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Where are the results from March's Writing Contest?

Where are the results for the March Writing Contest? Waiting for a long time...

Click
©Ian Rodgers

"Professor Aldwin? Are you in there?" A young man in a tweed suit pushed open a glass door that lead to a scientist's lab. Several desks lay around, with mounds of scrap metal, blue prints and various food wrappers heaped on them.
"I am over here, Intern Johnson." An elderly man in a starched white lab coat sat at one of the cluttered desks, his back to the intern.
"You know I don't like being called an intern. How about assistant or even aide?" Johnson walked over, holding some envelopes in his hands.
"I call it like I see it. Anyway! I finished my newest invention! The Parallex!" The elderly professor stood up in triumph, holding a small, matte black orb with a single silver button on it over his head.
"What does it do?" Johnson asked, making space on one of the desks for the mail.
"It alters the fabric of reality, allowing the user to travel between dimensions! More accurately, it shifts from one dimension to another!" Professor Aldwin placed the device carefully back onto the desk.
"Does it work?" Johnson asked, skeptical.
"I don't know."
"Excuse me?"
"I don't know! When the Parallex activates, it automatically corrects any paradoxes. Hence, the user and the world around him do not realize they have shifted realities." The Professor walked over to the mail, and looks it over.
"I see...anyways, Professor Aldwin, the Global Organization for Scientific Inquiry has sent you another summons." Intern Johnson pulls out a large envelope with bright red words spelling out "Urgent" on both sides. The Professor grabbed it and then threw it onto a desk nearby.
"Those GOSI morons just want to steal my ideas! Steal my inventions! They've been trying for years to get their hands on my Cool Fusion Power Generator and take all the credit!" Professor Aldwin began to rant and rave, and Johnson started to edge away.
"I'm going to get a soda. Do you want one?"
"Sure, whatever." Professor Aldwin sat down and began mumbling to himself as he looks over the rest of the mail. As Johnson closes the door behind him, the motion stirs the room a bit, and the resulting gust of wind flings an envelope at the Parallex, bumping into and clicking its silver button.
"CLICK!"
The rough wooden door is gracelessly opened by the booted foot of Johnson. He made his way in, holding two heavy flagons of ale.
"Here you go, Alchemist Aldwin. Your ale." Johnson placed the large drinking vessel on a nearby desk, covered in all sorts of tomes, quills, and scraps of paper.
"Thank you, Squire Johnson. Much appreciated." Alchemist Aldwin sipped at his drink as he looks over a hefty book.
"So, do you really think your invention, this Parallex, works?" Johnson asked,as he looked at the small black orb with a silver button that lay next to several odd apparatus.
"Of course the Parallex works. We just don't know when it does!" Aldwin said, rolling his eyes at the ignorance of his squire.
"Seems like a design flaw, don't you think?" Squire Johnson asked, pressing the point like a spear to a wild boar.
"Perhaps, but so what! People thought it was stupid to make a powder that exploded when heated, but now they use it in their newfangled cannons!" Alchemist Aldwin stood up again, and straightened his robes. "Someday my inventions will be accepted!" Squire Johnson just stood and nodded, while sipping his ale. A thought occurred to him.
"Alchemist Aldwin, I heard rumors down at the pub that the Kingdom of Gosi has begun to mobilize its army. Do you think there will be war?"
"Of course there will be war. Just like there will be Summer after Spring, or drunken fools in a bar. But I did receive a letter from the Kingdom of Gosi. They demanded that I help build weapons for them. But I refused! Let some other man build for war. I want to build for the aftermath of such things." Squire Johnson was a bit surprised, but silently pleased as well.
"So, do you want another ale? I see you are finished with that one." Alchemist Aldwin looked down at his empty flagon, and chuckled a bit.
"Why not? Make it another round for me and you! And then we can try and create a new way to use Minotaur dung!" Squire Johnson laughed, not entirely sure if Alchemist Aldwin was joking, and turned to the exit, slamming the heavy wooden door behind him on his way out. Alchemist Aldwin sat back down, unaware that the slamming door had shaken the Parallex, and it now wobbled over close to the edge of the desk, and fell, landing on its button.
"CLICK!"
The blank metal doors slid open with a barely audible "whoosh" sound, and Ensign Johnson rushed into the room, carrying a tea tray with two small cups, and a startled look on his face.
"Master Technician Aldwin! I've got bad news!" Technician Aldwin looked up from where he'd been messing around with some gadget on his stainless steel desk.
"Slow down, you'll spill the tea. Is it Algondian blend? I do so love their flavors." Technician Aldwin looked at Ensign Johnson with a bemused expression as the latter swept some data-slates and star charts off a nearby desk to place the tea tray.
"Tea is not really important right now! The Gosiian Collective just warped several battleships into our sector! The local defenses don't have enough weapons or ships to stop them!" Ensign Johnson was practically shouting, his fear obvious. Technician Aldwin stood up so fast that several things in his lap went flying across the room, striking the far wall.
"Alien bastards are after my technology! I suppose I should have known when I found a Gosiian spy-drone outside my window last week..."
"We need to get out of here! We need to get to a shelter while local government contacts the military! And then wait behind several tons of reinforced battle-steel and mega-crete!" Ensign Johnson scurried around the room, and gathered up what he thought would be useful items, while Technician Aldwin went about at a more leisurely pace.
"Why aren't you panicking?!" Ensign Johnson demanded, as Technician Aldwin looked over some notes on a desk.
"The Gosiian fleet will not reach us immediately. We have a good day before their ships reach the planet. Also, it's my policy not to run or rush. You get crappy results with both." Ensign Johnson made a noise somewhere between a high pitched squeal and a grunt, and grabbed Technician Aldwin by the hand and dragged him out of the room, causing them to bump into several things on the way.
The Parallex, innocently forgotten by both, wobbled a bit on the floor, then rolled around and hit its silver button on the edge of a table.
"CLICK!"

