Okay, so I only read *whispers intensely* Shadow Kiss *end whispers intensely* and *spirit fingers* Blood Promise *end spirit fingers* so I ended up being seriously misinformed on the whole location of where St. Vladimir's Academy or whatever was supposed to be.
I thought it was in Russia.
*facepalm*
Not really!
ShoutOuts ~
klaus-is-epic: Sometimes, Klaus, you scare me lol. No, I haven't seen Vampire Diaries, though it did look intriguing.
BookNinja15: Heya, Fluffy, glad to see you finally showed up. O.o Anyways, I know the chapter was short. Making up for it now? And, yes, the dialogue shall be intensely amazing.
~ THEMESONGS ~
Monsters ~ Hurricane Wolves
House of Wolves ~ My Chemical Romance
.M.I.W.
2. Cold Zombies in the Snow
They say there are only two certainties in life: death and taxes. Well, there are probably four in mine. Death, taxes (if I live to get the chance), portals, and F. Scott Fitzgerald.
I didn't exactly know where I was, but I knew it was cold.
Like… freezing.
"Jesus Christ!" I hissed, immediately throwing off my rucksack, the swords clinging slightly in their black leather scabbards, and letting it drop and crunch the snow I was standing on. I dropped to my knees on the achingly cold snow, and rummaged through my pack. I immediately jerked out my jacket, pants, and the riding boots.
I quickly took surveillance of where the hell I was as I pulled on my jacket, and quickly slipped off my Vans and threw them into the bag, along with my shorts. I pulled on the pants, and then buckled the leather boots that reached just below my knee, and immediately straightened up.
I was in a small, snowy clearing, the sun setting off to the west. It was freezing, but it was at least minutely tolerable now. I continued to look around slowly as I pulled on my rucksack, tightening the leather straps again, the twin seraph blades, Metatron and Sandalphon, were against my back closely, reassuring me. I'd fashioned two holes in the rucksack so I could slip the scabbard's leather straps through it and around to hold them in place. I know, I'm ingenious.
My grip tightened on the straps of the rucksack, and gnawed on my lower lip as I debated on which way to go. I rolled my eyes in indignation, and decided that I guessed my best bet would be to walk west, in the direction of the setting sun, with the hope that maybe there would be a town. There were usually towns west. Big towns. Like Los Angeles, Phoenix, Portland, and Seattle.
I crunched through the snow as I started forward, keeping a relaxed pace. Everything was going to be fine. I had my phone! If it had service in this damn wood, I could call Jace and ask if he could ask Magnus to create a portal or something and get me back home. Yeah, that could work.
I stepped over a fallen log, dead and had a couple of inches of snow on it. That wasn't exactly a comforting sign. That meant no one had been this way. Tracks could tell me that, and there weren't any. Maybe there had been snow that covered them up. Again, not a good thought. Enough snow to cover tracks means enough snow to probably kill me in my sleep tonight. And there was the fact that it was dusk –
Shut. Up. I warned myself sternly, and continued in a brisker pace.
.M.I.W.
So, I had been right about a town being close by. I could see it up ahead. It wasn't big, though, which concerned me slightly. I'd been walking for probably twenty minutes until I came across the smell of smoke, and started towards that.
I now paused at the forest's edge, looking down a large hill, and ahead where the town nestled. If I just slid down this hill, my feet would connect with the sidewalk. And then I could create a glamour or something to that effect.
I did just that not too soon after.
The town was indeed small. I passed only a few people who dared venture out in this freezing weather. They didn't even notice me, some almost running into me because they were walking so fast. Their breath came out in clouds from their scarf-covered mouths. I'd gotten even more used to the cold. Maybe it was the gene enhancer from Maximum Ride. Or maybe I was just amazing. Whatever it was, it was certainly helpful.
I continued an easy course as I looked through the town. My stomach was growling in frustration that it had been empty for probably a little more than twelve hours, but I had no idea where to go to solve the problem. That was, until I smelled food cooking as I crossed a couple more blocks.
