Immortelle

Chapter One

Outside the hospital foyer windows the storm continued its tirade against the city, shredding trees and stopping traffic. Savoring the last few mouthfuls of coffee Trinity watched night falling over the turmoil, exhausted. Twelve hours without a single break, paramedics bringing everything from fractured bones to victims of serious car accidents into the ER. Even now lingering was risky. Red and blue flashing lights passed the door. Another ambulance. That was her cue. Tossing the empty cup into the bin Trinity wrapped her grey wool coat tighter, dipped her head and strode out into the storm.

Instantly indistinguishable from every other soul; it was peak hour and the sidewalk was swamped. Trapped amid the confusion along the narrow tram platform, frantic people were still trying to force their way onto the overcrowded north bound carriage, while agitated faces pressed against misting windows peered back out. The tram doors closed to a collective groan and Trinity stepped to the front of the cleared platform, her toes nudging the muddy yellow line.

Pulling the small paper fare from her pocket, Trinity flicked her wrist to check the time just as a fierce gust of wind howled down the platform, snatching the ticket from her grip and lifting it high above the heads of the milling crowd. Cursing silently Trinity tried not to lose sight of it. Stranded without the fare, her purse contained nothing but some old receipts and a recently expired gift card.

Pushing through flapping coat tails, Trinity weaved her way past shivering bodies, the wind’s momentum setting a hectic pace. Caught up in the swell of scurrying foot traffic, the ticket danced, her fingers closing around air until, with a final surge, it disappeared down a dingy alleyway. Trinity paused, reluctant to follow it. Blotted afternoon light barely penetrated the towering canopy of the buildings high overhead, and only a single yellow light flickered weakly above one of the scratched metal-plate doors, too dull to attract a single moth.

The hustle of the city seemed so far away she might have stepped through the wardrobe and out into Narnia. Only there was nothing magical about this place and not a single soul in sight. Even the wind avoided the pathetic cove of backdoors and flip-top dumpsters, while the rancid smell of stale water rose from beneath steely grates lodged into the bluestone walk.

Barely visible glued to the edge of a muddy puddle, the ticket fluttered like the wing of a captive butterfly. She snatched it up as sharp cannon fire of thunder boomed overhead in celestial applause. Startled, Trinity clutched her hands to her hammering heart.

That was when she saw him.

A pebble stuttered from beneath the rubber sole of his boot, a broad shouldered silhouette. Fear pounded her ears as adrenalin hit her bloodstream, knife-edged fingers trawling her spine contradicting any hope the shadow man might simply pass her by.

Then he spoke. Hello my pretty, pretty, pretty. Malicious. Lilting. Lethal.

The singsong timbre of his voice swept chills through Trinity’s thick wool coat. Outlined by a dim halo of yellow light the darkness favoured him, concealing his face. With only a few steps remaining between them she rolled onto her toes. It was now or never. Pivoting sharply on the balls of her feet, Trinity turned to run, only to find another two shadow men standing guard behind her.

Caught, she swung her arms in manic circles, pushing against the force of her forward thrust to stop from falling headlong into them. Shoulder to shoulder the human shaped barrier blocked her way. One in front. Two behind. Her thoughts scattered as the scent of danger wiped clean all but one acute pain, the type that doesn’t come from weapons or fists, but rather the pain of knowing.

Her shallow breath was the only sound amongst them, the laneway silent as a tomb. Her tomb. Fear stole its strength but the tremor was obvious enough in her voiceless whisper. What do you want?

The three laughed in unison, a soft, venomous hiss. Steam rose from Trinity’s mouth as she exhaled sharply, her body tensing as splinters of terror pierced a line the length of her spine.

What do we want? The one in front of her rasped, always the same question. What do we want? What do we want? What could we want my pretty, pretty, pretty, hey?

Trinity cringed as without a word passing between them the shadow men took a collective step closer, closing round her on every side. Curling in on herself Trinity huddled low, rolling her shoulders forward and sinking into her knees. But it was useless. Try as she might she could not disappear.

