School of Blood

PART ONE: ALLIANCES (chapter 1: Harmony)

The coolness of the night surrounded me. I could feel my inner voice screaming. I'd ignored the temptation for too long.

I needed food, and fast.

I looked around. Nothing but trees for the next few feet. At this rate, I wouldn't be able to find anything until dawn. Wait. What was that?

I very slowly crept closer to where my nose led me. I could feel a hotspot not too far.

And, then, I saw.

Something, no someone was near the creek. It was a girl, probably about nine or ten years old.

Stupid child, I chided in my head. Wandering out at times like this. Don't you know what can happen to you?

Suddenly, there was a soft breeze. It rustled her hair and shifted the scent toward me. Taunting me. Playing with my senses.

And I couldn't resist it any longer.

Without a second thought, I lunged at her throat, silencing her scream midway. My fangs pierced her vein and she became limp in my arms. I tasted the blood, warm and thick, and I drank. I could feel my body getting stronger with each swallow. After several gulps, I pulled away slightly. The Hunger hadn't been satisfied completely, but I could definitely make it through a week at least without any more. Or, I could finish her off, and not have to worry about feeding for about two more weeks, probably more. I looked at the girl's face. I usually didn't take time to think about my victims. You can't become close to humans. It doesn't ever work out. And yet...this was a girl. A young girl, with dreams and friends and family. Should I just end her life before it even got started? Maybe I should just-

"Annabelle?" a voice called out through the darkness.

I froze.

"Annabelle?" a female voice and a male voice. Probably her parents. I had to go. Lingering any longer would be suicidal. Creatures of our kind weren't unknown, and who knows what kind of defensive weapons this girl's parents had with them.

I dropped the girl, who stirred slightly and then began to breathe very softly. Good, she was asleep. That would make this easier, I hoped.

I turned quickly and found myself face to face with a bright light.

A young man stood there, Annabelle's dad from the looks of it. Beside him was a woman, her large widening with every second.

"Oh, Annabelle!" the woman cried out and ran towards the sleeping girl. She picked her up and inspected her for harm. She and her husband noticed the two unsealed holes at the same time and they both turned towards me with horrified faces.

The man didn't say a word to me. He took a step back and took a breath. Then he yelled with all his might, "VAMPIRE!"

Lights flicked on in nearby houses quickly. I sensed danger and immediately ran. Although I didn't look back, I could hear men running out of houses and after me, heavy clunks of metal; their weapons. Women screamed and somewhere, a baby began to cry. I ran and I ran until the footsteps of men disappeared behind me. To be safe, I climbed a tree and searched the area.

There, a shuffling. A man's voice.

"I think we lost her, Dad."

I couldn't see them but stopped looking to hear their voices.

"No, I reckon it's around somewhere."

"Should we continue to search for her?"

"No, it's faster than us. We don't have a chance in this dark."

It. He kept saying it. I forced myself not to leap at him and strangle him. Who did he think he was, anyway? I wasn't human, but I wasn't inhumane certainly. Was I?

"So we let her go?"

"No, son. God will show the devil later in our life, when it is the right time to conquer it. For now, we can only sit back and wait for God to choose the right time for us."

"If I ever see her in my life," the younger man had a snarl to his voice. "I'll kill her. She almost killed Annie." His voice caught, and I could picture him trying to hold back sobs.

"There now, son. She'll be alright. And for now, let's not think about that. Best get on to bed now. We have a busy morning tomorrow. The new house, new school for you and Annie."

"I know, Dad. Let's go."

I heard the footsteps walking away. I leaped down silently from the tree and thought about my options. I could hide out here. No doubt there'd be plenty of food. Nice shelter too, I thought, slapping the tree.

But they would be looking for me. Especially the younger one.

I knew what I needed to do.

I turned and ran without looking back.