Almost finished! Enjoy~!
Chapter 24
Rose's POV
The fight that followed was unlike anything I'd ever experienced or ever hoped to experience ever again. It was all just a flurry of punches and stabs followed by more punches and stabs. Dodging and lashing out. I was everywhere and nowhere at all, I was everything and yet I was nothing. It was almost as if I wasn't in my body, it was as if I were an observer being spun around in the mess. Had I not felt the sharp stabbing pains that emanated from my fists and wherever my opponent hit me, I would have certainly considered it to be a possibility.
It was scary.
Blood spurted out of the corner of my eye every couple seconds. And every time I hoped it wasn't a friend, though I never had time to check. Christian and I were fighting with our backs to the tent in hopes they didn't go after those who weren't awake yet. Eddie and Mia emerged quickly followed by Mason and Viktoria.
''Where's Lissa?'' I asked Viktoria not sparing her only one glance before returning my attention to the fight. She had grimaced
''Trying to convince my brother that we actually are fighting strigoi.'' I scowled. Quickly dodging a punch to the head I dropped to the ground, spinning my legs slightly I hit it in the legs, he fell and I lunged stabbing the body
''Take my spot for a minute okay.'' Viktoria nodded her mouth in a tight line as I darted into the tent. Lissa sat hunched over the radio her hands in her hair in utter frustration. She glanced up at me as if helpless. Picking up the radio from the ground before Lissa I screamed into it.
''BELIKOV! WE ARE FIGHTING OUR ASSES OFF RIGHT NOW THANKS TO YOUR LITTLE TUNNELS! IF ANYONE OF US DIE'S HERE I'M BLAMING IT ON YOU!'' Silence followed before Dimitri replied
''We'll be there as fast as we can. Hold them off'''
''WHAT EXACTLY DO YOU THINK WE ARE TRYING TO DO?!'' I growled before dropping the radio. Taking a deep breath I turned to Lissa. Looking into her bright green eyes I thought for only a tiny moment before saying
''Lissa I need more strength.''
''What do you want me to do?'' She asked a bit cowed at my bellow. Swallowing my anger I took another deep breath and tried to ignore the cries from outside.
''Heal as many of us as you can.'' I said. ''That will help me.''
''but how-''
''I'll explain latter'' I snapped, darting back out into the mess, Lissa at my back. I charged at a strigoi that attempted to get Christian from the side. Staking it I darted for another. Grappling I took a painful hit before staking it. As I charged for the next though Lissa's insanity began to course through my veins. Strengthening it.
I truly don't know what happened after that. It had been blurry lines and confusion before but now all I remember was a blur, then a slow dizzy feeling setting in. As the blurring worsened I felt myself slow. It was as if a huge weight filled my bones as if my entire body were now made of concrete. Not moments after my vision went black did my body began to fall. It filled me and surrounded me tucking me in as if I were nothing but a small child in need of comfort.
It was slow but I started to wake up. Eventually, how long it took for me to be able to piece together the bits of my conscious I don't know. First feeling returned. My body ached from being too still for too long and my muscles burned from exertion. Next was touch I could feel the cold wet ground press against my face. Next was sound. Lissa was talking to me
''Rose!'' a small voice called ''Rose, are you okay?'' Do I look okay? I'm lying on the ground unable to move with my mouth wide open like an invalid does that look like I'm okay to you?''
I managed to groan despite my lack of coordination. The exhaustion proved stubborn and clung to me with that of an iron will. A hand was placed on my shoulder and suddenly the weight was gone.
Snapping my eyes open I sat up shaking my head lightly. Glancing around bodies littered the area. Scrambling to my feet I looked back at Lissa.
''Is everyone okay?! Were are they?'' She pointed tiredly towards the beach
''Only a few injuries nothing major I had everyone go their so that when you woke you could give them medical attention.'' I nodded moving down to the beach.
