Three - Vanadine

Darkness swam through his mind as he fought for control of the raging madness that sought to overtake him. It had been her voice, her plea, that had stopped him from choking Hann until his heart stopped. Even so Vanadine thought there might be some permanent brain damage and a savage joy thrilled up through him. His thoughts turned to the woman and how easily he could end her life. Ten different scenarios played across his psyche as he gripped the concrete upright, his fingers aching. Yet the pain and discomfort grounded him, allowed the darkness to abate and his human side reasserted itself, bringing a calm and banishing the chaos.

The intensity of his emotions drained him and he slowly let go of the concrete pillar, noticing the cracks radiating from where he had gripped it so hard. Now in control of himself once more, Vanadine knew he had to get away, protect this innocent woman from what he was. Yet as he turned to see her, shivering and in a heap, clothing tattered and face bruised from their assault, his heart melted, a hollow forming as he looked at the traumatised form before him. A need grew in him, the need to protect her, to care for her and make sure she was safe. Yet he also knew what he needed to protect her from most was himself.

Forcing himself to turn from her, Vanadine started for the door. He heard a groan and looked to where Glenn looked up at him with hate and pain filled eyes.

“You broke my arm,” he said in a tone of accusation. “Snapped it so the bones poke out,” he added in a tone of disbelief.

“You ought to consider yourself lucky it was not your neck,” Vanadine stated flatly. “And what do you expect, coming at me with a knife? That I am just going to let you cut me?”

Vanadine headed for the doorway but halted when the woman called out.

“Wait! You’re not just going to leave me here!” She squealed. “I don’t even know your name.”

Vanadine flashed over to where she sat, the action making her flinch as he drew her ripped blouse over her nudity and helped her up. He released her as he went to the doorway, expecting her to follow. When she got level with where Glenn lay moaning, she turned as the injured man yelled at her.

“I’ll find you, you fucking cunt! I’ll find you and when I do I’m gonna cut you up so bad…”

“Do the world a favour and overdose you junkie rapist,” she said.

As Vanadine watched Glenn reach out for her with his good arm he felt a surge of satisfaction as the woman kicked him in the ribs. Glenn howled and rolled away, protecting his broken arm as furtherr whimpers and moans of pain issued from his mouth.

Vanadine turned and led her up through the old hospital and out into the night.