Carmilla was holding onto Laura's hand as they ran, but she noticed that the humans were falling behind. The vampire stopped and let Laura catch her breath before lifting the blonde woman in her arms.
Laura instinctively wrapped her arms around Carmilla's neck as she ran and Carmilla held the human close to her. She could hear Laura's heart beating so fast in her chest and saw the fear in her eyes.
"I will protect you, Laura."
"Why would you? Didn't you call yourself a monster?"
"Even a monster knows when they need to protect the orn they care for."
"You care for me?"
Carmilla didn't answer her when an arrow pierced her back. She stumbled, but didn't drop Laura. She growled in frustration and her fangs came out. She had this feral look in her eyes.
"Carmilla, your back!"
"Don't worry, it only hurts a little."
"But if they hit you once, they can do so again."
"I've had worse. At least it's night time, but I need to find shelter for you."
Carmilla was beyond furious at the fact that a mere human was causing her any sort of harm. It had been centuries since she had been hunted and she wondered if they were sent out by Laura's father or the townsfolk from her home.
"Do you recognize any of the men?"
"No, but I wouldn't be surprised if someone wanted to get rid of you for good."
"I never harmed any of their children! All rumors made by the old."
"What did you do when you visited my town?"
"I was protecting the children from harm. There are worse creatures than vampires in this world."
Carmilla finally stopped running when she couldn't hear the men shouting at her and how they'd kill her in violent ways. She put Laura down and took the arrow out of her back. It was painful to pull out, but it wasn't the worst feeling she'd ever had.
If this was how her existence ended, then she didn't want Laura to see it. She hadn't felt these strong emotions about another being in such a long time. She wanted to be with Laura, but part of herself was holding her back.
For a second, she swore she saw an image of Elle. Her brunette hair was down and she was in a white gown. The look in her eyes was one of accusation. Carmilla shook her head to rid herself of this image. She didn't want to be plagued by this woman any longer. She haunted her because she was unable to sleep anymore as a vampire.
Laura saw a look of torture on Carmilla's face as she was thinking about Elle all over again. The human wanted to make the vampire feel better, but she didn't know how.
"Look at me, Carmilla."
Carmilla hesitated at first, but then obeyed.
Laura held onto Carmilla's face and kissed her softly. It was at that moment that Carmilla's heart was beginning to heal.