I'd been so out of it I hadn't noticed that the sky had cleared up. Though the night was still young no more rain fell though clouds on the horizon promised that tomorrow would birth much more rain. Shaking my head I turned my eyes back on task. Trying my best not to look at the bodies, and reminding myself they use to be evil creatures who wanted to kill us. Not people.
Not people.
Swallowing the need to barf I made it to the beach. Eddie lay with his leg sprawled out gritting his teeth as he set up the emergency kit. Mason sat beside him helping. Mia was pressing a compound on Christian's leg. Grimacing I had Mason help me and Mia move Christian closer. His eyes were clenched shut in pain and he grit his teeth.
''Alright'' I said calmly despite the fear that welled up in me.''I'm just going to have a look alright?'' He nodded ''Good, now talk to me alright? What was the magic lessons Tasha taught like?'' He glared at me before nodding.
''well, they were held-'' I started tuning him out. Making sure to nod every couple moments though as I readied my equipment.
''Alright,'' I said interrupting him ''I'm going to remove the compound now. Talk to Mia alright? Hold her hand and clench it alright? Stay awake and don't let go.'' He started talking to Mia his voice wavering as I quickly peeled away the compound. A bright red wound was revealed. Grimacing at the pieces of wood stuck in it. Grabbing the tweezers and readjusting my gloves I began to pluck them out. He moaned as I worked and it hurt to help. My hands shook ever so slightly as I dropped the last piece of wood. Making sure no more splinters were left I spoke again.
''I got all the pieces out now Christian, all that's left is to clean it and bandage it-''
''I can't feel it!'' He said in relief ''That's good right?'' I bit my lip.
''Yeah,'' Mia said ''That's good right?'' I bit my lip to keep from crying. Eddie answered for me
''Yeah.'' he said though his voice shook ''yeah that's great.'' I nodded working quickly to clean the wound hopping my tears wouldn't fall before I was finished. I quickly finished it up and bandaged it. Sitting back I removed my bloody gloves before patting his other leg and giving him a kiss.
''I'm sure you'll be fine'' I said despite the fact that I know it wouldn't ''You'll be okay.'' He nodded his eyes closing. Brushing his hair back I kissed his forehead.
''don't let Lissa heal him'' I said as I moved to Eddie ''He needs to be checked over by a medical doctor before that happens.'' Glancing at his leg we shared a grimace.
''You ready Eddie?'' He nodded
''just give me a-AHHH!'' I didn't wait the anticipation being worse then the procedure. I quickly set it back into place before using the splints Mason had collected to tie his leg in place. Eddie was breathing hard.
''That was mean'' He said through pants
''But worth it?'' I asked he sighed before nodding. Giving his leg one last wrapping I looked back up at him ''Any other injuries?'' He shook his head
''Maybe some internal but nothing you can do.'' I nodded before patting his head lightly.
''Get some sleep.'' He nodded letting his exhaustion wash over him. Standing I sighed.
''What's wrong with Christian's leg?'' Mia asked. I bit my lip
''I think he might loose the feeling in his leg.'' I said ''Though I'm no doctor, but the nerve endings seem to have been cut.'' shaking away tears I set my shoulders back I turned to face them. ''Where's Viktoria?''
''Fiddling with the radio trying to stay in contact with the guardian's it might be a while before they get here.''Mason replied. I shook my head before heading back to the tent. Looking at the bodies I didn't see hardly as many as those who attacked us.
''We didn't get them all.'' I said Mason shook his head
''No, though Christian charred a lot of them making it look like they got away. Only two managed to escape. They ended up escaping into the tunnels.'' I nodded
''Best thing to do then would be to sit tight.'' Mia and Mason shared a glance that made me nervous, before nodding.
Shaking my head I went to see Lissa. Viktoria held the unconscious Lissa in her lap.
''You okay?'' I asked sitting down. She nodded
''Yeah,'' She laughed a bit ''a bit shook up but alright.'' I smiled
''You did very well you know.'' She smiled uneasily
''Thanks.'' Glancing over at the bodies Mason was piling in the corner I watched as a shudder ran through her. ''They... they just seem so human.'' I nodded
''I know what you mean. Fighting strigoi is a lot different then I imagined it being.'' She nodded and a moment of silence reigned. I sighed looking around. Mason and Mia were no where in sight.
