Vampire lore - Carmilla/First Kill

Chapter 23

The docks stretched out before Danny like a jagged, skeletal shadow, looming in the mist with an oppressive, ghostly presence. Tendrils of fog rose from the water in thick, twisting coils, swallowing the air and smothering sound until even the faint lapping of waves against the dock was barely a whisper. Danny slowed her steps, every nerve in her body tightening with anticipation. Something was wrong—something was very wrong.

Her sharp eyes darted across the fog-choked landscape, searching for anything that broke the unnatural stillness. The air was heavy, thick, like it was pressing down on her from all sides, squeezing her lungs with every breath she took. She felt it deep in her bones—a sense of foreboding that made her muscles coil with tension.

And then she saw it.

Two figures, crouched low behind a stack of rusted barrels just beyond a row of dilapidated shipping crates. Mel and Kirsch. Their bodies were taut, eyes locked on something further down the dock. They were so focused, so consumed by whatever had drawn their attention, that neither had noticed Danny's approach. She moved silently, slipping beside them like a shadow merging with the fog.

Mel turned her head just enough for Danny to catch her eye. Relief flashed across Mel's face, but it was quickly replaced by an anxiety so thick it practically radiated off her. Her hand made a subtle gesture, pointing toward the water. Danny followed her gaze, and her stomach twisted into a cold, hard knot.

There, hovering just above the water, was a woman.

She floated as if gravity had no hold over her, her body suspended by some unseen force. Long, dark curls tumbled down her back, billowing out in an ethereal, almost otherworldly fashion, as if they were moving with the water below her. Her eyes were closed, her head tilted back slightly, arms raised at her sides in a pose that was eerily serene. But it wasn't peaceful. No, the shimmering light that surrounded her betrayed the calm. It rippled and flickered, warping the air around her, as if reality itself was bending to her will.

Danny's mouth went dry as she stared at the figure. Her skin prickled, a deep sense of wrongness settling over her like a weight. This woman wasn't just powerful—there was something ancient about her, something dark that made Danny's instincts scream in warning. She didn't want to be here. She didn't want to face whatever this was.

— That's her - Mel whispered, her voice shaky, though she was trying to keep it steady. - We've been watching her for a while, but... we don't know what she's doing.

Danny swallowed hard, her heartbeat thundering in her chest. Every second that passed made the knot of dread twist tighter.

— She's not doing anything good - Danny murmured, her voice barely more than a breath. Her hand instinctively moved toward the hilt of her dagger, her fingers brushing the cool, familiar metal. - You two need to leave. Now.

Mel turned sharply, her brow creasing in confusion.

— What? You can't—

— I'm stronger than both of you combined - Danny interrupted, her tone firm, though her focus never wavered from the floating figure. "If this goes bad, you won't stand a chance. I'll have a better shot at stopping her. - She clenched her jaw. - Get the van and go back to the house. Tell the others. They need to know about this.

Kirsch, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke up, his voice rough with worry.

— You can't stay here alone. What if—

— What if nothing - Danny cut him off, her tone hard. - You don't have time to argue. Get out of here before things get worse.

Mel and Kirsch exchanged a look. Kirsch bit his lip, his hand tightening around Mel's arm.