Chapter 56

The man brought out a knife from his pocket, his intentions clear as he moved to stab Annabelle. But just as he lunged forward, I intervened, seizing his hand and grabbing his neck in a firm grip. Annabelle took the opportunity to escape from the water, gasping for air as she reached the edge. Jade rushed to her aid, concern etched on her face as she asked, "Are you all right?"

Breathing heavily, Annabelle managed to nod. "I'm okay," she replied, her voice shaky with adrenaline.

Jade's eyes darted between Annabelle and the ongoing struggle in the water. "Why did you come back?" Annabelle questioned.

"How could I possibly leave you behind?" Jade retorted, determination in her voice. "Let's go, okay?"

But Annabelle hesitated, her gaze flickering back to where I grappled with the assailant beneath the surface. "Hold on," she murmured. "He's still fighting him."

"Don't be ridiculous," Jade scoffed, her patience wearing thin. "The man who jumped into the water is an Imoogi vampire."

Annabelle's eyes widened in surprise. "How did you know that?" she asked.

"I met him at our house," Jade explained. "I touched him, and he didn't seem human. He wants you dead, doesn't he?"

A chill ran down Annabelle's spine as she processed Jade's words. "That's why we need to run away," Jade urged, shaking Annabelle's arm. "Let's go, okay?"

But Annabelle couldn't bring herself to leave me behind. "Wait," she insisted, her voice resolute.

"We need to hurry!" Jade exclaimed, her urgency mounting. "He's overpowering me!"

With a sense of urgency, Annabelle rose to her feet and halted, her eyes fixated on the pool. Together, they watched as I struggled beneath the water's surface, locked in a desperate battle with the vampire.

Suddenly, a surge of determination filled me, and with a swift motion, I plunged my weapon into the vampire's side. With a gasp, he released his grip on me, and I swam toward the surface, my lungs burning for air.

But just as I thought I was free, the vampire's hand shot out, grabbing hold of my leg and dragging me back down. Panic surged through me as I struggled against his relentless grip, kicking and thrashing in a desperate bid for escape.

Jade's gaze fell upon the pool, her eyes widening in horror as she took in the sight of blood spreading across the surface. Beside her, Annabelle gasped, her hand flying to her mouth in shock. Beneath the water's surface lay a chilling scene - numerous dead bodies, trapped in the murky depths, their lifeless forms a grim testament to the violence that had unfolded.

Meanwhile, beneath the surface, I grappled with the vampire, my leg throbbing with pain from his vicious attack. With a surge of fury, I lashed out, using my remaining strength to strike him with all my might. With a groan, the vampire went limp, his unconscious form sinking deeper into the darkness below.

But as the battle raged on, my own strength began to wane, and I found myself sinking, unable to fight against the relentless pull of the water. Panic surged through me as I struggled to stay afloat, my vision blurring as darkness closed in around me.

Suddenly, a figure appeared above me, swimming swiftly through the water. With a powerful stroke, they reached out, grasping my hand and pulling me upward. With a gasp, I broke through the surface, my lungs burning for air as I was dragged to safety.

It was Annabelle who had come to my rescue, her face pale with concern as she helped me out of the water. Beside her, Jade watched anxiously, her brow furrowed with worry. "What are you going to do?" she asked, her voice trembling with uncertainty.

Leaning closer, Annabelle checked for signs of life, her fingers hovering over my chest as she searched for a pulse. Beside her, Jade held her breath, her eyes fixed on my still form. With a shaky exhale, Annabelle shook her head. "He's not breathing," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

A sense of dread settled over them as they realized the gravity of the situation. "Mr. Thomas!" Annabelle called out, her voice filled with urgency.

Moments later, Mr. Thomas appeared, his expression grave as he assessed the scene before him. "The police are coming," he announced, his voice tight with concern.

Annabelle and Jade looked to him for guidance, their faces drawn with worry. Mr. Thomas wasted no time in assessing the situation, his fingers pressing against my neck as he searched for a pulse. "Is he okay?" Annabelle asked, her voice trembling with fear.

Mr. Thomas hesitated for a moment, his brow furrowed in concentration. "He's unconscious," he finally declared, relief flooding through them.

As they exchanged a glance, Annabelle felt a flicker of recognition stir within her. "Jade," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "He's the detective who was in charge of our case."

Jade's eyes widened in surprise, her gaze flickering to Mr. Thomas. "You look oddly familiar," he remarked, his brow furrowing in confusion. "Have we met before?"

Jade shook her head, her heart pounding in her chest. "No," she replied, her voice steady despite the tumult of emotions swirling within her.

Suddenly, a body floated to the surface of the pool, sending a wave of shock through the group. Mr. Thomas's eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at the limp form. "What is that? Isn't that the kidnapper?" he exclaimed, his voice filled with incredulity.

Annabelle nodded, her expression grim. "Yes, it's him," she confirmed, her voice barely above a whisper. "But how did he—"

Mr. Thomas's words trailed off as he turned his attention to where I lay, unconscious on the ground. With a sense of urgency, he knelt beside me, his fingers searching for any sign of life. "Did this man—" he began, his voice trailing off in uncertainty.

But Annabelle interrupted him, her tone pleading. "Sir, can you please just let us go?" she implored, her eyes pleading for understanding.

Mr. Thomas hesitated, torn between his duty and Annabelle's desperate plea. "But once the police arrive, we need to explain what—" he started to argue.

Annabelle cut him off, her voice firm. "Exactly," she insisted. "Please let us leave with him before they come."

