Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ A Matter Of Choice ❯ Underestimating Mortality ( Chapter 28 )

Underestimating Mortality

 

Tegan was stalking her quarry, like a cat on the prowl. She had spotted Rachel feeding from her rooftop hiding place. She was standing over her victim, licking her lips. She took a little too much delight in killing for Tegan's liking. Rachel cut a fine figure dressed in tight jeans, ankle boots and a halter-neck top. She was the youngest of the group's new companions, but by far the strongest, despite being a vampire for barely twenty years, though from what she understood, this was not unusual amongst female vampires. Stuart had cited them to be extremely strong, often stronger than their male companions. But they were often prone to madness and often committed suicide.

 

Women that had become vampires often had great mental strength as mortals. When made vampires the blood made up for the physical deficit, making them formidable enemies. Their physical abilities were then enhanced by their mental strength. But this information was incidental. Rachel was very young and extremely strong, something that must be considered. Rachel left the corpse of her victim where it lay, and went off into the streets. With her appearance she could easily blend into the crowd. Tegan sighed. She was now the same age as Rachel was before her change, her twenty-second birthday behind her a couple of months past, not that she was counting; she didn't celebrate birthdays anymore.

 

Tegan looked at her watch. Two hours until sunrise. She had realised that to beat Rachel she would need a helping hand. She had to trick her into staying out a little too long. Tegan trailed her for an hour, Rachel not returning to the mansion, preferring her own company. The rooftop surveillance was tiring, the leap from building to building hard work. Still, it was necessary to avoid detection. She watched as her quarry climbed the fire escape up the side of the building. Tegan quickly scurried for the cover of the protruding roof access of the building. She watched from her hiding place as Rachel perched, her back to her observer, on the edge of the building with arms outstretched feeling the morning breeze encompass her.

 

Tegan checked her watch again her heart pounding. Half an hour till sunrise. Tegan would have to make her move and soon, or she was going to return to the safety of the mansion. She took a deep breath, praying that her strength and nerves would hold out. She broke into a run, Rachel turning at the sound, but before she could do anything Tegan had pushed her off the roof and she was hurtling to the ground. Rachel turned in the air, reaching out at full stretch. Feeling cold steel against her fingertips she closed her hands around the rungs of the steel fire escape ladder. She jolted sharply as her descent came to a halt.

 

She looked up to see Tegan peering over the edge of the building. Seething, she began the climb to the roof once more. Tegan took one look at the expression on Rachel's face, and then ran. She dived through the roof access door of the apartment building and bolted down the stairs. She had one chance at a head start and she had best use it well. Moments later, Rachel had reached the precipice, fuming. She saw the open door, swinging gently on its hinges in the breeze and knew where to go. She ran after Tegan, determined to get retribution for the insult that had been dealt to her, and for the loss she had suffered when Tegan slayed Devon.

 

Tegan had a four flight head start, but not only was Rachel the faster of the two, Tegan was now encountering people in her way, the early morning work shift. It was seven already and barely dark anymore, the spring mornings becoming lighter and lighter. She looked up to see Rachel chasing her, closing on her fast and knew that she had to do something. She stopped and looked up at her pursuer and then looked down at the drop below. She took a deep breath and took a chance. She launched herself over the banister, plummeting past people and flights of stairs. The floor rushed up to meet her and time began to run out. Instinctively she reached out and all of a sudden her fingers closed on wood and she had hold of the banister.

 

“Damn!” Rachel swore, realising she might lose her quarry.

 

The feeling of relief Tegan felt was swiftly replaced by pain as her body stopped its descent, Tegan crying out at the sudden pain as her shoulders jolted, the ligaments straining, muscles going into spasm. She could feel her fingers slipping on the polished wood. Gritting her teeth against the pain she looked down, the floor was only a couple of feet below. She could hear Rachel cursing above her. She let go and fell, hit the ground, rolled and was on her feet and running in a couple of seconds leaving bewildered onlookers behind her.

 

“You won't get away that easily little girl!”

