Chapter 7

Sarah's point of view~

I scanned the pitch black room for my assailant. I heard footsteps to my left headed toward me. My reflexes took over whipping my body around I leaped into the air and kicked the figure clouded in darkness my foot made contact with her and I saw a drop of glistening red liquid fall from the figures lips. Before I could even land back on the ground my opponent had already gotten away I leaped up as I heard the sound of a sword whipping through the air to my right hit my ears. I hit the ground rolling landing my back against the stone wall as my hands searched to the sides of me for the weapons that would help me survive this.

Seven days earlier

We all thought Rory had been kidding when he had said this week would be hell to bad we were wrong. The second we entered the training room I my eyes were drawn to the stone walls that were lined with various types of weapons. The ground was flat dirt except for the several metal obstacles set up throughout the room. It all reminded me of an underground version of the Roman Colosseum that gladiators would fight for their lives in.

I jumped when without warning I felt someone put their hand on my shoulder I turned to see a tall man standing over me. His hair buzzed in an army manner. He also looked as though he could compete in those strong man competitions.

"Name's Phil." He spoke in a low and ruff voice

Rory stuck out his hand to shake Phil's but instead of shaking hands he simply walked past the three of us getting about five or six steps ahead of then before looking back. "Follow me." He stated simply.

We quickly caught up to him none of us saying anything. He stopped abruptly and turned around sizing the three of us up. "Now Ms. Weir contacted me saying that the three of you will be in charge of keeping her grandson and others safe. Now I've known Ms. Weir many of years and not once have I heard her this worried so believe me when I say that when the three of you leave here you will be able to protect these people from any threat."

He turned back around and took a few steps away from us but stopped dead in his tracks turning to face us his eyes were glowing and his fangs were showing. "Time to show me what you got." He growled at us before charging straight at me.

I tried to jump out of the way but before I could even move he had grabbed on to my left arm he spun my body in a circle before letting go of me so my body hurled though the air and collided into one of the stone walls I hadn't even gotten a chance to sit up before I saw Erica flying toward me hitting the wall next to me then seconds later Rory as well. I looked up to see Phil slowly walking toward us a sword in hand.

My body was overtaken by the vampire inside of me and before I could think about what I was doing I leaped at him raising my fist ready to strike his face. My fist hadn't even come close to him before he ducked down I looked down to see him slash his sword causing four small cuts on each of my legs. I shirked in pain while thrashing my fists in his direction in a fury. He evaded each swing blow with easy before cutting six little slices on my arms with his sword then taking a few steps back retreating and waiting to see what our next move would be. I turned to Erica and saw that her and Rory had each picked up swords while Erica also had a pair of daggers in her hand they both walked to my side. Erica passed me the daggers before giving me a wink she turned to Phil and confidently said. "Okay big bad boss man our turn."

Rory was the first to make a move sprinting at Phil. He swung his sword at him but in one swipe it was knocked out of his hand and Phil had grabbed him by the neck a tossing him back into the wall. Erica and I shared a look and she nodded we charged Phil at the same time. Erica reached him first. As Phil went to block Erica I saw an opening. I threw one of my daggers at his feet just as I planned he moved his foot to dodge it throwing him slightly off balance. While he was still fending off Erica's attacks not missing a beat I dropped low to the ground and tried to sweep kick his legs out. Yet with easy he jumped over me. I slid under him but before he had the chance to land I stuck my other dagger in the ground with the spike sticking up where I saw that his foot would land.

I looked back to where Rory had crashed into the wall and pointed to a long wooden spear he gave me a nod before grabbing it throwing it directly at Phil. I knew my plan would work when I saw him flip over Erica drop kicking her into the ground. He was in mid flip when he grabbed the spear with one hand. I smirked thinking that he would think he had foiled all our attacks and land on my dagger in the ground. Then Erica, Rory and I could all attack him while his guard was down. Yet when he was inches away from the ground he took the head of the spear and flicked the ground below him hitting the dagger sending it flying at me. Dropping to the ground at the last second I looked behind me to see the dagger had hit a sword Rory looked to have been grabbing.

I looked over to see Phil had started walking toward a cooler set aside one of the walls opening it I the smell of blood washed over me as I realized that none of us had drank any blood since yesterday.

Phil announced to the three of us. "Since all three of you failed to get one hit on me in this first attack none of you get this." As he held up a packet of blood. "Now we're going to do this again until one of you can land a hit. The catch is once you drink a blood packet you can not help the other two and once the second one drinks theirs the last one has to earn it on his or her own."

