Vampire World (VAMPIRE WORLD #1)

Part 24 Stuck

Chapter 23: Stuck

I saw its giant feeders twirling about, ready to suck my head off. I shrank back, but there was no escape. I was stuck at the grimy bottom of a hole ten feet deep. The giant insect moved up to the edge, shrouding the pit in darkness as it made ready to devour me. It was all over now.

            Then I saw a cloud of ruddy gas starting to engulf it. The creature hissed angrily and backed up. “Aim for the big one,” I heard a voice shout. “The rest of you take the perimeter.”

            What the hell? It must be vampires!

            I could no longer see the giant insect. Was it gone completely? A burst of rejuvenating energy ran through me as I stood up in the mud. I was alive. I was freakin alive! I cried out for help at the top of my voice.

            “She’s down there…”

            Oh my gosh… somebody was actually searching for me. How did they know I was here?

            A rope was pitched to me. I grabbed it and was pulled up. The air smelled of death as I surfaced. I gazed at someone wearing a mask.

            “Are you okay?” he asked.

            “I..I think so…my arms hurt though. And I’m f..f..freezing.”

            He handed me something from his dark vest. “Here, take this. It’s a blood pill.”

            Still confused and dizzy, I glanced around and saw the mangled corpse of the insect monster lying in the muck. It looked like its skin had been melted.

            I swallowed the pill. Next I was given a thermos full of invigorating hot blood. Since blood was a natural healer, I soon felt better and became more aware of my surroundings.

            “How did you know I was here?” I asked. “Have you been following me? Who are you?”

            “We’ve been monitoring your location for quite a while,” he told me. “We’ve been able to do this because the person who you've been receiving secret information from put a tracking device on you.”

            Oh my goodness. My secret messenger hadn't told me this. “Who are you?” I demanded.

            “My name is Martin,” he said.

            Three other vampires also wearing masks surrounded me. They held sophisticated, hose-like weapons. They must have used these to spray the deadly gas that killed the giant bloodsucker and its hundreds of babies that were also lying dead in the mud.

            “We’re opponents of the organization that your informant has revealed to you,” Martin continued. “That organization, which goes by the name of TriFang, almost had you killed. So do us and yourself a favor and take heed of my warning. Do not listen to the stranger guiding you. He’s up to no good, and will continue to put you in harm. And most important of all, stay well away from TriFang in the future.”

            A burst of questions flooded my mind. “Who is my stranger? Please tell me.”

            “It’s better that we don’t. For your safety, Janice. All we can do is tell you to ignore him. Trust us. Please.”

            I couldn’t, I told myself. Maybe because I had been beaten-up, not just physically, but mentally too. Ever since waking up in Vampire World I'd had a feeling that I was being lied to and used. I was tired of feeling this way. I wanted to know the damn truth.

            “Tell me, dammit!” I screamed. “Who are you all? And who is my guide? Tell me NOW!”

            Martin nodded. Out of the corner of my eye I spotted a vampire reach by my side. There was  a sharp prick, just like before. Then I passed out again.

            When I came around I was on my back staring straight up at Garlic Moon. For a moment I thought I was still trapped under the dark, depressing canopy of Bloodwood Forest. But then I realized the significance of the moonlight. 

            I was lying on the welcoming dead grass of Mr. FreeCut’s backyard.