CREATURE OF THE SHADOWS

blood 🍒

The moon hung high over the university campus, casting a silvery glow over the manicured lawns and historic buildings. Laughter and music wafted from the large, cloth-draped pavilion where a party for the upperclassmen was in full swing. Among the crowd, RM stood against a pillar, his presence a dark silhouette against all the bright colors of the evening.

Known for his striking features—pale skin, dark hair, and eyes that seemed to absorb the light—RM had a magnetic allure that drew people toward him. Yet, he felt isolated, not because he preferred it, but because of who he truly was—a vampire. It had been years since he’d embraced his otherness, blending into humanity while concealing his dark nature beneath charm and wit. Tonight, however, the façade was starting to crumble. These days he is really happy to have jinnie in his side.

Jinnie, RM's classmate and friend, was the life of the party they are having tonight,hislaughter ringing out like melodious charmes. He had an undeniable charm and a warmth that made it impossible for anyone to feel alone. His golden hair flowed like silk, and her hazel eyes sparkled with mischief as she moved through the throng, pulling people into his orbit.

After a few drinks and an uptick in energy, RM found himself drawn into the night's merriment. Perhaps it was the heavy bass of the music or perhaps something deeper and more primal, but he started to drink—not only of the sweet cocktails but also of the atmosphere swirling around him. Gulping down the heady warmth of camaraderie, he felt his defenses loosening.

“Come on, RM! Don’t be such a downer! Dance with me!” Jinnie shouted over the pulsing rhythm. His playful tugging at his arm was irresistible, and before he fully realized what had happened, he found himself swept onto the dance floor.

They moved together under the lights, their bodies weaving in and out of the crowds. For a moment, he lost himself, immersing in the laughter and warmth radiating from those around him. But as the alcohol flowed and time stretched, RM became painfully aware of the hunger lurking within him. It rattled like an unchained beast in his chest, surging with each pulse of the music.

“RM?” Jinnie leaned in, his voice a soft whisper now. “Are you okay?” Her eyes studied him, and for the first time that evening, he caught a glimpse of worry etched across her face.

“Yeah, just… feeling a bit light-headed,” he replied, forcing a smile in return. “Maybe I should slow down on the drinks.”

But as the frenzy continued, he found himself unable to resist the narcotic pull of the night. He approached the table once more, pouring another glass of a vibrant, fruity concoction, the color almost resembling blood under the lights. Jinnie followed, his expression turning to one of amusement.

“Careful there! You’ll be dancing like a complete fool soon!” he laughed, but as the conversation wore on and the drinks kept flowing, RM felt the darker tides within him rising to the surface.

It wasn’t until the party reached its frenzy, and he and Jinnie made their way to a quieter corner of the pavilion, that the circumstances spiraled. The music was muffled, the laughter faded slightly, and the intimacy of their shared space pulled RM closer to the edge. There was a connection between them, a warm glow that contrasted his ice-cold nature, and it made him forget—only temporarily—that he shared a monster living inside him.

A gentle banter turned into a heated moment, and as the last of his inhibition bled away, RM did something he could never take back. He closed the distance between them, leaning in closer than he ever dared before, felt his breath against his cold skin, intoxicating and dizzying. And in a flash of desperation, he bit—the tremor of fangs meeting soft flesh, a searing moment where reality blurred.

As the warmth of his blood flowed into him, he was consumed with guilt and confusion. This wasn’t just hunger; it was a bond forming through instinct and desire, raw and primal. Jinnie gasped, his eyes wide with shock, and just as quickly, a flood of horror crashed over RM. What had he done?

He pulled away, horror stricken. His hand pressed against the puncture wounds on her neck, a mix of disbelief and confusion pooling in her eyes. “RM? What the hell just happened?”

A cold sweat broke out on his forehead, and his heart, if it still beat, would have thundered inside his chest. “I-I didn’t mean to! I was… I thought—”

“Thought what?” His voice trembled, a hint of fear threading through.

“I thought it was just the drinks. I—I don’t know.”

Panic swirled within him. “You have to forget this!” He grabbed his shoulders, his grip firm and desperate. “You can’t tell anyone. You won’t tell anyone, right?”

Silence stretched taut between them, his eyes searching for his brother,as they flickered between anger and uncertainty. “You’re serious, aren’t you?” Jinnie whispered finally, disbelief outweighing his fear.

“I am so sorry, Jinnie. I swear, it was an accident,” he pleaded. He could feel his heart—his human heart—breaking at the realization that he had hurt her. “I didn’t want you to know. I thought I could control it.”

Her back stiffened, and a moment of clarity filled the space. “You’re a vampire,” he said flatly. “You’ve been hiding this?”

“Please…” Realization struck him like a blow. Jinnie was in danger, not only from his moment of weakness but from a world she had unknowingly stumbled into. “I’m not like the others, Jinnie. I don’t want to hurt you..I don't wanna hurt any human!”

And then, for the first time, he saw vulnerability in his eyes, jinnie is losing his trust over RM! His breath misted in the air between them, filled with the tension of discovery and fear. A chill settled over the night, swallowing the music, the laughter, everything they had previously shared.

Jinnie took a step back, his hands shaking slightly. “What now, RM?”

The monster stirred within him, but this time it was a different kind of hunger—one that craved connection rather than destruction. “You deserve the truth, Jinnie," he said solemnly. “And I swear I’ll do everything to protect you. You mean too much to me.”

It's not going to same though!

❤️