He dropped the packet back in the cooler shutting it he walked back to the middle of the arena he place his sword on the ground and held up his hands looking ready to strike any of us that got close. I heard my stomach grumble and I knew I needed some blood soon. I looked at the wall to the different weapons. Seeing a pile of bamboo staffs in one corner I pointed to them. Erica, Rory and I walked over to the pile each picking up a staff we gave each other a small nod and sped at our trainer.

When we were about two feet away I leaped into the air. I saw Rory go left while Erica went right I slammed the staff down but he dodged to the right I hit the ground ready to attack but before I got the chance his foot struck me in the side and sent me flying into Rory making us both tumble to the ground. I looked up to see Erica swinging at him every which way while Phil sidestepped each strike. I picked my staff back up and got up getting right back into it.

Rory's Point of view

All of us had been giving it our all for two hours straight now yet none of us had been able to land a hit on this guy. I was so hungry and I was honestly starting to give up hope of ever winning this challenge. Breathing heavily I looked over to Erica and Sarah speaking in between breaths. "Guys I think we've tried everything I have no idea how to get this guy."

Erica looked to me looking so unlike herself her hair a complete mess and her face covered in dirt and beads of sweat but somehow still managing to look as pretty as ever. "Listen I think I might have an idea but you guys are going to have to trust me okay?" She motioned for us to lean in closer as she covered her mouth with her hand.

My eyes widened as she told us her plan but I was willing to give anything a try at this point. We all nodded and broke apart Sarah and I jumping into the air flying slightly above Phil watching as Erica walked toward him stopping a few feet in front of him.

She whipped her hair out of her face looking up to Phil "Okay so you might be a tough guy but I'm pretty sure I know a weakness you do have." She smirked.

"I'll humor you what's my weakness?" He said with a laugh.

Before he got another word out Erica moved her hand and in one quick motion she tore off her shirt and Bra. "These." She flashed him more then her smile.

Phil was taken back blinking a few times from shock giving Sarah and I our chance. We flew at him both punching him square in the jaw at the same time his body falling to the ground. Sarah and I highfived each other knowing that we had just won ourselves some blood.

Phil got up from below us without a word and walked over to the cooler picking up two bags of blood and passing them to Sarah and I then looked to Erica frowning."This is going to take a while."

I didn't even look down at the blood bag knowing that I was so hungry if I saw it I might not be able to do what I was about to. "Wait a second you said once we drank the blood we couldn't help out our friend but what if we don't drink it till she earns hers as well?" I asked

"You're are correct I did say that so until you drink the blood you have in your hands you can help your friend earn hers. But once you rejoin the fight you can not drink yours until she earns hers also I won't be falling for that trick again so it might be a while till you get to drink."

Sarah and I walked over to the cooler and placed our bags back in it. We walked back over to Erica who was putting her shirt back on. She grabbed both of us giving us a quick group hug before turning back to Phil. "Guys listen I know we're all exhausted but we got this."

Erica's POV ;

Okay so I was completely and utterly wrong when I had said we got this. It had been another five hours until we were able to earn my blood packet and it had mostly been pure luck that I was finally able to earn it able to get it.

We had all been smashed into the walls so many times there were small chunks of gravel throughout the lining of the wall it had given Sarah an idea. Rory and her punched the ground repetitively till dust completely covered the center of the arena. Then I'd continually throw the gravel bits to where I heard foot steps. It took thirty minutes of this not working before I had an idea. Motioning to Rory to come and throw the gravel while I grabbed a bamboo stick and flew to the other side hitting any bits I heard coming from Rory and Sarah's side hitting them and smashing them into smaller bits sending them back into the dust. It still took another twenty minutes of this till I finally heard a small. "Ouch." and saw Phil walking to the cooler and picking up three blood bags passing them to all of us.

Now we're all sitting against a wall drinking our bags when Phil walks over towering over us. "Those were some of the stupidest and irresponsible strategies I have ever seen. I have never seen or even thought of something that idiotic." He took a deep breath. "That means you three are possibly the best teammates I have ever seen work together to pull them off." He backed up a few steps away from us.

He looked to Rory. "You literally have never been in a fight and have zero killer instincts. Which means we'll be working on your fighting style and also your mind set in fighting."

Turning to Sarah he pointed to her. "You are a born leader but your fighting technique is sloppy and you need to work on your evading as well as your strength. Which means we'll be working on all three of those."

Crooking his neck to me he glared which made me gulp. "The second you get frustrated in a fight your brain turns off and you go feral which puts your friends in danger. Which means you are going to have to learn how to control that."

