The darkness swallows us whole as we descend into the underground. The air grows colder with each step, thick and musty, as if no one has ventured down here in years. My footsteps echo in the cramped space, blending with the faint dripping of water somewhere far below. I grip the railing tightly, focusing on the feel of the cold metal under my fingers to keep myself grounded.

Dante leads the way, his movements sure and purposeful, while Lila keeps close behind me. I can feel her presence, steady and protective, though I don't turn around. Nikolai is bringing up the rear, his footsteps light and unbothered despite everything we've just been through.

I don't know how far down we go—my sense of time and space is warped in the oppressive dark—but eventually, the stairs level out into a long, narrow corridor. The walls are made of old stone, cracked and worn from age, and the air smells faintly of damp earth.

Dante stops in front of an iron door, nearly hidden in the shadow of the stone. He pulls out a key from his coat and unlocks it, the door creaking open with a groan that echoes down the corridor.

"This is it," Dante says, stepping aside to let me in first.

I hesitate, staring into the black void beyond the door. "How long are we staying down here?" I ask, my voice trembling despite myself.

"As long as it takes," Dante replies. His tone is calm, but the look in his eyes tells me that this isn't a short-term solution. "The rogues won't find us here. It's safe."

Safe. That word again. I keep hearing it, but I'm not sure I believe it anymore. Not after everything I've seen tonight.

I take a deep breath and step inside.

The room beyond the door is dimly lit by a few flickering lanterns, their warm glow barely cutting through the gloom. The space is small but functional—a few chairs, a table, and shelves lining the walls, stocked with supplies. It's not much, but it feels solid, secure. Like a bunker.

Like a cage. I shiver at the thought.

Lila walks in behind me, moving silently as she sets her bag down on the table. Nikolai slips in last, shutting the door behind him with a loud clank. For a moment, the silence is deafening, the weight of everything hanging in the air. It's the kind of stillness that feels both comforting and suffocating at the same time.

After everything we've been through—running, hiding, fighting—I finally have a moment to breathe, to take in the people I've been thrown into this strange new world with. I lean against the wall, my fingers gripping the edge of a table, and I look at them. Really look at them.

Lila perches on a chair, bathed in the yellow lights of the bulbs above her. Her red hair glows like molten copper, the strands shifting as she absentmindedly twirls a lock between her fingers. She's beautiful in a way that almost feels unnatural, her features too perfect, too sharp. Her green eyes catch the light, and even though she's looking off into the distance, I can tell she's still paying attention to everything happening in the room. There's something calculating in the way she moves, like she's always two steps ahead of everyone. But there's grace too, an effortless elegance that makes you forget how lethal she really is.

Nikolai is leaning against the far wall, his wild eyes tracking every movement Lila makes. His gaze is always restless, like he's waiting for the next disaster to strike. There's something dangerous about him—something unpredictable. His dark hair is a mess and his grin flickers in and out like he's amused by some private joke the rest of us aren't in on. But beneath that playful exterior, I see it now—the sharpness, the hunger. It's always there, just beneath the surface, reminding me that for all his teasing, he's a predator. But there's something else about him too- something I can't put my finger on.

Then there's Dante. He's impossible to miss, towering over everyone even when he's seated at the table. His presence is overwhelming, filling the room even when he's completely silent. His dark, olive skin looks rough, battle-worn, like it's been through centuries of hard living. He's still handsome, just worn by his existence. But it's his eyes that get me—those cold, steel-gray eyes that see everything. They're unyielding, unforgiving. He seems to be the one who's in control, the one who holds the weight of our survival on his broad shoulders. Though, I can tell it wears on him, but he hasn't faltered so. Not outwardly, at least.

I should be afraid of them. They're killers, after all—predators in the purest sense. But as I look at them, really take them in, I feel something else. Lila's sharp intellect, Nikolai's chaotic energy, Dante's steady command—they're all terrifying in their own ways, but they're also the only reason I'm still alive.

And maybe that's what scares me the most: I'm starting to realize I need them.

The walls of the safe house seem to close in around me, the shadows stretching farther than they should in the dim light. I press my fingers against the cold stone of the table, trying to focus on anything other than the fact that I am underground, in a place I never should have been, with people I don't fully trust.

