I looked in the crack of the door to witness Annabelle straddling a boy on her bed. I heard her moaning hungrily, pinning the body

under her with no struggle at all as her head was intimately latched onto his neck. The audible pleasure coming from the woman set

deep panic in me.

"What have Evelyn and I been brought into? Are we going to be Annabelle's next victims? Just two more souls for her to devour?"

I started shaking, paralyzed at what I was witnessing. I saw the male's chest rising as he was fighting to stay alive. He was still conscious, barely. I could see him

weakly notice my figure in the doorway, as if a last outcry for help. His chest soon halted it's movement, his face becoming cold and lifeless. I breathed heavily

as I witnessed this, frozen in place as I couldn't tear myself away from the sight. I should have left. I should have ran, but leaving the boy there alone with the

creature even in his state of death would have been inhumane. What happened next I would never forget. Annabelle shot up from the boy's neck, at first lost in

her bliss as she licked the blood around her lips. But then I soon heard her voice in an echoing hiss, the predator in her detecting another human in close

proximity. Whether it be due to my rapid heartbeat, my audible breathing, or the very blood pulsing through my veins, I now realize she knew exactly whose

presence it was all along. "Liza..." Annabelle's eyes opened, snapping to mine as I am trembling with fear. Her face would soon haunt me in my dreams, for her

eyes were a glowing crimson, glazed with hunger as blood dripped from her open-fanged mouth. I had just enough sanity left to bolt from the doorway. I

anticipated that she would arrive to me even before I managed to move, pulling me in as she takes me for her second course. I could already feel her breath

upon my neck, holding me with a cold grip as I brace for her teeth to sink in. I started panicking from the inside out at the thought, to my dismay tripping down

the hallway. I landed on my side, grabbing my leg in pain. I felt a sudden chill surround me. "EV -MM!" I never got the chance to call out to my sister for within

seconds Annabelle was right beside me, meeting me and my eyes at ground level as she covered my mouth. She put a finger to her lips, every part of me

shaking as if I saw death right in front of me. I look in horror as there was blood all over her torso and lower face . Yet I noticed her eyes were their original

blueish hue, as though the blood turned her back into something almost human. Annabelle soon removed her hand from me, only to guide the back of it along

my cheek. I flinched slightly to her touch. I could tell she knew I still feared the worst of her as her expression somewhat saddened. "Please don't be afraid of

me young one. I'm not going to hurt you." She said. She had a look in her eyes enough for me to become entranced, but still in shock from what I just

witnessed occurring in her bedroom. "That boy...his blood..." The woman now looked at me with intensity, her eyes becoming once again a bright red. "I knew

you would come looking for answers Miss Liza, for you were indeed correct about me. I am not human, but a vampire." I remained frozen in place as her words

left me bewildered. I wanted to loathe her for what she was. Vampire, the undead, one that must feed on the living for survival. But Annabelle did save me and

Evelyn from death. She could have killed us all if she wished that night. Yet it was as if she sympathized with our pain, particularly mine as she saw right away

of the severity. She treated me with such fragile care. But the question remaining was why.

"What are her true motives?"

Without any further thought, I reached my hand out slowly, beginning to touch the vampire's cool skin. I traced three fingers under the her wild eyes, not being

able to take my own off them. Annabelle didn't move, watching me carefully yet let me continue in my curiosity. It was visible she was enjoying it, my touch and

scent overwhelming her as she soon closed her eyes with a light hum. But as my fingers neared hesitantly closer her mouth, a soft yet instinctive growl came

from the woman. "You're reaching dangerous territory dear." I heard her say as her eyes opened again, her tone dark in warning. "I cannot lie to you in this

regard. Your blood sings to every part of my being. So I would advise you not to extend your exploration any further." I pulled back, an intense unease building

within my mind.

"My blood sings to her? What does she mean of this?"

Annabelle sensed my apprehensiveness, her eyes fading back to blue. She looked at me with a gentler expression to calm me down as

she placed her hand on mine. "When it comes to you Liza, I promise not to take your blood without consent." I am now panicking on

the inside, for I have no idea what to make of Annabelle. Her words were barely reassuring, knowing she could turn from someone of

elegant grace to a bloodthirsty creature in the blink of an eye. And my fears were now confirmed that there was a deep part of her that

infinitely desired my blood. How that would end for me was something I could not ignore to inquire. "What am I to you? I saw you drain

the life from that boy with my own eyes. How can I trust you at your word?" I ask almost in a whisper, unsure. Annabelle neared close

to my face. I was becoming nervous, almost ready to jerk away from her again. Yet her face is one of tenderness, grasping my own

with her hand. "If I just saw you as another mortal, you would have been dead the night I found you. My dear, you are so much more

than that." The woman then had me captured in an embrace, my body secure within her hold. "More than you know. You do not

understand now, but it will be clear to you in due time." With this Annabelle stood up with me in her arms. I watched her transfixed as

her pupils began to dilate, her eyes boring into my soul. Alarm overtakes me as I felt my own growing heavy, trying to keep them

open. "Don't fight it young one. I know you are seeking rest." She said as she pulled me in close, resting my head onto her. I heard her

voice only faintly now, my vision faltering into darkness as she spoke once more. "I will protect you from this world Liza, for I know all

too well that it is cruel. Too cruel for someone so pure. Rest well my love. Until I see thee again."