Derrick

Twenty-Three

Waking up was hell.

Everything hurt. Even my eyes. I felt as if I'd been trampled by thirteen of the world's strongest horses.

There were muffled sounds in the room across the hall, and I slowly tried to get up.

Bad idea.

I fell back with a tiny groan, which helped me to discover that my voice was completely gone.

My head felt extremely clouded; I couldn't form a complete thought. My arms burned, my legs ached, and my eyes watered uncontrollably. I wondered how I long I'd have to lay there before someone would come to check on me. See if I were even alive.

What seemed like hours passed; I desperately wanted to call out to Isaac or Sebastian or Sarah, but opening my mouth sent a wave of pain down my neck.

Suddenly, the door creaked open; I was in too much pain to jump from the intrusion. I couldn't even turn my head to see who it was.

The room was silent for a long moment before they uttered one soft word.

"Shit."

There was the sound of muffled footsteps on the shabby carpet near me, and a familar set of glittering green eyes appeared above mine.

Isaac's face came closer, and I felt a brief, small gust of air as he sniffed at my neck. His head yanked back and he stared at me for a moment, his eyes wide with horror.

"Sebastian! Sarah!" He called. Sebastian was in the room immidiately, my hand suddenly in his. Sarah soon followed.

"What is that smell?" Sebastian asked. "It isn't one that I recognize."

"Me either," Sarah added. Isaac cleared his throat.

"Our plan didn't work," He said, his voice shaky. "She's dying."

Sebastian's hand tightened on mine, an unintentional sign of his shock. A barely-audible whine came out of my throat in response, making him loosen his hold.

"You said she was still human enough to survive," Sebastian yelled. He took a menacing step toward Isaac.

I couldn't turn my head, but I head footsteps stomp around the room.

"Watch it," Sarah warned.

"I'll throw you through the wall," Sebastian snarled.

"Arguing isn't saving her. We need to find something, and fast." Isaac stated. "She's got some time left, but I don't think she has much of it. This must have started sometime last night."

"Is there a cure for werewolf poison?" Sarah asked.

"None that work with vampire venom," he answered.

"How will you fix this?" Sebastian barked. "If she dies, I will kill every living thing in this area and I will do it gladly."

Everything happened very quickly after that.

The wall was blown out, throwing huge chunks of wood everywhere. Sebastian's body immediately moved in front of me, protecting me from the worst of it.

Armed men swarmed the small house, pushing everyone into a corner. Meanwhile, I was stuck where I was, immobile.

Then, a pair of eyes appeared above me that made my heart sink. My body was painfully lifted up, and I was cradled against his chest.

"Don't worry. I've got you," Derrick murmured. He lifted his nose into the ear and sniffed.

Sebastian growled menacingly, but Derrick ignored him and looked into my eyes, his own shining with triumph.

"You've been busy, haven't you?"