I own nothing! The brilliant characters belong to CH; I am just borrowing them!
First FF, so let me know what you think!
I was in riding in the car with Bill watching the city lights in the the side mirror as they faded into the darkening highway. I asked Bill several times where he was taking me. "It's a surprise, Sookie." I smiled wondering what he has planned. Bill and I had been dating for a few months. He had approached me one night at Merlotte's after coming in several nights in a row. He never really said much but I observed him each night and I came to the conclusion that he was there trying to "fit in" and he would eventually come around. He was the only vampire that I had met since the night they "came out of the coffin". We went on a few dates and he really seemed to be harmless considering all of the vampire myths that float around. We would see each other a couple of times a week, the occasional movie, and walk in the park or a few drinks at a bar down in Shreveport. We kissed several times but it never went further than that. I thought Bill was handsome but I never felt completely comfortable with our relationship, or lack there of.
After a long discussion with Sam about dating a vampire we agreed it would be best to not tell him about my telepathy. Ocasionally I felt like he knew something was up. I thought I was good at hiding my expressions when I heard something repulsive but maybe I wasn't as good as I thought. I learned from dating Bill that Vampires are very perceptive. They pay attention to the small details. The ones that normal people would miss. As we road in silence I thought back to a night that almost had me confessing my little secret.
Flashback
Bill and I were in a bar in Shreveport on night and there were some really loud broadcasters. I was having a hard time pulling my shields up. I was eyeing a brunette woman and a blond man having an argument. The blond man reached under the table and grabbed her lower thigh and she winced at his touch. She immediately became quiet and her thoughts washed over me. Oh no, I have said too much this time, he's embarrassed, when we get home he's going to lock me down there again. What do I do? What do I do? Oh my God, last time I was there for two weeks before he let me out. I should just learn to keep my mouth shut! I almost slipped and told Bill in a panic that the women was in danger but how would I explain to Bill that I knew? The brunette women got up to excuse herself to the ladies room and I excused myself and followed behind her. I followed her to bathroom and when the door shut behind me I turned and locked the door. The brunette heard the lock click and turned to look my way with her face streaming with tears. I took one look at her and attempted to bring her into a hug and she backed herself against the wall.
"What are you doing? Don't touch me. Why did you lock the door?"
I began to mentally kick myself for being overbearing but this woman had to know that she needed to go to the police about this abuse. I replied back to her " I heard your argument in the bar and wanted to make sure that you were okay."
"I'm fine, thank you".
"You did not look fine, you still have a red hand print on your thigh where HE grabbed you under the table!"
She replied "Really it's no big deal just a small disagreement."
I looked at her in one last attempt to get through to her and finally blurted out " I can hear your thoughts and I know about him holding you for two weeks against your will!"
The women looked shocked. She walked towards me, pushed me aside, unlocked the door and during her exit screamed "mind your own business bitch!"
Well damn, so much for girl power! I washed my hands, situated my dress and headed back for the bar. I found Bill at the booth, walked up and as soon as my butt hit the seat HE walked up with HER to the booth. HE got right in front of my face, close enough so that I could smell he bourbon on his breath, "Mind your own fucking business, bitch!" They turned on theirs heels and hit the front door before I could respond. Bill was rising after establishing I was okay to go the man but I grabbed Bills arm to pull him back to his seat. He sat and looked at me with confusion.
"What was that about?"
"Oh the brunette and I had a disagreement in the ladies room about vampire human relationships."
"Really?" Bill replied
"Uh, yeah, she noticed us here and made a rude remark while she was washing her hands."
"That's unusual, I heard HIM say YOU should mind YOUR own business. Sookie is there something you are not telling me?"
"No"
"Sookie, you know I can tell when you are lying. What are you keeping from me?"
"Nothing Bill, I am ready to leave."
End Flashback
"Sookie.........Sookie......we are here. Wake up. You dozed off about half way here." Bill was shaking my left leg trying to get me to wake up.