 

Rachel launched herself over the banister and flew downwards. Gasps and cries of alarm surrounded her as people realised she was making no attempt to stop her descent. Rachel landed on her feet, the tiles under her feet cracked from the force of the impact. She paid no attention to the uproar she was causing and continued after her quarry. Once out of the building she realised that Tegan had become invisible in the early morning bustle. Furious she climbed the fire escape back to the roof to get a better view. Effortlessly she jumped from building to building, trying to sight her elusive foe.

 

“Come out, come out wherever you are.” She sang through gritted teeth, aware that no one could hear her.

 

She caught a glimpse of Tegan weaving her way through the crowd and smiled as she realised she had gone down a dead end. She stood at the edge and watched as Tegan tried to calm herself. Tegan backed down the alleyway, trying desperately to catch her breath. Rachel looked at the lightening sky and back at Tegan. She hadn't much time, but Tegan was so helpless and tempting. Kill her quick and then back home. She could almost taste her blood, the thought making her smile, this revenge would be so sweet.

 

Tegan looked around her and knew that if Rachel was nearby then she was quickly running out of options. It was getting a bit repetitive but she chose the fire escape, rather than risk a run in at the opening of the alleyway. Just as she had started to climb, she heard a thud behind her. She didn't look, she knew all too well what that meant and began to climb for her life. Rachel hit the ground and cursed as she realised Tegan was escaping yet again. Anger and frustration clouded Rachel's judgement and she followed despite the nearness of the dawn.

 

Tegan powered up the metal stairs, gasping for breath. Lactic acid built up in the muscles of her legs and started to burn, Tegan tiring. Tegan became more and more desperate, acutely aware of her mortal limitations and Rachel closing in behind her. Her legs felt hot and heavy, like warm lead, her chest a slab of stone, gasping for air. Still she forced herself upward, her goal near, and pushed herself with every ounce of effort left in her. She looked down and saw Rachel closing the gap; a grin fixed on her face. Tegan's lungs burned with the exertion, but she refused to give in.

 

Tegan staggered over the edge, falling to her knees sweet relief flowing through her legs. She felt tears rolling down her cheeks. Her breathing was raspy, gulping for air as she was, but she struggled to her feet. She staggered towards the access door; her one hope of escape as Rachel reached the roof behind her. All of a sudden the ground rose up to meet her as she tripped her muscles unable to go on without rest. She gritted her teeth as she landed heavily, unable to break her fall, dirt grinding into the flesh of her cheek. Rachel laughed cruelly at her.

 

“Oh dear, how clumsy you are Tegan!”

 

Tegan rolled onto her back, trying to catch her breath.

 

“Now.” Rachel continued, approaching Tegan slowly. “We have something to discuss.”

 

“I have nothing to say to you!” Tegan retorted.

 

“No? Well maybe you don't remember pushing me off a building. Not a very nice thing to do now was it?”

 

“You made such an easy target.” Tegan taunted.

 

Rachel narrowed her eyes, her anger apparent, canine teeth being flashed in her annoyance.

 

“And that is just for starters. You are going to pay for what you did to Devon.”

 

“Hah!” Tegan rose to her feet, her legs feeling pretty shaky, her breath returning. “He brought that on himself! Never underestimate your enemy.”

 

“Believe me, I won't.”

 

Tegan noted the dangerous tone in Rachel's voice and started to back away. She looked at the lightening sky and realised she had to stall.

 

“He was a fool, Rachel. Killing him was easy. He was so arrogant and sure of himself. It made things so simple. How can you mourn someone like that?” She goaded, trying to make Rachel forget the time.

 

“I loved him!”

 

“Well, they do say like attracts like.”

 

That last barb shattered Rachel's composure and she dived for Tegan. She dodged quickly, drawing her two blades, Rachel managing to catch her trailing wrist. Tegan brought them up in front of her face as Rachel pulled her in, Rachel shying away from the razor sharp edges. Tegan swung at her, the point of the blade puncturing the soft flesh of Rachel's belly. Rachel's face contorted in pain and as she loosened her hold on Tegan she found her legs swept from under her. She fell hard, Tegan pinning her to the floor.

