Blood
Hyde had seen blood, blood from critters he captured, a bit of blood from meals that they cooked and even blood gushing out from fellow knights who got hurt while training in the house of Falcon. Yet, none could compare to what was before him.
Jonathan's eyes were wide open as his body limped against a foul creature that latched itself on the man's throat. Blood poured down his neck, the creature's teeth gnawing onto torn flesh. The iron stench flooded the air around them and desecrated the quiet night.
Hyde understood why deer froze up during danger, unable to move and paralyzed by its imminent danger. He wouldn't put no matter how much he willed himself to.
"G-go-" Jonathan croaked at the noble as he mustered the strength to draw his sword and toss it towards the young man. "E-escape!"
Tears pricked Hyde's eyes, how could he- yet those words of encouragement enabled strength to flow through his body to snatch the sword and ram it towards the fiend's forehead. He couldn't run, he wouldn't abandon Jonathan- he pulled out the sword as the both the creature and Jonathan collapsed onto the sand.
"God." The sword glittered underneath the pale moonlight with fresh blood, green and viscous, the creature's jaw slackened against Jonathan's throat as its yellowish eyes reeled and finally. The man gasped heavily, his chest laboriously heaving up and down. "You're going to be okay!" Hyde ground his teeth; he couldn't move Jonathan could he?
"I'll get help." Hyde dropped the sword knelt in front of Jonathan, ripping a portion of his top in the process. He placed it against the open wound, a large vein already ruptured through the bite. He winced at the sight, as blood soaked the cloth. Rhine could heal this, he just needed to get her to this place now.
A croaky laugh escaped Jonathan's mouth, "P-Please don't w-worry about me…" He coughed and squeezed his eyes shut, "M-my j-job is to protect you."
"You still have to protect me more!" Hyde's body shook as he stared at the young man, why was this happening? All he wanted was to have fun… A thundercloud loomed over the night sky, partially concealing the full moon.
A series of groans and moans halted his train of thoughts; multiple grotesque decayed eyes loomed from the darkness. "No." Hyde's hand went for his quiver as he got an arrow. He notched it in his bow and released it into their direction. They continued to approach, "No!" He grabbed some more arrows and started shooting one after another. "STAY AWAY!"
The groans and moans continued growing and drawing closer. Hyde went to reach for another arrow, a hand gripped his wrist, "P-please…." Jonathan's face contorted in pain, "R-run."
"I-I can't leave you!" Tears pricked the corner of Hyde's eyes, "You're going to be okay! I-I can do this!"
"Go!" Jonathan's body convulsed as he released his grip on the young man.
*
"Hyde!" Rhine stirred awake from her slumber as her eyes darted around the darkness as she lit up her lantern.
Only Gus remained in front of her.
Her heart raced as she clutched her necklace. "Wake up!" Cold sweat ran all over her body as she grabbed the butler by the shoulders and shook him awake. "Wake up!!!"
"What is it?" Gus yawned and rubbed his eyes, sleepiness still evident by the bags underneath his eyes.
"Hyde is-!" Rhine knew she was too worried, he probably went to the bathroom or something. He should be with the guards but her heart raced hard that she was afraid it would escape her chest. She took deep breaths, deep breaths. "I-I'm-"
A knock erupted from the door's carriage- Gus creaked the door open to reveal a ghost-white face of David.
"I deeply apologize to disturb the lady Falcon but Sir Hyde and Jonathan are missing!" The guard's voice wracked with guilt as Gus's grip on the handle hardened.
Rhine's heart lost a beat, she shouldn't have slept. She should have watched the boy. She should be somewhat comforted though her mind screeched at her. Hyde was at least accompanied despite leaving without permission, if he hunted then he had Jonathan- but fear gripped her heart. "F-find them at once!"