Dante's words echo in my mind—"safe," he keeps saying. But I don't feel safe. Not here. Not with them. Every time I close my eyes, I see those things, those rogues, lunging at me with snarling faces and bloodied hands. My pulse races, my breath coming too fast. I try to force it down, but the fear is clawing its way back up, wrapping itself around my throat.

My chest tightens, the air down here feels heavier, like it's pressing in on me from all sides. I rake my fingers through my hair, trying to get a handle on my breathing, but it's no use. Each breath is shallow, the panic curling tighter around my throat. I pace the length of the room, my hands shaking as I rub my palms together, hoping the friction will calm the storm inside me.

It doesn't.

I look at Lila, then at Nikolai and Dante. Their calm faces only heighten the tension building inside me.

How can they be so calm? How can they act like any of this is normal?

The words are on the tip of my tongue, clawing to get out. I try to swallow them down again. But I can't stand it anymore. "What the hell was that?" I blurt out, my voice cracking before I can stop it. The room goes dead still, their eyes on me, and I can't tell if I've just made everything worse.

I don't care. I deserve answers.

"How many of them were there? And why are they coming after me?" I blurt out, my voice shaking.

Dante's face is grim as he steps forward, leaning against the wall. "There were at least five rogues back there," he says, crossing his arms. "But that's just a fraction of what we're dealing with."

"A fraction?" I feel like I've been punched in the gut. "How many are there?"

"Too many to count," Nikolai says with a grin, throwing himself into a chair and propping his feet up on the table. "But don't worry, darling. We've handled worse."

His casual demeanor irritates me, but before I can snap at him, Lila steps in, her voice calm but serious. "The rogues aren't a unified group. They're disorganized, violent, but unpredictable. They want to destabilize our world, and you're part of that now, Olivia."

I shake my head, trying to make sense of it all. "But why me? I'm just a journalist. What could they possibly want with me?"

"You've gotten too close," Dante says simply. "You're not just a bystander anymore. You've uncovered things about our world that they can't allow you to expose. They see you as a threat, and they'll keep coming after you until you're either dead… or one of us."

The room goes still, the weight of his words sinking in. One of us. I shudder at the thought.

"I didn't ask for this," I whisper, my voice barely audible. "I didn't want any of this."

Lila's gaze softens, and she steps closer to me, her hand resting lightly on my arm. "No one asks for this," she says gently. "But now that you're here, we'll protect you."

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"And you'll learn," Dante adds, his voice firm. "About our world, our enemies. We'll teach you how to survive."

I glance between them, my mind spinning with questions, but one stands out above all the others. "What if… what if I don't want to be part of this world?" My voice trembles with uncertainty. "What if I just want to go back to my life?"

Nikolai laughs, a low, mocking sound that makes my blood boil. "Go back? To what? Writing stories no one believes? Living a life where you're always looking over your shoulder? Trust me, sweetheart, that life's gone."

Lila shoots him a sharp look before turning back to me. "He's right," she says softly. "You're in this now. There's no going back. The rogues will keep coming for you, and they won't stop until they get what they want."

I swallow hard, my throat tight. I don't want to believe it, but deep down, I know they're right. My life, as I knew it, is over. The moment I stepped into this world, the moment I started asking questions, I sealed my fate.

I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. "So, what now? I just… stay down here? Hide forever?"

Dante shakes his head. "No. You stay here for now, until we figure out our next move. But eventually, you'll have to face them. We'll teach you what you need to know, but you'll have to make the choice."

"What choice?"

"To fight. Or to leave it all behind."

I frown. "What do you mean 'leave it all behind'? You just said I couldn't go back."

"You can't go back to your old life," Lila explains. "But you could choose to become one of us. Immortal. A vampire."

The word hangs in the air, heavy and suffocating. My heart skips a beat. "You're… you're saying I could become a vampire?"

Nikolai's grin widens. "Tempting, isn't it?"

I stare at the floor, the weight of their words pressing down on me like a lead blanket. Run or become one of them. Those are my choices now.

"No," I say quickly, shaking my head. "That's not an option."

I feel like the room is spinning—like the ground beneath me has fallen away. It wasn't supposed to be like this. I wasn't supposed to be part of their world. I was supposed to expose it, get the truth out and walk away.

But there is no walking away. Not anymore.

My heart pounds in my chest, every beat a reminder of the humanity I still have, the thing they're asking me to give up.

I can't—I won't let them take that from me.

