The Corruption Within

The Corruption Within Chapter 3

We walked for nearly an hour down empty trash covered streets, the neighborhood sparsely populated.

My new enhanced vampire senses could feel the coming sunrise, an early warning system screaming at me to find cover. I'd noticed that the changes I'd undergone had caused my body to react to the sunrise and sunset, giving me at least thirty minutes warning.

Vampire's by nature couldn't handle direct sunlight, however unlike popular theory and fantasy stories they could survive being outside, so long as they weren't in view of the sun. I'd practiced this initially the morning after I awoke from what had happened.

After stepping outside I'd struggled from massive exhaustion. My body felt like it weighed three times as much and my eyes hurt. My head had started to ache like a severe migraine and I'd barely been able to stand. After experimenting, I had concluded I could indeed survive outside in the daylight, but when exposing my hand to the sun it had started to burn instantly. I figured it had something to do with the skins allergic reaction to ultraviolet lighting, much like the silver.

The longer we walked, the longer I struggled to understand the situation.

Sally still slept in my arms, seeming completely at ease and even snuggling against my chest at one point. I looked down at her and smiled. The young DJ reminded me of a pixie in some ways. She was small, slender, but tough as nails. I was eager to get to know her more, she had saved my life and from the way she fought I could tell she'd be an interesting person to talk to.

I glanced up at the man I was following. He moved with a panther's grace and seemed completely calm, though seeing his hand rest close to the pistol's grip, I had no doubt he could draw it and take me out before I could so much as blink. He was a natural warrior, and from what I'd noticed, a practiced diplomat as well.

The man wasn't saying much, barely a word since we had begun our long walk, and I figured it was about time for some answers.

"So, you said you were the people who stopped vampires, would you care to elaborate?"

As I stepped over a curb, my body started to weaken and I nearly tripped. Struggling to regain my balance, I adjusted my grip to hold onto the young woman better. I decided I'd have to pass her to her companion soon if we didn't stop.

Man, I hated this. I've never been a fan of sunlight, in fact it has always hurt my eyes and given me migraines when I was human, but this is a whole new level. To be affected by the sun physically? That was something else entirely and still a mystery.

I looked up as I realized the man had stopped walking. Turning to look at me and resting his hand on the holster, he said. "I believe introductions are in order before I answer anything. Also, I have a question of my own, and since I have the gun I believe my question takes precedence."

I nodded my head, leaning my shoulder against a brick wall, relieved to finally have a moment to rest. The wall belonged to some random book store, reminding me that I had absolutely no idea where we were.

I was native to Skagit Valley, a small-town northeast of Seattle called Sedro Woolley. Right now, being in such a huge city I was completely out of my element. We had taken so many turns I could never find my way back to the club.

"Do you have the time?" I asked, my body was starting to get cold, something I hadn't been accustomed to since the change. He looked at his watch and frowned.

"Your right, it's almost six a.m. and the sun is scheduled to rise at six fifteen according to my weather app. We need to get indoors before you roast. Much as I would enjoy watching another vampire die, I need to figure out why Sally saved you and what exactly happened in that club. We're almost there, the questions can wait."