The Crimson Project

-3-

Now:
-So.. what was it like?- I teased my partner and he barely looked at me, like he knew what I was planning to ask.
-What do you mean?- he asked as well, with a daring look in his eyes, I could see him clearer each second as my renewed vision got used to the darkness.
-The first time you try this... the... blood.- Damn, this conversation was so ridiculous, to ask about this, to have become this in just a couple of hours, my old self would be laughing out loud at this nonsense.
-Oh, that, it's so insensitive from you to even ask me that...-he replied wearing a mischievous smile on his lips.-It was... so intense. I had a girlfriend back then, and she was my... well, my first drink.
I could only thought of the eyes of the poor girl I had slaughtered hours ago and my blood froze.

Two hours before:

I felt refreshed, like I just had a cold and renewal shower at a hot day.
And then everything went black again.
I opened up my eyes in another place, more like a cell, I could see nothing outside it.
I had a collar around my neck, I felt  it, choking me.
I got closer to the bars, they were covered in some kind of goldish steel, and As closer as my hands got to them, I felt them burning.
I took a few steps back, and manage to concentrate myself.
I needed to get out, I needed to understand what was happening.
I tried to convince myself that the girl and the blood were just a dream, but when I looked down at my clothes, I found my shirt covered in a crimson and sticky liquid.
I felt the urge to throw up, as that last instinct, that had waken up in me, was all gone now.
I raised my hand and my fangs were as sharp as usual.
Once again, I heard some screams outside, I knew my cell wasn't the only one.
-Hello?- I attempted to say to the nothingness outside the golden bars.
The screams ceased and a smooth voice answered across the hall.
-Hello...-He whispered but I could hear it clearly, like that man was talking to my ear.- I am glad someone else is here, sharing hell...
-Is anyone else here?-I asked and got close enough to the bars.
-Is that something to be happy about?- I mumbled. But he heard perfectly, just like me.
-Yes, because, as I could hear, they don't know what you can do yet...tell me, my lady, how is your place?
I looked around. There was no windows, just the concrete walls and the golden bar.
-I see... -he answered before I could speak a word. I understood what he was talking about.
He could read my mind? Is that even possible? I glanced back at my shirt and I sighed- I need your help, we can breakout of here if you might help me.
-Are you sure? Aren't there any one hearing this conversation?-I said, feeling paranoid, afraid that the girl I murdered, was planning her escape to this unknown man as well.
-Not at all, I didn't even had the chance to talk to that sweet blonde girl-He answered.
-If you want my help, get out of my head now- I replied furious at this one way conversation.
-Deal, and no. No one is here now, it's daytime out there, nobody wants to spend their whole weekend at a secret laboratory full of hateful vampires, sweetheart. So at Friday, they leave, they believe we won't try to escape only to become ashes, but I have a plan for that.

-Okay... what do I have to do?-I said and look out the cell, my vision was getting better and in the darkness, I got to see his silhouette.
-You are one of our kind, darling...get over it, let me know you have some culture in that pretty confused mind of yours...have you read Dracula?-he asked and I nodded. 
-Great, what he could turn into?
-This isn't a quiz, is it? You could tell me right away where do you want to go with all of this riddles...-I was getting thirsty and that was scaring me, as I knew what I was getting thirsty for.
-Fog, sweetie, he turned into fog among other variety of creepy and powerful things... damn, I sound like a fan- he said and I could hear him laughing quietly.
-Yes I remember, but sadly I'm not him- actually I remember, Dracula was one of my favourite books, fantasy literature was always my obsession.
-No, you aren't, but you and I are vampires...-I chuckled- I know, it's weird, let the concept sink in, think about the thirst, the fangs, the strenght, the blood covering your clothes? Baby, you are one of his kind...and as him you can do almost everything he could... not everyone can do everything, I can, but they already know... so they took a few more precautions with me... You, you are freer than I, your cell is basic, they are only testing you at this instance. Please, concentrate and turn into fog. If you can do it, and you come here to free me, I will guide you all the way out by sunset and we we'll be outside at night.
-Free and safe...- I mumbled.
-Yes! That's correct, now, concentrate...
-On?-I said really confused- what do I have to have in mind to become fog?!
-Okay, rule number one, don't freak out, relax, close your eyes, set your mind outside the bars, outside the cell...
I heard his voice and focused on it, smooth and clear, made me thought of Dracula himself.
I felt ethereal, like I was soaring.
-You're doing it great, but whatever you do, don't open your eyes until I tell you so, sweetie...-He said and I breathed in.
-Okay, now, open them...-He finally said and I could tell I was feeling... full. Like something in me was fulfil.
I had always felt empty and never had a good explanation what was the reason.
-Amazing...-I said and he clapped across the corridor.
-Great job darling, now... follow my voice, you're next to a panel, do you see it?-he asked and my focused vision in the dark helped me to find it.-Now, pull down every lever.
I did so and then every white light in the roof and in every cell turned on.
-Amazing! Now you see me...-he said and I laid down my sight on his cell, I saw this man, black raven hair and ocean blue eyes. I noticed he had the  golden bars preventing him to leave and the same collar I had around my neck, but also, all around his arms, thin  golden threads sewed to his skin.
-Nevermind that... if you see the panel for my cell block you can remove them. -he explained calmly.
I walked towards his cell when I posed my eyes on the one next to his.
I covered my mouth with one hand, I recognised the girl I had slaughtered, there, laying down on the floor yet.
-Yes, you fed from her last night and As I told you, as weekend comes and daytime arrives, they leave, they don't care if they are already opening up your chest on a hospital bed...trust me on this.
I breathed in and went on.
-This thing needs a password...-I told him and he smirked.
-I have been carrying around the card for months, They don't know I have it... or at least I hope so... I can tell you the numbers...
In my mind I heard his voice again
-42658?- I said and he nodded.- You're too cool to talk like a regular guy?- I added as I marked the numbers.
-I'm not a regular guy, darling, I'm an extraordinary one...-he winked in my direction and I grinned, shaking slowly my head as a green light turned on on the panel and his cell opened up.
The threads retired slowly, stretching his skin and leaving tiny blood dots that disappeared in seconds.
He got up and breathed in.
-Fresh air is a blessing isn't it? - he said walking towards me.- So...time to introduce ourselves, isn't it?
-Yes I guess, what's your name?-I inquired.
-William Harker, I know I know... the whole Dracula thing isn't just an obsession but you will catch up eventually. And you are?
He extended his hand and I hold it, shaking it soflty as an electric vibe rushed through my veins.
-Irina Murray...-I answered and William looked in shock at me- What? You have the rights to Dracula related last names?
-No...-he moved his hand back quickly. But... I can't believe you're here at last...Irina...
-Do we know each other?-I asked and started questioning the feeling I had at the touch of his hand.
-More than you can possibly remember...