Arc III: Part II
April 27, 1985:
Sirius sat in solitude within the garden, until the sound of Ludvik's voice beckoned him back indoors. Upon entering, he discovered the entire group gathered around the living room table, where Mikhail was meticulously unfolding a large, intricately detailed map of the region. Eager to join them, Sirius pulled a chair to the right of Red and settled between him and Ludvik. He gestured to disperse the dense, dark brown smoke emanating from Ludvik's cigarette, which irritated his eyes.
Moments later, Denise arrived and took a seat on a tall chair, compensating for her shorter stature. Ludvik sported a smirk hidden within his beard, hinting at a comment regarding Denise's height. However, he chose to withhold his words upon receiving a glare from Denise. Instead, he loudly cleared his throat, effectively silencing the hushed conversations between Belby and Worple, commanding everyone's attention towards him.
"I believe our problem was adequately introduced during last night's conversation," Ludvik stated, his gaze fixed upon them. "We have murders, a vampire, a missing castle, and an agreement among us."
"In my case, it's partially blackmail," Sirius interjected, waving his wrist dismissively.
"I suggest we focus today's meeting on assigning tasks to each individual... Let's attempt to optimize our efforts," Ludvik proposed, disregarding Sirius.
"I'll remain here," Belby stated.
"That won't be helpful," Red countered.
"Allow me to finish... I will stay here and brew potions, creating antidotes that you will carry with you at all times. So, be grateful to have someone like me around... And how do you plan on assisting us, Red? Will you distract the vampire with your asthma? Sneak up from behind and cough loudly to startle him? Do enlighten us!" Belby retorted to Red.
"No... Initially, I was going to offer my help in gathering the necessary ingredients for your potions, as you seem too timid to venture into the forest alone. However, I have changed my mind now," Red replied.
"Sirius will assist him with that," Ludvik declared.
"Why?" Red inquired.
"Because he can transform into a dog and sniff out the ingredients with his snoot," Mikhail chimed in.
"Exactly," Ludvik confirmed.
"Really? I was merely joking when I said that," Mikhail said, surprised.
"Are you fine with it, Black?" Ludvik questioned Sirius.
"Yeah... Give me a list of what you need, and I'll go retrieve it," Sirius offered.
"You won't require a list because I'll accompany you. I just need a bodyguard while I gather the necessary ingredients," Belby stated.
"I can't believe you actually said that aloud," Worple chuckled.
"This region is perilous, and we are hunting down the source of its danger! At least I'll be out in the field! What will you be doing with your days?" Belby challenged Worple.
"I will be engaging in what I excel at, of course! I will study the region and its folklore, providing you with my knowledge of vampires and other similar creatures we may encounter," Worple replied.
"In other words, you'll be sitting on your butt, buried in books," Belby smirked at him.
"I am the intellectual powerhouse of this operation," Worple retorted, his anger evident.
"The intellectual powerhouse? More like the limping leg," Belby sneered.
"I WILL..." Worple began, rising from his seat.
"Sit down and refrain from interrupting this meeting again, unless you have something of interest to contribute," Ludvik concluded, his gaze darkly fixed on Worple.
Ludvik patiently waited for Worple to seat back, then glanced at Belby, challenging him to add any further remarks. Afterward, Ludvik nodded and proceeded, "Well, Eldred's proposal aligns well with what I have in mind... Mikhail, did I hear you mention something about patrols before we commenced?"
"Yes! But before we delve into that, I would appreciate it if Eldred could address a doubt, I have concerning vampires," Mikhail directed his gaze at Worple.
"Of course! How may I assist you?" Worple inquired.
"Can vampires employ magic? Similar to how we do or in any other manner. If a wizard were to be transformed into a vampire, would they retain the ability to wield magic?" Mikhail queried.
Sirius had no inkling about the answer, and he noticed that, apart from Ludvik, neither did the others gathered around the table, as their attention turned towards Worple, who appeared taken aback by Mikhail's question.
"Well... It's somewhat embarrassing," Worple admitted.
"You don't know?" Red probed.
"Of course, I do!" Worple retorted, growing irritated.
"Then, tell us already!" Belby commanded.
"Alright... You should first know that the most optimistic projections anticipate only a 3 to 5 percent increase in sales, so we can't really say that the cultural sector is thriving. It's incredibly complicated to determine if there's any increased interest, especially when resellers refuse to provide more details about their sales figures. However, we do know that schoolbook sales contribute significantly. In any case, the promotion process is now more crucial than ever," Worple explained before Red interrupted him.
