He sprinted for his life, the sound of his ragged breaths piercing the frigid air. He collided with the underbrush and stumbled over a fallen log that he hadn't noticed.
Tumbling to the ground, he felt his heart pounding in his chest, but the overwhelming terror eclipsed the pain in his abdomen, where dried blood stained his torn shirt, and fresh blood trickled down his dirty, sweaty hands as he pressed against his wounds.
Every fiber of his being screamed for rest, yet he pushed through the agony and fatigue weighing him down, fully aware that survival depended on his ability to keep moving. Rising with a mix of determination and dread, he let out a soft groan from the pain, his face betraying a flicker of anguish as sweat dripped down.
He spotted muddy tracks on the ground; he kicked at the leaves to hide his trail. As he hesitated, the chilling sound of cruel laughter echoed behind.
"We're coming. You better run, or we're coming to get you."
He scanned the desolate, shadowy forest, where countless trees loomed around him. Glancing up at the darkening sky, he took a deep breath, trying to steady his racing heart, but it did little to ease his fear.
He then veered away from the voices, though his pace was hindered by his injuries. Each step felt like a painful jolt, and he raised his arms to shield his head from the sharp branches that slapped his cheeks.
Despite the overwhelming grief and terror propelling him forward, his body was faltering under the weight of exhaustion and wounds. A massive tree loomed ahead, and he slowed down, knowing the blood loss would cause him to die.
He glanced down at his abdomen, where deep claw marks marred his skin, and the distant, cruel laughter echoed ominously.
With a heavy heart, he slid down against the tree, seeking a moment of respite.
Silas knows that vampires possessed an ability to detect even the faintest sounds from afar—heartbeats, breaths, and the slightest movements.
He understood that his time was running out; the blood loss and severity of his wounds would soon take his life, or he would be captured and perish on the way back to the palace, where she waits for him.
A solitary tear traced a path down his pale, muddy cheeks, a story of the devastation he had endured—his family, friends, and home are gone.
As he wallowed in despair, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed in the distance. His senses were dulling; the pain had become a distant memory, replaced by an encroaching chill. He could no longer feel his fingers or arms, as if they had vanished altogether.
When he looked up, a familiar face emerged from the shadows, marked by a long, jagged scar that ran down his hardened features. Clad in a light silver breastplate and old tunic pants, the man wore a sinister, cold smile. "I found you, witch," he declared, kneeling beside Silas.
"You're certainly not in good shape. It's time for you to return and pay for your crimes."
As Silas closed his eyes, the familiar darkness enveloped him, and he felt the roughness of the man's hands, a reminder of battles fought under the sun.
He sensed the man lifting his battered body, the weightlessness of his injuries becoming apparent as he was thrown over the man's broad shoulders.
Dizziness and blood loss overpowered him, and soon, everything turned black.
———-
*Present Day, Centuries Later*
He wakes up with a pounding headache and his chest racing from the recent dream he had, and he realizes with horror he fell asleep in class again. His classmates were staring at him with pity, and a snicker could be heard around him.
He looked up with exhausted eyes, and he saw that his math teacher was looking at him in disappointment. He pushed back his glasses, and he said in a low voice, "That's another detention after school, Silas."
Silas thought in annoyance, Darn it.
Silas watched his math teacher clapping his hands to get the class quiet from the snickering and laughter, and he rubbed his head, trying to soothe his headache.
He turned and saw his best friend shaking his head at him, and he whispered to him, "Another nightmare?"
Silas nods, and his heart continues to pound for some reason. He'd been having the same nightmare since he was a small boy. He could remember some things, and other days, he couldn't. His chest would be gripped by a painful feeling, and before he knew it, the bell would ring.
It signaled for everyone to leave and go home, or whatever people would do. Everyone was getting up from their seats and gathering stuff before leaving. Some people gave glances toward his left cheek.
Silas didn't let the stares bother him, although deep down, they did bother him. He tries not to let it show on his face; otherwise, people will use it against him, or they will pity him more.
He doesn't need that.
He gathered his stuff into his bag, and he was going to leave with his best friends until he was called by the math teacher. "Silas, wait. I need to speak to you."
Silas almost groaned in annoyance and turned to his best friend, signaling with his eyes to wait for him. His best friend smirked and casually strode out of the classroom.
Silas turned around and noticed his math teacher took off his glasses, and he said with a frown, "Is everything okay? Have you been sleeping a lot?"
Silas forced a smile on his face and said, "Everything's fine."
The math teacher shakes his head like he was a poor man dealing with a troublesome student, and he said, "If you fall asleep in my classes, I will have no choice but to take you out."
Silas finally had a serious expression on his face, and he apologized, "I will make sure it won't happen again."
The math teacher nods with a wave, and he says, "If you're that tired, please get some sleep tonight, but you still have a detention, and you'll need to clean the rooms and make sure there isn't any dust lingering behind."
Silas nods with a forced smile, hoping to leave now. He doesn't want to listen anymore. He asked, "Is that all?"
The math teacher nodded, and Silas gave a polite smile, and he walked out of the classroom, and he found his best friend waiting for him, but he was playing some kind of game.
His best friend, James, got off his phone when he heard his steps, and he revealed a grin. "Were you able to get out of the detention?"
Silas glared at him and shook his head, "No."
James sighed dramatically and said, "That's too bad. After you're finished with the detention, do you want to hang out tonight?"
Silas shakes his head and says, "I can't. Mia and I are hanging out tonight."
James's expression finally turned into one of disgust, and he said in a low voice, "I don't know what you see in that old hag. She's only using you for money."
Silas narrowed his eyes at his friend and said, "You don't know that. We've been dating for three years. She can't help it if she needs money; she's living by herself and has no family."
Silas shakes his head with a tired sigh, "You don't know if she's telling the truth. People come up with different lies. She knows you have a good heart; otherwise, she wouldn't ask unreasonable prices from you."
As soon as he finished his words, his phone started to ring. Silas took out his phone and saw it was his girlfriend, Mia. He answered and said, "Hey."
A sweet voice answered, "Hey, sweety. I can't hang out tonight. I'm not feeling well tonight."
Silas started to feel worried and asked. "Are you sure? I can take you to the hospital or buy you some food.
Her voice turned sweeter, like honey, and she said in a lovely soft voice, "I'm sure. I've probably caught a cold, but I should be fine by tomorrow."
Before he could say something, she hung up the phone, and it beeped a few times before it turned silent. Although she said she wasn't feeling well, she didn't sound sick. He shakes his head and feels bad for questioning her sometimes.
He looked at James and said, "She's not feeling well, so we can hang out tonight."
James narrowed his eyes, and he asked, "Are you sure?"
He nodded and said, "Yes, but on the way, I might buy some food."
Silas said with another smile and said, "Got to go; I have to clean the room, and I'll take something to eat to her."
Although she said she wasn't hungry, she probably hadn't eaten all day, and it's not good to be sick on an empty stomach. He casually waved goodbye at James and headed toward the room and pushed the door open.
The messy room was in his view. Papers and pencils littered everything, some gum lay on desks from snacking all day, and one of the trashcans by the desk was full.
Silas almost scrunched his face in annoyance.