Facing all three of us again. "Okay guys and girls breaks over let's begin. I'll give you each an exercise some will have you work alone some will have you work together and some will have you work against each other if you complete the exercise you get a bag of blood if not you starve ." With that he walked back to the center of the area we all got up and followed.

Back to the present

Sarah's point of view~

My hands trailed the outlines of the wall until I felt exactly what I was looking for two small daggers which I had learned was my weapon of choice if I had one. I tried to focus my hearing for any movement though out the room. I heard the click of metal I rolled to my left just as a sword hit the wall right where I had been. Kicking onto the ground I was right next to my attacker before they knew I was there I grabbed their arm and threw them into the air. I threw one of my daggers after them and hit my target. I jumped after them tackling the figure to the ground I felt her grab my side and yell. "I got it I win!"

The lights flashed back on and I saw Erica below me with a smirk holding the black ribbon that had been tied to my side seconds ago. I saw Rory and Phil standing to the side a couple feet away from us. I just smiled at Erica and cockily said "Sorry bestie but not this time." I pointed to the ceiling her eyes followed to see her ribbon hanging from my dagger.

She let out a huff before rolling out from under me. Phil pushed off the wall and addressed all us. "Okay since that was our last exercise I just want you to know that each of you have come such a long way in just one week and I feel horned to release you back to protect the ones you love. Just know that you still have much to learn so after whatever this is is over I want to see all three of you here once a week for training." He said throwing each of us the blood bags then headed out the gate. We were all packing up our duffel bags I had been trained in using dagger. Erica the sword and Rory had learned throwing knifes as his weapon.

We all threw the bags over our shoulders getting ready to head back home to see how the others were doing but when we looked to the entrance to the hallway leading out of here we saw three hooded vampires that we didn't recognize blocking the way.

Rory walked toward them and joked. "Training room is all yours guys." Trying to step past them. But to our surprise one of them grabbed Rory by the back kicking in his spine and tossing him to the side.

The one in the middle looked at his friends then spoke first. "Want to see how two newbie vampires and a fledgeling stack up against three magically improved vampires." He lifted up his hood reveling that he was the vampire that had got away at the mall. He looked down at Rory and chuckled. "Not real well by the looks of it."

I threw my duffel bag down grabbing my daggers out as Erica grabbed her weapon as well. We just needed to stall until Rory healed and the odds would be even again. I turned to Erica and looked to the lights. Knowing exactly what I was thinking she flew up slashing all of the lights leaving us in complete darkness.

I spread out headed to the obstacle that I had been training on for the past week that I was sure would be able to help us out.

Four days ago

"So everyone knows that fire kills vampires correct?" We all nodded our heads. "Well this exercise is about evading attacks. This is an enchanted furnace that produces unlimited fire. Now if I attach this fire proof hose to it I can actually shoot streams of fire out of it that you will have to dodge for the next three hours to stay alive." He turned back to us. "I'll give you five seconds to spread out."

We spread out each hiding behind separate objects. I looked toward Rory to see him hiding behind the wooden climbing wall. Just as I thought Phil aimed the hose straight at the wall I knew it wouldn't last long I looked around to see a pile of metal shields near me on ground. I dove to the next to them tossing one to Rory then another to Erica. I grabbed one for myself holding it in front of me just in time for the shield to be hit with a current of fire instead of me. My hands were started burning as the metal began to heat up but I knew I had to hold on. I took a deep breath as I realized that this was going to be a very long three hours.

Back to the present

I ran as quick as I could to the furnace leaning against it I attached the hose and sat next to it waiting hoping that fire at least still hurt these dudes. I heard footsteps coming near me knowing that Erica would never be that careless to let out her location I knew it had to be one of the bad vamps. I waited till I could hear his breathing. When I jumped out behind the furnace and hit the open switch to let the line of fire blaze my enemy. I looked in surprise as my trick had worked better by evening the odds already since the vampire in front of me was now just a pile of ash.

I quickly turned the hose off and got as far away from there as I could knowing that they now knew my location I grabbed the daggers out of my belt loops and hid in a corner of the ceiling waiting for them to make their move.

Erica's POV ;

I looked down from the ceiling to see flames shoot out and had hopefully gotten rid of one of our attackers. I heard sudden sharp movements in the air. I concerted on tracking their patterns I closed my eyes and concentrated all of my sense into my ears trying to sense where he would be next.

Five Day Ago

I sat down with my legs crossed not understanding why Rory and Sarah got to practice with their fighting technique while I'm stuck sitting here 'honing' my senses. I looked over to Phil to see him scowling at me. "If you're not going to even try you can leave now." I was taken back by his insult.

