Prologue

"Don't flee," Zachary whispered. His warm breath stroked Sonia's ear like the sun's caress as he drew her body closer to his.

He held her securely, not wanting to let go for even a second.

To calm her down, Zachary raised his hand and patted her head as gently as he could. However, the overwhelming stench of spilt blood emanating from him and their surroundings only drove Sonia wild.

Within a second, her eyes turned bloodshot and unquenchable thirst overtook her.

"Let go," she said as she held back her urge to bite him. However, he only held her tighter.

"I can't…" he said. His voice colored with emotions he never knew he could feel. "Not this time."

"Enough! Just let go!"

Sonia pushed him away, making him tumble on a monster's innards. However, he just sprang up and instinctively took her in his arms.

"Nia..."

"Don't abandon me… please," he whimpered as he buried his head in the crook of her neck, fully unaware of his tears streaming down to her bloodied skin.

He sobbed as his body shuddered against her, informing him how painful it would be to be left behind. 

"Zach…" 

Sonia raised her hand to caress his back, but she stopped mid-air and brought her hands down. "Don't cry. My decision won't change."

"I'll do a... anything so please..." he said in between sobs while clutching on her sleeves.

"Love me… hic.. Sonia... hic."

"M… marry me," he added.