VI
The Rush Of Rainfall
Thunder roared as screams of terror filled the dark morning skies. Rain began to fall heavily, extinguishing the bonfire within short seconds.
Left in solid darkness, the Miamian tribal members ran for their lives in a panic, their shrieks and cries were only overshadowed by the rush of rainfall surrounding them, and the sounds of approaching doom.
Snapping, snarling and growling...The vampires were advancing faster than the storm's strokes of lightening.
Natalia froze, stunned by the sight. The five approaching figures were ghostly pale; their steps were soundless, swift and elegant, if fear wasn't present in her veins, she would have called them angels.
Angels of Death, her mind screamed. In a blink of an eye, Eric pulled her behind him with a feral growl, his eyes trained on the vampire Lieutenant, Horatio Caine. Vengeance instantly plagued his mind, clouding his judgement.
"Jessop!" He barked out, charging towards the coven. "Kyle! Protect the tribe!" Giving one last command, Eric leaped into the smokey air like a swim diver, shuddering mid-step till he became a blur.
With a powerful roar, the tall, tan Alpha disappeared. A larger, black-coated wolf took his place; dagger-like claws tore into the soggy earth in the direction of the attacking vampires, narrowed black eyes targeting their red-haired leader.
"BV! Get outa here!" Walter's shout snapped Natalia out of her fear-induced hesitation.
Following his brother into the thick of the fighting and blood-shed, the younger Delko quickly shifted, changing into a snarling, large russet wolf. His jagged incisors instantly found the exposed arm of Ivan Sarnoff. With a screech of pain, the Russian quickly swung a clenched fist into Walter's furry chest.
The resulting pained howl was echoed by another clash of thunder above.
Instincts kicking-in, Natalia took in the chaos surrounding her. Yelina and Jesse had joined Eric and Walter in the fight against four of the vampires, each werewolf singularly taking one of the attackers and slyly diverting them from the fleeing tribe.
There!
Seeing a gap through the battles that would lead the tribe to safety, Natalia stumbled towards Jessop and Kyle, the heavy rainfall almost blinding her. The two wolves had herded the confused and panicked tribe together, both teens unsure of what to do next.
"Kyle!" Natalia shouted to the smaller, leaner golden, wolf. Wide blue eyes darted to her instantly, a slight head tilt silently asking her for help.
"Over there! There's an exit! Get everybody back to the camp!" Following her rushed shout, Natalia pointed towards the narrow path that led into the undergrowth. Kyle followed her hand, seeing the clearing and nodded.
Giving a quick bark to Jessop and sharing the plan, the two positioned themselves on either side of the tribe, Natalia hastily leading them to the safe path and stopping just at the reeds, signalling everyone through.
"Come on, everyone back to the camp! Keep running!"
The tribe anxiously ran into the undergrowth, disappearing into safety, Jessop and Kyle flanking. The taller, beige wolf searched desperately for his father but failed.
The wolves and vampires had disappeared into the vegetation, taking their fighting away from the tribe. Using his mind's eye, he found himself looking through Yelina's eyes, running alongside Jesse and Walter as they chased a blond haired female vampire and two males away from the Everglades.
Letting out a relieved sigh, Jessop continued to guide people on route.
Dave, Tara, Suzie, Travers, Valera, each filmier face that passed her provided only a slight ease in her worry. Natalia, knowing that she was helping protect her family, felt a sudden rush of fear as she noticed there was one face missing.
Wait...
Oh God no!
Alexx! Where's Alexx?
Running soundlessly, Horatio Caine leapt into the dim Miami morning sky, effortlessly landing atop of an old towering office building. Frank, Calleigh and Ivan were quick to follow; standing by the Lieutenant's side and turning back to look at the Everglade outskirts.
"They're retreating." Ivan comment seemed obvious as the lurking figures left in the vegetation soon disappeared.
"What the hell happened out there?" Frank snarled, stabbing a glistening and blood stained hand towards the vast greenery that the wolves chased them from. "Where was backup?"
Horatio remained silent, trying to answer Frank's question himself.
Ron and Julia...They were meant to attack from the opposite side...Where are they?
