Veena

1-TAKE ME THROUGH THE NIGHT, FALL INTO THE DARK SIDE

The million voices in my head kept screaming incoherent words. It was like a battle of voices, each one rising up against the other until they all merged into a high-pitched screech. Then I saw the gory figure of my mother, her face ashen, her eyes pools of blood-red tears. A dark silhouette, like a twisted shadow, pinned her to the wall, its grip cold and heavy.

"Run," she gasped, her voice a raw whisper.

I bolted, my feet pounding against the cold stone floor. But the apparition, leaving my mother behind, lunged after me. I plunged into the woods, the gnarled branches clawing at my face, but it was no use. A cold hand clamped around my throat, squeezing the air from my lungs. I gasped, desperate for breath, my vision blurring....and then I jerked awake, the chill of the morning air filling my lungs.

My body felt like it had been crushed under the weight of a thousand horses, every muscle screaming in protest. My throat was parched, a dry desert wasteland.

I tried to recall where I was, the events of the previous day crashing over me like a tidal wave.

The coarse netting, rough against my skin, held me captive. I shifted, groaning as a fresh wave of pain shot through my arms. My neck, stiff and aching, protested each movement. I peeked through the gaps in the net, my stomach lurching at the dizzying height.

The sky above was a welcoming expanse of yellowish orange, signaled the approach of dawn. Beyond the net, the silhouettes of trees stood like dark sentinels against the brightening horizon.

The cramped space pressed against me, every inch of my body screaming in protest.

"Oh mother," I whispered, tears stinging my eyes, "it was supposed to be my big day." The day I marked two decades of existence. But it had become my worst day, a nightmare etched into my mind, leaving a scar that would never heal.

Footsteps broke the silence, and a wave of fear washed over me.

"Well, well, well, what d'we have here," a male voice sneered. I shut my eyes, pretending to be asleep, even unconscious. The footsteps stopped right below me, but I resisted the urge to look down. I lay as stiff as a dry log.

"We've got a catch, Master, a big one," another voice said, whistling and making his companions laugh.

"I'd agree to that, Darius," a third voice chimed in, his laughter echoing through the darkness.

"Release her," a cold, authoritative voice commanded. I heard the sharp s***h of a knife, and then I was flying through the air. The flight was brief, ending with a painful thud on the floor.

Stunned, I lay there, my breath caught in my throat. The world spun, a dizzying kaleidoscope of colors and shapes. A wave of nausea washed over me, and I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to regain my bearings.

"Well, well, well," another voice chuckled. "Looks like we've got ourselves a prize."

My heart pounded in my chest, a frantic drumbeat against the silence.

The throbbing in my arm was relentless, a dull ache that pulsed with every beat of my heart. I clutched it, wincing as I tried to soothe the pain. A low whistle pierced the silence, followed by the heavy thud of approaching footsteps. Panic surged through me, and I scrambled back, but a large foot blocked my escape. Fear froze me in place.

The figure bent down, his shadow looming over me. I squeezed my eyes shut, bracing myself for the worst. His hand gently cupped my chin, tilting my head upward. I peeked through one eye, and then both sprang open in terror as I recognized the figure before me along with the four burly men that stood behind him. I crawled away a few feet away from him in a feeble attempt to escape.My heart pounded against my ribs, my breath catching in my throat.

Their attire was tweed jackets with leather straps, brown pants crafted from animal hide, bows strung across their shoulders, quivers of arrows dangling from their belts, and long leather boots. Hunters, yes, but not the kind I expected.

Their skin was an unnatural pallor, so pale it seemed almost sickly. Sharp fangs glinted in the dim light, and their eyes, a haunting crimson, glowed like embers in the morning light. Vampires. The realization struck me like a bolt of lightning, freezing my blood. I crawled back again, a wave of dread washing over me.

My mother's warnings echoed in my mind, a chilling reminder of the danger I was in.

