Eighteen

The men advanced on us, their expressions grim and determined. I could see the weapons they carried - guns, knives, and other deadly tools. But I was determined not to let them get the best of us.

I lunged at the first man, aiming a punch at his jaw. He stumbled backward, but his partner was quick to take his place, aiming a kick at my stomach. I blocked it with my arm, then spun around, delivering a swift kick to his chest. He went down, but before I could celebrate, another man was on me, aiming a knife at my chest.

I dodged to the side, then grabbed his wrist and twisted it until he dropped the weapon. Before he could recover, I kicked him in the stomach, sending him sprawling to the ground. Derek was fighting his own battles, taking on two men at once. He moved quickly, ducking and dodging as they aimed punches and kicks at him. But he was no ordinary human - he was a vampire, with heightened senses and reflexes.

He landed a powerful blow to one man's jaw, sending him reeling back