A burning anger bubbled beneath the Lieutenant's surface. Fiery fury was hidden behind dark shades and a cold, unreadable expression.
Frank huffed angrily, "Knowing those two, they skipped off for a quick-"
"Frank!" Calleigh cut the Southerner off mid-sentence, a look of worry present in her golden gaze. Stepping closer to her, Horatio gently touched her slightly sparkling arm, concern suddenly shaping his features.
"Ryan," she breathed, looked back out to the Everglades, "Where's Ryan?"
Dread gripped the Lieutenant's mind as he followed her gaze, knowing his missing companion was alone and behind enemy territory. In the city, rays of sunshine began to break through the stormy, cloud-covered sky, but Horatio knew his solider would still be surrounded by darkness out in the Miamian outskirts.
God speed, son.
"Horatio...do you think they got him?"
Turning to face his beloved, the Lieutenant saw the anguish swimming in Calleigh's golden gaze. Although the petite Southern beauty was the most compassionate being he'd ever met, Horatio knew Ryan, Calleigh and Tim were close friends; to lose Ryan so close after losing Speed would destroy her.
The Lieutenant growled fiercely at the thought.
"Not a chance." He answered, honesty ringing in his voice. "Ryan is our best fighter." He reminded her, earning a small, reassured smile. Despite himself, Horatio found himself smiling as well.
"Wolfe-slayer will annihilate those vermin." Ivan spat, grimacing as the sun appeared from behind the clouds, "We should return to the lab."
Horatio nodded, taking one last look at the wild greenery as Frank and Ivan led the way in the direction of their lair. Calleigh stood by his side, their thoughts in unison.
Come home safe, Ryan.
Stumbling through the wet, visor-like vegetation, Alexx Woods tried to catch her breath. The humid, storm air weighed heavily on her lungs, hyperventilation was becoming an increasing risk.
I have to keep going, she told herself, slowly continuing through the undergrowth. The adrenaline was beginning to wear off, uncloaking the doctor's mind and logical thoughts.
Why did I run away from the tribe?
Shaking her head tiredly, Alexx knew the answer. As the vampires attacked, a small, crying child was separated from his parents. Maternal instincts kicked in, leading Alexx to run to the child's aid and carry him away from the fighting.
Just as Alexx had reunited the child with his mother, a pale, golden eyed brunette vampire had appeared, targeting her. Without thinking, she had ran for her life, into the swampy undergrowth.
Alone, she thought, looking around her. The dark stormy-clouds gave the impression of midnight; darkness hovered over the Everglades, an eerie silence echoing across the waters.
Oh God I hope I'm alone.
Straining to hear of any surrounding movement, Alexx felt only slightly relieved that the only sounds she heard where her own. Wading through the knee-high murky waters, the motherly doctor froze.
Was that...a growl?
Breath hitching, the doctor's wide brown eyes darted left and right, desperate to find the source of crunching vegetation, and low, inhuman snarls. The looming, almost silent footsteps were approaching quickly.
Oh please, let this be a nightmare!
The horror of reality dawned on Alexx, the surreal dread she felt was similar to the feeling of suddenly being awaken from a beautiful dream into a dreary reality.
But this isn't a dream, Alexx swallowed thickly, this is a living nightmare!
The last of the separating reeds gave way to a pale, familiar figure. Tousled brown hair shined slightly with beads of rain, golden eyes were wide and animalistic. Peach lips spread tightly into a sadistic smile, revealing two rows of razor-sharp, pearls of death.
The vampire stepped out of the undergrowth, approaching Alexx like a hunter would to his prey. Stumbling away from certain death, she fell backwards, now an easy target for him.
"Alexx!...Alexx!"
Easily recognising the nearby voice that searched for her, Alexx noticed the sudden change in the vampire's demeanour. His snarling features that once showed a craving for her blood changed into a calculating frown. Sharply, his piercing stare returned to her, an evil grin taken hold of his angelically pale face.
The prey was now the bait; two birds, one stone.
Alexx knew what the look meant and felt a fresh wave of panic rush like cold water through her veins.
Oh God, no Natalia baby, run!
Reviews give Alexx a vampire-repellent shield ;)
-Mel out ;D
