Faith.

The monster in the dark

I stared at my balled up fists. I slowly turned them over and examined my knuckles. The light from the flickering street light outside my heavily bruised apartment building illuminated my arms. Once again my knuckles were thorn up and full of dirt. I sighed, it wasn't the first time i had gotten into a fight with one of the girls from m school, it's not like i had a choice either. I gently rested my head against my cold bedroom wall. I slowly started to peal the ancient wallpaper from the cement wall. It crumbled in my palm and turned to dust. I lifted my hand up to my pale face and blew the grey wallpaper residue from my small hand. I closed my eyes and pretended that the dull dust would transform into glittery fairy dust and would whisk me away with it. Far away from Brooklyn. Far away from the world. Sometimes for a heavenly second i would find peace in my dreams. Like most of my dreams this fools paradise would soon turn into a sinister nightmare. In a matter of seconds my illusion of happiness is shattered into a million glistening pieces of glass. A very lonely tear slides down my pale cheek. How could i ever believe that I could be happy? As soon as I dared to let a little sunshine in it gets swallowed by the monster that silently lurks in the dark. Ready to attack. Ready to destroy me. My taughts race in my mind against my own will. I have no one left on this earth that cares for me. When my mother passed away I was adopted by a loving new couple, or so it seemed at the time. Soon enough everything fell apart. My adoptive left without saying a single word to guide us where to search for him. My adoptive mother Lynn hasn't stopped blaming me for the whole thing. My bruises aced alarmingly reminding me of Lynn's presence. She was cruel to me. She didn't care for me. I swear i will kill that woman one day. I clenched my fists in anger and took a deep breath. I don't even know if calling her a woman is appropriate. She's more like a gorilla. The taught of my silent rebellion against her made me smile to myself. The only reason that Lynn still kept me around was to receive the social payment from the government. I lift up a tiny mirror with a cover shaped like a black rose and opened it. The delicate mirror used to belong to my mom. My grandmother once told me that roses were my moms favourite flowers. She couldn't wait to have a baby daughter that she could call Rose. I gaze at my reflection. I am an exact copy of my mom. Same pale blue eyes, same slender body shape and the same silvery pale skin colour. The only difference between us is our hair . My moms was golden blonde and had soft curls playfully decorating her hair but my hair is plain black and dead straight. I carefully examined the fresh cut on my lip. I had once again made the foolish mistake of coming home late and in my household  these were the consequences. I have finally worked up the nerve to leave this place, forever. I closed the mirror and shoved it into my pocket along with some of my most valuable possessions. I had put on my heavy black army boots, dark blue jeans, that could be mistaken for black in the correct lighting, and an army green trench coat. The coat was old and way too big for my small frame but it still kept me warm and that was good enough for me. I slowly open my bedroom door begging it not to make a sound. It was past midnight and Lynn was probably drunk and passed out on the couch. The door let out a bone chilling screech that sent rushes of chills running down my spine. I peered out into the dim hallway. I move like a snake, careful not make a sound. I briefly step into the opaque  kitchen to pick up some supplies. I flip the switch for the light. Cockroaches flee from the light in every direction. I shudder slightly. I quickly find Lynn's wallet and cross my fingers hoping that she hasn't spent all her money on alcohol . The amount here will barely last me a week. I take it anyway . i'm not taking anymore chances. It slowly dawned on me that someone was watching me. I cursed under my breath using words that would make the toughest thug in town blush like a 12 year old schoolgirl. I quickly turn around and draw in a sharp breath. "And what exactly do you think you are doing ? How dare you steal from me !" Lynn spat at me. She brushed a strand of greasy hair from her eyes and continued to glare at me. Oh if looks could kill , she would be twitching on the kitchen floor right now. "i'm leaving and this