ABBY

Chapter 5

Abby's eyes flutter open and she takes in her surroundings. Realization strikes as she notices that this is not her room or the guest bedroom in the mansion. "Good morning, Little One." The deep voice of Lord Bolton startles her. Chuckling, he gets up from the chair he was sitting in while looking out the window. A shy smile creeps over her lips, lighting up her petite features, but just for a brief moment. Lord Bolton catches it and sighs.This tiny girl reminds him so much of Christy Slate when she lost both her parents to a rogue vampire some thirty years ago.

"Hungry?" He asks while holding a small container out to her. "Sophia said that you would enjoy this more than the hospital food." Taking the container from his hand, she removes the container. Sophia made jelly and fresh fruit salad. Abby gives an adorable giggle and digs in. She finishes the bowl in minutes. Sighing with a satisfied grin on her face, she leans back against the pillows. Staring out the window into a beautiful garden with a huge fountain.

Abby watches the small birds dipping into the water and shaking their feathers. Forming a shower of water as they dance on thin legs and petite feet, chirping happily. She's not sharing in their happiness, though. Her chest is heavy and her throat raw and dry. She's not shedding tears anymore. There's nothing left to shed.

The opening of the door gets her attention as Dr. Hugh steps into the room. Lord Bolton clears his throat and hides the now empty container in his pocket as he gets up to leave. Dr. Hugh glares at him but still greets him as he's about to walk past him, taking his leave after kissing Abby on top of her head. "I am so proud of you, Abby." He says with a smile and is out the door. Obvious guilt written all over his face.

Abby eyes the big man in the white coat, wearily. He looks more like a wrestler than a doctor. "Think the old man's forgetting what I am." He suddenly says, making Abby nearly jump out of her skin. She's nervous now that the vampire king left and a soft whimper escapes her lips. Dr. Hugh catches it, but doesn't react.

She is acquainted with the doctor, but she's still a bit shy and nervous around him. Looking up at him confused, he turns his head and looks at her as a smile forms on his lips. "You know what a Lycan is, Sweetheart?" Dr. Hugh asks her while checking her vitals. Shaking her head, Abby follows his every move, not missing a beat.

Chuckling, Dr. Hugh hangs his stethoscope around his neck. "Well, let me tell you. They are magnificent creatures, more powerful than werewolves, and deadly and they howl at the moon, too." He says in a mocking voice, tilting his head back and gives a soft howl. Abby watches him in wide-eyed fascination and a beautiful, dimpled smile transforms her delicate features.

Her mother used to tell her all about the supernatural world. Where witches cook in cauldrons and fairies dance in the wind. But being so small, it's all a fairy-tale to her. Looking down at her hands, she's fighting the tears as the smile disappears once again. She misses her mother immensely. With her father now gone as well, Abby feels lost and almost unwanted. She's scared. "Abby?" Dr.Hugh's gentle voice invades her trail of thought. Looking up at him, large tears roll down her rosy cheeks. Giving her sky blue eyes a darker hue.

Sighing, Dr. Hugh picks her up and holds her against his chest. Her slender arms go around his neck and she snuggles into the crook of his neck. Painful sobs rip through her being as she realizes that she's being abandoned. She's been trying to be brave, but she's failing miserably.

Jack Hugh's heart is breaking for the little girl in his arms. She not only lost her mother, but her father has left on a manhunt, not knowing when he'll return. She's been taken out of her home and her safe environment, all in one week. No wonder she stopped eating and fell into a dark depression.

Crying her heart out, Abby falls asleep in the doctor's arms. Exhaustion winning this round once again. Laying her down on the bed, he pulls the covers over her small frame and turns to leave. "Mama...come back..." A soft whisper reaches his ears. Sighing, Dr.Hugh leaves the room. Abby's heart is shattered and he's not sure it'll mend any time soon.

Her world came to a standstill the day her mother died. Only five, she didn't fully understand the whole effect. After Abby's father left for the sea, she became a walking shell. She kept her distance from others in fear that they might get hurt or that they might also leave her. Whether by death or by choice.

Lord Bolton and William introduced her to Dominique and Lawrence Collard, the twin boys of Christy and Sebastian Collard. Her being five and them being ten, made it quite an odd trio. The twins appointed themselves as her bodyguards and they became good friends. But that soon came to an abrupt end.

Abby noticed people watching her and following her. They were not the friendly kind. She didn't tell anyone and only became more silent and withdrawn.  Her friendships suffered but at the time, she only wanted to protect those she loved, even if it did mean ending a friendship. The twins didn't understand it, but they didn't push to find out. The boisterous duo were boys after all, and they moved on. Chasing girls and meeting new friends.

However, Lawrence could never get the petite blue-eyed girl out of his thoughts. Dominique called him a "love sick puppy" on numerous occasions, aggravating Law beyond comparison and it caused a rift between the twins. By the time they turned eighteen, Dominique found his mate, but Lawrence was not so lucky and his mate eluded him.

At age sixteen, Abby left the harbor town and became a deckhand on one of Lord Bolton's ships without him knowing or telling anyone. Abby disappeared from the radar. She hoped that someday she might cross paths with her father, but there were rumors that he might be lost at sea. Abby refused to believe it and at eighteen she leaves the fleet in search of her father. Ending up in Castalena, she makes new friends, but also adds a whole list of enemies in the process.

Through blood, sweat and  tears, Abby Davidson earned her keep on a huge sail ship. She moved up the ranks with ease and the day the Captain stepped down, the whole crew voted her as their new captain. Her name became known among the sailors and merchants. She is known as the Golden Angel of the sea.

Meanwhile, Lord Bolton and the Collards were at their wits end. If Sean Davidson returns and finds his daughter missing, he'll have Vampire fangs as a bracelet and Lycan hide for a doormat. They searched high and low and to the outreaches of the ocean, but Abby was gone. It was as if she was never born. The only proof they have that she ever existed, was her birth entry in the hospital records.

Glenda and Patrick Hudson fear the day Sean Davidson returns. Patrick is unable to locate the Captain and since Abby's disappearance, he's been looking over his shoulder. He failed Sam and how he's failed Abby too. The Captain will skin him alive. Sean Davidson's mercy only stretched that far. There is a reason why he's Commander of the huge Windy Acres fleet. A reason why he's a feared Pirate King in the pirate circles. Never overstep the line when it comes to the Captain. He is a master swordsman and marksman. A fighter in his own right.