Warriors Of The Vampire

Chapter Eleven: The Prisoners Escape

They'd reached the third floor, Alison had led them there by memory, though she hadn't seen the place, she'd overheard where some of the prisoners were taken. Though, she wasn't sure she could remember the directions fully.

Rose, Brad, Angel, Britney and Bruce all followed her lead. But Bruce knew he couldn't let her take them to the prisoners, even if she couldn't find where they were, he couldn't fool them forever. So he divulged a plan of his own, to throw them off track.

It had to be something to pull them away from what they were doing, he would lie, and somehow, get them to follow him. And he knew exactly where to lead them. Exactly, where to take them, to meet their deaths.

Wandering down a long hallway, near the edge of the stair case, all of them could look over the rail and see how high up they were already. This hall was dark, not lit very well, with many torches unlit. And it was so bland and plain, no pictures, end tables or anything, just empty space and several doors on each side, leading to unnecessary rooms of the castle. Brown walls and red carpets, that was all. Other then the railing to their left.

"They said something about being close to the railing all the way up to the fifth floor." Said Alison.
Angel said rather suspiciously, "You have a good memory for someone who heard all this while being dragged down into a dungeon."
They all stopped, and she turned to face him, "What are you saying? You make it sound like I'm lying."
Rose stepped in and replied, "Look, all he means is, what if you're wrong. What if we do all this and can't find it. Then we'll be lost, and this place is huge. We don't have the time to waste, innocent people will die."

Before they could argue, Bruce felt this was his time to speak up, "She's right. Besides, I saw them take prisoners to the sixth floor. I know the exact room as well."
Brad stepped through the small group of people and stood in front of Bruce, "How could you know something like that?"
"Uh...well of course cause...I was taken there." Bruce replied.
Alison asked, "Before you were taken downstairs?"
He answered, "Yeah, yeah....they killed all the people I was with." He sighed, pretending as best he could t be distraught. Then he continued, "Room six, six, six. They only moved me because I was the only one left up there, and it was time for that....thing downstairs to begin."
Britney then said, "So why didn't they kill you?"
He replied stepping closer, "They didn't have time before the ceremony thing."
"Six, six, six, on the sixth floor? That's a little odd. But if they took you out of there because you were alone, then who'd they move up there?" Brad asked curiously.
Bruce hadn't thought his plan out very well, and could tell he was losing credibility the more silence they waited in. "I don't know, after I broke out downstairs, the Vampire that came after me, was telling me he was going to put me back in that room with the others. When I asked what he was talking about, he wouldn't answer, he just kept saying I'd be locked in there with the others, and we'd be dealt with later."

What he said, seemed to have worked, "Well then whoever else is up there, could be killed before any of the others are. We'd better hurry." Said Britney.
"Maybe we should split up. Half could keep heading up, and the others could go to the sixth floor?" Brad suggested, still not fully buying the story.
Bruce was set into panic at those thoughts and ideas, if they tried to separate, he'd very well have to try and kill them all, and he was almost sure they'd kill him first. Luckily for Bruce, Angel quickly shot down the idea, "We can't separate in a place like this. Now let's stop standing around because someone could be dying, we'll get up there and rescue whoever is being held, and then figure out what to do next. Bruce, lead the way."
He smiled, and replied, "Thank you." And then Bruce began to lead them up to the sixth floor.

Meanwhile, Nadia and Mena reached Chantal's door. But to their shock and surprise, didn't have to unlock it, for it was already open! They hurried quickly inside, but they couldn't see anyone. The room was small, but they still searched it, up and down, yet they found nothing. In panic, they examined the door more carefully.

Upon doing so, they discovered that it had been almost kicked in, before the lock was finally busted. They both just looked at each other, and Nadia said, "If Robert finds out she's gone, he will kill us out of sheer anger!"
"We didn't let her out!" Said Mena, looking around the hall.
Nadia took her by the shoulders and shook her a bit, "That doesn't matter! Without them, the ritual is nothing, and before too long Robert will be coming to look for them!"
Mena replied quickly, "That is why we can't lie, we have to tell him she is not here."
"You don't understand, he has no shame in murdering his own kind. But he will slaughter us. No, we can't tell him. We have to look for her ourselves and get her back before he even knows she's missing!"
Pacing around the area, Mena said, "We don't even know how long she's been gone."
Nadia added, "True, but she couldn't have gotten far, maybe she is lost and still around here somewhere."

