The carriage wheeled on the narrow road. The wheels rattling sharply against the uneven stones as though galloping toward some unseen end.
"Such beauty," murmured the potbellied man, his voice thick with lust as it slittered through the dim interior of the carriage.
His gleaming eyes where fixed intensely on the bosom of unconscious Dydra. He leaned forward, his breath hot, uneven. His arm reached out, catching the stray strand that brushed her cheeks, tucking it behind her ear. Dydra's lashes flattered from the touch, her brows drawn.
The potbellied man eyes left her face, admiring her body, catching a glimpse of her exposed thigh. He moved closer, his fingers brushing it softly. The air in the carriage grew intense, disgusting intensions flashing through his mind.
The carriage jolted over a small bump, the sudden lurch throwing the man and unconscious Dydra, off balance. She slipped from her seat, crashing face-first onto the floorboards, the blow muted but enough for her to gain consciousness.
A small whimper escaped Dydra's lips, her fingers brushing the sore place. Pushing herself up, her eyes wondered around the unfamiliar space as unease curled in her chest.
As her vision became steady, her gaze drew on the figure across from her. A potbellied man seated in the shadows, his small, narrow, hungry eyes fixed on her. The light passing through the window caught on the sheen of sweat along his fleshy face, giving him an oppressive aura in the cramped carriage.
"Hello, there Ms. I'm Leonard." His voice slid through the air, thick and oily, with unspoken craving. Leonard's stare settled on her face. He was captivated by the unusual combination of features. Her, now messy, red-hair stood out, with her ocean blue eyes. The light emanating from the window, settled on her face, reflecting on her eyes. His heart beat with excitement, a crooked smile crawled on his face, revealing his uneven yellow teeth.
Dydra's body tensed with alertness, and she jumped to her feet, backing away from him. Her back hitting the wooden wall of the carriage.
Moving close, a frown formed on his face with a 'tsk' sound escaping his lips.
"Now, dear. Where are you going?"
Dydra's eyes darted around anxiously. Catching the details of the carriage. It was a carriage with a single door being the entrance and the exit, of which Leonard guarded.
Her palms folded into fists holding it up. Her actions brought a fiercesd laugh out of him. The laugh rang for a while and suddenly stopped. His lips twitched. A red glow sprouting out of his eyes, fangs peeking out of his mouth. He didn't untter a word, but the aura he and the expression he wore, screamed out his intentions.
Vampire, Dydra's heart whispered, as her body shuddered with fear.
Showing his true nature was a way of telling her to behave herself, or she gets it. Though knowing she was at disadvantage, Dydra didn't make any attempt on lowering her hands.
He gave a sinister smirk. With sweet movements, the potbellied man lurched from his seat, his plump hand clasping hers and pulling her onto the floorboards, his bilk pressing against her slight frame like a smothering weight. Her breath quivered as the carriage jostled, the reek of stale sweat and musty garments enveloping her.
Panic curling in her heart. She squirmed under his crushing weight palms pressing against the floorboards, searching for anything that could get her out.
Thousands of thoughts passed through her mind like a hurricane. Blinding tears escaped the corners of her eyes. She felt his breath closing in his lips coming into contact with her neck. She shuddered with distaste. An ear-piercing scream ripped from her lungs. She fought with all her might, trying to break free, but he was too strong.
Leonard sink his fangs into her neck, his body moved by the sweet and fresh taste of her blood.
Suddenly, the carriage gave a violent joly and slammed to a halt, earning curses from Leonard. He pulled out from Dydra's neck, whose face was covered with tears, he yelled at the coachman.
"What the f*ck was that, Tom? Do you not fancy the head on your neck?"
"S-s-sire. We have company." Tom's voice came filled with fear. A frown drew on Leonard's face, with annoyance, he got off of Dydra, who drew a sharp breath, backing away from it. Her arms wrapping around her bare shoulder, as she still wore the black dress.
Leonard stepped out, shutting the door behind him. He gave her a dirty wink, earning a glare from her big blue eyes. A creepy smile formed on his lips, but before he could turn to Tom, a fist came clasping on his face, knocking him down. A huge masked figure tower over him, continuously hitting his fists on Leonard's face, till he was knocked out.
Dydra flinched, hidding against the door. Her eyes peeled out of a small opening, taking note of what was happening. She caught sight of the masked man, and Leonard, whose face was covered with blood. His plumpy body laid on the muddy road.
Her heart skipped a beat. Was he dead? she thought.
"Heathcliff, bring the door down. Take whatever you can." A voice from the other side, of which Dydra couldn't see, informed. She quickly backed away from the door, her heart pounding with fear.
What should I do? What will they do if they found me here? Think, Dydra. Think!
Her eyes came across an aperture, and she quickly rushed to it. Her eyes peeked through it, catching a glimpse of the partner, who was also masked. She took notice of him detaching the horses from the carriage. An impulsive idea struck her – she could grab one of the horses and make a break for it, but how?
Then it clicked. She could play dead. With the sticky blood from the vampire's bite glistening on her skin, she could pass for a corpse or an unconscious person. He'd drag her to his partner, lay her across one of the horses. Then – at the right moment – she could seize the reins, swing into the saddle, and bolt.
Without so much as a second thought, she laid on the floorboards and shut her eyes. Instantly, the carriage door burst open, Heathcliff paused as his eyes came across a strange looking person lying unconsciously on the floorboards.
"George, come check this," he called out to his partner. George walked towards the carriage and saw what his partner was showing it.
"So what?" He huffed with annoyance.
"It's a girl," Heathcliff whispered, as though it was a secret. George let out of tired sign, and jumped into the carriage. His eyes glowed red, and he took a sniff of the air.
"The blood is fresh. Take her out, we can sell her off to some fancy people." He said to Heathcliff. Getting on one knee, he examined the bite on Dydra's neck, his gaze moving up to her face."Young, pretty," he caught sight of her red hair, "weird features. We'll get a decent amount." He murmured stepping out, he said to George.
"Take the girl, put her one of the horses, search the carriage, take anything of value."