The Hunt

Chapter 21

Darren:

My body aches and I'm tired. But it isn't just tired, it's a full body fatigue, running through every part of me, down to my bones. I open my eyes, and take in my surroundings. I've seen it all before. I think I've been opening my eyes and drifting off again. Maybe for awhile, I'm not sure how long I've been here. Where exactly is here?

I remember being surrounded in the forest. Our darts wouldn't work. Why wouldn't they work? I've never seen that happen before. Never heard of it happening. Judging by the reactions of the others, they haven't either. I realise now how vulnerable we actually are. One single weapon gives us our strength. One single object put us in control. And when we lost it? Nothing. All the combat training in the world wouldn't prepare us for the strength of these creatures. For their speed and force.

I remember being lifted and choked. Then my memory is hazy and unclear. Snippets of sounds and images flash through my mind. I seem to remember the car leaving. I don't know how or who was driving. Maybe Billy got away? I hope he did. Billy seemed like a sincere guy.

I have vague images of the fighting. If I'm remembering right we were overpowered quickly, so easily beaten. And the girl. She told me to go, to run. But I didn't. I stayed there, refused to leave. I couldn't desert the others.

My head hurts, though my body is starting to feel more alive. I wonder how long it's been. I look around. I'm in a small room, the walls are old grey stone, dusty and uneven. Metal bars block the way out, reaching from floor to ceiling. It's dark, gloomy and cold. I shudder as a cool breeze passes over me. The only source of light is a dim glow coming from beyond the bars, a single light floats freely in the corridor beyond, an orb. It reminds me of the lights in the Director's office. I don't know how it can be. Supported by nothing, powered from within.

I start to feel dizzy. I close my eyes and lay my head back on the ground. It's hard, but a little spongy, like compressed earth. Where the hell am I? And where are the others?

I don't know how long I lie with my eyes closed. Maybe I sleep. Images of the forest have been flashing through my mind. And images of glowing red and yellow eyes. And of her. The vampire I let escape. Her flowing black hair, the look on her face. There was authority on it, a power, a strength. It wasn't there the first time I saw her. When I let her run. Another image flashes into my mind, a pale face, red glowing eyes. He was with her when they ran from me.

I wonder if I would have let them go if I'd known what would happen. How it would ripple out and affect so much. If I'd seen what was to be as a result of my actions. I think I would have. I remember the look on her face when I let them run. I would do it again.

I open my eyes again and everything is sharper now. Nothing has changed in my environment but my hearing seems to have switched on. There are sounds where there was silence before. That must be a good sign. I must be getting better.

I lift myself up slowly, gradually. My arms are shaky but, using the wall, I pull myself into a sitting position. I look out into the corridor beyond the bars, but see nothing except more wall. The same cold grey stone, built in uneven blocks rising to the ceiling. I inch towards the bars, half crawling, half dragging myself. I feel my body awakening, numbness dissipating, aches and pains burn and my throat feels bruised. I touch it carefully and it stings like a bite. I think I'm lucky to be alive.

I reach the bars and strain my ears, listening for sounds. I hear someone to the right. It sounds like they are muttering and pacing with quick, light steps.

"Damn it." The whispered words drift towards me.

"Jack?" I say. My voice is croaky and dry.

"Damn it Darren. I thought you were dead." Jack says. He's not muttering anymore. His voice echos against the wall.