lu smiled to Connor, genuinly happy to potentially have a new friend..

"I did.. but I think this night is unforgettable for a different reason.." The pair started laughing but soon stopped when someone cleared their throat. They both looked to Ellie who did not look as amused by the whole situation.

"Hey Connor could I speak to Ellie alone for a minute?." Connor smiled and nodded, turning off the shower and grabbing one of Ellies towels from the rack before leaving the room.

Lucille swept her soaking her back.. "Thank you for helping me.." If Ellie had not done what she did, Lucille probably would have been assaulted and then stuck in a comatose state for days as her body very slowly broke down the drugs, or worse.. taken to a hospital. Ellie didn't need to know all that, but she did need to know how greatful Lucille was.

Ellie stayed still for a moment, taking in Lucilles features before remembering to reply.. "You're welcome.. But Lucille I know you're not supposed to be here, Phoebe said you hadn't come out of your room since you got home".

"So she does talk about me.."

"Only because I asked.. and I did what you said.. I looked up Mrs Humphreys Academy for Gifted Girls.."

"Really?".. 'This is interesting'.."-and what did you think?"..

"It looks like an educational boot camp.. but then I dont understand why you'd want to stay there.."

"What I don't understand is why you are so interested.." Lucille raised her eyebrows..

"You didn't want to leave someone?" Lu began to get to her feet ignoring Ellie.. "-you wanted to get away from something? or you wanted to get away from someone?".. As Ellie spoke Lucille paused and looked to her before carrying on with getting to her feet, using the glass panel to steady herself.. The sedative is still in her system.. Her body is on overtime trying to rid itself of the toxins, draining her energy.. She also hasn't had a decent meal in a few weeks. If she doesn't find one soon she might loose who she is. "-That's it isn't it?" Ellie kept going while getting up to carry on the conversation. If only Lucille could spare the energy to make the brother and sister forget this night, but for now..

"As if it wasn't already obvious.." Lucille lazily lifted her eyebrow..

"Aren't you even a little happy to be back with your family?.." Ellie got out of the shower and grabbed two towels off the pile that sat on a chair in the corner of the small room by the sink. She chucked one to Lucille who barely managed to catch it.. "Sorry.. I forgot why we were here for a second. About that.. how are you already standing up?" Ellie patted at her hair with the towel slowly whilst eyeing Lucille.. who looked to the towel in her hand and then up to Ellie again..

"Not without difficulty.." Lucille smiled, her heavy eyelids closed for a moment. "So much for parties.. I don't think I'll ever go to one again.." The white haired girl shook her head, ignoring Ellies previous question.

"Was this your first?" Ellie looked over at Lucille questioningly..

Lu nodded slowly.. "You could say that.." It's definetly the first one with people like this.

"You want help getting out of the shower?"

"No stop.." Lucille held her hands up to keep Ellie from coming any closer. This small encounter changed the whole atmosphere in the room.

"Okay" Ellie spoke in a soft voice as she backed up a little.. "Why don't I bring you some dry clothes?" ...'Is she scared of me?' Ellie thought.

"I'd appreciate that.." Lucille nodded, back to her usual self for a moment on the outside, while on the inside she was raging a war against her self restraint ... Ellie smiled and turned to open the door to go into her bedroom, completely unaware of the ticking time bomb that stood barely holding herself together in the bathroom.

Lucille looked to the window and back to the doorway.. back to the window again. "Do you think she'll tell her parents what happened?".. Connor asked and sounded as though he'd understand if she did.

"No.. she's not supposed to be here.. and you're not supposed to be having a party.."

"Why does it matter if they aren't here anyway?" He shrugged.. "They don't give a shit why should you?" Just as he stopped talking Ellie punched him straight in the nose.. In his drunken state he stumbled and fell backwards. A little line of blood dripped down to his upper lip where he wiped it off with the back of his hand.. "What the fuck Ellie?!"