But what happens if I don't?

Will I just keep running, forever looking over my shoulder? Will I be hunted until there's nothing left of me?

Dante's expression is serious. "It's the only way to fully escape the rogues. As a human, you're vulnerable. But if you join us… you'll have a chance to truly fight back."

I stare at them, my heart pounding. The idea of becoming a vampire is horrifying, unthinkable. But the alternative—being hunted, living in fear—seems just as unbearable.

I don't know what to do. I don't know what choice to make.

All I know is that my life is no longer mine.

And I'm not sure it ever will be again.

The room feels like it's closing in on me, the walls pressing tighter with every breath I take. I can't stop thinking about Dante's words—about the impossible choice laid out before me. My pulse is still racing from the events of the night, but the real fear isn't the rogues, the chase, or even the bloodshed.

It's the thought of losing myself. Of becoming one of them.

I lean against the rough stone wall of the safe house, my hands trembling as I try to calm the storm of panic rising in my chest. I catch Lila watching me, her expression soft but unreadable, while Nikolai lounges in the corner with a smug smile, like this whole situation is just another joke to him. Dante, as always, stands stoic, his arms crossed, his gaze piercing as if he's waiting for me to say something. Anything.

"You can't seriously expect me to choose that," I say finally, my voice raw with disbelief. "To become a vampire? I'm human. I'm—"

"You were human," Dante interrupts, his voice low but firm. "But your life isn't your own anymore. You've been pulled into our world, and the rules have changed."

I shake my head, pushing off the wall and pacing the room. "No. I didn't ask for any of this. I just wanted to know the truth. I didn't want to—" My voice cracks, and I swallow hard, forcing the tears back. "I didn't want to be hunted like some animal."

"You're not an animal," Lila says softly, stepping forward. "You're caught in the crossfire, yes, but we can help you. You can still make a choice, Olivia. To fight back, to protect yourself."

I stop pacing, turning to face her. "And the only way to do that is to give up my humanity?"

Lila's eyes hold mine, sympathy in their depths. "If you stay human, you'll always be a target. Always vulnerable. But if you choose to join us… you won't have to live in fear anymore."

The weight of her words sinks into me, but I can't let go of the one thing that's kept me grounded all this time—my humanity. I'm not ready to give that up. Not yet.

"What happens if I say no?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

Dante steps forward, his expression hardening. "Then we'll keep you safe as long as we can. But the rogues will keep coming. And eventually… we may not be enough."

"That's reassuring," I mutter, running a hand through my hair. "So my choices are to become a vampire or… die?"

"Pretty much," Nikolai says, still lounging casually, his grin infuriatingly relaxed. "Not a hard decision if you ask me. Immortality has its perks."

I glare at him, my frustration boiling over. "This isn't some game! This is my life we're talking about!"

He raises an eyebrow, unfazed. "And if you want to keep it, you'll need to play by the rules of our world. Like it or not."

I want to scream, to hit something, to fight back against the overwhelming sense of helplessness crashing down on me. But what would be the point? Nikolai's right. I'm in this, and there's no way out.

I slump into a chair, burying my face in my hands. I can feel their eyes on me, waiting for some kind of decision, but I don't have one. Not yet. How can I? I've spent my entire life searching for the truth, chasing stories, but this? This is more than I ever bargained for.

Lila kneels beside me, her voice gentle. "I know it's a lot. And I know you didn't choose this. But you're not alone, Olivia. Whatever you decide, we'll stand with you."

I lift my head to meet her gaze, surprised by the sincerity in her eyes. She's different from Nikolai and even Dante. There's a warmth to her, a compassion that I hadn't expected from someone who's lived for centuries in the dark.

"I don't know what to do," I admit, my voice small and uncertain.

"You don't have to decide right now," Lila says softly. "But know that we're running out of time. The longer you stay human, the more dangerous it becomes."

A heavy silence falls over the room, and I feel the weight of the decision pressing down on me like a stone. I can't stay human and hope to survive this. But becoming a vampire? Giving up everything I am, everything I know, for a life I don't understand?

It feels like a nightmare with no escape.

Nikolai leans back in his chair, feet propped up on the edge of the table, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. His wild eyes flicker with amusement, like he's watching some kind of twisted comedy unfold before him. He's completely at ease, as if we aren't trapped underground, hunted by creatures that want me dead. The contrast makes something inside me snap.