''Damn it!'' Scrambling to my feet I ran down to the beach. No one their. Glancing around camp I came out empty handed. Turning to Viktoria with a sigh I said ''When Lissa wakes up don't let her heal anyone.'' She nodded
''Okay... can't you tell her yourself?'' I groaned
''No, Mia and Mason have gone off. I thought they might but I wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt... I mean if I had rope I would have tied them to a tree but-''
''They've gone hunting for them!'' She exclaimed in understanding. I nodded and she groaned ''how can they be so stupid?'' I brought a palm to my forehead and sighed
''I'll go after them, were is the entrance to the tunnels?'' She pointed over to a spot beside the fire.
''Good luck.'' I managed a grim smile as I made a torch and a couple extra's for when the first went out.
''Thanks.'' I said opening the hatch ''I'll need it.''
Mia's POV
Rose, silly silly Rose. We had all but two of them! Surely Mason and I could handle it.
Whatever, it was simple enough to get her to look away. She'd been all squeamish around the dead strigoi so we moved them, once she looked away we sneaked into the tunnels. It wasn't hard at all.
Though the tunnels proved to be a bit of a disappointment. While I hadn't pictured the strigoi to be waiting for us at the entrance I did not expect to be emerging from my cabin at home with no blood on my stake either.
Rose was going to kill me.
Mason too though, which makes me feel marginally better.
After entering the tunnels again we searched the surrounding tunnels only to find nothing still.
Our heroic efforts would be in vain it seems.
Rose's POV
Running with a flaming stick in one hand and a dangerously sharp weapon in the other while trying to pay attention to my surroundings I found was a challenge. Much more so then running through the trees with a bow and arrow. Perhaps even more so then fighting in the water. Though probably not it would fall in a close second.
God their idiots! Let's just go running through the tunnels in the dark with no way to get help to hunt monsters who will have the upper hand. Their better at seeing, smelling, hearing and everything else! Yeah let's totally go in a confined area with no light. Sounds like fun to me!
I found their tracks eventually -see?! If I could see them then the strigoi certainly wouldn't miss them- they headed first towards the cabins then towards the main area. That made me feel slightly better, after all help would be able to come a lot faster here.
Following the last scuff mark to a opening in the ceiling of the tunnel I launched myself up.
And into a brightly lit room. A white walled room with broken metal bars for one wall and clean white ones for the rest. The only breaking up of the white was the brown tracts of foot prints and the gleaming metal bars.
We were in the mental hospital looking place. I swallowed past the lump in my throat and held onto my torch tightly. Stepping past the debris edged past the metal bars that looked as if they had been snapped clean off the walls. Following the steps I found a stair case. Beyond that a hall. Turning left at the end of it I almost had a heart attack when I saw Mea and Mason leaning against a wall pouting.
''What the hell did you think you were doing?!'' I exclaimed ''You left two injured and one unconscious person with only two guards against an untold amount of immortal enemies! One of said guards had to leave to make sure you cracknobs didn't get yourselves killed! What could have possessed you to leave your comrads- no your friends in such danger?!''
''Why didn't you stop us?'' Mason asked with a shrug ''You knew we would leave.'' I growled
''I am not your mothers. I was trying to come to terms with the fact that I had just killed 6 people. Sorry if I wasn't on the ball!''
''Their not people'' Mia said standing ''Their monsters.''
''Yeah well they used to be people.'' I said ''But don't try to dodge the subject like that. What got into you two?!'' Mason sighed standing up.
''They almost killed about half of us, I wasn't going to let that pass.'' A growl -was I turning into some kind of wild animal?- filled me
''You wanted the glory'' I hissed ''But glory is for those who are ready for it. Not for those who run off into a fight blind to the enemy and with no plan.'' They had the decency to look chagrined. I sighed
''We're leaving, and don't think I'm done with you yet. You haven't heard the last of this yet. We'll get back to the others first though.''