"Don't be scared, bint, we won't bite," one of them said in a mocking tone that made my blood run cold. His words felt like a cruel joke, a taunt that underscored the very real threat I faced. My heart hammered against my ribs, and I struggled to maintain a semblance of composure. I couldn't afford to let fear paralyze me.

The thought of being sucked to death by a vampire made my heart race wildly, and despite the frigid air surrounding me, I was a sweaty mess, my palms clammy against my sides. The trees loomed overhead, their twisted branches casting eerie shadows that danced in the morning light

"She sure is a beautiful one," said the thinnest of them, his voice dripping with a sinister charm, and I nearly gagged at the predatory look in his eyes. I was at a complete loss for words, my mind racing with disbelief. Was I truly losing my sanity, or did five bloodsuckers really stand before me, their pale skin glistening as if they had been carved from marble? Yesterday had already pushed me to the brink of madness, and now this.

"Oh, can you smell the sweet scent of her blood and hear the melodious symphony of her heart?" he continued, a twisted smile spreading across his face. I froze, my heart pounding louder than ever.

"Oh Vee, they can hear every beat of your heart and feel all your emotions," Mother's voice echoed in my mind, a warning that sent chills down my spine.

This was my first encounter with vampires since I was born, and if I thought I wasn't scared, I was lying to myself. Father had shared countless myths and legends about them,he did tell me that sunlight scorched their skin, leaving them vulnerable. But that was clearly false; they stood unfazed, their dark red eyes glinting in the morning sunlight as it filtered through the leaves above.

"That's enough," the one who had knelt beside me said, his deep voice resonating through the forest like a thunderclap. He seemed to be their leader, and as his words hung in the air, a tense silence fell over the group, each vampire respecting his command, their hungry gazes still fixed on me.

The vampire's eyes, the color of a bloody sunset, locked onto mine. He took a long, deliberate sip from his metal flask, and I knew, without a doubt, its contents were blood. The metallic scent hung heavy in the air, making my stomach churn. The stench was a physical assault, a tangible reminder of the danger I was in.

He took three measured steps towards me, where I had crawled in a feeble attempt to escape. His shadow fell over me like a shroud, and I gulped, my gaze trapped by his dark red eyes. His pale skin glistened in the sunlight, and if not for fear, I'd have admired its beauty. It was the beauty of a predator, a stark contrast to the darkness that emanated from him. He looked to be in his late 40s, but I knew enough about vampires – from what I'd been told – to know he was well over a hundred years old. He was an ancient being, a timeless predator, and I was a mere morsel in his domain.

"You trespassed," he said, his breath reeking of blood.

I was confused. Trespassed?

He seemed to notice my puzzled expression and said, "You're in La Volonte."

When the name registered in my brain, I paled. La Volonte. Even the little ones back at my abode knew of the vampire home, the place where darkness reigned supreme. It was a name whispered in hushed tones, a legend passed down through generations.

My voice, trembling, rushed out. "Please… I… Let me go… It was a mistake… I would run from here… You won't set your eyes on me again," I pleaded.

He looked at me, his red eyes holding a mixture of amusement and disdain. He was a creature of the night, and I, a mere mortal, had stumbled into his lair.

I took in harsh breaths, my heart palpitating rapidly. Saliva clogged my throat, and I knew my eyes were wide, mirroring the terror that pulsed through me.

He studied me for a beat, as if debating whether to release me. But his next words almost shattered me.

"Bundle her up," he commanded, rising to his feet. "Take her and let's go," he said, his voice cold as he turned and walked away. My heart pounded a frantic rhythm against my chest.

"Please," I choked out, but my pleas were lost in the air.

They bound me with a rope so thick it felt like it was squeezing the life out of me. A gag was forced into my mouth, silencing my cries. One of the four men slung me over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. My desperate struggles and muffled screams were met with indifference.

I closed my eyes, tears blurring my vision. My thoughts drifted to my mother, and the pain intensified.

"Mother, I'm sorry," I whispered, my heart heavy with guilt.