Chapter 35 - Thank You For Coming
Chapter 35 – Thank You For Coming
ARH- WOOOOOO!
When I heard the faint howl from outside, Ashton froze as his eyes dilated. Even before I could think, I already knew this was an opportunity.
With the handful of sand in my hand, I splashed it into his eyes and shut mine to avoid it. Ashton immediately yelled as he got up, his palms in his eyes.
I knew that wasn't enough. So, with the left hand, I pressed the small pebbles mixed with sand on his chest, where he showed me his wound. Thanks to the adrenaline, I managed to get him off of me.
"Ahh — Shi –"
His shrieks were loud, but so was the noise outside. So, while Ashton hasn't recovered, I used the opportunity to hop out of the bed. I winced when my ankle hit the frame of the pallet, but I still crawled away. Hugo would find see me if I just go out of this tent.
"Just a bit — ahh!!" Just when I was near the door, I shrieked through my gritted teeth as a hand grabbed my swelling ankle and dragged me back. Once he stopped, he flipped me like a doll so I could see his long fangs and glowing red eyes hovering over me. The veins in his sclera were red from the sand, making him appear more horrifying than ever.
"You ungrateful wench!" he seethed, grabbing me by the hair. I held on to his wrist on instinct, squealing in pain as I felt like my scalp was being peeled off.
"After all the time I humbled myself to a pampered lowlife like you, this is how you will repay all that humiliation!?" His voice thundered, almost deafening me. Ashton then grabbed me by the neck, sucking air through his gritted fangs.
"I will kill you before those dogs — ah!" Suddenly, he retrieved his hand as if something scalded him. I coughed, groping my neck, but my eyes fixed on him.
He looked at my neck. Using his sharp claw, he ripped an inch or two of my dress from the neckline. A glint instantly flickered across his eyes as a scoff followed as if he saw something ridiculous.
"A silver necklace…" he scorned under his breath, chortling menacingly. "… that fucking dog."
I didn't realize what he meant by that as he gave up on his plan to strangle me. Instead, Ashton dragged me by the hair.
"Ahh!! Ashton!!" holding on to his wrist while putting all my weight on my lower body to stop him, but to no avail.
ARH – WOOOOOO!
This time, the sound of the howl was louder than the first, stopping Ashton as he suddenly let go of my hair. Before I could react, a figure broke into the tent, leaving a large hole in it. All I saw a second later was Ashton holding his arms up, making a cross to block the sudden attack that made him fly out to the other side of the tent.
BAM!
I held my breath, staring at the hole where Ashton flew away, slacked jaw. I flinched when I felt the intense gaze that landed on me. I slowly shifted my gaze to the man standing at my side, locking eyes with him instantly.
"Hu — Hugo…" I stuttered with my trembling lips as I felt like I was staring at death himself. I knew he came to save me, but right now, the way he looked at me terrified me. It made me question myself if he actually came to save me or kill me himself.
Hugo slowly bent down to his knees; his eyes were sharp as he looked at me up close. While he studied me in silence, I also noticed the speck of blood on his well-defined face.
"Hugo…" I called worriedly as I gaze down to see more blood on his shoulder and just across his body. "… are you hurt?"
The anger in his eyes slightly receded as he raised his hand. I shut my eyes on instinct, thinking he would strangle me. But the pain didn't come. What I felt was a large palm on my head. It was rough and heavy, but my heart was comforted.
I slowly opened my eyes, only to hold my breath when I saw his weak smile as if he was relieved.
"I'm fine, Rinnie," he said in his usual warm baritone voice. "I'm sorry it took me a while."
Seeing his apologetic countenance made me bit my lower lip as my eyes sweltered. I felt… safe. Once again, Hugo rescued me from a dreadful situation. He didn't need to apologize because there was nothing to apologize for. Before I knew it, the tears I was suppressing still leaked from my eyes.
"Don't cry," he whispered under his breath, wiping my cheek with the back of his fist. Although his knuckles felt rough, they were gentle.
"Thank you for coming," came out a muffled voice, jolting towards him as I wrapped my arms around his neck. "I'm sorry…"
He chuckled weakly. "I will never let you out of my line of sight again," he remarked in a quiet voice, stroking my back before I withdrew my hand away and drew back.
"Just stay here for now and don't take off that necklace I gave you."
Hugo then raised his other fist, showing me the bracelet that had the same design as my necklace. "Take this off first and hold on to it. Just in case a vampire snuck in here, stick this to their eyes or forehead or just anywhere. Silver hurt us all."
I hadn't processed his words as I just took off the bracelet. He smiled at me and nodded encouragingly.
"I'll be back." He patted my head once again. "Don't worry. I'll be near so I will come if you're in danger."
Hugo slowly peeled his eyes away from me and set them on the hole where Ashton was thrown out. His eyes glinted as his fangs grew longer, letting out low growls as he stood up.
'Hugo…' I watched him stretch his neck in a circular motion as he strutted towards the hole. I clutched his bracelet closer to my chest, gritting my teeth as I felt helpless for not being able to do anything. Again, I was a damsel in distress who could only rely on others.
"I can't be like this forever," I whispered, staring at the hole in the tent where Hugo exited. "Hugo…."