(1) Bloodlines: The Curse (A Vampire Dairies Fanfiction)

1. The Chase

Danny's heart pounded in his chest, the sound of his blood pumping filled his ears, his legs cramped as he pushed himself to move faster. His feet were hitting the pavement hard as he ran, water splashing up and coating the bottom of his pants as he turned down an alley, sliding and only barely managing to catch himself as he did.

It could have been seconds or minutes that he ran, but it seemed to go on and go. Water was dripping down his face and into his eyes; his lungs were begging for oxygen faster than he could inhale.

He slipped in a muddy puddle and caught himself on the brick wall. A loud gasping breath escaping him as he tried to make sense of where he was. The flickering neon sign of a shop at the other end of the alley; the sign read open. Danny dashed for the door, hoping that whoever was inside would help him.

As he reached the door, a hand grasped his shoulder, and he was thrown backwards. For a few moments, he was airborne before he crashed onto the wet ground. The water soaking his jacket completely, his body aching from the impact.

The low chuckle that caught Danny's ear made his heart leap into his throat.

Standing by the door with the glowing sign was a hooded figure. The same hooded figure that had followed Danny out of the door at the bar. Whoever it was had followed him down the street towards his car, but when he pulled out his keys, they grabbed him. They had slammed him against the door, a harsh hissing noise coming from their mouth before he felt teeth on his neck. The laughing of a couple coming out of another restaurant had distracted it enough for him to run.

Danny used what strength he had to push the figure away before running as fast and as hard as he could. His whole body was burning from fleeing; he was panting—trying to breathe—but this figure, this thing, didn't seem phased at all.

They took a step towards him, their head leaning to one side.

With a shaking voice, Danny asked, "What do you want from me?"

The chuckle was louder. "One thing." It took a step closer. "The most precious thing of all."

Danny glared at them and tried to push himself up. He stumbled but managed to stand. "What?" he yelled.

The figure paused and shifted, the light-catching beneath the hood and lighting up the things eyes. They were bright and blue but not human. The look of need, of hungry, was far from anything remotely human.

"The one thing that gives you life," they said.

Danny shook his head and stepped back.

But before he could say another word, the thing moved towards him in a blur and razer sharp pain shot through his throat as teeth ripped into his skin. He could feel his blood being pulled towards the mouth latched on his neck and the drops that were running down his shoulder.

The soul-piercing scream that came out of Danny didn't phase the monster. It moaned and held him tighter against his chest. His blood continued to rush through him, slowly making him feel weaker and weaker until it just...stopped.

The creature stumbled back, released Danny before letting out its own haunting scream of pain. Its back arched up at an awkward angle as its knees buckled and it trembled on the ground.

His knees were too weak to hold him, and he fell to the ground, rolling onto his back and noticing another hooded figure that stood at the end of the alley. This one was different, smaller, thinner, and looked female.

She had her hand by her side, her fingers splayed out wide. Her other hand was tucked into the pocket of her jacket.

She said, "I wish I could say that I had better things to do than spend my nights hunting abominations like you down—but I don't."

She twisted her hand, clenched her fingers closed, and a loud crack sounded through the air.

Danny turned his head and noticed the creature that attacked him was lying still, slumped on the ground. It's neck broken.

The girl walked over to Danny. She knelt down beside him and placed her hand over the wound on his neck. "You'll be fine," she said.

Danny frowned. "I don't understand—"

She smiled. "You don't need to. Tomorrow you will wake up, and this will all be a dream."

Warmth flooded Danny's throat; it spread across his shoulder and along his torso. The exhaustion he had felt faded, the pain dissipated, and he felt wide awake. Sitting up, he looked at the girl.

"What just happened?"

She laughed. Her hood fell back slightly as she did. Blonde hair peeked out from beneath the black hood.

"I think I owe you a thank you," said Danny.

She smiled and stood. "You are welcome."

Danny pushed himself to stand, brushing off his arms and pants before turning to look at the slumped thing. "What is that?" he asked.

The girl smiled. "Nothing you need to worry about."

"Is it dead?"

"Technically, yes."

Danny's eyebrows clenched. "Technically?"

"As I said, by tomorrow, you won't remember, so it doesn't matter." She walked over to the thing and kicked it with her foot.

"Who are you?" asked Danny.

"Alex," she held out her hand, "the woman who just saved your life."

Danny took her hand. "Thank you, Alex; I'm Danny."

Alex smiled turned soft.

A van pulled up behind them; Danny turned surprised, but Alex looked up expectantly. She squeezed the grip on Danny's hand, causing him to turn back to her, confused.

"It was nice to meet you, Danny."

The world started to shift, and Danny felt dizzy. He shook his head to try and shake it off but felt his body become heavy. He stumbled and felt Alex grasp his shoulders as it went black.

*

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*

Alex looked down at the man named Danny. He would need to be taken back to his apartment, and while she was almost curious to see what this human did with his time, to be so calm in an almost death situation, she had better things to do.

She turned to Kenny, who was leaning over the neutralised vampire. She said, "Kenny, get the stiff in the van and then take the human home."

Kenny nodded. "Sure thing, boss."

Turning to walk over to the van, Alex pulled out her phone and dialled.

"That was quick," said a deep voice.

"I'm that good," said Alex.

"I can meet you at the factor on Mane in 40."

Alex smiled. "See you then."