Danielle Pierce: Vampire Hunter

DANIELLE

 Pancakes is stretched out across my stomach, purring lightly as I flick through the channels on TV. Settling on a reality show, I absently pet my kitten, enjoying the feeling of her soft fur on my fingertips. Suddenly, I felt a sharp pain in my left thigh. I tensed, searching for a dart, a dagger, something to tell me I’d been hit, but nothing revealed itself. I stood and slipped off my still dirty battle pants, making a mental note to shower, and inspected my skin. Nothing. I shrugged and wandered off to the bathroom.

 DRAKE

 He’d got me, stabbed me in my left thigh, and blood was seeping through my clothes. The shop assistant had screamed when he’d attacked me and I guessed the police wouldn’t be far behind. I need to end this quickly. I faked left and punched him hard in his jaw. I hear the bone snap beneath my fist and feel a rush of ecstasy. Without losing speed, I jab him in the stomach with my knee. Another hit to the face sends him flying into a clothing rack and the sound of police sirens become clear. My assailant doesn’t seem to be moving so I grab at the black cloth covering his face and yank it away. His face is covered in blood but I recognise him, even though I can’t place where I’ve seen him before. Ignoring my gut instinct to question him, I grab some clothing and run out the door. Praying the assistant didn’t get a good look at me, I sprint through the streets of London, swerving in and out of alley ways until the police sirens become a faint echo. I slow, realising I have no idea where I am. Slowly, the adrenaline wears off and I am left with the pain from my wound. I stop in a dodgy looking park and strip off my dirty t-shirt, replacing it with a clean one; I’ll deal with my pants later. I tear the dirty shirt into pieces and use it to bind my wound. I guess I should find my way back to the lodge.

 DANIELLE

 I step into the shower and let the hot water work its magic. My thoughts and feelings about Drake start to seep into my mind so I turn the heat up, focusing on the pain on the water searing red welts into my skin. My dagger wound is healing well and I can stretch my arms to shampoo my hair. But I can feel the tears brimming in my eyes and I know that even the most intense pain couldn’t shake the feelings I have for Drake. I slump down in the small space and bring my knees to my chest, my tears mingling with the water and shampoo running down my face. I bury my face into my hands and let myself sob loudly. I don’t know how long I have been in the shower, but the water is now cold and I am shivering. I hear the door open and shut and Cassidy’s voice calls out to me, but I ignore her. I don’t even realise I am still crying until she peeks through the bathroom door and holds out a towel for me. “Come on now, we’ll talk.” She says lightly, but I can see the worry in her eyes. I have never cried in front of her and it scares her.

 DRAKE

 It seems I haven’t run far from the lodge and find it with ease. The woman eyes me suspiciously when I walk in and I expect her to throw me out, but wordlessly, she hands me a bandage and some antiseptic cream. I am touched by the unexplained kindness of this stranger. I make my way slowly to my room, struggling because of my leg. Suddenly someone comes up beside me and half carries me to my door. My eyes are drooping and my body feels slack. The door opens and I stumble towards my bed. I am vaguely aware of someone ripping the fabric around my wound and dressing it. I catch a flash of orange before I drift off.