47 surviving

General Erox from the past: POV



As I poured more water into the tub, Margaret seemed to relax. Her sighs grew deeper, and her body seemed to melt into the warmth. I supposed the water was helping. I remembered the medicine infused within it, but I needed to get it back to the realm sickroom. No one dared to eat it anymore, so I wasn't sure if it was still there, or if it was safe to even be near. The last time I ventured into the perimeter, I almost got caught.

Everyone in this time period knew the effects of the fruit. I guess no one have to start making a new batch of the said medicine.

"Erox, I'm so exhausted..." Margaret voice was barely a whisper, and I could see the exhaustion etched on her face. Who wouldn't be exhausted after what she'd been through? She'd endured so much.

I slipped into the bathtub, eager to help her clean faster. We hadn't even finished when her eyelids fluttered closed. Moments later, she was asleep in my arms.

I carefully laid her in bed and pulled some clothes over her, then quickly dressed myself. It was time to cook.

I surveyed the vegetables and fruits we had harvested. It would last us a week, but if we stayed for another week, even with new seeds, we'd need to buy seedlings.

The food was ready, and I decided to wake Margaret. But as I reached for her, her body began shaking uncontrollably. Panic flooded me as I rushed to her side.

"Damn it," I cursed, feeling the heat radiating from her skin. I thought she was finally recovering. What was happening to her?

Panic seized me. I scooped her up, wrapping her in a thick blanket. I needed to get her to a doctor. Our situation was dangerous, but her life was at stake. I had to find a way to save her.

Maybe I should take her to the human residence. It was far from our realm, and while there were a few wolves living there, most of the residents were humans. We could hide there for a while.

But the journey was perilous. We'd have to pass through vampire territory.

It was a risk, but I had no choice.

I remembered the sword my mother had buried under the hearth. She said it was an heirloom, passed down through generations, and that many had sought it. That's why she had hidden it. I wondered what was so special about it, why so many wanted it. I had completely forgotten about it, and if I hadn't come back here, it would have been lost forever.

I secured Margaret to my back and strapped the sword to my side.

"Errrr..." I let out a low growl, ready to face whatever lay ahead.

"Damn it, hold on, my love. We can do this together. You'll survive," I whispered, battling the fear that was clawing at my throat.

The sun beat down, baking the earth. If I hurried, we could reach our destination by nightfall. But if those vampires blocked our way, it could take longer. I needed to move faster. If we were in Margaret's time, traveling would be a breeze. It would be safer too.

“Erox, what's happening to me? Why do I feel like I'm going to explode?”

Margaret's voice was a weak rasp, and her body continued to tremble. The shaking was muffled by the blanket and the way I'd secured her to my back, but it was still disturbing.

"Don't worry, my love. You'll be okay. Just trust me. I won't let anything or anyone separate us," I promised, my voice firm, even though fear gnawed at my insides.

Margaret didn't answer, but I felt her fingers digging into my neck, a silent affirmation that she was still fighting. She was a brave woman.

I cursed myself again. If I had only stopped her from eating that fruit, if I had only moved faster when I saw her chewing it… Maybe she wouldn't be going through this torture.

“I'm sorry, my love. This is my fault,” I whispered, guilt gnawing at me.

“Shut up. It’s not your fault. Where are we heading?” Her voice was a raspy whisper, but she was determined to make me understand. She didn't want me to blame myself.

"We're heading to the human settlement in our time. It's separated from our realm, but there are a few of us there," I said, my words tumbling out before I could think. I had forgotten that I hadn't told her I wasn't human.

"What are you saying, Erox? Ugh, I'm too dizzy. Let me sleep for a while," she mumbled, her words slurring.

I sighed, noticing that Margaret had fallen back asleep almost instantly. For now, I'd escaped explaining myself. But I knew she would eventually find out.

I broke into a run, pushing myself harder as I raced away from the house. It was good that Margaret was so light. She wasn't a burden at all.

I was thankful that no one blocked my path as I ventured into vampire territory. It was a suicide mission, but I felt Margaret's shallow breaths against my neck, and the desperation in her fight for life fueled my own. I took a deep breath and launched myself into the heart of the vampire forest, my heart pounding in my chest.

I told myself that we would survive this. Everything would be okay.

I could hear the sound of something running behind me, echoing through the dense forest. But with the sun still high in the sky, I knew we were safe for now.

I had to push myself harder, run faster.

I forced myself to be hyper-aware of my surroundings. I wouldn't let my guard down, even with the sun still high in the sky. What if it wasn't vampires chasing me? What if it was my brother's killers?

“Erox, where are we?” Margaret asked, her voice weak but clear. She was awake again.

“We’re going to find a doctor,” I said, my voice tight with worry.