Page 62 of Missing Piece (Neon Scars #2)

Adam circled them warily, searching for an opening. His grip on the knife was slick with sweat, and the wound on his thigh throbbed with each heartbeat. The scent of blood filled his nostrils.

Vincent managed to gain the upper hand, pinning Richard to the floor. But Richard wasn’t done. He twisted, sinking his fangs into Vincent’s forearm for a second before pulling back and tearing away a chunk of flesh. Vincent roared in pain, his grip loosening just enough for Richard to break free.

In a flash, Richard was on his feet. He grabbed Vincent by the throat, lifting him off the ground. Vincent clawed at Richard’s arm, his feet kicking uselessly in the air.

“I’m going to enjoy this,” Richard growled, tightening his grip.

He dug his fingers into Vincent’s throat, sinking into the flesh before yanking his hand back, tearing Vincent’s throat wide.

Vincent’s eyes widened in horror as Richard released him, his eyes returning to their human form as he placed a hand over the gaping wound pouring blood down the front of his shirt.

Adam’s world narrowed to a pinpoint. Vampires can bleed to death, that’s what Ophelia said …Without thinking, he charged forward, his shaking hands holding the knife out. I have to do something…

He slammed into Richard, knocking the wind out of himself as he did.

Richard snapped his attention towards Adam as Vincent staggered to the side, both his hands over his bleeding throat.

With the blade jutting out of Richard’s side, he looked at it for longer than seemed necessary, like his mind was trying to make sense of what happened before he let out a screech of pain, doubling over and grabbing for the handle.

“You’re dead!” He screamed as he wrenched the knife from his ribs, angrily throwing the it back to the concrete before shoving Vincent away from him.

“I was just gonna play with you for a few days, but now, I think I’ll keep you.

I’ll rip you apart, one piece at a time, and break that strong head of yours. ”

Vincent fell to his knees, gurgling gasps coming from his hunched over frame.

Adam struggled to catch his breath, taking a step back as Richard stepped towards him.

I need to get to Vincent. I need to help him …

His gaze darted frantically, searching for any means of escape or defense.

The table of torture instruments caught his eye.

It was a desperate gamble, but he had no choice.

With a burst of adrenaline, Adam lunged for the table. But Richard was faster. The vampire barreled into him with the force of a freight train, lifting him off his feet and sending them both tumbling to the floor.

The impact knocked the wind out of him again, leaving him gasping and disoriented.

Richard’s weight pressed down on him, crushing him against the freezing concrete.

Adam struggled desperately, but Richard easily pinned his wrists above his head with one hand, his knees digging painfully into the backs of Adam’s thighs.

“No!” Adam cried out. He thrashed wildly, clawing at the concrete.

Richard’s free hand tangled in Adam’s hair, yanking his head back viciously. “I think I’ll fuck you on his corpse first,” he hissed, malicious glee coloring every word.

Before Adam could react, Richard slammed his face into the concrete.

Pain burst behind his eyes, stars scattering across his vision.

He heard a low moan, not recognizing the sound coming from his throat.

Just hold on a bit longer. A bit longer.

He tried to twist his hips again to knock Richard off his back, but the vampire was a lead weight, refusing to budge.

When his face was driven into the concrete a second time, any remaining semblance of his control vanished.

Blood mixed with snot and tears and dirt, running slowly down his face with his mouth agape.

Through the haze of pain, Adam felt Richard’s hands tugging at his pants again.

His mind screamed in protest, but his body was distant, unresponsive, the pain and shock rendering him helpless.

“I would have let you join us, but you just had to push it,” Richard rasped. “I’ll take your teeth first and ruin that pretty mouth. If your master survives, once I get him back under control, we’ll split you in half together.”

Richard’s vile words washed over him in a meaningless torrent. He couldn’t process them, couldn’t focus on anything but the silence that had fallen over the warehouse. A silence that was punctuated only by Richard’s panting breaths and the pounding of his own blood in his ears.

Vincent. He couldn’t hear Vincent anymore.

Adam lowered his face to the concrete floor as Richard’s nails clawed into his lower back and ripped through the fabric of his jeans.

A sob tore from his throat, a choked, desperate sound that was swallowed by the vast emptiness of the warehouse.

This was it. This was the price for everything.

For every lie, every stolen dollar, every hit that had brought him closer to oblivion.

The universe was finally making him pay, and it was taking its sweet, sadistic time.

Maybe this was the atonement I deserved.

Richard’s weight on top of him jerked violently to the side. A sharp gasp escaped the vampire’s lips, followed by the sound of something heavy hitting the floor.

Adam drew in several sharp breaths, his eyes shut as he shook on the concrete, waiting for the pain and pressure to return, lungs burning as he gulped in air. Slowly, he turned his head, his vision blurred.

And there, swaying unsteadily, was Vincent, his face a bloody mask of rage, chest heaving with one hand clutching his throat. The gaping wound was still there, but the bleeding had slowed.

Adam scrambled to his feet, his legs shaking beneath him. Joy and hope surged through him, so intense he thought his heart might burst. Tears streamed down his face as he stumbled forward, throwing his arms around Vincent.