Thinking in silence, Chantal peeked around the corner, she wasn't far off. Breathing quietly, she watched them. It was not hard to hear what they were saying, because Chantal had hidden in around a dark corner at the end of the hall, and they were lingering closely.

She had just escaped not more then moments before they came to look for her, ad had not yet had time to get far. She prayed they wouldn’t not find her as they argued over what to do, then suddenly, she heard nothing. Frightened that they might have seen her, she held still, not even breathing for a moment, her eyes tightly held shut as she began to quiver.

"What if the other sacrifice is loose as well?" Mena asked.
Nadia replied, "Alright, here's what we're going to do. We'll go and make sure that the other girl is secure, then come back here and start looking, we'll head back down a few floors. But, remember to keep an eye out for the escaped prisoners as well. We can turn around when we reach the prison floor, and check on them to, the girl can't be far. If she didn't go down, she went further up."
Mena agreed, and they went on their way.

That's when Chantal decided to follow them. After all, she didn't know where she was, and they would lead her right to the prisoners and the other sacrifice. Maybe then, she could free them, she told herself. It was a big risk, but she knew if she was found, she couldn't be killed, at least not yet. So, for now, she had nothing to lose. Slipping out from where she was, she crept quietly behind them, using any object nearest to her, to hide behind. Praying all the while, that she would not be found.

Still wandering about on some unknown floor, Marie, James and Misty were getting no where, except lost. Though he didn't want to admit it, James had no clue where he was going, and Marie was getting sick of it. Finally, she stopped. Misty and James turned and looked at her, standing there with her arms folded.
"What is it now?" James asked, frustratedly.
Marie tossed her hair away from her face and answered, "I'm not going in further."
Misty protested, "You can't just stand there!"
But Marie continued, "This, is ridiculous!"
Curiously, James replied, "What is?"
Replying a bit annoyed, Marie said, "Following you. Now look, we've been going no where. Why don't you follow me for a while. I've been thinking...."
James sighed, "Uh oh."
She rolled her eyes and finished her sentence, "I may remember how I got all the way up here from the bottom floor, and if we just head back...."
"We'll be on the bottom floor where you were? Ooh, what a grand idea, then what?" James teased sarcastically.
Marie replied, "Then, you idiot, we will at least know where we are."

James was quiet for a minute, standing there, pretending to think. Then he said, "Oh, better idea. We keep goin' up mates, until we find somethin'."
"Wow! What a plan! Tell me, did this great plan come from the same mind that thought up the first few, like following you! Look where we are!" Marie shouted, stepping towards him.
Folding his arms, James stood still with a sly grin on his face, "Where are we?"
She shouted, "Exactly!"
Misty stood between the two of them and said, "You've been downstairs, you know what's down there. I know James hasn't really found anything yet but, you never know. Maybe we're close."
"I am not following this....this...." Marie fumbled for the words.
But James filled in the blanks, "Handsome, charming....."
"This is no time for jokes!" Marie yelled, "If we're gonna stay up here, we're not following this guy. We're gonna follow me. Or I am not moving." She stood firmly.

They just looked at her for a minute, "Are you alright. You seem so....on edge." Misty asked, concerned.
Staring down at her shoes, Marie replied, "I'm fine. Are you gonna follow me, or not?"
James leaned in and whispered to Misty, "I say we leave her."
Rolling her eyes, Misty answered, "Fine. But if we don't get somewhere within the hour, I say we follow me then."
"No. We follow me, for a while. Understand?" Marie said, nearly grinding her teeth in.
A curious expression fell over James face as he replied, "Bloody hell, alright. Don't have cow."
Misty answered, "Alright. Lead the way."
A slight smile spread across her face, as she turned down the hallway, and they followed her closely behind.

Managing to go unnoticed, Chantal had followed Nadia and Mena to the other side of the eighteenth floor where Katlin was kept. As they both unlocked the door and headed in, she began to wonder just how she would do this. Somehow, she had to free Katlin quickly, quick enough to where she'd have time to catch up with Nadia and Mena.