You have no reason to fear, the shadow man uttered huskily, as though speaking required great effort. It will be over soon.

Over. 

Shock forced her to her knees. With a single word the curtain of disbelief had been snatched away exposing to her the terrifying truth. There could be no mistaking their intention now.

Over.

Barely twenty-one years old. Memories raced through her mind like fluttering pages being released beneath a thumb, one on top of the other. Happy memories, sad memories, all of her hopes and dreams; who she was and who she might have been. Her life was going to end in this putrid laneway, and for absolutely no reason at all.

Lifting her face heavenward in final, wordless prayer Trinity searched the sky for a sliver of light, something bright to latch on to in her final moments of darkness. A jagged streak of lightning tore across the churning confusion of storm clouds. Not the reassurance she had been looking for. Abandoned. Isolated. Angry. Anyone could have happened down this laneway and if not for that one avoidable mistake she would have been spared. Squeezing her eyes shut she braced for the ensuing blow.

Then a mighty gust of wind tore past, thrusting her forward onto her hands and knees. Blinking in confusion as thick-soled boots skidded and scuffed in a flurry of movement beside her, Trinity watched a pebble bounce painlessly off her thumb. She stared at it in disbelief as one of the shadow men flew over her head, a rolling mess of flailing arms and legs, stopping a few feet away.

Motionless with surprise, she gasped. A single strand of light shone across his face, a wide, crooked ribbon. His eyes, large and round, were not human. Resembling an oversized insect, the pupils filled the socket so completely not a trace of white could be seen around the outsides. Unable to breathe Trinity stared at her horrified reflection gazing back from their inky surface, the acidic sting of bile rising in the back of her throat.

To a booming chorus of thunder the floodgates opened. Rain poured down in a steady stream saturating them almost at once. Blinking rapidly as the shadow man lying beside her moved into an unsteady crouch, Trinity copied him, trying to brush the water from her eyes as her feet slid out from under her over the wet cobblestones.

Behind him the other two shadow men traded blows with a fourth man who made them look like pillars by comparison. The smaller man was ducking and weaving, his coat flapping in wild excitement around his legs as he deftly blocked and avoided every blow from his much larger opponents.

In a vivid dance they moved round each other, neither side relenting until their pace began to slow. Then the smaller man retreated, taking several quick steps back and sinking into a crouch. With a blink Trinity missed his launch, only catching sight of his boot connecting with the shoulder of the foremost shadow man. Off balance the pillar fell, crashing against the solid brick wall behind with a bone-jarring thud.

Pivoting sharply, the smaller man used the full force of his boot against the back of the other shadow man’s legs. The second pillar fell, landing on his knees with a nauseating crack. Crouched between them, poised and ready, the smaller man glanced from one to the other, but the next attack wasn’t coming from either side.

BEHIND YOU! She screamed in horror as a monstrous shadow grew from the darkness.

The third shadow moved alarmingly fast, his fist connecting with the smaller man’s face in a fluid forward thrust. The smaller man ricocheted off the impact, falling toward her. Trinity instinctively moved to catch him but the smaller man extended his hand in a signal to stay back, holding her gaze as he uttered a single-word command.

Run.

Her stomach lurched with indecision. The shadow men had recovered and all three stood behind him in an arc, poised and ready to strike.

Without hesitation two charged, forcing the smaller man to turn in a rapid circle, fists raised and ready. The third shadow man remained still, watching, before his creepy black eyes turned slowly in her direction. Trinity shivered, the blood in her veins turning to ice. Unable to run, her feet were rooted in wet cement. She tried but didn’t make it three steps before his arms closed roughly around her waist and neck, hoisting her up as easily as a child lifting a rag doll.

Kicking frantically only made things worse. The shadow man’s grip tightened, a vice around her neck until she was choking, gasping uselessly for air.

Help, she whispered.

