World Against Us (Unleashed #1)

Chapter 5 - R

Momentarily, I was knocked out. For some reason, I hadn't been able to sense it.

Or them.

Vampires, I thought angrily. If they hurt Rosalina in any way...

It was bad enough they had to drug me. I could barely make out sounds and hear coherent words. Loud. Something loud...it's shouting! Someone is shouting at another person. Something falls to the ground, trash? I strain my ears to hear closer.

"...think ole R is gonna save her...Let go of me!" Rosalina! I scream, begging in agony for my lips to move. She couldn't hear me. I am struggling, only able to move my fingers, flexing them.

At least it's some step up from not moving at all.

I feel someone shifting their weight, rocking me down with it. Where am I? I thought. My senses, well heightened senses were weakened temporarily. When I find out who did this, I'm going to punch them to Canada.

"Where...uh...Where's Rosalina?" I ask drowsily. My eyes open, searching the room. My vision is pitch black and frustratingly, I still can't see. I snarl in agitation, but it's low in my throat. It's a warning to whoever is there to get the hell out. Rosalina, I know, didn't hear it. But I do hear her intake of breath. She's surprised and I think she bumped into a dresser trying to back away.

It would be much easier if I could scent who is here, but sadly because vampires are dead, they leave no trace, no scent wherever they are.

Rose's presence disappears and I panic. What could have happened for it to vanish into thin air? "Rosalina...Where is she?" I demand, trying to regain my vision. Someone carries me over where she is closest. I assume the window. The wind blew into my face. The drug - the taste...oh god. I cough and grab a trash can, vomiting repulsively. Someone else hisses.

"Just leave him." One of the men hissed again. "We'll be back for him later."

My eyebrows furrow with a mix of confusion and laughter. "Drago?" I ask, not quite believing that he was here. And doing this to me.

My thoughts shatter. "R!" Rosalina screams. I sniff out her scent, wiping my mouth and hands with a Kleenex and throwing that out. Jumping out the window is not my brightest idea as I am temporarily sense-disabled. I grab her torso, swinging us back into her room, regardless.

I went to her bathroom to wash my mouth thoroughly. I rinse and spit, gagging at the vile taste left in my mouth. Unfortunately, I can't chew gum because that gives me a headache.

She was crying softly when I came back out. Clinging on to me, as if I could bring the comfort to this traumatic event of her day. And yet, I am not immune to a tearstained Rose.

"Rosalina? What's wrong?" I ask alarmed. I cup her cheek, my sight returning once more. Her eyes were red and puffy, grey eyes wild and crazed. I seize her arm, checking for further injuries, but she shakes her head. She wouldn't reply.

My vision blurs, gripping at the edges. The world is tipped back as I hold my head from the sudden rush. "Rosalina, why are you crying?" I ask her.

She presses her lips in a firm line, wiping her tears with her sleeve. I hastily grab her a tissue and she blows into it. She tries speaking at first but no words come out. She coughs, thinking perhaps that might help, I suppose. Slowly, she starts again, wracking sobs almost erupting from her mouth, so she speaks fast, smoothing out her speech. "They...They...Oh god, R. I thought you...you..." She breathes heavily. "I thought you were leaving me."

I grab her, rubbing her back. Her tears soak my shirt, but for once I do not really care. I kiss her temple, hugging her. "Rosalina, I'm here okay? I'll always be here. I will be there until my end to protect you."

She sobs, hiccuping. "You were strong, even with several vampires. I'm proud of you, Rosalina." I rub her cheek affectionately, my mouth turning up in a slight grin. "But they were going to take you. I felt helpless, R. You wouldn't understand. I didn't - couldn't let you leave with them."

"Shh! It's fine - you're with, wait they?" I question. The vampires, that coven. Somehow, I was going to make them wish they didn't come here. And drugging me? That's a nine on the offensive scale. The ten would be trying to push Rosalina out the window.

"Don't." She grabs my elbow. I didn't realize I was standing up and moving towards the window until she stops me. But if I stay here with Rosalina, then there will be more time they'll have to get away with the crime they unleashed. I could not let that happen.

I pry off her hand. "Rosalina, I'll be back." I kiss her forehead giving her a reassuring smile. Her face fell in realization of what I was about to do. "R, I swear. If you leave -" Too late for that thought. I smile and jump out of her window. I can hear her small intake of breath from up in her room. I know that she's huddling by her curtains, rubbing her arms up and down, staring after me.

Maybe I shouldn't have left her. But Rosalina, she's all I've got. Besides...well him. Rosalina, she's a delicate flower. I can't let anything harm her. Not again, the same thing...I shudder at the horrid memory elapsing in my mind. This'll be hard to get rid of.

The blood...

I shake my head clear of the thought. I couldn't think of that now. It'll distract me from my mission to get Drago. I sprint out of her yard and then stop, walking back to her window. "R!" She hisses, leaning over the ledge to look at me. I give her a lopsided smirk and laugh silently when she glares. I wink at her, my teeth revealing a flash of fangs before I disappear into the night.