Ill take care of you (Lily)

[Ali Ambrose]

A loud stream of curses was coming from a small alley somewhere in the streets of Hollywood. It was dark, with no light reflecting what was lurking in the darkness. And the streets around this alley seemed deserted. If they werent, then people were to rude to check and see if there was anything wrong. Then again, maybe they were scared to see what was wrong. If there was someone murdering another person, why would any sane person want to interfere? Right? Well the one who was making all the commotion obviously didnt know that rule. Or more or less, piece of advice. She did what she had thought at the time was the right thing to do. And even now she couldnt bring herself to regret it. Even as she flailed around, trying to break free from the restraints that held her. Trying to get away from the scene that was about to unfold here in front of her. She wasnt the only one lurking in that alley.

The little vampire with her long dark hair and wide, frightened, dark brown eyes was watching four large men walk around her. One was a vampire. The leader. And Ali wasnt so sure she could take all of them on as well as a vampire. No doubt he would protect his human companions. The ones that could be taken out easily. As they sauntered forward, she tugged at the handcuffs that the vampire had snapped on to her wrists and was keeping her connected to a pole that was attached to the side of the building. Sure she could pull it out, but the building would come crashing down. And the bastard was playing on her compassion about not wanting anything to happen to innocent people. So she was stuck. Remembering back to how this happened she was stunned that they had gotten the better hand. She had just been helping a girl that was their first victim. When the human was gone, they had turned on her and then now here she was.

'Oh Vic is going to kill me if he finds out about this.' She thought to herself with a small grumble. But then the vampire male came up to her and took her cheek in his hand. "My my. You are a pretty thing arent you." She didnt think he deserved a response. But he just laughed at her silence and then slapped her across the face, making blood appear as he split her upper lip. With a small chuckle she licked up the blood and let her anger take over. She had been backhanded only once before. And by the only man that would ever slap her. With a snarl, her eyes turned bright red and she kicked out, catching the male in a sensitive place. She then twisted so the chains would push against each other and the cuffs broke off. Rubbing her wrists she looked at all of them. "So who's next?" She said with a grin, the demon side taking over. They gave each other glances and then scattered like scared sheep.

But nothing could out run a vampire. Especially not one on a blood rampage. She was there in front of them in a flash and folded her arms in a cute way that made her innocent looking face more beautiful. "You know. I never got it when people run from us. You have no chance. So why not take your death while fighting?" And that was all she said to them before she let another dark chuckle rumble up her throat and she saw red.....

-An hour later-

Ali opened her dark brown hues gently and groaned. Her head was killing her and she didnt know what was going on. Why she felt soaked through to the bone. And covered with something. As she sat up though, she wanted to scream in horror. She was covered in blood. Human blood. And the humans and the vampire were scattered around her in a circle. Almost as if they hadnt fought her at all and just stood in a nice little ring waiting for th execution. But she was horrified with herself. How could she do that? How could she?! A small strangled sob left her throat and she got up in a hurry. She then darted out of that alley and pulled her coat closer to her even though the blood was clear on her skin and clothes. It matted up her hair and stuck to her pale cheek and long lashes. She would need to wash it off. Wash away another killing. Something she didnt want. Something the monster had done. For the rest of her life, would she be cleaning up the monsters mess?

Or was this really who she was? Was she the monster? Did she need to find a werewolf and have them kill her? Or maybe just give herself over to Sevanni. She didnt know, but walking down the street with her head bent low, she was panicked and scared. And she didnt know what to do.

[lilly]

She was looking for a place to sleep that night. She had gotten lucky last night and had found a motel room that had been left open, and had enjoyed a night of sleeping in a bed and taking a shower. However, the cleaning lady came in extra early that morning and found Lilly sleeping in the bed, sound asleep. She had tried to keep her there, tried to call Child Services... Lilly had gotten out of there as fast as she could. Tonight, there was no such luck, and her stomach rumbled it's displeasure at not having anything to fill it for nearly three days now. She had gotten some food from a hot dog vendor while in her wolf form, the man thinking she was a stray puppy. Well, let him think whatever he wants, she didn't care, so long as she got the food... And humans seemed to be more inclined to help a canine than a little girl.

No, all they wanted to do when they found her was throw her into some orphanage until someone would take her into foster care... She had been down that road once, and she would not be put back in that situation again. That was how she had become like she was... That was why she wasn't a normal little girl, but a lycan. That was how she got the long, ugly scar down her right forearm.

