Post by Raoul de Villiers on Aug 12, 2008 9:34:19 GMT -5
Raoul de Villiers was currently pinned down by a Lycan, who was about to finish him off...to find out how he'd managed to get himself in such a predicament you'd have to backtrack a little...to earlier that same evening.
Arising before first dark, Raoul slipped from beneath his thin covers jumping down from top bunk, a bunk he shared with Olivia Woods, a very young Vampire whom he’d claim he’d taken under his wing, in fact he’d been given the dubious honour of looking after her by Ranvier. When first blooded a youngling was attached to a slightly older vampire who themselves were accountable to the elders, it was a system that seemed to work fairly well for the Vampires, the elders couldn’t be expected to look after all the masses single handed so the hierarchy had naturally formed to help the younglings. Dressing quickly Raoul looked about at the slumbering figures still lazing in their bunks, this dormitory room was the immediate home of a dozen vampires, all of whom Raoul got on fairly well with, course there was the odd rivalry, he’d been punched by one, but he’d let that pass, particularly because they were bigger and stronger than him, and he didn’t believe his speed and agility would count for much if he couldn’t actually hurt the thick headed Vance. Scrawling a quick message in his notepad for Olivia he ripped the page out and tucked it underneath her alarm clock. He wasn’t going out with Olivia tonight, because he had other things to attend to and it was about time she stayed at the manor and got in some practice. Silently flowing from the room a laconic Raoul headed for the kitchens, broodingly stalking along but remaining courteous to others, inclining his head to the few vampires he passed, and bowing low to any that were his elders; which were most of them as it was all the younglings that still stayed in bed right until sun set; the lazy buggers. Reaching the kitchens he quaffed down a mug of blood for strength and tore off a roasted chicken leg munching on it as he headed for the entrance. Ignoring the congregation that clustered about the entrance hall waiting for the sun to fully set, he leaned nonchalantly against a wall contented to remain quiet with his own thoughts, the buzz grew louder as the suns rays died, with a general cry of glee, that Raoul didn’t partake in, the vampires stole out into the night.
Raoul knew the city like the back of his hand, ever since his blooding he’d wandered these streets getting to know them over time as the city grew, still he remained cautious and wary inwardly, outwardly he appeared casual and confident as he strode along in human form breezing past people heading back home for their tea or just emerging for a long night out on the town, he purposefully attracted little attention, keeping his eyes fixatedly forward pensive and occupied with his own thoughts as his feet led the way. Though he didn’t keep looking about at his surroundings he knew where he was and his senses were keenly aware, ready for danger, danger that would be unlikely to present itself in the busier main streets of the city centre that he was now striding through to reach the far end of town. He’d chosen a simple black shirt, patterned in a Chinese looking symbols, and rolled up to his elbows, he purposefully looked like any other guy going out for the night, it was the gleam in his eyes and the self assured way that he held himself that pointed to him being slightly different.
An hour later he was perched in typical Vampire fashion upon the roof ledge of a warehouse. He was in a large fenced off complex filled from end to end with large warehouses, that held all manner of the generic containers always seen on ships and lorries carted all about the world. The complex was basically a major storing place for the city, anyone could have anything stored in a large container, it could arrive from anywhere in the world, and go anywhere, nobody outside of “Global Union” knew what was in those crates, which naturally had the vampires wondering what was in them. Raoul had a hunch that the Lycans were shipping in supplies through this company, he’d spotted several moving this way on his evening strolls, and so he believed it was about time he checked the place out. From his lofty position he smirked enjoying his freedom as he watched the workers toil below, ordinary men in black overalls with the “Global Union” logo emblazoned upon their backs, worked the machinery and vehicles using cranes and industrial sized forklifts to move the containers from lorries into neat rows inside the warehouses. The very fact that the warehouses could be locked up for the night if necessary made Raoul suspicious, usually containers were simply stacked in long rows, open to the elements, these were fairly secure, he hadn’t seen any security forces as such, and the fence had been easy enough to hop over, but he guessed there were cameras everywhere, save the roofs, humans never expected an infiltration to occur from the roofs, plus the cameras were always in plain sight, it was child’s play to work out where their blindspots were and simply stick to the shadows. The cameras themselves wouldn’t be enough, only if they connected to the police who could send out a rapid response unit, or worse section 13, but Raoul believed they were engaging in dubious activities, maybe not completely legal. Eyes peeled he’d been there a good half hour, checking the comings and goings of lorries trundling through the main gates, seeing the unloading and sorting such a mundane and monotonous process, his vibrant mind was sick of it within minutes.
