Alice's Asylum

Chapter Twenty-Three

"Mary? What is it?" I hovered over them both as Robert crouched down on the floor in front of her. She was sat on the sofa, her hands clenched tightly together in her lap. Her eyes were wide and blank. She stared straight forward but she was seeing something that no one else possibly could.

"He's coming..." She whispered. It was the voice of dread but I had no idea who she was on about.

"Not... HIM...?" Mary's eyes focused again and she looked down at Robert with tears in her eyes.

"Yes..."

"Who? Doctor Frost?" I asked. They both looked at me.

"No. This person is ten times worse than Doctor Frost." Robert told me.

"Who?"

"His name is James. He's a killer..." Mary whispered.

"We can handle him." I gestured to myself and Robert but he was shaking his head at me.

"No. You can't. I can try. It won't be easy. But I shall try."

"Why not me?"

"Because only a vampire can kill their own kind." I froze at that word.

"Vampire?"

"James is a vampire. Only I can kill him," Robert straightened up. "Well this changes things."

"How?" Robert turned to me.

"I have to destroy James. But if I fail... You must both run. Run and run until you can't run no more."

"It won't work..." Mary mumbled.

"It has to," Robert went to her side once again and cupped her face in his hands. "I won't let him touch you. Or you, Jasper."

"It's too close." Mary whispered.

"Then we have to leave now." Robert started flitting around the room. I was now aware that vampires had inhuman speed as well as strength and so he was literally a blur as he started gathering what few items we had.

"You're kidding right?" My gaze flicked between Mary and Robert but no one answered. "We only just got here!"

"And now we have to leave," Robert stopped flitting and stayed still in front of me. "Do you want her to die?" He stabbed a finger in Mary's direction.

"Of course not!"

"Then go down to the desk and pay for our stay." I didn't argue any further. I went to a drawer in the dressing table and took out several dollars for a couple of night's stay. I then left the room.