After enduring an awkward twenty minutes of listening to Landon talk about Hope, he decided to actually take a walk this time to clear his head. It was hard enough being around Landon as it is, but him basically confirming he still harbors feelings for Hope…
Hope.
He wondered what she was doing now. He wanted to call her to meet him out here. He knew she wasn't sleep. Hope never sleeps this early, even though it was sort of late. At least, late for the rest of the student body. She was probably reading right now, he mused to himself. Landon being back so soon had her unsettled. He knew him leaving hurt her more than she'd let on. Releasing some tension might help a little, since they couldn't stay together tonight. He pulled his phone out to text her.
Meet at our spot in the woods for late night run? ?
He chuckled as he sent it to her, knowing she hated when he used emojis, especially the wolf one. Her response was immediate, making him smile.
I should say no, just for that. But I could use a run. On my way.
He slid his phone back into his pocket, inhaling an excited breath. He loved being with Hope in wolf form. It was an experience unlike any other. Plus, he wasn't sure how often they'll get to do this moving forward. He planned on savoring tonight.
His ears perked at attention at the sound of leaves crunching nearby. He wore a confused smile at Hope's speed of arrival before it quickly fell away. Two men came into view in a stalking-like manner, with menacing smiles.
"Rafael Whaite." One said, stopping while crossing his arms, fixing Rafael with a hard stare.
The other one moved closer, causing him to take a few steps back, tensing. "We've been looking for you, kiddo." His voice was rough and scruffy with a beard to match. "You're a long way from home, ain't ya?" He flashed a fanged grin in the moonlight.
Vampires.
His brows drew together, not getting good vibes at all. "Who the hell are you guys?"
The one with his arms crossed, shrugged. "That's not important."
He tensed more when he sensed a third vampire's presence coming from his left. He growled a warning. "I wouldn't try it, unless you have a death wish."
"Death wish?" The third vampire laughed whilst appearing from the dark shadows, his fangs also on display. "You're the one outnumbered, pal."
He moved into a fighting stance. "I wouldn't underestimate me."
"Last I checked, there's no full moon to give you an extra boost. Looks like you're on your own, kid." "Now, you can come with us nice and quiet like a good little doggie. Or…things are going to get real messy real fast. What do you say?"
He growled, balling his knuckles as his eyes flashed yellow. "I say, go to hell."
The vampire's jaw clenched, before nodding his head, glancing at the others. "Messy it is." He snapped his fingers. "Take him."
They both advanced on Rafael.
An unrecognizable figure speed through breaking both guys arms, kicking them to the ground, before disappearing into the woods.
The leader grabbed Rafael roughly from behind. Raf struggle to break from his hold but he was very strong. He must have some age on him. "Who the hell was that?" He spat at one of his men, cracking his arm back into place with a groan.
"I-i don't know."
He suddenly twisted Rafael's arm tightly, causing him to howl out. "Who'd you bring with you, kid!? Huh?"
"Nobody!" He growled out, trying to ignore the pain and figure a way out of this. It couldn't have been Hope. This was someone with super speed. Another vampire. But who? MG? Kaleb?
"You know, what? It doesn't even matter," The vampire's voice raised in the direction the vampire went. He grabbed Rafael tightly by his throat, lifting him off the ground. "Cause you won't fare any better than your friend here. Three against two doesn't sound so good does it?"
"How's three on three, then?" The figure called from the shadows. Rafael knew that voice. He'd heard it recently…
One of the vampires punched the other in the arm. "You said he only ran with some punk human!"
"I thought he did! I haven't-" Ethan suddenly appeared and socked him in the jaw, before tackling him to the ground. The lead dropped Rafael in surprise at the unexpected attack, speeding away from view, with the other one following.
Rafael coughed, getting up, feeling arms helping him up. He blinked in surprise. Jed looked at him concerned. "Raf are you okay, man?"
"Jed? What are-" Jed ducked his head down while he punched the lackey vampire that reappeared. Rafael jumped up and swiped his feet out from under him. The vampire fell with a thud and groan to the ground. Jed and Rafael began to double team him, while Ethan was still fighting one of the other guys in the distance.
"You two idiots can't handle a bunch of kids!?" He gruffed out from the shadows. He set his eyes on Rafael's back as he fought, cracking his knuckles. "I'll deal with boy wonder myself." He sped to Rafael from behind, using his surprise and distracted friends to his advantage, locking his arms behind his back.
When Ethan was punched violently to the ground, Maya suddenly blurred in front of the taller one with an evil grin. "A party? Why didn't I get an invite?" She kicked him as hard as she could between his legs.
He fell to his knees with a grunt, glaring up at her. "You little bitch!"
"That wasn't nice." She admonished, bent down and swiped a tree limb up before shoving it through his abdomen.
"Ahhhh!" He yelled out, clutching the limb. She patted his shoulder.
"That should keep you occupied for a bit." She sped over to Ethan, "Are you-"
Ethan pointed in Rafael's direction with urgency.
"Raf!" Emerging from the far side of the clearing, Hope came running with wild eyes, scanning the scene, narrowing her gaze on the guy who had Rafael in a head lock, like he was about to snap his neck. She raised her hand to him. "Corporis impetus!" The vampire began screaming in agony as various bones started to break within him. She waved her hand, sending him to the far side of the woods. She ran to Rafael, helping him up, eyes bouncing all over him for any visible, serious injuries. "Are you okay!?"
He smiled weakly, trying to stop a grimace of pain from appearing on his face. He had small cuts and bruises all over him. "Y-yeah, I'm fine." Her hand went to his cheek. He leaned into before his eyes suddenly widened, pushing her away. "Hope, lookout!"
The vampire came charging at him, taking a swing. Rafael dodged it, sending a high, powerful kick across his head. He crouched to the ground with a deep growl, face shooting up with blood eyes and fangs on display. "You're gonna regret that, kid."
He made a move to lunge at Raf again, but his arm was suddenly on fire. His wide eyes shot to Hope who was staring him down with daggers, muttering under her breath.
"A witch, too!? Let's get the hell out of here." He snatched up the guy whom was limping from Hope's previous afflictions, while waving the fire out on his arm frantically. "Move your damn ass!" He glanced at the other vampire, fighting Maya and Jed. "Ronnie! C'mon!"
Dark eyes flew to Raf. "But what about him-"
"Right now, we need to leave." His teeth gritted in frustration. "We'll catch up with the mutt again real soon." Before Hope could do anymore damage, they all sped away into the darkness.
Maya eyes narrowed, ready to charge after them, but Jed firmly grabbed her arm. "Don't be stupid."
She snatched her arm out of his grip with a death glare. "Who were those guys?" She breathed out in frustration, looking to Rafael.
He shook his head slowly, glancing at Hope. "I don't know."
"What the hell did they want?" Ethan growled, blood eyes still trained into the dark woods.
"Me..." Rafael whispered.