Raoul had no desire to prove himself particularly, but returning simply through boredom wasn’t good enough, he needed to get a closer look before he could relay a complete lack of findings to Ranvier. Dropping off the edge he rolled on impact with the ground, from his crouch he looked about, double-checking that the coast was clear, keeping low he skirted around the tall walls of the warehouse, heading for the large sliding doors that stood open allowing the entrance of a forklift that trundled inside with the agile vampire jumping aboard, clinging to the back, unseen as yet.
The forklift jankled down the aisles of containers coming to a seemingly random stop about halfway down the narrow expanse, just wide enough for the forklifts to sweep up and down, peering around the back Raoul ducked back behind as the Global Union workman jumped down at a locked up container, selecting a key from the long chain jangling down his waist he pushed the key in and clicked open the lock, hauling open the two doors with effort, just as Raoul’s hand clamped over the man’s mouth and he was shoved forcefully inside, at knife point, “don’t call out,” he whispered into the workman’s ear causing a shiver to shoot down the poor man’s spine.
“You won’t call out?” Asked Raoul quietly, a firm shake of the head and a muffled yes was answer enough. Retracting the knife Raoul shoved him aside against the wall of the container, keeping a firm hand upon his back allowing the vampire to get a good look at what was stored in the container; weapons, of all shapes and sizes, presumably they weren’t all filled to overflowing with such proficient firearms, otherwise the vampires really were in trouble.
“Whose are these?” He asked, not really expecting the man to know,
“m..mine.” Was the timid reply, confused Raoul was wondering if he’d heard him correctly when an elbow drove into his midriff the man easily slipping from his grasp, for he was no man but a Lycan, oh shit was Raoul’s immediate thought as he stumbled backwards caught off guard by the powerful blow that had winded him. Bright eyes staring up as the transformation began Raoul knew he had to get out quickly, diving low for the door he slipped underneath the transforming Lycan as fur erupted all over it, jaws snapping after his heels. Rolling Raoul jumped up turning to try closing the doors of the container, but the Lycan was already smashing through, even as he began to shut the doors they exploded outwards knocking him backwards as the Lycan barrelled into him, knocking the slighter vampire into the forklift, pinning him against it. Snarling the Lycan snapped at his neck as Raoul held it away using all his upperbody strength to hold it back. The Lycans claws teared into Raoul’s shoulders forcing him to let go, but he was able to duck just in time, as the Lycans ferocious jaws snapped shut upon thin air, punching the Lycan with one hand his other went for the knives at his belt, as the Lycan’s claws pinned him in place, his jaws stopped from tearing Raoul’s throat by his right hand that held it barely out of reach, sticking a blade into the Lycan’s gut with his left hand he grimaced in satisfaction as the Lycan roared in pain, the cry intensifying as Raoul’s withdrew the blade and struck it in again. Lifting it’s head to roar Raoul was given the seconds respite he needed, clutching his blade with two hands he slashed the Lycan’s chest and forearms, feeling blood seep down his own shirt from the terrible claw wounds ripped into his shoulders. Retracting it’s claws the Lycan stumbled backwards driven back momentarily by Raoul’s fierce hacking with his knife. Hurling himself aside just as the Lycan threw itself forwards Raoul fell to the ground, picking himself up hurriedly as the Lycan disengaged itself from the now wrecked forklift it had crushed. Stumbling to his feet Raoul ran, his feet pounding upon the ground as the Lycan snarled and set off in pursuit; the chase was on…
Getting no more than a dozen paces away Raoul felt and heard the Lycan nearly upon him, as it lunged for his legs he tensed and flung himself upon the container corridor, grabbing the top and hauling himself up. Having again caught thin air the Lycan sank onto it’s powerful haunches and sprang upwards, crashing onto the container next to Raoul’s. Only just getting his foot onto the container as the Lycan’s weight thumped onto the next one, nearly crashing through Raoul pushed off with that foot and propelled himself forward, only just getting his legs under himself as he set off running once again, forcing himself onwards as the Lycan pounded along behind him. Knowing that in a full on sprint the Lycan would easily catch him Raoul began ducking and weaving, throwing himself from side to side as the Lycan’s claws so nearly shredded his back, it was only Raoul’s quick reflexes that allowed him to jump aside from the blows as the creature’s breath fell upon him alerting him to take evasive action each time. But each time the Lycan was getting perilously closer. Without looking Raoul took his Beretta from the holster on his belt and fired behind him, grinning in satisfaction as the Lycan howled in pain, then having to dodge the incoming bullets as Raoul continually fired, driving him back. As the round finished Raoul knew he had no time to reload so simply dropped the gun, redoubling his efforts into running, but hearing the Lycan’s heavy breathing and snarls further back than before, his shooting had had some success then.
