Prince

1

  Every night it was the same.

Red, haunting orbs of smoke glaring at me. It could be from anywhere. From my dreams, from my tiny closet that barely holds any clothing, or under the bed in my cramped room. It could be in the shadows, or the back of my mind.

It could be anywhere.

But tonight it chose to haunt my dreams once again. As if the horrific events of my everyday living weren't enough.

It never looked away from me. Never blinked. The presence was always threatening. It craved my demise, my suffering. Every strand and stench of fear only boosted it's strength in horrendous masses. And god was it strong.

It's vivacious aura held me down in my sleep like vipers, just so it could continue to stare at me in contempt. But there was a hint of curiosity in its gaze whenever I rebuked it. Had it expected it's prey to welcome and accept it? To give up against the struggle, and succumb? This time though, it was different.

For the first time tonight, it smiled. It smiled a beautiful smile amongst the shadows, with features I could not see. Except for bright, gleaming, sharp and dangerous teeth.

Which all were getting closer. The closer it got, I could see blood as red as it's eyes. I could smell the sultry temptations of death. I could taste the oncoming events on my tongue, leaving a bittersweet taste. Release was near.

It got close, too close...

"Aaliyah.

Aaliyah.

Aaliyah!"

I'm pulled out of the ocean of dreams and plunging into the desert of reality. My eyes wheel around in fright, looking for the person who woke me up.

"Oh... Sam." I gasp out, placing a hand on my chest to calm my frantic heart.

"You scared me."

He laughs nervously, his curly black hair falling over his sweaty red face. "You woke the village with your screaming. We thought you somehow knew already."

A sense of danger slowly began to overwhelm my senses. The feeling from the dream just seconds ago came crawling back, but this time utterly twisted into a sense of cold dread.

I frown. "Knew what?"

"Well...uhm..."

"Samuel, knew what?!"

I'm suddenly wide awake. Adrenaline courses through my body as I fling myself out of bed. What could have happened now?! I was only asleep for a few moments. I was training so late last night it wasn't until the sun came up that I remembered to sleep.

But of course, who would want to sleep during times like these? Every second, every moment, your life was in danger. Sleeping was a liability.

"The vampires...they took more people than expected." Samuel stammer shamefully. I suck my teeth together in rage and irritation.

It's been like this for years. In order to guarantee our safety, we...offered martyrs to the vampires. It would oftentimes be prisoners, people that did wrong to others in our community. It would sometimes be sacrifices, people volunteering themselves to protect the ones the love. But other times, when the amount was not enough, they'd take. It was either a select few be offered up, or the eradication of us all.

And that was getting more and more often, as their hordes grew ravenous and greedy.

"I thought Minister Caine gave them the desired amount of humans! What was the problem this time?!" I screech over my shoulder, sprinting down the stairs of the tiny burgundy house and out the front door in seconds. The hinges protested against my hot fury.