It was baffling how quickly you secured a new job. But the owner seemed to tolerate Sarah well enough. She gave you weird vibes but you've been employed by some weirdos before. You didn't care as long as you were paid well. She wasn't so nice on the phone, but she was pretty. She didn't seem like she liked the store. But you did, the fluorescent lighting an exception.

You've always been a fan of movies.

After you and Sarah got home last night, you questioned her about the video store, Pam, and Eric. She told you as much as she could, which wasn't a lot. But she made sure to tell you Eric was hot. And she didn't know why they were open all night either. Pam was kind of mean but funny. And Eric had this "mysterious vibe" as Sarah put it. Something you knew she was interested in. You couldn't say the same. These days you weren't interested in much of anything. After your dad left you and your mom, you were just focused on making money.

Sarah's phone rang at eight in the morning, you were sleeping but your new roommate was awake. She barged into your unpacked room, a large brick-shaped phone in her hand. Your dark-haired roommate was wide awake, already wearing her clothes for the day.

"It's Pam," Sarah whispers, tucking her phone into her shoulder and covering the speaker with her hand. You wanted to scream but needed the money. So you smiled at Sarah and held your hand out. She passes the phone to you and you sigh, pressing it against your ear. "Can you come in right now?" Pam asks, sitting in her coffin next to Eric, who stood above her. He told Pam to call you so you could watch the shop while they sleep.

You said yes, and told Pam you'd work until 9. Might as well, you needed the money. And you were used to working long hours. Pam agreed and hung up shortly after, passing the phone to Eric and shutting her pink coffin lid. You told Sarah you'd be back around 9 and left with your keys in your hand. The drive to the video store wasn't a long one. About 15 minutes if there aren't many people on the road.

The parking lot had more cars in it than yesterday. The red Corvette was still in its spot, you noticed. But you could tell it had been moved. You had a good memory. Something that helped you with work and used to help with school. You parked near the door, growing more nervous with every move you made. First-day jitters, you suspected.

You expected to see Eric and Pam when you went inside. But after you flipped the sign and turned around, you were alone in the store. That was fine, you preferred it that way. However, you expected a greeting or something. Before anyone could have a chance to come inside, you tried to familiarize yourself with all the movies. Where they were, what they were. That kind of thing. It wasn't hard, there were labels for each genre above the shelves.

Luckily there was a television on the counter with a DVD player, Pam was watching something on it yesterday. You sat down behind the counter and put your backpack on the floor next to you. You and Sarah never watched Scream, you spent most of the night asking her questions. So you bent over and unzipped your backpack, plucking the movie out. You decided it wouldn't be a bad idea to watch it while you got some work done. So, you turned the tv on and ejected the disc already in the DVD player. You were too tired to notice what movie it was, you just put it away quickly.

There weren't any windows inside the shop, you noticed. Not that weird, there were probably windows in the back. You didn't feel comfortable checking the back just yet. This place was already weird to be in. Not as bad because you were alone. But still weird. You turned on the movie and started to watch it, Drew Barrymore's phone was ringing and she was making popcorn.

Sometimes you'd stand up or get a rag and wipe down the counters to look busy just in case someone came in. A couple of customers did, and quite a few went to the basement. The door of the basement said "adult films". Sarah told you they had the largest porn collection in Louisiana. You believed her. And vowed you would go down there after your shift ended.

When you finished the movie it was about ten o'clock. You thought it was a pretty good movie with good acting. Hard to come by with horror actors. And some parts of the movie even made you jump. It also made you wish Sarah had caller ID.

The bell above the front door jingled and a customer entered. You sat at the counter, taking the movie out of the DVD player. You put it back in its case and put it under the counter on a shelf. Maybe Pam would let me keep it. After your musings, you attended to the customer, who wanted a plethora of movies. You rushed through the aisles and grabbed everything they wanted. And before they left you reminded them to return the movies. Something Pam had done yesterday.

After a few more hours of waiting around and ringing a customer or two up every thirty minutes, you stood up from your seat and stretched. You took a glance at the clock behind you, it was already about five. Time went faster than you realized. Four more hours wasn't so bad. The sun would go down at six-thirty or so.

Your stomach growled and you sighed, next time you'd remember to bring a snack or a lunch or something. But for now, you'd settle for calling Sarah and asking her for some food. You didn't want to bother her but you knew she was done with her therapist. And you wanted to talk to her anyway, you'd been alone for too long at this point. You pulled the phone off the wall and dialed Sarah's landline.

It rang three times, "This is Sarah." She said simply, waiting for a response.

"Hey Sarah, it's me, I forgot to get food. If you're not busy can you come bring me something?" You asked her, guilt creeping into your heart. Sarah truly didn't mind though. You thought that would happen. She was just glad to help, she had class tomorrow and wanted to hang out with you anyway.

