RETURN FROM HELL

Hazel Evertwigh

Once I heard his heart beat again I knew he'd be okay. I carried him on my back and left the temple, I never want to see that place again.

When I made out of the temple, I began to think of where we could go and if we could even rest. At least until Eden regains consciousness. I swore to myself that I would protect him, no matter what it.

The forest surrounding the temple was vast and intruding, regardless of it all I was determined and so I set out. Coating my legs and in blood to strengthen them I burst into a sprint not letting anymore time go to waste. Dodging countless branches, roots and avoiding as many monsters as I could, it was unsettling and tiring, my immense craving for blood only added to the strain on my body, I needed to rest. Luckily night-time came along and I was able to stop and we could take rest inside cave. I needed to find something to eat before it could get any darker out, and the succulent scent of blood coming from Eden's clothes was only making things worse.

As I stood by the cave entrance, despite the fear of being in a place that is foreign to me, the chance that we might get attacked by a monster at any moment and the ever so persistent thirst I have for my best friend's blood. The star lit sky shone with both beauty and elegance, all the worldly problems I had been dealt seemed to dissipate and for a moment I let myself be at ease.

You seem to be in good spirits.

At the sound of his voice my mind halted, almost as though frozen. I ran back into the cave with tears welled up in my eyes. The sound of his voice was so comforting to hear, it was as though I hadn't heard it in years.

Just before I held him his figure began to shift, this creature before me wasn't Eden, it was something else, something horrifying. "What's wrong vampire won't you hug me." It snarled at me with a voice sounding as though it's vocal cords had been ripped apart, it spoke with mockery. "Allow me to introduce myself, I am known as Belmont but you, you call me bell."

My mind raced with questions and different scenarios, I calmed myself and braced myself.

'What have you done to Eden?' my voice trembled betraying any hint of confidence I had convinced myself of having. The shadow-like figure enclosed itself and shrank into a small black flame. "The boy is alright; you need not be worried about him. And please do not be weary of me vampire for I am here to offer you some advice. You need is to leave this forest at sunrise." The flame said drawing closer to me, "As soon as the sun begins to rise you must run north, there you shall find a village and you should be safe for a few days."

'How can I trust you?' I asked, with my voice being slightly calmer. 'I need to know if Eden is okay otherwise How can I trust you?'

"You think I need your trust, don't make me laugh vampire. Your friend will die if you do not do as I say. Don't take my kindness as some sort of me wanting to be in your good faiths." The flame scoffed at me as it drew closer, burning the tips of my hair "Know your place vampire." The flame vanishes leaving the cave with an eerie silence.

My mind was left in a web of questions, the events of the past few hours raced through my mind, it was all too much for me.

I was exhausted, and scared.

I sat in corner with Eden's body by my side and let myself drift into sleep, in the end I wasn't able to get anything to eat.

By the time it was mid-morning I was already headed north at full speed, I had been able to drink the blood of few rabbits on the way. Nothing was going to stop me, before I knew I was at a road along with a prestige carriage. It was transporting a single person. A woman, she looked to be around 18-22 years old I couldn't accurately tell, our gazes met for a brief moment but I turned away and continued with my sprint.

I ran for about three hours without a single stop before I finally saw the town from afar. Seeing the town filled me with a sense of full energy, we were finally getting somewhere.

I rushed through the gates, I turned around and looked for the nearest person around. I noticed a woman, she stood alone and so I approached her 'Where is the nearest clinic?!' I asked with panic and urgencny in my voice. 'Please It's urgent, my friend, he might not last long.'

The woman looked at me with eyes as calm as waves in an early morning.

The place you seek is to left little one.

End of Chapter