Another vampire story

One

The bass pulsed through the apartment building like a second heartbeat, the music from the rooftop Halloween party vibrating through the old brick walls. Olivia Harper stood on the balcony, the city skyline stretched before her. Towering buildings glittered under the moonlight, but the lights below on the crowded streets made her feel as if she were drowning in the chaos. Costumed bodies packed the rooftop, swaying, drinking, shouting—everyone lost in the city's frenetic energy.

Olivia took a sip from her drink, her eyes scanning the throng of party-goers. She had come with her roommate, Lily, who had vanished into the crowd about an hour ago. Typical Lily. Always drifting away the moment the drinks started flowing. Olivia wasn't like that. She wasn't a fan of being trapped in crowds, the noise and the people pressing in from all sides.

She adjusted the lace choker around her neck, the familiar fabric a comfort as she leaned against the cold metal railing. Her witch costume—a sleek black dress paired with the choker—was starting to feel more uncomfortable by the minute. She reached for her phone, hoping Lily had texted her back by now, but the screen was still empty.

"Great," she muttered under her breath. The night felt like it was going off the rails, and she hadn't even had a real reason to stay.

The party's intensity only grew behind her, but Olivia made her decision. She needed out. She slipped through the sea of costumed bodies, weaving her way toward the building's fire escape. The back alleyway was her best bet for slipping away unnoticed, dodging the groups of drunken party-goers pouring out the front.

As she pushed open the exit door and stepped into the alley, the cool night air hit her, a welcome change from the sweltering heat inside. The alley was narrow, hemmed in by tall apartment buildings, their fire escapes crisscrossing above like a metal skeleton. The city's usual hum was distant here, but not far enough for her to feel safe.

Her fingers moved to her phone, ready to call an Uber, when a voice cut through the darkness.

"Leaving already, witchy?"

Olivia tensed and spun around. A frat guy—one from the party—stepped into the alley behind her, his broad frame blocking her only exit. He wore a makeshift vampire costume, but his crooked grin and glassy eyes were far more menacing than his fangs.

"I'm just heading home," Olivia said, her voice steady despite the growing unease curling in her chest. She took a step back, but he moved closer.

His smile widened. "Not so fast. It's not even midnight. Why don't we keep the party going?"

Olivia's heart pounded in her ears. She turned to bolt down the alley, but before she could make a move, his hand grabbed her arm, hard. Panic flared in her chest as she tried to yank free, but his grip only tightened, forcing her back against the cold, graffiti-covered wall.

"Get off me!" she shouted, hoping someone—anyone—would hear. But the city swallowed her voice whole, the party above oblivious to the struggle below.

The frat guy leaned in closer, his breath thick with alcohol. "You're not going anywhere until I say so."

Before Olivia could scream again, something blurred in the corner of her vision. The frat guy's weight was suddenly ripped away from her, and she gasped, stumbling forward. When she turned, she saw him sprawled on the ground, groaning in pain, and standing between them was a tall, broad figure dressed in black.

"Leave," the stranger commanded, his voice calm yet cold, the kind that sent shivers down her spine.

The frat guy scrambled to his feet, his bravado gone. "Whatever, man," he muttered, before stumbling away into the night.

Olivia's pulse still raced as she stared at the stranger. He turned to face her, stepping into the dim light of the alley. Blonde hair framed his sharp features, and his blue eyes were unnervingly piercing as they locked onto hers.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice now softer, though his gaze never wavered.

Olivia could only nod, though her legs felt weak beneath her. "Thank you," she whispered, still shaken.

He stepped closer, and though his presence was intimidating, there was something almost... calm about him, as if the chaos around them didn't touch him at all.

"You shouldn't be walking around here alone," he said, extending his hand. "Let me walk you home."

Olivia hesitated, but the memory of the frat guy's grip still lingered on her skin. She took his hand, cold and firm, and let him lead her out of the alley and into the darkened streets of the city, the sense of danger far from gone.
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