''But Rose! Let's just have a look arou-''
''NO!'' I snapped. They cringed back ''I will not hear anymore on this. We are returning to the others. You guys screwed up royally, you left two injured and one half dead person to be defended my one lone not yet guardian'' I clenched my fists holding back my irritation. ''and they have no access to medical care unless Eddie wakes up.''
''You didn't have to come'' Mia said quietly. I shot her a glare
''You knew I would, that's why you went.'' I sighed shaking my head ''This isn't getting us anywhere lets get out of here.''
''Let's check the doors shall we?'' Mason. Mia shook her head
''I doubt they'll be open. After all they've been trying to keep up out of here, why would they tempt us with an unlocked door?'' I nodded
''I agree we need to get out of here as soon as possible.'' We returned into the basement, and from their into the tunnels. I had to light my second torch as the one I had had been burning awfully close to my hands. We had a one more left.
''We'll find the nearest exit.'' I said ''The sooner we are out of these tunnels the better.'' Mason pulled out a map and the three of us looked it over.
Down this tunnel and to the left.'' Mia said ''Their should be an exit there.'' Following Mia's lead I felt myself calm down ever so slightly.
We'll get out of here. Safe and sound.
You know, it's ironic I'd thought that.
Because not two seconds later I was struck with a dazzlingly strong ache of nausea. Not a second later did Mia cry out.
Instinct took over. I lunged. Stake bared and snarl ready I through Mia into Mason.
And then I was fighting with a strigoi.
This one was stronger then all the other ones. Faster too. It attacked quickly at all the right moments. The first blow went to my ribs, the second to my shoulder and the third to my stomach. The pain was so powerful I almost collapsed.
And I probably would have. Truth be told I was falling when he tried for the fourth jab. My position through him off guard and he missed his hand flying past me. As instinct and practice had drilled me to do I reacted despite my pain. Pushing the opposite shoulder and stabbing it in the heart.
I'd killed again.
The adrenaline had taken over and I no longer felt the broken bones. A blessing.
The next part get's blurry.
I turned around to see Mia and Mason, that much I remember. A figure held Mason by the throat and Mia was summoning water it seems.
I did what I'd done with Mia lunging blindly. I made his attacker stumble, dropping Mason. I staked it and we fell. The smack of hitting the ground made me cry out.
And that's when things went black. A familiar black.
It was warm. The time I'd spent blacked out in the woods could be compared to this actually. No more pain. No more sadness. I just... was. It felt so nice. It pulled me into a warm embrace, whispering of no more despair. No more failed attempts. Leave that for those who would keep on living.
Those emotions, they were so strong. We lived our lives experiencing them. The slightest thing can affect them. They can destroy us.
Just let go, the black said come home, let all of this hatred and frustration go, it's time to pass on the torch.
Yes... it was. I had lived a short life and had, had so much ahead of me... but it's time
See child? Death isn't to be afraid of. It will come when it will come. Don't force it and don't run from it. I'm so proud of you my child, you lived. You lived a full life.
I did. I'd found love, and joy. I'd found happiness, I'd found fulfillment
I had been ready for death the first time. Now I was, all that was left to do...
was just...
just...
let go...
I'm sorry guys.
I'm sorry Christian.
I'm sorry Lissa, I'm sorry Mia, Mason, Eddie and Viktoria. I'm sorry Mom, Dad, Dimitri, Alberta, Michael... everyone
Especially you Christian. I'm sorry I'm leaving you. I'd stay... but I'm... I'm just so tiered.
We'll meet again though. If not in death then in our next life. Surely if spirit magic is possible so is being born again.
I love you... forever... and always
I'm coming home,
I'm coming home,
Tell the world I'm coming home
Let the rain wash away all the pain of yesterday,
I know my kingdom awaits, and they've forgiven my mistakes,
I'm coming home, I'm coming home,
Tell the world that I'm coming...
home
sooo what did you think? let me know!