I sat up, rubbed my eyes and attempted to fix my hair which was smashed against the right side of my head.. I looked around and did not see anything familiar. I could not see city lights and saw nothing notable as far as the eye could see. Bill came around and opened my door. I stepped out of the car and looked around again. We were in front of a mansion, probably the biggest house I have ever seen. I looked at Bill, "Where are we"?
"We are here to visit the Queen."
"The Queen?"
"Yes he retorted, the Queen of Louisiana. She runs Vampire in the State and this is her compound."
"What are we doing here?" I started to get nervous. Bill was being so vague on the way here, never really telling me where we were going and I dozed off and woke up in a strange place. He was pushing his hand in the small of my back and ushering me to the front door. There were two guards standing in front of the door. They stopped us and began patting Bill and I down for, weapons I guess? What the hell? I am getting more scared by the minute. I drop my shields trying to pick up something and there was that low hum of nothing. We were ushered through another set of doors into an empty room. There was a golden trimmed chair with white velvet covering in the middle of the room. The chair was larger than most and it matched all of the decorations in the room. I looked up and saw a large gold chandelier that looked like the design on the chair. I looked at Bill again and spoke under my breath.
"Why are we here?"
"In a minute darling, all is well; you will know everything before the night is through."
I am beginning to panic, looking around for exits and other vampires, how can I get out of here? Bill is no longer touching me and standing with his hands folded in from of him, smiling from ear to ear. He never smiles, something is up!
At that moment I heard two large doors in front of me opening. Through these doors came one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen. She was about 5'4, thin, pale skin, stunning blue eyes, copper red hair and the most beautiful set of white teeth I have ever seen. She floated across the room to stand in front of Bill and I. Bill leaned into a deep bow from the hip as I stood in astonishment at this creature. Her brain pattern clearly told she was also a vampire.
She smiled brightly at me and then brought her lips to a pursed grin "Bill".
"My Queen"
She walks to stand in front of me "I see she has made it here unharmed"
Hello! I am standing right here so I opened my mouth to speak.... "Excuse me, who are you and why am I here?"
The Queen looks at me and smiles "Mouthy little human, do not speak to me in that manner or I may have to slap that pretty little face"
Okay, well let me try another route....."How may I be of assistance, Queen............." Oh shit, I never got her name.
"Sophie Ann will be fine" she said
"How may I be of assistance, Sophie Ann"? As I speak as she turns her back on me going to sit in her chair. The only chair in the room I might add.......I wanted to sit, I began feeling nauseous and when I looked around I realized that Bill had disappeared! That effing jerk!
"Bill has brought you to me and I have an offer to make you."
"I'm listening" well sort of, my stomach is turning as she began speaking
"I know of your gift Sookie. I want to use your gift for my personal use and want to offer you room and board and a salary of $150, 000.00 a year. I want you to live here. Once we become more acquainted with each other we could possibly.....well that is beside the point for now. "
I looked to the left and right, nope no doors. There are the doors the Queen came through and the set I came through. I know what is on the other side of the doors I came in so that is not a possibility and I have no clue where the other two doors lead to. Wait. Did she just say $150k? Holy crap that's a lot of money! Well there is not any amount of money that would keep me here as a vampires slave. I know she is faster than I am and she will be able to stop me before my third step. Kill her with kindness Sook, that always works!
"I appreciate your kindness and the wonderful offer however I have a wonderful job and really enjoy my life the way it is right now. I graciously would like to decline your offer, Queen Sophie Ann."
She rolled her eyes and looked a little pissed. "Are you sure? I can be very persuasive if I am pressured."
Shit! What or who does she has that is important to me. She's got leverage........."
"What are you implying, Sophie Anne"
"You have a brother, do you not?"
Dumbass! "Yes I do".
"Blond, handsome, fucks anything with a heartbeat? Is this your brother?"
Ding, Ding, Ding! What have they done to him? "Look he has not done anything wrong and he is a good guy (liar, liar) please leave him out of this."
