Are You Kidding Me?!

Chapter 1: Vlad

Damn it, where is she? The Hunters aren't far, and we've been apart for too long without any form of communication.

What if she got caught...or worse? I wouldn't be able to bear it if anything happened to her, and I am not going to lose her. She's all that I have left, and the reason why I fight everyday that I can. If anything, she's the only one that can keep me sane. The longer we are kept apart, the more I lose myself in madness.

Damn those Hunters for blocking us from each others minds. They only have those tego charms because of a stupid vampire who couldn't let go of their grudge against me and my family. Well, I can still feel her at least, feel that she's somewhere in the forest, but no way of actually knowing where she is. I'm well aware that she can take care of herself, but I fear that the vampires who hired the Hunters would find her first. If anything, they would torture us for days on end-maybe until the end of time itself.

Technically we can't die, but we can bleed. If they find her before I do, they have begged for war, and I would gladly give them a war. They have been a thorn on my side since high school, and now I'm ready to bury my past forever. However, if they do find her, I might as well die where I stand.

The whole reason that she was brought to Bathory was to keep her safe and hidden from these Hunters, keep them off her trail. I had given her and Otis my word that they would not step foot in this town, that there wouldn't be a repeat of the "Cleansing". I have kept the peace between Elysia and all of the human race , and I will keep it that way. As far as the Hunter situation, I have to end it now. I will not let them have me or my family.

So, I kept running, in search of the one person who literally meant everything to me. I kept running until I wound up in the middle of the forest. Where else would I go? I've been running aimlessly in the forest for what seems to feel like hours. I thought I had her scent, but then the scent finally disappeared.

"Damn it, where did you go?"

I looked all around me, trying to see if there were any signs of movement. I listened for any footsteps, but the forest was quiet...too quiet, actually. The air was clear, all the animals were asleep, and the there was no other movement but my own. Something was definitely wrong, and someone was messing with my senses. No doubt the Hunters are behind this. What was their problem anyway? We haven't done anything to get their attention, and we were even several states away from them. Why?

There was a rustling in the shrub to my left. I jumped a few feet away from it, and asked, "Who the hell is there?"

No one answered at first, but after a few minutes, i was greeted with the sound of bones popping. I assumed I was hearing things when I heard the click of a gun. My focus was no longer on the bush, but on everything else around me.

I couldn't trust any of my senses at this point. I couldn't even trust my mind. My consciousness was already begin to slip and give way to insanity once more. I began to forget where I was, who I was looking for, and who I was running from. I tried to remember her name, but all I was able to remember was Snow. Snow, who was always there whenever I needed her. Snow, who was always there to bring me back from this madness. So where was she? Was she the person I was looking for? And why was I in a forest?

My mind began to unravel itself uncontrollably. I cradled my head in between my two hands, and tried to remember why I was in this forest. Why did I smell gunpowder in the air? Why did I hear the sound of joints popping?

"VLAD, MOVE!"

I looked to my left, and saw a girl coming at me. At first, I didn't recognize her. After shaking my head to clear it, I saw Snow running towards me. We were at the steps of Bathory High, and we were in the middle of a "cleansing". She looked so beautiful, considering the sight. But, her eyes were wide with horror. I knew that moment in time, and that would be when I lost Snow. She tried to shove me out of the way of the stake, but, when she made contact with me, I caught her in my arms, and shielded her.

I waited for the blow to the heart, but, instead, felt my entire air supply leave me within seconds. It didn't feel like a punch to the back, but like a jab to the throat. I tried to breathe in, but my throat wouldn't respond to the commands I gave it. It felt like I was under water, and someone was clutching my throat shut.

I landed on my side with a loud thud, and the dirt that flung around in the air made my chest burn. I looked to see why, and saw a two centimeter wide bullet wound through my chest. I was shot with a sniper, and at close range. I had to get out of there...and fast. So I reached for her arm...but she was no longer there.

I began to pull myself up from the floor, but I couldn't get my feet under me. Every muscle I moved made my chest heavy. I felt like a cinder-block was placed every time I moved. My attempts were useless, so, instead, I just lay there. The Hunter was there, I knew, but better me than her. Besides, I could already feel that death was coming.

Technically, I couldn't die permanently, but I could die for a good ten to fifteen minutes. If I was lucky, I'd be out for five or so minutes, but that's still too long. The Hunters knew all this-no doubt their employer being a vampire-before they fully took the job. No one would want to face the Pravus single handed, but knowing a few weak points might be enough to neutralize.

I closed my eyes,waiting for death to momentarily have me. Suddenly,I was being shaken by small,fragile hands. However,these hands were far from it. I could feel the power radiating from them,as well as the love coming off her touch. I opened my eyes,expecting Snow,but my vision was blurry,and I cannot tell whether it was her or a random innocent getting caught in the cross-fire. I tried to open my mouth and tell them to run,but instead,coughed out blood.

This woman touched my cheek and said to me in a low whisper, "Shhh, Vlad. I'm here,and I'll be here when you wake."

I heard her sniffling,and felt her hold me against her chest. Who was she? Is she Snow? Or is she someone else.

I opened my mouth one last time,and still could not see anything. So I kept them closed,and the last thing I heard before death welcomed me for a short five or so minutes was the girl who repeated over and over in my ear, "Please come back to me, Vlad. Please,don't leave me alone. You're all that I have. Vlad,please,come back to me."

Then, I was dragged into darkness,where all I could hear were agonizing screams, and the scent of blood.

---------------------- -------------- -------
This is my first real story and wanted to "test the waters".
If you want to read more,please vote,comment, and/or follow and I'll uptade as soon as possible.