CHAPTER 6

**AMY**

I remain still within the hiding spot in Aaron's secret wall, my heart pounding uncontrollably in my chest as the sound of the fight echoes through the house. I cling to Elara, feeling the small figure tremble under my tense embrace. Her wide, fear-filled eyes search mine for comfort and safety. I try to smile, but my lips quiver with the tension that permeates the air.
As the vampires threaten to persist until they find us, I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to block out the sound of the sinister words echoing through the confined space. Each word spoken by the vampires resonates in my mind like a disturbing echo, feeding my deepest fears. Holding the weapon Aaron gave me, I feel its weight as an oppressive responsibility. I never saw myself as a violent person, but faced with the imminent threat of the vampires, I realize I may have no choice but to use the weapon to protect us.
When the sound of footsteps approaches, I signal for Elara to be silent, my heart pounding even faster with the proximity of danger. She looks at me with a mixture of confusion and trust, relying on me to keep us safe. The ensuing silence is deafening, interrupted only by the muffled sound of my accelerated breathing and the heart that seems to want to burst from my chest. Every second feels like an eternity as we wait, the tension in the air so thick that it almost seems suffocating. I force myself to breathe, trying to calm my nerves as I prepare for the confrontation that seems inevitable.
When the vampire finally gets close enough to be heard clearly, I feel a cold chill run down my spine. I close my eyes for a moment, gathering my courage as I brace for what's to come. The sound of the vampire approaching intensifies, each step echoing in the small space around us. My heart seems ready to explode from my chest, but I force myself to remain calm and focused. Finally, when the vampire is close enough to be an imminent threat, I grip the weapon tightly. My fingers tremble slightly, but I refuse to let fear take over. I know I need to protect Elara at all costs.
My heart beats fiercely, but my determination burns even brighter. As the vampire approaches, I focus, blocking out all distractions and fears. It's as if I'm panicking at this moment, but I need to remain determined and calm. I sigh, listening to the vampire's footsteps in the room as we stay hidden here. I remain by Elara's side, quiet as a shadow in the darkness, while the sounds of blows and objects breaking echo through the mansion. 
Every creak and crash in the living room feels like a beat in my own heart, speeding up my thoughts and increasing my anxiety. I cling to Elara, seeking comfort in the girl's presence, even if it's just a fragile illusion of safety.
"You know he's going to find her at some point, and you know exactly what's going to happen to your human!" 
"He will never touch her!", I hear Aaron's shout and can feel his anger in that moment. 
As the noises continue, I notice a subtler, almost imperceptible sound: the dragging of footsteps in the other room of the mansion. My sharp senses pick up every movement, every breath, as if they were engraved in my mind with frightening clarity. I hear the vampire rummaging, opening drawers and frantically searching for something, the artifacts that the vampires so desire. 
A chill runs down my spine as I realize the gravity of the situation. If the vampire finds the artifacts, we will be in even greater danger, but I quickly remember that they need me to find the objects or they will never be able to find them on their own.
I know that vampires have unique, sharp senses, capable of detecting even the most subtle hints of human presence. Fear engulfs me like a shadow, threatening to consume me at any moment. Amidst the chaos and imminent danger, I can't help but reflect on how drastically my life has changed in such a short time. Just a few nights ago, I was in my home, suffering humiliation and abuse from my stepmother. Now, I am married to a vampire—a twist so surreal I can barely believe it. And as I find myself in this dark hideaway, with the threat of vampires looming over me, I question how all of this happened so quickly.
My thoughts are interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps. My heart races in my chest, echoing the frantic rhythm of my mind. I hold Elara tighter, as if this could protect us from the imminent danger. 
As the footsteps draw closer, I brace myself for the worst, my mind spinning with dark possibilities. I look down, finding Elara looking up at me, and without speaking, I mouth that everything will be okay. She nods before hugging me tighter.
With my heart hammering in my chest, I grip the weapon tightly as I listen to the vampire's footsteps approaching the secret wall. The air around me feels heavy, filled with palpable tension that makes my muscles contract involuntarily. I feel Elara's gaze on me, her eyes revealing the fear that surrounds us. Then, everything happens so quickly that I can barely keep up. 
The vampire somehow discovers the secret passage, and the wall opens before us. A piercing scream escapes Elara's lips, echoing through the room, as my eyes widen at the sight of the frightening figure of the vampire before us.
Without hesitation, I raise the weapon and aim directly at the vampire's heart, but before I can shoot, he is faster. The deafening sound of the shot echoes through the room, but it is not the vampire who falls. It's my own weapon that slips from my trembling hand as the vampire's hand wraps tightly around my wrist. A mix of shock and pain intertwines in my chest when I realize I missed the target. The shot hit the vampire's body, but it wasn't enough to stop him. I feel despair creeping into my mind, but I don't have time to succumb to it.
With a groan of pain, I hit my head as I am brutally pushed to the ground by the vampire. The pain throbs in my head, but a fierce determination ignites within me. Before I can even blink, I am back on my feet, my fingers desperately seeking the weapon that slipped from my hand. 
The vampire gives me no respite, advancing relentlessly toward me. With a supernatural effort, I reach the fallen weapon and turn, but it is too late. He strikes me with overwhelming force, making me fall again, but this time, I hold the weapon firmly in my hands.
A mix of adrenaline and terror courses through my veins as I face the vampire in front of me. His eyes gleam with insatiable hunger, his imposing presence enveloping me in an aura of imminent death. But I do not retreat. I cannot. 
"I finally found you; your father will be very happy to know that we found his beautiful daughter...", the vampire murmurs with a sadistic smile, and I shake my head.
 I feel the tears in my eyes as I raise my weapon, ready to shoot. I sigh, hearing the gunfire once again, and the vampire screams as the silver bullet pierces his chest.
The vampire rushes toward me, and I scream as I feel him grabbing my body tightly.
 "Aaron!"