Descend into Darkness (BOOK 1)

| 28 | Roses Are Red

I changed into a black attire consisting of a padded vest, black cargo pants, and thick-soled boots. I slipped into a pair of gloves and tied my hair into a high ponytail. Evander had gotten permission for my restraints to be removed during training.

Once again I was immersed in the artificial, underground city. The building expanded outward, seemingly forever, into the horizon. The synthetic sky glistened with stars, and a subdued breeze snaked through the streets. 

I thought back to those nights I spent jogging through the neighbourhood, unbound by anything but my own stamina. Standing there with my chin held high, I got lost in those memories, until Evander's voice broke through.

   "I've upped the difficulty of the simulation, so be ready for some changes. I hope you haven't forgotten what you learned last time."

He handed me a gun that was longer and heavier than the one I was used to. I ran my fingers across the run etched onto the barrel.

   "Hugrunar," he said. "The rune improves focus."

I pulled out the magazine and inspected the bullets. "These aren't silver?"

   "No, but these are." He handed me an extra magazine. "They were manufactured by a separate division, so they should do you well. Make sure to use the appropriate ammo for your target."

   "Target? These won't kill?"

   "Let's pretend you meet another vampire who was turned by Carden. We know that silver won't kill them, but it should give you enough time to finish them off." He's made a motion across his neck. "You kill a pureblood, you have to cut off their head."

He made it sound so easy.

   "Luckily, you've got a great volunteer for today's training."

   "Who?"

   "You'll find out soon enough, once you track them down."

My chest tightened. I gave a deep exhale and then swallowed the bad feeling in my throat. I needed to stay on guard. I wouldn't lose control this time.

   "Off you go," he said. "I'll be watching from the control room. Once I close the main doors, you can start. Good luck!"

I watched him leave before doing some light stretches. No matter how much I controlled my breathing, I couldn't shake the bad feeling I had. Was it because of what happened the first time? 

I gently slapped my cheeks and jumped up and down, but still the feeling lingered. After a few minutes, there was the sound of gears turning. The doors clamped shut. It was time.

I surveyed the road around me. It was lifeless, desolate. Before moving on, I swapped the standard bullets for silver bullets. 

I slipped the spare magazine into one of my pockets and slowly crept forward. Street lights flickered to life. Office windows lit up, casting overblown silhouettes of the occupants. 

The mannequins began to move as they had before; each one oblivious, carrying out its daily routine. I could even hear the soft murmur of speech. Evander had truly brought the city to life.

A car horn blared behind me. I swung around, my gun poised, only to realise that it was nothing but a sound. If I had learned anything from my last session, it was that I needed a higher vantage point. I looked up to the rooftops. I double-backed to the street I had began from and ducked into an alleyway. 

From there, I leapt up to the emergency staircase, surprising myself with my own abilities. My body had really changed. I climbed the stairs and took in the fresh air. I looked down at the streets. Nothing seemed amiss.