As I lay on the floor, it suddenly dawned on me: all those years of being starved of a proper blood diet were finally catching up to me. My body screamed for sustenance, like a neglected houseplant begging for water.
Desperation washed over me as I realized I needed blood, and fast. Without it, my body would continue to wither away, turning me into a dried-out, lifeless husk. But, wouldn't you know it, the sun shone like a big, round middle finger, taunting me from the sky.Time ticked by at a snail's pace as I lay there on the ground, feeling my strength ebb away. The sun seemed to taunt me as it took its sweet time crossing the sky, each passing minute stretching out like an eternity.With nothing else to do, my mind started playing tricks on me. What if I didn't make it until nightfall? Would I end up as a dried-up, shrivelled shell, a fraction of the being I used to be? The thought sent shivers down my spine, but all I could do was wait and hope that I'd survive long enough to see the moon rise, to venture out and find the nourishment my body so desperately needed.I shut my eyes tight, figuring I'd better save up whatever energy I had left. The hunger chewed away at me, but I knew I had to hang in there until nightfall. I kept telling myself, “Just hold on a little longer. Don't let yourself turn into a raisin.”When darkness finally wrapped itself around the world, I knew it was now or never. I mustered up every last bit of strength I had and started crawling, dragging myself across the floor like a soldier on a battlefield. My elbows hurt, and every crack and pop from my bone-dry body echoed through the room. It took everything I had to open that front door and haul myself outside into the cool night air, but I knew I had to keep going.Out in the open, I tried to stand, but my legs were shakier than a newborn deer's. I let out a growl of frustration, my voice catching in my throat as my injuries refused to heal. Man, it was like the city was alive, cars zooming by on the street, their headlights cutting through the darkness like some kind of cosmic jury, judging my every move.There I was, my body begging for the one thing I couldn't get, the hunger eating away at me. But I wasn't ready to give up just yet. I wasn't going to let this city beat me down. No way.So, I summoned whatever was left of my strength and staggered into the street, not really sure where I was headed. All I knew was that I needed to keep moving. But then, BAM! Out of nowhere, headlights blindsided me, and a car horn blared in my ears. My body froze up like a deer in headlights as it hit me – this was not good.The lights bore down on me, and before I could even process what was happening, WHACK! The car smashed into me, sending my dried-up body flying through the air like a rag doll. I hit the pavement with a gut-wrenching crunch, my bones shattering on impact.I was sprawled out on the cold, unforgiving ground, broken and helpless, as the car squealed to a stop. It was like time had slowed down, and I could sense the darkness creeping in around the edges of my vision. This might be it for me.The driver stumbled out of the car, his voice trembling with panic as he hurried over to me. I could hear the fear in his words, and I knew he'd probably never seen anything like this before. But honestly, all I could think about was how much I needed to feed. How much I needed to survive. Even as I lay there, battered and broken, the hunger burned within me like a flame.So, this guy's kneeling next to me, panic in his voice as he says, “Hey, buddy, are you alright? Can you hear me?” His hands are shaking as he feels for a pulse, and his breath comes out in these quick, ragged bursts.The dude's freaking out, desperate to help, and in his haste, he makes a huge mistake. He leans in real close, putting his ear right up against my chest to listen for a heartbeat. And man, I know this might be my last chance, so I muster up every last drop of strength I've got and make my move.“What are you-” he starts to say, but I'm already on it. My fangs – stiff and stubborn as they are – pop out, and I lunge forward like a rattlesnake, sinking 'em deep into the soft flesh of his neck.The guy lets out a howl of pain and shock, thrashing around as he realizes what's going down. “Let me go!” he begs, but I'm holding on tight. We both know that if he struggles too much, his carotid artery could be toast. So, there we are, locked in this twisted embrace, the taste of his blood filling my mouth.So, I'm feeding, right? And man, it's like this rush of energy flooding through me. The pain from the crash just melts away, replaced by this feeling of pure rejuvenation. His blood tastes like the nectar of the gods, and I can feel my body knitting itself back together, the desiccation reversing with every gulp.But even in the middle of this blood-fuelled frenzy, there's this voice in the back of my head reminding me that this poor schmuck didn't ask for any of this. He's just some guy who was in the wrong place at the wrong time, caught up in my messed-up world.So, I let him go, pushing him away as I rise to my feet, feeling like a million bucks. I look at the dude, and his eyes are all glazed over, life slipping away from him like sand through an hourglass. Cars keep whizzing by, their drivers completely oblivious to the crazy scene playing out right in front of them. And I'm just like, “Alright, I gotta do something, and I gotta do it fast.”I scoop the guy up in my arms, his body all lifeless and limp, and carry him over to the side of the road. I know I have to do something to make this right, so I raise my wrist to my mouth and chomp down on it, ripping open my radial artery. Blood starts gushing out, and I pry the dude's mouth open, letting my vampiric essence drip right in.Almost instantly, the wounds on his neck begin to close up, like some kind of crazy supernatural