Ashley

Have you ever witnessed that moment where one's entire capability for creating any sort of logical plan was terminated? That's the exact event that blessed Sam and I at that moment and it was really no struggle, we already felt completely useless anyway. 

I adjusted my shirt as I looked around, desperately searching for any hints or tips to keep up alive. All I could find was ketchup and screaming civilians. The bright walls of the place contrasted the waft of terror leaking from every human in this room. They were all unaware of what would hit them, so we were the only ones who could save them. 

"Rise and shine!" A menacing voice called from an open door, I peeked from the table seeing his flaming yellow eyes shining under the cheap light. It was ready to pounce, I say it since it was no longer human. 

Screams emitted and I gasped hiding once more. Sam was panicking too, his mouth open and pants escaping. I placed a hand on his cheek, looking around to see a staff only door. It was a risky plan I had in mind, but it was the only one I had. 

"Sam. I have a plan but it means one of us will have to risk our lives," I said nervously, I didn't necessarily want to risk my life but if it meant Sam's survival then I was down. 

"Right..." he egged me on, his eyebrows furrowed. 

"One of us will stay here, make sure no one gets killed and stays safe. Then the other will go to the staff room and find a way to Ed and Al's, tell them what's up and report back here."

"I'll stay" He confirmed with a sigh, though it was very definite. 

"What?! No, you might be killed" I refused. He took my hand.

"It's a risk I have to take for your life" he stared into my eyes, he acted brave but his pupils were trembling. 

"How am I supposed to defend myself exactly?" He joked nervously looking around.

I cursed myself for not thinking of it. I tried to list all the possibilities but nothing came to mind. I caught onto the long table stand feeling it turn under my weight. I jumped and looked at it, it's wood prominent and removable. It's pointed end deep into the ground. 

"That's it! You use these, they're detachable, wood and pointy! God, I'm a genius!" I exclaimed no longer wary of the bloodsuckers coming our way. 

Even though they never really spoke haunting words, all my brain could hear was 'dinner, dinner, dinner, dinner' most possibly foreshadowing the outcome of tonight. There was no hesitation people would die, I just hoped it was no one I knew, oddly honest enough. Of course, death was a horrible concept, but the death of a loved one was an entirely different ballpark.

"I'm going," I said turning to Sam, keeping the nearing Vamp in the back of my mind as I awaited a clear cast. 

I felt like a competitor as I got up and ran. I ran without noise to remain unnoticed, something I was too familiar with for a girl in her teens. I suppose you could say I was too familiar with everything for my age, even death itself. 

My legs carried me, the door swung. Sam's eyes glued to it as the gap closed. The yellow door creating darkness as it shut with a silent satisfying sound. I looked around, arms flailing seeing only supplies, meats and pizza dough which in all honesty had been sat there for roughly three years, totally changing Sam's vote on his genius scale. 

I glanced around looking for an escape if only I had brought a light. If only. If only being a word I used too often, too late to make a change anyway. The only light coming from the glimmering steel cutlery and shelves, blinding me but not enough that I was able to see. 

Suddenly a light came from the left along with a bang as a door hit the plastered wall and I was ready to charge. Edgar and Alan stood breathlessly at the door with a heavy bag of lifesavers. Their bulky boots stomped towards me and I let out an appreciative exhalation. 

"What the hell are you doing here?!" Edgar said gripping my arms, Alan's head peering over his shoulder. 

"Hey Ashley" He spoke. 

"Hey Al" I watched Edgar after giving Alan a sweet smile, like two personalities and two faces. 

"Look it doesn't matter alright? What matters is that there is a defenceless Sam under a table out there surrounded by like a dozen vampires!" 

"Wait, Sam's in there?" Alan glimpsed towards the door, peering through it in his mind, surely seeing Sam's fear and insecurity right through it. 

I nodded, not speaking any words in fear of showing my weakness in an unsuitable situation. In a situation where love or connections didn't matter. We all realised then that this could be the end, again. It seemed as if we were putting our lives on the line continually but boy was it a way to live. 

"Let's do this" Edgar said handing me a weapon. 

I held the bulky gadget in my hands, its shape and design foreign to me along with its size. It had a tall black neck but attached to it was an immaculately sharp stake ready for action. It reminded me of our first battle together that marked us like a tattoo but a really shitty one that you regret later in life. 

"For Sam."

"For us."

"For Santa Carla."