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Above is a picture of THANATOS!!

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Danger Ulrica whispers again.

I push my legs as fast as they can go, running and tripping over twigs and rocks.

Faster! Ulrica urges, I push harder feeling the blisters on the soles of my feet drip fresh blood in the dirt, leaving behind my scent, but I don't care...I can't go back. My lungs were on fire, but I ignore the pain. I look behind me; something was moving in the woods. I turn around and one moment I was on my feet and the next I felt the world rush by in a blur. I close my eyes bracing myself for the pain I know is coming. Everything's black, and I find myself falling in this darkness, hurtling to an invisible floor. A floor that would most likely kill me if I continue to fall at this speed. The air pushes against me; branches dig into my cheeks slapping me in the face. It goes by fast, yet slow, my body feeling almost suspended.  I feel my body hit every rock and twig in the whole forest the impact knocking my breath out of my lungs. My bones move in a way they shouldn't jangle. Without looking I know there is blood seeping from my skin. I don't move - anything to delay the part where I take in what I look like now — torn and mangled.

I landed with a sickening crunch against the hard ground, and all the breath left my body, leaving me gasping for air like a fish. As I took my first breath, a sharp pain erupted from my right chest. Confused, I tried again and this time could not hold back the small grunt that accompanied the searing pain in my chest. I open my eyes and stare at the darkening sky rumbling up ahead...waiting for its chance to burst. Somewhere in the darkening forest, I hear a deep dark chuckle, and for a second I mistake it for the sound of thunder. It sounds so clear and deep as if the voice were right next to me. I raise my head and take in the damage of my body.

I didn't know our arm could bend that way. I tell Rica, failing at my attempt to inject some humor into my tone. My head snaps up when I hear a loud crash in the distance.

Ana, we need to get out of here. Ulrica whispers urgently. Slowly I tried to get up but quickly realized how futile it was when I had to bite my lip to keep from crying out. A sharp pain lanced through my head and bright spots flashed in front of my eyes, it felt like my whole body had been beaten and every movement caused some muscle or bone to ache. Regardless, I needed to get out of here...away from...what was I running from? Searing fiery bursts pulsated around my wounds, intensifying with each dragging step, jarring and brutal. With each step the pain amplified, the bloody muscle quivered. Black mists swirled at the edges of my mind drawing me into sweet oblivion.

"Leaving so soon?" A deep low and gravelly voice sounded behind me. It seemed weird, in an accent that I've never heard before. I try to turn around to face a threat when something slams into me from behind pinning me to the ground. I hold in my cries.

"You forgot your present. It took me some time to acquire it; the least you could do is appreciate my efforts." The man chuckled behind me.

Shit! I grunt struggling to get the heavy object off me. I inhaled deeply and smelled the blood. I froze in my efforts. My eyes widen, and my heartbeat picks up. I throw the thing off me, and it lands in a head beside me. I turn to face it, and my stomach drops...before me was something that looked like it had been dragged over broken glass and then beaten to a pulp with rocks. Half the side of his body was skinned off roughly, and he was taking pained shallow breaths. My heart ached for him and without thinking my hand reached out to him. When my hand touched him, he opened his eyes and let out a horrific scream. I jumped towards him in an effort to comfort him...to try to take away his pain.

Rica help him! Please! I cried, I place my hand on his shoulder and feel a warmth spread through my fingers, leaving me and pouring into him. Instantly his wounds started to heal little by little. A smile tugged at my lips. The man's eyes fluttered open, and he opened his mouth to say something. I lean closer to hear him.

"Go" the man rasped, and I look at him shocked before my body was flung across the clearing, slamming into a sharp rock. I let out a gasp and cough violently.

"Look what you did. Do you know how troublesome it is to kill a vampire?" A man asked, standing above the man I was trying to help. My eyes go wide. I could feel the power in this man; he is dangerous. He radiates power and darkness. I couldn't feel any life within him. Where his body stood, what should have been a soul, there was only a black hole. Pitch black and unbelievably cold, I shivered a little, and the man smirked. This man was enormously tall, standing maybe taller than Xander, wearing a sharp black suit, the suit looked like it was made from smoke. He had sharp and defined features, his black hair cut short and styled correctly, but what stood out were his jeweled eyes. They kept changing from an electric blue to lush green orbs in seconds. His whole body held firm with pure muscles that reminded me of a snake; he didn't look like he could kill until he strikes, poisoning and destroying your body in a matter of seconds.

"It's okay; everyone makes mistakes. The point is, mistakes are to be learned from." He patronized.

"I was trying to help! He's dying, not a glass of spilled milk!" I argue, struggling to get up. The man gave an evil deep laugh that made the ground tremble, or it could've been my knees clanking together. It's a mystery

"Eat." He ordered gesturing to the man at his feet, trying to crawl away. I stare at them, stunned.

