chapter six
1112 Words
Dianne's POV
The sharp pain in my stomach was nothing compared to the sudden rush of memories slamming into me like a tidal wave. Images of Derek—his glowing red eyes, his speed, his strength—flashed in vivid detail. I remembered Irene’s taunts, Amanda’s mindless cruelty, and the overwhelming reality of vampires existing in my world.
I staggered backward, holding my head as Amanda and her friends stood over me, laughing. My hands trembled. It was real. Everything was real. Derek wasn’t just some mysterious guy I was infatuated with—he was a vampire, and Irene, his twisted past, wasn’t done with me.
“Look at her,” Amanda sneered, her voice dripping with coldness. “She’s losing it. I told you, messing with me has consequences.”
I looked up at her, my gaze landing on the scarf she’d wrapped around her neck. Beneath it, I knew the bite marks were still fresh. The sight sent a shiver through me.
Amanda leaned down, her smirk widening. “What’s the matter, Dianne? Cat got your tongue? Or is it guilt because your precious Derek abandoned you?”
Her words stung, but my focus was elsewhere—on the faint crackle in the air around her. Something wasn’t right. The way she moved, the way her friends followed her every lead, it wasn’t natural. It reminded me of how she attacked me before Derek intervened. Was Irene controlling her again?
“You’re wrong,” I said, my voice shaking and showing a sign of defiance. “Derek didn’t abandon me.”
Amanda’s smirk faltered for a second before she scowled. “Oh, please. He left, and now you’re all alone.”
Before I could respond, she grabbed me by the collar of my shirt and shoved me against the lockers. The sharp edge pressed painfully into my back. “Let’s see how long you last without him.”
Pain shot through me as Amanda raised her fist again. I closed my eyes, bracing for the impact, but it didn’t come. Instead, the hallway grew eerily silent. I opened my eyes slowly, only to find Amanda frozen. I looked at her and I could see the terror in her eyes.
Behind her stood Derek. His expression was colder than I’d ever seen. His once-kind loving eyes now shone with a dangerous edge, and his presence was suffocating.
“I’d let her go if I were you,” he said, his voice low and deadly.
Amanda released me instantly, stumbling back. “You—You’re supposed to be gone!” she stammered.
Derek didn’t answer. His focus shifted to me, and for a brief moment, I saw the concern in his eyes before he turned his attention back to Amanda and her friends.
“You’ve crossed a line,” he said, his voice like ice.
Amanda tried to speak, but before she could, Derek moved. In the blink of an eye, he was standing between her and me. His speed still caught me off guard, even after everything I’d remembered.
“I warned you,” Derek said, his voice a low growl. I wonder how he was publicly showing off his powers.
Shouldn't't be he be hiding it?
Amanda’s friends tried to run, but Derek was faster. He grabbed one by the arm, his grip firm but not cruel. “Tell Irene this ends now,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
The girl nodded frantically, tears streaming down her face. Derek released her, and she bolted down the hallway, dragging the others with her.
Amanda remained rooted in place, trembling. Derek stepped closer to her, and she flinched. “Irene isn’t here to protect you anymore,” he said. “So unless you want to end up like her pawns, I suggest you stay out of Dianne’s way.”
Amanda didn’t reply. She turned and ran, leaving the hallway eerily empty except for Derek and me.
I sank to the floor, my legs unable to hold me up any longer. Derek knelt beside me, his hands hovering as if afraid to touch me.
“Are you okay?” he asked softly.
I nodded, though my body ached and my mind was still reeling. “You came back,” I whispered.
His jaw tightened. “I never left.”
As Derek helped me to my feet, I noticed the faint traces of blood on his shirt. “You’re hurt,” I said, reaching for him, but he stepped back.
“It’s nothing,” he replied, his voice distant.
“Derek, don’t lie to me. Not after everything.”
He hesitated, then sighed. “Irene’s power isn’t just hers. She’s using Amanda and the others as conduits. If we don’t stop her, she’ll take control of more people. And she won’t stop until she gets what she wants.”
“What does she want?” I asked, dread pooling in my stomach.
Derek’s gaze met mine, and for the first time, I saw fear in his eyes. “You,” he said simply.
Before I could process his words, a loud crash echoed down the hallway. The air grew thick with tension as Irene’s voice rang out, chilling and cruel.
“Derek! Did you think you could hide from me?”
Derek grabbed my hand, his grip firm but gentle. “We need to go. Now.”
We ran, Derek leading the way through the maze-like school corridors. Every sound seemed amplified—the pounding of our footsteps, the distant laughter of Irene, the rapid thudding of my heart.
“Where are we going?” I asked breathlessly.
“To somewhere she can’t reach us,” Derek replied.
We burst through the school doors and into the night. The cold air stung my face, but I barely noticed. Derek led me toward a black car parked at the edge of the lot.
“Get in,” he ordered, opening the passenger door for me.
As I climbed in, I caught a glimpse of Irene standing in the distance, her eyes glowing unnaturally in the moonlight. She raised a hand, and the car’s engine roared to life without Derek touching it.
“She’s stronger than I thought,” Derek muttered, sliding into the driver’s seat.
The car sped off, leaving Irene behind, but her laughter followed us, echoing in my ears.
“Derek,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
He glanced at me, I could see the fears in his face. “We’re not safe yet.” he muttered to himself as he sped across the street. I looked at him not sure of where we were going
- Writer
