Chapter 1

Incipit

That night, as usual, I went out when the darkness fell. I went to the city centre, because there are always preys on the small lanes, at the end, in the dark. Expectedly, my hunt went quite well, smoothly, and quickly. I finished at a very early hour, but I decided to wander around before heading back home.

When I was about to leave, I smelt a strong hint of blood. This one was not like what people usually had. This one did not hide itself. It spread out in to the air. So curiously, I followed the sense. And then, I saw him. I understood where the smell came from. He curled on his right side, against the wall, covered with blood. White shirt turned almost all red. He must have been hunted and ran down to this place, for I saw a gunshot on his right abdomen and a blood track, stretching out into the darkness. There was no sign of his enemies. Well, apparently, he made the dodge successfully, but on the expense of what, I doubted, and I hardly approved.

His mouth was bloodless, his face was pale like death. But I knew he was still alive for I sensed a smell of life. But it was fading. Blood running in his vein has already slowed down. The heartbeat was weak, and sounded like it would not have another one. Alas, life, so fragile, so vulnerable, that can be broken like a snap of a twig. It was not quite common for me to see a life fading, not under my hand.

Saving lives, same as taking lives, has always been my mission. I guessed this must be my pride and ego. I can never see a life being taken when I was not the one who took it. Consequently, I cut my wrist with my fingernail and split my blood on his wound. Then, I bit my lips and sent my blood into his mouth. But he did not wake up immediately. I thought this must because he lost so much of them. So I had no choice but to take him back home. I cared for my work, after all. When I picked him up and walked into the moonlight, I saw his right face was a bit deformed. Maybe it was the result of a battle. Quite scary, I should say.

Put him on the floor, I expected him to be awaken in maybe just a couple of hours. I hoped it would be before the dawn.

As expected, he woke up very soon. But he was still very weak. I doubted if he was able to sit up. I crouched before him and examined him carefully. I had to say, unfortunately, my blood kept him alive, though, it was only temporary. Because of his huge amount of blood-losing, I bet he would not survive the week. Bullet was still in him. Even though he would not die of blood lose, he would die of infection.

It took him quite a while to focus his eyes. Then I heard him asking for water. Well, how would I know? I don't drink, water. I don't even have a cup. Looking around the room, I tried to find something. Any container would do. My eyes located on the brush pot. Well, not that I was willing to, I did not seem to have a choice. So I went to clear the pot and fetch him some water.

He seemed to get back some of his strength after a while. He uttered some long sentences, some thanks sort of thing. I don't really remember for my mind was filled with thought of my experiment. Human normally can put up with certain amount of my blood. But, once exceeded the threshold, they all ended up dead. Now with another experiment object before me, I definitely would not miss my chance. Next step was to lure him into it.

He looked extremely painful for he twisted his face frequently. I pointed out the truth that his days were numbered, and added that I can help him. Fear of death, human's fatal weakness. Control it, and you control them. As I expected, he consented. So I cut my wrist and dropped blood into his mouth. I shall see the result in no time.

Unexpectedly, he did not blow off like everyone else did. His face started to get back its colour, and his wound started to heal. I dug out of the bullet before it completely healed. This experiment was such a success, for some reasons I did not know. Not yet. Perhaps it was his low blood level. I would further investigate it. But now, a new product I created was before my eyes! I was overjoyed. Oh, I had so much questions. So much to do. What is he? Is he still human? Half vampire half human? A new species at last? What is he capable of?

He sat up, looked astonished, and also intact. Well, except his right face. It was a bit… Well, he must be born that way. Otherwise, why my blood did not work? It intrigued me to get to know him. It was not so often for me to meet a man like this. Blood on his shirt has not dry yet, so I dipped on it with my finger and put it in my mouth.

Then his past flashed before my eyes. The gun shot, by policemen. He lived, by the lake? There was a girl, a ring, another guy. Oh, sad story. Chandelier, opera show, graveyard, rooftop…. His entangled love story with the girl. He, built the Opera Garnier? That was something. Hunted again… for…. That was an awesome palace. Good maze of mirror, but would not work on me. Circus troupe. This guy certainly has been to many places. And, a poor childhood….

That was his past that I have read. I had to admit, he was a bit special. Not that he was as special as me. Just a bit different from normal people. Got some talents. Good knowledge and experience. That would make him exceed most of people. Plus his face. How many people in the world were born with one half good looking and the other half distorted? Counting all in history, maybe a dozen, or even less. I had never seen one in my entire life, and that was over eighteen centuries. From what I saw, I knew that he cannot go back to where he used to live. It would be a perfect excuse for to him stay with me from now on.