Pretty much running, I came across a small diner. I smiled brightly at the sight, realizing my good fortune. I walked across the empty street, because so many people seemed to prefer walking than driving, and made my way to the back of the diner, no one being the wiser that there was a girl with a rucksack and two swords ready for the next kickassing adventure she'd gotten herself into.
Yeah… that girl was me.
I kept up the glamour on my swords, but pretty much wiped myself clear of it, before making my way back out of the alley I'd stepped out of. No one still noticed my sudden appearance. They probably had too many other things to deal with. Like the freezing cold weather.
Global warming? Maybe it's not such a bad idea after all.
I pushed open the doors of the diner, making a rather grand entrance compared to most. The bells on the door jingled to announce my arrival, and pretty much all of the diner's occupants looked up to see who the stranger was. They continued to glare icily as I strolled into the place, and took a booth in the back corner.
The townspeople looked like your average trucker group. Beer guts, scruffy beards, greasy shirts and dirtied denim jackets with caps on to hide their greasy locks. Average souls. I realized I was at least still in America with the sight of the American flag on one of the walls. Soothing country music played dully in the background, or as soothing as twangy banjos and singers baying at their misfortunes actually are. If these 'artists' had met me, they'd have real stuff to write about other than their blue jeans, tractors, trucks, church, and the other strangely simple things country singers sang about.
At least the diner was warm. Surprisingly so. I shrugged off my rucksack, and squeezed into the corner, pulling my pack as close to me as possible. By the time I'd taken my seat, a good majority of the people staring went back to their business, and I pushed myself further into the corner, pulling the ends of my jacket closer into me as I huddled near a loud heater in the wall that blew past me with zeal, seeming beyond pleased at its newest form of company.
"Can I help you?" A nasally, slightly disgruntled voice made me jump, and look up at a waitress. She had poorly penciled on eyebrows, her turquoise eyeliner bright against her baked skin, her chocolate hair in frizzy, tight corkscrew curls. Her blush was a little too red, as was her lipstick.
"Um… yeah." I said, looking down at the menu. "How about the, uh… raisin toast with a side of bacon – please."
She smacked a bubble of her bright pink bubble gum as she wrote down my order, seeming bored with everything, adding particularly well to the cliché. "Drink?" She demanded.
"Hot chocolate." I replied shortly, giving the woman the menu, which she snapped up without much hesitation.
"Uh huh." She replied shortly, and walked off.
The food came back ten minutes later, and I frowned at the sight.
The bacon was charred to a perfect crisp. The toast was singed and stale. The hot chocolate? If you must know, had ground coffee beans in it.
"You expect me to pay for this?" I demanded as she set the check down. "I don't know about this hick town, but where I come from, this wouldn't even pass for half of a star, and I've eaten some pretty crappy stuff."
She scowled darkly.
"How about two fifty?" I suggested blandly as I pulled my wallet out and placed the money on the table. "You should be lucky you're even getting half price from me. Why don't you give the rest to charity? Though I do think they're standards are higher than this."
Before the waitress could say another word, I had my rucksack slung over my shoulder and was squeezing past her. "Should I even ask where the nearest hotel is?" I drawled. "Or would I do better on the streets?"
She snapped up the money and stuffed it in her apron pocket. "If you don't know what's good for you." She growled, supposedly threateningly. "I suggest you leave town."
I snorted. "And I suggest you use a little less makeup, but we can't all have what we want."
.M.I.W.
It was now eight o'clock at night. It was getting dark out, the stars shining well in the sky because of the little light this town had created. I was still wandering the streets, this time in a glamour, growing more and more tired. Still hungry.
No one was walking the streets now, probably because of the drop of even more temperature. I was beginning to feel the effects of it now. I had my arms folded tightly against my chest as another gust of wind brushed right through me, making my teeth chatter.
Then, I heard a scream.
Well, it was sort of a muffled scream. It was quickly cut off, but not before my newfound 'OMG-someone's-in-trouble-and-there's-probably-something-awesome-that's-attacking-them-and-is-probably-one-hell-of-a-thing-and-worth-killing' instincts had me piqued. I streaked through the cold streets with ease, and my eyebrows furrowed when I heard the sounds of a struggle.
