Bloodlines: Dark Embrace

Chapter 1 - Quick Escape

I hopped down from the roof into an alleyway and walked onto the streets, keeping my head held low. I stalked up to the stall that I had seen the book on, lifting my head up a little to make sure that I was heading in the right direction. I slipped my shoe off and made it look like it had slipt off itself, picking it up I stood beside the stall, leaning on it to put my shoe back on. As the merchant turned to make a sale I took the opening. I took a quick peer around the market, to make sure that no one was watching. All the people here looked strangely happy even though if I was still part of a rich family, I would call them peasant. They wore tattered clothes and had greasy hair, but I was practically the same now. I quickly darted my hand to the book, snatching it up and clutching it under my arm, hoping it isn't seen due to my baggy clothing.

I walked off at a normal pace so as they didn't notice it was gone but as I took my third step I heard a shout from behind me.

"Thief!" A man  shouted. "He's stolen my goods!" As this was said a few men and women stood in front of me to stop me walking any further. I cursed under my breath and tried speeding up my pace, but before I could do that I felt a strong grip on my shoulder as I was spun around and forced to look the merchant in the eyes. At the sight of my eyes he recoiled in horror. "Beast!" He screamed. "He has the eyes of a demon! It's taken over a young boys body!"

Everyone in the nearby area walked around to the front of me and one by one they all stood in shock and fear. The merchant that I had stolen the book from was at the front of the crowd, he suddenly pointed a long chubby finger at me and shouted "Get it!". As this was said they all looked at eachother then began running towards me.

My eyes bulged and I cursed under my breath again. I managed to react before anyone could grab a hold of me, spinning on my heels, I darted down the street, pedestrians watching as I go by, some joining in on the hunt by trying to grab me but missing. The merchants just stood and watched me pass, not risking losing their wares and goods.

I took a sharp right turn and darted in between houses. I was quicker than everyone in that mob and more agile but I still feared being caught as being branded a 'demon' was never too good. As I reached yet another street I took a left turn then quickly down a stree to the right hoping that some of the mob would frey by thinking I had ran straight ahead.

The mob was only two turns behind me now but I could still hear the screams and shouts of the mob and I felt the pressure mount on me. The book in my hand was heavy and my breathing was even worse, I was used to this but for some reason I had expected to get away without being caught and I damned myself for being so stupidly arrogant. My panting grew louder and I thought they'd be able to find me as it seemed like I was making more noise than a ringing church bell.

As I took one more left turn I spotted a small alleyway up ahead, now I was no longer in the extremely poor district, houses were a little better built. I ran faster than I was before, so that I could get to the alleyway and hide, it was the best way to evade capture.

I darted into the alleyway before the townsfolk turned the last corner. Sprinting down the alleyway, I slid behind a pile of clothes that had been thrown out. I held the leather bound book over my mouth, hoping that it would muffle my heavy breathing. I couldn't believe the whole town thought I was a demon! Of course to everyone else I looked like a demon, I have pitch black eyes, no white sclera, no colourful iris, just blackness. But that shouldn't excuse this behaviour! It's not like I have jagged teeth, a long pointy tail and a blood covered face! I looked completely normal apart from my tall stature, my white hair and obviously, my eyes.

As the villagers ran past, I held my breath. My heart was pounding so hard in my chest, I was scared that it would be heard by the mob chasing after me or that it would literally pop out of my body, atleast then I wouldn't have to risk the mob doing that for me. I watched them all pass, none of them having the wits to even glance into the alleyway, where they would find me hunched over and gripping tightly to a leather bound book that was really not worth getting chased out of another town for.

As the last of the mob passed I took a few deep breaths before getting up and walking slowly down the opposite way of the alleyway from which I entered. I kept peering behind my back, making sure that no one would see my walking down the alleyway. As I was taking my sigh of relief I suddenly heard a voice from behind me that stopped me in my tracks.

"A futile move does one not think?" It was a man, he had a foreign accent, deep voice and spoke with what seemed like a great arrogance. As he spoke it sent shivers down my spine. "The mob was but a diversion from what was to happen here. Almost as if this was fate." As soon as he finished talking, I felt breathing on my neck. My eyes widened and hairs all over my body stuck up on end.

Without a second thought I swung the thick leather book around, hoping to get his face and knock him down so I could make a run for it. I didn't know what he was talking about but something about his voice gave me the feeling that he wasn't here to talk.When I turned quickly on my heels and swung with the book it caught nothing. I looked down the alleyway, seeing nothing, I squinted, hoping to see something out of the corner of my eye, but there was nothing. I spoke up.

"What the hell do you want with me?" I croaked,  just managing to let those words out.

There was no one there, no reply to my question and no one to be seen. Yet the man spoke again.

"You cannot stop this, boy. You cannot escape this. For this is fate." As he finished those last words I felt a white hot pain in my neck, I tried to run but my legs wouldn't move. I lost my grip on the book and soon my head felt heavy. I tried to let out a scream for help but nothing was released from my mouth other than a soft gurgle. The pain increased, I could feel myself struggling for life and then... Nothing.