Disclaimer: I own nothing.

The drive from Fangtasia to Sookie's new apartment was brief and uneventful. The telepath had been awake for the last blocks of the ride, but remained silent, pretending to be asleep. Eric allowed her the minutes of quietness.

Sookie was sorrowful. Her new reality was far too alike her previous one. She was not beginning a new life, as she had timidly hopped. She was facing a different form of torment.

When the mind of that man had opened to hers, she could barely take it. He was vile, and so were the other humans whose minds had also invaded hers once he attacked.

Not one of the bar's patrons thought about helping her. A few of them rejoiced on the display of violence. All they wanted to do was flee. As a safeguard mechanism, Sookie closed herself. She hadn't done that since childhood, when even her grans thoughts could be too much at times.

"You need to open your eyes, Sookie".

"You knew I wasn't sleeping?", asked the girl while slowly opening her eyes. They were in a parking garage, she noticed.

"You needed time to collect yourself". Eric was looking down on her, his hand on the steering wheel. He was trying to look less intimidating as possible.

"I saw what he wanted to do to me. If he could, he would take me with him and…" Her breath faltered. "In the end he would kill me, just like he did to the other girls. There are many of them", Sookie wiped some tears. His memories had been too vivid.

"He's been detained. He cannot hurt you anymore." Sookie was surprised by Eric's response. She imagined he would ask her more about the man. She looked up from her hands to his face. Eric was looking straight ahead, right to the white garage wall.

"I hope you're right".

Eric ardent look shifted to Sookie. For a second, she thought he wasn't really seeing her, but someone else. His expression changed too fast for her to be sure.

"Where are we?" She asked once she realized Eric wasn't going to open his mouth any time soon.

Grinning, Eric replied. "At your new address, of course".

In a flesh, he left the car and opened Sookie's door. The parking garage had only a few more cars parked. The florescent light was not helping them look interesting to Sookie's eyes. The exception was Eric's own vehicle. A flaming red sports car. It matched his owner.

"Follow me, Sookie."

Sookie took tentative steps forward, smoothing her dress, relieved her shoes had not been lost. They walked towards the awaiting elevator. Inside, Sookie watched as Eric pressed his hand on a screen.

Noticing her questioning gaze, Eric explained. "It's a biometrical scanner. Only those registered to the system are allowed to use the elevator. We'll register your prints later."

Nodding her head, Sookie looked at herself in the reflective doors. Her hair was relatively in place, her dress was wrinkled, but that was to be expected. Her pale face was what troubled her.

With a soft ringing the elevator announced the end of their little travel. They were at the top floor.

The doors opened directly to a sitting room area. Stepping out of the elevator, Sookie followed Eric as he advanced through the apartment.

"I'm sure you'll have time to explore the place in the morning, Sookie. So, before I take my leave, I would like for us to discuss a few rules." He indicated the couch to Sookie. He sat on an arm chair before her.

"Rules?"

"Yes, rules, my sweet telepath. They're simple enough."

"I'm not sweet!"

"And so you think", said Eric while giving Sookie a wink. She had no idea what he was talking about.

"Your guards will continue to protect you during the day. They are ordered not to disturb you, but it's possible that you'll hear them. They have access to this building, and will know if you leave."

Sookie stared right back at Eric eyes. She understood what he was telling her. She could leave the place, but she wouldn't get too far if she tried to run.

"You must always take your cellphone with you and keep it charged." Eric handled to her a new smartphone. Something Sookie had only heard about. Tentatively she reached for it.

"Is there a manual?", she asked abashed. She didn't know how to turn it on. The phone was sleek, and thin. Afraid it would slip through her fingers she held it tighter. The whole thing lighted up.

"Oh! I'm sorry!" Hastily, Sookie placed the phone on the small table next to her.

Blushing, Sookie turned her eyes away. She examined the room. It was beautifully decorated. A media center was the next ambiance. Everything seemed new. There was an enormous window, from wall to wall, at the far end of the room. To the right, she could see a door that lead to a corridor.

"Was it the man's thoughts that affected you so or were the patrons?"

Eric had been pleased by Sookie's appreciation of the apartment. He would have to praise Pam for her good work. The girl was behaving unexpectedly, nevertheless. The telepath had so far reacted as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened to her. Besides losing consciousness, she had remained calm. Eric could only assume it was not the first time she faced frightening thoughts.

"It was everything, I suppose. The patrons had no… sympathy or solidarity for what was happening to me or to that men. All they thought about was themselves." Sookie's eyes were directed to the windows. She wished she had never trusted her grandfather.

"I'll not need your services for the next few days, Miss Stackhouse. If you require anything during the day contact Bobby Burnham, he's my day men. Good night".

Before Sookie had had time to look back at Eric, the elevator doors were closed. She was alone. Her sobs didn't take long to start.