T.D.R. 09

Calin: Harriet has been sent by the Goddess. The old woman has been bringing me meals of rare steaks, burgers, chicken; lots of beans, leafy greens and even bringing me almonds. All the protein and right carbs to keep my strength up. She makes a killer fucking omelet. I think she knows what I am. Gonna have a sit down with her sometime soon about that. I’ve told her I’m going “camping” for a few days. She just gave me a fucking look like, “sure you are son.” Tonight I begin my trek for the Death Ring. Having the few things I need packed, I’m just about ready to roll out. I can feel Dolhanna trying to reach out to me; ignoring it I gather my things, stepping into the cool night air. The worn, ancient leather satchel holding my swords is strapped across my back. Three automatics are on me; as well as two deadly knives. Extra ammo in the back pack is slung over my shoulder. The Death Ring. Matches start with one to one competitions, last man standing moves on to the next round and it keeps going like that until you die or they call it a night. Will be interesting to see if the dregs of vampire society even have a fucking clue as to who I am. The Garda have known of the Death Ring; it moves from place to place usually deep within mountains in underground caverns. Less possibility of being found by humans. When humans going missing in the mountains??? Now you fucking know they walked in on some serious shit they shouldn’t have. Never to be seen again. It’s a way to keep some of them out of society.
Wearing leathers, I blend into the darkness of the woods. Heading in the direction of the divided pass making sure I am well into the trees, out of sight of the motel before I vapor to the location I pinpointed on the map. Forming at what looks like the great fucking divide, I start making my way through the rough terrain. Creatures of the night are keeping a distance, watching, not quite sure, but certain I am a real bad threat. I feel their presence. Some places I definitely have to pick my way across; others I can just vapor on ahead. Don’t want to end up forming with no fucking ground under my feet. After about 2 hours I make it across to the other side. My hearing is attuned to the slightest movement; that’s when I hear the snap of a branch behind me. The roaring of my blood in my ears, ready to do battle, to fight.
Reaching for one of the swords at my back, unsheathing it I turn, sword at the ready, in a battle stance as a very fucking large grey wolf makes himself known to me. Staring straight into his bright yellow eyes as mine blaze an iridescent purple, they glow slightly with bloodlust, “Lobo, I have no issue with you. You want a fight?? I can promise you, you will not win. Me and you are very much the same.” After holding his stare for what seemed like a fucking eternity, he finally looked away and slowly, tentatively walked toward me, with his head lowered. Never taking my eyes from him I speak to him again, my deep voice resonating through the trees, “So we are good mi amigo?” He sits, still watching me; I’m going to take that as a yes. Moving slow as not to startle the shit out of Lobo, I replace the sword at my back and take my 10” razor sharp Gil Hibben Survivor Bowie knife from my jacket. Yeah this’ll do should Lobo decided to renig on our agreement. I’m itching for a bloody fucking fight. That’s why I’m headed to the death ring. With bold bravado, I turn my back on the wolf and start walking. Looking over my shoulder, Lobo is trotting behind me. He looks too healthy to be a lone wolf; there are probably others not far behind.
Still having darkness left to travel, I head toward the ruins of an old monastery, from there, a few more miles in, is a waterfall. Behind the falls are the caverns that will lead down into the bowels of the earth…to the Death Ring. It’s all I can think of; the desire to lash out, to feel nothing, to unleash the turbulent shit that is running through my fucking head. ‘Lhanna.’ I will never be the same without her. Putting a halt to the direction my thoughts are taking me, I put her once again to the back of my mind but not before I get a blast of anguish from her. Her blood is my blood. Lobo is still with me as well as two others that joined in the journey. Needing to find shelter from the coming daylight, needing to not feel her, I break into a run…wolves following. According to the map I studied there are a series of deep caves a few miles up. Winded, chest burning for oxygen I see a large stone cropping up ahead. Making my way to them, this must be the place. Eyes focused, body alert, I make my way into the cave and hope there isn’t already something in residence here. Deep within the cave where daylight cannot penetrate, I set my pack down and take out a lantern illuminating my digs for the night. Sitting down, my back against the wall of the cave facing the tunnel leading to outside. I take out two of the automatics; one resting on my legs the other on my right. My knives are crossed over my chest in holsters. Lobo has decided to bunk down with me. The other two wolves are not far off. Checking my cell out of habit, no damn service. Reaching into the back pack, I grab a water and crack the top downing half the bottle. Looking at the black diamond band on my right ring finger, it’s going to be a long fucking day…..