26. Hunted

The air inside the pool building was suffocating, thick with humidity and the faint tang of chlorine. Freen's footsteps echoed loudly against the tiles as she darted into the labyrinth of locker rooms and maintenance corridors, her breathing sharp and uneven. The pain in her arm from her earlier fall throbbed with every movement, but she pushed forward, knowing that stopping wasn't an option.

Behind her, Mile's voice rang out, smooth and mocking.

"Run, little mouse," he called, the sound bouncing off the walls. "Let's see how far you can go."

Her legs burned with exertion, and her lungs felt like they were on fire, but Freen didn't dare slow down. She turned another corner, her hands brushing against the cold, damp walls as she tried to navigate the maze of hallways.

"You can't hide forever," Devika's sharp voice added, laughter laced with venom. "This is just pathetic."

Freen stumbled into the main pool area, her chest heaving as she scanned for an escape route. The water lay still and dark under the dim, flickering lights. She felt a brief moment of hope—maybe she could slip through another exit—but then a shadow shifted near the water.

Mike stepped into view, his arms crossed, his dark eyes locking onto hers.

"This is the end of the line," he said coldly, his voice reverberating through the empty space.

Before she could react, Mile and Devika emerged from opposite sides of the room, cutting off any chance of escape.

Freen backed away, her heart hammering in her chest. "What do you want from me?"

Mile tilted his head, his grin widening. "You, Freen. You're the key to everything—the prophecy, the curse. And we can't let that happen."

"What prophecy?" Freen asked, her voice trembling.

Devika sneered, her fangs glinting in the dim light. "The one that says your love will destroy us. That your little romance with a vampire will undo everything we've built."

"You'll take away our immortality," Mike said, his tone filled with disdain. "You're a threat, and we don't leave threats alive."

Freen's legs wobbled as the weight of their words sank in. Her love for Becky—was that what this was all about? She didn't ask for any of this, didn't want any part of a prophecy she barely understood.

"This isn't fair," she whispered, tears brimming in her eyes.

"Life rarely is," Mile said, stepping closer. "But don't worry. It'll all be over soon."

Before Freen could react, Mile lunged, grabbing her wrist and twisting her arm behind her back. She cried out in pain, struggling against his unyielding grip.

"Shh," Mile murmured, his voice mockingly soothing. "It'll hurt less if you don't fight."

Devika approached, her grin razor-sharp. Without hesitation, she sank her fangs into Freen's shoulder.

A scream tore from Freen's throat as pain exploded through her body. It was unlike anything she had ever felt before—like fire spreading through her veins, consuming her from the inside out. She collapsed to the floor, her vision swimming as blood pooled beneath her.

Devika pulled back, licking her lips. "Sweet," she murmured, her expression one of cruel satisfaction.

Mile let her go, and Freen crumpled to the tiles, her body convulsing as the venom spread. The edges of her vision blurred, and she felt herself slipping away.

A deafening crash shattered the stillness as the doors to the pool building burst open. Becky stormed in, her golden eyes blazing with fury.

"Get away from her!" she roared, her voice trembling with rage.

Mile turned, his smug expression faltering as Becky launched herself at him. The impact sent him flying into the wall, the tiles cracking under the force.

Billy and Robert followed close behind, engaging Mike and Devika with ferocity. The room erupted into chaos as the Armstrongs fought to protect Freen.

Becky dropped to her knees beside Freen, her hands trembling as she took in the sight of her. Freen's skin was pale, her breathing shallow, and the bite on her shoulder was raw and oozing venom.

"No," Becky whispered, her voice breaking. "No, no, no..."

Freen's eyes fluttered open, her gaze hazy. "Becky..." she murmured weakly.

"I'm here," Becky said, tears streaming down her face. "I've got you."

Robert appeared at her side, his expression grim. "She's been bitten," he said. "The venom's spreading. If we don't act now—"

"I know," Becky snapped, her hands hovering over Freen. Her body trembled as she stared at the blood staining Freen's skin. The scent was intoxicating, and her throat burned with the urge to feed.

"You have to do it, Becky," Robert said firmly. "You have to suck the venom out."

Becky froze, her eyes darting to her father. "I can't. What if I can't stop?"

"You don't have a choice," Robert said. "If you don't, she'll die."

Becky leaned over Freen, her body trembling. The venom's sickly-sweet scent mixed with the sharp tang of blood, overwhelming her senses.

"Becky," Freen whispered, her voice barely audible. "Please..."

Tears streaked down Becky's face as she pressed her lips to the wound, her fangs piercing the skin. The taste of Freen's blood flooded her senses, rich and intoxicating. Her entire body screamed at her to take more, to give in to the hunger that burned inside her.

"Control yourself," Becky whispered to herself, her voice trembling. "Don't hurt her."

She focused on the venom, drawing it out in small, controlled bursts. Every second felt like a battle, the temptation to take more almost unbearable.

Freen whimpered beneath her, her body weak and fragile. "You're okay," Becky murmured, her voice cracking. "Stay with me, Freen. Please stay with me."

When it was finally over, Becky pulled back, her chest heaving. Freen lay motionless, her breathing faint but steady. The dark veins of venom had receded, and the wound was beginning to close.

"She's stable," Robert said, his voice steady. "But we need to get her out of here. Now."

Becky nodded, scooping Freen into her arms. Her body shook with the weight of her emotions—relief, fear, and the lingering taste of Freen's blood.

"I won't let anything happen to you," she whispered, pressing a kiss to Freen's forehead. "Not ever again."

Billy and Robert flanked her as they made their way out, leaving the shattered remnants of the battle behind.

But even as they escaped, Becky couldn't shake the image of Freen lying broken and bleeding, and the terrifying realization of how close she had come to losing her forever.

____________________________________

Vote * Comment * Follow for more