"If I choose to leave him alone, you must agree to the terms I offered and you must do so now"
"Okay, Okay, just please leave him alone and I will do whatever you want".
She rises from her chair making her way back to the doors. "I will have a guards arrange a time for you to go home tomorrow and gather your belongings. I have had an envelope placed in your room. Its contents will provide you with your employment contract, rules of your stay at my compound and some spending money for any items you may need before you receive your first payment. You will be escorted to your room immediately. I shall see you tomorrow when the sun sets. Until then......"
As the Queen left through the mysterious double doors my head began to spin. Why? Why me? This disability is going to be the death of me. Vampires and their need to possess people is beyond my comprehension. Oh Jason, I hope he stays out of trouble. And Sam, how will I explain this him? Will she let me call him or anyone for that matter? I wonder how long I will be gone before anyone notices. This was the one weekend I had off for this month. It would at least be Tuesday before Sam thinks something is going on.
I was pulled from thoughts as a very large man came walking towards me. He was so tall he barely fit under the doors. He had dark skin and a shiny bald head. His eyes were a shade of purple I had never seen before. I dropped my shields as he made his way across the room. I was able to pick up tid-bits of an image but I was not really sure what it was, it was fuzzy but a random word or thought would come through to the front of his thoughts. As he approached me he began starring at me. He pulled out of his own thoughts and introduced himself.
"I am Quinn. I will be your personal guard during your stay at the compound. I will escort you to your room."
Heck, I may be mad but I need as many people on my side I can get. This man was clearly no vampire. His mind was somewhat like Sam's so I pasted on my nicest smile and replied..
"Nice to meet you, I am Sookie Stackhouse.
Quinn turned on his heel and replied "follow me".
We walked through several doors and a few hallways before coming to an elevator. Quinn pressed the "Up" button and proceeded with more information.
"You will be on third floor of the compound. This is where all humans visiting or living here reside. There are currently 2 other humans staying in these quarters under the Queens employement. You will meet them both in the morning."
I began thinking about my new roomies, who where they? Did they have "gifts" as well? Did they enjoy it here or were they also forced by the Queen threatening someone they loved, too? Will they speak to me? There is so much going through my mind right now; I just want to lie down.
The elevators door open, Quinn ushers me in, inserts a key into the elevator and presses number 3. "Your floor is locked and guarded at all times. You are allowed to roam the third floor as you please except after curfew. You must use the intercom on the wall near your door to request a guard as an escort. He will come to you and escort to any other location on the compound."
"So, I will I be treated like a prisoner the entire time I am here?"
"Yes and no. Once you and the Queen begin to build a trust she will be more lenient on you but that will take some time. I suggest you get used to the idea of being here and making the best out of the situation. It will only suit you later down line."
Well screw you buddy! "Well that is easy for you to say, you're not a prisoner!"
He looked at me with fire in his eyes and responded "You have no idea! I have been serving the Queen for 4 years and have another 10 before I will be released. So, do not speak of what you do not know!"
Well shit, so much for making a buddy. "Uh-Sorry, it was wrong for me to assume."
As we walked off of the elevator we were standing in a long hallway. There were several chaise loungers and chairs lined up on the walls, beautiful sconces on the wall hanging over heavy white and red wallpaper. There were several doors on each side of the hallway. Quinn brought me to the first door on the left, turned a key and opened the door. I walked through the door and was about turn to Quinn, when the door was slammed shut. I heard his feet walk down the hallway so I walked to the door and pulled on the handle……crap! Locked from the outside!