She started to question whether Katlin would want to go at all. Or if she had to choose between leaving Katlin, and going for the prisoners, which would be more important. She knew her time frame would be short, and she couldn't make too much noise, or else the Vampires might hear her and turn back. She could screw this up.

After a few moments inside, Nadia and Mena came out of the room, locking the door behind them.
"She's still there." Mena sighed in relief.
Nadia replied, "Yes, that's one good thing. But Chantal is still missing."
Mena walked forwards a little ways, and turned around, "That's strange."
Barely able to hear, since she was so far away, Chantal listened quietly as Nadia asked, "What?"
Stepping over to one of the windows, peering out down at the ground, Mena replied, "I still smell her human scent."
All the way at the end of the hall, Chantal just barely heard that, it frightened her greatly, if she could smell her, and she caught on, that would be it, and she would be taken and held somewhere else.
"Even now, it's still fresh to me." Mena said softly, watching the moonlight.
Nadia, looked around, staring down the long hallway, then she said, "Come, we must find her."

Now Chantal could see them coming her way, as she hid behind a tall heavy statue in the shape of a gargoyle. Though she knew they must be getting closer, it was so hard to hear them, their footsteps were so light, as though the glided down the halls, rather then walked. But then she saw a glimpse of them, walking by. Then, suddenly, Mena stopped, "Do you sense that?"
Nadia turned, staring right at the statue, "I feel something yes. But it's probably just the other sacrifice.
Peering over the shoulders of the statue, Chantal watched them, "Sacrifice?" She thought to herself, that whatever they were talking about couldn't be good. Earliere she'd heard them call her, a sacrifice, "What's happening." She whispered unknowingly.
"What was that?" Mena hissed.
Nadie, spun around again, her dark curls spinning with her, Mena said, "I heard something."
She looked at Mena, "We haven't the time for this."
"You're right. Maybe I am just beginning to think about what you said Robert would do to us."
Chantal's eyes widened at the mention of his name, Nadia said, "Relax, we can still find her. Let's go."

Once they'd gone, and walked out of sight, Chantal hurried down the hallway. There was no time to waste as she darted passed the windows, her only light being the moon, shining through.

Reaching the door, she quietly spoke, "Katlin. Katlin, it's me, Chantal. I've come to get you out."
Katlin rose, quickly and stood with her back to the bed, "How do I know that's really you?"
"Please, you have to believe me. I don't have too much time to get you out. You and I are to be used as some sort of sacrifice.....please, just help me get this door open. If I was a Vampire, couldn't I open the door myself?" Chantal pleaded.
Rushing to the door, Katlin said, "Chantal? It's really you! Please, get me out of here."
"Alright, but remember, we can't be too loud. We don't want anything to hear us." Chantal urged her.
Agreeing fully, Katlin searched for something in her room, anything to pop the door knob off.
Chantal rushed her, "Please, hurry!"
"I'm trying, I'm trying!" Just then Katlin saw a globe on the mantel of the fire place. Hurrying towards it, she reached out and took it into her hands, though it was small, it was pure gold and must have weighed over twenty pounds, it hurt to lift it.

"I've found something." Katlin said, dragging the globe to the door.
Breathing deeply Chantal said, "Alright, if you can get the knob off, I should be able to open the door from out here."
Raising the globe as high as she could, Katlin brought it down on the door knob, nearly dropping it the first time, she could feel it's weight pulling her arms out, stretching them. But she'd dented the knob.

Little did they know, Nadia and Mena, heard the crash. They stopped, and turned where they were, and then kept on walking. Katlin brought the globe down again, and then again, and again, until soon the door knob was weak and shaky. Just before she could bring it down again, Chantal twisted the knob and opened the door!

Katlin dropped the globe and hurried out of the room.
"Alright, now hurry, we have to catch up with those Vampires." Chantal insisted.
Katlin replied, grabbing Chantal's shoulder, "What, are you crazy?! We can't...."
She interrupted Katlin, trying to reason with her quickly, "Look, they're headed straight for the prisoners, now if we follow them, when they leave, we can set the prisoners free. But I don't have time to argue, you can either follow me, or I'll have to leave you on your own. I don't want to do that, please, come with me."
Katlin paused, and then finally agreed, taking Chantal's hand, they quietly hurried to catch up, though Katlin did not wish to find them, and hoped they were too far ahead to follow.

