The Holly and The Ivy

A/N: I apologize for the utter SHORTNESS of the last chapter. I simply couldn't think of anything more to write!

A soft, barely audible groan greeted the man as he slowly pushed the heavy wooden door leading from the basement and back onto the main floor open. He frowned, immediately closing the distance between the again unconscious girl and himself. Kneeling down, he effortlessly picked her up, carrying her back to the guest room she had started in, and with a sigh and a shake of his head, he set her back down, covering a clammy-skinned Clara with the heavy comforter.

He would then pace back and forth a few times before leaving and making his way to the kitchen. His footsteps seemed so hollow tonight.. yet carried so far. It seemed each step echoed beyond the reaches of eternity. In fact, every sound was like an explosion to his frayed nerves. He knew the villagers would come for her soon.. how long did the two of them safely have? And when they did come, who would she choose?

His thoughts could not leave the girl, no matter how hard he tried. More pacing finally convinced him to look around, and before he knew it, he was cooking, having even run out to the garden to gather some herbs and vegetables to make a fresh tomato basil soup for two. A quick inventory of the pantry even yielded some bread to dip. As the soup came along, he found himself slowly feeling better, even catching himself humming from time to time. He would glance around then, remembering that no one was here but her, and she would again not be awake for a while. The thought of being worried that he would be heard made him chuckle softly. After all, it wasn't the worst thing that could happen.

Finally, the soup was made, poured into two bowls with spoons set to one side and half a loaf of bread on the other. He moved out of the kitchen and began to head back to the guest room, but realized about halfway there that there was no light. Last thing he wanted was for his guest to be stumbling around blind in strange surroundings with an animalistic murderer; so with a minor detour, he had all the candles she could see lit, and it was back to the lion's den for him. He gently knocked on the doorframe. No answer.

Opening the door once again, he was greeted with the sight of an empty bed. Before the shock could set in, however, he noticed her laying on the ground instead. By the state of the bed sheets, it looked as if she had tried to get out of bed and passed back out after a few steps. Part of the sheet was still hooked around her foot. He reached out, gently shaking her shoulder.
"Lavender. Wake up."

He smiled, almost affectionately, at the cute little unintelligible grumble followed by a yawn and sat back on his heels, waiting for her to wake up enough that he could talk to her. He was rewarded by a palm darting out towards his face, particularly his nose, and jumped back quickly.

"YOU! YOU'RE THE ONE THAT DID THIS!!"

The smile quickly faded. Coherence came far too quickly for this one.

"Lavender."

"The name's Clara you fucking jerk! How -dare you-! You killed all my friends, didn't you?! It was you!"

"Clara... Clara please.. cal--" interrupted by another attempted blow, this time a punch, but still aimed at his face. He caught this one, deflecting it and grabbing her wrist lightly.

"Clara. Stop. You will hurt yourself if you do not. "

She screamed something about not caring, foot sailing towards his stomach, and with a low growl, he shoved it out of the way. With the moment she was caught off-balance, he slammed her against the wall, pinning her there with his body.

"If you will not any other time, that is fine. But you must listen this once. Your mind has taken a severe blow, from both the events that have happened and from our constant dream-sharing. You have to -calm down-. Or you may end up in a coma. Understand?"

Tears came to her eyes, those beautiful lavender orbs, and he could not help but reach up to wipe them away. At least she was still now, even if he had to force her. She nodded.

"Yes, I was the one that killed your friends. Later, I may tell you why, but for now, and even then, there is no excuse for the anguish I have caused you. However, there are things you have to know now. Listen closely, for we have very little time. Since you have answered my subconscious calls and entered this mansion, you can never go back home. The villagers will kill you on sight."

He stopped, seeing the shock and horror on her face and moved off her a little. She still did not move.

"According to them you are a witch. You have entered into a world of darkness, where the moon's faint light is the only truth and reprieve. You associate with monsters, with demons. To them, you are unredeemable, an eyesore that must now be cleansed from this world. I am sorry this has happened to you, truly I am. I swear to you, I will make the transition as painless as possible. Every night will not be like last night--though I cannot guarantee there will not be nights like those ever again."

A sigh and he moved away more. Numbness now. Unfortunately, that was best for the moment. The girl had needs, and she would not take care of them in the previous state.

"Come now Clara, you need to eat. I do not know if you can smell it from here--forgive me, but I never can remember just how sensitive humans' noses are--but I have made you something. I remember it from the flashes of information I saw while we were sharing. It is one of your favorites, and something I hope will bring your spirits up, if only a fraction."

His hand extended and she took it without a thought, allowing him to lead her to the table. After he pulled her chair out for her, she sat down. He waited, but nothing more happened until he took her spoon off the table, handing it to her with a soft command.

"Eat, for without it, there is no strength to move on."

She frowned, but obeyed. For the first few bites, the only sounds were of the spoon being dipped into the bowl and her quiet sips. Then came the predictable, yet un-hoped for tears. He wrapped his arms around her as she tossed her spoon down on the table, turning into him and breaking down into bitter sobs.

"Why.. why did you spare me... and kill them...?"

"Because... You are my light. Had it been anyone but you, all would have died... If I had been aware enough to know they were friends... I would not have killed them either... But what is done, is done. I cannot bring them back, nor can you. I am sorry, but you know as well as I, that is the truth."

"I want to go home..."

"I know. In time though, you will realize this is your home. Not here, perhaps... but there will be a home for you in your new world. I promise you. Now eat, please, Clara. Then we will prepare to leave."

The words of protest died on her lips when she heard a loud bang on the door. The impact was enough to shake the cupboards and even the building around them. Chayne cursed softly, moving away from her.

"Seems the villagers are faster to riot than even I thought... Quickly; come with me!"

Irony that he would have such a similar look to what she had when she first woke up. The only difference was instead of fear, she could see a desire to fight in his eyes. To stay here, she knew, would be death. She shivered, but stood, letting him lead her further into his hell.