I am an author, have been for some time, and I am trying to break into script writing. If anyone wants help creating an idea or an actual script, PM me. I am skilled at mainly 2 genres: Fantasy and Sci-Fi. I am okay with poetry, and pretty much every other genre of writing is possible, but just a bit harder.
Like I said in the subject line, I am trying to build up some recognition around the 'net. See you around.

I sigh heavily, and force the remnants of sleep out of my mind.
"First, tell me what is happening. I may need my powers for another purpose. Namely, fighting off the foe."
I look around, and see the basement door is open.

(Sorry for being gone so long. School and what-not)

I hear, through the fog of blissful sleep, the sounds of gunfire, and I groan a bit as I stir. After the food had been eaten and I had taken some sips from a bottle of back-up blood I kept in my coat, I had found a closet and gone inside, locking it with magic. It wasn't that I did not trust my partners, it was just... you could never be too cautious.
So I rose, or, to be more accurate, leaned away from the wall I'd been leaning against and opened my eyes. My night-vision was in effect, so it was not quite daylight. I sigh and unlock the door, and step out of the closet. I hear sounds coming from the floor below me, and wearily go to investigate. I see the human whose leg I had recently fixed (the name eluded me, due to a haze of sleep coating my mind), crawling towards a box of bullets, his leg freshly wounded.
"By a Lich's rotten blood, how many times am I going to have to fix legs for you people?!" I demand as I come closer to the person with the new leg wound.

It took several trys for me to start the oven, as it seemed that the gas and electricity was shut down across the area. I finally just used a spark of magic to start it. I cooked the deer, making a meal for the humans. After all the had been through, they deserved a good, hot dinner. I brought out plates and silverware, and handed out the cooked meat to the humans. They looked at it cautiously. I didn't blame them.
"Have no worry. Before I was turned, I was something of a master chef, back in the day. Eat as much as you want, I cooked the whole deer." I pause before speaking next.
"We should try to get the attention of some of Varias's officers and loyal followers. That alone will give us a better chance to locate the control center. As for your idea of his hiding place, i doubt he will be in a submarine. Even as a Tier Eleven, being deep under water would inhibit his powers. Not very greatly, but to a degree that he would be more cautious and careful. He will be hiding somewhere he can still feast on blood, and control the Thralls with his willpower. I'm guessing a tall building, or somewhere that he can survive during the day but still have access to his assests..."