High on the fourteenth floor, locked inside his cell, Bobby had just finished pulling himself together, when he noticed something lying on the ground before him.

He rose carefully, stepping forward to see just what it was. And to his surprise, it was a set of keys! He figured the Vampires must have dropped them somehow on there way out, because he knew they weren't there before.

Quickly he bent down and picked them up. They were quite a large set of keys, there were more then just a few attached together. He hurried to find the set that would free him from his bonds, so he could get to the door and get himself out of that prison. Though he did expect Creatures to be awaiting him beyond the cell.

Knowing the way he was, he wouldn't be able to just carelessly leave the others behind. Though he knew if he wanted to make a clean get away, it would be hard enough to do so on his own, without trying to fumble for the keys that unlocked each cell. He was not strong like they were, and not as in shape or well trained.

Trying every key one right after the other, he began to ask himself which was more important, staying alive to find Chantal, or risking his life to free the others trapped. So confused and in complete distress as he thought, finally he found the right key, and removed the chains from his hands, then knelt down and took them off his ankles.

Slowly walking towards the door, he wasn't clear on what he was going to do just yet. But time was not on his side and he didn't want to waste it. Searching for the key to free him, he started to remember what had happened to him just moments ago. And with those memories, he began to pray, "Lord, please help me to make the right choice. Send your angels to protect me, and to guide me as I go out. Be with me, give me the strength which I don't posses, use me to fight on your side. Keep me alive long enough to do your will. In Jesus name I pray, Amen." Just then, and overwhelming peace filled within him, as he unlocked his cell door, and turned the knob. He'd made up his mind.

He shot out the door, knowing there'd be guards, Creatures, and he was indeed right. There were two of them. Instantly, they were ready to fight, luckily for him, they were on the far side of the room. Which gave him a small window of time to try and get a cell open. But he didn't know which of the ten cells in the room, had anyone inside. So he began to shout, "Hey! Is any body in here!?" Right away, Kevin, Amy and Eliza started responding, Bobby just kept shouting as his shaking legs hurried towards the first cell he heard noise from.

After trying only three keys, the Creatures had caught up with him. Coming at him from left and right, he ducked as fast as he could, barely dodging their attack. He lept up soon after, and hit the one nearest to him as hard as he could, with a strength in him he didn't know he had, sending the Creature down, yet causing him to wince in pain, from the ache in his now soar fist.

The other Creature reached out and took hold of him, lifting him off the ground so high, until he feet were off the ground! Struggling for air, he gasped, unable to find his voice, which was violently being choked out of him. With his free hand, he beat at the monsters arms, but it was no use, his face turned red, filling up with blood, as the beast drew him nearer to his sharp twisted fangs!

Kicking, and fighting seemed to do no good, and his luck took a turn for the worse when the other Creature stood up. Angry, it came towards him, opening it's mouth wide, hissing loudly, the sounds themselves caused Bobby to quiver, as the Creature bent down and bit deeply into his ankle. He wanted to scream out, but he was unable to, and he could feel the life being strangled out of him.

Then, suddenly, he had an idea. The Creature's mouth was so close to his throat now, he could feel it's breath heaving on him. But Bobby reached up, slamming the set of keys into the monsters hand and pulling them out, he repeated the act quickly over and over until the Creature dropped him falling backwards.

With his leg freed, and both Creatures down for now, he tried at the door again. Finally unlocking it, he coughed out, "It's open!" The knob turned and out came Kevin, noticing Bobby laying on the ground holding his throat. Both of them just looked at each other, neither of them wanted to be in that situation, but they would have to help each other, though they disliked one another greatly.

Neither of them had weapons to fight, and as Bobby rose standing beside Kevin, the monsters closed in on them hungrily, ready with their fangs and claws to tear them to shreds. They'd been ordered to kill anyone who tried to escape, and that's what they intended to do!

Ready in his fighting stance, Kevin stood a little ways ahead of Bobby, as the Creatures came towards them. He lifted his leg high, kicking the first monster right in the chest, though it barely knocked him back. But while he was distracted, Bobby came around and lunged at him from down low, knocking him on the ground, Bobby shouted, "Got a plan?!"
Kevin, ducked quickly and did a spin kick all the way around, allowing the Vampire to be knocked on the ground as well.

