Luka and I have been walking for a little less than an hour before we heard gunshots and screams up ahead. We ducked behind a twisted metal sheet sticking out of the barren ground. 

"What was that?" He asked me with wide eyes.

"A raid," I grimace. Raids never fail to end in bloodshed. The screams continue to grow louder until they cut off with a gurgle. 

"I thought all the towns were deserted?" Luka says, leaning closer to me.

"Unfortunately, some of the more rural towns haven't been evacuated. So, I'm pretty sure you can guess what happens next," Another scream ripped through the air, raw and filled with fear.

Luka copied my grimace. 

I turned back towards the small town. 

Blanks were marching through the place, holding some villagers captive. The ones watching nearby cowered in fear, shoving their children behind them. 

The blanks continued to march forward, their prisoners pleading and begging for their lives. 

A stake was set in the center of the town, already dripping with blood. The blanks had gathered in the center of the town, in a circle like I had seen them do earlier.

The captives barely struggled, blanks shoving them forward sharply. The blanks tied them to the stake by the ropes that were attached. The figures cried loudly for mercy. 

I tensed, knowing what would come next.

The blanks in the circle raised their guns, aiming for the captives. 

I looked away just as their last cries could be heard. I was shaking really hard. 

"Are you okay?" Luka asked, placing a hand on my shoulder.

"Yeah," My voice is shaky and unstable. "We need to get the rest of them out of there,"

"How the heck do we do that?" He asked.

"That's what I would like to know," I mutter. I search for the possible catalyst until I spot an unusually large blank, but one of my arrows couldn't possibly kill it.

"Do you see that blank? He's the catalyst if we can get close enough to him...." I didn't even finish my sentence before Luka nodded. I felt strangely in sync with him. 

We crept forward to the scene, the blanks already dragging forward more victims. The villagers still cowered, the blanks snarling at them. 

Up close, I could get a better look. The large blank was standing in the center of the circle, eyes entirely black. My brain made the realization, I yanked Luka back.

"What?"

"They're watching us," I whisper, pointing to the blank. Luka's eyes follow my finger.

"You're right," He breathes. 

I pull my hood up, and Luka does the same creeping forward again. We duck behind the shacks, making sure not to be seen. We make it closer to the circle, drawing out our knives. 

The blanks draw their guns again. 

We reach the large blank just in time. I plunge my knife into the spot on its neck, killing it instantly. We duck back when the other blanks walk forward to inspect the body.

We pressed ourselves against the shack, holding our breath. 

The blanks looked around before collapsing to the ground. 

The village was still before the people scrambled back to their houses, muttering something about miracles.

I ushered Luka forward, heading towards the city gate. We crept silently and escaped unnoticed. 

We ran until the town was just a dot on the horizon. The sun was setting which wasn't good. 

"We need to find shelter," I was breathless from running.

He nodded.

We ran until we reached the forest.

We found a good tree and climbed it, securing ourselves to the branches.

I fell into a light sleepless dream. A low growl startled me awake, nearly making me yelp.

My blood ran cold.

"Luka, wake up,"

Vamps.