I turned back to room and let my eyes take in my new living situation. The room was lit nicely. The walls were covered in the same heavy wallpaper in the hallway. There is wall painted in a vibrant red color. There was a flat screen television on one wall and on the wall next to that was a fire place. It was one of the fancy ones with fake wood. I looked around the wall to find the switch and found it behind a plant. I hit the switch and fireplace lit right up! I look around and see two couches in white with a beautiful wood table in between them. I touch the fabric on the couches as I walk through the living area to a small but functional kitchen. There is a small bistro table with two chairs made of iron sitting in the kitchen. There is a refrigerator, microwave, oven and 2 burner stove. "Not bad." I walk to the fridge and open it. To my surprise there is fruit, vegetables, sodas, milk, eggs and bread. I fish a peach out of the fridge and go through a door to find my bedroom. The bed was what I first noticed. It was a large four poster bed that had a beautifully carved headboard and footboard. The sheets are a cranberry color and there is a step stool next to the bed in the same wood as the bed. I turn right into the bathroom and see the biggest bathroom I have ever seen. The bathtub was a whirlpool with jets strategically places. There is also a stand up shower next to the tub, toilet and a several cabinets. I begin to open the cabinets and find all of the essentials, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrush, razors and some other necessities. I back out of the bathroom and turn back to the bed.
As the queen promised I see the envelope sitting on the nightstand. I walk over, climb up the steps and sit on the bed. I turned the envelope upside down and let everything fall out. There was a unusual device with a BMW logo in the middle, a bunch of papers stapled together which I assumed was the employee contract and a stack twenties. There was a little book which had no lettering on the outside. I looked inside and saw the "Human Rules" section and sighed under my breath. So, I have a stack of cash, BMW thingy, pretty cool little apartment inside of a mansion or compound. I like the mansion idea better. It seems a little more inviting. Maybe this might not be so bad after all. I laid back on the pillows and let the events of the evening go through my mind. I shut my eyes and began to doze off.
The next morning I rolled off of my bed and busted my butt on the floor. I temporarily had forgotten where I was and forgot how big that damn bed was. "Ouch!" I stood up rubbing my left butt cheek and decided to get some breakfast. I pulled out all of the breakfast items from the fridge and began cooking my breakfast. I started the coffee pot and stood and stared out the window in the living room. "Mmmm, I don't' remember seeing that last night, I bet I can get that open." Once I was done I jumped in the shower. I got out and walked around in a towel for a while fishing around in the drawers for something to wear. I found a drawer full of underwear, socks and bras. All my size………how long have they been watching me?
"Ugh, Bill that son of a bitch. If I see him ever again I am going to stake his ass."
I went to the closet and to my surprise (NOT!) I find more clothes hanging that are my size, as well. I find a pair of blue jeans with a white turtleneck sweater. I slide the clothes on; grab a pair of brown boots from the closet. After I dressed I put my hair in a pony and decided I would go discovering on the 3rd floor.
I walk to the intercom by the front door and hit the talk button. "This is Sookie and I would like to go into the hallway and the door is locked from the outside………." I wait for a response and instead hear the lock on the door give way. I pull the handle, open the door and step into the hallway. No one is there. How did they do that?
I turn to the right and began walking down the hallway. I hear another door opening and look up to see a very cute little brunette sliding out of a room. She looks up at me, skipping towards mewith a bright smile and introduces herself.
"Hi, I am Amelia, but you can call me Ames."
Hi, to you too! I am Sookie and well you can call me Sookie".
Ames looks at me oddly for a moment, tilts her head and closes her eyes. She smiles even wider takes a deep breath, opens her eyes. "I love your energy, it's warm with beautiful swirls of purple and green."
"Okay, what are you talking about?"
"I am talking about you silly. You have a great energy about you. You and I will be great friends! I am witch and we have a sense about these types of things, you know?"
"What? You are a witch? Like you wear a pointy black hat and ride a broom stick and …….?"
She interrupted before I could further. "No. That's a Halloween witch, I am the real thing and you should watch how you talk about me or I will turn you into a cat! Not really, but I can if I want to."
"I am sorry Ames I just didn't know that witches were real. I always thought that they were a tale of some kind. Please, I don't want to start off on a bad foot, let's start over, okay?"
"No need my telepathic friend, I already told you I like your energy."
I was shocked, how did she know I was telepathic? Word must travel fast in the compound but the good news is I am not the only freak here.
"How did you know that?"
