Chapter XVIII

Chapter Song: Ever The Same – Rob Thomas

Ariel stared down at Murlough's limp body for a moment, then gave a sigh and turned around. Her eyes were shut tightly, and it looked like she was about to collapse any second.

I let out a long, relieved breath, and closed my eyes as well. It was all over.

When I opened them, Murlough was standing right behind Ariel, mad as fuck. With the knifes in his hands, he got ready to strike. I let out a scream of bloody murder that made my ears ring.

We were drawn from the weeds
We were brave like soldiers
Falling down under the pale moonlight
You were holding to me
Like a someone broken
And I couldn't tell you but I'm telling you now

Ariel's eyes popped open. She whirled around as fast as I think possible, then fell backwards as Murlough's first knife went for her face. Her arms extended behind her and landed on the floor, so that she was able to lift herself up, like a backward push-up stance. The knife flew right over her head.

Too close.

One of her legs flew up and kicked Murlough in the stomach. She was in an awkward position, so it didn't do too much damage, but it did make him fall back.

They both got up, Murlough using his other knife to go for her neck. She moved out of the way in good time, but it left a bad knick on her skin. As his arm followed out on the swing, it left a gap that Ariel exploited. She quickly grabbed his wrist, twisted it around, throwing his body down once more. She had been able to rip his knife free of his hand in the process as well. Gripping the hilt, she used the blade to knock the other knife from his hold. I watched as it flew to the other side of the room and clattered on the floor.

Using the only knife she now had, Ariel pierced the blade through his stomach. Dark blood exploded everywhere. She left it there for a brief moment, her eyes still deep with an almost evil red color, then pulled it. More blood spilled, soiling his white suit and flowing onto the floor.

Ariel stood, staring into space. Her expression was blank, and she seemed almost grown up, like a grown up assassin. It was so different then her usually happy, childish self. I guess life just touches us with pain, and we have had a share of so much, you know? It touches us with pain and we just become so different. We change.

Just let me hold you while you're falling apart
Just let me hold you so we both fall down

This wasn't a permanent thing, though. Yeah, Ariel probably has grown up a lot, but she's just in a fight-to-the-death mode right now.

Her gaze went away, and so did what she was thinking about- whatever it was, maybe what I just said, I'll never know, but shook the blade free of some blood then came over and cut me free of the ropes that hung me upside down. Everything that had happened until this point kind of made me forget that I was ever hanging, but being upside down did really suck, and I was glad that she cut me down.

I dropped down on the floor, hard, but my hands broke most of the fall. I used them to push myself up, brushed some dirt of my shirt, and looked up at Ariel.

She blinked slowly, and when her eyes had opened again, they were a crystal shade of blue. Tears were forming in her eyes, and soon began to drip down her bruised and bloody face. I could almost imagine the sting as they mixed with the blood. Her strong grip on the hilt of the knife slowly loosened, until it fell to the floor with a clatter that echoed.

We would stand in the wind
We were free like water
Flowing down
Under the warmth of the sun
Now it's cold and we're scared
And we've both been shaken
Look at us
Man, this doesn't need to be the end

Then, in a split second, her arms were wrapped tightly around me. I wrapped mine around her in return, and I could feel her put her weight on me. I didn't mind, it seemed as if she was barely able to stand. I held her so close that I could hear her heart beat, which was dimming down to a normal pace as the adrenaline seeped from her body.

Just let me hold you while you're falling apart
Just let me hold you so we both fall down

"It's all over.." I sighed over her weeping. Just as I said that a noise came from the other side of the room, and we both looked over at Murlough's body.

He was still alive, but barely, spitting into his hands and trying to heal the gaping wound. It was too large though, and too late. Everything was over for the mad vampaneze.

With only a minute or two left, Murlough began to crawl over toward Ariel and I. It was a long, agonizing crawl, and for a minute I felt a slight pity for him. Then I shifted my gaze toward Ariel, who was staring at him hatefully, and the blood made me hate him completely again. After what seemed like forever, the vampaneze had reached our feet and collapsed on the floor, leaving a bloody trail behind him.

His breath was unsteady as he struggled to lift a finger, which he used to beckon us toward him. His red eyes moved around in his sockets for awhile until they finally rested on us, which took a great effort.

Ariel and I exchanged a quick glance, wondering if we should see what he had to say. I guessed he couldn't really do anything to hurt us, so I decided to bend down. I was curious about what was so important that he had to make the torturous crawl over here.

As I bent down, Ariel did the same, holding onto my arm for support.

He raised his head as high as he possibly could and whispered something that I couldn't hear.

"Can you repeat that?" I asked. "I didn't quite catch that, you're gonna have to speak up."

I barely see any of his sharp, yellow teeth, because most of them were drenched in dark blood. He licked his lips, clearing some blood and making some space for air.

"Y-Y-Yuh-You're G-Girl f-f-friend is s-s-s-sneak- sneaky, n-no?" He gurgled.

"Ariel is pretty clever." I replied.

He smiled blankly, then his eyes rolled back into his sockets, and collapsed. He was dead.

Fall on me tell me everything you want me to be
Forever with you
Forever in me
Ever the same
Call on me
I'll be there for you and you'll be there for me
Forever it's you
Forever in me
Ever the same

I helped Ariel up and made our way toward the tunnel. I wanted to get out of here as quickly as possible.

"I can walk." She told me. I had had her arm around my neck, walking her toward the exit. I let go of her and watched as she made her way towards the darkness.

"Hello?" Ariel asked suddenly. "Who's there?"

My eyes widened, and I turned my attention to the darkness of the tunnels of blood. At first, there was just darkness, but then I could make out the shadow of someone standing there.

Just as I was about to jump out in front of Ariel, the figure emerged. As he stepped into the dull light, I could see now it was Mr. Crepsley!

"I could feel your mental signals, and I came as fast I could." He told Ariel. "It led me here.."

"You scared the shit out of me.." I growled.

"Where is..?" His voice trailed off, obviously ignoring me.

Ariel and I stepped aside, and Mr. Crepsley's eyes shifted toward Murlough's dead body. He raised his eyebrows.

"I am.. impressed."

Just as he finished, Ariel made a sort of gasping noise and began to fall forwards. I took a quick step forward, but Mr. Crepsley disappeared and reappeared before her like lightening. He caught the unconscious Ariel and picked her up, one arm under her head and one under her legs.

"I am going to need to tend to these wounds as soon as we get back.." He said, sighing. There was an angry look on his face as he shook his head, but it went away quickly. Murlough was dead, you reap what you sow. Ariel got her revenge all by herself. I smiled, and I could have sworn Mr. Crepsley did for a brief moment as well. He was proud of her.. So was I.

You may need me there
To carry all your weight
But you're no burden I assure
You tide me over
With a warmth I'll not forget
But I can only give you love