The Hunt

Chapter 31

Ambrose:

The sounds of the forest are being drowned out by the vehicles and machines following behind me as I pick my way towards the eternal darkness. Although my vision is weak in this body I see the creatures fleeing from us, birds taking flight and four legged beasts disappearing into the trees. I am leading the way, moving slowly along a narrow path. Only two vehicles can travel next to each other, sometimes having to split apart to get around a tree or a bush.

Behind me, the convoy inches forward slowly. As well as the vehicles, men walk, edging their way forward holding their black, shining guns, armoured up in their bite-proof uniforms, looking ahead with somber expressions.

After Mike had left me with my new "commander" I waited where I was told. Several hours passed before we left through the gates and entered the forest. I was expected to lead the group, guide them to the darkness, to the village, to the master. And Alesco and Leila and Wynn.

I wonder what they are doing, if they are still together, if they made it to the master at all. But I think they must have, I saw no sign of them back in the human cells. My mind is consumed with thoughts of my family and in trying to find a way to get free of this situation.

I saw the director and Mike themselves come out to join us as we left. They are in one of the vehicles further back. Many of the vehicles and some of the men carry strong lights, like the sun, and they are blaring out, chasing away the darkness and shadows from the forest. Between the darts and the lights the vampires don't stand a chance.

I wonder how the eternal darkness, created by the master, will fare against these lights? In many ways, in my short experience with him, the director reminds me of the master. Of course they are not the same, but the aura of power coming from them is similar, the strength they exude.

I wonder what the master will make of me in my human form. Does he have any idea the humans are coming?

We've been moving for hours and I feel myself tiring, my breathing is heavy and sweat drips from my forehead. As a vampire, I could endure long distances at speed, never tiring so long as I had darkness and blood. But this body seems to tire as its norm. Perhaps it needs more food or rest or eternal death to set it right.

I sniff the air, trying to judge my surroundings, but the smells mean nothing, all the scents are drowned out by the fumes from the machines behind me, mixing with the life and death of forest. I cannot distinguish one thing from the next. A flash of frustration courses through my body. This body is useless!

I estimate that we have another six or seven hours to go to reach the border of the darkness, to reach the point at which the master's protection begins. I hope we can stop and rest before too long, before marching straight into battle. I will need to rest and recharge before I will be able to solve my predicament and save my family.

Do all the humans feel as I do now? Tired and weakened by the journey? I think not. They train themselves to endure, train their strength. They can withstand the pressure. And those in vehicles are not exerting themselves at all.

We walk on. I dare not stop without leave lest the director consider me a burden and dispatch me here before I can reach my family. I have no doubt he would do it. And so I walk, and walk, getting closer and closer to our final destination, closer to my origins, closer to it all. Fear spreads its tentacled fingers through my stomach and body and anxiety consumes my thoughts. I walk on automatic, lost to my surroundings.

"Stop!" The booming voice pulls me from my mind and brings me back to the forest. I recognise the director's voice and I stop, looking around. The men and cars have stopped, their lights shining at me. I hold my hand up and squint to see better. The director has emerged from his vehicle. Mike is by his side and they are walking towards me.