As soon as I rounded the corner of an alley where I'd heard the cry before, in the outskirts of the town, I stopped.
There were about five of them. All pale white skin, their hair clearly visible against it. They were all tall and built with the perfect bodies. They surrounded something, clearly fascinated by it. I rested one of my hands on the brick wall as I continued to watch, trying to figure out what that thing exactly as with the dim, orange street lamps.
One of them suddenly let out a throaty snarl, and that was when I realized these things probably weren't all that human. They didn't wear jackets, only tattered clothing. Rather strange for freezing cold weather…
Then, there was a wet thud, and my eyes connected with glassy brown ones. The eyes of the waitress in that diner, blood pouring from her.
Oh, God, not again. If I was where I thought I was, there would definitely be hell to pay.
"All right then." I said languidly as I separated myself from the glamour. The people spun around, looking at me with… red eyes.
Okay, hell should start handing over the cash and magical, evil abilities.
"I realize that I'm a bit new in town." I went on. "But I think that cannibalism is still illegal in the United States."
"Feisty little human." One of them sneered, and I rolled my eyes, stepping into the center of the alleyway. The woman who'd spoken was pale blonde with large red eyes, filled with hunger. "She smells so alive. So fresh."
"Oh yes," I agreed, "Every time I meet someone, they always comment upon my freshness. Sometimes I just feel like a Febreeze."
The blonde snarled, baring her teeth. Two sharp, pointed fangs extended.
Right… maybe not the vampires I was expecting. But still vampires. And probably even more of a delight to kill.
One of the boys let out a guttural growl. "Someone needs to put this little rat –"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" I interrupted. "Rat? Are you kidding me? I think I could pass for something a little more… fantastic. Try cat, or panther – even rabbit would work with me. But I'm not a rat. I don't like sewers, I know I look invincible, but I don't think I could survive eating poison, and my palette is certainly more refined than to eat garbage like the stuff that's sold in this place."
Another girl, this time with brownish hair, hissed. "Let's kill her."
I pulled out my swords, the ends gently hitting my wrist guards Jace had given me just after the battle when Jonathan had attempted to hold me prisoner, because the blades always nicked my wrists. They were the custom Shadowhunter black, and went up to my forearms. I'd tied them on just as night was falling. I smiled as I flipped both swords in my hands, just to get the feel of them again. "I'd love to see you try."
They all snarled in agreement, and sprang forward super fast.
Personally, I was counting my lucky stars that I had proper training to deal with these things. I had a feeling this was going to be a reoccurring thing.
"Metatron! Sandalphon!" I cried as I lashed out to the first brunette boy that clashed my way. Metatron struck true at the boy's neck, giving a fine slice, while I lunged with Sandalphon and stabbed one of them in the stomach.
As I'd known, the two vampires were only wounded, and I flipped my swords as the blonde girl streaked for me. I noticed another out of the corner of my eye come at me too, and I immediately ducked. The vampires clashed above me on accident, and I used both swords to swipe at their knees. They both buckled as I jumped up, crossed my swords across my chest, and swung.
Both of their heads fell and rolled along the ground. I spun around at the last three vampires. Tne I'd wounded in the stomach snarled and ran at me, as well as the other unscathed one.
I ground my teeth, my heart pounding heavily in my chest, and I began to feel the effects of the super serum leak into my veins and brought me a little more focus into the fight.
I shrugged to the side as one super fast fist came crashing my way. I swung out with Sandalphon, effectively chopping off the person's arm. It cried out in agony, and I gave it no other moment to spare as I chopped off its head.
The fourth vampire snarled at me, a brunette girl, her fangs glistening with the blood she'd consumed. It charged not even a second later, catching me off guard. The brunette girl pushed me into a wall. I stumbled to keep my balance, clinging tightly to the hilts of the blades. She sidled up to me, and I pursed my lips when I noticed how tall she was. Probably like a two and a half head height difference.
"Silly little child." She cooed. "Thought you could kill some vampires. Who do you think you are?"