The containers were still in the process of being stacked high in this area but now the chase was approaching rows of containers that were stacked three atop each other. Instead of a single container’s depth he had the depth of three containers to deal with. Cursing Raoul knew he couldn’t jump high enough up to reach the top, but hopefully neither could the Lycan, spying a chain that as part of a pulley system was used to lift and move the containers he flung himself forwards and upwards, his fingers grimly latching themselves onto the hook that would be attached to the container at one end, straining his arms he hauled himself aloft, grabbing a hold of the chain further up, just as the Lycan snapped at his heels. Shimmying as fast as he could up the chain Raoul’s breathing came harder, gritting his teeth in pain as the wounds from his shoulders made the hauling himself up the chain so much more difficult. As the dull ache from his arms became searing pain on reaching the top, he was about to swing and reach out to grab the top of this third, highest container when a sudden jolt from below nearly made him lose his grip upon the chain completely; the Lycan had seized a hold of the end and with mighty heaves was pulling it back down. The chain rattled the mechanism that fed it out from above nowhere near sufficient to hold the chain steady in place with the Lycan’s weight and strength dragging it down. Holding on for dear life wasn’t enough now, he couldn’t drag himself upwards faster than the chain was being pulled down, thinking fast Raoul took his chances and lunged over for the container’s rim, his fingers not able to reach the very top they scrambled upon nothing as the slipped downwards, near bouncing off the side of the container, but luck would have it that this container hadn’t been placed perfectly atop of the other and was to one side, so the young vampire’s feet felt the jolting shock of the second container’s top below them. Able to just about steady himself Raoul was perched precariously, clinging onto the third container’s side and keeping his feet planted as firmly as he could upon the top of the second, which he realised with a sinking feeling was probably in reach of the Lycan below, who could jump far higher than he could with powerful haunches able to propel him easily higher into the air. Stretching upwards Raoul’s hand grasped the rim of the third and muscles screaming in agony he pulled himself upwards just as he felt a deafening crunch where his legs had probably been. Just able to get his legs over the side Raoul panted heavily collapsing face down upon the top, closing his eyes for a second wishing he could catch his breath, but knowing he didn’t have to the luxury if he wanted to survive this day. Rolling onto is back he brought his legs under him into a crouch and shoved himself aloft with them, knowing his arms would probably have buckled even under his slight weight so painful were they now. Running once more upon the containers he saw a gap where one was missing ahead of him just as he heard a mighty scrambling and bellowing behind him, presumably heralding the return of the Lycan to the chase now atop the containers too.
Reaching the gap at a run Raoul threw himself across, landing lightly and easily upon the other side and continuing his rapid pace forwards, but already he heard the crashing sound as the heavy Lycan thumped into the container after the jump, near caving it in completely, as it crumpled under the impact. As the Lycan shoved itself forward from its crouch on landing it snarled, in a tone that to Raoul sounded quite like satisfaction, it was enjoying itself. Grimacing, partly because of the realisation that this Lycan was likely toying with him, and partly through the pain his shoulders Raoul kept up his relentless pace forwards, feet pounding upon the containers as his eyes scoured the entire warehouse for a way out, luckily something in his subconscious mind had made him head back for the entrance in the first place, or else he would have been well and truly screwed cornered with no hope of escape.
Getting a sinking feeling as he saw a wider gap open up before him where two containers, in lengthways, were missing he looked to the side hoping to skirt around but saw that the same was true all along this section. Hearing the Lycan nearing once more Raoul leapt down into onto the containers below, hurtling forwards and throwing himself up onto the rim of the higher container to get back up again just when the Lycan’s superior leap sent him crashing into the young Vampire, smashing him into the side of the container and crumpling it in completely. Crying aloud with the impact Raoul felt his consciousness slip away from him, the pain too much for him, as he was crushed beneath the Lycan, he had to stay awake, fight the pain, and fight the Lycan...
