Chapter 36: Running Down A Mountain

As I carried Alex in my arms, her form limp and vulnerable, the urgency of our situation weighed heavy on me. The vampires were closing in, and we needed to reach the safety of the foot of the mountain before they could catch up to us.

The aura's power surged within me, granting me the strength I needed to navigate the treacherous terrain of the mountainside. With each step, I could feel the relentless pursuit of the vampires drawing nearer, their crimson eyes gleaming with malice.

But then, just as the tension became unbearable, something unexpected happened. Alex stirred in my arms, her eyelids fluttering open as she became aware of her surroundings. Confusion and embarrassment washed over her as she realized she was being carried by me.

"Hey," she stammered, attempting to break free from my grasp. "Put me down! I can walk on my own."

I hesitated for a moment, torn between the urgency of our escape and her need for independence. But I knew that time was of the essence, and the vampires were almost upon us.

"Alex," I said, my voice firm yet gentle, "we don't have time for this. The vampires are right behind us, and we need to keep moving."

She looked flustered and disoriented, her brow furrowing in confusion. "How did we escape the collapsed part of the mountain? And how are you able to carry me like this?"

I bit my lip, torn between explaining everything to her and keeping our escape a priority. But I knew that there would be time for explanations later, when we were safe and out of immediate danger.

"Alex," I replied, "I promise I'll explain everything, but right now, we need to focus on getting to the foot of the mountain. Please trust me."

Reluctantly, she nodded, her expression a mix of curiosity and unease. I adjusted my grip on her and resumed our descent, my heart pounding with each step. The vampires were almost upon us, and our escape hung in the balance.

As we descended the rocky slopes, the terrain grew increasingly treacherous, and the adrenaline coursing through my veins was the only thing keeping me going. The aura's power continued to infuse me with strength, but I knew that its effects wouldn't last forever.

The foot of the mountain was within sight, and a surge of hope filled me. We were almost there, almost out of reach of the pursuing vampires.

But just as we reached the base of the mountain, the vampires closed in, their eerie crimson eyes burning with malevolent intent. They were mere yards away, and our escape seemed to hang by a thread.

With one last burst of energy, I propelled us forward, pushing through the fatigue and the weight of our predicament. We stumbled onto level ground, and I knew that we had reached relative safety.

As we caught our breath, I finally set Alex down gently, allowing her to stand on her own two feet. She looked at me with a mixture of gratitude and confusion, her questions still unanswered.

"Okay," she said, her voice a blend of curiosity and impatience. "Now, will you please tell me how we escaped and how you were able to carry me like that?"

I took a deep breath, ready to provide her with the explanations she sought. It was time to reveal the mysteries that had surrounded us, to shed light on the enigmatic key of pure aura and the newfound power within me.

But as I opened my mouth to speak, I hesitated, realizing that the full story was far more complex and layered than I could convey in the heat of the moment.

"Alex," I began, "there's so much to explain, and it's not something I can cover quickly. But I promise, I'll tell you everything. Just not now. We need to make sure we're safe first."

She nodded, understanding the urgency of our situation. The vampires were still out there, their pursuit relentless, and our escape was far from guaranteed.