「 𝐁𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐲 𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝 」

Ch. II [2] ♡

Paris hadn't changed one bit since Cedric had last been there. he felt like the worst friend for sneaking off from Brand and his sweet wife, but he felt that this mission was the one thing that took priority, for it changed his entire life.

night had fallen upon the city, which meant that Cedric was able to walk the streets safely, no sun to sizzle him to bits. but he felt the insatiable hunger again that he had no idea how to quell. he scampered to an alley, stumbling on the walls and breathing raggedly. an onlooker might've thought he drank too much.

his teeth felt like they were itching, which was such a strange, unpleasant feeling. and his eyes were throbbing. he heard skittering through the rubbish that littered the alley.

rats.

Cedric sat still for a little while, crouching on the ground... listening. he felt so unsanitary next to the garbage, but hunger overrode that thought. he simply couldn't find it in himself to care enough.

quick as a flash, Cedric grabbed a rat that tried to run by him and bit into it. it let out the smallest of squeaks before it went limp in his hand. he tossed the rat aside and breathed. then, he grabbed another one.

"hungry aren't you, newborn?"

Cedric paused mid-drink and slowly lowered the rat from his mouth while turning to meet the owner of the voice.

the silhouette of a man seemed to peel itself out of the darkness of the alley.

"... newborn?" asked Cedric, confused.
"yes. that's what you are. aren't you aware? didn't your sire tell you? teach you everything you need to know?"

the silhouette came closer, and Cedric could see him - a tall man with dark skin and a long, brown coat. Cedric was so unsure of what to say. he didn't know what the man was talking about.

"I... I don't understand," said Cedric. "what am I...?"

"hm." the man frowned and crouched next to Cedric, staring at him.

"you're a vampire," said the man simply.

Cedric's eyes wandered away, and he said nothing. of course that's what he was. it couldn't have been more complicated than that.

"your 'sire' is the one that turned you," said the man. "they're not supposed to leave newborns unattended. where are they?"

"...I don't know. I'm... trying to find her. I found some clues that might lead me to her again. this tavern..." Cedric pulled out a folded piece of paper, handing it to the senior vampire.

"this tavern... is one of my leads. I must go there; could you take me?"

the mystery vampire looked at Cedric. "I can take you, but be warned: it's very dangerous for unattended newborns. I won't go in with you; I prefer not to keep that... kind of company. but before we go..."

the vampire pulled up his sleeve, and, with elongated fangs, ripped a hole into his own firearm. dark red blood flowed to the surface of his skin and down the side, dripping onto the dirt. he held out his arm towards Cedric. without a bit of hesitation, Cedric latched onto the vampire's arm, drinking his boiling hot blood with vigor.

when he felt Cedric had had enough, he grabbed his neck and pulled him off with trouble.

"there. that should hold you for a while," he said. "no more rat blood. it's unsightly. and gross."

he stood up and Cedric followed, wiping his mouth.

"who are you?" asked Cedric.

"...Lucio."

Lucio began to walk and Cedric followed once again.

"I'm Cedric Alistair. like I've stated, I don't know who turned me. but... it was an extraordinarily beautiful woman with cherry red hair and very pale skin..."

Lucio was silent as he walked until he said something. "I know who it may be." however, he didn't explain any further like Cedric expected him to.

"well? who is she??" asked Cedric in desperation. "please! tell me!"