The Creation (Book III)

(17) Present: 2024

                                                                       (17) Present: 2024

They came like wild dogs hungry for something fresh. They surrounded us, shouting and clearly crazed, wanting to fight. I climbed to my feet unsteadily, peering around Xavier’s shoulder as I used to so many times. They were glaring, fierce and deadly. I thought time had stood still as everyone froze and waited for the other to make their move. I didn’t know what to do or say. Should I say something? I was also terrified, even with Xavier in front of me. It wasn’t my safety I feared for, but Xavier’s. He didn’t have his vampire abilities. They’ll rip him apart.

My thoughts went blank when one of the men tried to sneak up behind Xavier to grab me. Xavier noticed way before I did. He snarled and grabbed the man by his wrist, jerking him forward to meet Xavier’s fist. Xavier was tackled by another man, sending both of them to the ground. I shrieked and noticed nearly all of them had their focus on Xavier. Could he take them all on? I realized then how I was still wanting to hide behind him. I’ve been taught to always hide behind Xavier during any violent situation. Yet, as I watched them begin to swarm over him, I realized I couldn’t be the wimp anymore.

I leaped forward and threw my body at the man currently on top of Xavier, throwing us to the ground harshly. My knee rammed into his stomach, causing him to grunt and cower. I could hear them behind me, still attacking Xavier. Before I could react to any of this I was jerked off the man by a pair of large arms around me. Immediately I was thrown to the ground like some sort of ragdoll. It was baldy, and I was so outraged by everything going on that I kicked my foot out, not caring where it connected. It hit his knee at a deadly force, popping it out of place. He yelled in agony and fell onto his chest, holding his knee as he cried out.

The next person I tackled was the shortest of them all. He didn’t see me coming and was clearly caught by surprise because he screamed like a little girl. We rolled in the dust, which I realized could be used to my advantage. Fight dirty, right? And that’s what I did. I crawled on top of him and grabbed a handful of the grey dust, shoving it into his eyes. When he began struggling I threw one of my strongest punches I could muster, connecting it with his eye. I don’t know how many punches I managed to throw, but I stopped when he stopped moving.

I scrambled to my feet and immediately found Xavier in the middle of this chaos. He was standing now, thankfully, taking on two men who stood on either side of him. Xavier’s expression was fierce and furious as he blocked their throws effortlessly. I looked at the man behind him, Jim, who was about to try a sneak attack on him. Xavier would have seen him and taken him down if it weren’t for me. He looked away from one of his attackers and met my eyes, all fury leaving his face. I knew I looked like I had been dragged behind a car, but that didn’t matter. He looked at me with the same wander as a child on Christmas day. I had a feeling I was staring at him in the same way.

And then he went down.

Jim had his arm around Xavier’s neck, his grasp so tight it was a wonder how nothing was broken. A squeak escaped my lips and I reacted as anyone would when someone they love is in danger. I jumped onto Jim’s back and did as a vampire would in the real world, burying my teeth into his neck. He released Xavier in an instant and tried to throw me off his back. I slid my foot up his leg until I hit a weak spot. He hollered and fell to the ground, unable to reach me. My lucky streak was short lived when someone grabbed me by my throat and jerked me to the ground. I cried out and clawed at my attacker’s face as his grip tightened around my neck.

He disappeared as mysteriously as he had come.

Xavier stood over me, just staring. It was bizarre to see him so curious. I went to say something, but I noticed something several feet away. Two of the men were starting to get up. I scrambled to my feet and grasped Xavier’s hand in mine.