"Don't talk about them like that!!!.. spoilt little brat.." Ellie muttered under her breath as she resumed the search for something Lucille would be comfortable wearing. But Lucille had already left.. As soon as the aroma of fresh blood hit her sinuses she was out of there. Opening and jumping straight from the third floor window, landing on her feet and sprinting as fast as she could over the fence and down the road.

Lucille reached for her phone that had been in her pocket but it was gone.. "Shit.." She cursed as she closed her eyes and rubbed her hand across her forehead.. A low growl echoed through the dark empty streets, Lucilles eyes followed the sound straight to her stomach..

About an hour later Lucille found herself stalking a man.. who was stalking an intoxicated woman. She watched from a distance as the woman rounded a corner out of sight.. Lucille heard the man's heartbeat speed up as he was about to make his move. But before he could follow the woman down the street Lucille cannonballed into him, quickly whisking him down a dark alley. At the force she ran into him he was already unconscious..

She began to check his pockets.. finding his wallet with a small wad of cash inside.. along with three purses in his coat pocket, each with the identification card and cash still inside. It seems he may be just a common theif.. not a hardened monster. None the less Lucille needs sustenance. She took the purses and money from the wallet, shoving the wallet back in his pocket before picking him up and laying him across a big dumpster.

As she looked around to find a container her eyes landed on a large disposable coffee cup.. she walked over and picked it up, quickly realising it was doubled.. meaning she wouldn't have to drink out of a manky used cup.

She lifted up his sleeve, her pointer finger nail grew long.. slowly she peirced it into the man's forearm, creating a deep two inch gash across his vein. The blood began to pour out.. straight into the cup that she was holding under it with the other hand.. it filled halfway and Lucille downed it in seconds, hungrily licking the remaining crimson from her lips while quickly putting the cup back to collect more. The steady stream slowed down so Lucille stretched it a little.. The man began to wake up, groaning slightly. Lucille quickly brought her balled hand down hard on his temple, knocking him out once more as she waited for the cup to fill..

Two whole cups later and Lucille felt almost fully rejuvenated.. She pulled the man off the dumpster, sitting him up against it before crunching up the cup and throwing away. Lu bent down and ripped a thin strip of fabric from the man's t shirt, wrapping it around his arm and tying it off.. His eyes slowly began to open and Lucille looked up to his bruised face..

"You cut your arm while stealing from women.."

"I cut my arm while stealing from women.."

"You will go to the hospital to get checked out.."

"I will go to the hospital to get checked out.."

"Good.. oh and don't target innocent people.."

"I won't target innocent people.."

"Right.. well I better be off then.." Lucille awkwardly made her exit.. this is the hardest part.. having to talk to her victims.. acknowledge that she is hurting real people with real lives and real struggles, but they were actively hunting others so she felt this was the best way.

She called a taxi from a phone booth and began the journey home. The taxi stopped a little way down the street from her house, she paid the fair and jumped out of the car.. jogging the whole way back. A second later she was over the fence and easily jumped from the floor onto the ledge up to her window.. Just as she slid the window open something nearly made her fall backwards.. Phoebe standing a few feet from the window in the darkness... watching her every move.

"Well this is awkward.." Lu stepped through the window keeping her eyes on Phoebe.. "Aren't you going to say anything?"

"I'm just glad you're alright.. that's all.." The girl had clearly been worrying, for how long who knows, Lu has been gone a good few hours.. Lucille thought to ask what Phoebe was even doing in her room but decided against it.

"You don't need to worry about me.."

Phoebe nodded and turned around, quietly leaving the room closing the door behind her.

"I need a fucking shower.." Lucille shook her head, how is it that she made so many mistakes in just one night..

The sun had finally risen and Lucille had been meditating for the remainder of the night. Sometimes it's easier than finding sleep. Especially after she's had a good meal, sleep doesn't become a necessity until after at least a few days.. until she gets hungry again.

"Good morning Lucille" Julia chirped as she appeared from one room and straight into Christopher's study, closing the door behind her.. Something about her demeanor seemed off. Lucille waited to see if she could hear anything.. sure enough.. "She is not going to like this.."