I nod hesitantly. It was true; the one thing that would give Varias the upper hand in the coming conflicts would be a being that could stand up against the power of the Order...and a Light Vampire would certainly do the trick.
"It sounds like it is an idea that might work. But I'll need to confirm things with my Master before continuing." I reach into my pocket and remove a sleek, jet black cellphone. I flip the top open and press in my password. it beeps, and I select a number from my list of contacts. It rings once, and then Kain picks up.
"How goes the investigation?" asked as raspy, ancient voice.
"I have found out who is behind the War. It is none other than Varias Kraid." I wait for a response. A dry sigh hisses from the speaker.
"I dreaded that as an answer. But do you have proof of this? As much as I believe you, the rest of the Order will not take kindly to such accusations, and will not act until proof is given."
"I understand. I shall find indisputable evidence that Varias is the mastermind, and then report back. But do I have permission to engage his forces?"
"If any Vampire, Immortal, human or beast stands in your way, you have my full authority to remove them as a threat. I hearby unlock your full powers for the foreseeable future."
"Thy will be done," I reply.
"As it should be." The phone clicks off, and I feel a tingle of static as the seals that were keeping my powers in check deactivate. I look at Brian.
"First, we wil need to find concrete proof that Varias is the mastermind of all this mayhem. Once we do so, we can start to bait him." I look at the humans.
"So, if I was a criminal lord, hiding from the law, where would I hide? Do you know any places that are isolated from human contact, but are still defensible positions?" I ask.

I nod in agreement with Brian.
"I am also inclined to think that. To challenge Kain, Varias must have a plan. And he is creating an army of loyal Thralls and Blood-Slaves to do his bidding. Taking him out might not stop the war, but it will slow down Varias' faction and allow my Master to counter-attack." I look at the humans.
"Anyone got any ideas on how to go about finding him?"

"Fair enough." I look at Brian, then Rose, and then Eric who had just recovered from the healing spell.
"I am only going to tell you what I can, but that should be enough..." I think about where to start.
"It seems that the war ws started by Varias Kraid, a powerful Vampire of the Order. He is the grandson of Kain, the leader of the Order, and as such Varias is technically my superior. Varias hates humans more than anythng, and is disgusted with Kain's methods of concealing our existance. He wants the whole world to tremble in fear at the might of the Vampires, and let us rule all." I shrug. "As pleasant as that would be, it would raise problems for many other Immortal factions. And then war would begin between the Supernatural forces of the world."
"As for Varias himself, he is a Tier Eleven Vampire. The Tiers go up to Thirteen, and only three Vampires are currently at Tier Thirteen. They are the so called 'Masters of the Vampires' as they are the mightiest. Kain is the leader of the Tier Thirteens by virtue of being the oldest. Now, to sanction war on Varias would be very hard for me. I may be an Inquisitor for the Order, but the Order has sub-groups and splinter factions, just like any political body. I answer directly to Kain himself, but opposing his grandson would require me to have him absolute permission, and backing from at least a dozen other Clan-Lords. Varias has a lot of power..." I explain what he had (see earlier post) and look at the humans.
"If I am going to challenge him, I will need help. Will you assist me?"

I glance over at Eric as he is hauled in by Brian. I'm not a doctor, and I know even less about human ailments, but I can tell that Eric is suffering greatly. I stride over to him.
"What is wrong with him?" I ask. After being told 'blood poisoningt', I sigh and get to work. Placing my hands gently on the damaged limb, I chant the Mantra of Healing for the second time this evening, and let the magic flood the human. I needed to use even more magical energy for this wound than I had for Brian's, but then again, Brian was a Light Vampire, and as such had better regenerative powers than I did, or Eric for that matter. After a tense few minutes I cease the flow of power, hopeful that Eric's remaining life force and will power would finish the job. A complete healing is hard work, and can be dangerous to the healer as well as the person trying to be healed. If you release too much magic into a patient, they can die of a magical overload. Also, the healer could die from giving too much of his/her own magic, and thus their life force would be drained as well to make up for the sudden loss of magical power. I had known foolish Vampires try and heal a loved one, only to kill their lover and then turn to dust themselves. Magic can be just as dangerous to the user as to the target.
Exhausted, I lean over and bite the neck of the doe. I drink in a few mouthfuls of the dead deer's blood. Animal blood is always better fresh, and even then it pales in comparison to a human or Vampire's life fluids.
"So what now?" I ask, once my strength was back and my lips wiped clean.

