The Ruins Of Us

Into The Night

Eventually, my eyes adjusted to the darkness. With nothing much to do while I waited for Aleksi, my vision roved across the four walls. Between certain planks the sun tried to nip through but only a dull ember of its light slipped between the cracks.

On the tables were numerous elements and equipment, I could only guess what was hidden in the cupboards and drawers. I wondered how many screams had bounced across the walls. In some way, I was thankful mine never graced the shack.

The air was stale and stuffy, the outside world couldn't peek in but the humidity remained. My dress clung to my body and beads of sweat threatened to slip down my skin, it was like a furnace. The adrenaline coursing through my veins didn't help. I was aware of every inch of my skin, practically feel the rivets on my finger tips and every follicle of hair planted in my flesh. I couldn't see the fine blonde strands on my arms but I knew they were standing on end. I was trapped and the predator had caught its prey, I was willing.

"W-What exactly do you do with it? The..."

"No mind of yours" it gruffly answered, its fingers still twiddling at the equipment hidden by its broad torso.

"Don't you think I have the right to know?"

"What made you think something like that?" It scoffed.

"I don't know, maybe the fact this is illegal" I couldn't help but snap, the fingers that'd curled so tightly into my hands prevented nothing. "What exactly will happen if we're caught?"

Aleksi paused its work, its eye on its temple shifting back while it remained sitting, back turned to me. The beady little thing really did give it eyes in the back of its head.

"Best?-" the Vampir sat back, mulling it over. "Death"

It excited its lips so simply, as if a mundane response, egging on no fear in its mind.

"D-Death?" I spluttered, standing from the stool, rushing closer to the Vampir. Aleksi was completely unfazed. "Death is the best case scenario? What's the worst?"

The silence that echoed was more terrifying than any answer and left my mind to wander. It came up with every kind of possibility. They had my sister, they knew she was in here. I dropped back onto the stool once again, my lungs trying to contain my heaving breaths.

"What about you? Why would you do this? If death is the best case scenario... how are you so calm?", my mouth was rambling, I couldn't stop it.

"I have done this before" Aleksi answered casually.

"What? Where? How are you alive?"

"You talk too much" it grumbled.

"I think I'm talking enough after what you've told me"

Aleksi rolled its shoulders, cracking the tension from its muscles. Like preparation for a fight or rather, the tolerance it must have for my questioning.

"I was exiled, China"

"China? For this? Why just exile if it's so bad?"

The equipment Aleksi was fiddling with finally came into view, a thick metal band that appeared deconstructed and put back together. It wasn't sloppy, but apparent with square dents on the sides marking missing components. It did have a knack for tinkering but still, I was sure I couldn't trust Aleksi as far as I could throw it.

"Give me your arm" It commanded, extending it's own while it held the device. I traced my eyes across its flesh and there was truly nothing human within these creatures. Besides the fact they had two arms and two legs nothing about them was familiar. Nothing to make me capable of trusting it. Aleksi was just like the rest.