time, I'm not coming back. So , get out of my way!" As always my voice failed to sound intimidating. I try to rush past her but Lynn grabs at my wrist. The pain in my wrist spreads trough my body like a wicked wildfire. "Oh you are not stepping a single foot out of this apartment." Lynn slurs her words. My stomach turns at the stench of stale alcohol. "Let go of me!" I yell with all my might. Bad idea. My struggles only made Lynns grip on my arm tighter. I clench my teeth together trying to keep my screams inside. I wasn't going to give her the satisfaction of hearing me scream in pain. With my free hand i dig my nails into Lynns shoulder. For a brief second her grip on my wrist loosens. I wriggle free and make a quick run for it. If she gets a hold of me now,I might as well be dead . Lynn grabs a knife and with a horrendous scream hurls it in  the direction of my head. I hurry trough the front door at the exact moment the knife makes contact with the door with a dull thud. My heart pounds against my chest like a trapped humming bird desperate to get out. I run down the crumbling stairs and burst out into the cold night, finally free. I don't know where I'm going next but anywhere else seemed better than back with Lynn. Happy sweet 16 to me. Wohoo... I turn left and start to make my way down the street. I close my eyes and just for a little while i enjoy the privacy that the darkness of the night brings. At this time of night staying on the steam covered street was probably the worst decision to make right now. I turned to walk down a dark alley. Something in the corner of my eye cached my attention. "who's there?" I demanded. As soon as the words escaped my lips I regret my decision deeply. What was i expecting? A brutal murderer to come out of the shadows and say, Yeah hi.my name's Steve, i'm here to stab you a couple of times and take all of your money now so, yeah... just stand still, great, thanks. I swear , I'm a genius sometimes. Again something in the far corner of the alley rustled. I squint my eyes trying to make out the source of the strange noises. I turn around on my heel and my eyes fix on a shape standing just a few feet away. A man, about 17 years old, was standing right in front of me. His eyes glide over my body. Somehow this made me feel, exposed, naked almost. There was something predator like about him. He ran his hand trough his floppy blond hair and smiled. His smile was welcoming and seemed to light up the darkest corner of the alley. The boy took a step towards me. Somehow i found myself looking up at him. If he wanted to he could just reach out and grab me. At that moment every single nerve in my body was screaming, DANGER! As he took a step closer to me, I took a step back not allowing him to close the distance between us. I crouch down a little steadying myself. I pull out a small picket knife that I had packed earlier. I twist it around in my fingers which are stiff with fear. He lifts up both of his hands in surrender. "Hey. Whoa there Kimbo Slice. I'm not here to hurt you. No need for violence." The boy spoke. His voice echoed trough the narrow alley. I turn my back on him and run. Why did i just do that ? You are never supposed to turn your back on your attacker. I turn a corner and there he is again. Arms folded and casually leaning against one of the brick walls. He was waiting for me. "Oh man." I whisper under my breath in shock before turning around again and run in the opposite direction. Suddenly I cam in contact with something hard. Did I just run into a freaking wall?! I fell something sturdy lock around my waist and shoulders cushioning my fall. Did i just run into him. His arms come undone from my waist and gently lay me down on the ground. "I, I didn't mean to scare you!" The boys nervous voice rung in my ears. " Oh my God your head." Suddenly I felt a great pressure in my head . I heard an agonizing scream and soon realized that it came from me. I tried to open my eyes but all i saw was darkness. It felt like my head would pop like a balloon. I fell myself slowly fading from reality. What the hell has he done to me? I can't just die because I ran into someone. I suddenly remember about the knife I was holding. In a last desperate attempt to protect myself from this stranger I shoot the knife up into the boys side, just under his ribs. I twist the knife and pull it out. Warm blood trickles onto my hand as i hear the boys shoes scrape the asphalt and stumble over. Then I fade away completely.