healing magic. My blood is bringing him back from the brink, and I can see the life returning to his eyes.As he starts to focus again, I look deep into those peepers and tap into my mind control mojo, erasing the whole night from his memory banks. “Listen up, pal,” I whisper, my voice all smooth and hypnotic. “You're gonna forget any of this ever happened, got it? You'll head straight home, take a nice hot bath, and hit the hay. When you wake up, this'll all be a blank.”He just nods, his eyes all glassy and distant as my words take hold. I help him into his car and watch as he drives off, disappearing into the darkness. I know he'll be alright – at least, as alright as someone can be after a run-in with a bloodsucking creature of the night.So, I'm strolling along, mulling over everything that just went down when suddenly my super senses start tingling. I have that feeling, you know? Like someone's watching me. So, I trust my gut and start scanning the shadows for any signs of movement.And bingo—there it is. This figure lurking in the dark, their eyes flashing red for just a split second. My vampire peepers kick into overdrive, trying to get a better look at this creeper.From what I can tell, they're on the small side, maybe a kid or a teenager. But just as I'm squinting to make out their face, they notice me staring and bolt, vanishing into the night like a ghost.Now, I'm standing there, scratching my head, trying to figure out what the heck just happened. Was that another vampire? Or maybe some other kind of supernatural being? The thought gives me the shivers, reminding me that there's a whole lot of weird stuff out there that I don't know jack about.But while I'm trying to wrap my head around all this weirdness, I start feeling kinda uneasy. See, I've just put my vampiric abilities on full display, and that could have some pretty serious consequences. I know I have to be way more careful from now on, keeping my secrets close to the vest if I want to survive in this crazy world of bloodsuckers.So, I make my way back to the old mansion—the place that kept me locked up for centuries. But even the outside of the house looks different, all modern and fancy like the rest of this new world. It's like walking into a stranger's home, and I can't help but feel a mix of curiosity and nerves as I grab the doorknob and step inside.The place is pitch black, except for this freaky glow coming from some flat box on the wall. It's showing moving pictures, and the laughter from the people on the screen just feels weird and out of place. I have no clue how to turn on the lights, so I just stand there, squinting in the dark, trying to spot anything that could help me shed some light on the situation—literally.So, after standing there in the dark for what feels like forever, I give up and lean against the wall, totally defeated. But the second my back touches the wall, I hear this soft little click, and bam! The room lights up like a Christmas tree. I whip around, my eyes bugging out of my head, and spot this tiny switch. “Ahh, so that's how it works,” I mumble to myself, nodding like I've just cracked some secret code.But just as I'm feeling all proud of myself, I turn back around and BAM! There's this dude, just chillin' in one of my chairs like he owns the place. His eyes are locked on mine, and he has this crazy smile that just makes my blood freeze. I can feel the hairs on the back of my neck standing at attention, and a shiver runs down my spine like an icy finger. Who the heck is this guy, and what does he want with me?My eyes widen as I recognize him—it's the same creepy little dude who was spying on me earlier! “You?” I croak, my voice barely a whisper.He just nods, his innocent-looking face breaking into this wicked half-smile. “Yep, it's me,” he says, his eyes all sparkly with mischief.THIS DUDE'S FACE SCRUNCHES up like he's trying to solve a riddle as he asks, “So, when did you get here, and how?” His eyes were all bright and curious, and I couldn't help but crack a smile.I let out a chuckle and teased, “Come on, man, you think I'm just going to spill the beans like that? Give me some credit!” His frustration was kind of hilarious, I had to admit.I switched gears and took a look around. “Hey, by the way, I'm Vivaldi Monteverdi,” I said, admiring the place. “Your crib is sweet! It's cosy but super cool at the same time. It seems like you are flying solo here. Maybe we could room together or something?” I suggested with a hopeful grin.But the dude's face went all serious, and he demanded, “What are you doing here?”I couldn't resist poking the bear a little, so I quipped, “Don't you mean, What brings your fabulous self to my humble abode?”His gaze got all intense, and his voice dropped low. “Just answer the question.”I let out a sigh and levelled with him. “Look
“ENOUGH!” he growls, pushing her away. “I'm not giving in, Vivaldi. I'm done with human blood, and that's final!”He turns to the girl, his voice strong and steady. “You gotta get outta here, sweetheart. Run as fast as you can and don't look back until you're somewhere safe.”The girl glances back and forth between us, her eyes wide with fear. After a moment, she nods and makes a break for the door.But I'm too quick for her. In a flash, I'm by her side, my hand gripping her arm tightly. “Not so fast,” I hiss, trying to use my mind control. “You ain't going nowhere 'til you get my bro to take a bite. That's why you're here.”The girl's eyes dart between us, fear dancing in her gaze. But when she looks at him, her expression softens. She pulls her arm free from my grasp and makes a break for the door, disappearing into the night.I'm totally confused. I've mind-controlled her to stick around and tempt my bro until he caves, but somehow, his mental juju is stronger than mine. How the he