Among all the Anti-Human Vampires of the Order, Varias Kraid stood at the top of the list for many reasons. First of all, he was a grandson of Kain himself, his Death-Father being Kain's son Jeroth Bloodmist. Then there was his power. He was a Tier Eleven Vampire, one of the few who had passed beyond the Tenth Tier using his own efforts and skill. Even I, as a Tier Nine, would be hard pressed to defeat Varias if he was at prime condition. And fighting him alone would be suicide. A third reason was his various connections with both the realm of Immortals and the Human world. He had access to millions, maybe even billions, of dollars thanks to his partnerships with black market arms dealers, drug cartels, and other low-life scum in the human realm, and as a grandson of the Order's leader, he had access to the vast treasure troves kept by his Death-Father and Kain. He also had friends in the top Vampire families, such as the Morningstars and the Deathskulls. Opposing him would require the explicit permission of Kain, and need the backing of a dozen Vampire Clans!
"My job has just gotten a lot harder," I mutter angrily.

"Honestly, until I find out who started the war, there are too many variables! Many Vampires dislike the humans and their so called 'infestation' upon the world. But my Master is still the lord of the Order, and his word his law! And he has forbid outright conflict with Humanity for many centuries. We wage a secret war against various religious and para-military organizations, the Vatican and Illuminati in Europe, the Triad in China and parts of Asia, and many more around the globe! But war where the common public is aware of our existance has not occured in..." I think for a moment. "...five hundred or so years! Not since the last Light Vampire was born have we done this..." Even as I say this, my mind clicks several ideas together.
"I think I may have an answer to all this..." I start to say, but two things happen at once. First, I hear the voice of Eric calling for help. I then recieve a Telepathic message from the Vampire Soul.
"Go help Eric! He found food, and I will heal his leg soon!" In my mind, I finally have solved the mystery of who began this war.
"Varias Kraid..." I mutter darkly, my hands clentching into fists, and my nails drawing blood.

I look with amazement at Brian, and collect myself. I look at him.
"I think you are very special, and unique. Let me tell you something...Once every few centuries, a Vampire will be born to mortal parents. This Life Born Vampire, also known as a Blood Moon Baby or Light Vampire, has all the powers of a Vampire, but will live out their life as a human. They will age, live, and die as a mortal. They do not fear the sun, as it cannot hurt them. They do not feed on human blood or flesh to stay sane and alive. Instead, should they desire a longer life, they need only to drink the ichor of another Vampire! Each Vampire of the Night they feast on extends their life far beyond that of a human, some times up to a century longer! Ten times stronger, faster, and more magically attuned then a regular Vampire, they are masters of Old Magic and New Magic alike! Immune to disease, mortal and immortal maladies and aflictions, it can be said that a Light Vampire is as superior to us as a normal Vampire is to a human!" I look at Brian, waiting to see a reaction.
"Some times it can take a while for a Blood Moon Baby to manifest his Vampiric abilities. In your case, it seems that your 'father' kept you sealed using some form of magic. Now that he is dead, the seals will weaken and eventually, you will become a supreme being..."

I have to agree with BrianEtrius on some of that. While Sci-Fi has been done so many times by so many different people that it seems to have lost its amazement and awesomeness, there are those (like myself) who try to make new and intriguing Sci-Fi stories. It can be hard to find an idea that has not been done (Evil Galactic Empire, space pirates, alien bug-monsters and universal Republics and Federations) but if you take a time honored setting or idea, and tweek it with your own ideas, thoughts and improvements, it can create an Asimov worthy tale! Don't forget that dialogue is one of the most vital parts of any story, and explaining the technological advances and marvels of your story does not have to be boring for you (the writer) or the reader as long as you do it right. Make them come back for more, and make sure they do not want to stop reading your writing!

All hail the Pen, for it can do just as much damage and destruction as the Sword!!

