Have You Ever Seen the Sun Rise at Midnight?

Soundless Solitutde

Sometimes... sometimes it was nice just to lean back and relax. The waves crashed noiselessly against the rocks, splashing upwards the warm, ocean spray. He smiled, out here, alone, in the dwindling light of day he could finally breathe again.

There was none of the false, overly bright lights that lined every street, window, and sign. Only the fading glow of twilight as the sun sunk beneath the surface of the ocean in a pool of bloody red color, streaking the sky itself shades of orange and purple with its last, futile struggles.

He sighed, letting himself fall back on to the rock, it was solid, worn, he could feel each and every familiar nook and crevice on it. He'd been coming here since he was young after all. He could feel the slight indent worn from where he absentmindedly rubbed the rock with one hand when nervous, he could feel the shallow scratches from the time a shark had been lured over by the scent of blood, it's lunge cutting through the water until it's teeth collided with the rock.

It was his spot, alone and undisturbed by tourist bustle as sharp rocks and high walls surrounded it and filled the water beneath the surface. Even the more risk taking sports fanatics didn't bother with this spot as the waves all along this particular spot of the coast were famously poor making it not worth the jagged rocks which peaked from beneath the waves during low tide and a few even when it was high.

And so he could sit. Just him. The rock. The smell of salt water and ocean all around. The sight of the ocean stretched out before him. And the motion of waves crashing against the shore behind him.

But all good things must come to the end, and so even this peaceful, quiet, solitude had to come to a conclusion.

They walked closer, having carefully descended from the top of the surrounding, each unbalanced, uncertain step they made through the rock-covered shore disrupting the peace. Another reminder that his time was coming to a close.

He turned. Smiled.

They looked disturbed.

"Hello."

"Your time has come, monster." He saw the words forming on their lips.

He'd never harmed anyone, all he had ever wanted was to be complete. To hear. He had been promised that if he accepted the aid that was offered, it would heal all faults about him, and so he had. His mama had always told him that his lack of hearing wasn't a fault, that there wasn't anything wrong with him.

But he hadn't listened. How ironic, that he had been so caught up in not being able to hear any sound that he forgot to pay attention to the meaning behind those words. He had felt so alone, dejected, lost, and desperate, so different from his peers.

And now here he was, so many years later, a monster, a vampire. He hadn't killed anyone though... the first few decades had been hard, but he had managed. He had never wanted to harm anyone, he just wanted to be able to hear. He'd drained cows and sheep and chickens of their blood. There had been plenty around. He'd take the carcass and feed it to the wolves so no one would grow suspicious.

Soon, when he'd grown especially daring he'd risked going a step further, drinking human blood.

It was surprisingly easy.

All it took was a quick knock unconscious, or he'd wait until they slept. He was always careful not to drink directly though, a small cut and then he'd wait, rubbing some saliva on the wound to keep the warm blood from clotting for awhile. It had become easier once people began drawing blood, he could drink blood samples that were sent in for testing when he needed something more than animal blood.

Coconut though, was a treat when he'd finally discovered it's existence, the sweet taste, but without the damning knowledge of where it came from. In some ways it was even better than blood. He'd always hated the stench of death.  Even when it was that which fed him. Kept him strong and alive, kept him hearing.

Death was coming for him now though, in the form of this monster slayer, and he watched as they waded through the waves, finally having enough of waiting for him to charge at them.

He could still run.

Leap from the rock and soar towards shore.

Or turn and disappear off into the ocean.

But he didn't, he just sat and watched. When they arrived, one arm cut to lure him by the scent of blood, braced to stab him when he lunged.

They were inexperienced, they had proved that just by coming out here where they were immensely vulnerable. If it ever came down to it, they would not survive a fight with any who was over a century no matter their advantages- he doubted they could win on level ground with any who were even a quarter that. He had passed that mark long ago, but he wasn't looking for a fight.

They blinked, eyes wide and surprised when he went for the arm holding the stake instead and pressed it to his chest, just enough to wound himself. They probably had been talking this entire time, but he hadn't been listening, or rather paying enough attention to know what it was.

He waited.

They stared.

He smiled.

Their breathing was fast with panic.

They were probably just as nervous as he was right now, and were definitely a lot more confused.

He tilted his head slightly, still smiling.

They blinked and stumbled a bit as a larger wave rushed past towards the shore, shoving at them. He didn't move. The unique brand of silence drew on once more, and he relished the sound of the crashing waves and the small creatures within them, even if now they were interrupted by heavy breathing and the fast pumping of a tired heart. They wanted to be here less than he wanted them there.

He spoke, "Well? What are you going to do now?"

An: I know this one isn't second person, but idk, I felt like it.  The he character felt too formed to do that to, and the they character's story wasn't the focus. -T.A.L.A.