Blood Thirst

Chapter 36 Stopped

Rex's POV

Rage filled my body as I saw a vampire with a knife firmly pressed against Link's neck. He had already been bitten and now she was preparing to end his life. He was too young to die. She stared at us and then pushed the knife even closer to Link's neck. He had passed out and his head lolled to the side.

"Stay exactly where you are if you want this man to live," she threatened.

 I swallowed hard and wiped the sweat from my brow. Anger still boiled inside of me and I leaped for her. She screamed and before she could kill Link, I had pulled her away. She tried to stab me, but I firmly grasped her wrist and held it back. She tried to overcome me, but she failed. I squeezed her wrist even tighter, causing her to drop the weapon with a cry of pain. She fell to her knees and held her aching wrist. I grabbed the knife and put it to her heart. She gasped and held her breath.

"Tell me, you're the queen vampire, isn't that correct?" I asked.

She nodded her head slightly with complete fear in her eyes.

"So, if I were to kill you, you're followers would die, correct?"

She nodded once more and a tear fell from her eye.

"M-mercy," she pleaded.

"Would you have had mercy on Link? No, you wouldn't have. Would you have had mercy on his family and best friend. No. So, then tell me, why should I have mercy on you? You've killed so many people in your time. You're trapped as an undead monster. Wouldn't you rather set your soul free?" I asked smugly.

"Have mercy on me and I'll change my ways. Please!" she cried.

"How could you? You need human blood to live. You couldn't change your ways. I'm sorry, but you and your followers must be stopped. I'm saving the human race. It's time to say goodbye, dear," I mocked and shoved the knife through her heart.

She gasped and suddenly all the vampires in the room cried out in agony. They all clutched their hearts through their chests and fell to the ground, screaming. I ran over to Link and examined him. He appeared to have dozens of third degree burns all over his torso and arms. He was pale from the amount of blood lost and I could only hope he wouldn't turn back into a vampire. 

"Call an ambulance. He needs help ASAP!" I shouted and gave his hand a slight squeeze. 

His eyes slowly opened and he tried to speak. I leaned down by him to hear him better. His voice was so weak and quiet.

"Link, what is it? What do you need?" I asked, my voice full of concern.

"Save them," Link said before falling unconscious once more.

His loved ones. We still had to get them out of here too. I looked back at Link and noticed his ribs were sticking out and his stomach was sunken in. His whole body looked like a twig that you could snap in half like nothing. I picked him up gently and saw his back was completely bruised. What had he gone through? I moved him over to a throne-like chair and gently set him down in it.

"We have to find his family. I think they were captured as well," I said and had some of my men follow me.

"Jeannette, take her in her and watch this man too!" I shouted to my employee who had been watching Rhett's wife outside.

We searched all throughout the cave, until we finally found a cell with Rhett, a woman, and two children in it. The woman screamed and Rhett quickly calmed her down.

"Rex! You made it! Is Link alright?!" Rhett asked urgently and ran to the bars.

"He's not dead, but he's not doing well. We're getting an ambulance here now. Step back, I'm going to shoot the lock," I said and waited for him to move.

He stepped back and grabbed the woman and children. He put his arms around them protectively, as if they were his family. Rhett and Link must have been very, very close, as well as their families. I shot the lock and kicked open the door. I ran up to the huddled up people that were cowering in fear.

"Hey, hey, it's going to be alright now. I'm here to help you guys. Are you any of you hurt?" I asked.

They all shook their heads. I looked at Rhett and he spoke up. "This was a traumatic experience for them. That's why they're like this. Can you please take us to see Link?"

Rhett helped them up and I nodded. He helped the woman walk and the girl seemed to be struggling. I quickly scooped her up in my arms and she rested her head on my chest. I could feel my shirt getting wet as her salty tears soaked it. I didn't mind though. She had every reason to be crying right now. We brought them all back to the main room where Link was slumped back in the throne. The woman gasped and they all ran to him. She rested her head on his chest and sobbed.

"Oh Link, my poor baby! What have they done to you?!" she cried.

Rhett gently rubbed her back and the children also began to cry. I think I even noticed a few tears fall down Rhett's cheek, but it made sense. These poor people.

Rhett's POV

I wiped away my tears and hugged Link's family. Soon, I heard Jessie shout for me. I turned around and was met by my crying wife.

"Oh Rhett! W-what did they do to Link? Are you alright? I missed you so much and I was so worried about you and Link! He's been such a wreck ever since you guys disappeared!" Jessie said as she cried on my shoulder.

"Shh. It's alright. I think he's going to be okay, Jess. And I know about what he was like, he told us before they too him away. Poor guy, I feel so broken seeing him in this condition. He's my brother and I couldn't save him! He nearly died, Jessie!" I said feeling so empty inside.

"The ambulance is here now, they need to take him," Rex said.

 I nodded and told Christy and the kids. Christy slowly pulled herself away from Link and was soon engulfed in a tight hug by Jessie. I squeezed Link's hand gently and prayed he would be alright. Blood covered his neck and he had way too many serious burns. He was still deathly skinny. They strapped him to a stretcher and carried him to the back of the ambulance. They allowed Christy, Jessie, the kids, and I all to ride back there, considering the circumstance. The only sounds were the beeping of the heart monitor and the sobbing of my companions. Please, Link. Please be alright!