The smaller man paused, suspended in flight to glance across at where she had been taken captive. She could almost read the thoughts racing through his mind before a determined expression narrowed his eyes and lips. Crouching low, coat splayed out around him, his shoulder length hair fell forward until it completely covered his face. Then pushing off hard he sprang into the air, executing a bone crunching kick against the face of the shadow man standing near.

As the shadow man stumbled, reeling backward, the smaller man jumped on his chest and rode him to the ground. Then with one strong-armed yank wrenched the larger man’s head back at an alarming angle, loudly snapping his neck.

The second pillar hesitated, perhaps reconsidering the validity of his attack, but he wouldn’t be spared. The smaller man swooped low then back up, delivering a kick that broke right through his opponent’s knee. The shadow man fell, silent and heavy, not moving from the cluttered heap he became on the ground.

With a menacing glare the smaller man turned his attention toward the one still holding her.

I will finish what we started. Rancid breath rasped past her ear, the stench penetrating her constricted airway, making her gag.

Disoriented from lack of oxygen, and only distantly aware of the thunder roaring angrily, Trinity felt the darkness coming,

Then you too shall die, the smaller man warned.

Limp in the shadow man’s arms, she was barely aware of being thrown, her head connecting sharply with a protruding piece of brickwork. Trinity cried out, a distant sound, the voice not her own as blood oozed from the wound. Dazed, she sank lifelessly to the ground.

The second shadow man rose to his feet. Through the haze she watched him limp determinedly, leg jutted out at a stomach-wrenching angle, vaguely wondering how could he walk on such a break. It was impossible. But instead of falling he was picking up speed, hurtling himself toward his much smaller opponent. Surging the final step he silently brought his combined fists down over his head.

Trinity closed her eyes savouring the sweet nothingness. When she opened them again the smaller man was pivoting in a low circle, sweeping the legs out from under the last remaining pillar. He fell onto his back with a heavy thud, the sound booming through the earth below.

Eyelids sinking again, too heavy to resist, she fell deeper into the darkness.

Forcing them open one last time Trinity saw the three shadow men lying silent and still, the smaller man poised on top of one, fist raised set to deliver the final blow. She didn’t want to see it. No more violence. And with complete abandon finally closed her eyes, surrendering to the sweet oblivion.

Chapter Two

It was warm like a shroud, cocooning her in fleece. Eyelashes fluttering against her cheek she floated soft and light, drifting down down down, back and forth, back and forth on a delicate breeze - a feather. Only a serrated pulse on her forehead troubled her. She wanted the throbbing to stop.

Trinity…

Pain.

As though responding to her silent wish something moist and warm pressed against the wound. It felt nice. A kitten lapping at a saucer of milk. She whimpered, an injured, vulnerable sound.

Trinity…..

A velvet smooth voice pacified her from somewhere far away. Then the lapping came again. Once, twice, three times more.

Shhhh….. Seductive and soothing, a lullaby being sung to a baby. Be still now. I have saved you.

Trying to open her eyes. Too hard. Too heavy.

Winter-chilled fingers pressed ever so lightly against her cheek. She was deep inside the cave, unable to connect to the voice, a distant, tender whisper.

Be still, it repeated, slick as eel skin.

She lifted her arm, heavier than stone and soaking wet from lying on the ground. Her fingers found the throbbing wound on her forehead and sank deep inside the bloody hollow. He gently lifted it away, holding her palm firmly as he placed each finger into a hot, moist cavern. A mouth. Ever so slowly, sucking each one clean.

Now we are united, he crooned.

She had to be dreaming. The voice sounded so surreal.

Forever connected, you and I. Your essence runs through my veins, for I have supped from your beguiling cup.

Her eyelids fluttered, hooded and drawn.

And together Trinity, he intoned softly close to her ear, We are going to change the world.

Chapter Three

Trinity had barely opened her eyes, the harsh fluorescent light sending shockwaves to her brain, forcing her to slam them shut again. Covering her face with the back of her hand she groaned miserably.

Damn girl, did trouble find you or what?

Sayer.

Turning toward his voice, Trinity carefully kept her eyes shaded. What time is it? She whispered. Her head was pounding beyond reason.

