Page 101 of The Neighborhood Vampire

“Run!”

Hugo charged her. In the heat of the moment, her mind went blank. Her heart pounded in her chest as her boyfriend charged toward her, leaving her frozen in terror. He wrapped his arms around her, lifting her off the ground. He squeezed her tightly, constricting his arms around her torso. This was no endearing hug. Hugo was trying to crush her ribs.

She struggled to breathe, each gasp for air more odious than thelast. She couldn’t move. Her hands were caught between her body and Hugo. She couldn’t use them to call forth the magick to save herself. The muscles in his forearms tightened to constrict her further. She let out a gasp. He slammed her body into the hallway wall, knocking over the console table. Its contents spilled onto the floor.

“Why?” Alice mustered through tears and the pain.

“I can’t stop it. I’m being forced to watch while she’s controlling me. You have to stop me.”

He reared back and slammed Alice once more into the wall. She winced in pain. Alice gasped for air as his arms constricted her further. Hugo lifted her up and reared back.

Alice wiggled a hand free and snapped her fingers. The amethyst rock flew from one of the console tables and struck Hugo. He grimaced in pain as the rock shot at him with great force, causing him to lower Alice, but not to let go.

“Do it again,” Hugo said. “Harder.”

“I can’t,” Alice struggled to say. “I won’t.”

“Harder!”

“If I can get to my bag—” Alice started.

“Hit me again!”

With a swift motion, he effortlessly hoisted her over his shoulders. Alice’s heart raced as she plummeted toward the floor behind Hugo. Alice tensed up, expecting to hit the floor, but hovered in mid-air. Hugo reared back and tightened his grip, preparing to slam Alice to the ground. She snapped her fingers once more. Two more rocks flew at great speed, striking Hugo in the back. He yelled in pain as he released her. Alice fell to the ground, catching herself with her hands. As she struggled to catch her breath, Hugo’s towering figure loomed over her.

“Run. Get away!” Hugo yelled.

Alice rolled away from Hugo and sprang to her feet. She dashed into the living room through the second entryway. Hugo was right behind her.

Alice snapped her fingers. Her black shoulder bag flew into the living room. Hugo snared Alice’s arm. She twisted to the side, freeing herself from his grasp.

The momentary deflection allowed Hugo to close in on Alice. He bent down, landed his shoulder into her stomach, and tackled her to the ground. The hardwood floor knocked what wind she had regained out of her. She gasped and winced in pain. It was all a blur. She couldn’t think or act or do anything.

The black bag landed next to them on the floor. Hugo grabbed the bag and smashed the contents on the floor. He jumped on top of her, straddling her legs.

He held down her arms and placed his hands over hers. Each finger interlocked with hers so she couldn’t call forth any magical abilities. She tried to move. She tried to wiggle free, but she couldn’t. Hugo’s red eyes bore down onto her own with an intensity that sent a chill down her spine, filling her with abject terror as her boyfriend—her lover—pinned her to the floor.

Alice couldn’t breathe. She couldn’t think. Her eyes were filled with terror and fear, but she never looked away from Hugo. She didn’t know if Gwennie was okay, hurt, or even alive. Alice was helpless.

Time froze. The ticking of the grandfather clock disappeared. She could only hear her heart beating against her chest. No one was coming to rescue her. It was only Hugo and herself.

Hugo opened his mouth and, in a display of intimidation, showed his elongated fangs. Alice tried to kick, but couldn’t under his weight. Hugo bent down, going for her throat. As his body lifted, Alice seized the opportunity to rotate her hips and free one of her legs. Using her knee as a shield, she jabbed it into his stomach to keep Hugo from getting closer.

Hugo pressed down, but Alice held him firm. He wouldn’t release his hands, so she dug her knee further into the center of his torso. They were locked in a stalemate, each trying to position for leverage in the ensuing battle.

“Hugo, please. Please stop,” Alice pleaded.

“I can’t. She has control.”

“I don’t want to hurt you.” Tears streamed down her cheeks as his pair of once icy blue eyes bore down on her, now in a haunting shade of crimson red.

“It’s okay. You have to.”

Alice shook her head. “No.”

“You have to. She won’t stop. I can’t stop until you’re dead. You have to do it.” He put pressure on her as he leaned forward.

A pain shot through her as her hip and leg twisted.

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