Reluctantly, Mr. Thomas nodded, his expression troubled. "Okay," he conceded, his voice heavy with resignation.

With that, my body was lifted from the ground, and we made our way out of the abandoned building. As they drove away, Jade couldn't help but voice her concerns. "Are you really going to take him with us?" she asked, her voice tinged with unease.

Annabelle remained silent, her eyes fixed on the road ahead as she navigated through the city streets. Jade pressed on, her voice growing more insistent. "But he's an Imoogi Vampire as well," she pointed out, her tone bordering on desperation.

Annabelle's grip tightened on the steering wheel, her jaw set with determination. "Do you remember what Annie told us to find?" she asked, her voice steady despite the turmoil raging within her.

Jade nodded slowly, realization dawning in her eyes. "The word that can kill an Imoogi Vampire," she murmured.

Annabelle's lips curved into a grim smile. "Yes," she confirmed. "It's him. He's the sword I've been looking for all this time. I finally managed to find him, so I can't leave him behind. He's mine. He's my sword."

As they sped through the streets, Jade couldn't shake the feeling of unease that gnawed at her. "Where are we heading to?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Annabelle's expression softened slightly as she glanced at her friend. "A place that's somewhere safe," she replied cryptically.

Finally, they arrived at my place, where David rushed out to meet them. As Jade stepped out of the car, David's eyes widened in surprise. "Who is she? Is she—" he began, his words trailing off in disbelief.

Annabelle nodded, a sense of relief flooding through her. "She's my sister," she confirmed, her voice filled with emotion.

David's gaze shifted to Jade, his eyes filled with curiosity. "No way," he exclaimed. "Did you guys save her together?"

Annabelle approached the back seat where I lay, her eyes filled with concern. David turned to Jade, his expression sympathetic. "Are you okay? How was it? Weren't you scared?" he asked, his voice gentle.

Jade squirmed under his scrutiny, her discomfort evident. "Who is this chatty kid?" she muttered under her breath.

Annabelle shot her a reproachful look before turning back to David. "He knows this man," she explained, her voice tinged with urgency. "Come and help me."

David looked at Annabelle in disbelief. "What? Sure," he replied, his voice tinged with uncertainty. Beside him, Jade shot him a look of disgust, muttering under her breath, "Unbelievable."

I was taken inside and dropped onto my bed with a thud. David grunted as he struggled under my weight. "Damn, he's heavy," he grumbled. "Gosh! I can't carry him upstairs. That's enough exercise for a year."

Annabelle busied herself adjusting my body to ensure I was balanced. "What happened to him?" David inquired, his brow furrowed with concern.

Annabelle sighed heavily. "Well, he hasn't been breathing since he went underwater," she explained, her voice laced with worry. She shook my body gently, urging me to wake up. "Open your eyes, will you?"

David's eyes widened in realization. "Maybe he drowned," he suggested.

Annabelle turned to him, desperation evident in her eyes. "Do you know CPR?" she asked urgently.

David hesitated, his gaze shifting uncomfortably. "I did learn it in PE class," he admitted reluctantly, "but I don't want to do it. If I do, I'm afraid I may never go back to my old self."

Annabelle looked at him, puzzled. "What?" she asked, confusion etched on her face.

But David quickly brushed off her question, putting on an act. "Your sister is calling for me," he claimed hastily. "Yes, I'm coming."

As David left, Annabelle turned back to me, her expression fraught with worry. She leaned closer, checking for any sign of life. Unsure of what to do, she placed her hands on my chest and began CPR, counting each compression with precision. She checked for signs of breathing, but there was none.

With frustration mounting, Annabelle leaned in and blew air into my mouth, continuing the chest compressions with renewed determination. But as time passed with no response, her frustration turned to despair. "How could an Imoogi Vampire be dead?" she muttered to herself. "This isn't funny. Wake up!"

Desperate for guidance, she rested her head against my chest, her voice barely above a whisper as she pleaded, "What should I do?"

Suddenly, I stirred, my hand reaching out to grasp hers. "What are you doing?" I demanded, my voice rough with confusion.

Annabelle's face lit up with relief. "You're alive," she exclaimed, her voice filled with joy. "What do you think I'm doing? I'm saving you."

As I looked around, disoriented, Annabelle explained the situation. "It's your house. When the police came, we had to flee the scene."

I attempted to rise from the bed, but a sharp pain shot through my leg, forcing me back down. Annabelle's concern was palpable as she asked, "Are you okay? Are you hurt?"

I met her gaze with a glare. "Where is that woman, Jade?" I demanded.

Annabelle's expression faltered for a moment before she responded, "Oh, she's safe. She's here too."

I turned away, dismissing her gratitude with a wave of my hand. "Don't," I growled. "I don't want to hear it. So leave!"

With a heavy heart, Annabelle rose to her feet and began to walk away. I winced as pain shot through my leg, but stubbornly refused her offer of help. With a slam of the door, she was gone, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

Outside the room, Annabelle looked back with concern, unsure of what to do next. Meanwhile, David and Jade were in another room, deep in conversation.

"This used to be my room," David explained, gesturing around. "But you guys can use it. I know it's messy."

Jade's eyes widened in surprise. "Do you live here?" she asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.

David hesitated before responding. "I...uh...sort of," he admitted, his tone evasive.

Jade's brow furrowed with suspicion. "But do you know that he's not human?" she pressed, her curiosity piqued.

As the pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place, David's expression grew serious. "Yes," he confirmed, his voice grave. "I do."