Sayer chuckled, a heavy, rolling rumble from deep inside his chest. More like what day is it, he replied.

Alarmed, Trinity tried to sit up, only to lie back down again with a bitter moan. Bracing for the impact of the fluorescent glare she forced her eyes to open again. It might well have been the midday sun.

Blinking rapidly. What day is it? She asked, trying to focus on Sayer’s familiar outline standing beside the bed.

Sayer quickly apologised. You came in last night. Right before the end of my shift, he added hurriedly.

Lips cracked with dehydration Trinity turned to the table next to the hospital bed. A triangular shaped plastic container held a sandwich, the lettuce only slightly wilted, next to a small tub of orange juice.

Sayer followed her gaze with a guilty expression. I already ate your jelly. Then, Hey, got yourself a nice set of stitches while you were doing that Sleepin’ Beauty thing.

Trinity tentatively touched the bandage wrapped around her head. Who did it? She asked. Knotted strands of hair stuck out the top, some parts still caked with dried blood.

Ellery, Sayer replied.

Having done work placement with Ellery over the past fortnight, she’d seen that his stitching technique was flawless. But they’d definitely be having a chat about his bandaging skills.

I hurt. Trinity lay back, closing her eyes again.

Well no surprises there. You fell pretty hard.

That was the understatement of the year.

Do you know if they’ve given me anything yet? She asked.

Uh-uh, Sayer replied.

Would you go see what you can find? Something strong. Tell them it’s on doctor’s orders.

You ain’t no doctor yet, Sayer objected, And I think they wanted to check you out first.

Frustrated, Trinity sighed. Everything from the top of her head to the ends of her toes hurt, like she’d been put through a crusher and spat out the other side.

Will you just go ask, please? Even the faint tick of the clock was echoing around inside her head like a magnified, bouncing flea.

Sayer held up his broad palms in surrender. I’ll go see what I can do. But don’ be shootin’ the messenger, a’right?

After he was gone Trinity examined the cabbage rose blooms overlapping the length of her arm, dark welts of purple, blue and black starting beneath the short sleeve of her hospital gown and extending all the way down to her wrist.

Through the haze of what must have been a solid concussion, Trinity tried to rebuild the memories of the night before, twisting and turning the pieces until they fit together like a malignant jigsaw puzzle. She remembered the laneway. Dark. Rancid. The smell, as three shadow men towered high above her.

Her throat constricted as the memories came rushing back, a cord tightening, choking; her pulse accelerating like a horse beginning to bolt.

They had been going to kill her.

Gasping in terror. She couldn’t breathe. Gaping like a drowning fish. Her body gripped by seizure, she convulsed. Rocking. Thrashing. Spine arching. In her mind she was back in the laneway, cowering beneath those lethal shadows, waiting for the first, and perhaps final, blow.

Starved of oxygen she was being squeezed again, her throat burning like it had then locked within his grip. While inside pleading. Desperate. Silently crying out for someone to help.

Clutching the blanket, Trinity twisted and writhed. It wouldn’t be long before she blacked out again. She could feel the darkness coming. Then a powerful shudder ran through her, a shockwave running down the length of her body before two hands pressed firmly either side of her face.

Penetrating the panic they tried to pull her back.

Hey! Sharp and loud but far too fleeting. Hey! Look at me, he instructed firmly. Open your eyes and look at me - now.

Clamping her fingers around his wrists Trinity held on for dear life, praying he wouldn’t let go as she hovered over the abyss.

Drowning. Legs thrashing. Lungs burning. Oblivion was fast approaching. She couldn’t hold on much longer.

Look at me, he repeated firmly. You’re safe but you won’t be able to breathe until you relax.

Trinity tried to focus. Using his voice like a rope, hand over hand to pull herself back to the safety of the hospital room. Through the well of tears a blurry outline hovered above her. She swallowed, salt stinging the back of her throat as the cord around her throat surrendered, relaxing just enough to allow for a thin, unsteady stream of air to penetrate her windpipe. It felt like ice against the fire smoldering inside her lungs.

