Vampire lore - Carmilla/First Kill

Chapter 38

Danny's grip tightened around Elinor, the tension in her muscles mirrored by the grim determination etched into her face. Every step forward was a battle, as Elinor's body jerked and twisted in Danny's grasp, her eyes burning with uncontained rage.

The hallway they moved through was narrow and suffocating, lit only by the occasional flicker of dim, yellowed lightbulbs overhead. Elinor's breathing came out in sharp, furious bursts, her body bound but her spirit still untamed, crackling like live wires beneath the surface. The others could feel it too, an aura of menace that clung to the air.

Kirsch walked beside Danny, his usual bravado slipping as his eyes darted nervously toward Elinor. The raw anger emanating from her was palpable, and his voice wavered when he finally spoke.

— You, uh, sure about this? I mean, she looks kinda...well, dangerous.

Danny didn't respond, her focus singular, but from behind them, Mel's voice sliced through the silence, sharp and cold.

— She is dangerous - Mel said curtly, her tone making it clear she had no patience for second-guessing. - That's exactly why we have to do this.

Kirsch swallowed hard, his discomfort clear as he cast another wary glance toward Elinor.

— I get that - he muttered, rubbing his hands nervously together. - But, uh... maybe we don't have to use the chair and the chains, right? Feels a bit... medieval.

Danny's jaw clenched, her eyes fixed ahead as she dragged Elinor closer to their destination. She didn't have time to argue with Kirsch. The fight in Elinor hadn't died down for a second, and the weight of the situation pressed down on all of them. Mel, however, wasn't about to let Kirsch's concerns go unanswered. She shot him a withering look, her patience razor-thin.

— You really want to take that chance? - she snapped. - Think about what happened to Laura.

That shut Kirsch up fast. The memory of what Elinor had almost done to Laura weighed heavy in the air, unspoken but ever-present. His fingers twitched nervously at his sides, his usual easygoing demeanor replaced with a tense, uneasy silence.

Behind them, Laura's hushed argument with Carmilla had escalated, their low voices vibrating with tension. Even though the details of their disagreement were lost to the group, the weight of it hovered like a storm cloud, making the air thick and oppressive. Laura and Carmilla's strained voices were just another layer of tension added to the volatile mix.

At the entrance to the basement, Laf paused, their brow furrowed as they cast a concerned glance toward Juliette. The usual calm detachment in Laf's expression was softened by the deep worry etched into their features.

— Juliette, maybe it's better if you stay upstairs - Laf suggested again, their tone gentle but firm. They nodded toward Elinor, whose wild energy seemed to ripple through the group. - This might be too much for you.

Juliette's shoulders stiffened, her gaze hardening in response to Laf's concern.

— She's my sister - she whispered, her voice barely audible, but the steel in her words left no room for argument. - I have to see this through.

Laf sighed but didn't press further, stepping aside as Danny shoved open the heavy basement door. The cold air from below hit them all like a slap in the face. The basement was dark, with the faintest chill of damp earth and musty air curling around them, sending shivers down their spines. The stone walls closed in on them as they descended the narrow staircase, every creak of the old wooden steps amplifying the unease thrumming through the group.

Kirsch let out a nervous chuckle, though there was no humor in it.

— Creepy basement? Check. Evil vampire in chains? Double check. Definitely not what I had planned for the weekend.