Arising before first dark, Raoul slipped from beneath his thin covers jumping down from top bunk, a bunk he shared with Olivia Woods, a very young Vampire whom he’d claim he’d taken under his wing, in fact he’d been given the dubious honour of looking after her by Ranvier. When first blooded a youngling was attached to a slightly older vampire who themselves were accountable to the elders, it was a system that seemed to work fairly well for the Vampires, the elders couldn’t be expected to look after all the masses single handed so the hierarchy had naturally formed to help the younglings. Dressing quickly Raoul looked about at the slumbering figures still lazing in their bunks, this dormitory room was the immediate home of a dozen vampires, all of whom Raoul got on fairly well with, course there was the odd rivalry, he’d been punched by one, but he’d let that pass, particularly because they were bigger and stronger than him, and he didn’t believe his speed and agility would count for much if he couldn’t actually hurt the thick headed Vance. Scrawling a quick message in his notepad for Olivia he ripped the page out and tucked it underneath her alarm clock. He wasn’t going out with Olivia tonight, because he had other things to attend to and it was about time she stayed at the manor and got in some practice. Silently flowing from the room a laconic Raoul headed for the kitchens, broodingly stalking along but remaining courteous to others, inclining his head to the few vampires he passed, and bowing low to any that were his elders; which were most of them as it was all the younglings that still stayed in bed right until sun set; the lazy buggers. Reaching the kitchens he quaffed down a mug of blood for strength and tore off a roasted chicken leg munching on it as he headed for the entrance. Ignoring the congregation that clustered about the entrance hall waiting for the sun to fully set, he leaned nonchalantly against a wall contented to remain quiet with his own thoughts, the buzz grew louder as the suns rays died, with a general cry of glee, that Raoul didn’t partake in, the vampires stole out into the night.
Raoul knew the city like the back of his hand, ever since his blooding he’d wandered these streets getting to know them over time as the city grew, still he remained cautious and wary inwardly, outwardly he appeared casual and confident as he strode along in human form breezing past people heading back home for their tea or just emerging for a long night out on the town, he purposefully attracted little attention, keeping his eyes fixatedly forward pensive and occupied with his own thoughts as his feet led the way. Though he didn’t keep looking about at his surroundings he knew where he was and his senses were keenly aware, ready for danger, danger that would be unlikely to present itself in the busier main streets of the city centre that he was now striding through to reach the far end of town. He’d chosen a simple black shirt, patterned in a Chinese looking symbols, and rolled up to his elbows, he purposefully looked like any other guy going out for the night, it was the gleam in his eyes and the self assured way that he held himself that pointed to him being slightly different.
An hour later he was perched in typical Vampire fashion upon the roof ledge of a warehouse. He was in a large fenced off complex filled from end to end with large warehouses, that held all manner of the generic containers always seen on ships and lorries carted all about the world. The complex was basically a major storing place for the city, anyone could have anything stored in a large container, it could arrive from anywhere in the world, and go anywhere, nobody outside of “Global Union” knew what was in those crates, which naturally had the vampires wondering what was in them. Raoul had a hunch that the Lycans were shipping in supplies through this company, he’d spotted several moving this way on his evening strolls, and so he believed it was about time he checked the place out. From his lofty position he smirked enjoying his freedom as he watched the workers toil below, ordinary men in black overalls with the “Global Union” logo emblazoned upon their backs, worked the machinery and vehicles using cranes and industrial sized forklifts to move the containers from lorries into neat rows inside the warehouses. The very fact that the warehouses could be locked up for the night if necessary made Raoul suspicious, usually containers were simply stacked in long rows, open to the elements, these were fairly secure, he hadn’t seen any security forces as such, and the fence had been easy enough to hop over, but he guessed there were cameras everywhere, save the roofs, humans never expected an infiltration to occur from the roofs, plus the cameras were always in plain sight, it was child’s play to work out where their blindspots were and simply stick to the shadows. The cameras themselves wouldn’t be enough, only if they connected to the police who could send out a rapid response unit, or worse section 13, but Raoul believed they were engaging in dubious activities, maybe not completely legal. Eyes peeled he’d been there a good half hour, checking the comings and goings of lorries trundling through the main gates, seeing the unloading and sorting such a mundane and monotonous process, his vibrant mind was sick of it within minutes.
