29. Unleashed

The first rays of dawn filtered through the dense canopy of trees, casting a pale glow over the Armstrong family's temporary hideout. The cabin was quiet save for the faint hum of early morning birdsong and the distant rustling of leaves. Becky sat in a corner of the room, her gaze fixed on Freen as she slept peacefully for the first time in days. Her chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm, her expression serene despite the storm that had brought them here.

Becky's hand tightened into a fist as she replayed the events of the night before. The glow that had emanated from Freen during their most intimate moment still lingered in Becky's mind, an irrefutable sign that Freen was not ordinary. She was the one. The prophecy spoke of a human who would bridge the gap between their worlds, but what terrified Becky wasn't the prophecy's weight—it was the idea of what it demanded from Freen.

The door creaked softly as Robert stepped inside, his movements quiet but deliberate. He glanced at Becky, his expression a mixture of concern and resolve.

"You didn't sleep," he said, though it wasn't a question.

"Could you?" Becky replied, her voice low. Her golden eyes flicked to her father briefly before returning to Freen. "She's everything, Dad. And the prophecy... It's going to destroy her."

Robert walked over, placing a firm hand on her shoulder. "The prophecy doesn't have to destroy her," he said. "But it will change her. It will change all of us."

Becky's jaw clenched. "I won't let it take her from me. I'll fight it if I have to."

Robert sighed, crouching to meet her gaze. "Becky, this isn't something you can fight with your fists or your strength. This is bigger than any of us. What happened last night... that was just the beginning."

Freen stirred, her body shifting beneath the blankets. Her eyelids fluttered open, her gaze landing on Becky, who immediately moved closer, her expression softening.

"Good morning," Becky said, her voice gentle.

Freen's lips curved into a faint smile. "Morning," she replied, her voice hoarse. She pushed herself up slowly, her muscles protesting. Becky's hands were immediately there to steady her.

"Take it easy," Becky murmured. "You're still recovering."

Freen's smile faltered as memories of the previous night came rushing back. The glow, the warmth, Becky's awe-stricken face... and the overwhelming realization that something inside her was changing.

"Becky," Freen began hesitantly, "what happened to me? That light..."

Becky's eyes softened, but there was a shadow of worry behind them. "Your power. It's tied to the prophecy."

Freen's brow furrowed. "The prophecy," she echoed. "You mean the one about the human and the vampire?"

Robert stepped forward, his presence commanding but not intimidating. "The prophecy isn't just about any human, Freen. It's about you. Your connection to Becky has awakened something within you—a power that's greater than anything we've seen."

Freen stared at him, the weight of his words settling heavily on her chest. "But I don't understand. Why me? I didn't ask for any of this."

Becky placed a hand over Freen's. "I know," she said softly. "But this isn't about what you asked for. It's about what you mean to both our worlds."

Before Freen could respond, Irin burst into the room, her expression pale and her breathing uneven. "They're close," she said, her voice urgent.

Becky's head snapped up. "How close?"

Irin's eyes flickered with unease. "Minutes. We need to leave now."

Billy and Richie appeared in the doorway, both of them tense and ready for action.

"I'll handle the rear," Billy said, cracking his knuckles. "Make sure they don't follow us too easily."

"No," Robert said sharply. "We leave together. We can't risk losing anyone."

Becky turned to Freen, her eyes filled with determination. "Can you walk?"

Freen nodded, throwing the blankets aside. "I can do more than that."

The family moved quickly, gathering only what they could carry. The woods outside the cabin were eerily quiet, the rising sun casting long shadows on the forest floor. Freen stayed close to Becky, her heart pounding as adrenaline coursed through her veins.

"Stay close to me," Becky whispered, her hand brushing against Freen's as they walked.

"I'm not going anywhere," Freen replied, her voice steady despite the fear gnawing at her.

A sharp crack of a branch made them freeze. Becky moved instantly, positioning herself in front of Freen, her golden eyes scanning the trees. Richie's expression darkened as he stepped forward, his fists clenched.

"They're here," Irin said, her voice shaking.

Before anyone could react, a blur of movement erupted from the trees. Mile appeared, his smile cruel as he stepped into the clearing, flanked by Devika and Mike.

"Leaving so soon?" Mile taunted, his voice dripping with mockery.

Becky's body tensed, her hands curling into fists. "Stay behind me," she said to Freen, her voice low and commanding.

"No," Freen said, stepping closer to her. "We do this together."

Becky glanced at her, her expression conflicted. "Freen, please—"

"You said we're in this together," Freen interrupted, her voice firm. "I'm not hiding. Not anymore."

The tension between them dissolved as Becky nodded, her lips pressing into a thin line. "Alright. Together."

The family spread out, forming a protective circle around Freen as Mile and his accomplices advanced. The forest seemed to hold its breath, the weight of the impending confrontation pressing down on everyone.

"Give her to us," Mile said, his grin widening. "And maybe we'll let the rest of you live."

"Over my dead body," Becky snarled, her voice a low growl.

"That can be arranged," Devika replied, baring her fangs.