STANDING AT THE FRONT OF THE CLASSROOM, I am the center of attention, and you can almost taste the excitement in the air. The class leader, Sarah, clears her throat and announces, “Everyone, this is Casper, but you can call him Snow White. He's a new student, and I'm sure you'll all make him feel right at home.”I give a small smile and nod hello, my sharp senses catching the flood of curious whispers—a storm of interest and excitement. A girl in the front row leans toward her friend and whispers, “He's really good-looking. I wonder where he's from.”“I heard he's from some small town up north,” her friend whispers back.With a confident walk, I make my way to the desk they've given me, feeling the energy in the room. Sarah's introduction hasn't been enough for my new classmates. I smile politely at the people around me, but the whispers continue, spreading through the room like wildfire.Just then, someone from the back of the class calls out, “Hey Snow White, did you bring any dwarv
FOOTSTEPS START PADDING OUR WAY, and I can't help but scrunch up my face in anticipation. I know that voice, I reason. There is something smug and familiar about it that sends a shiver down my spine. But before I can dismiss the thought, the owner of the voice appears in the doorway. Damn it, I curse in my mind. It is him – that little brat – and as he turns to look my way, his face breaks into that Cheshire cat-like grin that always manages to piss the life out of me.“Hello, brother,” he says, his voice dripping with self-satisfaction. I can't help but let out a resigned sigh, knowing full well that my night is about to get even more complicated than I could have possibly imagined.Turning his gaze back to the girl who is on the verge of exposing my secret, Vivaldi speaks in a calm, collected voice. “Honey, why do you keep your friends standing outside like that?”The girl fidgets nervously for a moment before replying, her voice trembling with fear and confusion. “He's the one I tol
AT HIS DECLARATION, Chloe's face turned a brilliant shade of red, and Winter's gaze bounced between the two of them like a ping-pong ball, her brows raised in curiosity. “Your gorgeous Chloe, you say?”With a triumphant smirk, Vivaldi proclaimed, “That's right. Chloe is my girlfriend.”The room went dead silent, all eyes bugging out in shock at his audacious claim. The first to recover was Scarlett, her laughter breaking through the tense atmosphere. “Oh, come on!” she exclaimed, disbelief clear in her voice. “That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard!”Vivaldi merely quirked an eyebrow, looking thoroughly entertained by their scepticism. “You don't believe me, huh?” he challenged, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth as he crossed his legs casually, leaning back like he didn't have a care in the world.As Scarlett's laughter slowly died down, she took a good, long look at Vivaldi's dead serious expression. “Y-yeah,” she stammered, her voice betraying a hint of doubt, “y
“OH MY GAWD!” Scarlett screams, stumbling back and staring at me like she's just seen a ghost. “Your face!” she exclaims, her voice shaking.Right at that moment, Winter and Chloe show up, looking all confused. “What is it, Scarlett? We heard you scream,” Winter asks, totally clueless about what's going on.“His face!” Scarlett blurts out again, her trembling finger pointing straight at me. Winter and Chloe step closer, examining my face with curious eyes.“There's nothing wrong with his face,” Winter says, shrugging her shoulders. I let out a huge sigh of relief, realizing that my face has gone back to its normal, human appearance.“But it was skeletally pale, his eyes were red, and… and…” Scarlett stammers, trying to find the right words.“You're just freaked out from Chloe's story,” Winter suggests, waving her hand dismissively.At this point, I'm super curious, so I chime in, “What did Chloe say, anyway?”Winter explains, “Chloe says she was viciously attacked on the neck by a rabi
As we make our way to the cafeteria, I can't ignore the whispers of our classmates. With my super hearing, I catch snippets of their conversations.“Oh, are they dating?”“So Scarlett's the lucky girl, huh?”“They look cute together.”“They don't match… I'd be a better fit.”Despite the mixed reactions, I can't deny that there's something comforting about having Scarlett by my side. Scarlett and I grab a table in the bustling cafeteria, and she plops her giant, red lunch box onto the round plastic surface. The thing looks like a cross between a plastic backpack and a mini-fridge, with a zillion pockets and zippers.She unzips the main compartment and starts pulling out all kinds of stuff: disposable spoons, cups, plates, a water bottle, a thermos, a couple of Fanta cans, and containers filled with chicken strips, cooked corn, and a mountain of French fries. I stare in amazement at the feast she's somehow crammed into that lunch box.“What the…!” I exclaim, not even trying to hide my
SO, I'M STANDING IN FRONT OF MY DOOR with this goofy grin plastered on my face, thinking about the awesome time I had with Scarlett and Winter today. I get this weird tingly feeling when I remember the way Scarlett's eyes sparkled, and how soft her hands felt on my cheeks when she called me her hero. I'm just relieved that my little vampire incident at Chloe's place didn't totally screw up our friendship—if anything, it brought us closer together.But then, outta nowhere, I start thinking about Kylian, and his beef with Scarlett. Did she really dump his brother? I wanna know, but I don't wanna pry into her personal life, you know? It's none of my business. That's when I realize I'm still standing there like an idiot, clutching the doorknob and grinning to myself. I shake my head, take a deep breath, and finally open the door.And that's when I hear it—this beautiful, amazing melody that just fills the room. It's the Lacrimosa from Mozart's Requiem in D minor, and it's like pure bliss