I nod in agreement.
"Very well then." That said, I approach the body of Brian's father, and begin to inspect him. He was indeed a Vampire, and a realitivly powerful one; I could tell by the magical residue on the body that this man had been able to use at least Tier Five spells and skills. From my inspection of his pupils, he had died slowly, his life draining away from the wounds in his corpse. Even as I looked him over, I did not recognize him...all Vampires are recorded in the Tomes of Blood, a collection of books that details the lineage, power level, skills, appearance and alliance of every Vampire. As an Inquisitor, I had access to the books, and as a result, I knew the faces of many Vampires, but I had not read the entire series. There were, of course, exceptions for Vampires who were not in the book...some Vampires did not contact the Order to announce the creation of a new Bloodling or Bloodchild, but they inevitably were found out, and punished. Thralls did not need to be announced and recorded, as they are nothing but slaves to a true Vampire's will. After several minutes of inspecting the body of the assailant (a Tier Two Vampire), and finding nothing to confirm any notion of who started the war, I decide to perform a Blood-Trance on the body of Brian's father. I lift the limp body in my arms, and bare my fangs, and mutter a spell. Then, without hesitation, I plunge my razor sharp incisors into the skull of the man! Brian and Rose are startled, but let them be. I quickly consume as much blood and brain fluids as I can in one gulp, and release the body. I feel the Blood-Trance begin.
Soon, I see the most recent and memorable thoughts and memories of the deceased Vampire I had bitten. I filter the rush of raw data with disciplined thoughts and focus, and concentrate on the vital parts.
I suddenly bolt up from the floors, so many things becoming clear to me. I was not able to find out about the instigator of the war, but enough to understand other parts.
I look ar Brian, who was staring at me with revulsion.
"You...I can't believe it...Can you really be..." I gasp, my mouth flapping. The mystery just got more intense.

"I may need to use some...unusual methods to obtain any relevant data, so I would like your express permission before I start." As I wait I look at the corpses, studying them from a far. Rose is looking around the room, clearly impressed by the design of the home. I then ask Brian another question.
"What was your father's name?"

The inside of the manor was nice and cozy, as far as human dwellings went. I noticed the wreakage of the furniture, and looked at the corpses. I look at Brian, who is clearly remembering happier days in this place.
"I would like to inspect the corpses, if I may. It might tell me some useful, and much needed, information," I ask Brian. After all, one of the dead was his adoptive father.

"If Eric wants to suffer, he is welcome to do so," I say, still looking at Brian. "You say your father was a Vampire? How is that possible? Once the Kiss of Death has been given and someone becomes a Vampire, they are 99% of the time sterile! How did he concieve you?"

"Enough bickering!" I say, my voice raised a bit. I look at the house, and try to feel it with my senses...Something was not right, the human Eric had been correct on that part. It was not holy ground for any religion, which would have inhibited my powers slightly, nor was it consecrated to some pagan deity or being. I finally placed the bizarre feeling.
"This is a wizard's house!" I exclaim, my sense of smell detecting the faint scent of magic, and my tongue tasting the tang of ozone, which always accompanied a wizard's power.
"You said this was your home?" I inquire, looking at Brian. "How is that possible? The Order has no records on any mages of any sort living in this area!" How odd, and how mysterious...

I try to keep my walking speed more along the speed of a human's, but it is slow going, and I chaf at the lack of distance we've covered.
"Are we near a river or lake soon?" I ask, fear of dying in the sunlight making me sound a bit more forceful than I'd meant it to...
It was no use getting angry at the humans, so I take my time scanning the terrain, looking out for hiding spots for us, or an ambush from enemies. If only I had taken more solar pills with me, I would not have to worry as much but then again, hindsight's a bastard.
As I am scanning the area, I catch a glimpse of something in the distance.
"Eric or Brian! What is that building coming up in front of us?" I almost looked like a church, with stone gargoyles, steeple roofs and towers, and a lot of icons. But none of the artifacts or icons looked to be of obvious Christian design; there were no crosses, just a bunch of fleur de lys symbols.
"How odd..." Is all I say, as I wait for the humans to answer me.

I wonder if I should tell them about what I knew of Shawn. In the end, it would help them prepare in case he came back. I speak.
"The Vampire with chains that you saw earlier was once called Shawn Dorialis, and he was a fellow Inquisitor of the Order. Long, long years past, he was my partner on some missions. I thought he had been killed in Taiwan severval decades ago, during a botched attempt to retrieve the Gadius Rex Regis. That sword you saw, Brian, was most likely that. Anyways, with his supposed death, the mission failed, and I had to retreat to a safer country." I think back to those days, when I had been chased by some Liches of Asia, The Brothers of Bones, who had been trying to usurp the power of the Order. I could recall the frantic days of hiding and nights of running, and finally fleeing to Hong Kong, where they could not touch me without angering the Asian branch of the Order...
I shake my head clear of the memories.
"In regards to the sword, the Gladius Rex Regis, it means, roughly, Sword of Kings, and was a weapon forged for Julius Ceasar of Rome by a Chinese hermit, then later wielded by Emperor Charlemagne of France who united Europe during the Dark Ages after the empire of Rome crumbled. It is a weapon of unsurpassed sharpness, and can cut anything. When it does, the wound...for lack of a better word...eats itself, imploding and exploding at the same time. As a result, it can kill anything with ease, and the fact that it was forged from blood-iron only makes it worse." Seeing their confusion, I explain.
"A wound caused by a weapon made of blood-iron will never heal. No known magic or science can save you once cut by a blood-iron blade. Even a scratch is fatal, eventually." I look at the sky.
"I do not know what happened to Shawn, why he wants the Gladius Rex Regis, or what is going on. But we must find shelter. We must find answers." I start to walk away.
"Coming?" I ask, looking back at the humans.

