Master of Vampirism (Part #2) ✔️

Chapter 23: Up in flames

The survivors lined up outside. Ian, William and Greta took care of their memories. Sheila sobbed quietly next to me, her entire body shaking. The entire backroom exploded. And the bodies of the deceased currently burned inside.

All the humanity I've been ignoring came rushing back as the adrenaline levels dropped. Suddenly, I didn't know where to put all the emotions. They intertwined into melancholy.

"Chloe?"

I turned around, facing a young man. During the fiasco, I never managed to look at him properly. Only his eyes, full of anger and fear. He was handsome, tall and lean. I wouldn't take him for such a good fighter.

"Troy." I smiled and offered a hand. "Thank you."

He took my hand, a question lingering on his lips, "Do you have to erase our memories?"

I breathed in, "It's easier that way."

"I understand." He nodded. "Thank you, by the way. What you did today, it shouldn't be forgotten."

I caught his gaze, "I couldn't have done it without you."

The victory seemed in vein. So many lives were lost, almost like we fought for nothing.

Troy looked at the burning building and then back at me, "Okay, I'm ready."

"Chloe, we have to get out of here before cops come." Sheila mumbled, not bothering to wipe the tears off her cheeks.

I nodded and turned to Troy, "You will not remember anything that happened today. You came to the bar. There was an explosion. Probably a gas leak or something." My mind control was better now that I got myself a blood bag.

Troy's eyes widened and then he frowned, "A gas leak?"

"You're not sure." I sighed. "It's all a blur. A lot of people died. But you made it out." My eyes watered on instinct. "And you were so fucking brave. You pulled most of them out. You saved people today."

"I did?" To my surprise, tears glistened in his eyes.

"Yes, you did." I swallowed. "They would have all died if you hadn't fought the way you did. And you should be proud of yourself."

Sheila pulled at my arm, "Chloe, we have to go."

Troy blinked a couple of times, frowned and looked at the ground. Then, his eyes wandered to the burning building. Sirens blasted in the distance. That was our cue to go.

"I'm going to sleep at William's today, okay?" Sheila said as we made our way to the cars.

I nodded absentmindedly. My mind was blank. Nothing except images of people dying on my watch replayed in front of my eyes. There was no way I would sleep tonight. There was no way I would sleep for a while, at least not without dreaming of what happened.

"They didn't feed on the victims." Ian said when we reached the cars.

He was covered in blood; we were all covered in blood. Somehow, I didn't even feel the need to wash it off right away. I clung to the reality of the events desperately.

Greta cut in, "They were probably sacrifices."

"They assumed there might be vampires." I said. "They put the dead blood in all the drinks, which means I wasn't necessarily the target, but they know we're here."

"How did you get your strength back?" Greta asked me, her eyes were full of compassion. Despite looking elegant and classy even when covered in blood, I couldn't bring myself to dislike her anymore.

"There was a girl." I swallowed another flood of tears. "She only drank water. She let me drink from her."

And now she was dead, because I couldn't protect her.