"She will be happy eventually.. aren't you?"

"Sometimes.."

"Well, this is not just for her.. it's for the good of the family..."

"Whatever you think is best.." Julia spoke before reappearing.. "Are you alright darling?"

Lucille raised her eyebrows.. "Huh? yeah I'm fine.."

"Good.." She smiled warmly.. Christopher stepped out from behind her..

"Hello daughter.."

"Good morning sir.." Lucille bowed her head.

"Come.. walk with me." He already began walking before Lucille could reply.. she just followed along through the house. "There comes a time in every young ladies life, that she needs to find a man who can take care of her.." Lucille nearly scoffed but held onto it..

"I'm not sure I understand.."

"Well I have taken care of this problem for you.. Shane Vanhouton is a good friend of mine. His son is in need of a strong woman to settle down with.." So in other words he needs reigning in. "We've arranged for you two to have lunch together.."

"No.."

"You'll do as I say Lucille.."

"I won't.."

"Have you forgotten the rules?.." He spoke firmly whilst undoing his belt.. Lucille simply held her hands out. He watched her, expecting the fear to be showing in her eyes but there was none.. He brought the belt down hard across her hands, leaving deep welts across them both. When he looked back to her eyes she still had the same calm expression.. "You will marry Sebastian Vanhouton!.."

"We'll see.." She shrugged..

"Yes we.. will!" He lashed her with almost is full strength but she still didn't move or make a sound. "Alberto will find you at half eleven.. be ready for lunch.." He stomped off feeling powerless as Lucille gave him nothing.

Lu walked back to where she started and into the kitchen.. Julia sat on a bar stool with watery eyes.. she looked up after a few seconds, noticing Lucille.. "Do you need any help?"

"No" Lucille replied casually, walking up to the sink, turning the tap and letting the cold water run over her hands to speed up the healing process. Faint ribbons of blood ran through the water from the lines of broken skin..

"Good morning mum" Phoebe spoke as she walked into the room..

"Good morning love.." Julia wiped her tears away from her cheeks, realising she was actually crying.

"Are you alright?" Phoebe questioned.. not realising Lucille was stood at the sink until Julia looked over to her and back to Phoebe..

"Yes I'm fine.. just feeling a little under the weather.." Julia smiled and winked..

"Okay.." Phoebe looked to Lucille in thought, that Lucille must have said something to upset their mother.

"Are you going out with your friends today?"

"No not today.." Phoebe smiled and shook her head..

"Okay.. I'm going to get ready for the.. you know.." Julia trailed off, getting up and leaving the room before she had to put up a facade any longer.

"Lucille?"

"What?" Lu turned off the tap but didn't turn around yet..

"What did you say to mum?"

"I didn't say anything" She turned around to face Phoebe..

"Well she was clearly upset"

"Your first thought is that it's my fault?"

"What else could it be?"

"If you pulled your head out of your arse and had a look around maybe you could find out for yourself.."

"Can't you just be civil with me for five minutes?"

"I'm trying but you're making it very difficult.."

"I hate that we are like this.. Lu what happened to your hands?" Pheobe took a step closer and Lucille stepped back.

"Ask your dad what happened to my hands.."

"But why would he-"

"No it doesn't matter.. just stay out of it.." Lucille walked out of the room through a door opposite Phoebe, so that she wouldn't have to walk past her sister.

After a few hours sitting at the end of the garden in silence Alberto came walking up out of breath.. "Miss Lucille, it's ten to twelve, I've been looking all over for you"

"I've been here.."

"We must get going, we're already late."

"That's the idea.."

"Please Miss Lucille, it's only lunch.." He looked down to the poor girls red raw hands.. He didn't know that they had already healed some since she's been sat here. "You know it will be worse if you stay here.."

Lu finally looked up to him.. "You know he wants me to marry some Vanhagen boy?"

"Vanhouten.."

"So you do know.." She sighed looking down to the perfectly kept grass infront of her.

"I know that Mr Vanhouton has been trying to expand his business, your father has had several meetings with him these past few months.."

