Blood Bank

A w a k e n i n g - 1

Aera couldn't help but sigh as she stared out the window. She admired the mix of orange and blue that the sky gave. She found herself wondering. . . Would it be the last time she would see the sky like this?

Like every human feared, tomorrow would be her 18th birthday. Tomorrow, it would be decided whether or not she would stay as a normal human, become a hunter, or a blood bank. If she would have to choose, she'd pick the peaceful life of being a human. Unlike her parents who are both hunters, she preferred if she stayed out of the business.

After the deal with the first vampire king, humans were divided into the three factions; the Normals, the Hunters, and the Blood Banks.

The Normals are humans who will continue to live their life as they were. They are given the mark of a green rose. They are vulnerable to vampires that are considered as the Nightwalkers.

Nightwalkers, despite their name, are out of control vampires who kill day and night. They hunt their prey and do the unspeakable to them. Their prey does not only revolve around humans but also their own race. They kill because they are against the system that had been made. Other than that, a vampire can become a Nightwalker if they drink the blood of a human other than their Blood Bank.

The Hunters work hand in hand with the vampires to protect both human and vampires from the Nightwalkers or any threat to both societies. They gain special abilities to help them during missions. They are given the black mark of the sword that the first human king used to kill the Nightwalkers.

The Blood Banks are looked down upon in the human society. They are considered the pitiful sacrifices to be made to uphold the system. They are to serve only one vampire. They provide blood for when they are hungry so that they do not feed off of the Normals. While the vampire is waiting for their blood bank, they are to drink the artificial blood given to them. Blood Banks are given the red mark of a crescent moon. Before being sent off to their master, they are given a vaccine that prevents them from becoming a vampire.

But why were they considered pitiful sacrifices?

If the vampire dies, the Blood Bank will die with them. Their existence was made for the vampire so without them, they are nothing. Sadly though, if the Blood Bank dies, the vampire will continue living as a new one will be assigned to them.

Another thing that was against the law was for humans and vampires to fall in love. Due to the different genetic build humans have from vampires, the council feared that the hybrid offspring would be a threat to the world.

"Kim Aera!" A voice shouted.

The girl broke free from her thoughts as she pulled her gaze to the person who sat next to her. He smiled slightly, allowing his dimples to be visible.

"Namjoon?" Aera deadpanned. "What do you want?"

"I've been calling you for the last couple of minutes. Class just ended." Namjoon said. He stretched a bit to ease his aching muscles. "You seem deep in thought doll face." Aera rolled her eyes at the nickname.

Kim Namjoon, a certified Hunter. He had turned 18 a couple of months before Aera so he was somewhat high in the ranks already due to his skills. He and Aera had been best friends since their diaper days. Namjoon's parents were both hunters and were killed on a mission, so Aera's parents decided to take him in. When he turned 16 though he moved out but lives across her house.

"I've just been thinking about tomorrow." Aera mumbled. "I'm afraid of what I might become."

"Don't worry, the chances of becoming a Blood Bank is low." Namjoon assured. Aera just shrugged and proceeded to gather her things. She got up and approached Namjoon who was already waiting at the door.

"Are you busy tonight?" Aera asked. The two began to walk home together since they lived near each other. "My parents will be out on a mission and I'm afraid to be alone."

"I just finished a mission so why not." Namjoon mumbled. "Let me stop by my house before I do." Aera nodded. Her parents trusted Namjoon with her anyway. It was better than being left alone, vulnerable to Nightwalkers.

After retrieving his things from his home, they walked to Aera's. It was just across the street. Her parents had left spending money on the table.

"I'll set up a movie. Any requests?" Namjoon asked.

"Any comedy." Aera answered. She changed out of her uniform and joined Namjoon at the living room. He handed her a blanket as he wrapped himself in his own.

"I hope this movie cheers you up." Namjoon mumbled. He played the movie and the two watched in silence, occasionally laughing from the jokes. "Doll face."

"Can you stop calling me that name?" Aera mumbled.

"Can't help it." Namjoom said. "You've been tense this whole time. Just let loose and enjoy these moments." Aera nodded and relaxed a little more.

She just had to pray her fate would be easy on her.

-~-~~•-~-~~•-~-~~•-~-~~

The tall boy took a sip from his 'wine' as he stared out the window. The city lights twinkled in the night, giving its own beauty.

How he wanted to destroy it.

He glanced at the small table with a chess board beside him and pondered a bit. He moved the pawn two spaces and smiled. He had waited too long. A couple of knocks echoed in the room and not long after, a shorter boy walked in.

"My Lord, I am afraid to tell you that 10 C-Class Nightwalkers have escaped." He reported. The tall boy spared him no glance, but threw a dagger at him.

"It doesn't matter. I'll take care of them myself." The tall boy said. He looked back and saw that his friend had caught the knife in between his index and middle finger just before it hit between his eyes.

"I'll prepare your equipment then." With that, the shorter boy placed the knife on a nearby shelf and left.

The tall boy let out a sigh and took a seat on his couch. He opened the book that was on the center table to the page no one ever reads. The clock began to chime, signaling that it was midnight. He smirked as his eyes scanned the ancient writing.

"So it has begun."