CRIMSON

who is the real monster?

- chapter six -

Hours after leaving Victor's house, Rafe was still wandering in search of blood. There was a sunset, a sign that the day was almost over and it was time for the job to be over. Too thirsty and afraid that his fangs were out, Rafe didn't dare come out of the shadows. He wasn't sure why he suddenly needed blood. It had never happened so quickly before. Of all his family, he was the least likely to feed on blood. He had never been so thirsty. His mother told him that the reason for this was that he hadn't killed anyone yet, so he didn't feel the need for blood as much as she and the rest of his family did. But perhaps it was because of all the anger he had felt the day before, and the silence of standing alone with a human being made him think only of blood. And to add fuel to the fire, it had been weeks since his last taste of blood.

He was in the dark alley, on the lookout for a victim. He was very particular about it, he wanted the blood to have the perfect taste. He didn't want it too sweet, or if the wearer smoked. None of the passers-by met the vampire's expectations, and he looked at them with disdain. As he began to let go of the idea of finding the perfect blood. He saw a tall, stocky man, maybe in his thirties. He had a clean face and the look of a man who had been in training. He held a coffee cup and walked slowly, as if nothing bad had ever happened in his life.

He smiled, stepping from the shadows to follow the man. As they passed another alleyway, Rafe glanced around to make sure no one saw him. He grabbed the man by the shoulders and led him down the dark cul-de-sac. What the fuck? exclaimed the stranger, who did not understand what was going on. In order to prevent the human from screaming, or even to struggle hi way out, the vampire put his hand over the stranger's mouth. Then he sunk his teeth into the man's neck. He began to drink. The taste was intoxicating, addictive, and for the first time Rafe had a craving for more, he couldn't stop the bleeding of the human. It was pleasurable, attractive, to hear his heart beat for once. Please... don't kill me, the stranger begged, almost losing consciousness.

It was only when he heard the word "kill" that Rafe regained his senses and dropped the man to the ground. He then had a look at the man himself and saw the monster that he was. He wiped the blood from his mouth and shuddered as he felt the blood on his hands. He got down on his knees beside the unconscious man and spoke to him. I'm so sorry but I have to do this, he explained and began to force the human to forget him. It was a power that all vampires had, it came in handy from time to time. Rafe used it very little. He didn't want to use it, but it seemed the more he tried to escape nature, the more it returned.

Rafe got up and ran back home to clean himself up when he was sure the human had forgotten about him. When he arrived, he slowly closed the door to avoid a confrontation with his cousin. But when he turned to take off his shoes, Elijah was upstairs. Well, well, well. If that ain't my little Rafe. Thirsty, I suppose, he said with a bit of a chuckle.

   — Shut up, Elijah.

   — Did you kill him? You look like you have some blood on you.

   — No, I didn't kill him.

" But I almost did," he thought.

   — I think you should wash your face. You look like us. Elijah replied with a broad smile. It was pure pleasure for Elijah to see his cousin in this state. He who had spent most of his life hunting and killing. Rafe started up the stairs to go to the bathroom to wash his face, but Elijah stopped him from doing so.

   — I got a call today. It seems that you have been involved in a fight and have hurt your opponents quite badly. I can see that you have been letting the beast that is inside you get out these days.