DARK WEDDING

CHAPTER 5

AMY

I watch, fascinated, as Aaron attempts to drive the dagger into the vampire's heart, each move a dangerous dance between life and death.

A moment of tension culminates when Aaron delivers a powerful kick, sending the vampire flying into the abyss of the precipice.

I hold my breath as I watch the vampire disappear into the darkness below, a shiver running down my spine as I realize the brutality of the confrontation.

Still trembling with fear and adrenaline, I slowly rise, my eyes fixed on the spot where the vampire disappeared.

I feel the weight of the experience settling on my shoulders, and the shock of the violence I just witnessed is echoing in my mind.

As I look around, I realize that, despite all the dangers I faced, I am still alive.

I wish to be back home with my father and evil stepmother.

Despite all the problems I faced there, it now seems like a refuge compared to the darkness and danger surrounding me in the forest.

I see Aaron's eyes fix on me as I stand up and look at him, but my peace doesn't last long because I scream when I see the vampire returning from the precipice and holding me tightly.

I scream as he pulls me down, and I raise my hand, and seconds later, I feel Aaron's hand gripping mine tightly. Furthermore, I scream, feeling the vampire trying to pull me lower and lower as I struggle to hold onto Aaron's hand.

"Don't let go of my hand, Amy!", he shouts, and I cry in panic, swinging my legs forcefully. I see the vampire fall into the precipice again, and I scream louder when I feel my body falling through the air and downwards.

I widen my eyes, screaming Aaron's name, and see myself falling lower and lower. Without hesitation, he also jumps, and seconds later, I feel his arms around my body as we fall together into the abyss.

He hugs me tightly as if he's trying to protect me, and I close my eyes, hiding my head on his shoulder as I scream in fear.

Our bodies sink into the cold water of the night, and that's the last thing I see before everything goes completely dark.

I slowly open my eyes, still stunned by my distressing experience. I realize I'm no longer falling from the precipice but rather lying in the softness of the bed in Aaron's mansion.

Furthermore, I blink a few times, trying to orient myself in reality, still feeling the wet clothes and body from the precipice water.

However, this time, there's no dizzying abyss in front of me, just the relative safety of the room. I lift my head, my heart beating faster, as I spot Aaron standing near the room's window with his back to me.

A wave of conflicting emotions envelops me as I recall the events that led me there. It all started because I ran away from him, a rash choice that put me in mortal danger.

With a sigh, I get out of bed and watch him closely as he finally turns to look at me.

Our gazes meet in a tense silence, laden with unspoken questions and suppressed emotions.

"You saved me...", I whisper, touching my forehead and noticing there's no more blood, and a bandage covers the wound on my arm.

"Why did you run away from me in the middle of the night, Amy?"

A lump forms in my throat as I struggle to articulate my words, my serious expression reflecting the seriousness of my decision.

"I didn't choose this life; I didn't choose to marry; I don't want to do this with someone I don't know and don't love."

Becoming a wife by convenience, without love or passion, is intolerable.

Aaron listens to my words in silence, his penetrating gaze seeking to understand the motivations behind my hasty escape.

He seems to ponder my words for a moment before responding, his severe features revealing the complexity of his own emotions.

"Why do you want to do this with me, Aaron? Why do you want to marry me? I'm a fragile human girl, not a vampire like you, so why?", I ask softly, seeing his red pupils fixed on my face.

"I'm doing this to protect you, but you wouldn't understand, Amy...", he says, turning back to look out the room's window.

I push the blanket covering my body aside before looking at him more closely, furrowing my brow at this moment.

"Then tell me, explain it to me...", I request, seeing him turn his head before approaching the bed.

I don't feel afraid of him; after seeing him protect me and save me from those vampires, I no longer fear him, even knowing he's a vampire and drinks human blood.

He looks at me for a few seconds as if thinking about how to start telling me something I still don't know.

"I didn't choose to marry you because you're a random girl; I chose to marry you tomorrow because that's one way to protect you."

"Protect me?", I ask, and he nods. I shake my head, remembering the words of that vampire who was ready to break my neck.

"What was that vampire talking about, Aaron? What kinds of powerful artifacts were those vampires looking for?"

"Amy..."

"No! Don't you dare deny me the truth; I'm going to marry you tomorrow, and I almost died today, so I need you to tell me the truth."

"Are you ready for this, Amy?"

I nod, starting to listen to every word he says right now as if this is the most essential thing in my life.

"The vampires want to dominate the world of humans, and I, as a vampire protector of humans, cannot let that happen. To do this, they need two more powerful things: an ancient stone and a type of special blood that can change everything.", he says, and I furrow my brow, still looking at him.

"And these two things are with you, right?", I ask, surprised to see him shake his head.

"That's why I need you close to me; you're the only one who can find these two things, Amy. If the other vampires discover this, you'll be in danger."