"What on earth are you talking about?" Red demanded.
"I'm trying to explain," Worple replied.
"Shorten the explanations!" Ludvik interjected sharply.
"I'd appreciate it if you could keep my answer confidential until I release my book next September. It would be best to wait for at least a year after it becomes available. Otherwise, it could ruin everything," Worple said.
"Why didn't you start with that?" Mikhail asked.
"You're writing a book?" Red inquired.
"Yes, it will be available worldwide for the modest price of fifty galleons, or forty-five if you preorder now. On day one, you'll receive a signed copy," Worple stated.
"I'll wait for the movie," Red quipped.
"The movie-what?" Mikhail questioned.
"Er... Worple?" Sirius interjected.
"What do you want?" Worple snapped.
"Why would any of us buy your book if we've already lived through the actual story?" Sirius inquired.
"I didn't mean YOU," Worple clarified.
"Too bad, he could use it to clean his ass when he's back in Azkaban," Belby sneered.
"WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?!" Worple exclaimed, pulling out his wand.
"ENOUGH!" Ludvik shouted, silencing the room. He glared at the two men. "Eldred, answer Mikhail's question now!"
"Alright... Alright... First, you should know there are two types of Vampires," Worple began.
"Two types? That's the first time I've heard of it... And I did take Defense Against the Dark Arts in my seventh year," Red commented.
"They don't go into the details in school, and their classification as beings doesn't help... Anyway, they can be classified into two categories: those who were muggles before they turned and those who were wizards or witches," Worple explained.
"What's the difference?" Red inquired.
"Power, of course! Those who were originally wizards can live for centuries, naturally acquire the ability to use wandless magic and become the ultimate apex predators. They hunt other Vampires for sport and feed on them. Fortunately, there are only a few of them still alive in the world, all of them registered and closely monitored by the International Confederation of Wizards, if not locked up. The cure discovered by Barden Potter in the 10th century marked the beginning of the end of their dominance over other creatures," Worple divulged.
"THERE IS A CURE?!" Red and Mikhail exclaimed simultaneously.
"You mentioned Potter?" Sirius asked.
"Yes, the son of Linfred of Stinchcombe, the renowned potioner and the first Potter," Belby responded. "And correct me if I'm wrong, Damocles, but a Black was also involved, right?"
"Correct... Barden Potter and a knight from House Black hunted down and executed the last Vampire lord of Loegria under the king's orders. During their quest, Barden discovered the cure and changed the world," Worple explained, casting a curious gaze at Sirius.
"What was the knight's name?" Sirius inquired.
"Nobody knows. The events of the magical world around the 10th century are poorly documented, and much has unfortunately been lost", Eldred replied.
"Yes, I can," Belby replied. "The problem is that it's incredibly complicated and takes an entire month. So, until it's ready, all action would have to wait."
"How about the second category?" Mikhail inquired.
"They are muggles who have been turned and are less dangerous than the first category," Worple explained. "They don't suddenly gain the ability to use magic, but they still acquire some powers. Their senses sharpen, and their speed and strength considerably increase. However, they can't turn other humans into vampires, and their life expectancy doesn't exceed around two hundred years. And this is where it becomes more appealing."
"Why?" Mikhail asked.
"Some consider that Vampire poison," Worple began before Belby cleared his throat. "Damocles has proved that Vampire poison is deadly to muggles, so I am studying the possibility that the muggles who transform could bear some magic in them or father a wizard."
Worple's words were followed by a moment of silence, during which he appeared proud of himself, while Ludvik and Denise seemed to engage in a heated conversation through their eyes. Then, Ludvik nodded and broke the silence.
"Thank you, Eldred. Mikhail, I feel you still have something else to ask about, am I wrong?" Ludvik asked.
"Yes... And I bet I'm not the only one who's now worried about it, but I'll ask anyway. Eldred, which of the two categories are we dealing with?" Mikhail inquired.
"I wish I could say the second one, but the fact that the castle is now hidden points to the first category. The vampire can obviously use magic and is quite skilled, to be honest," Worple explained.
"How can anyone hide a castle that big? I've been thinking about it since I arrived here. It would require a giant ward, too powerful for one wizard, no matter how powerful he could be. The Fidelius Charm is just impossible in this case. So, I wonder how he managed to do it," Red pondered.
"Why not? Hogwarts is hidden quite well from muggles, isn't it?" Mikhail suggested.
