On my way home(Ethan)

[Ivanka Udinov]

I knew I couldn't keep this from my friends for long but I was hoping to at least by myself some time before they found out. Of course, time was something I didn't have just now. Time was something that wasn't important right this very minute but I couldn't very well drive the rest of the way to Russia without making a few stops to rest and eat. It was inevitable. Without food I would grow week and if I were week there would be no telling what would happen to me.

As a precaution however, I had set down a few charmed items around my room to protect me. A necklace that was hanging off a lamp near the door and a few pendants near my windows. They had also been charmed with Water, Fire and Air just before I left the school-With Kirova's permission- The items that were charmed were made of silver, some of them had gems in the center and one of them appeared very old. This necklace belonged to my grandmother. I took it upon myself to keep it after my family disowned me. I didn't want to leave them and not remember them at all. I needed something anything and thats exactly what that necklace was for me.

A reminder.

I sighed a bit as I sat up in my bed, it was still sunny out but thankfully most of the sun had gone. My face, had I been able to see it would be pained, angry, filled with all these emotions that I did not wish to feel toward my family but, nice or not, they were my family and they were truly all I had left in the world that connected me to my past.

I bit my lip as I recalled the moments that led up to me leaving St. Vladamir's and wiped my eyes a bit as I pulled my knees up to my chest, not really blinking or moving at all.

It was early this morning, the sun was still shining, when I heard a knock on the door odd I thought to myself as I got up off my bed and made my way to the door "I never get company.I pulled the door open and to my surprise I was greeted my a teacher, I couldn't remember his name but I was sure it was Ivan. I smiled a bit as I greeted him, saying a quick hello and then asking how he was doing.
His face was troubled, like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders and then he sighed, shaking his head and handed me a sheet of paper "We need to get you back home to Krasnodar. Your family has been discovered murdered in their home. We've already performed a thorough investigation and have named it a strigoi attack. It looks like it was the work on a single strigoi, possibly working on his or her own...Kirova had a car set up for you and your to go with a guardian. He will be driving you to Krasnodar, with little, much needed stops along the way. Kirova says you are to stay with your guardian at all times."

His words still hurt, I found myself crying before too long and when I realized I was mourning a family that hated me I wiped my face and got to my feet. The guardian I was with was in the bathroom. I assumed he was taking a shower, I could hear the shower running and see steam from under the door. I imagine he thought I was still sleeping. How wrong he was.

With fast movements I threw on a pair of simple shorts, a dark gray tank-top, a pair of sneakers and a small sweater before pulling my hair into a ponytail.

It wasn't too long after that I was rushing out the door, a look of accomplishment on my face. How good of a sneaker must one be to get passed an experienced guardian? The answer was simple. They'd have to be extremely sneaky.
The sun was shining on only one side of the street. I knew that if I tried that I would be able to avoid it and I did just that. I moved across the street quickly and made my way to the casinos but I stopped several inches from the door. Something caught my attention. A dark shadow was moving in the alley just next to where I stood. Fear bubbled in the very depths of my stomach and I made my way toward the alley to investigate, all the while breathing slow and steady.

If I wasn't stupid for sneaking out, I was very stupid for checking out a mysterious shadow.

"Hello?" I called out but I got no answer,only the sound of shuffling feet. It startled me and I jumped before turning around, there was a man standing there, hovering over me. His red eyes were glaring at me from under his hooded jacket...Red eyes? I swallowed the lump in my throat "I was just..." I cut myself off mid-sentence, biting hard on my lip. My eyes didn't dare to look at him and thats when it happened.

I felt his icy hand wrapping tightly around my throat, forcing me to look him straight in the eye Hello, little Iva. he whispered to her, chuckling lightly. The sound of his laughter sent a chill up my spine but I didn't have enough time to be scared or fear for my life. In a matter of seconds two things happened, I felt a pain in my head and there was a loud thud sound and then...nothing, I saw only black.

