Vampire Shadows
Chapter 22

It was time!

It was time to save Max and Kendra. Without giving it much thought, I entered the building. On the outside, all of the guards were knocked out. Thanks to Nathan, of course.

I opened the door and entered stealthily. Although all the guards were unconscious and I could just walk in as if I owned the place, Nathan warned me about being too confident. He said there's always a possibility that one or two people escaped the potion.

The castle was beautiful, and even though I was in a hurry, I couldn't help but gawk at the amazing decor. It was so regal and looked like a scene in a fancy movie. I had to use all the self control I had to stop staring and concentrate.

I walked in and followed the map exactly. When I got to where Max was locked, I found out that there were no guards there. I kept walking and finally entered the chamber.

EMPTY! It was empty. No one was there; no guards, no prisoners.

Does that mean that he wasn't locked up here? Oh lord, our plan is ruined. I wish I could contact Nathan. I was lost. I didn't know if I should abort the mission or go search for him else where.

I have only fifteen minutes or less before the potion fades away. Where will I start looking for him in such a gigantic place? Oh, this is useless.

I was so desperate to replace Max that I couldn't leave the palace, though time was not in my favour. I left the chamber where Max was supposed to be and started looking around the castle like a crazy person. I opened every door I came across and yelled Max's name at the top of my voice. I kept calling his name without a care in the world.

I finally stopped when I heard someone calling my name. "Kara!" I heard the voice repeatedly say, "It was loud and clear," but I couldn't tell where it was coming from. It sounded far, yet really close.

"Who is it ? Where are you? Max? Is that you? " I asked with tears in my eyes.

"Kara, chill, just concentrate and listen." I heard the voice again, and that is when I realized that it was Nathan who was calling me. But where is he?

"Nathan?" I asked, shaking.

If Max is not in the special chamber, then check the dungeon. The map will lead you Now hurry up, we have seven minutes. " He said, and then his voice faded slowly. That's when I realized that he wasn't actually close. He was in my head! talking to me telepathically.

I ran as fast as I could to the first chamber because I threw the map there earlier. I checked it and spotted the dungeon location. I knew it was far, but I had hope that I would make it. I ran as fast as I could, making sure I took all the right turns. After using at least five minutes out of my seven minutes, I finally made it to the dungeon.

It was dark and creepy, and there was no source of light because it was underground. But I could see the place quite fairly thanks to the fact that my vampire side is starting to take over.

I walked quickly and started checking cells by cell, calling Max's name, but it was useless. The dungeon was huge and had thousands of cells for prisoners. After repeatedly calling and checking, I sat on the floor hopelessly and started crying. That was all I could do. I lost fifteen minutes without getting anything. I didn't have a watch, but I knew there were only a few seconds left. Some guards were already regaining consciousness.

That's when an idea hit me. I didn't know if it'd work, but I had to try.

I closed my eyes and thought of Max, nothing else but Max. Then I said his name without opening my mouth. I heard my voice in my head. I still called.

"Max, where are you?" max. " I said it several times, but to my disappointment, there was no reply. Time was up, and I could see the guards outside the dungeon waking up and wondering how they got to the position they were in. and that was when I knew I had to give up.

"I'm sorry I failed you." I said in my head. Tears rolled down my cheeks.

"Kara, is that you?" I heard Max's manly voice in my head.

"It's me, Max. Where are you?" I said, almost out loud.

"in the Prince's castle, locked up. Don't worry about me. I'm fine. Just stay saf_ _"

"__what is your cell number?" I said, cutting him off.

"What? Don't come to the castle, Kara, it's dangerous, "he started. Wtf? He was wasting my time.

"Just tell me," I said eagerly. It was hard for me to communicate through our minds, and Max was making it harder.

"123," he said.

"Kara, where are you, abort the mission? Time's up." Nathan's voice called.

I'm almost there. I'll meet you once I save Max. I pleaded

, "No, Kara, we will try this again. Just leave that place. "Nathan said

, "Kara, who are you talking to?" Max's voice echoed.

"Nathan, where are you? Things are getting messy out here." Josh said.

I started to get confused. I couldn't concentrate on replaceing Max because of all the noises in my head. I had Max, Nathan, and Josh's thoughts linked in my head and it was making me dizzy. So, I closed my eyes and cut them all out of my head. I knew losing contact was a bad thing, but I had to replace Max.

123 He said.

.

127, 126, 125, 124 , ahhhh, 123. Finally, "max?" I said, hopefully.

The guy in the cell turned to face me, and it was Max.

His hands were locked up in some huge metallic box. It was probably to stop him from using his element. and his mouth was covered with some kind of metallic mask. His legs were chained to the ground.