Slipping her hands from his wrists Trinity relaxed her spine into the mattress so her chest was no longer arching upward. A few more deep steadying breaths and the moment of terror finally passed.

Good, he praised slowly releasing the pressure against her face. Not removing his hands completely he held on until her eyes cleared and she was able to focus on him properly. In contrast to her panic he was as calm and composed as a conductor standing in front of a ready orchestra.

Dressed all in black, similarly dark, wavy, shoulder length hair framed his angular face, matching his unwavering jet black eyes. Trinity recognized him immediately.

It’s you, she said.

Is it? He replied without inflection, almost smiling. Though his full lips were not the kind that lifted easily she could tell he was amused, if only from the slight arch of his left eyebrow.

Blinking several times to make sure she wasn’t dreaming, words of thanks sat uncomfortably on her tongue - hopelessly inadequate. He continued to hover over her, hands warm against her skin, studying her as though carefully trying to memorize every detail of her face.

His lips parted and for one fleeting moment Trinity thought the dark stranger was going to try and kiss her. Unable to explain why, she wanted his kiss more than she’d ever wanted anything. They’d shared an intimacy, making him not so much stranger as old friend. Without knowing him, his nearness felt right. She wanted him there. Needed him there. In fact, the only thing she feared more than his strange familiarity was the emptiness that would replace him when he was gone.

Hey, Sayer boomed across the room. You okay, Trin? His voice was louder and deeper than usual, almost a bark as he took stock of the man hovering over her.

Unhurried, the man rolled out of his stoop and took several steps back, his eyes locked on Trinity’s as he pulled a pair of silver-framed aviator sunglasses from his jeans pocket. Breaking the connection, he glanced disinterestedly toward Sayer, who filled the doorway holding a small medicine cup, before sliding the sunglasses over his eyes.

Paracetamol. Sayer replaced him at her bedside, effectively blocking him from view.

You’re kidding? Trinity complained as Sayer poured her a glass of water from the jug. Did you tell them I’m in agony?

Sayer didn’t smile the way he would have if they’d been alone. Instead he seemed keenly aware of the other man standing behind him, glancing shortly over his shoulder.

You’re supposed to be the most popular orderly in town. You couldn’t use a little of that charm on the nurses for me? Once again trying to sit up, it felt like a sword was being run through her belly. Audibly flinching, both men jerked to her aid. With a sideways step Sayer got in first, blocking the other’s path, offering Trinity his arm for support.

Doctor’s coming to see you soon. He waited until she’d swallowed the pills before gently lowering her back down onto the pillows. You might like some privacy, he added.

Behind him the other man inhaled deeply, rising to his full height and rounding out his shoulders. And you might like to remind your boyfriend….

Oh, he’s not… Trinity stopped abruptly as Sayer’s eyes flicked toward her, distinctly troubled.

The doctor arrived, her chart already open in his hands. He assessed the hostile gathering with a knowing proficiency. Perhaps a moment alone with the patient, gentlemen, if I may, he ushered them out, turning his attention to Trinity. Quite the fan club you’ve got there, he remarked, closing the door.

Trinity released a steadying breath. Hello Paul, she greeted him warmly.

Uh-uh. That’s Doctor Haileybury to you. Today you are my patient. Not my student. So tell me. How are you feeling?

Have you seen my bruises? Trinity held up her arm. It looked every bit as tender as it felt. You could have given me something stronger than paracetamol, she complained.

Paul nodded with a cursory smile. Lets just see how you’re faring first, okay? He was all business. Not the teacher she’d come to know over the last fortnight.

Do you remember what happened?

Trinity recounted the story while Paul checked her pupils, measured her blood pressure and examined her bruises.

The police were here, he said when she’d finished. They spoke to the man who brought you in. Having packed away his equipment, he made a few scratchy notes on her chart. Interesting fellow. You should know your stories don’t quite match up though.

What do you mean? Trinity frowned.

Paul sighed, seemingly reluctant to answer. There was no sign of any other men, or a fight, Trinity.

