Leonid tried to stand up, fingers clawing at the dented van beside him. His back screamed the moment he moved. A sharp, burning pain shot through his spine and he almost collapsed again.
"Arghhh," he groaned. His voice cracked. His ribs shook.
He forced his head up, even though everything in his body told him to stay down. The vampire was still walking toward him. Slowly. Calmly. As if he had all the time in the world. As if Leonid was already dead and this was just entertainment.
The vampire's boots echoed in the alley.
Step.
Step.
Step.
Every step sounded louder than the last.
Leonid tried again to stand but his legs wouldn't hold him. His palms slipped on the cold ground. Sweat stung his eyes. The pain spread from his spine to his chest, crawling through every nerve.
He felt small. Weak. Breakable.
The vampire finally reached him.
