The Cravers

51. Too Late

I was in the hospital under the watchful eyes of the Detectors. 

I turned to my side. Tossed and turned. I couldn't stay still.

REDEMPTION LOVE...WE ARE SO CLOSE....CAN'T YOU TASTE IT?

I whimpered, plugging my ears...stuffing my face with the pillows. His voice, his damning voice. Stop. Stop. LEAVE ME ALONE!

NO MORE PARTING...OUR KINGDOM OF HEAVEN WAITS...

I sucked in a sharp breath, sweating.

YOU WILL BE MINE, LIKE ALWAYS.

I screamed as I woke up. I stood up, my dagger at its full length, now a shining sword. I swirled alone. "Leave me alone!" I wiped my tears. "Get out of my head!"

But my room was quiet and it was only me, screaming till my throat was raw. Everything dark. Everyone asleep.

I recoiled, falling down. "Leave. Never come back." My sword clatters.

As if mockingly, it comes back. I couldn't prepare for the worst. I couldn't voice my thoughts but it comes back, all of a sudden.

The Hunter latched onto Edith. Edith screams for help, she's still fighting, her eyes as blood filled as the monster in front of her. But he's quick. More quick. Out of practice, Edith does the wrong moves...And he starts drinking on her...

I pulled myself up, rushing down the stairs with my sword and my purse as I throw my skinny jeans on. In a flash, I was out.

 No more warning signs.

 I made to the airport.

My heart was pounding, my ears booming. "The first ticket to France." I ordered. 

Games were over. 

I was just too late to realize it.

Before anyone suspected me, I leaped out of the window with a dagger in my hand.

===

I looked around. To the city I have left few months ago.

I have changed.

And I knew...as I took those fast and furious steps toward death...I knew.

I was going to change, again.

Because that was life. And it was that. It was now time to face the truth.

I'm coming, Edith.

===

The penthouse was quiet as I rushed in quickly. I hope I wasn't too late. The lights were off and there was no sound. "Edith?" I asked minutely. "Edith, where are you?"

No sounds.

Only hustling behind her room.

I approached close. She was suppose to be in England. Not here. Why was she in France? God, help me. I tiptoed, and put my ear to the door. My hands were clammy and shaking. This was it.

With a mighty kick, I dismantled the door open. I, Dabria, had only one thought in my mind. Wrath. And there was a red glow to my eyes.

 "Edith!" I said as I saw the woman on the floor with two little puncture wounds on her neck, bleeding openly.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him. A dark, figure in the shadow. "Took you long."

"What's your message?" I watched with my heart on my sleeves. 

He smiled. His eyes red as mine. "I enjoyed taking her life. Her blood was so sweet--"

I leaped onto the Hunter, punching him square at his jaw. "How did you escape?" I said with an edge to my voice.

He jumped back, kicking me toward the other side of the room. "Never, sweetheart. I won't tell a thing."

I got readied, and with speed latched onto his neck. My sword at his heart. "Submit."

And then the playfulness left his eyes. "Never."

I gritted my teeth and plunged my knife hard at his heart, twisting it slowly. "Then goodbye."

It was too easy, I thought. Why did he give in too easily?

I rushed to Edith. Tears flowing down my face. "Tell me you're alive!" I hugged her. "Come back!" I tried to carry her in my arms. 

She coughed up, blood tainting her lips. "Diana," she rasped. "Warn them."

I nodded, tears streaking my face. My fault. My fault. I should have raised the alarm sooner.

She stared at my eyes coldly. "Emerus is coming. Warn them. The Dark King has risen. Emerus walks the earth." Her eyes closed. "Its a matter time..."

"Edith! You're not dying!" But she was...I couldn't save her. Another person's blood in my hands.

Edith opened her half-lidded eyes. "You're a true Craver, Diana. You're going to be our hope...perhaps..."she grasped my hand tightly. "Our only hope."

"Don't go!" I gripped her fingertips. "Don't leave me."

With her last words she gave me a mission. An order. "Remember I was doing...research? Hunters are back. And they are looking for the Daughter of the Realms. Find her. Protect her."

I cried, and cried and cried by her side. I called her name, she didn't speak. Asked her to answer me, she didn't speak.

Edith Famore was dead.

And it was my fault.

I was too late.

Always...damn, too late.

07/09/2015