"It was accomplished by the four most powerful wizards and witches of their time, who combined their forces to do it. And Hogwarts is only invisible to muggles, not to us, like Dracul's castle," Red explained.
"Durmstrang is!" Mikhail exclaimed.
"Durmstrang is a different story," Denise chimed in.
"How different?" Mikhail inquired.
"Durmstrang isn't hidden by dark magic," Ludvik clarified.
"Oh... You think this one is?" Red asked.
"I can't find any other explanation, as it has resisted all my attempts to break through it and reveal it. Black, what do you think?" Ludvik turned to Sirius.
"How would I know?" Sirius replied.
"How did You-Know-Who hide his headquarters?" Worple asked.
"He used a giant invisibility cloak," Sirius answered.
"Until we find out how... I suggest we start patrolling around the castle's perimeter and set traps. I would prefer if we could catch him instead of fighting him," Ludvik suggested, tracing a circle around a mountain on the map.
"We should set up watch posts around these spots. We would have a clear view of the region," Sirius proposed, pointing at different locations near where the castle was supposed to be located.
"I'll try to get as close as possible and attempt to detect any magical signature or anything else," Red volunteered. "If we can at least confirm it's dark magic, it would be a big step forward."
"Why? Can you break through it if you do so?" Mikhail asked.
"If we can identify the structure of the wards, we could infuse it with our own magic and compromise its integrity. If not, we can consider joining forces and building another ward around it to contain it, trapping the vampire inside until we find a better idea," Red suggested.
"Good. Denise and I will go take a look at the last victim's body in the morgue and obtain the autopsy report," Ludvik declared.
"We'll also visit the families. They might have noticed something strange in their relatives before they died or seen someone lurking around their houses," Denise added.
"You should cast some protective spells around the houses. If the vampire favored their blood, he might come back for more," Worple suggested.
"We will. One last thing, I would like to establish a curfew," Ludvik announced.
"We're not twelve, Ludvik," Red laughed.
"It's a precaution, Red. It would be safer to work only during the day. Let's agree to stay here from an hour before sunset to one hour after sunrise," Denise proposed.
May 7th, 1985:
The first principle in forensic medicine is known as Locard's Exchange Principle, which states that "any contact between an individual and a crime scene leaves a trace." In the bustling room, with voices buzzing all around, Florin Bucur, a student resident in forensic medicine, wondered if Professor Locard had ever encountered a situation like this before.
During his years of study in Cluj, Florin had kept a book on his bedside table that described modern investigative techniques. In one chapter, the author recounted encountering only one case in his life where a bactericidal spray, similar to the one that had contaminated the room, had been used. It was related to a high-profile contract placed on an intelligence agent in Austria. That unresolved case still lingered, casting a shadow over Florin's thoughts. Whoever was responsible for the murder scene he had been summoned to this morning seemed to have sought inspiration from that infamous case, further reinforcing the need for a meticulous examination of the room.
The killer had not been particularly tidy, evident from the assortment of junk strewn about, including numerous empty pizza boxes scattered on the floor next to the bed. Florin's attention was about to shift elsewhere when he realized that the knife might be hidden among the boxes, within easy reach. He could easily envision the scene—her lying on the bed, the man searching beneath the cluttered sheets, biting her (based on the marks on the victim's body) on the shoulders, breasts, descending slowly. Perhaps she knew what awaited her, or perhaps not. GHB, among its other side effects, suppresses the gag reflex, leaving nothing to prevent a person from swallowing a fifteen-, eighteen-, or twenty-five-centimeter object. That's why such items are readily found in swingers clubs or adult film shoots.
From a concealed vantage point, an observer would have witnessed the distressing scene. The girl bent over, her lips parting with a strained sound as his body approached her mouth. However, contrary to expectations, her eyes, which were shining with the influence of drugs, should have displayed fear. With his left hand, he forcefully restrained her, tilting her head back to clear her airway. Though she struggled and attempted to employ her arms, he had seemingly anticipated her resistance. By mounting her chest, he used his knees to exert pressure, suppressing her while targeting the vulnerable region near her biceps. Florin's gaze fell upon the two visible bruises on the lifeless body sprawled on the bed. She was utterly defenseless.
Abruptly, the man's right hand emerged into view. The girl caught sight of it and attempted to scream, fighting desperately to break free. The glistening steel blade of the knife drew perilously close to her breast, tracing a path towards her pallid throat, and then it sliced... Blood splattered against the wall. With one of the arteries connecting to her brain completely severed, the demise would be swift. The girl convulsed, gurgling, bleeding to her inevitable demise. In her final moments of consciousness, she realized that she was witnessing her own murder. All that she had been, and everything she had aspired to become, vanished in an instant.