"It's always about power and money with him.." Lu replied sounding more tired than anything else.

"Your father just gets confused about what really matters.."

"In other words he's a cunt" Lucille pointed to the house as she spoke.. She finally got to her feet.. "Well let's go then.." And she was off, leaving Alberto to stand for a whole minute, trying to rationalise what his employer was doing to his own daughter.

"Where are you going?" Phoebe asked, seemingly more brave than before.

"Mind your business" Lucille replied, putting her sunglasses on, walking past Phoebe and out the front door..

"Alberto?"

"Miss Lucille has been asked to lunch.."

"By who?"

"I think you should ask your parents" Alberto offered a little smile before turning and leaving the house..

"Radio?" He asked from the front seat..

"Yes.." Lu replied simply.

Half an hour later they were pulling up to a fancy restraint.. "Alberto my phone is broken.."

"Use this one.." He grabbed a phone from the glove compartment, checked it had charge and past it to her..

"Thanks.." It was evident in her tone that she was far from excited.

"Just try to be nice okay?"

"I make no promises"

"Miss Lucille.." He begged for what he thought was her own good.

"Yes, I'll try alright?." Alberto nodded back and got out of the car to open Lucilles door.

"Your father asked me to walk you in.." Lucille rolled her eyes, though they were hidden by her glasses..

"If you're going to walk in with me you might aswell stay for lunch.."

"Miss Lucille.."

"Fine.." She huffed.. getting out of the car and walked through the door that Alberto was now holding open for her.

"Do you have a reservation sir?" A petite woman asked from behind a tall desk as Lucille removed her sunglasses. Taking in the traditional ascetic of the restraint.. polished oak was pretty much everywhere. Dark burgundy carpets underfoot.

"Shane Vanhouton.." Alberto nodded..

"I thought his name was Sebastian?"

"The boy is Sebastian, Shane is the father.." Alberto whispered to Lucille as the lady checked her books..

"Ah yes, would you like to follow me?" She smiled wide..

"Not really" Lucille spoke causally.

"Don't do this.." By 'this' he means make a scene and earn a real beating when she gets home.

"Whatever.. you're all weak" Lu shook her head and followed the woman.. Alberto slowed walking and then stopped altogether. It seems Lucilles patience with Alberto has also ran out.

"Here you are madam.." The waitress did a little curtsy whilst eyeing Lucille before leaving her alone with the stranger..

The golden haired boy spoke gaining Lucilles attention.. "You're late.." He looked up to her examining her features for a moment.. "They said you were beautiful but I didn't believe them.."

"And by 'them' you mean?"

"My parents.."

"Right. So.. do you really want to marry a stranger? For profit?.."

"Why do anything if it's not to gain something?" He raised his thick neatly shaped eyebrow..

"And what do I gain from this?"

"Me.." At this Lucille began laughing loudly.. "Why are you laughing?" The blue eyed boy seemed a little hurt but kept his cool.

"Let's just get this straight so nobody gets confused.. I'm not marrying you or anyone else for anything other than my own desires. If my 'father' wants to sell his body, that's fine but he doesn't get to decide what I do with mine.."

"So you don't want to marry me?"

"Did you hear a word I said?"

"Yesss.. but I got distracted by how hot you look when you're pissed.." He grinned cheekily.

"I'm not marrying you.."

"Don't make a decision yet.. agree to spend some time with me and in the end if you still don't want to marry me, I will tell our parents that I don't want to marry you.. deal?"

"Why would you do that?"

"I don't want to force you into anything.. but I dont want you to walk away just yet. Let me at least try to change your mind.."

"But why go through the effort?"

"Honestly.. you're the best option so far. In all ways.." He winked.. Lucille thought about it for a moment.. Perhaps this will shut everyone up about it for a while.

Without thinking too much into it Lucille made a decision.. "Fine Sebastian.. you have yourself a deal.."

_______

NOTES-

Thank you so much for reading!!

Feel free to leave a comment letting me know what you think.

Tak care, Peace.