Chapter 25

The sound of heavy snowfall roused Mark from his slumber. His bedmates were already gone, joining the other refugees who were quietly eating. Stella noticed him and gestured for him to join them, Kirsten greeted him with a warm smile and Denise wore a smug expression. Looking at the time, Mark realized the day had begun. He stood up, peering outside to see only the swirling snow and muted light.

Mark quietly observed the group from his corner, listening to their conversation about rationing their scarce supplies. Determined to share, he rummaged through his bag, replacing disguise items with canned goods and bread loaves.

With a reassuring smile, Mark approached them, extending the bag. "Here," he said. "Don't worry about rationing, guys. I'll head outside later, scavenge some food from the houses, and ensure we have enough to eat." Sitting beside Stella, he joined them in their meal.

Stella couldn't help but voice her concern, her tone filled with genuine worry. "Mark, I appreciate your bravery, but isn't it too dangerous out there? And you're still healing from your injuries," she said.

Around them, the other refugees nodded in agreement as Stella voiced her concern. Mark remained silent, pondering her words. He acknowledged the validity of her worry about his injuries. The truth was, he didn't know the full extent of his injuries at the moment.

Concerning the danger outside, Mark reasoned within himself. As long as he avoided surprise attacks or direct encounters with Marlow, Mark felt confident in his ability to handle any other confrontations with the vampires outside. He wasn't overly concerned about Marlow, knowing he could escape if faced with the vampire again.

After pondering Stella's words and feeling the weight of the group's concern, Mark nodded appreciatively at her and the others. "I understand your worries, but we need someone to take that risk. We can't just sit here and do nothing, can we? There's still a long way to go before the other residents return, and with luck, those guys out there will leave this place," he gave his excuse.

In the weighty silence that followed, Billy and Eben exchanged glances. It was Billy who spoke first. "We can't just let you go alone. We're the sheriffs in this town, after all," he said, his eyes reflecting determination. Eben nodded seriously, putting aside his personal feelings for the sake of their collective safety.

Mark looked at them both, he offered a small, appreciative grin. "I really appreciate your willingness to help, guys, but going solo will make it quicker and safer," he explained. "Plus, the fewer of us out there, the less attention we'll draw."

His decision wasn't just about efficiency; he knew that if they accompanied him, he'd worry about their safety every step of the way. It would be annoying. Besides, revealing his abilities in a world where the government still existed posed its own risks. Mark didn't want to leave this world as a fugitive once the vampire threat was eliminated.

With reluctant acceptance, Billy and Eben nodded, understanding Mark's reasoning even if they didn't fully agree. As Mark finished his meal, he gave his farewell, expressing his gratitude once more, before rising to his feet. He picked up his empty bag along with him.

As he prepared to descend from the attic, he glanced over at Denise, Stella, and Kirsten, giving them a wink. They smiled, their support evident in their expressions. Stella quickly approached him, her eyes unwavering. "I'm coming with you," she stated firmly. "You don't know the town well enough, and I want to make sure you stay safe. I've got your back." Her tone left no room for argument.

"Err, fine. If I know you just wanted some alone time," Mark teased with a playful smirk. Stella scoffs and pushed him forward.

'I can't hunt my vampire minions if you're with me, though,' Mark thought to himself. They descended from the attic and surveyed the house's interior. Mark began searching for the bathroom, and upon finding it, he tried turning on the faucet. There was no water; it had likely frozen due to the lack of power the previous night. He spotted a bucket and poured warm water from his thermos bottle, not minding Stella watching, who seemed amazed at the amount of water it provided.

"What are you doing?" Stella asked, curious.

Mark retrieved body wash and shampoo from his storage and handed them to Stella. "I'm going to take a bath," he stated matter-of-factly. He began undressing, pulling off his bandages. Stella helped him, her touch gentle. Mark observed the shrapnel wound and found it already healed, leaving behind only faint red marks. His injury on the back shoulder had closed, and the bruising and swelling on his side had significantly improved.

