Chapter 158
Chapter 158
Amos considered that. After a long moment, he sighed. “You stay right by my side the entire time p>
With Chloe riding Amos piggyback, they set out after the thrall. Just as Amos predicted, they were able to corner hem an were too high for the thrall to climb, and he wasn’t fast enough to get past Amos.
end of the alley. The walls
He huddled against the bricks, eyes darting nervously from Amos to Chloe to the open space behind them. Every time his gate landed on Chise his expression turned imploring, as if she could help him.
“Hey,” Chloe said softly. “Don’t be afraid. We’re not going to hurt you p>
Amos took a cautious step closer and the thrall panicked, scrabbling against the bricks in a futile effort to climb the wall. He dropped back down to the pavement, breathing hard, eyes darting wildly.
“It’s okay,” Chloe soothed. “Catch your breath. You must be so tired p>
The thrall’s gaze went to her face, despair contorting his grimy features.
“We just want to help you. Will you come with us p>
The thrall’s gaze returned to Amos, face rigid with fear.
“Don’t worry about him,” Chloe said. “He won’t hurt you. He’s a big softie. And he knows people who can help you p>
The thrall shrunk back, pressing himself against the bricks as if he could simply sink through them.
Deciding to take a different tack, Chloe asked, “How long have you been on your own p>
The question seemed to catch the thrall off guard. He blinked at her.
“It’s been several months, at least, hasn’t it p>
Warily, the thrall nodded.
“I thought so. We met each other in April, I think. You were on the sidewalk, close to where I work p>
After a nervous pause, gaze darting to Amos and back to Chloe, he nodded again.
“Are you the orfe who’s been leaving gifts for me p>
Another nod.
“Will you tell me your name p>
He stared at her.
“My name’s Chloe,” she persisted. “What’s yours p>
She let the silence stretch out, waiting patiently. At last, the thrall opened his mouth as if to answer, but only produced a hoarse gasp
“It’s alright,” Chloe said quickly. “Don’t try to speak if it hurts. Would you let me take a look at your throat? I’m a nurse p>
“Chloe,” Amos growled.
The thrall flinched at Amos’s growl, scrabbling against the bricks again, wearing himself out faster this time.
09:21
Caught Naked By My Alpha Neighbor! Now I’m His–No Escape.
Chapter 158
“You’re alright,” Chloe soothed. “It’s okay. Just take a breather.” She waited until his breathing more or less evened out. “We won’t touch you or hurt you, but if you’ll just follow us, we can lead you somewhere safe p>
The thrall’s gaze darted all around the alley before coming back to Chloe. Thin chest heaving, he panted something that almost sounded like a word.
“I’m sorry, I missed that,” Chloe said gently.
He spoke again, a faint rasp of sound, but once again, it meant nothing to Chloe’s ears. She shook her head apologetically.
He took a breath. “Phillipe,” he managed to whisper.
“Oh! That’s your name? Phillipe? That’s a beautiful–whoa p>
The thrall–Phillipe–made a sudden dash to Chloe’s left. It was so fast, she could hardly track him. Amos moved faster, but Chloe was in the way. The thrall bounded onto the dumpster behind Chloe and up onto the second–story roof above it.
Amos leapt up after him, but he stopped at the edge of the roof, unwilling to let Chloe out of his sight. With a sigh, he jumped back down. “He’s gone p>
“God, he’s in such bad shape,” Chloe said when they were back in the house. “He needs help p>
“He’s getting to the end of his rope,” Amos said grimly. “I’d guess he has a couple weeks at most before he wastes away entirely p>
“What happens then p>
“Death, basically. A vampire–or a thrall–can go for a long time without feeding. It’s a miserable existence, but it’s survivable. But not forever: If the thrall p>
“Phillipe p>
“If Phillipe hasn’t fed since Markov died, then he’s close to the end p>
Chloe’s heart sank. “We have to help him p>
Amos was silent.
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