74 Years Later...

I shied away from the world for seventy-four years. Hunting only when the sun is down; sleeping in the morning. I tried to make myself busy so I wouldn't have to think back to that day. My skin started turning really pale; being inside the shadows and away from the sun really changes appearances. My mouth and lips were always red from the blood. Sometimes I never got the chance to clean myself because I always keep moving from one place to another. I would be sometimes in caves or graveyards sleeping. I avoided any contact with people, except the ones that I hunted. I don't want a hoard of people trying to kill me again.

I haven't seen Tristyn or heard from him. But, every day I open my eyes till the time I go to sleep, there was no day that passed did I not think about him or wished to see him. These past years seemed more than seven decades. Not seeing him made me feel depressed and I felt lonelier than ever. Without my family to distract and entertain me, life to me now seemed nothing more than a rock in my shoe.

The sun had already set over the horizon; the moon arose shimmering new light to the sleeping town. This was the time I arise from my daylight sleep. Hunger and frustration always washes me when I wake up like a little baby waking up from its nap. By this time, I let my animal side of me take over. No trace of human sanity is left in me.

My surroundings look different at night time. The gravestones were covered by early mists that converged to a thick hazy fog. The place was also eerie and silent. I could here right now with the rest of them; undisturbed by the changing world. I could've been a mortal like the rest of them. My body would've been wrinkled, deep lines drawn onto my face, grey hair, a body so ancient that was too weak to move.

I used to fantasize, when I was little, that I would grow old with my beloved beside me. Waiting for our time to come. We would both die at the same time because neither of us would want to be separated from the other. Unfortunately, none of these fantasies would happen anymore.

I stalked the night looking for a prey. Today, no one was lost in the dark. No lost traveller or a wandering villager. Hunger is going to kill me if I don't get any blood. I haven't fed for three straight days; the longest that I have been without feeding. Street lights were dimly lit, the candles inside flickering every minute. Rats scurried across the street. I grabbed one sinking my fangs into it. The rat wrestled in my hand at first trying to break free out of my iron grasp. Then a few seconds later it stilled. The body now limp in my hand. The blood of the small creature wasn't satisfying enough; I needed more.

Beyond the stone street, a young in his twenties was swaying his way to his home. He was drunk; I could tell from the smell. The sweet scent of his blood was mixed with alcohol was wafting in the air like a musty perfume. I guess this will have to do. I'm too hungry to think of the consequences of drinking blood from a drunk human.

I slowly walked over to him. I tried to look appealing even in these clothes. He smirked at me when he noticed that I was approaching him.

"Hello there, ma'am. Nice night to be out." he greeted me while bowing slightly.

It seems my charms have worked. "Indeed it is. Sir. Its affine evening to be walking down the city."

He nodded taking his eyes off me. "Isn't it a bit dangerous for a young lady to be alone at night especially in this city. There's a lot of reports of missing people."

"I have heard about those horrible news. I have seen some notices on the walls about those people in the main square."

"Terrible, isn't it?" he shook his head gently. "Who would such a thing?"

Of course I knew the answer but I didn't say it aloud. I wouldn't want to scare off my prey. The back of my throat was already burning with thirst. It yearned for the hot liquid in his body. I had to have it now but not in here. The place was crowded with small apartments; people would hear him scream. I have to lure him to a private place.

He stood there not knowing what to do next. It clearly shows that he was inexperienced with girls. He just kept looking at my face and at my ragged dress ripped in some areas.

"Could you, kind sir, escort me?" I asked innocently.

He suddenly perked up delighted to what I have suggested. "I would be a gentleman and escort the beautiful young lady."

I smiled at him and at my success.

I had him following my heel like a dog. I navigated him to my planned spot. He didn't seem to mind the long walk or the changing scenery around him. All he had on his mind was me. He didn't talk the whole way. I had led him to the quietest place in town, the cemetery. The thick fog would be a great cover for us if somebody notices the scream.

I stopped suddenly and turned to face him. He almost bumped into me.

"Are you visiting a dead relative?" he asked confused. It was the first time he noticed he was in a cemetery.

I put a finger to his lips "Shhh" I took the step between us. I could smell it clearer now, stronger.

He was breathing so hard; his heart was drumming in his chest.

I tilted my head to the side, my tongue went up his next caressing his hot skin. My huge fangs popped out. The young man didn't know what I was doing or going to do to him. I slowly sunk my fangs into him. They were like tiny sharp daggers punching holes into his skin. The man yelled as soon as he knew what was happening. He struggled to get the out of my arms but I was stronger than him.

"Ahhh!" he screamed. He couldn't move an inch. I ignored his pleas and kept drinking.

The struggles and screams eventually stopped. His body limp in arms. I pulled him closer to me. The blood didn't taste delicious as I imagined it to be. The alcohol as too strong. It sunk into my body with the blood. The alcohol was transmitted into my veins making me as drunk as he drunk as he was. I drained him before letting his body fall. I would have buried him but his body had too much alcohol. I swayed like he did. I need to get out of here before they found out that a vampire was terminating their town.

I walked out of the cemetery gates; my hand had to hold onto the steel fence so I wouldn't fall over. Life went on like this. I don't hate it, I don't love it.