John Mitchell better known as Mitchell took a sip of his drink and looked around taking in the people in the club around him. He was trying to relax and be as inconspicuous as possible. With his long curly dark hair that fell to just above his shoulders and his smoldering good looks he appeared to be a young man in his mid twenties. However he was in reality 116 years old as he wasn't in fact human. At the age of 24 in 1917 while fighting in World War One he had encountered a vampire, Herrick who along with other vampires were searching through the dead looking for anyone still alive that they could feed on. Mitchell had agreed to let Herrick feed on him in return for the rest of the men serving with him being left alone. Since that day Mitchell had been a vampire but unlike most vampires he did not like to kill. He had struggled with his desires to feed ever since then and for the most part had managed to stay clean. As Mitchell looked around the pub his eyes fell on a woman who appeared to be his age who was talking with some friends. For some time he had realized that if he wanted to be as human as possible that would include dating and having a girlfriend. Obviously for any girl to love him she would have to know about his condition and accept him for who he was. He couldn't get his eyes off the woman as she was very good looking. Taking another sip of his drink he made a decision and standing headed in her direction.
Amber Reigns was having a really good time hanging out with her friends. It wasn't often they came out clubbing but it was a special occasion as it was Amber's best friend Roz's birthday and they were celebrating.
"Hey Amber someone's checking you out," Roz said.
"Who?" Amber asked.
"That tall guy with long dark hair," Roz said indicating at Mitchell.
Amber looked discretly over at him then at Roz.
"He's gorgeous. Probably too old for me though," Amber said.
"You don't know how old he is silly," Roz said.
"Ohmigosh he's coming over here, " Amber said.
She sat there sipping her drink as Mitchell approached.
"Hey there, having a good evening?" Mitchell asked.
His deep voice, coupled with his Irish accent was very sexy and Amber couldn't help but flirt.
"Yeah I am. Thanks," Amber said.
"I'm John Mitchell but everyone calls me Mitchell," Mitchell said extending his hand.
"Amber," Amber said reaching out to shake his hand.
Mitchell smiled at her.
"Wanna dance?" Mitchell asked her.
"Sure," Amber said.
She allowed Mitchell to lead her onto the dance floor and they began jamming to the beat of the fast song that was playing. Then a slow song came on and Mitchell drew Amber close. As they drifted around the room Mitchell breathed in Amber's scent. She smelt good, so very good and he knew he wanted her. With a start Mitchell realized he was close to losing control.
"So are you from around here?" Amber asked Mitchell.
"Yeah I live a few streets away, with a friend," Mitchell said.
"I don't live far away either. I live on my own as I am studying. What do you do for a living?" Amber said.
"I'm a cleaner at the hospital," Mitchell said.
"Alright. I'm studying to be a counselor," Amber said.
Mitchell smiled at her.
"That's pretty cool," he said.
"So why do you have such a low paying job ?" Amber asked.
"I have to start somewhere," Mitchell said.
The song ended and Mitchell invited Amber to join him at his table. She accepted and they made their way to the table he'd been at. As they sat down Mitchell smiled at Amber again.
"So how old are you?" Mitchell asked her.
"I'm 22," Amber said.
"And I'm 24," Mitchell said.
As their conversation continued Amber shared a lot about herself and Mitchell found himself liking her more and more. He knew that if things became serious between them he would have to reveal his true nature to her and hope that she didn't freak out.
"So tell me about your friend" Amber said.
"His name is George and he is a cleaner like me at the hospital," Mitchell said.
"Awesome,"Amber said
"Oh by the way I'm Irish in case you hadn't guessed from my accent," Mitchell said.
"Yeah I'd guessed," Amber said.
She glanced around to check on her friends and they gave her a thumbs up. Amber turned back to Mitchell.
"I take it you are single," she said.
"Yes yes I am. What about you," Mitchell said.
"Me too unfortunately," Amber said.
They continued to talk until it got late.
"Um I've had an awesome time with you but I think I need to be going now," Amber said.
"Could… could I walk you home?" Mitchell asked.
"Sure why not," Amber said.
She only lived a few blocks from the club and she'd told him that. Going over to her friends she told them what was happening. They smiled at her.
"Ooh maybe you'll get laid," Roz said.
"Nah," Amber said.
Roz and Geraldine said their goodnights and left leaving Amber with Mitchell.
"Shall we?" Mitchell asked, when Amber returned to him.
"Sure," Amber said.
So they headed out of the club and began walking along the street talking quietly. Suddenly a man came round the corner.
"Hello Mitchell. Nice bird you've got with you. Is this one of your one night stands?" the man said.
"Get lost Seth," Mitchell said.
"Is this going to end as uh badly as the last bird you had?" Seth asked.
"I said get lost," Mitchell said.
Amber stared at Seth wondering what he meant. One night stands and end badly didn't sound good to her.
"Do you really think you can start something and not end up giving in and screwing it up?" Seth said.
"Yes. I am clean now," Mitchell said.
Amber looked at him wondering what on earth he meant.
"You will never be able to stay clean," Seth said.
"Yes I will. It will work this time," Mitchell said.
"Well if you don't want her I'll have her," Seth said.
He took a step towards Amber and she stared in horror as his eyes went black and fangs appeared in his mouth.
"Don't even think about it," Mitchell said.
Seth reluctantly took a step back.
"Have it your way," he said then walked off disappearing in the darkness.
"What was that all about?" Amber asked, as they began walking again.
"There's something I need to tell you. I was hoping not to have to tell you this for a while but I have no choice now," Mitchell said.