When she opened her mouth to argue he held up his hands and quickly continued. I understand you believe you were attacked. But for all intents and purposes it looks as though you just slipped and hit your head.

What about the bruises? They were real enough. Proof, at least. Around my waist where I was held?

I’d say you landed on something when you fell. A bin or a crate perhaps, Paul speculated. Anyway, you seem fine. The worst injury is that nasty gash on your head.

Instinctively, Trinity reached for the bandage.

I’ll take the stitches out in a few weeks. In the meantime you just need to rest. I’m giving you next week off.

I can’t, Trinity objected. That’ll put me too far behind.

Paul closed his eyes, silencing her with his refusal to be swayed. You can’t work like that, he indicated her battered body. We’ll just have to make up the hours later.

Trinity bit her lip angrily. Her workload was already insurmountable. Fitting hospital rounds between lectures and study when classes resumed on campus was going to be hard, if not impossible.

"Thank you, Doctor Haileybury," she intoned formally, failing to hide her underlying frustration.

Paul nodded understandingly. Then he paused at the door, turning back to her. What do you know about the man who brought you in?

Trinity shrugged. Nothing really. We’d never met before. Why?

A few beats, then Paul flashed her a reassuring smile. No reason. Rest now. I’ll check you again later.

Lying back, Trinity closed her eyes and let her body sink heavily into the mattress. Though it only felt like only a few moments, an extended blink, when she opened them again the curtains had been drawn and the container of sandwiches was gone. The lights in the hallway had been dimmed and the room was dark except for the faint glow of a downlight by the door. Murmured voices traveled from the nurse’s station, while trolley wheels squeaked alongside the occasional ping of a patient paging for help from the hospital corridor.

Her ribs hurt, the overlapping blotches of blue and brown still tender and her mouth was dry. A small tub of orange juice sat on the table near the bed just beyond her reach. Trinity cursed, pain shooting through her side as her fingers fell just short of the table’s edge. Shuffling sideways on her mattress to try again, a movement by the foot of the bed made her freeze.

I didn’t mean to startle you. Speaking softly the man in black leant forward resting his elbows on his knees, light falling across only half his face. See could see a hint of the white t-shirt beneath his black v-neck jumper and he wore the same heavy soled boots she remembered from the night before. His coat was thrown roughly over the arm of his chair, still filthy; mud caked along the heavy hemline.

Trying to subdue the gathering euphoria she glanced up at the clock. It was nearly 4am. Have you been here all night? Trinity asked.

His smile was little more than a tightening of his lips. I didn’t want to leave you, he replied.

I’m okay now, Trinity pointed out reluctantly, aware of the shallow pulse at the base of her neck.

You want me to go? Pressing on the arms of the chair he stood up.

Though he made no move toward his coat Trinity’s heart lurched into her throat, immediately sorry. That’s not what I…. She faltered, took several deep breaths and tried again. I just meant, I don’t expect you to stand watch over me all night, she finished weakly.

He approached her bed, head tipped slightly to one side. What if I like standing watch over you? He asked low and steady.

Trinity’s heart picked out a new and troubling beat. She could feel the force of his presence all around her. It filled the room like incense, warm and swarthy, gathering and swirling, clouding her mind and dulling her senses. She could little more think than feel, and even then she was in confusion.

Trinity. He drew her name out on a long, hollow breath, holding it on his tongue so it lingered like wine dissolving across the surface. How appropriate, he mused.

Heart hammering; he was close enough to reach out and touch. The rise and fall of her chest became noticeably shallow.

You’re not going to have another panic attack, are you? He didn’t seem the least bit concerned, his dark eyes unwavering, skin luminous in the half-light.

Her attention fell to the sheerness of the hospital gown. Picking up the sheet, Trinity tried to tuck it beneath her chin while he watched, neither affected nor amused by the delayed attempt to preserve her modesty.

How did you… Trinity started before faltering. She wanted to ask him about the shadow men, remembering almost too late that according to him there had