I nod, thinking it over.
"I doubt any of the Vampire's we've encountered are strong enough to last in the sunlight for more than a minute. I can last up to thirty minutes or so in direct sunlight, but will be very damaged..." I was not about to reveal the full extent of my ability to stay in sunlight. Best let them think I was vulnerable. Then they will either protect me, or try to kill me, in which case I'll be able to fight them off with a surprise attack of my own...
"But we should be careful all the same. Is there a building near a river or other large body of water? Weak level Vampires and Thralls loose a bit of their powers when near deep, or fast moving water." I look at the dark sky once more. If the chained Vampire had really been Shawn, we would have to be extra careful. But why was he here?

I glance up at the sky, and grimace with displeasure. The human was right, the sun would rise soon, and indeed, resting now would be a big help for us all.
"Excellent idea. Eric and Rose! We are going to find a place to rest for a bit." I look again at the sky, and make a mental note of the time it would take to find a safe haven. The other Vampires and Thralls would also need to hide, so we had to choose a spot carefully.

That simple description of the blade was enough to confirm my suspisions. It could only be the Gladius Rex Regis!
"Let's move out," I say, pausing to grab some fallen, still reusable silver bolts for my crossbow gun.
"I'll explain what I can while we are on the move."

"Very well then, Eric and Rose. We shall travel to your home town. I know an...ally there who might be able to shed some light onto this event." I was pleasantly surprised that Eric's home was where my old Mentor lived. I could ask him all my questions...if he had not been killed by the renagades, or defected to their side. But I shove that thought away.
"Are you sure you do not want me to heal your leg, Eric? It's free of charge," I say, smirking as I do so.
"As for you, Brian, I need you to tell me all about the person who last possessed the sword, and evrything you know about said person."

I look at the human called Brian with a bit of surprise.
"Sword? What kind of sword? Was it an Asian Katana sword, with a red glint to it's blade?" I ask, feeling like this could lead to some answers. As I wait for 'Brian' to collect an answer, I look at the other human man.
"You know, I never got your name," I say casually. "Where is your home town, anyways? We might be going in the same direction." Then I look at the mortal woman.
"I also do not know your name, young miss. If you want to travel with me, and Brian from the looks of things, you are welcome to join."

I snarl in sudden pain, as the traitorous Soul strikes me in the back with a shot from his gun! I spin around, ready to disembowl the fool, but stop myself just in time. Fighting now would do me no favors.
"The more you run, the guiltier you will become!" I shout after the fleeing Vampire. I hear no response from the traitor, and so turn back to the now severely depleted group; one human man with a broken leg, one trembling mortal woman, and an apparent orphan calling himself Brian.
"Anyone else want to leave?" I ask, folding my arms across my chest. I take a long look at each of them, waiting for an answer...

I shrug. I doubted I would need the favor of a human anytime soon.
"Fair enough," I say, and I lean down and press my palms against the wounded limb. "Kareth, Guul, Narati, Vaalan," I mutter, summoning the Words of Healing. Within seconds dazzling white light spills from my hands and sinks into the shattered leg, slowly but steadily reknitting the broken bones and torn muscles. After a moment I pull away, letting the humans own life force do the rest of the work. Healing a living creature could be exhausting for even some Mid-Level Vampires, and even I felt out of breathe, metaphorically speaking.
"You should be fine soon," I say, hiding my discomfort. "When you are ready, shall we join the rest of the survivors?"

"Very good. You may call me Zacharias." I stare at the wounded human for a second.
"Do you want me to heal you?" Not that I cared, but the more injured people I needed to protect, the lower my chances were of surviving. I wait for the human to answer, and notice that the recently turned Vampire was leaving the group. I decided not to bother about that yet. First things first.