Florin hadn't finished surveying the crime scene when he felt a firm hand rest upon his shoulder. Startled, he immediately stepped aside, his attention consumed by the harrowing sight before him, oblivious to the others in the room. An older man, offering a curt apology, stood before him, wearing a curious expression, attempting to usher him away. Accompanying him was a man of similar age to Florin, who was meticulously examining the hotel room. Behind them, the remaining members of the forensic team had just arrived and were busy setting up UV lamps to detect any traces of semen on the mattress or sheets.
Hadn't those individuals heard of antiseptic yet? Well, perhaps this particular individual overlooked a part of the bed. However, with their equipment, they were bound to collect an excessive number of samples, some dating back to the era when prostitutes still wore stockings. The man signaled his partner to approach and briefly displayed their badges, swiftly tucking them back into the inner pockets of their leather jackets, allowing Florin barely a moment to glimpse their photos.
"Good morning. I am Agent Balasko, and this is my partner, Agent Black," the man introduced himself. "What do we have here?" he inquired.
Florin regarded them with suspicion. It was the first time he had heard of either of them. He was about to request to see their badges again when his supervisor barked at him from the doorway.
"Rookie! The firefighters want to secure the acid before someone gets burned. Brief Agents Balasko and Black quickly. Also, everyone, keep your gloves on at all times," he advised, "and finger yourselves while you're at it, to stay alert." This comment elicited laughter from everyone, except the two agents and Florin.
"Sorry about that... I'm Dr. Florin Bucur, and I'm in charge of the scene," Florin apologized.
"So, Dr. Bucur, what happened here?" Agent Balasko inquired.
"Where should I start? Everything happened here..." Florin replied.
"Who is the victim?" Agent Balasko asked, his gaze fixed on the girl.
"The victim is a delivery girl, Sofía Erner, nineteen years old. It was her last delivery for the night. Her boss allowed her to keep the scooter for the night so she could head straight home after work. That's why no one noticed she was missing until the housekeeping lady came to clean the room this morning," Florin explained.
"No family?" Agent Balasko questioned, jotting down notes in a small notebook.
"She does have family, but they live in Vaslui... She moved to the area on her own after high school when she started studying at the local university of agronomy and veterinary sciences," Florin responded, his voice revealing the sorrow he felt for the girl.
"How did it happen?" the man asked, his gaze shifting from the door to the bed.
"The bloodstains on the carpet indicate that she put up a fight," Florin revealed, gesturing towards the floor. "I believe he grabbed her the moment he opened the door, assaulted her, and then dragged her to the bed where he drugged her."
"Did he kill her immediately? And how?" Agent Balasko inquired.
"No, he took his time. First, he ate his pizza. After about an hour, the girl must have woken up. That's when he raped her. We still need to wait for the autopsy report to confirm. As for the cause of death, he slit her throat..." Florin explained.
"Why isn't there any trace of blood on the walls? Blood should have spurted out profusely, right? There should be traces on the wall or the sheets," Agent Balasko questioned further.
"As for the wall, the smell indicates that he used ammonia diluted in water... And a bactericidal spray. I have no idea why the sheets are not stained, but I'm looking into it. He didn't stop there; he filled the bathtub to the brim with hydrofluoric acid to dissolve the body. However, that was a foolish idea. The quantity is not enough, and a specific container and water are needed to initiate the reaction. The result is catastrophic; the acid is already corroding the bathtub... Additionally, the smell of ammonia mixed with the acid must have made the air in the room unbreathable, especially at this time of the year. I believe that's probably why he didn't finish the job and left the scene," Florin concluded.
"Do you believe this is his first murder?" the agent inquired.
"No! He has killed before; I have no doubt about it. Look at her neck; he made a clean cut without hesitation or doubt," Florin replied.
"I see... What other information do we have about the murderer? Any suspects?" the agent asked, causing Florin to furrow his brow.
"I'm just the forensic specialist... Investigating the case and identifying the murderer is your job. If there's anything else I can assist you with, please let me know. Otherwise, you might want to start questioning the motel employees," Florin informed the men.
"Of course... I meant if you have found any hair or clues that could help us get started," the older agent clarified.
"Not yet, but it won't be much longer," Florin responded, indicating the UV lamps behind the agents. "If we find anything useful, I will contact you."
