Darkness Chapter 25: Rats

**Nelly**

We walked into the tent. “I hope you planned on offering us one,” I purr.

Brandon exclaims, “You piece of shit! You put a bounty on my sister!” Brandon grabs him by his neck.

Tara smirks, “Miss me...Aaron?”

Aaron rolls his eyes and in a condescending tone he says, “Well, if it isn't my favorite little fighters.”

“That you wanted dead,” I hissed.

Tara screams, “How could you, Aaron? I loved you. We had made plans to…”

Aaron shrugs, “And you went and got fucked by one of them, didn't you? You are nothing. You are tainted. I wouldn't want you now. He took you from me, and I plan to make sure the one who made you impure dies for taking you from me.”

I scoff at the pitiful excuse for a man and commander before me. Turning to my closest friend, I command, "Tara, take him out."

Brandon agrees, "Tara, do it."

But Tara hesitates, muttering, "I can't."

Frustrated, I declare, "Fuck, Tara, I'll do it. Step aside."

Aaron interjects, "So quick to betray your own. I see."

I retort, "No, I'm simply tired of being your sword and used as a pawn. I refuse to be deceived any longer. You're no different from my parents, who sparked this war in the first place." As I move to act, Tara unexpectedly plunges her blade into my stomach. "Tara!" I cry out.

Brandon's voice echoes in shock, "Tara! What have you done?"

"She had it all. Everyone adored her and wanted to be her. I was just as amazing as she was. I'm tired of being her sidekick," Tara declares. How could she betray me like this? I only ever wanted to be her friend.

Aaron whispers, "You did great. I'm so proud of you." He embraces her tightly and kisses her. It's nauseating. If I end up dead because of them, Vincent better make her pay and make it excruciating.

Tara chuckles as she smirks, "Don't you two understand? It was all a charade. I had to get close to you once they put a price on your head. I knew it was just a matter of time before they caught us."

Aaron commands, "Take her to the gate and make sure her boyfriend sees her."

Tara snickers, "I'd do it quickly. She doesn't have much time left."

Brandon doesn't hesitate. "I'll take her," he declares with determination. I feel his strong arms lift me and carry me swiftly towards the gates. The sounds of battle echo around us, the vampires gaining the upper hand. As we reach the gates, I see Alec locked in combat with multiple foes. Brandon swiftly shoots them, earning a nod of approval from Alec.

But it's not until Alec notices the blood seeping from my wounds that he rushes to my side. "We need Vincent," Brandon urgently states.

Alec's anger boils over. "Who?" he snarls, his eyes flashing with a deadly intensity.

Brandon explains, "Tara. The rebel leader is Aaron, her boyfriend."

Weakly, I manage to whisper, "A...Alec...help..." I refuse to give up, clinging to the hope that they can save me. If I am to die, I want Vincent to be the last person I see.

"Stay with us, Nelly. We won't let you go," Alec reassures me as he hurries off to seek help.