 

She made to slash Rachel's throat, but despite her bodyweight she found herself thrown over and onto her back. Pain enveloped her wrists, Rachel squeezing hard. She squealed at the suddenness of the pain, releasing the blades reflexively. Rachel lifted Tegan up and threw her away from her, grunting with exertion and anger. Tegan landed roughly, rolling, checking her motion hurriedly as her legs rolled off the edge of the building, almost in a panic before realising she wasn't going to fall..

 

She swore, pulling herself back up, the height of the drop unthinkable for a mortal like her. She rolled away from the edge and saw Rachel coming. She scrambled to her feet and headed for her fallen blades at a run, knowing she couldn't face Rachel unarmed. The air was knocked out of her in an explosion of pain as Rachel knocked her down from behind. She landed in the dust and dirt, wincing as it grazed her skin. She felt herself lifted up, but unable to suck in the breath she needed she could not fight Rachel.

 

Rachel laughed, content in her victory. It had all been so simple and in the nick of time. The sky was becoming alarmingly light. She would barely have enough time to get back to the safety of the mansion. Tegan struggled as Rachel drew her in, gulping in air, but Rachel was too strong for her. She laughed as Tegan tried to push the two of them apart, but was too tired from the chase to have any real strength. Rachel on the other hand smirked as she heard Tegan's whispered plea.

 

“A little longer, just a little longer!”

 

Rachel didn't have time for this and hammered the heel of her right hand into Tegan's collarbone. It snapped like a dry twig Tegan screaming as white-hot fire swept through her shoulder, falling limp in Rachel's hold. Her vision swam, nausea rising in a tidal wave from the pit of her stomach. The left side of her body drooped, her arm practically useless, her ribs pressing on her lung. She gasped for breath, the pressure making it harder for her. All the fight had gone from her now, all her energy being consumed in just trying to breath, to focus on anything but the pain.

 

Rachel pulled Tegan to her, increasing the pressure in her lungs, Tegan fighting to stay conscious, the pain and lack of oxygen overwhelming. Rachel wrenched Tegan's head back harshly and quickly sank her teeth into her tender throat. Tegan groaned in agony as Rachel began to drink hurriedly, white-hot pain searing the furthermost reaches of her body. She fell into a swoon, but as she succumbed to the haze a primal part of her brain took over. Barely realising what she was doing, Tegan struck out at her attacker with all the strength she could muster. Enraged at this fresh challenge Rachel tore her teeth cruelly from her skin, the tender flesh ripping, blood flowing from the ragged gash.

 

Rachel struck at Tegan's injured side, throwing all of her frustrations and hate into the blow. Tegan screamed as she broke two ribs, the bones snapping with hideous ease, her body falling to the ground with a jolt which only brought fresh pain. Tegan lay in the dirt, her body a throbbing mass of unspeakable pain. Weak from blood loss she fought for every breath, the pain threatening to steal away the ability to breathe. She opened her eyes, trying to focus, trying to swallow back a wave of pain as she tried to move. As her vision cleared, Rachel loomed above her, mouth bloody, her face a mask of pure rage and hate.

 

Rachel dragged Tegan upright with no resistance, her victim as limp as a rag doll. As she pulled Tegan to her she could practically taste her victory. Tegan closed her eyes and steeled herself for oblivion; surely there was no escape. As her body was crushed to Rachel's she prayed for a quick death, if only to ease the pain that consumed her. Rachel laughed and moved in for the kill, but both of them had forgotten the time.

 

Salvation came as sunlight burst over the edge of the roof top arena in a golden wave, bathing them both in morning's warm glow. Rachel let go of Tegan in terror, realising too late her mistake. Tegan fell to the ground, her broken body no longer able to feel the agony, her senses dull and overloaded and her body shutting down. Rachel burst into flames as the morning light washed over her. She screamed as she became a living torch, twisting and writhing as her flesh shrivelled and blackened. She let out one last deafening, inhuman scream before her body started to cave in on itself in a pile of spent ash.