"What are you talking about? I've never even heard of what you're trying to teach me so how do you expect me to learn it in a couple of hours." I shouted in frustration.

"I've told you this five times now most vampires don't use it because most vampires now a days don't need to but vampires have the ability to take the strength away from their other senses to heighten a single sense for a short period of time. For example if you need to locate an enemy instead of making a ton of noise searching for them you could take strength away from your taste and touch senses to heighten your hearing or sight even further then they already are."

I groaned. "Okay I'll try this again. Although I still think it'd be more helpful to be learning how to fight better."

"Just sit down close your eyes and concentrate on my voice." I did as he said now picture your tongue in your head now imagine all your taste buds being turned into waves of sound. Now move the waves of sound to your ears and spread them all thought the room. Now open your eyes." I did as he instructed and to my astonishment he had moved to the other side of the room and yet it had sounded like he was next to me the whole time. I stood up and cheered.

He was next to me in a flash. "Now sit back down so you can get the other four senses down."

Back to the present

I kept my eyes closed and and did it just how I remembered. Hearing that he was flying in a zig zag pattern straight across the top of the arena. I waited a few more seconds to make sure I was in the correct spot. I heard him coming and I hovered down to where he'd be in a couple seconds getting my sword prepared to strike. I swung at him before he even saw me. He put his hand in front of his body catching the blade but let out a small yelp as it cut into his skin. Jumping away from him before he had a chance to react.

I went back to lay against one of the walls when I heard something headed at me I rolled my body against the wall just before I felt the entire wall tremble as the vampire punched an Erica sized hole in the wall where I had just been. I saw my chance and slashed my sword before he was able to retract his arm. I heard his spine being severed then his body hit the floor then his head seconds later. I flew as quickly as I could to the other side of the arena and hid hoping we had bought enough time for Rory to heal so we could regroup and take this last baddie down."

Rory's Point of view

I woke up on the ground with a horrible headache I opened my eyes but for some reason everything was still black. The last thirty seconds before that dude killed me for a bit came back to me and I assumed we were still under attack. I gathered my wits back together and opened my bag to find my throwing knifes I heard a laugh come from behind me I turned around to see who it was but instead my eyes were blinded by light.

I readjusted them quickly only wanting to quickly look away again because I saw the man who had just broken my spine holding a sword to Sarah's neck and Erica next to him on the ground unconscious. I grabbed my throwing knifes putting them in the thermos Benny always keeps at my house and charged at the man about to kill my friend.

Three days ago

"I don't understand how you are so unwilling to kill another vampire!" Phil shouted at me.

"Why do I have to kill them why can't I just trap them?" I questioned I just didn't want to kill another somewhat living creature.

Listen to me loud and clear kid. There are people in this world that don't have the kind of compassion and mercy you do okay? They wouldn't blink an eye to kill you and everyone you love. If you don't have what it takes to protect your love ones then I can't help you anymore."

I thought about Benny and my parents and each one of my friends then I thought about how I had to become strong enough to stop the things that were coming to kill everyone on them. I picked up my sword kicking the ground I leaped at Phil visualizing that he was the person who was going to hurt the people I loved.

"That's what I want to see." Phil yelled excitedly.

Back to the present

I ran at the man threatening the life of my friends. I dropped to the ground and kicked at his legs. He didn't even budge I upper cut punched him in his lower ribs yet he barely winched in pain. He swung his leg kicking my body into the iron gate near my hall way. I fell to the ground his mistake was kicking me near my duffel bag I grabbed a spare shirt and reached into my thermos and grabbed the three throwing knife I had place in there I whipped the ends off before grabbing them and aiming them at this villain.

He laughed at me. "You honestly think those three little knifes would even phase me."

Throwing Sarah to the ground he ran at me sword ready to cut me into pieces. I jumped into the air throwing all three of my knifes at his throat. He blocked two of them with ease but one made it past his guard and stabbed him right in the neck. He slowed his run before falling over in intense pain. I ran over to him picking up the two other knifes along the way and throwing them straight into his legs earning screams of pain from him. I didn't break my run as I scooped up the sword next to him leaped in the air and brought the blade down on to his neck.

Once I was sure he was dead as in never coming back alive I ran over to Sarah and Erica both seemed to already be healing up fine I ran to the cooler and grabbed the last of the bags of blood feeding it to them to speed up the healing process.

I sat next to Erica and Sarah just staring at the entrance wondering the amount of power the force we are about to face really has.