Raoul had no desire to prove himself particularly, but returning simply through boredom wasn’t good enough, he needed to get a closer look before he could relay a complete lack of findings to Ranvier. Dropping off the edge he rolled on impact with the ground, from his crouch he looked about, double-checking that the coast was clear, keeping low he skirted around the tall walls of the warehouse, heading for the large sliding doors that stood open allowing the entrance of a forklift that trundled inside with the agile vampire jumping aboard, clinging to the back, unseen as yet.
The forklift jankled down the aisles of containers coming to a seemingly random stop about halfway down the narrow expanse, just wide enough for the forklifts to sweep up and down, peering around the back Raoul ducked back behind as the Global Union workman jumped down at a locked up container, selecting a key from the long chain jangling down his waist he pushed the key in and clicked open the lock, hauling open the two doors with effort, just as Raoul’s hand clamped over the man’s mouth and he was shoved forcefully inside, at knife point, “don’t call out,” he whispered into the workman’s ear causing a shiver to shoot down the poor man’s spine.
“You won’t call out?” Asked Raoul quietly, a firm shake of the head and a muffled yes was answer enough. Retracting the knife Raoul shoved him aside against the wall of the container, keeping a firm hand upon his back allowing the vampire to get a good look at what was stored in the container; weapons, of all shapes and sizes, presumably they weren’t all filled to overflowing with such proficient firearms, otherwise the vampires really were in trouble.
“Whose are these?” He asked, not really expecting the man to know,
“m..mine.” Was the timid reply, confused Raoul was wondering if he’d heard him correctly when an elbow drove into his midriff the man easily slipping from his grasp, for he was no man but a Lycan, oh shit was Raoul’s immediate thought as he stumbled backwards caught off guard by the powerful blow that had winded him. Bright eyes staring up as the transformation began Raoul knew he had to get out quickly, diving low for the door he slipped underneath the transforming Lycan as fur erupted all over it, jaws snapping after his heels. Rolling Raoul jumped up turning to try closing the doors of the container, but the Lycan was already smashing through, even as he began to shut the doors they exploded outwards knocking him backwards as the Lycan barrelled into him, knocking the slighter vampire into the forklift, pinning him against it. Snarling the Lycan snapped at his neck as Raoul held it away using all his upperbody strength to hold it back. The Lycans claws teared into Raoul’s shoulders forcing him to let go, but he was able to duck just in time, as the Lycans ferocious jaws snapped shut upon thin air, punching the Lycan with one hand his other went for the knives at his belt, as the Lycan’s claws pinned him in place, his jaws stopped from tearing Raoul’s throat by his right hand that held it barely out of reach, sticking a blade into the Lycan’s gut with his left hand he grimaced in satisfaction as the Lycan roared in pain, the cry intensifying as Raoul’s withdrew the blade and struck it in again. Lifting it’s head to roar Raoul was given the seconds respite he needed, clutching his blade with two hands he slashed the Lycan’s chest and forearms, feeling blood seep down his own shirt from the terrible claw wounds ripped into his shoulders. Retracting it’s claws the Lycan stumbled backwards driven back momentarily by Raoul’s fierce hacking with his knife. Hurling himself aside just as the Lycan threw itself forwards Raoul fell to the ground, picking himself up hurriedly as the Lycan disengaged itself from the now wrecked forklift it had crushed. Stumbling to his feet Raoul ran, his feet pounding upon the ground as the Lycan snarled and set off in pursuit; the chase was on…
Getting no more than a dozen paces away Raoul felt and heard the Lycan nearly upon him, as it lunged for his legs he tensed and flung himself upon the container corridor, grabbing the top and hauling himself up. Having again caught thin air the Lycan sank onto it’s powerful haunches and sprang upwards, crashing onto the container next to Raoul’s. Only just getting his foot onto the container as the Lycan’s weight thumped onto the next one, nearly crashing through Raoul pushed off with that foot and propelled himself forward, only just getting his legs under himself as he set off running once again, forcing himself onwards as the Lycan pounded along behind him. Knowing that in a full on sprint the Lycan would easily catch him Raoul began ducking and weaving, throwing himself from side to side as the Lycan’s claws so nearly shredded his back, it was only Raoul’s quick reflexes that allowed him to jump aside from the blows as the creature’s breath fell upon him alerting him to take evasive action each time. But each time the Lycan was getting perilously closer. Without looking Raoul took his Beretta from the holster on his belt and fired behind him, grinning in satisfaction as the Lycan howled in pain, then having to dodge the incoming bullets as Raoul continually fired, driving him back. As the round finished Raoul knew he had no time to reload so simply dropped the gun, redoubling his efforts into running, but hearing the Lycan’s heavy breathing and snarls further back than before, his shooting had had some success then.
