Sanctuary's Fiend
Chapter 18

I kicked open my front door with the last remaining vestiges of Lyfe.

I’d burned the rest by running at a full sprint back to my car at the entrance to the forest. I was just lucky to not have picked up any of the local police as I’d sped home with Rel turning my back seat into a modern art installation titled “What I’d do to my ex if I ever saw them again”.

‘Woah, dad, calm down!’ Richard shouted. ‘I’d have opened the door.’

I ignored him and rushed into the living room, placing Rel down as softly as I could on the sofa.

I hadn’t even had time to think, but I’d taken her back here. It was closer than the hospital, and safer for everyone if somehow that Fiend had followed.

Richard looked in, and saw me covered in blood. Most of it was Rel’s, but the stones had cut the side of my face up. I looked a state. Not to mention the very obvious guns I had hanging from me, and the tactical vest.

‘Dad?! What’s happened?’ he shouted.

There was no time to explain. She could slip away any second. ‘Nothing. Stay here and talk to her.’

‘What?!’ I didn’t need this right now. Rel was dying. ‘It’s not “nothing”. Shouldn’t we call an ambulance? She’s bleeding!’

‘I can handle this. I just need something from upstairs.’

I left and took the steps four at a time. I turned to the guest room and pushed on the door. Of course it was locked. I took a step back and kicked just below the door handle. The door snapped open, and I burst in, heading straight to the cupboard.

I opened it up and took out the steel box. I snatched a vial of Lyfe and, not thinking, tossed the box aside. I heard the other vials shatter. Too late now.

I rushed downstairs.

Richard was hugging Rel, holding her up. Oh no, he could be doing more damage. She needed rest - and a miracle wouldn’t hurt. Wait… no, Rel was standing up. Supporting Richard. How was that even possible?

My feet touched down on the landing, and I slowed. What was I seeing? There was blood everywhere. Rel had been bleeding heavily, but why was it on Richard?

Richard’s knees buckled.

Rel held him up as if he weighed nothing.

She was chewing on his neck.

I leaped into action and grabbed the back of Rel’s shirt, throwing her backwards.

Rick hit the floor like a lump of meat. Without thinking, I pulled up my shotgun and stuck it in Rel’s face.

I hesitated. Was this right? It just didn’t make sense. She was just a normal girl! Had the Fiend done something to her?

No.

The flash of fangs I’d seen in the park. The whiff of Draugr. I hadn’t wanted to believe it. I’d gone against my instincts and ignored the signs. Now Richard was lying on the floor behind me, a gaping wound in his neck.

Rel opened her eyes and they locked with mine. They were two large, black orbs, and her bloody mouth bared pristine fangs.

I pulled the trigger.

She disappeared.

Shit. A Draugr.

To stand any chance against her I’d need this vial of Lyfe. I popped the top and pressed it to my lips.

But Richard needed it more than I did.

I dropped to my knees next to the bloody, seemingly lifeless body of my son.

I squeezed his mouth open and poured the vial of Lyfe into his mouth.

He didn’t swallow.

‘Come on, Richard.’

Keep talking. Hearing was the last thing to go. Keep talking to him.

‘Swallow, Richard.’

Nothing.

I gently shook him, not knowing what else to do.

‘Come on, son. Just swallow it. It will keep you alive until an ambulance arrives.’

Nothing.

‘Richard! Come on, Richard!’

Nothing.

‘Son. Son!’

Nothing. Oh God.

‘SWALLOW THE FUCKING LYFE!’