Athargoraphobia (Kai Parker)

CHAPTER 1

Boston, MA

I looked around the empty apartment. It was just how it had been left; the plain white quilts left on the twin sized bed, empty cabinets, and dust bunnies underneath the humble loveseat in the "living room" which was actually just a small flat television on the wall and some boxes the landlord left with some basic necessities like toilet paper.

I hated it. I managed to spend little to no time in it; eating my meals and wandering out in the city for entertainment. Those four enclosed walls were a prison. Within them, I was a prisoner to my own mind. Uneasy thoughts roamed through my head. Through my head. I had to continue to remind myself that it was all in my head. This disease was not real. It was my brain playing tricks on me.

I grabbed my backpack hastily; I needed to leave. The backpack gave my cruel mind some peace. It told me that I'd be leaving soon, that I wouldn't be alone for long. The bag contained the only things that I owned. I didn't own much considering I was always up and about. There was a purple colored toothbrush, some Colgate tooth paste, some tanks tops, a few pair of underwear, and a wallet. But, it didn't matter to me anyway. It's been like this for three years and after a while, you get used to traveling lightly.

Closing the door behind me, I placed the key and some money for the stay in an envelope that was to be put underneath the mat at the entrance of the apartment room. As I was walking down the steps towards the exit, I pulled the apple smart phone out my my pocket to check the time. It was 1am. Despite this cars and sirens could be heard from the outside. I walked out to the noise and a refreshing breeze hit my face, causing my lips to curve upwards slightly. The bustling crowd made me feel at ease. It shielded me and hid me. Crowded cities right now are the safest places for me.

I found myself mindlessly walking to my next destination. I looked up to see the board with a list of places and the train that should be taken to arrive there when I noticed a mysterious looking blue-eyed man staring at me from a distance with a small smirk and wave.

"Shit." I had to go. Now.

Immediately, I raced through the platform, pushing through crowds of people, hoping to lose him. I looked back and saw that he was nowhere to be found. With a sigh of relief, I turned my head only to be cornered by the same man.

"Now, that's no way to greet a friend," he smirked.

"Who are you?" My voice cracked, and I looked behind him to see that I had been chased into an empty platform.

"More importantly, why don't you say we get a drink? You know... Just talk."

"You're... A vampire." I narrowed my eyes at the man.

"And it looks like you're Aurora Talbot. Now come with me. I don't have all day, princess." He grabbed my arm forcefully dragging me with him.

"Let. Go."

"Unfortunately, I can't do that. You see," his grip tightened around my arm, "I've just found the cure for vampirism, and I'm not going to let it go that easily." He smirked sarcastically.

I tried to free myself from his grip, but I'm just a mere human. I'm no match against his vampire strength.

Soon we were in a large dim-lit parking lot. We stopped at an old-looking car, a baby blue 1969 Chevy Camaro Convertible. It was old but there was no signs of rusting so it looked like it had been well cared for.

The mysterious man stopped in his tracks as though deciding what to do with me now before opening the trunk and grabbing me forcefully causing me to squeal.

"W-wait a moment!" I plea, "I won't try to leave so is it too much to ask to let me sit in the passenger's side like a normal person!?"

"And how do I know I can trust you?" he raised an eyebrow.