The Vampire Jewel

"Okay, girls. You have one shot, and ONLY one shot, to grab the package and get the hell out of there! We don't want those moon worshiping psychos to get it first".

"Roger that". Amber checked over her supply of stakes, holy water, tracking devices, and a radio.

She then zipped up her bag and joined Jennifer by the treeline, staring up at the large gothic castle that loomed over them from its' spot on the large mountain.

"You ready for this"? Amber asked.

"Sure", Jennifer replied. "What could go wrong"?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Everything went wrong. They barely crossed the massive threshold, when they were surrounded by countless vampires. Their supply of holy water and stakes disappeared in the blink of an eye, leaving them with no other option but to run.

They raced around a sharp corner and barreled down the dark hallway. Hair whipping their eyes and backpacks pounding into their spines. When they reached the top of a staircase, a muscled vampire sprung from the shadows and sent them flying in separate directions. Amber flew down the stairs and Jennifer crashed through a door. She feigned unconsciousness as her attacker ran after Amber.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After cutting down a third of the vampires in the castle, the girls crashed through a large ornate window and bolted for the forest. They bobbed, weaved, and tripped over the dense foliage. The cold air burning their lungs. Once the timeworn castle was hidden from view, the girls skidded to a stop to catch their breath.

"We can't..... stay here for....... too long", Amber panted. "As long as the moon's out, we aren't safe".

As if on cue, dark shapes, growls, and shining yellow eyes crept up on the duo. They straightened up and began to inch forward. "Werewolves, right"? Jennifer questioned.

"Yup". Amber nodded.

"What do we do"?

"If we run straight, there's a quarry. We'll have to jump".

"You positive that's a good idea"?

"Do you have a better idea"?

"No. I guess I can take that over being mauled to death. Okay, on three then".

"Okay. One...... Two........ THREE"!

They stampeded forward in a flurry of wind and snow. Listening as the unseen werewolves raced after them. As they began to feel themselves falter, the edge of the quarry came into view. A new spike of adrenaline surged through them.

The hot breath of their pursuers tickled the backs of their necks. Before they could tackle their fleeing prey to the ground, they leapt off the cliff-face; plummeting towards the awaiting lake. The icy water engulfed them, carrying them down until they were hidden beneath its' depths.

The girls watched as the rippled and distant silhouettes glared down from the steep edge. After what felt like an eternity, the dark shapes dispersed. Allowing Amber and Jennifer to resurface and make their way to the shoreline.

They flopped onto the snow dusted ground, gasping and shivering. Jennifer settled on her knees and stared back at where they had just jumped.

"How....... in the world....... did we survive that"?

"No clue. Our lucky stars aligned, I guess".

"Now what"?

"Now, we find someplace to hunker down in until daytime. Then, we call the team and tell em' what happened. Alright, let's get outta here. If the cold doesn't kill us, a werewolf or a vampire surely will".

"Sounds good. Lead the way".

They sluggishly stood up and fastened their bags onto their shoulders more tightly. Jennifer held the straps of her own bag, unaware of the shining crimson jewel that was tucked away inside of it. Shining radiantly as the girls moved on.