-12hours later...in Krasnodar, Russia-

I didn't know where I was, nor did I remember what happened to me but as I came to I saw I was in a very well lit room, very well decorated. The bed, the chairs, the curtains...they were all designer, all very expensive. I whimpered, trying to sit up but restraints around my wrist and ankles kept me still.

Behind me I heard footsteps and began to panic immediately. It didn't take long for the man to step in front of me. It was the same man from before, the one in the alley "What do you want?..." I somehow managed to find my voice amidst my feelings of fear and worry. Fear of him and worry of what he planned to do. I felt his icy finger run along my cheek, his fingernail just scratching the surface of my skin. I cringed away from him but managed to still myself after a moment, I was still just long enough for him to lick the blood away from my cheek "Don't touch me!" I shouted, glaring daggers at the man.

He chuckled "My dear, your in no position to be telling me what to do...I call the shots." as he said this he grabbed her phone and went through her contact list, calling the first name on the list "HM, i think I will call Ethan..." he trailed off and I knew something about my reaction set him off because he started laughing and, with the same finger, traced a cut along the side of my neck, quickly licking the blood away "Is he your boyfriend, then? Wonderful. He'll want to save you..." he laughed a bit as he hit the call button and listened to the phone ring, waiting impatiently.

I sobbed a bit, before looking around the room, the window on the right was slight ajar. The sun wasn't shining and outside I could see small biuildings, bright lights...I realized all too late that I was not in Vegas anymore...I was in Krasnodar, kidnapped by a strigoi...possibly the one that killed my family and I was about to drag Ethan into this...there were no words to describe how I felt...I was terrified.

"No! Dont...dont call him, please..." I spoke, again managing to find my voice. It was shakey, I hadnt realized that I was crying until I felt wet tears streaking my face "Leave him out of it...if you want me, you got me. Dont get Ethan involved."

With all the commotion and the worry and fear, I realized I didnt even know my captors name. I put on a brave face, watching him and stared him in the eye "Who are you?...a-are you the one that---"

Killed your family? of course I am...but they were just for fun...this...you, its personal...See, while I was trying to kill you family, they're guardian got in my way, no worries I killed him too but not before he mentioned they had another child... After I found out about you, I knew I had to find you to finish the job. Wiping out entire families is my specialty. And to answer your previous question, my name is Elijah Yakov."

It took me a moment to register his name but I gasped "Lena's brother?!"

He stared at me and I stared back, waiting for him to turn his back so I could try and make my escape only he never turned around. The entire time he waited for Ethan to pick up the phone, he kept his eyes on me, looking me up and down.

[Ethan Wate]

Who was I to judge people, especially those I have known for so long? No matter how badly they have hurt me, or even how much I hated it when they just left without saying good-bye, even if they will see me again shortly. No matter how much of a secret they wanted to keep, either protecting me from it, or even not wanting me to worry in the first place. What, or who, gave them the right to just simply disappear, gone from my line of sight. Who gave them the permission to not leave a note on the bedside table, or even somewhere save where only I could find it. It hurt, hurt me to the core that she would just be gone, like a dream fading into nothing, never to be dreamed about again.

Had I done something wrong? Have I hurt her somehow, to the point where she would never want to see me again? What had I done wrong? Everything seemed so fine, so right. Maybe I should have never made that move on her, taken her into my heart, only to have given it to her when she would just rip it right from me. Sure I have seen movies where the main character has been heart broken to the point of where they can never think of her, for fear they might break down, showing a sign of weakness.

I sat on the bed, my mind wondering, tears threatening to fall from my eyes as I ran through all the possibilities of her disappearance. The idea that no one would tell, it irritated me. How could no one tell me where my moroi had disappeared to? Was it as bad as I thought? Had she been killed by a strigoi, only to shatter my heart more than it already was? Not able to sit still, my face started the process of pacing, something I was not known to do. It did take my mind off of stressing. The way my enclosed shoes hit the carpet, with nothing but a small thud. Barely noticeable when your mind was racing for answers.