"You should join me. It's very refreshing." Mark suggested, his tone teasing. " I'll pour water on you while you do the same to me. Plus, it's more fun this way, don't you think?" He winked at Stella.

With a snort, Stella joined him inside the bathroom.

"Just what you said earlier," Mark said, a playful grin on his face. "I've got your back." He closed the bathroom door, sealing off the outside world and allowing them a moment of privacy.

Muffled moans and the sound of rhythmic slapping echoed from behind the bathroom door, mingling with the distant howls of wind and snow outside the house. Hours later, they emerged. Stella looked tired but radiant, and Mark handed her a change of clothes from his storage space.

Stella's eyes sparkled with curiosity as she inquired, "I've always wondered, how do you manage to pull items out of thin air?"

With a smile, Mark decided not to keep it a secret from her, understanding the exhaustion that came with discreetly hiding things from everyone else.

"It's just some very advanced technology," he admitted, his tone casual. "A unique storage space I have access to. It's a lifesaver, especially in situations like these."

"Just keep it a secret alright?" He added.

Stella nodded, understanding the need for secrecy.

"I promise," she replied softly, her eyes filled with trust.

Mark gently pecked her on the lips, reassured by her understanding. "I'll show you this too," he said, walking a short distance away from her. In an instant, he reappeared beside her, startling Stella.

"See this here?" Mark gently touched the womb tattoo below her navel. "I can appear beside you from anywhere because of this. That's why I wanted you to stay here now. If something happened and I got surrounded, I can escape to you."

Wide-eyed and surprised, Stella glanced down at her womb tattoo as Mark touched it. A mix of awe and wonder flickered in her eyes as she comprehended the significance of the mark.

"I had no idea," she murmured, her voice filled with amazement. The realization of the trust Mark had placed in her settled in, making her feel both touched and deeply connected to him. She looked back up at him with an appreciative smile.

"Alright, I'm heading out," Mark said casually, handing her the last two extra shotguns he had. He gave her a quick kiss and added, "Wait for me on the walkie-talkie. I'll give you a heads-up if I'm coming back. If you're alone, I'll appear next to you." Stella nodded, understanding the plan. With a reassuring grin, Mark ventured out.

On the rooftop, the heavy snowfall blanketed the town, significantly hindering visibility and turning it into a pristine white landscape. Mark, dressed in an all-white coat, kept his eyes sharp, scanning the area seriously. Against the snowy backdrop, any dark figures moving below would be instantly eye-catching, directing his focus as he scoured the vicinity for signs of the vampires in their hiding place.

With the area seemingly clear, Mark leaped down from the rooftop and began moving stealthily from house to house. Inside each dwelling, he meticulously gathered supplies – canned food, bottled water, and any other essentials he could find. The scarcity of resources was evident, making each discovery valuable.

His task extended beyond securing supplies. Mark checked every room for signs of survivors. He knew that if there were any survivors, he had to ensure their safety by instructing them to stay put and remain as quiet as possible. In this eerie silence, the slightest noise could draw unwanted attention. With the vampires not yet dealt with, there was no truly safe place in the town.

While scouring the town, Mark's eyes spotted a ransacked hardware store. He cautiously entered, his footsteps muffled by the layer of snow beneath him. Inside, he quickly gathered what he needed – heating supplies to combat the biting cold, sturdy bear traps for defense, chains for various purposes, and flares to use distractions.

As he ventured deeper into the town, signs of chaos became more apparent. Broken doors of houses stood as ominous reminders of the events from the previous night.

In the blink of an eye, Mark disappeared and reappeared beside a blonde vampire on the other side of town. She seemed to be searching for prey inside a house. Startled, the vampire's eyes widened before she broke into a wide, unsettling smile, revealing her jagged pointed teeth.

"You're quite the sight. Giving off strong Mileena vibes." Mark said, his tone laced with sarcasm as he observed the vampire's menacing grin.