"Of course, I'll bring you something," Sarah heard the hesitation in your voice, "You can ask me for anything." She affirmed, telling you she would be there as soon as she could.

You told her thank you a few more times too many and asked her about her appointment. She said it was good but didn't elaborate and you understood. Your aunt was in therapy too. You hadn't seen her in a while.

Sarah hung up and you sighed in relief, sitting back down. Your stomach growled more aggressively, you looked down at it in exasperation.

She got there in about 30 minutes with a plastic container and a plastic fork. The bell jingled and Sarah walked over to you, setting the food on the counter.

"I warmed it up before I left and broke a few laws to make sure it wouldn't get cold," Sarah joked, a wide smile gracing her features. The food wasn't cold, it was very warm.

You thank Sarah, something you've been doing a lot lately. She tells you about the appointment she had while you open up the Tupperware and begin eating. Suddenly you wished you hadn't forgotten to eat. Sarah's therapist was a woman named Dr. Nicholson. Sarah liked her, she reminded her of her late cousin. She'd been going to her for two years now. It took her a while to find the perfect therapist, and she did. Finally.

After Sarah finished talking and you finished eating, Sarah took her Tupperware back and you walked her out. You said a quick thank you again and goodbye. She was too kind. Her mother is that way too, can't go into her house without her shoving food at you. You liked it that way. But her mom was back in New Orleans, with your mom. A few of Sarah's family members lived in Shreveport, her brother, a grandparent or two, and some cousins. You haven't met anyone but her brother yet. But you were sure you'd meet everyone else eventually.

When you finished your food and Sarah left it was about seven, and the light from the front door started to darken. 2 more hours left. You didn't mind working long hours, you had enough to entertain yourself.

You didn't mind the video store, you decided. Your shift went by faster than you expected. Though it was only your first day. As long as you had a generally positive attitude, work would probably be fine. If you ever had a horrible day you had to remind yourself, I was working on roller skates for three years. Nothing could be worse than that. You were just glad you never had to dress up in a costume or spin a sign. Your excellent memory was a blessing and a curse. Helped you remember orders at Sonic, and where all the movies were.

You were too busy thinking when you noticed the basement door closing, a customer must be down there, you think. You wait patiently for them to come out and walk up to you to buy some films. While you wait you think about the conversation you had with Sarah. Maybe you could use a therapist too.

After about twenty minutes, with no entrance from the customer, you decided to go downstairs. You hesitated, your fingers hovering over the metal doorknob. You grasp it, the cold sends a shock through you. After a breath, you opened the door, and a wave of cold air is there to greet you. A shiver runs down your spine as you descend the steps, shoes meeting the concrete floor after a moment. You stop at the bottom of the stairs, looking around for a moment. The lights down here are a bit warmer, hanging from the ceiling.

Sarah wasn't kidding "largest porn collection in Louisiana". The amount of porn was shocking. The only porno you'd ever seen was your dad's hidden collection. You didn't mean to, you were nosy and found something you didn't want to. You didn't watch it, you put it down after looking at the cover. Being nosy didn't work in your favor. But you can't have a customer going missing on your hands. Pam wouldn't have been happy. You turned the corner, where there was even more porn.

Speaking of Pam, there she was, near a shelving unit full of pornos. Her long hair was pulled back in a tight ponytail, she had a black leather skirt on and a purple corset. Her head was buried in a man's neck. Your eyes widened, you didn't think she'd be here. And to fuck some guy too, you were a little irritated. You started to back away and turn to go up the stairs, but your foot caught onto a bucket and a mop beside the staircase. You trip over it a little, a loud clang echoing through the basement. You flinch and look back over at Pam, caught.

Pam pulls her face away from the man's neck, and then you notice her sharp white canines. They're covered in blood, like her chin. She drops the man, who stirs a little on the floor, and closes his eyes. He's alive, barely. She licks her bottom lip and looks up at you, "Not again," She groans, crossing her arms. Your eyes are wide in terror, this wasn't any better than roller skates. Your heart hammers against your ribcage, you tried to move but couldn't.

You're annoyed with yourself, you should've known she was a demon or something. She worked the night shift for god's sake. Suddenly she's in front of you, she's a little taller than you, eyes sharp and dangerous. She searches for something in your eyes but doesn't see what she thought she would. She hums, a low sound in her throat, "Pity," she remarked, "I wanted to keep you around." She turns away from you.

"Wait, wait. Please don't hurt me." You pleaded, voice not much louder than hers. She ignores you in favor of pulling her phone out, dialing a number. "I promise I won't tell anyone," You said, the silence was deafening. You knew you were about to die.

