Chapter 15

• I feel like I’ve run at least five miles before I stop for much-needed breath, gasping crazily with crushing agony, my limbs beginning to ache and burn from overuse, and the unfamiliarity of running at speed like this. Much like unfit people, we have to build our stamina so the human side can catch up, and I have not been good at building up to this kind of sprint. My legs and muscles are throbbing, and I feel like my tendons are being torn apart. I collapse behind an overgrown ridge to regain some equilibrium so my lungs don’t cave in and give myself a few moments before dragging myself up and walking the rest of the way at human speed now that I’ve made up good time.
• Deep in the woods, following the worn animal path to the cavern that I know well, I feel a little lighter and less depressed. Every kid has been here at least once in their life, long before the vampire attacks. This used to be the go-to spot to hang out, play, and swim in the lake nearby, and the path made it impossible to get lost. Animals walking the link to their watering hole left a helpful guide once you reach the shadowy depth of a forest so dense that it’s permanently in the dark, even on the brightest of days.
• I know this is why he chose this place. As a child, in my memories, he would have seen I frequented it a lot with my brother, Jasper. He knows I know it well. No one comes here now; they’re too afraid, yet every kid knows the way and knows exactly how to get here. The fear of vampires still haunts us even now with all the years of quiet living. They are still out there somewhere, and shaded, gloomy, secluded areas like this would be ideal for them to hunt.