The Unholy Attraction

1

The sky is black again. It's cold and this fire won't last much longer. Do I dare journey out of this cave to find more wood, do I dare use my magic to keep it lit, or... do I let it die? If I leave or use my magic, I fear that someone will see me and hunt me again. But without this source of heat, the fire within me will surely go out. Perhaps... the Sisters of Fate would allow me to die this time? No... that would be too easy. They won't allow me to kill myself this easily. I suppose... I should go into the woods for a little while. It's night, most humans and others will be sleeping. If I run into any night hunters, like those damned vampires, I can wait them out. 

I took a deep breath, feeling the cold air burn my lungs. It's been... decades since I've been forced to step out of my 'home'. The tension is still as high as ever. The moon is still rising, I have time. I should work quickly so I do not risk running into another vampire. This forest is filled with animals, it's becoming a common hunting ground for these species. I will have to relocate soon if they continue to multiple at this rate. 

I frowned. That would be no good. I take a step off the cliff, feeling the air rush past me and I land without a sound. Despite falling hundreds of feet, I was still unharmed. It was as if my body was a feather, but I weighed far more than those would imagine. There are many souls out tonight, though most belong to animals. I can't sense any others yet. 

The wood is still wet, figures. A large storm had swept through here not too long ago. I had hoped that things would've dried out by now, but there was no luck. I scuffed to myself as I stood in front of a large log. Picking it up, the leftover water ran down my hand. Cold. But yet... something was wrong. It was already cut? I shook my head. Hunters most likely. With a snap of my fingers, the log disappeared and into my cave. If I can find two, maybe three more of those, I will be set for a while again. I only require the flames when my magic is low, when I cannot keep my internal flame ablaze with the magic or fuel- food. 

There are... souls nearby. Human souls. A strong urge suddenly crashed into me, making me buckle to the ground. The hunger... it pains me. I want... I want to eat them... Squeezing my eyes shut, I do not see black. I see red. I see all kinds of colors rushing by. Blue, yellow, purple... all the colors of the souls of the humans nearby. A low grumble in my stomach snapped me back to reality. No, I cannot allow myself to devour them. I am to remain hidden, feeding on the small, weaker souls of the forest animals. No one will blame me for that. 

Standing back up, I compose myself again. Control yourself, demon. You mustn't lose control anymore. I won't allow myself to hurt anyone anymore. I can only hurt myself. Finding the rest of the pre-cut logs was no trouble. There were so many... too many. I take a closer look at the group of souls. They are... not resting? They are awake. Curiosity got the best of me as I peered from atop of a tree, watching a group of humans dance around a large fire. They are singing, cheering, celebrating. But what? There is nothing to be happy about in the middle of a forest! No... there is more that just the fire. There are buildings. Houses. I feel... shock? No. Anger? Perhaps, but that's not quite it either. I furrow my eyebrows together. What am I feeling? 

Fear. 

That's it. 

Humans are moving into my forest! Where the vampires live! Why here!? I bite my thumb, focusing on the pain. Calm. Peace. Ease. Do not allow your emotions to take over. I lean back on the branch against the tree. What do I do now? I could burn what little they have, but humans are reliant. They will only come back with more. I don't want to leave my cave. It's been my one safe place since- 

I frown. They are quieting down. Have they sensed my presence? They shouldn't, they are not that well developed. No, someone else approaches them. A young male adult. He is dressed much differently the others. They are welcoming him, treating him as a higher up. And his soul...

My eyes widen at the sight. 

His soul is pure white!? 

How is that even possible? I have only seen that once in my life, when I was faced with that angel... How does this human have such a pure soul!? 

My stomach rumbles, the blood rushing. I want to devour that. I want to taste how sweet it is. Such a rare sight... Take the opportunity to eat his soul! 

I can't bring myself to do it. I don't want to risk everyone seeing that a demon still lives on this planet. I turn around and before my temptations grow, I jump from the tree. Yet... my calculation was off. My foot caught a small branch as I fell, causing me to tumble down the tree. As fate would have it, I hit every branch on my way down. All seventy feet, I am aware of every branch. I only fall to the black abyss when I near the ground. 

My head hurts. The pain is sharp and throbbing. But... I am not alone. There are people around. 

"Where did he come from?" 

"More importantly, is he going to be okay?"

"He took quite a fall from that tree." 

"Father, you will take care of him, right?"

Father? Is that the man they were addressing earlier? I want to leave before they figure out what I am. I may appear human on the outside... But the scars on me will surely say otherwise. 

The room I'm in is small. I sit up, feeling something soft under me. They put me in a bed? A slight sadness forms in my chest. How I yearned to own one of these and not the makeshift one I made. You would think with my magic, I would have one, but... I do not deserve it. "Oh! Thank the heavens, you're awake!" I snap my attention to the strange man in front of me. I frown. No... he's the pure one. Even that smile he's giving me is pure. 

"Yes, I am," is the only response I'm able to muster up. He reaches out to touch me and I quickly move out of his reach. "What's the matter? Does your head still hurt?" he asks. "I will be fine in the morning. I must be going now," I say quickly, standing up. The room spins and I force myself to the door. I feel my knees buckle and he grabs me. The sting of his necklace on my shoulder makes me growl lowly. "Please sir, let me go. I must get back home," I said, trying to pry him off me. He is naive; he doesn't realize what he is doing to me. 

"I insist you stay here for the night and rest. I promise no one will bother you," he says, bringing me back to the bed. I comply for now... As much as I want to leave, I know he is right. I lay back on the bed, feeling the bed engulf me. Perhaps I can be selfish for a little bit. I require rest to allow my wound to heal quickly. I close my eyes and the last I hear is, "Sleep well, young man. May God heal you quickly."