I looked at him, cannot hide my excitement. I was like an artist looking at a masterpiece made by his own hands. And he was so confused and startled when I tasted his blood. I pretended nothing happened and it was just one of my little odd hobby. It was best not to let him know that I already knew everything about him. I would rather not put him in a defensive mode. "Can you stand?" I asked while I stood up myself. He nodded and then got up from the floor.

There was blood on the floor, and he looked very sorry about it. Before he said anything, I told him that it was okay, and it would be great if he can clean himself up and get changed. I went to my bedroom and fetched him some clothes to change. He looked the same size as I, so I figured they would fit him.

While he was in the bathroom, I cleaned the floor, threw his clothes out. I just tried to get rid of as much distraction as possible. It had human blood on it, after all. I was pretty sure I would be okay around him, for I was not interested in sucking my own blood at all. I wondered what to tell him if he was to ask, about the healing, or about me. I thought it would be wise that I make my home look more human. So I figured to get some human food. All stores were closed at that hour. I broke into one and fetched as many foods as possible. Of course, as well as daily necessity. I did not really know what human normally eat or use, so I basically took each from the shelf.

When I got back, less than five minutes past. He was still in the bathroom. So I put all stuff in the kitchen, in which there was only one big box. I dragged the box to my bedroom, pretending that the kitchen was my storing room, then locked my bedroom. Then I went on sitting in the drawing room, pretending I was reading a book while waiting for him.

In about another five minutes, he walked into the drawing room, with water dripping from his hair. My clothes really suited him. He looked refreshed. "There are foods in the kitchen. Make yourself at home. The door next to you." In no time, he came back with… whatever that was eatable. Then I realised I only had one chair in the flat, so I gave it to him. I never had any guest after all. He muttered a thank you with a mouthful food.

I can tell that he had many questions, and he has not yet asked any because he was just behaving politely. I thought it was the time to resolve his questions. "I found you in an alley. I assumed you were hunted down. I saw a very long blood trace. So what's your story?"

He looked like that he did not want to talk about it. But out of courtesy, he told me part of his story. Much less than what I already knew, but I acted like that I accepted what he said, and did not chase more.

I told him my name, and asked for his. "Érik."

"So, Érik, you can stay with me from now on. Since you can no longer live in your old house."

"I am very grateful for everything you did for me, but…"

"No but. You have my blood in your vein, I believe it is the best for both of us that you stay here."

It was very hard for him to accept this. For a man who was always on his own. But it was true that he did not have a place to stay. To me, it was a perfect time to tame him.

He accepted it with a nod, but added that it was only temporary, and he would go on finding a new place after the incident got past. No, Érik, you belong to me now, forever.

"Speak of your blood, why did it heal me so fast?"

I knew he would ask. I have been thinking about a response. "You see, Érik, my blood is special. It has a strong self-recovering ability." I cut my forearm with a knife and showed him the whole process of self-healing. "There are always people who are talented. I am special. So are you." He gave a half-surprised half-expected look. I gestured him to give a try himself. I was as curious as he was, and more eager to know what would happen.

He hesitated a bit before he decided to find it out. I watched him cutting himself, bleeding, then healing, at a lower rate, though. His lifted eyebrows and widened eyes told me that he was half-astonished half-amazed by what he could do, and even a bit happy about it. Then he touched his right face. I told him that it still did not look normal, and asked him whether it was from birth, and he said yes. I said I did not have a mirror at home so that he would not be able to see it himself, but as far as I was concerned, it was as it had been. Disappointment leaked out from his lowered eyes. I said my blood can only restore a body to its original place, and I was totally okay with him. However, my words did not work very well on cheering him up. I figured it was best to leave him alone since he just had a long night. So I made an excuse that I needed to get him a mattress for sleep, then left the flat.

I wandered on the street, and just before dawn, I took back a mattress and a set of bedding. When I got home, I saw Érik sitting on the floor, back against the wall with his eyes shut. He was soaked in grief. He heard me, then he opened his eyes and looked at me. For a moment, I saw the deepest sorrow in the world, in my eighteen centuries of life. Alas, such a broken man.

I said my flat was really small and he can stay in the kitchen since I did not cook, and there was only storage. He only gave me an acquiescence. He emitted melancholy radiance that I thought only time can be his remedy. For how long I did not know, for more than eighteen centuries past and I had not yet fully recovered from it. All I knew that it would fade away, and at the end, it would become a smoke, a scent, a distant dream, a state of mind that you finally got used to live in.

He took over the mattress and dragged it into the kitchen. I told him that I worked at night, it was about my bedtime, and it was best for me to get good rest during the day. He wished me a sound sleep, and I greeted him a good day.