The Outsiders

The Outsiders: Chapter Twenty

Soum Menjivar

As I caught Khristopher in my arms, a small thump filled the air.

Looking to the side, I caught a glimpse of a wide jar full of purple mist. Though half-empty, the purple substance flurries in the small space, creating patterns and stripes of purple and blue. With a small smile, I took the jar in my hands. Turning towards Khristopher, I gently caressed his skin, emanating a feverish heat. My eyebrows furrowed as I stared into his face, growing colder as time ticked by. Gulping, I held him, dear, to my chest, placing his head on the crook of my neck. I placed the jar into Khristopher's pocket before I ran towards the shelter.

Sonia and Toasheh flew over us, distracting the Snatchers while Khristopher rested. Concern surged through my veins as Khristopher's heartbeat grew faint. Sprinting faster towards the tent, I tried to remind myself he was coming back. My breathing grew rough as I held him tighter, pushing myself to my limits until I reached the flap of the tent. Before I could enter the tent, I was tossed to the side, losing Khristopher's limp body as I fell.

Expecting to see a Snatcher, my eyes widened as my eyes fell over the Vampires. With a growl, I tried to take Khristopher from their grasp, but they keenly shifted him away from me. Spareaux took his brother in his arms, cradling him as he caressed his cheek. Sneering at me, he tightened his grip around him.

"He is coming with us. The Snatchers will deal with the lot of you," the pale-skinned being said through gritted teeth.

"Khristopher stays with me."

Kicking his shin, I toppled him enough for their grip on Khristopher to falter. I took the chance to take Khristopher, pulling him into my arms. A jarring scent surrounded him: one of wine and mulberry. Though it irked me that someone else's scent was stronger than mine, I could only worry for Khristopher. Caressing his cheek, I sighed in relief as his heartbeat grew stronger in my hold. As I shifted my gaze from Khristopher to the Vampires that surrounded me, I held him tighter to my chest.

Baring their fangs, the Vampires dwarfed me with their height. With skin so flawless and eyes so red, I couldn't think of their weakness. Searching for answers through the midnight darkness, I could only see the faint outlines of the tall dry grass. My eyes widened as a very stupid, possibly useless idea came into my mind. Though I knew it wasn't the best, there wasn't a Khristopher to give me a different opinion.

Booking it into the tent, I slipped away from their grasp and searched for a match. Though I knew there was a slim chance I'd find one, I picked and poked through the tent to no avail. A snap made me twist my gaze towards the door as a Vampire tried to get in before hissing. My gaze fell over the candle that illuminated the small tent. Taking it in my hand, I darted towards the exit, careful not to blow out the candle with my rough breaths.

Leaning over the candle, I brought it up towards the vampires as I left the tent. Yet as I laughed, the slight breath that fell from my lips blew out the candle.

             "Shit."

            Elongating their fangs, the Vampires surrounded me once again. As they grew closer to me, all I could do was hold onto Khristopher tighter.

            "I think I'd be more helpful if you'd let me go."

            In the second I blinked, Khristopher rose from my arms, blocking me from the Vampires around us. With a watchful eye, he gently turned to me with a small smile. Glimmering under the dim moonlight, his eyes seemed to be a darker violet than before. Maybe it was the darkness around us or maybe it was the moonlight, but something was different about his eyes. Blinking away my negative thoughts, I smiled at Khristopher.