The Shadow of the Simulacrum

Prologue

PLEASE READ EVERYTHING IT'S IMPORTANT !!!

Warning:

Before beginning your reading of The Shadow of the Simulacrum, please be aware that this fanfiction contains sensitive themes that may not be suitable for all readers. The following elements are addressed in the story:

Abusive/Toxic Relationships: The romance depicted is dark and explores unhealthy and toxic relationship dynamics.

Psychological and Physical Violence: Scenes of mental and physical violence are present throughout the story.

Non-consent: Scenes involving bites and vampire transformations occur without the explicit consent of the affected characters.

Horror and Blood Scenes: The story includes horrific elements and graphic descriptions of blood that may be disturbing.

The chapters set in the 1800s, which delve into Horace's past, contain intense and dark themes, including psychological and physical torture, self-mutilation, and deeply disturbing content. These scenes are crucial in understanding the traumatic experiences that shaped Horace into the character he becomes. This content is intended for mature readers who can critically engage with these themes and understand the complex motivations behind the character's actions. Please be aware that these events are not meant to encourage or glorify harmful behavior but rather to provide context for the character's development and the narrative's darker aspects. Reader discretion is strongly advised.

Furthermore, I would like to remind readers that this story is a Dark Romance. As a genre, Dark Romance explores the darker, more complex, and often disturbing aspects of romantic relationships. This can include themes such as emotional and psychological manipulation, obsession, toxic dynamics, non-consent, physical and psychological violence, and abuse of power. Your understanding and sensitivity toward these themes are greatly appreciated.

This fanfiction is published under the Creative Commons Attribution - Non-Commercial - No Derivatives (CC BY-NC-ND) license. This license allows readers to share the content but prohibits commercial use, as well as modifications and adaptations of the work.

Thank you for your understanding and attention.

Acknowledgments:

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to s3when (on Tumblr) for the stunning cover art for this fanfiction. Your talent truly brought my story to life and enhanced the reading experience. Thank you so much for your incredible work. 

I also want to thank my childhood best friend for her unwavering support. Your thoughtful reading and constructive feedback have been invaluable in refining and improving this fanfiction. Your help has been essential throughout this process.

**NOTE TO READERS: Please be aware that the chapters detailing Jesse's past (when he was known as Horace) are set in the 1800s and are presented out of chronological order. It's important to follow the respective dates provided in each chapter to understand the sequence of events and character development. Additionally, the modern-day chapters set in 2010 take place before the events of the movie My Babysitter's a Vampire. Please keep this timeline in mind as you read.**

**Please comment your thoughts, guys; it's really important to me. It's taken me since 2021 to come up with these ideas. I remember when I was only 7 and watched the premiere of the movie My Babysitter's a Vampire on Teletoon. The only thing I wanted to know was how Jesse bit Sarah. Now, it's a dream come true even after 14 years! MBAV FOR LIFE IN MY HEART!**

Thank you for following me on TikTok (video_vamp0808)!  

Big love, my dear followers!

Happy reading !!!

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September 1807

My father marked the top of my arm with a blade dipped in sacred oils. According to him, it was one of the steps for me to become the reverend of our family church, The Black's Church. Kneeling before the altar, my father placed his hands on my head, symbolically transferring his wisdom and authority. Thus, he handed over his position as reverend to me.

I was only 17 when I officially became the reverend of our church. While my friends pursued a very different education, they envied my position. The church was a place of worship and holiness, but also a symbol of our faith. I held the city in my hands, and my orders were followed with absolute obedience. However, my friends were unaware that I was being beaten under my own roof from a young age.

My father, the reverend Lowell Black before me, had taught me religious rites and writings with cruelty. He wanted me to be his perfect reflection, but I quickly discovered a troubling contradiction. While he preached values of kindness and mercy, his treatment of me was the exact opposite. He claimed that love and compassion were the foundations of our faith, yet I was subjected to a rigid and often cruel upbringing, deepening an overwhelming sense of conflict.

I wanted to be like him, aspiring to gain his approval, convinced that following his path was the route to true greatness. But the growing pressure to become exactly like him, despite the values he professed, pushed me further from his expectations. My father saw in me a weakness he sought to eliminate by any means, finding me inadequate to meet his demands.

He observed my murmurs of disagreement and my jerky movements when performing the tasks he assigned, noticing that I was never fully convinced by the actions he imposed. To him, I was expected to display exemplary behavior. These signs, in his view, betrayed an unacceptable attitude. He tortured me to correct what he perceived as a flaw.

Despite my sincere desire to follow in his footsteps and become the reverend he hoped for, I realized that his methods only fueled a growing resentment towards him and the principles he claimed to uphold. One of the methods used to "purify" me of my supposed resentment was to tie me with a rope, binding my hands behind my back, and then submerging my head in icy water. The first time this happened, I was only 13.