"No," I whispered taking a step back.

"No?"

"NO!" I yelled turning to run. I took a step, and he was standing before me, I looked up staring into his eyes defiantly. He chuckled and backhanded me, making me fall to the ground.

"As if you had a choice." He bent down and grabbed me by my neck. My head wants to fight back, but my body did not want to cooperate. He dragged me over to the man who was still trying to crawl away.

Rica?! I yell, but she stayed silent. I start trying to drag my feet and raise my only good arm to claw at his hands.

Nothing...nothings working.

RICA! I scream.

Mmhh she mumbles groggily. I could feel her in the back of my mind, but she feels distant, but I could feel her directing the souls to heal my body. I'm alone. Tear spring to my eyes when we get closer to the man, and I claw, kick, and scream at the man. But nothing seems to faze him. I wriggle my body so I could face him and knee the man in the groin. He gasps and lets me go. Jumping away I run towards the crawling man and help him up.

"RUN!" I scream, and we limp as fast as we can to the edge of the forest. I am yanked back by my hair, but I push the bleeding man towards the woods and see him disappear before my eyes. I jerk around again and put all my weight on his foot and kick him hard in the chest. The man goes flying back landing on his feet. He gave a loud laugh.

"WOW! You are interesting; I'll give you that." He exclaimed, his tan skin glowing. I felt rage pour into me.

"You know nothing about me!" I gritted out.

"Don't I?" He asked reaching into his suit jacket pulling out a book, the book that I tried to take.

"I know a lot more than you it appears, blood wolf." He jeered taking a step towards me. I stay still my eyes never leaving the book.

"Don't you want to know more? Of how you came to be what you are? How you can control your demon?" My eyes snapped towards him.

"What?" I wondered out loud. He stopped walking towards me and tilted his head.

Ana, don't listen to him...run! Ulrica quavered.

"They didn't tell you anything." He stated, amusement lighting his eyes, " Of course they didn't." I scrunched my face in confusion.

"I can give you all the information you crave." He murmured taking two steps closer.

"Who are you?"

"Thanatos, the king sent me to fetch his little pet." I took a step back. He's here to bring me to the King's Army.

"I wouldn't run little wolf...Besides I can teach you how to control that little demon inside you." He sneered.

Ulrica...what is he talking about?

Ru-un-Ana-la-ru-un! She was fading in and out...like a bad connection. I take a step back; he was in front of me in seconds.

"You can't run from me, little wolf." He bent down to look me in the eyes and smiled wickedly.

I punched him in the face; black blood poured out of his nose. He took a step back, eyes wild and furious He crouched down to attack me.

A large CRACK rumbled through the sky. Thanatos fell back holding his stomach and laughing. Blood flowed out of the bullet that pierced his stomach.

He is suppressing our connection Anala! Run! Rica said, clearly now. But I can't move...anger fills my body, and my hands continue to glow.

What are you doing!? Ulrica snaps, but I can't think anymore. I raise my hand and aim it to him!

Fucking bastard called me a pet. I growl, nothing was clicking in my head anymore. I'm pissed.

Are you sure you want to do that? Last time you tried, it exploded. Rica said warily.

Exactly I smile, Thanatos looks up from his wound and stares at my hand. I will every power in me to go through my hand. I feel a pull in my gut and close my eyes. A bright burst of fire came out hitting Thanatos right in his chest burning him. He roared in pain and anger. Without a second thought, I ran deep into the forest. A loud BOOM fills the woods, and I see fire catch the trees and engulfs everything in the fire. Red, blue, purple, yellow, and orange...just like the sunset. I run as fast as I can.

A roar sounded in the distant, and I feel like I should recognize it, somehow, but this time I don't look back. I can't do anything but run, run in the fog of exhaustion and pain, fully aware of the death that is coming for me; swifter with each step I take. My blood still stains the ground; leaving an easy trail to follow. I run through a pile of mud and stumble. I fall hard to the ground, darkness and smoke closing in and the last smell of grass fills my nose. A single tear fell down my face.

I just wanted to see Lady Liberty. I think before I pass out.

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FINA-FUDGING-LY!!!!

For everyone who reads my story, I am so sorry it took me so long to post something!! I don't ever want to do that again!! Thank you all for asking if I was okay and asking when the next update was..because that is the main reason I came back.

For a moment I thought about discontinuing this story and realized that I still have so much more I want to write...it truly makes me happy to share this with others and is a major stress reliever.

SOOOOO...THANATOS AND ANALA FINALLY MEET!!! Please let me know what you all think!! I love reading your comments!!

If you like this story, please vote it uplifts my spirits!

THANK YOU ALL FOR READING!!