Bite You Dangerous

Chapter 5: Prince Charming

As the remaining loyal soldiers of the late King Leviathan returned to the castle in their bat forms, they landed gracefully inside the grand hall, right near the imposing throne that once bore the weight of their now-deceased ruler. The entrance of these soldiers, who had been known for their unwavering loyalty to the King, sent ripples of apprehension through the castle's inhabitants. Servants, lords, ladies, cooks, and other subjects ceased their activities, their collective attention drawn to the arrival of the King's most trusted warriors. An air of unease settled over the room, and one of the lords, his voice filled with trepidation, dared to inquire about the King's whereabouts.

Lord: Where is our king? How come he didn't return?

Lord: And where is his granddaughter, our heir princess?

Soldier #1: This is devastating and upsetting to announce, but his majesty is dead!

Soldier #1: His life was taken away by the hands of our so-called First Blood princess.

Lady: What a traitor! We must find her and hunt her down!

Lady: She deserves a far worse fate than our king. None of us will let her get away with her actions!

Lord #1: This means war!

The news of King Leviathan's death struck the castle's inhabitants like a thunderbolt. A collective cry of anguish, anger, and betrayal echoed through the grand hall. Everyone raised their voices in unison, expressing their shock and outrage upon learning of their beloved ruler's demise. Their sentiments resonated with many, and the castle's denizens began to clamor for retribution. The collective sentiment was clear: a thirst for war and a determination to put an end to Araceli's existence.

Within the eerie environment of a Halloween-decorated city, Araceli ventured forth under the glow of the streetlights, waiting to catch a lonely victim once again. As the night settled in, people retreated into their festively adorned houses and apartments. Buildings were also adorned with Halloween figurines and ominous signs, such as "Spooky" and "Enter If You Dare," that consisted of monster and skull paintings. Araceli's journey took an unexpected turn when she came across a sign that read "Blood Donors Needed." It was placed near a hospital facility made of glass, its iconic heart rate symbol resting atop the building's roof.

Araceli: On the inside. Blood Donors Needed? What for?

Araceli: She thought to herself. What human needs blood donation at this time of the night? Sounds like cannibalism to me.

The faint glow emanating from one of the rooms in the hospital facility piqued Araceli's interest even further. In a neighborhood plunged into eerie darkness and silence on this Halloween night, the lone illumination from the hospital room stood out like a beacon, inviting her to explore the mystery that lay within. All other lights in the vicinity had been extinguished, leaving only this single room aglow.

Araceli: She said to herself. Why is there only light coming from that one window?

Araceli: On the inside. Better see what is up...

Araceli transformed into a bat and flew up to the window and found herself landing in an intensive car unit room. The room was bathed in a sterile light, and the sole occupant lay on the bed, identified as Alaric by his hospital bracelet. His frail condition was evident; cancer had taken his hair, and feeding tubes snaked from his nose and abdomen. He was connected to various machines, including cardiac monitors and infusion pumps, all designed to sustain his fragile existence. Seizing her opportunity, Araceli approached the sleeping Alaric, her intentions dark and relentless. She sank her fangs into his vulnerable neck, draining the life from him. After she had taken her fill, she returned his seemingly lifeless body to the bed, assuming her victim was now dead. However, as she turned to leave the room, a weak voice came out of Alaric's mouth, catching her attention and stopping her from leaving.