I stopped, looking out a window, feeling anger rise in me as a lamp was knocked over. Now, I was not known for violence, but I was known to get violence when something really pissed me off. How could she do this to me? When had she left, and why couldn't she tell anyone about her disappearance? Someone had to know. Headmistress would know, but would she tell me was the question. Knowing her the words that would come from her mouth would be 'do not worry, she is safe', when she clearly was not safe if no one would answer my god damn questions. I swear, if I was allowed, every student here would have a bloody nose.

A fluttering outside made me jump. Somewhere, being deep in thought, my defenses went down, causing me to jump at any sudden movement. "Why won't anyone fucking tell me!?" I yelled, knocking over my alarm clock, earning a knock at the door. I stormed over to it, opening the door, glaring at the one who dared to bother me. "Dude, are you alright in there? I heard something break." He glanced around the room, eying the lamp. My body blocked him from the sight, and I only gave him a fake smile. "Everything's fine just had an accident." I muttered, seeing him nod and walk off. I shut the door, returning to the bed, lying on my back.

I closed my eyes, pinching the bridge of my nose and taking deep breaths. Sitting up I sighed with frustration, laying down was not going to help. Sure I was being over protective, but she was my moroi, a moroi I would be charged with protecting after we left this academy. Maybe I would actually do something right out in the real world. I only hoped she was okay. I stood up again, walking over to a picture of us two on our first day together. A smile hinting at my lips as I gazed at those green eyes. As I set the picture down, I wondered where she could have gone. I remember students talking about a murder...

My eyes went wide as an idea popped into my head. She was going to their funeral, and did not want me to know. I sighed, shaking my head and walked into the bathroom, looking at myself in the mirror. My clothes were a mess, considering I only had pants on in my reflection. I frowned, studying the dark circles under my eyes. Worrying about her had done me no good, my unshaven face showing the little black hairs on my cheeks and chin. I took out the electric razor and plugged it in, letting it charge before running a hand through my hair. I sighed, stripping and headed into the shower.

I got out, seeing a little green light pop up on my razor, taking a towel to the mirror, towel wrapped around my waist. Sure it was a weekend, but I needed to clean up. I looked at my phone, sighing at the time and set it to the side. Taking the razor I began shaving, clearing my face of any black specs. Setting the razor aside, I headed into my room and looked through my closet, grabbing a pair of jeans and a shirt, taking a sweatshirt out along with them. Pulling the sweatshirt on, I heard my cell phone ring. I glanced at the number and frowned, glaring at the phone. I flipped it open, pressing the green button and placed it up to my ear, taking a deep breath.

"What is the meaning of this Ivanka Udinov?! Where the hell are you? Don't you know how WORRIED I have been when no one tells me where you are? Don't you even care about my feelings about you? You couldn't have left a note?!" I screamed into the phone, which was loud, even for me to hear with my own ears. I was sure someone else with her would have heard me. I raced over to slip some shoes on waiting for an answer to all my questions, furiously tying my shoelace knot over and over., never being able to get the knot right with my anger raging through my body.

words: 1130
tag: Ivanka Udinov
muse: great
clothes: click here.
music: lady gaga
thoughts: ... none.

[Ivanka Udinov]

I didnt know what to expect. I had heard stories about how brutal strigoi were, how they had no emotions, no remorse...they didnt feel, they couldnt feel. And if they could feel, I imagined this guy would not care at all about me and it wouldnt matter how much I begged or cried or pleaded. He would kill me if he wanted to and he would not think twice about it.
Slowly I took a breath, wathcing him pace aroung the room, my phone glued to his ear. I was expected him to turn his back to allow myself enough time to try and get away but his eyes stayed on me at all times, occassionaly his eyes would survery me, looking me up and down. It was enough to scare anyone but I guessed something about my expression had made this more enjoyable for him before he smiled approvingly and took a few steps toward me.

I cringedaway from him, my face disgusted. I didnt want to be anywhere near him.

