Apart from pain and hunger, I didn't remember who I was, where I came from, what had happened, or where I was going. It turned out that I was, in fact, wandering off to a particularly sleazy part of town.
- "Hey, you! Git ya self outta here, piece of trash! Sheez, you not even WORTH shakin' out!" He was weaving a knife at me.
The second guy seemed to agree, an equally scornful expression on his while while he put his knife back where he pulled it from, behind his belt.
- "Huh. Looks like somebody beat us to it. Get it? Beat us to it? Hah!"
I didn't stop. I don't think I noticed the two thugs at that time, although now I can remember them clearly. I sort of shoved my way through them, and they certainly didn't appreciate that. The first thug still had his knife in his hand, so almost without thinking, he retaliated my rudeness with a slash in my side.
That's pretty much all I remember. I mean, there are vague memories of the sound of bones snapping, and gnarling, and more bones splintering, and some pain for me as well. But the next thing I remember, I'm 2 blocks away, running, and covered in blood. Someone else's blood apparently, because I'm suddenly wide awake again, the pain has has turned into a vibrant rush, and the hunger is forgotten.
I ran for 2 more blocks, although I wasn't sure why. But I did it without breaking a sweat, without the least bit of panting. When I crossed a small open space with a beautiful little fountain, I stopped, and hesitated. There was a sense of urgency inside me, a feeling of being on the run, even though I knew with absolute certainty my two assailants were dead. Judging by the blood on my t-shirt, they were minced meat, but I didn't give them a second thought. There was something else.
It was already very late in the night (or early in the morning, as you prefer), and I knew that from the next day on, I would be on the run. I figured the authorities would question me about the bizarre gunfight earlier tonight, as well as the brutal murder of two young men a few blocks back. I didn't have any papers with me, nothing to back my story, and besides, I was guilty as sin -- for the last two murders, at least.
I took a look at my own clothes: they were torn to pieces, and soaking with blood. I took off what was left of them, and washed myself in the public fountain. After less than a minute of searching, I found some clothes hanging off a line to dry that would fit me. The ice-cold water had sharpened my thinking. The sense of urgency was stronger than ever.
Dawn was breaking. I fought the urge to hide, reasoning that I would stand a better chance if I left Prague before the police would set up roadblocks, or anything. My first task would be to return to my hotel room. Although I had lost my wallet, there was still some cash in my room and it would also provide me with clothes good enough to blend in with a crowd.
From the fountain to my hotel was a half hour walk normally, but I managed to cut the last 20 minutes in half, because I had broken into a run. It was early morning now, the sky had turned a distinctly lighter shade of blue. I figured I couldn't just walk into the hotel, there would be too many members of the staff asking awkward questions. Luckily, my balcony was easily accessible if I jumped over a few roofs and ledges. Funnily enough, I didn't stop to think about my new-found dexterity and strength. I simply landed on my balcony and forced my way into the suite.
Closing the window behind me, a flash of reflected sunlight shot over my body. I shrieked and jumped away, out of the blistering sunlight. Fortunately, the momentum of the window caused it to bang shut, the white patch of filtered sunlight sitting innocently on the wall. I hastily closed the curtains.
For a moment, I stood still in my bedroom. Panting, wincing. My eyes caught my own reflection in the life size mirror on the wardrobe. Small wisps of smoke curled from the back of my body, but I was all right. Closer inspection revealed that I had gained quite a muscular build over the night. And, much to my surprise... a very prominent set of fangs!
---
I had heard the stories, I remembered (much of) what had happened to me last night, so there was only one possible conclusion upon seeing the fangs. But I must've been staring at my mirror image for several minutes in complete bafflement.
A knock on the door interrupted my ... well, lack of thought.
- "cleaning service!"
- "ah ... wait!"
I jumped to the door and knocked over a chair in the process. The door had already opened halfway. I couldn't bang it shut without being overly rude, so I just stopped it from opening any more, and showed as little as possible of myself.
- "Not today, thank you!" I mumbled, afraid to show my teeth. "Bit of a ... a long night. Yes, a hangover. I'll sleep in today."
The maiden gave me a politely annoyed look, reminded me about the "do not disturb" sign, and was on her way.
I was left to myself to think about what it was that vampires did, during the day.