The Creature rose, lifting Bobby off the ground and tossing him right into Kevin! Now that were backed against a wall, with both monsters running at them! They both look at each other, "Duck when I say!" Kevin yelled. Bobby nodded as they stood there, both leaning up against a window with a large set of bars across it.

"Duck!" Kevin shouted, and they both did, sending the monsters slamming into the bars. While they were on the ground, Bobby and Kevin, hurried up and began to kick at them with all their strength, but it was hardly doing anything, this would never work. The monster nearest to Bobby, reached up, and slashed at him, Bobby was not hit, but the shock and speed of the Creatures hand sent him falling back.

He just stared wide eyed at the monsters long, winding claws as it rose, hovering over him. Bobby slid the keys into his pocket and stood up. Kevin could not help him, for he was having trouble all on his own! The monster had was moving at no stop towards him, then it reached out and knocked him back right into one of the cells metal doors. Dust emitted from it, as Kevin slid down nearly out of breath.

Then, suddenly, staring at the beasts claws, Bobby had a thought. But he could not get to Kevin, and the Creature was right upon him, with it's mouth opened wide, Bobby could hear it hissing and making these horrible shriek noises, as it closed in on him, stretching out it's long arms and grabbing hold of Bobby's shoulders! He fought at his best, and managed to get it on the ground, but now it was on top of him. It's wiry clammy and cold hands forcing his head to the side, so it could drink from his neck. Bobby tried to push it's hands away, and was holding them off temporarily, but he knew he could not do it forever.

On the other side of the room, Kevin was holding his own as best as he could. Sliding under the Creature, he was now in between the Creature that had Bobby on the ground, and the one in front of him, backing up, and swinging his fists at the monster which cornered him.

Grunting and breathing in short shallow breaths, Bobby's hands and arms were beginning to give out. Soon he would lose his strength to the beast ready and willing to suck the life from his veins! Finally forcing his head over, Bobby felt himself being crushed beneath the weight of this large monster.

As far back as he could go now, Kevin heard Bobby scream behind him furiously, and he was distracted momentarily, just long enough for the Creature in front of him, to knock him back onto the monster holding Bobby down. Rolling away Bobby just missed the weight of both Kevin and the Creature, landing right were he just was!

They were trapped, again, in a dark dank corner. Bobby said breathlessly, "I have an idea."
Kevin looked over at him, then glanced back up at the monsters headed their way, "It better be a damn good one!"
"We need to get in between them somehow!" Bobby shouted, as the dipped down low to miss the monsters grasp. Both kicking underneath them at the same time, only this time, the Creatures grew wise to what they were doing and jumped up.

"Get in between them?" Kevin shouted, as each Creature reached down and took hold of them.
Bobby replied beating against the Creature that had him, "Yes, with one coming at me, and one at you!"
Before he could speak, Kevin got it, looking over at Bobby with a sly smile, he knew just what Bobby was thinking. Now all they had to do was get out of the Creatures grasps.

Using the wall, they kicked it hard with their legs while being held up high by the Creatures, sending them back, tripping the monsters, taking them off guard and balance, they dropped both Bobby and Kevin, who groaned in pain as they hit the dusty hard floors. But they didn't have time to stay there, so despite the aching pain, they rose hurriedly and ran to the center of the room.

When both Creatures came out after them, Bobby rolled passed and under one, it turned quickly, and then Kevin did the same, as they met in the middle, they had two Creatures headed straight for them. One on Kevin's side, the other on Bobby's. Hurrying towards them at a fierce speed, claws out and ready for the kill, Bobby shouted, "Now!"

They dropped to the ground, and both Creatures ran head first into each other, ramming their long pointed claws into one another deeply. When they fell to the ground, bleeding, trying to rip the claws from their own flesh, Bobby and Kevin, took hold of their arms, forcing the claws deeper down into the beasts, until they shrieked their last. They hurried out of the way, as blood shot out, spraying in every direction it seemed. They managed to just barely miss the most of it, but didn't completely come out clean.

Once the Creatures had died, they took a moment to breathe, and then heard the eager voices of Amy and Eliza, longing to be freed. Still catching their breaths, Bobby reached into his pocket, pulling out the keys. Weakly, he handed them to Kevin, and slid down to the ground, feeling so out of it, out of breath, energy and strength. He didn't even feel able to stand.

