"I think it's time we were on our way out." Vladimir sneered, grabbing my arm and hauling me off. "And this time," He whispered with a shake. "You won't escape." I held my head in shame and sadness for this would be the last time any human on this planet would see me. Because, if I did escape again, it would be long after they all died.
"Excuse me?" A hand tapped Vladimir's shoulder and we both turned to see Dan. My heart jumped and sank all at the same time. I couldn't believe he was here but I was glad that he was.
"What do you want, new blood?" Vladimir snarled. Dan was unblinking as he spoke.
"I want you to leave her alone and forget you ever saw her or us." He spoke with an even tone that sent shivers down my spine. Vladimir looked stunned for a minute then laughed, he even threw his head back.
"Please, manipulation doesn't work on me, nor any vampire for that matter. Who created you?" He asked Dan to find out who it was that hadn't told him such basic information.
"I wasn't trying to manipulate you, I was trying to distract you." Dan smirked. A confused expression crossed Vladimir's face but then he realized I was no longer standing by him but now was beside Dan. He unknowingly had let go of me when he had been laughing.
He cursed then reached for me. Dan quickly grabbed his arm, twisted it then threw it back at him, causing Vladimir to fall on his butt. The crowd noticed and several came to assist Vladimir up as Dan and I took off.
"Get off me, I'm fine!" I heard Vladimir bellow at the helpful humans. In that moment, I loved humanity, but then that moment ended. "He stole my wallet." Vladimir called after us, no doubt pointing at Dan's back.
"Better pick up the pace Dan." I cautioned as guards began to move into action.
"Don't worry, we have a plan." Dan smiled as he grabbed my wrist to help propel me forward. I saw Phil at the gate with his hand outstretched towards me and Dan. He was stock still and unblinking. It took me a minute to figure out he was trying to control the crowd like Vladimir had.
"How do you know it will work?" I asked as we jumped over a bench to avoid guards on either side of us.
"If you believe it, then they will believe it." He reinformed me. As we approached Phil, the crowd's tension was lessened until it was completely gone. "Okay, moment of truth." He told me as we reached Phil and wiped around to see if we were still being followed. To my utter amazement, the guards stopped within feet of us. Then they looked a little confused before starting to walk away, they had forgotten us, the reasons they had been running.
"Congratulations Phil, now let's go." I muttered as I noticed a rampaging Vladimir barreling through the crowd towards us. He lowered his arm and all three of us lunged at the closing gate door. The woman let us pass but we told her that the man behind us had a gun. Before we boarded the plane, Vladimir was taken down by no less than ten guards and just as many tasers.
We were shown to our seats and asked if we needed anything.
"Does alcohol still affect us?" Phil whispered to me, I nodded enthusiastically. "Three Bloody Marys." He requested of the stewardess. I leaned over and grabbed her by the arm and told her to
"Make mine a double." She nodded then left to go and make them. The boys questioned my order. "I don't think it's over yet." I informed them because I still smelt Vladimir's sent. "I think he's still coming, maybe he's on his way right now." I stared out the window, scanning for a lone figure on the runway. The hand placed on my knee made me jump.
"He's down there, we're up here." Dan reassured me as the plane began to move. "And we're already on our way." He grinned watching the runway remain still as the plane moved.
"Yeah, I bet he's in an airport prison cell right now. Probably asleep on the floor drooling, those were a lot of tasers." Phil pointed out as the plane began to pick up speed.
"But you don't know him." I reminded them both coldly as the plane tilted backwards and leaped into the sky.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we are on our way." The captain called over the loudspeaker causing the first class politely clapped at another job well done.
"Your drinks." The stewardess smiled placing a tray with three Bloody Marys on the table between us.
"Thank you." We all chimed back.
"Will that be all?" She asked, I reached for my glass and drank half in one gulp.
"Please keep them coming and peanuts." I requested. "What?" I questioned the boys' expressions of shock as I drained the rest of my drink.
"Why do you want peanuts? Aren't we allergic or something?" Phil inquired.
"Even vampires can stress eat." I muttered quietly before she came back. "Plus everything tastes different when you're a vampire. Instead of salty, the bloody metallic taste tricks your tongue into thinking it's sweeter." I bit down on one of the nuts and tasted an almost hazelnut, almond flavor instead the plain, salty nut itself. As Dan and Phil crunched on the peanuts excitedly, I leaned back into the soft airline seat and let the alcohol take its course. I was about to fall asleep but sat up quickly, I needed to be awake in case Vladimir came back. Phil noticed this and placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder.
"We're fine now, just relax Vicky." His voice was smooth and calming. I believe the meaning behind his words and I let myself drift away into a much needed rest.