Her stomach growled loudly and she glared down at it, pressing her hand to her stomach. "I know that I'm hungry, I don't need a reminder, thank you very much." Even though she looked much cleaner since having a shower the night before, she still looked pitiful, and that was putting it nicely. Her clothes were torn in several places, dirt and grime smeared on the clothes to make the color nearly unrecognizable. She hated this life, but she would not let Child Services take her away again and put her in a home with some man who would beat her and his wife. She would rather die on the streets of California then let that happen.

Lilly turned the corner and stopped dead in her tracks, her heart suddenly kicking into over drive and thudding so loud in her chest even she could hear it. A woman was walking toward her, but not just any woman... She could smell the scent on her, and it was neither human nor lycan, but vampire. And she could see well enough in the dark, even through human eyes, to see that she was covered in blood, the coppery smell making her slightly nauseous. What if the vampire wasn't full? What if she was still hungry? Lilly could turn into a wolf, but what good would that do? She was no bigger than a puppy in that form, no where near big enough to fight off a vampire.

Lilly stared at the vampire for a long moment, her large blue eyes wide with fear as she raked her brain for something to do, some way to protect herself. There was only one thing that she could think of, and she reacted on instinct, turning on her heel and taking off running. When she came to the corner, however, her klutziness kicked in and she slipped, falling on her side and skinning her shin. She hissed in pain, her eyes watering for a second before she turned around and tried to scoot away from the vampire, her leg throbbing slightly in pain. Lilly you stupid, stupid idiot! A vampire is near you, and you go and skin yourself! Are you ASKING to die?! She whimpered slightly, slowly scooting backward. If she had to, she could shift and find someplace small that she could fit into that the vampire couldn't. She had her fair share of experiences with vampires, and none of them were good. She wasn't expecting this one to be any different.

[Ali Ambrose]

Ali was taking in a few long deep breaths. That always seemed to help whenever this happened. And she was disappointed to say it had happened a lot more often for some reason. Maybe because it was all the stress that was being piled on to her plate. Everything she had to deal with and handle and fix and everyone she had to protect. She could only do so much. But she had never known a limit point and would always overwork herself. Try to take care of everyone else before herself. And so the monster inside got stronger and was able to go against her defenses. But she was shoving it back, forcing it to go away. The only clue of her struggle though as she walked was her slightly gritted teeth and her eyes flashing from red back to a chocolate brown. The chocolate brown was the safe color. Her eye color. The red would come around when she was either really thirsty, lustful, in danger, or the monster took over.

Today was not her lucky night. It was the last reason that had happened and she couldnt do anything about it now. Even though she desperately wanted to roll back time and fix what she had done. But there was no going back. Only forward. So she trudged along, finally gaining control back of herself with a small sigh. But for how long would the monster stay away. It was blood hungry and the craving was strong. When the male had slapped her, it had set her off. Made her blood boil beyond reason and thats why the monster surfaced. It was the rage. Her blasted temper. She needed to learn to rein that in or she would be on the most wanted list. Not that they would ever find her of course. She would be well hidden at night, slipping through shadows and seeming to have all but disappeared from the face of the earth. To Ali, she thought herself plain, and no plain person ever stood out in a crowd.

As she rounded the corner though, she picked up a scent that had a small familiarity in it. Not the person herself, but the species. It was a werewolf. But a very young one. And she could tell that she was heading her way. What would the young girl do? Maybe this was the werewolf that could beat some sense into her? Beat her senseless and leave her out for the sun. How ever, when she lifted her head and saw the young girl, far younger then she thought, she tilted her head and looked at her sadly. Fear was rolling off of her in waves and she could only imagine what was going through the girls mind. Crazy vampire probably wasnt far off the mark. When she turned and bolted, she parted her lips to try and tell her she wouldnt hurt her, but stopped herself. What was the use? Words were empty unless proven trustworthy. And this girl didnt know her. Turning her back, she only realized the lycan pup had fallen because she could smell the blood.

She turned back slowly and glanced at her over her shoulder and then her maternal instinct kicked in. The one that couldnt stand to see others hurt. In vampire speed she was by the girls side and offering her hand. "Are you all right? Im sorry if I startled you. I look a little frightening tonight. Normally Im well groomed." She tried teasing and smiled gently at the girl, keeping her hand there in case she wanted some help. But she would understand if she didnt. "Im not going to hurt you. I promise." And her eyes were trustworthy. She wasnt going to harm this girl. Not at all.

