Vampyr

Chapter 2: Hunted

The cold, the exposure, the frigid hostility of the outback; Vladislav struggled to notice them. It was odd. He could feel every single snowflake buried in the pale fields, so much so it was almost maddening, but they felt at a distance. It was like he was watching someone else walking through the cold instead of experiencing it. All things considered, the trek through the woods wasn't that great a burden.

Branka, on the other hand, had long since run his patience dry. Hearing her footsteps fade, Vladislav turned back and once again saw her lagging behind. "Branka, you've gotta keep up!" He shouted down to her only to be answered when more of that incessant panting. Rolling his eyes, he marched back down to his sister and hoisted her up by the back of her coat. She gasped in fear and went limp in his grasp like a sullen brat.

Vladislav would have screamed something terrible at her mikes ago. His savior came in the form of a similar numbness to that protecting him from the cold. He was frustrated, there was no doubt about that, but it never grew into anything. It was like a wave that never crashed. If he had been honest, it would have alarmed him.

But what did he expect? If she was going to act this way the entire time, of course, he would grow numb to it. Who wouldn't? If only she acted more her age, then he'd at least feel some catharsis. She was lucky Father wanted her back.

Suppressing his words for the moment, Vladislav instead said, "Look, I know this is difficult, but we're never going to make it to the sea if you don't pick up the pace."

A few inaudible mumbles chopped up by her chattering teeth were all that came from Branka. Vladislav sighed before continuing, "If you needed another coat, you should've said something at the camp. We can't just..."

He was going to say they couldn't go back, but the words didn't sound right. Hundreds of miles stood between them and the camp, all of which were caked with fresh snow and dead trees. Yet, it had felt like nothing to his bare feet. He almost smiled at the idea. Almost. Thinking about how easy it had been made him think about where they had started. He'd been working too hard to forget to remember now.

"We can't just go back." Vladislav finished, dropping his sister into the snow. "You have boots and more than enough coats. You can make it a little more." He dropped her into the powdered frost and waited for her to get back on her. Her little body, however, could only tremble against the icy winds. The pathetic sight filled Vladislav with the urge to tear off those legs she insisted on not using. For Father's sake, however, he'd settle for something less severe.

"Fine! Then just keep acting like a child!! But don't blame me if we get shot by the Germans!!" With that, he grasped her arm and violently wrenched her forward. A few tiny squeaks escaped her, but she was thankfully silent as he dragged her through the snow.

It was a simple task, even drifting into the background like breathing or blinking would, but Vladislav kept his anger stoked and fresh. He prayed Branka found some discomfort as he was dragged through the stone, and his hopes were soon paid off. Her feet found their way under her before long, but the half steps she took were barely an improvement. They trudged up the hill, dodging around countless barren trees, and for a while, it seemed like they were making real progress. Vladislav thought they might even make it to the sea at their rate. That was until Branka decided to continue being difficult.

Her feet started flying out from under her before long, and soon she outright collapsed to her knees. Patience dwindling, Vladislav ripped Branka out of the snow with a grip like iron that squeezed around her wrist. He was already dragging his feet just to make sure she could keep up. Did she have to insist on being so burdensome? He knew she was just nine, but by God, he expected more than this? He could've been halfway to Warsaw by now if not for her! It was unfair! Why did Father insist on bringing her along!? All she had ever been was a pain!! They wouldn't have to go to that camp if they didn't have to drag her around!! He never would have been sent to that room with all the needles and saws and grinning men with sharp-