As quickly as i went i was back again. Pins and needles Pierce my body. I open my eyes desperate to see anything but darkness. My eyes seem to have lost the ability to focus. I gasp for air but none seems to enter my lungs, After a few seconds of struggling I breathe in deeply and everything comes into focus.I role to my side and I spot the mysterious boy. I slowly steady myself on my feet. The boy is up against a wall, clutching his side and spitting up blood. Suddenly unfamiliar strength floods into my muscles. I shoot a quick glance at my wrist trying to figure out why its still tingling. I blink once, twice but the hideous scar still remains. It's a bite mark. I can't believe my eyes. I pick up the knife and pin the boy to the wall. All of this movement took me less than a second to complete. I grabbed him by his white T-shirt and demanded him to talk. He just stared at me with a startled look in his blue eyes. My rage seemed to take over my body and i smashed his head against the wall. Tiny cracks formed on the wall. "i said talk!" What did you do to me? What kind of a demented human bites a person?" the boy turned his head to the side and spat out blood. He turned back to face me. "almost chocked me with my own blood. Clever" he smiled. I couldn't believe what i was hearing. I  just stabbed this dude but he seemed like he didn't have a single care in the world . I let go of his shirt startled by his response to my threats. "Amazing. I never knew you would be this strong after the change." He smiled a crooked smile. "What change?" I hiss at him ignoring his charm. "The amazing opportunity that you have been given, the second chance at life and the gift of becoming a vampire. Not everyone is strong enough to survive the change."He smirks seeming to be proud of himself. After a long pause I shriek at him in panic."Man, what the hell exactly have you been smoking?!" He turned his crystal blue gaze towards me and smiled revealing a row of pearly white teeth. It feels like my insides are on fire. I put my hand up to my troth trying to soothe the pain. The boy with a concerned look on his face starts to say something but i can't hear a single word that tumbles past his lips. The alley spins around me in a blurry tango as my heart slows down. The only thing I can hear is a faint beat of drums echoing in my ears. I try to take breath when suddenly an overwhelming smell of sweetness takes over me. I feel my humanity slip away and let my newly found animal instinct guide me trough the alley. I come to a sudden stop. I all dawns on me then and there. Something is seriously wrong. The scent that I picked up was coming from a woman in her early twenties. Blonde hair, green eyes, fair skin, definitely way too much make up. I close my eyes and slowly breathe in. No way, it can't be true. My mouth was a dry ocean longing for its water.  "As much as i hate to say this but she smells damn' good." I whisper. "Wait, you stopped mid hunt. How?" The mysterious boy whispered in my ear. "Jesus! Don't sneak up on me!  I don't know. i'm not exactly an expert here!" I  hiss at him angrily. "Must be the shock of finding out that you want to 'eat' a person." He seemed to ignore my anger. "she's type AB. My favourite. If you don't go for it I will." The strange alley boy purrs in my ear. "There's no way-" before i could finish my sentence he was already next to the poor woman. The only thing he left behind was a faint whisper full of satisfaction "i'll take that as a no..." I watch him as he charms the poor girl. He smiles at her and she smiles back. He starts to make his way towards her. She finally realizes that something is seriously wrong as she spots the blood on his white shirt. "Hey! You stay away from me! Get away or i'll call 911!" The girl threatened him. Then as fast as lightning  he was kissing her neck. She dropped her phone. As a woman on the other end of the phone began to say "911 whats your emergency." The boy crushed it with his foot. As i saw a drop of blood run down the woman's neck i realized that he wasn't kissing her but biting her. The woman let out a scream that sliced the night like a freshly sharpened knife. In this part of the town no one would bat a single eyelash when they heard her screams. I tried to look away but I simply couldn't move. I stood there and silently watched as the girls protests slowly died off. She gave one last bone chilling twitch and hung in his arms with a startled expression on her face, her eyes wide open. When he finally drains the woman of every drop of blood in her body he drops her lifeless body on the ground. He then wipes the corner of his lips with his thumb and turned to face me. I stagger backwards. His eyes have been filled with a black mist. " Who the hell are you?" I ask confused. In half a second he is back next to me and whispers, "I'm Mike, Your new best friend." Mike winked at me. "c'mon. We got to go. We will be killed if we're not home soon." "Home?" He smiled at me and disappeared back into the darkness of the alley. I hesitate for a moment before hurrying after him. God , I'm going to hate myself in the morning for trusting this guy!