Chapter eight:
Mello is almost back at the orphanage when he pauses hearing something. He glances back though he doesn't find anything. He is still cautious as he heads back to the orphanage. He almost wonders if it was BB secretly following to ensure that he gets back safely. He wants to be annoyed by that thought however without proof he can't say for sure that it is the case. He gets to t he spot where he is to get back into the orphanage when he spins around hearing a foot step on a pebble making a slight sound. He finds himself facing a vampire with blood dripping from its mouth. He isn't able to do anything before Roger rushes between the two of them holding some sort of crossbow weapon.
"Go. Now." Roger commands firing the crossbow which at first the vampire dodges then charges Roger with blood shown even on its fangs.
Mello darts back towards the orphanage not arguing. He gets to the currently safe side of the orphanage edge. He finds Near there who looks to be listening to what is happening. He glances back the way that he had come though he can't see what is going on. He can hear the sounds of the two engaged in some kind of combat. "Something didn't seem right with that vampire. Mouth covered in blood." He whispers to Near still in shock as he could have sworn that he saw an almost drugged look in those eyes. "There was a drugged look in his eyes." He blinks as he gets a wide eyed look from Near. "What?" He blinks again at realizing what happened. "That vampire went insane from not drinking blood." He gasps only to be confused when Near shakes his head.
"Insane vampires don't have a look like a drug was involved in their eyes." Near clarifies. "Their gaze is aggressive instead like some enraged animal."
"Wait. So if that vampire isn't crazed then he is on some kind of drug?"
"Not likely. Human drugs don't affect vampires. We have an immunity to a lot of things that affect humans even alcohol. It doesn't affect us at all. Only affects the taste of a humans blood. There isn't even anything addicting about it if a vampire consumes it or blood from a human who uses it." Near explains to Mello turning to where the fighting is looking concerned. "It would have had to been a deliberate attack. There is only one way to make a vampire become drugged out. A special substance that almost no one knows about. Not even most vampires. It is made from the nectar of a rare flower. The only way for it to cause what you described that could kind of look like an insane episode is if that was injected without any mixture or even injected. It doesn't have as strong of an affect if drank from the human who had that nectar. Even then humans don't even consume any part of the flower. So it isn't even considered to be something to use against vampires since it isn't even really known to affect us as far as others know."
The two turn as the fighting goes quiet and there is a slight hiss before Roger speaks.
"Good riddance. An insane vampire could have done lots of damage. Good thing I was here." Roger mutters and Near shifts to go out.
Mello puts a hand on Near's shoulder stopping him and getting him to turn to him. "You shouldn't go out there. Roger might get you too. Go back I can distract him for a moment." He whispers quietly not wanting to be the reason Near gets killed not after he is learning so much from the other about the secret world. He also knows that Matt might be put in danger if he says anything. He will be put in danger, and if Near lives then he will be in danger. He can't let that happen.
Near shakes his head before whispering to Mello. "I have to check to try to find out how that vampire got it in his system. It could pose a danger."
"Okay. I'll distract him and you sneak over to see what you can find." Mello heads over to try to do that when they hear Roger speak again.
"What is this? It looks like a dart."
Near hurries up to a vantage spot leaving Mello to scramble up after him. He watches with Mello as Roger takes out the dart to look at it.
"Is it a tranquilizer dart?" Roger questions turning over the dart in his hand. "But hunters know that no known drugs work on them. So why is this here?"
Suddenly the branch, which is above one that is a lot more sturdy though more visible, breaks sending the two falling down.
Near grabs onto Mello pulling him close to help protect him… Only for them to land on something softer that lets out a yelp.
Mello opens the eyes he hadn't noticed he had closed and after he is let go by Near. He spots Roger staring at them with wide eyes then he glances below him and Near where he finds a bigger than normal wolf with Matt's hair colored fur. His eyes widen as he realizes that this Matt. He looks back to Roger who he is shifting to load another arrow this one having a metal tip instead of a wooden looking one. He hurries to his feet standing between the two and Roger.
"Get out of the way Mello!" Roger demands waving the crossbow to indicate that Mello should step aside. "All creatures blood sucking or not are dangerous. We can't let this thing live."
"You don't understand." Mello tries to protest hoping that there may be some way to reason with Roger. He glances back as there is another whine.
Near looks over Matt's wolf form who hasn't gotten up yet. He glances to Mello looking worried that Matt is indeed hurt.
Suddenly a figure rushes past Mello getting the blondes attention only for A to be standing there ready to defend them, Near especially against Roger.
Roger looks around at them all in shocked confusion at first before his gaze goes to Matt again. "What the…"
Mello looks back to his friend and notices that Matt is now his human form with his wolf ears and tail. He looks back to Roger who is stunned by this discovery. "Go. Contact BB and he will show you the safe place." He urges A. "You three can hide out with him."
Roger glares at Mello. "You knew about this!" He realizes sharply. "What are those other two!? No way they're vampires as they'd never care for a werewolf nor would that werewolf care about vampires!"
Mello does notice BB sneaking up behind him though he hasn't been noticed yet. So he steps forward. "Okay. I did know that they weren't human. But I can assure you that I am human. You'll be making a big mistake if you kill them. Just trust me on this. You don't know what you're getting involved with." He hopes that this will keep Roger distracted so he won't notice BB's approach.
A seems to catch on to this and joins in. "Yeah. You really don't know what we are. So how can you kills us? Do you really want to shoot the wrong arrow and wind up dead? You have no idea who we are in the secret world. He takes a step forward showing no fear even when the crossbow is aimed his way. "Shoot and you'll regret it."
"That's what you want me to think. I can handle the consequences. A hunter at least tries to kill what they see if they know that they are not human." Roger is clearly about to pull the trigger only to be forced to having his arms pinned at his sides as BB grabs him. He struggles though BB manages to keep him held still.
A quickly grabs the crossbow before striking Roger to make him unconscious.
Mello lets out a breath before he realizes something. "What are we supposed with him now?"
"Drink his blood? Stop him from hurting anyone again?" BB inquires and A looks like he is about to agree when Near speaks up instead.
"I actually have a better idea. Though we must also get Matt some medical attention. He may have broken bone breaking our fall."
"Fine. We'll keep him alive. And I know where to tie him up until you can share your idea. You guys can go ahead and get that bone muncher… I mean wolf to the right place. I can handle him." BB dashes off with Roger after that.
Mello crouches beside Near as he looks to his friend worriedly. He watches Near and A help pick Matt up careful to try to not hurt him anymore.
"We know the place. A let Mello ride your back." Near instructs and A doesn't argue shifting, careful to not hurt Matt, to let Mello on.
Mello feels a little weird doing this though he climbs onto A's back wrapping his arms around the other's neck. He then finds himself moving at speeds he didn't think one could run… Though he somehow doesn't feel nauseated by the journey. He just hopes and prays to whoever might be listening that Matt is going to be okay.