"What is it? Are you like Seth or something?" Amber said.
"Yes. I am a vampire. I'm not 24 I'm actually 117. I was 24 when I was infected and became a vampire. I did it to save my men," Mitchell said.
"Whoa. Why would anyone willingly become like Seth. He's a monster," Amber said.
"As I said, to save my men. Herrick promised they'd leave them alone if I let him drink from me so I did," Mitchell said.
"Do you have those fangs and black eyes," Amber asked.
"Well yes," Mitchell said.
"I bet you look totally sexy with them," Amber said.
"You don't think I'm a monster then?" Mitchell said.
"Well no as you protected me from Seth," Amber said.
Mitchell couldn't believe it. Amber was so different from most women although there had been a few who hadn't been perturbed by him being a vampire. But none had said that they thought he would look sexy with his fangs.
"Can I see them?" Amber asked.
"What?" Mitchell asked in surprise.
"Your fangs," Amber said.
"Are you serious?" Mitchell asked.
No one had ever asked him that before and he had no idea how to react.
"Alright. But only this once," Mitchell said.
He smiled at her and allowed his fangs to descend and his eyes to go black.
"That is so sexy," Amber said.
"Seriously? No one has ever said that before," Mitchell said.
"Seriously," Amber said.
She was smiling at him and suddenly he had an overwhelming desire to kiss her. He allowed his teeth and eyes to return to normal then smiled at her again and moved close.
"You are an amazing woman you know that," Mitchell said.
He guided her lips to his and kissed her softly. Their kiss deepened and Mitchell felt his body growing hot.
"Are we far from yours now?" He asked, after they had come up for air.
"Not far," Amber said.
"Good because I I'm feeling weak at the knees," Mitchell said.
"Alright," Amber said.
"There's something else you should know. I don't drink blood. That's what I meant when I told Seth I was clean. I am not like the other vampires. I have no desire to kill," Mitchell said.
Amber then realized what he meant and smiled at him.
"What did Seth meant by things ending badly and one night stands?" Amber asked.
"I've been a vampire for a long time. And well to be honest I've killed a lot of people. But that's in the past. And often it's been after I've slept with someone. Its hard for me to separate sex and killing. But not this time. I swear it," Mitchell said.
"So how come if you were 24 at the time you were turned you still look 24 now?" Amber said.
"A vampire is frozen in time. We don't grow old. We are as we were when we were infected. I will always look just like this," Mitchell said.
"Is there anything else I should know?" Amber asked.
"You'll need to invite me in when we get to yours. Vampires can't enter private property unless they are invited in," Mitchell said.
So when they reached Amber's place Amber invited Mitchell in and he was able to go in. Her house was a small one bedroom flat .
"Nice place you have here," Mitchell said.
"It's small but meets my needs. I'm on my own as my family died a few years ago. I was the only survivor of a car accident. I've been on my own ever since," Amber said.
"Man that sucks," Mitchell said.
"Would you like something to drink?" Amber asked.
"Tea will be fine," Mitchell said.
So Amber made him a cup of tea and while he drank it she asked him some more about himself.
"Well I've been through quite a lot in my long life. Various relationships, various friendships. And to be honest I haven't always been able to stay away from drinking blood. It's like an addiction and I think the best way to describe it is to say that blood to vampires is like alcohol to alcoholics. We need it to feel normal. Well other vampires do. I don't," Mitchell said.
"Can a vampire drink too much blood?" Amber asked.
"Yes we can and it affects us like too much alcohol affects a human. We get drunk," Mitchell said.
"I expect alcohol would have a similar effect on you," Amber said.
"Yeah it would," Mitchell said.
Mitchell described his previous efforts to get clean including his relationship with Carl .
"It sounds like you do well then for one reason or another you fall off the wagon," Amber said.
"That's about the short of it," Mitchell said.
"It's a shame that such a nice guy has such a problem," Amber said.
"Maybe you can be the person who can help me. Maybe you can save me," Mitchell said.
"How bad does it get?" Amber asked.
"Well there are the cravings. That's the worst part. Some would say that you can check out but you can never leave. It's not like being a warewolf and only having to deal with your condition one night a month. This is all the time, it's always there," Mitchell said.
"So you need someone who can come alongside you and support you and keep you on the straight and narrow," Amber said.
"Yes," Mitchell said.
"And your friends. Are they a threat to me," Amber asked.
"George won't hurt you but as for the other vampires I don't know," Mitchell said.
That worried Amber a bit. What if they attacked her and tried to feed from her.
"I will protect you from them as best I can," Mitchell said.
As it was very late Mitchell decided to head home so Amber went with him to the door.
"Well see you around," Amber said.
"Hope so," Mitchell replied.
They hugged and shared an intense kiss then Mitchell headed home feeling considerably happier than he'd felt in a long time. When he got home George was watching tv and he wanted to know where Mitchell had been.
"Where have you been. You've been out much later than normal. I hope you haven't done anything stupid," George said.
"Far from it. I've met someone and I think she might be the one who can help me stay clean once and for all," Mitchell said.
"You've met a girl? Is that wise? What about your you know condition?" George said.
"It's fine George she knows what I am and she's not afraid," Mitchell said.
"What's this?" Annie asked, appearing beside them.
"Mitchell's met a girl," George said.
"Really. That's wonderful. Don't go and screw it up ok," Annie said.
"I think she can help me stay clean once and for all," Mitchell said.
"Do we get to meet her?" Annie asked.