Icy fingers ran across my cheek and down my neck, I didnt know what i'd done to deserve such a cruel fate, what I had done that was so horrible that it required a death penalty. Again felt his icy finger asit moved down my neck, gracing against the jugular. I watched in fear and shock as he licked his lips. I half expected him to bite me but he didnt. He became suddenly distracted by the voice tha t answered his call.
"No...no...please" I whispered low so he wouldnt hear, on the other end I could hear Ethan's voice. He sounded so worried, so scared and sad. I knew me leaving the way I did hurt him but I had already revealed my past to him, i'd opened up to him, made myself vulnerable to him...what he must think of me now.

I felt like dirt for not telling him what had happened and as I listened to Ethan shouting,I knew just how much I'd hurt him.

The man chuckled into the phone "So sorry to disappoint. Little Iva cant come to the phone just now. She's a bit tied up at the moment."

[/b] he answered simply, trying hard not to laugh at his own joke "You sound angry...is it because you've lost your moroi, little guardian? Dont worry, i'll take good care of her. Such a pretty girl, she is. Im sure I can think of a feww ways to take care of her..."[/i] he trailed off as he walked over to me, I panicked.

I squirmed viciously in my chair, wanting nothing more than to scream but I couldnt. Not without worrying Ethan more "Stay away from me..." I muttered feebly, sobbing once.

His icy finger ran slowly down my chest, slowly moving lower and lower. I bit hard on my lip "Get your hands off me..." I growled only sighing in relief once I realized he was turnng around to walk away. I took a breath, trying hard to think of something, anything to get out of here.

"Little Dhampir, we're going to play a game...its called 'how to find your moroi in fourty eight hours before I kill her like I did her family'... his russian accent was thick. I was surprised, it had been a while since I heard anyone speaking with an accent as thick as his.Mine was noticeable, yes but just barely. I had learned to hide it over the years.

He turned to me again and I swallowed the lump in my throat, something about his eyes scared me this time.They looked menacing, threatening, evil...they darkened a bit sicne the time I first saw him and I wondered what he was planning. He wouldnt kill me yet, he said fourt eight hours...I had two days before he would kill me...or, and it hurt me to think this...two days before he turned me.

There was a shimmering object in his hands and I struggled to see what it was but I couldnt get a good enough view of it, not a minute later I felt a pain in my arm and a warm liquid dripping lightly. Without meaning to I screamed in pain, watching in horror as he sliced at my arm before licking away the blood "So sweet...oh if only I were in the mood to kill, she would be dead at the drop of a dime but im in a mood for games...now, if you can answer this question correct, I wont start slicing that pretty face of hers...where is your precious moroi from?"

He was enjoying himself, the look in his eyes said it all.

What made it worse was that I couldnt do anyhting to stop him. I couldn t help myself. I was helpless, defenseless, weak...and most of all, I was afraid.
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[Ethan Wate]

Everyone's life mixes in with each others always. Where its because they were meant to be enemies, lovers, or even just friends. People they have never even met before could end up in their lives as well. When you were suppose to protect someone with your life, you were to stay by their side all the time. If they happen to escape from you, venturing off without a word to you, it was a sign of something and possibly something bad. What was it that gave them this idea that they could just disappear from your side. Hands would always be held when you were together, just to be sure someone is there to protect you. Just to let that person even know, that you are their to protect them will all your will. Considering I would throw myself in front of a bullet for her, I would do anything to protect her from a stirgoi, even one who had kidnapped her.

The phone was gripped tightly in my hands as I listened for a reply, any sort of reply that would like me know if she was okay. When I got another voice coming from the receiver, my eyes went wide as I heard the unfriendly amused tone in his voice. My defenses kicked in as I realized what she had gotten herself into. She was with no guardian, but a stirgoi, that cold voice that could pierce through anything. I felt myself clench a fist, listening to his words.

"You sound angry...is it because you've lost your moroi, little guardian? Don't worry, I'll take good care of her. Such a pretty girl, she is. I'm sure I can think of a few ways to take care of her..."

My voice filled with anger, a growl rising from my throat. “You lay one hand on her and my stake is going through your heart.” I snarled into the phone, standing up abruptly. My feet took me across the room as I paced, trying to hear something in the background that would let me know she was okay, that she was not dead just yet. Hearing that small little voice in the background, warning and strong, but tingled with worry, make my hopes jump up from my heart, knowing she was okay, for now.