While he sat there, Kevin opened the cells for Amy and Eliza, then went inside to free them. Bringing them out. He figured, he'd done his job, he brought Robert the slayer, that was all he was told to do. And he was most certain that no matter how hard they tried, they would never find nor free the slayer, although a small part of him cried out to try and save her. It couldn't hurt for them to roam around he thought, as long as he kept them from doing anything damaging to the Vampires. But a part deep inside of him, freed them to make himself feel better, about betraying the humans, for a Vampire, and he hated feeling controlled by Robert, this was his rebellion towards him, in a way.

Glancing over at Bobby, Amy asked, "What's the matter with him?" But before Kevin could answer, Bobby did, "It's nothing, I'm fine." He said rising up and walking over to them.
"We have to go now, we have to find Chantal." He said.
Eliza replied, "Look, I didn't come here to look for your girlfriend, we're here to free the prisoners."
Starring her deeply in the eyes, she could see the fire behind his, and the anger her words had caused him, "I could have left all of you here. At the very least, could you pretend to help me? And she's not my girl...she's all I have left."
Amy answered him, "The lives of everyone down it that prison depend on us? Did you not see what they were doing to people down there?"
Breaking his silence Kevin said, "Yes, but that place is all sealed up I'm sure."
"What are you saying?" Eliza asked, searching his eyes to find the answer.
But he looked away, trying to hide his regret for the words he'd just spoken, "We need a key or someway to get inside."
Amy quickly said, "We don't have time to look for a key? You don't even know if it's locked, I can't believe you're siding with Bobby! You weren't even down there!"

As they began to argue, Bobby looked up at Kevin and interrupted them from fighting, "That's right. Everyone in this cell block was taken down there, except you. And you never sided with me before, not on anything."
Desperate to stay under cover, he replied, "Yes, while you were down there, I was being questioned by Creatures about the slayer."
Amy added, "Yeah, but why this sudden interest in what Bobby wants?"
He answered her, "I'm not siding with him, I never said we should help him. All I said was, maybe we shouldn't head down there just yet."
"Then what do you purpose we do?" Eliza asked, sarcastically.
Walking passed them Bobby said, "I don't have time for this."
"Just where do you think you're going?" Said Amy.
Bobby answered her, turning to face her, "To find Chantal. I never said I'd stick with you, and if none of you will help me, I'll have to do this on my own. Follow his lead...." He said, pointing to Kevin, then he continued, "If you trust him." Bobby finished saying, "I don't trust either of you, but I was willing to. How stupid of me, after all, you just want me dead after all this anyway."

He began to walk off, and in the silence Amy called out, "Wait!" She ran to catch up with him, "I'm coming with you."
"What?!" Eliza shouted off to her as though she'd lost her mind.
Amy replied, "Kevin's right, this place is well guarded and everythings sealed up, why wouldn't they lock the place down. Besides, Robert came to me, and mentioned some trouble was slowing thins down."
Eliza, could not believe what she was hearing, "What does that have to do with anything?"
She turned to Kevin and Eliza, then shouted, "He saved out lives!" Then she looked back at him, "I don't know where he's going, but I can follow after him, maybe even look for that key, if the place is locked down.
Bobby, looked at Amy, with a smile in his eyes, "We'll head down there first and make sure it's locked. If so, we can search for the key together."
Amy added, "And Chantal."
Bobby slightly smiled down at her, but Kevin was outraged, what if the place wasn't locked? He had to stop them somehow.

The least he could do was go with them, and make sure if the door wasn't locked, that he could stop them from going inside, "Alright, let's go." He said walking over to Amy and Bobby. Eliza still couldn't believe it, but she didn't say a word, her face said it all. She sighed angrily, and they followed Bobby's lead.

This was going to be tougher then Kevin thought, he needed to be more careful, and was already regretting his decision to let all of them wander around freely, still, there was nothing he could do. He couldn't take them all on without at least one of them getting away.

They came to the end of the room, with a choice between two doorways, they both lead downstairs further, but just in different ways. They chose the left path, and hurried down it. Unaware that headed up the path on the right, were Marie, James and Misty. Following after them quite a ways, were Nadia and Mena, with Chantal and Katlin close behind!