He’s alive. He’s alive. Thank God.

Adam buried his face in Vincent’s chest, his body shaking with sobs of relief as his knees gave out beneath him. Vincent caught him, his embrace firm and gentle at the same time. Vincent was here. He was alive. They were together.

The moment was shattered by a strained, gurgling laugh. Adam’s head snapped up, his gaze locking on Richard’s prone form. The vampire lay on his side, trying to drag himself away with his forearms. The knife protruded from his back, the blade buried to the hilt in his spine.

Richard was helpless, unable to move his legs. A twisted satisfaction curled in Adam’s gut at the sight.

“How touching,” Richard sneered, pain straining every word. He fixed Vincent with a venomous glare. “Finish it, Vincent. Finish what you started a century ago.”

Rage burst through Adam, white-hot and all-consuming. Before he could think, he was moving, crossing the distance to Richard in a few swift strides.

His foot connected with Richard’s side, driving the air from the vampire’s lungs. Again and again, he kicked, stomping on the handle of the knife, driving it deeper into Richard’s spine. This is for Vincent. This is for what you did to us. This is for—

A hand on his shoulder pulled him back, gentle but firm. Adam spun, his chest heaving, to find Vincent watching him with a mixture of concern and understanding.

Shame washed over Adam, hot and prickling. He looked away, unable to meet Vincent’s gaze.

“Impressive,” Richard wheezed, a twisted grin on his bloodied face. “But your technique needs work, boy.”

“Shut up, Richard.” Vincent’s words came out rough and strained from the throat wound. He squeezed Adam’s shoulder, a silent reassurance.

Vincent grabbed Richard by one of his limp ankles and began dragging him toward the hallway that led to the building entrance. Adam, still shaken, followed Vincent.

“W-what are we doing with him?” Adam asked, his words barely holding together.

Richard didn’t attempt to fight, instead just groaned and wheezed with each jarring tug across the concrete floor.

“Just disposing of some trash,” Vincent muttered, his gaze fixed on the hallway ahead.

They reached the entrance to the building, the front door hanging precariously from its hinges. Vincent paused, his grip tightening on Richard’s ankle.

“You can’t kill me,” Richard rasped, each word a shallow croak. “Not until I tell you…there are others…already here…in thi s town…”

“Shut up, Richard.”

Adam’s gaze remained fixed on Richard as the vampire’s hand twitched, reaching futilely for the knife embedded in his back.

“Vincent, wait,” Richard pleaded. “I…I went too far. I admit it. But…but you can’t blame me for…

for doin’ what our master taught us. It’s…

it’s in our nature.” He coughed, a rattling sound that echoed through the ruined building.

“But…but I’m willin’ to call a truce. To help you… to fight the others…”

Vincent didn’t respond. He stepped away from Richard, his gaze scanning the rubble and wreckage littering the floor near the entrance. His movements were deliberate, predatory.

Richard locked eyes with Adam, desperation creeping into his tone. “He’s makin’ a mistake not sidin’ with me,” Richard said, the words coming in short, pained bursts.

Is he really just trying to save himself, or is there something more? Adam wondered, though the memory of Richard’s hands on him made his stomach churn.

“Don’t you fucking talk to him!” Vincent snapped as he picked up a massive block of concrete, pieces of twisted rebar jutting out.

Adam didn’t look away from Richard. Something about the look on his face seemed convincing, even now. He wondered if this was more trickery, or if there was something else Richard was hiding. The echoes of Richard’s touch still lingered on his skin, making him feel too nauseous to say anything.

“Come on, kid,” Richard half-taunted, strain and mockery fighting in his tone. “You’re actually in love with a vampire. Not tortured into it like the rest of us.” His lips curled into a twisted grin. “You should want to help me. Protect me.”

Richard’s hand reached out towards Adam, even though he was a good fifteen feet away. Instinctively, Adam took a step back.

“Pull the knife out of my back,” Richard said, his tone shifting to something almost coaxing. “And in exchange, I’ll tell you what’s comin’ to town.”

Adam’s breathing quickened, his mind racing with conflicting thoughts. What if he’s telling the truth? What if there really are others coming? But before he could respond, Vincent acted.

The massive concrete block came down on Richard’s outstretched hands with a sickening crunch. Richard’s scream of agony pierced through the desolate space. Blood spurted from the mangled remains of his hands, staining the floor.

“You bastard!” Richard spat through gritted teeth, venom lacing every syllable.

Vincent didn’t respond. Instead, he turned to Adam and took his hand gently. Adam noticed that Vincent’s throat wound had sealed itself significantly, though a raw red line still marked where Richard had torn it open. Bloody tears had begun to drip down his cheeks.

“Let’s go,” Vincent said softly, weariness etched into every line of his face.

Adam glanced one last time at Richard, now pinned and helpless beneath the concrete, before allowing Vincent to lead him away from the carnage. His mind churned with questions and doubts, but for now, he focused on Vincent’s hand in his own and the quiet determination in the vampire’s eyes.

“You’re just going to leave him there? What if—?”

“He’ll get to see the sun one last time in that spot.”