I snorted and flung out Metatron, slicing her stomach. She gasped in surprise, her fangs jutting out in pure anger, face twisting in rage and pain. As she fell, I held my swords in an 'x' at her neck. "They call me Madi." I stated shortly. "I'm the Rogue."
And her head was chopped off just as easily.
I quickly stepped over her body, and ran out into the cold, somewhat icy street to locate the next vampire.
Except he was gone.
I gripped my swords tighter as I looked around. He wouldn't just run away, would he? Possibly. Vampires are coldhearted bastards, right? Except for Simon from The Mortal Instruments, but he doesn't count because Simon is a nice guy and overall cooler than any walking disco balls or these Average Joes.
"Over there!"
I spun around to see the brunette vampire with the sliced neck, blood pouring from his wound, pointing at me. He had a smirk in his eye, and I felt my chest grow cold. I tightened my hold on the seraph blades, their light shining brighter.
My heart pretty much crashed into my stomach when I saw five, six, seven… nine more of them join the sides of the wounded vampire.
Ready?
Ready?
"Oh shit." I breathed.
I threw my swords into their scabbards, turned tail, and started booking it. I heard the vampires give chase, my heart racing in my chest. I let the serum take full effect, let it steal my breath away and make me stumble, and let it have complete control. The power in my body was exquisite, and I ran like no one had ever seen a white girl run before.
I was a great distance away from the town, but it seemed like the vampires had become bored with the game of chase. Even though I was sure of all of my fantastic qualities, I knew I was not faster than ten vampires on the hunt.
They surrounded me, making me skid to a stop. Snow flurried at my immediate stop, and I spun and connected eyes with all of the vampires, the one with the slit neck (that was starting to heal) smiled at me with sickening malice. I reached back and pulled out my swords, not even having to be ordered to take light.
I ground my teeth together and narrowed my eyes. "All right." I bit out. "Bring it."
But then the weirdest thing happened.
There was a battle cry, and I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion, along with most of the vampires. We turned to the side to see eleven or so people, running at us with glinting, stubby, silvery… sticks?
"What the hell?" I demanded.
One of the men, tall and built like a soccer player, struck first, killing one of the vampires by stabbing it with the silver stick thing.
I raced at the first vampire to attack the guy, quickly disposing of it without a single thought. The vampires cried out in surprise, and ran at me. I smiled and bucked after it, but one of the other strange people with silver sticks jumped in front of me.
Uh… Okay…
I spun around to see another one attempting to go after the first target it saw, and I ran after it –
"Watch out!" That one guy cried, grabbing my shoulder and pulling me behind him. He immediately went ham on the vampire, leaving me more confused than ever.
"Hey, what –" I started off, but found myself clashing with another vampire. The one I'd wounded. He grabbed the blades of my sword with his hands, causing them to bleed. I wrenched the swords out of his hands, and they immediately went to my neck, causing us both to fall. I took most of the impact, my back chilling with being on the snow. I used my swords and clipped him on either of his sides, making him howl in protest and loosen his grip.
He snarled in anger, but I kicked him in the stomach, making him fall backwards. One of the weird warriors started towards it, but I flung out Sandalphon in an attempt to stop him. "Wait, I got it –!"
And my next enemy was stabbed by the silver stick by another warrior. This time a woman. She turned around and clapped me on the shoulder. "Stay out of the way!" She called, and went back to fighting.
I shook my head and furrowed my eyebrows, gesturing the universal sign of 'what the hell', waving my arms out in front of me with swords in hand.
As the last of the vampires died (not by me), I was now surrounded by these new warriors with shiny sticks. I flipped my swords, just baiting them to hit me with their finest shot. I'd show them a real situation.
"Who are you?" I demanded.
They didn't say anything, completely stoic and unmoving. I glared at them.
"I'm not afraid of you." I said, allowing myself to get a little frostier.
"You should be." One of them spoke.
Then, there was a sharp pain in the back of my head, and it was light's out.
.M.I.W.
See? I told you I would be amazing enough to give you a slightly longer chapter. :)
Are you excited now? I know I am. xD