"I know everything that goes on around here. You know a girl can get lonely in this place, so I hang out with the guards, give them favors and they tell me things. You know when a man is sated he'll practically tell you anything."
I know I was blushing, I could feel the heat rising in my face. Sex was not a comfortable subject for me since…. well I had never had sex or even had been with anyone in an intimate way. I was a freak and could hear their thoughts and that was enough for me to not want to get close to anyone. Ames started walking towards another door with her hands swaying in the air, doing a random spin every other stride. I thought I was unusual! She walked up to one of the doors on the right side of the hallway and knocked.
"Octavia, wake up sleepy head! I know that you can hear me. We have a newbie here and I want you to meet her. Her energy is quite incredible. Once you get out of bed come to my room."
She turned looked at me straightened out her arm and pulled my hand into hers. "Come on Sookie, come to my room with me to chat.".
I followed her into her room. It was the exact same model like mine. Ames had more personal belongings than I did. I scooted into her apartment and sat on one of her living room couches. She walked towards her kitchen and asked if I had eaten breakfast. "Yes, I made bacon and eggs earlier.". I looked around her living room and saw several books. They all looked very old and some of the covers were in writing unfamiliar to me. I reached out and touched a large leather bound black book. The edges of the pages were black and the front of the book had a foiled symbol on it. The symbol was a star with a circle surrounding it. Just as I was about to open the book Ames walked in, "Interesting, huh?".
I looked up at at her, "What is this book?"
She came over and sat on the couch. "It's an ancient witchcraft book. I look in there for spells and use it to perfect my skills". Just as I was about to put the book down, an African American women walked through the front door. She had long gray and black hair and it was impossible for me tell how old she was. She walked up to Ames and I and shut her eyes. She tilted her back much like Amelia had done earlier. She smiled widely, brought her head down to look me in the face and said "you're right Ames, I see purple and green." She walked up to me, patted my knee "It's nice to meet you, I am Octavia and Ames's mentor". I returned the gesture and introduced myself.
Ames and I began talking about how I got here and what happened during my meeting with the Queen last night. Octavia was drinking coffee and listening intently and chiming in ever so often. Neither of the witches knew who Bill Compton was but they did know I would be arriving at the compound. Ames started talking about her and Octavias stay. Apparently the Queen used the witches for spells and to keep other supernatural beings away. They had both been living there for 2 years and surprisingly were there on their own free will.
Ames started going through the rules of the house. I found out that once I was permitted to leave the compound I would have a bodyguard at all times (Ames had threw in that all the guards were ware's which was explained to me as well). I would have to wear a tracking device on my wrist that was impossible to remove and that no matter what, my curfew was 12 midnight. I was not allowed to have visitors inside of the compound. I could speak to family and friends as I wanted and I would probably be given a cell phone in the next day or two. This was a lot to absorb at once so I would take it in strides. While we all spoke about family, friends and jobs outside of the compound Quinn arrived in Ames's room. He walked in unannounced and walked over to living room.
"Sookie, are you ready to go to your home to collect your belongings?"
I stood and said my goodbyes to Ames and Octavia and exited the room. I stopped at my room to grab my purse, the cash, BMW device and stopped in the restroom to freshen up before we left to Bon Temps. I didn't even know where I was or how long it would take to get back so I wanted to make sure I was prepared for a long trip. Quinn and I walked to the elevator and made our way down to the 1st floor. We walked out the double doors, through another set of double doors and made our way to the front of the mansion. The sun was shining and I could smell fall in the air. It was a crisp afternoon and I silently patted myself on the back for wearing a turtleneck. Quinn turned and looked at me, "Do you have your car keys?" I looked at him trying to figure out what he was talking about and then remembered the BMW device in the envelope. I opened my purse and pulled it out with a grin. "Can I drive?"
