What about us: Vampire Academy

The Cave. Chapter one.

RPOV.

"DUCK, COMRADE!!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. Dimitri dropped to the ground, causing a blonde Strigoi, who was about to pounce, to topple over. Dimitri, immediately rolled himself onwards, to stake the suprised Strigoi. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding, and darted forward to help my man but my path was blocked by three more Strigoi. One huge male and two females. With a cold  smile the male jumped towards me while the two females turned to face Dimitri. My body instinctively went into a defensive stance, blocking and avoiding the Strigoi attacking blows. I could almost hear Comrades voice within my mind as I analysed my opponent. Looking at the basics first; male, tall, well built, was previously a Guardian and therefore trained. However the slight pink blush that covered his pale skin was a hint that this Strigoi has only just been turned and hopefully unused to his new super strength.

Whack! Motherfucker that hurt!
A roundhouse kick just caught me in the ribs. The force of the blow threw me back a few feet into the cave wall. My head bounced off the wall and I felt a warm trickle down the back of my neck. My back sliding down the wall until I crumpled on the ground.

"ROSE!!"

Looking up I saw the triumphant and hunger flash in the Strigoi eyes. Behind him, I could see Dimitri battling one of the females, the other dead at his feet. He was trying desperately to get to me. To my left I could see my mother, Stan and another Guardian I couldn't place, fighting their own batch of Strigoi. Shit. This is it. No one is coming to help.

"ROZA! FIGHT!" I heard Dimitri desperately yell.

Hearing his plea, brought me back to myself. No way was I going to die like this. I had to much to live for now. As the Strigoi stood above me, one leg either side of me. I could see he was about to lean down to take my life.  Turning to my side, kicking one leg forward while the other went back as hard as I could. My kick hitting both of the Strigoi knees, making them buckle. Using his pain for my benefit, I quickly slipped down onto my back, drawing my legs to my chest, I kicked as hard as could into the Strigoi privates. With a angry howl of pain, the Strigoi fell backwards a few steps. Suddnely Stan came crashing into the distracted Strigoi, knocking them both to the ground. Flipping himself to the side Stan held the Strigoi shoulders as Dimitri slammed his stake into the Strigoi heart.

I let out a breath of relief. Looking into Dimitri's warm brown eyes I saw him return the feeling.

"We need to move out. We are the last remaining and it's only minutes until sundown. I am certain there are more Strigoi hiding within these caves." My mother barked. My nausea confirming that there indeed more Strigoi.

"Rose? Can you walk?" Dimitri asked, as he eyed the blood that was now pouring down my face.

"Umm, I think so." I replied, as I tried to get to my feet. My body felt heavy and my head was thumping. I knew I was purely running on adrenaline now. A quick glance at Dimitri, told me he knew this too.

"Rosemarie, stay close to Samson and Alto. I will lead the group, Belikov take up the rear." My mother ordered.   Just like that we left. We were running down the final tunnel when we started to hear shouting and laughter. The sun was setting and it will be close call for us to get back to the academy before darkness. The cruel laughter and cheering getting louder by the second. They were getting ready for the chase and hunt.

When we exited the mouth of the cave, we all ran as fast as we could.  I could feel Dimitri close on my heels, giving me words of encouragement to keep going. The last of the sun was on us now and the sound of running footsteps behind us was increasing. We must be only be alittle more than a mile away from the wards, when the over cast blocked the last of the sun. We could see the beginning of the Acdamey gates as we started to past the abandoned outposts that used to be within the wards. Oh, how I wish they still were.

A wave of nausea struck me a few seconds before the doors of a few outposts flew open. Strigoi charged out to meet us.