"Little Dhampir, we're going to play a game...its called 'how to find your moroi in forty eight hours before I kill her like I did her family”

Feet stopping their continued movement, I looked up, listening to his taunting. I would not be made a fool and play games with a strigoi, those always got guardian killed, their minds were always on their moroi. Once you were distracted, even for a second, the strigoi would have your head ripped off already. Even one quick glance could send you to your death. Before doing anything, you always make sure your opponent was killed completely before backing down and helping out the mroi. They come first.

My mind was pondering the very idea of the game, what he would have in store for me was interesting to find out, but at the same time might very well harm her. Hearing that scream coming from the other side made me punch a hole in the wall, wanting something to kill. “What the HELL did you do to HER!” I caught myself yelling again, my fists clenching, anger running out of control. I hissed, yanking my dorm room door open and stormed outside, getting some fresh air, closing my eyes as her screams died down. I bit my lip before heading back inside, packing.

"So sweet...oh if only I were in the mood to kill, she would be dead at the drop of a dime but im in a mood for games...now, if you can answer this question correct, I wont start slicing that pretty face of hers...where is your precious moroi from?"

My head snapped up, trying to remember where she had been from. I bit my lip, searching through some papers and started to worry, I could not find it anywhere. Closing my eyes and tried to remember the time when she gave me her life's story.... “Krasnodar.” I told him, body completely still, hoping I was right.

words: 731
tag: Ivanka Udinov
muse: great
music: Lady Gaga
thoughts: ehh...

[Elijah Yakov]

I wasnt foolish, I had been killing people for as long as I could remember. I knew how to keep myself hidden. I'd managed to keep hidden from my father for quite some time. I was fairly sure that one little dhampir could not find me. After all, if my father along with his two guardians could not pinpoint my location, the odds of being found by a mere high school child was very slim.
I cackled into the phone, looking down at the beautiful blond tied to the chair in front of me "You, a weak and pathetic dhampir? Stake me, a strong and powerful strigoi? That does not seem likely. You'd have to find me first and im not easy to find, just ask my dear sister Lena when you see her. Oh and give her a message for me...tell my darling sister that the very second we meet I am going to gut her like a fish and display her mutilated corpse for all the world to see. I will broadcast her death for sheer entertainment...you dont wanna miss it. Im very good with a knife."

I smiled a bit as I listned to his labored and angry breathing through the phone "You seem angrier than you should be...Almost furious...thats good, thats very good. See, the amount of anger and blind rage you feel tells me that she isnt just a moroi to you, no no no, she's someone very special to you. A girlfriend, perhaps." I was teasing him of course, having fun with this...it was all a game. And I was going to be the winner.

When asked what i'd done to the girl, I smiled, making a small 'tsk' sound with my teeth "Nothing that would kill her. Its just a cut, a very small cut...This..." I dug the knife deep into her shoulder, dragging it down a bit. The knife had gone in deep enough to almost touch bone and made her scream loud in pain "This time, well...that was a bit more than a cut..."
I listened to Ivanka's breathing, it was laboured and coming in deep heavy pants. It was all very funny to me.

Krasnodar

I heard him through the phone and a smile graced my face, a smile that I noticed creeped the young blond out. She cringed and shuddered "Ah, your smart...so, very smart. Well now you know what part of Russia im in...the question is can you find exactly where in Krasnodar I am at...or will your girlfriend pay the price with her life..." I grinned, taking this oppurtunity to put my lips against her neck, biting down hard and took a long drink, groaning at the taste "Hm, you have forty-eight hours...if your even one minute late, you wont like the condition you'll find her in...I might kill her or turn her against her will...either way, it's bound to be a very fun time for me...oh, and dont bother calling me, i'll call you...every time you call this phone, im going to slice that pretty fucking face of hers until theres nothing left. And dont come with back up. I dont like causing scenes..."