His Blood

Mark and Liz, siblings on the run, thought they'd outsmarted their pursuers by hopping a train. But escape is never that simple. When a mysterious, red-hooded figure crashes into their lives, offering cryptic aid and bearing impossible gifts, Mark is thrust into a world far more dangerous than he imagined. With a hidden demonic heritage and a sister whose very existence is a secret, Mark must learn to trust an enigmatic stranger, uncover the truth behind those hunting him, and confront the terrifying power stirring within his own blood. Can he protect Liz and himself, or will his true nature be their ultimate undoing?

His Blood

Mark and Liz, siblings on the run, thought they'd outsmarted their pursuers by hopping a train. But escape is never that simple. When a mysterious, red-hooded figure crashes into their lives, offering cryptic aid and bearing impossible gifts, Mark is thrust into a world far more dangerous than he imagined. With a hidden demonic heritage and a sister whose very existence is a secret, Mark must learn to trust an enigmatic stranger, uncover the truth behind those hunting him, and confront the terrifying power stirring within his own blood. Can he protect Liz and himself, or will his true nature be their ultimate undoing?

The rhythmic rumble of the train served as my reluctant alarm clock, pulling me from a fitful sleep. Beside me, Liz snored softly, her small form rising and falling with each peaceful breath. For a moment, the sound was a balm, a reminder that we were still alive, still together.

My eyes flickered open, catching the blur of the passing landscape. "Liz! It's here...." I nudged my sister, who grumbled, rubbing sleep from her eyes with slow, deliberate movements.

"Oh for the love of—" There was no time for her usual morning routine. I surged to my feet, snatching her up and holding her tight against me. She finally seemed to wake, wrapping her arms around my shoulders as I broke into a desperate sprint, chasing after the train. Missing this one wasn't an option. The thought of being caught, of having to go on foot, was a chilling reminder of what we were running from.

My lungs burned, but I matched the train's speed, aligning myself with an open cart. The metal shrieked beside me, a roaring challenge. With a grunt, I grabbed a handle, hoisted myself and Liz into the open cart, tucking her against me to cushion the fall. We tumbled, my elbows taking the brunt of the impact, until we finally slid to a stop. All that remained was the ache in my muscles and the rasp in my throat.

"Mark?" Liz's voice was hesitant, shaky.

"Yeah, I'm alright. You?" I wheezed out, struggling to catch my breath.

"I'm fine. What happened?" She looked around, confused.

"Well, we just barely made it into a moving train." I kissed the top of her head. "You should go back to sleep, pumpkin."

"Are those people still chasing us?" she mumbled, yawning, as she shuffled into the corner. I slid down the wall next to her, pulling her close. "I don't know, sweetheart. I just don't know." I watched the snowy scenery blur past, the stars a cold, distant comfort. How much longer could we run? I didn't know, but I'd be damned if I didn't make sure we both came out of this alive.