She's Not Afraid

Chapter Two

Vlad watched her all night. He never thought he could find a more beautiful creature. Watching her every move, he felt a hand lightly touch his shoulder then move off. Vlad slowly looked away from the beautiful woman to see his servant, Scotty, "Master, we must be on our way." Vlad looked at him as if he had heard Scotty speak in a different langue. "Not now," Vlad said to his servant. Scotty placed his hand on his master's shoulder, "Master,...your dinner is leaving." Vlad turned his head and spoke in harsh tone, "NOT. NOW." Suddenly the woman came over. "Is everything alright here, gentlemen?" she asked. Vlad released Scotty's hand. Scotty bowed his head and disappeared into the crowd. The woman left to attend to the other customers.

—•—

Vlad waited outside the bar as the last few of the workers filed out. Suddenly he saw her walk out. Her blonde hair was down; free from her pony tail. As she walked out, he walked up alongside her. "Excuse me," he said. She turned to him. "Yes?" she asked. He took a moment to admire her beauty. "I just want to apologize for the incident I caused," Vlad apologized.

"Don't worry about it. I've dealt with worse," she said.

"I hope not. A woman such as you shouldn't have to break up a man's quarrel," he said.

"A woman like me?" she asks.

"A man that fights in front of a beautiful woman is not a man," he said.

Nicoleta gave a small smile. She thought he was quite a gentleman. "Well thank you for the apology and compliment, but I have to go," she said. She started to walk, but instead he followed her.

"May I ask what your name is?" he asked.

"Why do you want to know my name?" she asked.

"To see if your name is as beautiful as you," he replied.

She blushed. He was incredibly sweet. "Nicoleta," she said extending her hand. He smiled, "Vlad." Instead of shaking her hand he grasped it and kissed the top of it. She blushed a bit more. Vlad suddenly noticed that the sun was beginning to rise. "A pleasure meeting you Nicoleta," he smiled releasing her hand. "Nice meeting you too, Vlad," she replied. He loved the sound of his name roll off her tongue. Nicoleta watched as Vlad disappeared. "Strange man," she thought. She kept walking until she reached her apartment. She walked up the stairs all the way up to the top floor. She unlocked the door to her empty apartment. She shut the door, locked it, and stepped further into the room. She threw her bag on the kitchen counter and kicked her shoes off as she went to the fridge, taking out a bottle of water, cracking it open, and heading towards the balcony. She stepped up onto the balcony.

Nicoleta stood leaning against the glass wall of her apartment. She took a deep breath, and began to take in the view. The city still glowed brightly even as the sun began to rise. The first ray of light peeked through the bottom of the skyscrapers and buildings. She took a drink of water. Nicoleta felt a strange feeling. A feeling of change that was to come. She didn't know why she felt it. Maybe it was one of those feelings a person gets when they see beautiful scenery. All she knew was she felt change was to come. Suddenly in the midst of her thoughts, something flew over her. She ducked as a large swarm of something flew overhead. She looked up to see a swarm of bats. She watched the cluster disappearing into the fading night. "Be quick little friends. The night is almost gone," she said to herself. She smiled to herself as she headed inside for some well-deserved rest.

—•—

Vlad formed back into himself as he landed on his balcony. He quickly hid within the darkness of his bedroom and closed the curtains. The darkness healed the small patches of burnt skin he had. "Master," Scotty said falling to his knees. Vlad walked past him not caring. "Forgive me please," Scotty begged. Vlad was in no mood to hear his pleas for forgiveness. He could still hear Scotty's pathetic sobs. "Enough, Shkelgim. You are forgiven," he said. Suddenly Scotty crawled towards his master thanking him for his mercy. Vlad felt Scotty grip his leg. He reacted by turning around and kicking him off. He growled at him. Shkelgim cowered in fear at his master's glowing eyes and growing fangs. "Leave me," Vlad ordered. Scotty scurried off not wishing to anger his master anymore. Scotty closed the doors to Vlad's bedroom. Vlad walked over and began to light the few candles in his room. He had lamps, but he often preferred candle light. When he was finished, he took his coat off and threw it on a chair. He laid down on his bed and sighed. "Nicoleta," he whispered. This woman drove him insane. He only just met her, but there was something about her that drove him mad. Vlad didn't know what was so different about this girl. He had met plenty of girls that had and hadn't thrown themselves at him. Nicoleta though stuck out in his mind. She just seemed so...different.