"Thank you for your time," Agent Balasko expressed, before leaving the room with the firefighters heading towards the bathroom. His partner followed silently, without uttering a word throughout the entire encounter.
"So, what are your thoughts on this?" Balasko inquired, addressing Sirius, as they distanced themselves from the police officers.
"What are you referring to? I couldn't grasp a single word you exchanged. Remember, I don't speak Romanian," Sirius responded.
"Ah, yes... I mean, I noticed you closely examining the body and the room. Did you come across anything noteworthy or catch sight of something intriguing?" Balasko inquired further.
"Perhaps but enlighten me on the conversation you had over there. That lad seemed to have a lot to share," Sirius requested.
Balasko nodded and proceeded to convey to Sirius the details of the previous discussion with the forensic in the room. Once Balasko finished translating the information, Sirius remained silent for a moment before sharing his own deductions.
"It aligns with our concerns. Our suspicion is that the Vampire we're seeking stages the crime scenes to resemble Muggle murders. The evidence we discovered inside supports that theory... I believe he first bit her and fed on her extensively, then slit her throat to conceal the bite marks. Afterward, he attempted to clean up but made a mess, forcing him to abandon the scene... The most plausible scenario is that he simply grew bored and decided to leave," Sirius explained.
"I share the same perspective," Balasko agreed.
"However, something doesn't quite fit," Sirius mused.
"What's troubling you?" Balasko inquired curiously.
"Why did he also rape her? I thought Vampires were 'dead' in that sense," Sirius asked Balasko.
"While there are numerous tales of Vampires engaging in relationships with humans, I have never encountered anything similar during my career... However, we will address it with Eldred later. In the meantime, let's meet with Denise in the lobby. She should be done speaking with the receptionist by now," Balasko responded, glancing at his watch.
"If you don't mind, I would like to return to that room and have another conversation with that guy. He shared what he knows presently, but I'm curious about his suspicions as well," Sirius stated, gazing at the room from which the firefighters were emerging, removing their masks.
"No need to... He's merely feigning comprehension of what transpired there, but in reality, he's completely clueless," Ludvik asserted.
"How can you be so sure?" Sirius inquired.
"Aurors are required to possess a certain level of proficiency in the mind arts, particularly legilimency and occlumency," Ludvik explained.
"So, you can discern when someone is lying and when they're telling the truth?" Sirius queried.
"It would be an oversimplification, but yes," Ludvik confirmed.
"Why don't you try it on me?" Sirius proposed.
"I have. I constantly delve into your mind and intentions every time you utter a word. That's why you still wear that artefact," Ludvik remarked, gesturing toward the admonitor. "No matter how hard you try, you cannot rid your mind of guilt," he added sharply.
Sirius firmly grasped the old man's arm. "Since I woke up in your cellar, I have been nothing but honest! How can I prove myself to you when you treat me like Belby's house elf? I can't even recall the last time I used magic; I feel crippled! Incomplete! Can't you at least give me a wand? What are you afraid of?"
Ludvik withdrew his arm from Sirius' grip and responded firmly, casting a dark gaze downward. "It's not magic you yearn for; it's the power it affords you over others, the pleasure of having Muggles and less skilled wizards at your mercy... However, feel free to inquire about your wand directly with Red. He's the one who convinced me not to return it to you. Now, if you don't mind, the spell I cast to confuse the police and firemen will soon begin to fade. I suggest we depart."
Later on, at the Balasko's:
In the evening, following dinner, the group assembled around the dining table in the living room to discuss the progress they had made. Unfortunately, Belby, who probably should have been the last to speak, delivered a dreadfully dull report, met with weary expressions from the audience.
Afterward, Red and Mikhail expressed their frustration to the group, sharing how they had spent the day much like the previous two weeks, wandering around the cliff, attempting to uncover the enchantments concealing the castle, but without any success.
Finally, it was Sirius' team's turn to update everyone. Balasko provided a comprehensive account of their findings in the motel room, leaving no detail untold: from discovering the victim to their conversation with the forensic expert, and their overall impression of him and his work.
"In the meantime, I spoke to the receptionist... I can confirm that the man was under the influence of the Imperious curse or some form of bewitchment before being obliviated," Denise said. "Nevertheless, I managed to glimpse a fragment from his mind that wasn't completely erased."
"And?" Balasko inquired.
"It was distorted and difficult to discern, so I couldn't get a clear picture of the murderer's face. However, we're looking for a tall, dark-haired man, approximately 6'2"," Denise added.
