revitalised me a bit. As cold as I was, I was also on full alert again, able to take in my surroundings in a glance, know where potential traps were hidden and actually sense where danger may be lurking. Even the frigid air was waking me up more so than I had been for a while. I warned myself that it would only last so long before the cold seeped in to my bones and stole what fortitude I had again.
How long I would have to wait for this speedy vampire to rescue me, I didn't know, but I could only guess it was going to take longer than what will power I had left. I straightened my back, determined to fight to the end, even if that only meant staying alert and focused and hidden.
I chose some buildings across from Union Station's entrance. Elaborate brickwork, Romanesque arches and sandstone trim made the behemoths stand out even in the dark. This really was a lovely district and under differing circumstances, I might have enjoyed the architecture. Now though, I was more interested in the deep wide entranceway, dark stoops and perfect vantage point, that the potential hiding spots provided.
I quickly snuck into one, pushing myself well back out of the lights of the streets, using the shadows to cover me as best as I could. I crouched down and folded my body in on itself for warmth and an illusion of protection and waited, alert and focussed on my surroundings, both immediate and across the courtyard, back towards the still bustling station.
At least there was a lot to keep me busy. Many more people out on the streets at this early hour than I had expected. I let myself sink into a semi trance, still keeping my eyes open and still making sure I was prepared. I shifted my legs and arms frequently, just enough to keep the circulation going and trust that my body would instantly respond to a threat without seizing should it be needed.
It was a long time before I realised I was sending my senses further and further out, that I was sending my senses out at all. I hadn't done anything like that since I had been with Jonathan, once again a reminder that I hadn't had my latest lot of injections for over 24 hours. I had actually missed two by now and that was having an effect on me. I knew instinctively that was why Gregor had reached me, I also knew it was why I could send my senses out right now. It made me feel more confident in my ability to look after myself, but I wasn't naïve, I was still unarmed and although I couldn't sense any vampires nearby, I knew my luck wouldn't hold forever.
Sure enough, some forty minutes after leaving the station, I felt them. A group of four, approaching from the west. I shifted again, checking the use of my limbs, they were stiffer than when I had first crouched down here, sluggish and achy all over, I was also more tired than when I started this vigilant game. The cold was making my teeth chatter, the breath in front of my face condensing the air in little puffs of steam. I lowered my breathing, only letting a small amount of air to circulate through me, trying to diminish any signs that I was even here.
The vampires would sense me, they could either smell my fear, my blood, although dried, or hear my heartbeat, which was unfortunately climbing. But I willed every fibre in my body to relax, hoping I could convince them I was simply a homeless person hunkered down for the night. The fact that I was a homeless person was just a coincidence.
The vampires kept to the shadows moving in formation. One in the lead, two on either side of him a step back, the fourth coming up the rear, but keeping a healthy lookout over his shoulder for approaching threats from behind. I recognised none of them, but they were definitely on the hunt. Was it a hunt for me or for dinner? Any old human would do. I couldn't tell, but I knew my body was trying to determine the answer to that question anyway, it just wasn't able to do it. I had the sense that it certainly felt like it should be able to, just couldn't yet
How long I would have to wait for this speedy vampire to rescue me, I didn't know, but I could only guess it was going to take longer than what will power I had left. I straightened my back, determined to fight to the end, even if that only meant staying alert and focused and hidden.
I chose some buildings across from Union Station's entrance. Elaborate brickwork, Romanesque arches and sandstone trim made the behemoths stand out even in the dark. This really was a lovely district and under differing circumstances, I might have enjoyed the architecture. Now though, I was more interested in the deep wide entranceway, dark stoops and perfect vantage point, that the potential hiding spots provided.
I quickly snuck into one, pushing myself well back out of the lights of the streets, using the shadows to cover me as best as I could. I crouched down and folded my body in on itself for warmth and an illusion of protection and waited, alert and focussed on my surroundings, both immediate and across the courtyard, back towards the still bustling station.
At least there was a lot to keep me busy. Many more people out on the streets at this early hour than I had expected. I let myself sink into a semi trance, still keeping my eyes open and still making sure I was prepared. I shifted my legs and arms frequently, just enough to keep the circulation going and trust that my body would instantly respond to a threat without seizing should it be needed.
It was a long time before I realised I was sending my senses further and further out, that I was sending my senses out at all. I hadn't done anything like that since I had been with Jonathan, once again a reminder that I hadn't had my latest lot of injections for over 24 hours. I had actually missed two by now and that was having an effect on me. I knew instinctively that was why Gregor had reached me, I also knew it was why I could send my senses out right now. It made me feel more confident in my ability to look after myself, but I wasn't naïve, I was still unarmed and although I couldn't sense any vampires nearby, I knew my luck wouldn't hold forever.
Sure enough, some forty minutes after leaving the station, I felt them. A group of four, approaching from the west. I shifted again, checking the use of my limbs, they were stiffer than when I had first crouched down here, sluggish and achy all over, I was also more tired than when I started this vigilant game. The cold was making my teeth chatter, the breath in front of my face condensing the air in little puffs of steam. I lowered my breathing, only letting a small amount of air to circulate through me, trying to diminish any signs that I was even here.
The vampires would sense me, they could either smell my fear, my blood, although dried, or hear my heartbeat, which was unfortunately climbing. But I willed every fibre in my body to relax, hoping I could convince them I was simply a homeless person hunkered down for the night. The fact that I was a homeless person was just a coincidence.
The vampires kept to the shadows moving in formation. One in the lead, two on either side of him a step back, the fourth coming up the rear, but keeping a healthy lookout over his shoulder for approaching threats from behind. I recognised none of them, but they were definitely on the hunt. Was it a hunt for me or for dinner? Any old human would do. I couldn't tell, but I knew my body was trying to determine the answer to that question anyway, it just wasn't able to do it. I had the sense that it certainly felt like it should be able to, just couldn't yet
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