The containers were still in the process of being stacked high in this area but now the chase was approaching rows of containers that were stacked three atop each other. Instead of a single container’s depth he had the depth of three containers to deal with. Cursing Raoul knew he couldn’t jump high enough up to reach the top, but hopefully neither could the Lycan, spying a chain that as part of a pulley system was used to lift and move the containers he flung himself forwards and upwards, his fingers grimly latching themselves onto the hook that would be attached to the container at one end, straining his arms he hauled himself aloft, grabbing a hold of the chain further up, just as the Lycan snapped at his heels. Shimmying as fast as he could up the chain Raoul’s breathing came harder, gritting his teeth in pain as the wounds from his shoulders made the hauling himself up the chain so much more difficult. As the dull ache from his arms became searing pain on reaching the top, he was about to swing and reach out to grab the top of this third, highest container when a sudden jolt from below nearly made him lose his grip upon the chain completely; the Lycan had seized a hold of the end and with mighty heaves was pulling it back down. The chain rattled the mechanism that fed it out from above nowhere near sufficient to hold the chain steady in place with the Lycan’s weight and strength dragging it down. Holding on for dear life wasn’t enough now, he couldn’t drag himself upwards faster than the chain was being pulled down, thinking fast Raoul took his chances and lunged over for the container’s rim, his fingers not able to reach the very top they scrambled upon nothing as the slipped downwards, near bouncing off the side of the container, but luck would have it that this container hadn’t been placed perfectly atop of the other and was to one side, so the young vampire’s feet felt the jolting shock of the second container’s top below them. Able to just about steady himself Raoul was perched precariously, clinging onto the third container’s side and keeping his feet planted as firmly as he could upon the top of the second, which he realised with a sinking feeling was probably in reach of the Lycan below, who could jump far higher than he could with powerful haunches able to propel him easily higher into the air. Stretching upwards Raoul’s hand grasped the rim of the third and muscles screaming in agony he pulled himself upwards just as he felt a deafening crunch where his legs had probably been. Just able to get his legs over the side Raoul panted heavily collapsing face down upon the top, closing his eyes for a second wishing he could catch his breath, but knowing he didn’t have to the luxury if he wanted to survive this day. Rolling onto is back he brought his legs under him into a crouch and shoved himself aloft with them, knowing his arms would probably have buckled even under his slight weight so painful were they now. Running once more upon the containers he saw a gap where one was missing ahead of him just as he heard a mighty scrambling and bellowing behind him, presumably heralding the return of the Lycan to the chase now atop the containers too.
Reaching the gap at a run Raoul threw himself across, landing lightly and easily upon the other side and continuing his rapid pace forwards, but already he heard the crashing sound as the heavy Lycan thumped into the container after the jump, near caving it in completely, as it crumpled under the impact. As the Lycan shoved itself forward from its crouch on landing it snarled, in a tone that to Raoul sounded quite like satisfaction, it was enjoying itself. Grimacing, partly because of the realisation that this Lycan was likely toying with him, and partly through the pain his shoulders Raoul kept up his relentless pace forwards, feet pounding upon the containers as his eyes scoured the entire warehouse for a way out, luckily something in his subconscious mind had made him head back for the entrance in the first place, or else he would have been well and truly screwed cornered with no hope of escape.
Getting a sinking feeling as he saw a wider gap open up before him where two containers, in lengthways, were missing he looked to the side hoping to skirt around but saw that the same was true all along this section. Hearing the Lycan nearing once more Raoul leapt down into onto the containers below, hurtling forwards and throwing himself up onto the rim of the higher container to get back up again just when the Lycan’s superior leap sent him crashing into the young Vampire, smashing him into the side of the container and crumpling it in completely. Crying aloud with the impact Raoul felt his consciousness slip away from him, the pain too much for him, as he was crushed beneath the Lycan, he had to stay awake, fight the pain, and fight the Lycan...