Chapter 299: Saving the doctor
Blake crouched behind a large tree, carefully observing Damien's huge manor from a safe distance. He had been watching and waiting patiently for hours. The night was slowly fading as the first hints of dawn began to appear over the horizon.
Suddenly, Blake noticed someone emerge from the front door of the manor. Squinting his eyes, he recognized the figure - it was Dr. Martina, the kind doctor who used to visit Rose's house to treat him at the time he was sick. Blake was surprised and confused about why she would be at Damien's place at this early hour.
Dr. Martina walked across the grounds towards a large swimming pool located behind the manor. To Blake's incredulity, she began removing her clothes until she was just in her undergarments. She then slipped into the pool and began swimming lazy laps.
"How odd to go for a swim at this time," Blake muttered under his breath. "It's still practically night."
He watched as Dr. Martina continued her laps back and forth for several minutes. The sky gradually lightened from inky black to shades of deep blue and purple. Still, the doctor remained in the pool, her movements becoming more sluggish.
After what seemed like 20 minutes, Blake realized with a start that Dr. Martina had not resurfaced for quite some time. He narrowed his eyes, trying to discern any movement in the water, but saw none.
Without a second thought, Blake sprang into action, crossing the distance to the pool with a few powerful strides. Diving into the cool water, he submerged and quickly located Dr. Martina's motionless form suspended in the deep end.
Wrapping his arms around her, Blake kicked upwards, breaking through the surface. Hoisting Dr. Martina's limp body over the side of the pool, he lifted himself out as well with ease.
Laying her down on the wet tiles, Blake checked for signs of life. Her skin was pale and clammy, but she still had a faint pulse. Using his enhanced speed, Blake swiftly gathered her dress before scooping the doctor up and racing back towards the sheltered cover of the trees he had been hiding behind earlier.
As the adrenaline rush faded, Blake went utterly still, realizing Dr. Martina was beginning to stir in his arms. Her eyelids fluttered open and she looked around in evident confusion before focusing on Blake's face. Her eyes widened in shock and she tried to recoil.
"Y-You...what are you doing here?" Dr. Martina stammered, her voice raspy.
Blake said nothing, simply gazing at her impassively as she seemed to really take in his appearance. Her mouth opened and closed as she studied the striking changes from when she had last seen him – his hair was now streaked with white, his eyes glowed with an unnatural hue, and his physique was considerably more powerful and formidable.
After a long moment, Blake finally spoke in a low, dangerous tone. "Where is Rose? Tell me what's happening here."
Instead of answering, Dr. Martina seemed to regain some composure and directed the question back at him. "Blake...what happened to you? You look so...different."
A muscle ticked in Blake's jaw, his patience already wearing thin. "Never mind about me. You need to start talking...now. Tell me everything you know about what's going on. And you better not try holding anything back." His voice took on a growling quality that caused Dr. Martina to tremble.
Swallowing hard, she began haltingly. "I...I was here treating someone when I must have passed out or something. The next thing I knew, you were pulling me from the pool." She shook her head slowly. "I have no idea what I'm doing at here,"
Blake's eyes flared red and he bared his elongated fangs. "Don't play dumb with me, doctor. I know you were treating someone here, and it's obvious who that someone is." He leaned in closer until his face was just inches from hers. "Now I'll ask you again - where is Rose? If you don't tell me the truth, you'll wish I had left you at the bottom of that pool."
Fresh terror bloomed across Dr. Martina's face as she seemed to fully take in the predatory threat behind Blake's words and aggressive stance. Tears sprang to her eyes and she cringed away as much as she could while still cradled in his iron grip.
"She's...she's back at Damien's manor," she whispered in a shaking voice. "Damien, he...he hired me to help treat her here. She couldn't go to a hospital. That's the only reason I came here, I swear!"
Blake's eyes narrowed dangerously, realizing the doctor seemed to may have been telling the truth, at least about knowing Rose's whereabouts. A low, menacing snarl rumbled up from his chest.
"Fine, but you're going to tell me exactly what has been happening here. Every single detail, doctor. Because if I find out you're lying or holding anything back..." He trailed off, leaving the threat unspoken but hanging ominously in the air between them.
Tears streaked down Dr. Martina's cheeks, but she seemed to understand the deadly seriousness of her situation. Swallowing hard, she began speaking quickly, her words tumbling out in a rush.
"All I know is that Rose is unwell and I'm here to provide medical treatment since she can't go to a regular hospital..."
Blake felt an icy chill run through him at the doctor's words. What could have happened to Rose that will reduce her to such a state? His grip tightened almost imperceptibly as he tried to tamp down the rising surge of emotions.
"Go on," he growled through gritted teeth. "Tell me everything else you know. How has she been responding to treatment? Where is she now?"
Trembling violently now, Dr. Martina continued her tale in a breathless rush. "I...I can't say she's doing so well. Like I said, I was only called upon to administer treatment to her, and she's a very important and close friend that's why I'll do all I can to save her at all costs. I've been mainly administering medications to stabilize her, try to undo the damage in her body.
The last few days, she seemed to be improving, regaining some of her strength."
Blake felt hope and dread battling within him. He had to get Rose away from this place, from Damien's clutches.
"Where is she now?" he repeated in a voice like shattered glass. "Tell me where she is right this second."
Shrinking away from the intensity blazing in Blake's supernatural gaze, Dr. Martina rapidly explained. "He...he moved her just last night. To another room, I don't know exactly where. I was simply told my services were no longer required and dismissed."
A tense silence stretched between them as Blake searched the doctor's face for any sign of deception. Seemingly satisfied she was being truthful, at least for now, his jaw clenched in a tic of frustration.
"I need to find out which room they took her to," he growled, half to himself. "I have to get to her before..." He trailed off, not allowing himself to voice his deepest fear.