The vampires in the woods

CHAPTER 8

MACKAYLA

I flushed the toilet and rested my head on the cold, marble wall,

"Alright hunny, you're ok, in and out." I felt Bailey's hand running up and down my back but could barely focus. He's back. We walked out the bathroom to reveal Luke and everyone else, including the boys,

"What happened Mac?" Luke asked, his eyes flooding with concern as he pulled me into a hug,

"He's back." I mumbled. My eyes filled with tears and my throat tightened up,

"What?" Luke's voice was emotionless and his faced drained of colour. I sat down on the bed and thrust the box towards him, not wanting to look at its contents. Luke got even more pale as he pulled out a white dress and a box of red hair dye. Luke started to shake and his eyes we're fixed on the dress,

"There's more, read the note." My voice cracked as I spoke. Luke was still frozen so Hunter snatched the box from his hands and read the note, growing paler the further down he got,

"Did you think you could run? I told you I'd find you and I did. It's only a matter of time. He can't protect you forever, he didn't three years ago and he won't now. See you soon sweetheart – Damien." I couldn't stop shaking and everyone was as white as a sheet. I looked down and started fiddling with my hands, lost in my thoughts. I heard the bed creak and felt it sink as someone sat down next to me,

"You know we're going to protect you right? We're not going to let him get to you, alright? I promise." Adam reassured me while rubbing my back. I felt his hand running over all my scars and I flinched. He instantly retracted his hand and rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. I stayed silent, feeling their stares burn into my body,

"I just want to sleep, I'm drained." I pleaded, tears still pricking at my eyes,

"Yeah sure love, I'm right next door if you need me." Bailey nodded and everyone slowly made their way out of my room. Luke was the last one out,

"Luke," I called, "Can you stay with me?" I asked, aware of how pathetic I sounded. He smiled slightly,

"Yeah sure, budge up." I moved over to the left slightly and left room for him to squeeze in. He threw the covers back ad got in next to me. I instantly curled into his chest and rested my head over his heart, listening to his heartbeat. He started stroking my hair until I eventually fell into an uneven sleep.

Two months later

Nothing had happened. It has been two long months filled with paranoia and fear, constantly looking over my shoulder. Two months of constant protection and training. Up at five a.m. every morning for a two-mile run then into the training room by six to train before breakfast at seven. I was broken out of my thoughts by a knock on the door,

"Come in." I called. The door creaked open revealing Bailey's bright blue hair,

"Hey, something's flagged up on the system, Luke wants you to see it." I nodded and followed her out. We walked in a comfortable silence to one of the many 3d holograms on the second floor which was being studied by Hunter, Luke and Adalynn,

"Hey Mac, we found something on the system. An attack in a village about ten miles away, doesn't seem like Damien's kind of thing but I want to see if you recognise the style." Luke informed me. I nodded and began to read the digital file. I scanned through the file,

"Victims still with a limited amount of blood, throats slit, mutilated. I don't think this is Damien's style, I'm just confused about the bite marks." Hunter nodded,

"We'll take out a team anyway, just to investigate. Mac stay here, if it is Damien we don't want you getting involved. Not everyone is free, Maddie has some trials to run, Liv and Adam are helping her so it will be Hunter, me, Adalynn, Bailey and Max. We'll do a meeting for when we get back. We'll probably be back around five so just meet us in room 104. Get the others to get into their kit and meet us by the door in ten. I'll see you later Mac." Luke rattled off instructions and I nodded,

"Be safe." He hugged me and then went about his business. I checked the time and with three hours till five I went to my favourite place. The roof.