Before anyone could respond, Mile lunged, his speed blinding. Becky met him mid-air, their clash sending shockwaves through the clearing. The fight erupted, chaos spilling into the quiet forest as vampires collided in a blur of motion.

Freen stood her ground, her fists clenched as she watched the battle unfold. She felt the warmth in her chest again, faint at first but growing stronger with each passing second. When Devika turned her attention toward her, Freen stepped forward, unafraid.

"You don't scare me," Freen said, her voice steady.

Devika's grin faltered, but only for a moment. "You should be scared, little girl," she hissed, lunging toward her.

The light in Freen's chest erupted, golden and brilliant, throwing Devika backward with a force that sent her crashing into a tree. The clearing fell silent as everyone turned to stare at Freen, her body glowing with power.

Becky stepped back, her golden eyes wide with awe and pride.

The golden light emanating from Freen's body bathed the clearing in an otherworldly glow. Devika staggered back, her snarling confidence replaced with a flicker of uncertainty. Mike, standing a few paces away, narrowed his eyes at Freen, his cold expression now tinged with wariness.

"What are you?" Devika hissed, her voice trembling slightly.

Freen didn't answer. She didn't fully understand the power coursing through her, but she could feel its warmth, its strength. It wasn't just hers; it felt shared, like Becky's love had ignited something dormant within her.

Becky's voice broke through the tense silence. "Freen, are you okay?"

Freen nodded, her eyes never leaving the three vampires. "I'm fine. I can do this."

Becky stepped closer, positioning herself protectively beside Freen. "You don't have to do it alone," she said softly, her golden eyes blazing with determination.

Mile clapped slowly, his mocking grin returning. "Well, isn't this interesting? The prophecy's key just unlocked her little party trick." He tilted his head toward Devika and Mike. "Let's see what she can do."

Devika and Mike sprang into action, their movements blindingly fast. Becky intercepted Devika mid-lunge, the two colliding with a force that shook the trees. Mike targeted Freen, his eyes narrowing as he attempted to outmaneuver her newfound power.

Freen reacted instinctively, raising her hands as Mike closed the distance between them. The golden light flared again, forming a barrier between them. Mike's fist slammed into the glowing shield, and he stumbled back, his expression twisting in frustration.

"You're full of surprises, aren't you?" Mike growled.

"Stay back," Freen warned, her voice steady despite the chaos around her.

Nearby, Becky was locked in a vicious struggle with Devika. Every movement was calculated, her strength and speed matching Devika's ferocity blow for blow. But Becky's focus kept shifting back to Freen.

"Freen, watch your left!" she shouted, ducking as Devika's claws swiped dangerously close to her face.

Freen pivoted just in time to avoid Mile, who had joined Mike in attacking her. Her golden light pulsed brighter, sending a wave of energy outward that knocked both vampires off their feet.

Becky's lips curled into a proud, fierce smile. "That's my girl," she muttered, before slamming Devika into a tree with enough force to splinter the trunk.

The battle continued, a blur of movement and power. Freen's light acted as both a shield and a weapon, keeping Mile and Mike at bay. But every surge of energy drained her, the effort weighing heavily on her already weakened body.

"I don't know how much longer I can hold them off," Freen called out, her voice strained.

Becky appeared at her side in an instant, her hands steadying Freen. "You don't have to. Just stay with me. We'll end this together."

As if responding to Becky's words, the golden light around Freen shifted, growing more focused. It swirled around both of them, intertwining like threads of fate.

Mile sneered, his confident façade slipping. "This isn't over," he spat. He motioned to Devika and Mike, who regrouped beside him. "You can't protect her forever, Becky. And when you fail, we'll be there to finish what we started."

Before anyone could react, the three vampires vanished into the forest, their movements as swift as shadows.

The clearing fell silent, save for the labored breathing of the Armstrongs. Billy and Richie emerged from the treeline, their expressions a mixture of relief and concern.

"They're gone for now," Richie said, his tone cautious. "But we can't stay here. They'll come back, and they'll bring more."

Robert nodded, his face grim. "We need to move. We'll find another safe house."

Freen swayed, her strength fading as the glow around her dimmed. Becky caught her before she could fall, her arms wrapping tightly around her.

"I've got you," Becky murmured, her voice filled with both worry and affection.

Freen rested her head against Becky's shoulder, her voice barely audible. "I don't know how I did that," she admitted.

"You didn't have to do it alone," Becky replied, pressing a kiss to Freen's temple. "We'll figure this out. Together."

As the group began to move through the forest, Freen glanced back at the clearing. The memory of the battle lingered, a stark reminder of the danger they faced. But alongside the fear was a growing determination.

She tightened her grip on Becky's hand. "I'm not going to run forever," she said softly. "If this prophecy is real, then I'll face it. I'll fight for us."

Becky's golden eyes softened, and she gave Freen a small, reassuring smile. "You're stronger than you know," she said. "And I'll be by your side every step of the way."

The forest stretched out before them, an uncertain path filled with danger and hope. Together, they would face whatever came next—not as individuals, but as two halves of a whole, bound by love and destiny.

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