 

As the screams stopped Tegan realised it was finally over. Slowly, painfully, Tegan managed to open her eyes, the throbbing beginning to worsen again. She found herself in a storm of ash, flakes swirling around her in the breeze, settling on her still form. She lay, unable to move, knowing that without rescue that she was going to die. She had lived, hunted and killed them for three years. Every hunt carried the risk of death, but she had never really believed that she might die until now. Without a miracle she was going to die here, in the dirt, alone and afraid.

 

She was faintly aware of blood trickling down her neck, warm and thick, pooling around her and soaking into her hair. The large tear in her throat open and ragged, blood being pumped through it with every heartbeat. The precious fluid began to clot thickly, drying against her cooling skin. A fly landed on the sticky surface, sensing the death that approached, the stench of fresh blood on her. Tegan could feel it, its bulk and scrabbling legs. The feel of the horrid thing, bloated with eggs, made her skin crawl. She wanted to brush it away but she had no strength left for even such a simple task. She knew its purpose, to lay its eggs on dead flesh. The larvae would feed on the corpse until they burst from the putrid remains and began the cycle again. She wanted to scream.

 

“I'm not dead yet!” She whispered to her six legged carrion feeder.

 

Who was she trying to kid? She was as good as dead. Half drained of blood, bleeding from her throat, bleeding inside, her broken bones trying to heal. Even if she was rescued her chances where almost non-existent. What was the point of hoping? She lay there, closed her eyes and waited for death to come, only hoping the fly would have the decency to do the same. The pain began to fade as she listened to the beating of her struggling heart, beginning to slip into unconsciousness.

 

Something jerked her back to this world, surprise bringing her back from the brink. Voices, footsteps. People alerted by Rachel's screams. A miracle after all. She heard a door flung back on its hinges, people running towards her.

 

“Christ! Someone call 911.”

 

A thick, heavy Texan drawl prominent in the new voice. Middle aged male most probably. But it was all too late. Not enough time, she was too far gone. She parted her lips, her eyelids fluttering, beginning to speak in a breathy whisper.

 

“And yea as I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil.”

 

A rough and callused hand clasped hers.

 

“This is no time for last rites miss. You hang on in there. The good Lord will decide if it's time soon enough.”

 

He squeezed her hand gently, the gesture bringing her some comfort. So if she had to die in this God forsaken place then at least she didn't have to die alone.

 

“What's your name?” The voice coaxed.

 

“Tegan.”

 

Her whisper was almost too faint to hear, but the Texan had kept his ear close to her lips and caught it well enough.

 

“You hang on in there Tegan. We'll get you through. Don't try to move, but keep with me.”

 

Move! She wanted to laugh out loud. She had no idea how many broken bones she had, she was certain she was dying from blood loss and she was being told not to move. It was laughable and certainly original. She heard the faint sounds of the ambulance arriving several stories below. They were quick, she had to give them that. Perhaps she might live through it after all.

 

What did it matter any more? This day had to come, so why not sooner rather than later. Her consciousness swam, her mind fogging. She tried to clear the haze but it wouldn't go. The paramedics burst through the door, the sound sharp and invasive. A clamour of voices surrounded her like a swarm of angry bees. Can't you leave me to die in peace?

 

“Her name is Tegan.”

 

The Texan released her hand. She felt fingertips brushing her face.

 

“She needs a blood transfusion quickly!”

 

A young male voice in her ear, a hand taking hers, the latex of the glove smooth against her skin.

 

“Can you hear me Tegan?”

 

She squeezed the hand gently in reply.

 

“Good, now I'm going to take care of you. You are going to be fine.”

 

Her consciousness spun away from her dizzyingly. She breathed one last word before the darkness swallowed her.

 

“Stuart…”

 

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Author's notes:

Ooopsie. I think I just might have gotten a little over mean there. Ah but what is a girl to do. She can't keep winning now can she? Till next time people.