Quinn eyed me for a second "Why not, it's your car!" He walked to the passenger side of a solid black BMW.. I had no idea what model it was but it was the nicest car I have ever seen! I ran to the driver's side, hopped in and looked for the ignition. Quinn smiles and turns to me, "Sookie there's no key. It's a remote that sends a signal to the car to turn on. He reached across the console and hit a black button on the dashboard, the car purred to life. I smiled and looked back at him, "What model is this car?".
"It's a BMW 650i coupe.. It's a great car, pretty sweet if you ask me."
I adjusted the mirrors, looked over at Quinn, "Well lets see how it drives!" and off I went.
Quinn showed me how to use the navigation so the drive was easy and I was no longer concerned with getting lost. I also realized from the GPS that we were in New Orleans. I turned on the radio and sang the whole way to Bon Temps. Quinn would smile at me every now and then and bop his head to a tune.
We arrived at my house around 2 in the after noon. We walked in and everything looked exactly the same as I had left it. I offered Quinn a drink, which he declined. He followed me into to my bedroom. I turned to look at him, "Um, are you going to watch me the entire time?"
He looked at me "Yes, it is my duty. Sookie, you must understand, if something happens to you under my watch I will be punished severely and possibly meet my own death. I cannot take this chance. I will do my best to stay invisible but please allow me to do my job."
I could not help but feel sorry for him. He was in the same position as I was. I looked at him trying to hold back the tears. "I understand Quinn."
I went to my closet and began grabbing clothes. I knew that since I had a new job and a lot larger salary I would be able to afford nicer clothes so I made sure to only pack things that would last a week. I could order more clothes online or request the Queen allow me to go shopping, with Quinn of course. I took some of my favorite pictures and books to make my apartment feel more like home. I packed my entire bathroom excluding towels. I walked around the house into each room finding my favorite things and putting them inside my overstuffed duffle bag. I had two full suitcases and a duffle bag full of random things before I was done.
When I was done packing I asked Quinn if I could make a few calls. He hesitated but after a brief moment said "Yes." We walked back to the kitchen and I pulled the receiver from the wall. I called Sam first.
"Hello, Sam?" Yes, Sam everything is okay. I was just calling to let you know that I was offered a new job last night and I accepted. It was an offer I could not refuse, so I took it and well……. I am quitting. Sam began questioning me, "Who is the job with? Where is this job? Sookie, this is not like you, is everything okay, cher? I was trying to give him as little information as possible. I did not want him freaking out and attempt to come to my rescue. I tried to make the break short and sweet but of course he knew something was up. "Look Sam, I will tell you more soon, I promise. I will call you again in a few days. I promise everything is okay and I will see you soon." Sam began to protest again so I told him I had to go and hung on him mid sentence.
I looked up at Quinn who was starring out the window. He was not moving and I saw his face free from emotion. Something told me that he was not supposed to let me do this but I think that he probably had to make calls like this 4 years ago, when the Queen demanded his service. I made my second and last phone call. Jason. I dialed the number hoping he would not pick up so I could leave a message. My prayers were answered! "Jason, hey it's me, Sook. Look I took a job in New Orleans and am moving out of Gran's house for a few months. I need you to come check the mail and make sure the house is kept up. I will call you soon to give you more information. I love you, Bye."
I stood up and was clearly blubbering at this point. I starred at my hands and somehow wished I could pinch myself and wake up. As soon as I thought I was going to loose all of my self control, I was enveloped in a pair of large arms. "Quinn".
"Sookie, it gets easier. You will get through this. You have done better than any other human in this situation and trust me I have seen the Queen use many humans. Most of them cried for weeks, refused to eat and some even threatened suicide. You are a strong woman Sookie, I know you can do it. Please we must go now."
I walked to the door as Quinn grabbed my bags. I said a silent prayer, kissed my fingers and laid it on a picture of Gran, Tara and I. I locked the door and turned to walk down the porch. I got in the drivers side of the car. I looked at Quinn, smiled the best smile I could. "Thank you."
We made our way back to my new life. I hope that I can adjust quickly and the Queen can learn to trust me so that I can come back to see my friends, soon.