Pam held a finger up in front of you, quieting your pleas. When the person answers, she turns away from you, speaking in a hushed tone. You assume she's speaking to Eric, who must also be a demon. You glance up the stairs at the basement door, trying to discreetly shuffle towards it. Pam hangs up and turns around to look at you again, rolling her eyes at you.

She begins to step towards you, "Please, I need this job." That was your only bargaining chip. Pam stops walking and looks at you like you're a weirdo. You've caught her attention somehow.

She rests her weight on one leg and puts her hands on her hips, "You just watched me eat a man. And you still want this job?" Her accent is thicker now, and her voice a little louder. She sounds vaguely amused, stepping towards you slowly now.

You look down at your feet and shuffle on them, "Well everyone's gotta eat," You joke, and a weak chuckle falls from your lips. You didn't know what to say, what to do. Didn't know if you should run or start fighting the tall blonde creature.

"A snack? Pamela, you shouldn't have." A voice calls from behind you. You whirl around, staring up at who you assumed was Eric. He stood at the top of the stairs, lazily making his way down towards you. His words send an involuntary shiver through you, and you take a step away from the stairs.

"No don't eat me, I won't tell anyone I swear." You continue to back up, into Pam. Pam is annoyed but she grabs you by your shoulders, forcing you to stand still.

Eric laughs humorlessly, "Heard that one before." He says, standing in front of you. He's very tall and his eyes are blue, like Pam's. But his are lighter, like the sky, more calculating than hers. More dangerous looking. His hair is blonde, lighter than Pam's. He's wearing a black tank top underneath a black leather jacket, complete with dark baggy jeans. On his neck is a silver chain, the end of it tucked underneath his tank top. Maybe I shouldn't be checking out a demon, You thought. But hey, if I die today at least it'll be at the hands of a model.

You hear a click and Eric's fangs drop, bigger than Pam's. This close you notice that only two of his teeth had been sharp. You thought Pam went full Pennywise earlier. Eric grabs the back of your neck, looking deeply into your eyes like Pam had earlier. Not demons. If anything, they looked more like angels. Beautiful and elegant. No wings in sight though. No halo either. Not that you could see, anyway.

Eric tilts your head, leaning towards your neck. His hand is cold and hard, kind of like the concrete floor you stood on. He inhales deeply, bending his head.

"Eric," Pam stops him, begrudgingly, "As much as I love watching you eat, we need someone to work the day shift." She reminds him, a scowl on her face. If he ate you he would at least share. Pam's interruption shocked you, she didn't seem too fond of you and Sarah.

The blonde man leans away from you and lets go of your head. He looks away, thinking deeply about something. You hated it, they thought of you as expendable. Or "food" as Pam kindly put it.

Then you realized, they weren't demons or any other biblical creatures. You've only seen Dracula once, so you didn't know much about vampires. Just that the two blondes were vampires. Pam's fangs made that clear to you. So did Eric's.

"I suppose you're right, Pam," He says thoughtfully, turning his attention to you once again, "But if you tell anyone, we will find you." He threatens, allowing you to take a step away from him.

You look over at the man collapsed on the ground, his chest rises and falls every so often, "Are y'all vampires?" Is the first thing that comes out of your mouth. You could throttle yourself, what a stupid question, of course they are. But you didn't know for sure, vampires are a work of fiction. Or at least, they were. Pam steps around you to stand beside Eric. If you didn't know any better you'd think they were related.

Pam looks at you, the same "are you stupid?" look on her face from last night. But you knew they were vampires, Eric's gaze already told you as much. You wondered how old they were. Probably a couple of hundred years at least. You knew Dracula was about 500 years old, maybe he was real, maybe they know him.

After a few minutes of reevaluating your entire life and afterlife, you remember your manners, "I'm sorry, we haven't met yet, it's nice to meet you," You hold your shaking hand out to Eric, who just looks at it. Pam is smiling, but it isn't a nice one. You drop your hand, feeling embarrassed. Something tells me I would've ended up in the back of the newspaper if I didn't need money so badly. But you were spared that day, mostly because Pam didn't completely despise you. Eric didn't care either way, he knew he'd end up tasting your blood. He introduces himself to you, calling himself the "Sheriff". You just look at him like he's crazy. Sarah knew the Sheriff, and his name wasn't Eric Northman. Pam rolls her eyes at you.

"We will call you if we need your services," Eric says once all of you are finally upstairs. You asked them about the guy in the basement, and Pam offered a cryptic, "You'll know soon." What she meant was, you'll spend enough time around us to figure it out.

You tell them goodbye politely and leave, guess I won't be asking Pam if I can keep that movie. After you get in your car and start driving, you begin to cry.