Selena
The strippers and dancers charged fearlessly into the fray, leading the way down the strip. I had to admit, I was impressed by their gall. But then again, who knew how long they'd been living at this resort, forced to do god knows what? They must have seen things that would make any normal person shudder.
I fled after them with Varick at my side, my gun primed and ready in my hand. Varick's brow was drawn, determination flaring in his eyes. One of the girls had seen Abraham just before the Vs had found their way out of the hotel, near the casino at the far end of the street. Our best chance was that he was still in that area.
I counted ten Hunters still standing, killing Vampires with vicious swipes of silver swords, knives, machetes. Those with guns stood back, taking well-aimed shots at the Vs.
A Hunter collided with Varick, parting him from me in seconds. The battle shifted around me as I turned, desperately trying to find him again. Blood splattered my dress as a Hunter dispatched a hungry V before me. I didn't waste a second this time, pulling the trigger and taking him down in a barrage of gunfire. I leapt over his body on the floor, just as a Vampire barreled into me. Teeth sank into my arm and I yelped, throwing a punch at her head. She wheeled sideways and I angled my gun at her temple, taking the shot.
I found my way to my feet, the world seeming to spin as I searched for Varick. Hunters and Vs swarmed around me in a blur. I ground my teeth.
Where is he?
My heart leapt upwards as I caught sight of him battling Abraham. The two of them were locked together, fighting tooth and nail to get the upper hand. Abraham's cheek was slashed open, the gash oozing blood down his jaw. There was blood soaking through Varick's shirt but I couldn't tell how badly injured he was.
“Varick!” I cried, charging forward.
Vampires came at me, left and right, but I cut them down, strike after strike, my stake always finding its target. I never faltered, never stumbled, just kept running, the pounding of my heart guiding me all the way to Varick.
I have to reach him.
I couldn't falter now. Together, we'd have the upper hand. Together, we'd finish off the Helsings.
Abraham caught my eye and I bared my teeth, running flat out, gun raised, trying to get close enough to take aim.
An arrow loosed from Abraham's crossbow and sliced past my temple. Pain exploded across my vision as blood poured down my face, but I didn't stop. I wiped the blood away with the back of my hand, half blinded, gritting my teeth as I increased my speed. Abraham's eyes found mine again and again. He knew the second I arrived, he was done for.
I'm coming for you.
A Hunter blocked my way; a girl with rosy cheeks and grey-streaked hair. Her blade slashed close to my belly and I jerked backwards, crying out in fury. I lifted my gun, pulling the trigger three times before she fell, her chest a mess of blood as she dropped like a fly.
I sprang over her, just feet from Abraham and Varick. Abraham jammed a silver blade down into Varick's shoulder and he roared in pain, stumbling back.
“No!” I cried, leaping forward into the space he'd vacated.
Abraham spat blood from a torn lip, the spittle spraying over me.
“Selena!” Varick shouted from behind me, seeming like the only sound in the universe at that moment.
But I couldn't turn to face him. I knew he'd heal from the wound on his shoulder. And I had mere seconds to act. For him. For me. Both of us. For everyone Abraham had ever hurt.
Abraham caught my wrist as I raised my gun, but I was ready, even when I heard the snap of bone and pain ripped up my arm.
I brought my stake up, ready to strike a killing blow, just like I'd done a hundred times back in the games. The games he'd thrown me into without a care.
But he'd damn well underestimated me. And I'd had enough. He was going to die the way the Vs died in the games. He was going to hell, and I was going to send him there.
I brought the stake up, whipping it into the air and bringing it down with all the force I could muster.
Abraham released my wrist, jerking up his crossbow with a triumphant smile. The arrow loosed the second I thrust my stake into his chest. I felt every sinew, every muscle and bone give as it buckled under the pressure of my attack. The silver stake sunk deep into his chest, hitting home. And the moment it did, Abraham gasped his surprise.
His knees buckled. He sank before me like he was kneeling before a queen.
Even with my broken wrist, I managed to lift the gun enough to bring it to his forehead. I rested the butt between his eyes, the world seeming to slow around us. Three things existed in that moment: the ragged breaths parting from my lips, the wind tugging my hair back and the endless stare Abraham gave me from the ground.
“Enough,” I whispered, to myself, to him. It didn't matter. I was done with him and his family and their cruel games. Done with pain, done with regret and guilt and loss. “Life's a game, isn't that what you said Abraham?” I asked, suddenly calm in my moment of victory.
He groaned, blood leaking from his mouth, his eyes glassy and horrified.
I lowered my face to make sure I'd be the last thing he ever saw. “So I guess that means you lose.” I pulled the trigger and the shot echoed on into the frozen night.
Abraham slumped backwards, his large body slamming into the ground and rocking the earth beneath my feet.
Silence fell around me. The Vs had moved on. The remaining Hunters either lay in pieces on the ground or were fleeing into the distance.
We'd won. It was over.
“Selena...”
I turned at the broken voice, barely recognising it. My world shattered at the sight behind me. Varick was on the ground in a pool of his own blood, an arrow embedded deep in his chest.
“No,” I breathed, my heart breaking, splitting, cracking.
Not now. Not him.
I ran to him, crashing to my knees, trembling all over as I gazed at his still body.
I reached for the arrow with shaking hands, but he groaned a few small words that could have killed me, “No, sweetheart...it's too late.”