Safety is Relative

Chapter Twenty Three- Nowhere Left To Run

‘Out!’ says James cheerfully as we finally screech to a halt, blurring away and leaving an empty chair.

Nina squeals as Friedrich rips the door off and drags her out.

I hurriedly unbuckle my seatbelt, stepping out of the car. We’re outside a warehouse, a tall derelict building with newspaper on the windows. It has a sad, neglected air about it, but I shiver, finding it creepy. The sort of place you’d expect monsters to live in.

Friedrich is dragging Nina in by her shoulder at normal speed, and she is kicking and shouting.

‘Let me go! I can walk, you know!’

James chuckles, suddenly appearing next to me.

I gasp, leaping away.

‘Like my home, blondie?’ he asks, opening the boot.

Inside, Nate is awake. His eyes are fevered, his breaths shallow, and he sits up, trying to get out, but falls to the floor.

James raises his eyebrows, looking disappointed. ‘He’s even more pathetic than I remembered.’

Nate grabs onto the side of the car, trying to get up. I go over to him, helping him stand. He takes deep breaths, and looks at me.

‘Rue?’

I give him my best attempt at a smile. ‘How are you feeling?’

‘Worse,’ he says, his legs suddenly giving way.

We go down together. I am too weak to hold him up by myself, but I don’t want him to hit his head and never wake up again.

‘Where are we, Rue?’ he asks, looking at the warehouse.

‘I don’t know,’ I say, grabbing his hand. His skin is boiling, a world away from the cold touch he usually has. ‘You’re burning up, Nate. What do I do?’

‘How very touching,’ says James from behind me, ‘If I could cry, I think you may have brought a tear to my eyes.’

Nate frowns. ‘Wait-’

James is suddenly in between us, shoving me out of the way. I sprawl in the dirt. He pulls Nate to his feet, gripping him by the shoulders.

‘Hello Nate. Long-time no-see,’

Nate tries to push him away, but James is rock-solid, unmoving.

He laughs scornfully. ‘Is that any way to treat your uncle?’

‘Let go of me,’ says Nate furiously.

James lets go and Nate collapses.

‘You don’t look in great shape, nephew,’

‘I had a run-in with some slayers,’

‘So I hear,’ James cocks his head. ‘Actually, no, they told me it was werewolves.’

‘Two of them were werewolves,’

‘You know, I am surprised that they even knew you were a vampire. You smell revoltingly like a human.’

Nate smiles.

‘And yes, after meeting your slayer girlfriend, I decided you definitely need a fatherly influence in your life. You’re a mess, little boy.’

‘No thank you,’ says Nate angrily. ‘I’m fine the way I am.’

James squats in front of him. ‘You’re dying the way you are.’

Nate sighs. ‘I’ll get better.’

‘There’s only one cure,’ says James, smiling suddenly. ‘And you know what it is. Surprisingly, most vampires don’t drink werewolves’ blood, but when they do, no-one dies. Because the cure is really simple,’