Vampire at 14 Penrose Lane (re-write)

12. Hidden Passions

CHAPTER 12

Isla

Yes.

We live in dangerous times indeed.

Reports floated about that a new vampire coven entered the city and now rumors sprang they're terrorizing our town of Old Haven.

I watch anxiously as another report floods the local news. Eleven more murders. Human bodies all drained of blood. Attacked and beaten. Now the criminal vampires are assaulting people for their sick amusement, too.

I switch off the TV from watching it all night. I hardly slept. Still unsettled from last night's event. I need to clear my head. To gain fresh perspective again.

There was something wrong with me. My brain forever thinking about Nikolai. Even fantasizing about the vampire.

Today, I called in sick. Not an inch of work in me. I stand up from the couch and walk to the window. The sun is lazy on this Monday afternoon. My thoughts drift to Nikolai as I gaze at the double story at the end of the lane.

What's he doing right now during the day?

Where does he sleep? On a bed in a dark bedroom or in a coffin, down the basement like old fables.

I blink hard and huff out. The hand-written note clutched in my hand reads 'I'm not at work today'. Walking towards the door, I pull on an old, crochet cardigan over my jersey and faded jeans. I guess it's safe to go outside. The sun is shining brightly, smiling in the blue sky. I open the door and stroll out but couldn't help but inspect if there is any danger. My head whipping from left to right for any strange vampires prepared to grab me.

"You're okay, Isla. It's daylight." I calm myself.

I stop and relax. Breathing in the fresh air. The dead vampire from last night is gone. Nothing but a tiny residue of what looked like ash where the body had rested. My eyes dart around the ground, searching, as I wrap my cardigan around my waist. The red rose is gone, too. Not a petal was left behind. I frown, feeling disappointed.

Did Nikolai take them away?

It didn't matter. I'm glad the dead vampire is gone, but thwarted that the rose was also taken. I shake last night's disturbing thoughts out of my mind and saunter up to the street. A few cars drive by. The neighbor, two doors down, stands outside in shorts and a T-shirt watering his flower garden. Life appears normal when the sun is out. Life carries on. It's only when the moon shines bright, and the sky turns black, that the terror begins. A different life, a different world. Far more dark and sinister.

Were humans living two different lives each day?

I hope they'll get a cure soon for Fading Fever. The news says the doctors are working around the clock. Weapons are becoming feeble against the vampire's wrath. It seems their thirst empowers them to no limits, becoming monsters they taught us to fear. I'm glad Nikolai isn't like that. But after seeing him in his prime last night... I hope he wasn't.

The happy sun warms my cheeks as I step onto the sidewalk. I look up and bask in it for a while. The warm breeze drifting through my loose hair as I walk up the lane to Nikolai's house.

"Isla... Hi!" an over-friendly voice calls behind me.

Hugging myself, I turn around, forcing a smile onto my face. "Hi, Trudy." I roll my eyes internally, not in the mood to chit-chat.

Trudy jogs towards me in her denim skirt and tight blouse that bounces her cleavage with each step. I raise a brow. "Oh, boy..." I mutter.

"Fancy to see you out here during the day." She grins, baring all teeth.