"That's hardly conclusive evidence! It could be anyone!" Balasko exclaimed.
"It's a starting point!" Denise replied, her face flushing as she stood up from her chair.
"Where does it lead us? Straight into a dead end?" Balasko retorted.
"Please, let's remain calm. My head is throbbing, and I imagine there is still much to discuss..." Mikhail interjected, massaging his forehead.
"Well, after examining the crime scene and studying the victim, Balasko and I have concluded that the modus operandi matches our suspicions. The vampire kills, then alters the scene to resemble a muggle murder, correct?" Sirius stated, gazing at the attentive individuals gathered around the table, who nodded in agreement.
"The issue is that this time, the murderer also sexually assaulted the victim..." Sirius continued.
"And you want to know if vampires can engage in sexual intercourse, am I correct?" Worple finished his sentence, his curiosity evident.
"Yes."
"Yes, they are. Who was your Defense Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts?" Worple asked inquisitively.
"Could you just tell us?" Sirius requested.
"Sure... Vampires are essentially similar to us, with the exception that they are sterile. It's a widely spread misconception that Vampires are dead or cursed. In reality, Vampirism is caused by a virus that is only contagious among humans. Animals and other creatures are naturally immune to it," Worple explained, taking a sip from his drink.
"When the virus enters the body, it triggers a sequence of mutations divided into phases. After a period of approximately twenty-one to thirty days, the mutation process concludes, and the organism reaches a stable condition known as 'Vampire.' One of these mutations significantly affects the synthesis of the FSH and LH hormones," he added.
"What about you two?" Sirius inquired, turning to Red and Mikhail. "If you haven't made any progress after two weeks, shouldn't you consider changing your approach?"
"Why don't you join us tomorrow and demonstrate how much better you are?" Red retorted.
"If Damocles doesn't object, Sirius can switch to your team tomorrow," Ludvik suggested.
"I don't need him anymore. I have everything I need, and my equations are adjusted. From now on, I'll be working downstairs," Belby declared, marking a line on a list.
"Good. I was getting tired of picking flowers. Who knows, maybe tomorrow we'll get lost, come face to face with the vampire, and finally have a chance to solve this once and for all," Sirius remarked.
"I'll run away and leave you there with him," Red replied.
"I'll go with him," Mikhail added.
"As if you could... The vampire would snap your necks before you could even take a single step," Worple interjected.
At 2 am, inside a small, urban apartment:
A sinister wind had swept across the world, relentless in its strength, showing no signs of relenting. Lying on his bed, gazing at the ceiling, Florin pondered if humanity had reached an insurmountable impasse. Whether the prognosis was dire or not, both Western and Eastern societies shared a prevailing sense that humankind had reached the culmination of its cycle. Mysterious forces seemed to intensify their efforts to bring an end to the human adventure, despite newspapers dismissing it as mere melancholy of the affluent.
Not long ago, Florin would have held the same belief, but today, even though he was new to the job, he had witnessed unsettling incidents whenever he was called into the field. These occurrences defied logical explanation, leading him to comprehend why his superiors had closed the cases. However, Florin had undergone a transformation of his own and now possessed the certainty to perceive through the facade.
His heart pounded incessantly in his chest, and his eyes remained wide open, rendering attempts at sleep futile. It had become a habit, and now he worried as even the zolpidem prescribed by a colleague failed to provide relief. He abandoned his bed, making his way to the living room window, where he leaned against it, greeted by a gentle spring breeze that caressed his face.
Suddenly, his senses erupted with alarm. Gasping, he swiftly turned to glance behind him, feeling as though a knife was about to pierce his back. The living room stood vacant, with only the faint ticking of a clock breathing life into the otherwise silent night.
Florin sighed, ready to return to his bed and allow his body at least some respite until morning when his attention was seized not by a mere sensation but by the sound of footsteps echoing through the street below. Four floors beneath his apartment window. Leaning against the window, he peered in the direction from which the noise emanated, searching for the disturbance that shattered the tranquility of the night.
The street lay cloaked in darkness, his eyes straining to perceive anything amidst the void. Then, a gust of wind swept across the sky, dispersing the clouds and revealing the moon, casting its ethereal glow upon the street. It was at that moment Florin's heart began to throb with greater intensity. In a space where darkness had reigned just seconds before, he beheld an evil visage smirking at him from the opposite sidewalk, before the figure advanced and slowly crossed the street.