[lilly]

Lilly curled her leg up tight to her chest, pressing both palms to the shredded skin. When she fell, she had skinned her shin bad enough to make it bleed. How could this have happened? How could she have let herself fall and make herself bleed with a vampire around? The last experience she had with a vampire, she had barely escaped with her life. He had went to feed from her, and she had shifted and darted off, hiding out of his reach between two buildings that were extremely close together. That had been the only thing that had saved her from being dinner.

For a second, she thought that she was safe, the woman vampire had turned around and started to walk in the other direction. Before the sigh of relief could even escape her lips, the vampire had turned around, apparently smelling the blood on her. In the next instant, the vampire was gone and crouching beside her. Lilly didn't even give her time to talk, but whimpered, hiding her face against her knees, her tiny body shaking violently. "Please don't kill me!" The words came out in a childlike plea, pitched low so as not to draw attention, but loud enough for the woman to hear her.

Are you all right? Im sorry if I startled you. I look a little frightening tonight. Normally Im well groomed. Im not going to hurt you. I promise. Lilly stopped shaking, going perfectly still instead. She glanced up at the woman, seeing her hand extended to her. Her blue eyes stared at the woman's hand, then looked up at her chocolate brown eyes, seeing kindness and honesty there. Just a need to help.

Vampires could be deceiving... Should she trust this woman? If Lilly placed her hand in the vampire's, would the woman help her, or would she pull Lillith into the jaws of death itself? Growing up on the streets, Lilly had learned to be suspicious of people... Especially vampires and men. Slowly, tentatively, she placed her small hand in the woman's, silently praying that she wasn't making a wrong choice.

[Ali Ambrose]

Ali always believed that there was some instinct in every girl that was maternal in a way. It may not show itself in the early years but it would show up eventually. For her, she may look fifteen but she was older then she appeared. And she had that same instinct. She wanted to help people, make sure they were safe and of course she loved kids. She acted like on herself at times, but she adored them. And since she was a vampire, she couldnt have kids. It wasnt possible. Helping them and caring for them was all she could manage.

So it was no surprise that when this wolf pup skinned herself she didnt want the blood but to help this girl. She had enough of blood for tonight and she would never in her right mind hurt a child. If she ever hurt an innocent thing such as a child, she would be ashamed of herself. She would ask for someone to kill her right on the spot. Children were not like the men in this world. So those who hurt children deserved what came to them. But even if they deserved it, she didnt like killing people. Thats why she held off feeding for as long as she could. And she went to blood banks when she really needed it.

As she stood there, bending down slightly by the girl she was saddened by her little plea. For her not to kill her. The poor thing must have been so afraid of her. And she would have no way of knowing she wouldnt actually hurt her. That there was only kindness in her gesture and that the blood all over her wasnt what she was like. That she had snapped at a moment that she shouldnt have. But even the monster side of her would not hurt a child. Watching the girl she kept herself from crying. "Im not going to kill you. Im not going to hurt you. I promise." She told her softly and in a calming voice.

But she also knew that words were in vein. Unless you could prove them people could think of them as a lie. And it was hard to believe something else when you were this afraid. The pup must have had some bad experiences with her kind to be so afraid. And of course, living on the street didnt help. You had to be cunning and quick and be able to figure out who was cheating you and who meant you harm. She remembered her own days when she had been on the street. Alone, frightened. No one to help her. No one had offered help and guidance to her. Not a scrap of help. Helping this girl was the least she could do.

When she placed her small hand in her own, a small smile formed on her lips and she helped the girl up gently. She knew that skinned shin would hurt for a bit. She needed some help and something to eat. She was skin and bones. Probably hadnt eaten anything in a long time. Hopefully the girl would trust her a little bit. "Im sorry once again for scaring you. Im not normally like this. Honest." She crossed her heart teasingly and then looked around, letting her hand go. If she wanted to run she could. She wouldnt mind. But she would be sad that she couldnt help further.

"You must be hungry. There is a little restaurant around the corner. I can pay to get you something to eat if you would like. Its really no problem. And if you need a place to stay for the night, I have an extra bed in my room. Not being used." The offer was made and thats all she could really do. It was up to the girl if she accepted or not. "Im Ali by the way. Ali Ambrose."