"You look like you're about to explode," Nikolai says, his voice smooth and mocking, cutting through the silence. "Careful, sweetheart. It's not as bad as you think." He gestures around the dimly lit room. "This? This is nothing."

His casual words feel like a punch to the gut, and I can't stop the bitterness from seeping into my voice. "How can you be so calm?" I bite out, my fingers curling into fists. "Is this all just a joke to you?"

Nikolai chuckles softly, his smirk widening. "Calm? You think I'm calm? You are going to get everything I love killed with your ignorance." He leans forward, his wild eyes locking onto mine. "No, darling. I'm just entertained. Watching you struggle with this—it's almost amusing."

The raw nerve he touches sends a surge of anger through me, but I force myself to stay still, my nails digging into my palms. His words twist in my chest, feeding the frustration that's been bubbling inside since this nightmare began.

"I didn't ask for any of this, Nikolai!" I snap, my voice louder now, fueled by the overwhelming pressure building inside me. "You're sitting there, blaming me, talking about immortality like it's some kind of prize, but I'm not like you."

For a second, something flickers behind his eyes, something darker, but he doesn't miss a beat. His grin doesn't falter as he leans back again, folding his arms behind his head. "Not yet."

The two simple words land like a blow, stealing the breath from my lungs. I stand frozen, my heart pounding in my ears, my body trembling with the need to hit something—anything. I glare at him, unable to understand how he can be so indifferent, so casual, when my world is falling apart.

"You are such an ass!" I whisper, my voice shaking. "This isn't a choice for me. You might be fine with living forever, but I'm not ready to give up who I am."

Nikolai shrugs lazily, his eyes glittering with amusement. "You will be. One way or another, sweetheart, you'll realize that your old life?" He pauses, letting the silence stretch before flashing me a wicked smile. "It's already gone."

I want to scream, to lash out at him, but I can't move. His words cut deeper than I'm willing to admit. I hate that he might be right. I hate that part of me, deep down, is beginning to believe him.

He suddenly stands up, stretching his arms over his head. "Well, since we're stuck down here for the time being, how about we make ourselves comfortable? Who's up for a drink?"

"Not now, Nikolai," Dante says, his voice sharp with irritation.

Nikolai shrugs, unfazed. "Fine, fine. I'll save the party for later." He turns to me, his grin returning. "Don't worry, sweetheart. You've got time to figure this out. And when you do, you might just realize immortality isn't so bad."

I don't respond, too exhausted to engage with him. My mind is a whirlwind of fear and confusion, and all I want to do is crawl into a corner and disappear. But there's no hiding from this. Not anymore.

"Get some rest," Dante says, his voice softer now. "We'll keep watch tonight. No one will find us down here."

I nod numbly, though I don't believe him. The rogues are out there, somewhere, hunting me. And no matter how deep underground we go, I can't shake the feeling that they're getting closer.

Lila guides me to a small cot in the corner of the room, her hand resting lightly on my shoulder as she speaks. "We'll figure this out. Together."

I lie down, staring up at the cold, stone ceiling. My mind races with everything that's happened—the chase, the fight, the impossible choice before me. But despite the danger, despite the fear gnawing at my chest, there's one thing I know for sure.

I'm not ready to give up yet.

Not on my humanity. Not on myself.

And maybe, just maybe, I'll find a way to survive this without losing who I am.

But for now, I close my eyes, hoping for sleep that I know won't come. But as I lay here, something unsettling gnaws at the edges of my thoughts, an unfamiliar sensation creeping in. My body feels strange, foreign, as though the fear isn't just tightening in my chest—it's weaving through me, sinking deeper into my veins. I try to shake the feeling off, but it lingers, curling around my mind like a fog.

My thoughts drift back to Nikolai's words, to the smug grin he wore as he said, One way or another, sweetheart, you'll realize that your old life is already gone. I told myself I didn't believe him. But now, lying here, alone in the dark, his voice echoes louder in my head.

I hope that when I wake, there will be answers.

I hope that somehow, against all odds, I'll find a way out of this nightmare.

The darkness pulls at me, the weight of everything pressing down, but as I lie there in the quiet underground, I make a promise to myself: whatever happens next, I won't let them turn me into something I'm not.

I'll find a way. I have to.

Because I'm not ready to let go of the person I was.