Escape

Thinking was not Worldling’s strong suit. He’d always preferred to focus on the thrill of athletic performance, as opposed to his littermates, who were extremely intelligent. Abettance was bold and experimental, but her experiments were backed with experience and thorough understanding of her material; and Crux was a genius in his own right, always inventing and tinkering with things. In his times of solitude, Worldling thought about them, and missed them dearly.

Worldling sat on a bench in the cell he occupied, thinking about the two of them. He wished they were with him. In their absence, though, he had to try to put himself in their shoes– what would they do if they were there?

Worldling surveyed his surroundings. For whatever it was worth, Lagosi had let him keep his sword. He’d tried using it already, but it had been useless– Lagosi really had just been toying with him during their fight– so it stood propped up against the wall. He slung it back around his shoulder. There was no bed or furniture, and he’d largely taken to sleeping on the ground. He had a few trays from the food Lagosi would use to keep him fed… what else?

Formulating a plan, connecting any dots, was so difficult when he was so light on blood. Lagosi had reduced him to little more than livestock, which would piss him off more than anything else if he had the energy. Lagosi left him with just enough to not kill him outright, but drained him often enough that he was constantly lightheaded and unstable on his feet.

He heard footsteps approaching, and rose nonetheless. Pale, almost shaking, he still strode to the bars of his cell and banged on them as Lord Lagosi approached. Lagosi eyed him, amused.

“Well, Worldling, I have good news,” he said.

Worldling said nothing in response.

Lagosi laughed. “What, you won’t try to guess? How idly you chattered to me when we first met. Things change, I suppose.” He hummed, delighted with what he’d done. “Anyhow, you should find it exciting! I think I’ve found it in my unbeating heart to forgive you.”

Worldling’s face changed. What did that mean? It couldn’t mean…

“That’s right. I’m willing to give you a second chance… I’ll turn you into a vampire.”

“Why?”

Lagosi laughed. “I believe you’re asking the wrong question! Does it matter?” He stuck his fingers through the bars, and pulled Worldling’s chin down. “I have big plans for you…”

Worldling thought for a moment. He could fight back. He could tell Lagosi to shove it. He could continue where he was– trapped, alone, light-headed, and weak. But he knew that he’d never escape like that. 

What would Abby and Crux do?

He didn’t know. He doubted they’d be stupid enough to land themselves in this position in the first place. But he knew that they would both work with what they had– and all Worldling had, at that moment, was an offer.

“Fine.” Worldling moved his head away from Lagosi’s grasp. “Fine. Turn me.” He knew it would not be so straightforward.

Still, Lagosi pressed a key into the cell door’s lock, and swung it open. Worldling offered no resistance as he strode forth, and once again sunk his fangs into his neck.

Worldling’s vision swirled. It was usually at that point that Lagosi would pull back, but this time, he didn’t. Out of instinct, Worldling reached out and clutched at Lagosi’s forearms; his body pleaded for Lagosi to stop, but not a sound left his throat. That fear that had so quickly become familiar since he’d been kidnapped began to take over. He could feel the way his heart pounded, and how that only hastened the emptying of his blood. Even as his view darkened, Worldling could feel the sharpness.

Then, he felt nothing at all.

It had been two years. Two years. Worldling served as Lagosi’s spawn for two years. Lagosi gradually added more and more to his budding army. It would be one thing if Worldling could remain unaware of his actions, but whenever Lagosi did not directly need his services, Worldling was left dormant– conscious, but dormant. Worldling remembered the faces of those he helped imprison; those he held down so Lagosi could drink from them. He remembered the way they pleaded to him. He could make no reply.

About a month prior, Lagosi had gotten careless with his commands. Where, at one time, he would command Worldling to return to his hole until needed, he’d gotten into the habit of merely dismissing him. Worldling found, for the first time, that he was able to move around– and that he did. 

His first instinct was to confront Lagosi directly– but that would be really stupid. To blow his cover, to start a fight he would lose… all of it seemed like a bad move. So, what, then?

He explored Lagosi’s lair.

He kept quiet, trying to be as stealthy as possible so as not to alarm anyone. He came across journals, pages, plans; but nothing that would help him. Finally, one night, he came across a book on vampires. He spent the next couple of nights reading all he could– and learned how to change himself fully. From there, all he had to do was figure out a plan.

It would be difficult to get close enough to Lagosi to do this. He figured he would have to bide his time. Maybe he would have to try late at night, when he gave his lazy command… 

Still, patience was not a virtue of Worldling’s. 

He managed a lot– so much given how close he was to freedom. He could just about taste it.

Then… it happened.

Lagosi had brought in a new bun. Scared, trembling… He’d seen it a million times before. He uttered the words,

“Seize him.”

Of course, the pull in Worldling’s mind insisted Lagosi meant the newcomer. But him could mean anyone. Worldling strode forward, body moving of its own accord; but if he closed his eyes, if he willed it hard enough, he could… 

Suddenly, he turned. He lunged at Lagosi, fangs beared. Lagosi was caught entirely by surprise as he felt sharp fangs enter his flesh. Worldling had caught him by the arm, and sucked from his wrist as hard and fast as he could– and try as he might, Lagosi could not wrench free his grip.

A burning sensation filled Worldling’s throat, but he didn’t let go. It coursed through his body. He reeled, and his body began to jerk as his brain desperately tried to get him to let go. But he didn’t– he needed to get enough blood to turn himself; and, with any luck, enough blood to incapacitate Lagosi– assuming that was possible. He hoped it was. 

Finally, Lagosi was able to jerk his arm out of Worldling’s mouth. Worldling’s body felt as though it was on fire; he could feel every nerve. He let out a sharp laugh, relieved, before collapsing unceremoniously to the floor.

As soon as the spawn’s body hit the floor, the bun made a run for it. Lagosi, taken completely by surprise by Worldling’s disobedience, gave chase. He stepped harshly on Worldling’s wrist, not caring about much except this new prey– who changed into their bun form in an attempt to make a faster getaway. 

When Worldling came to, he was alone. His wrist was broken, but Lagosi’s presence no longer loomed in the back of his mind. He slowly pulled himself to his feet. His body protested, but he was so close to escape. He would collapse on the ground later– later, he promised himself. 

With what little strength he could muster, he pulled himself to his feet. All he had to do was get to the exit.