The Way You Bleed

1987 { flashback }

Hunger. There wasn’t any other need that could control the vampire so completely as he walked through the remote streets of an unimportant town. Somewhere nearby the sounds of a party filled the otherwise silent night and all his instincts led him closer.

The drunken voices blended into the laughing and music. From the dark, the string of party lights along the front fence acted as a guiding star. It had been days since he last had a decent feed. After he received his fill, he’d steal a car and head back to the city with his mind made up on seeking vengeance on those who had dumped him miles from civilization.

He made it to the front gate, straightening up his jacket to hide the bloodstains on his white shirt. About to take his first step in, there was an even more promising sound coming from the other side of the yard and with the party goers forgotten, it was the soft sobbing that lured him in.

A little girl. 

Dark brown curls framed her round cherub face and as he approached eyes as dark as her hair looked up at him. She didn’t stop sobbing, unbothered by the strangers’ arrival. Her innocence was like a perfume, intoxicating – delicious.

The only thing that was missing from the situation was the fear and squatting in front of the little girl, she didn’t move or flinch as she swayed gently on the swing.

Why was she out there alone?

Didn’t her parents know what dangers lurk in the dark?

Against his better judgement, feeding was delayed and instead he asked her a question. 

“Why are you crying?”

She sniffed, wiping her nose on the pretty pink sleeve of her cardigan. Her voice was like an angels, barely a whisper. Still she was not afraid.

And that was when vampire smelt it. His whole reason for being there; blood.

“My arm, I have an owies.”

“Then why didn’t go to your Mummy or Daddy to make it better?” He asked, surprisingly gentle. His fangs were tingling with anticipation, but something else was happening right now. Something he didn’t understand and it was stronger than his need to end the hunger.

“I can’t.”

She looked away guiltily, playing with the torn loose thread of her jacket by her elbow.

“Why not girl?”

“I was running up there and Mummy told me not to. She said I had to be a good girl and I wasn’t.” She sniffed again and fresh hot tears ran down her round cheeks.

“Ah, so you don’t want your Mumm and Daddy to know?”

She shook her head, looking back at the vampire her mouth opened in a perfect O shape. “Please don’t dob on me!”

It would be to easy to take her and finish her life. It would be over in seconds, but something held him back from going straight for the kill.

“How old are you little girl?” The vampire asked curiously, rolling up her sleeve to inspect the wound. It was a deep gash, most likely more painful than she was admitting.

“I’m three years and eight months.” She answered boldly, holding her breath as he dared to touch the cut. Her bravery had him intrigued, even now when he knew he’d be hurting her. Despite her youth, her eyes made him wonder how old her soul truly was. She was rather well spoken and wasn’t afraid. Was her innocence covering stupidity or was her courage going end up getting her killed? 

“And your name?”

“Lucy Dames Sir.” A small cry escaped her as he saw a splinter of wood in the wound and pulled it out.

 “Can I call you Lulu?” He asked, ripping his shirt he stood and went to the garden hose to wet it.

“My Gran calls me that.” She answered, watching him with curiosity.

With the cloth wet, he wiped the cut. Fresh blood mixed with the water and if he had not come along, he didn't doubt that she would have ended up with a nasty infection and needed stitches.

“Well Lulu, I think your Gran and I will have that in common.” He paused, now her skin was clear of blood and despite the scent still hovering in the air – he had no desire to feed now. “You know what else we have in common?”

 “No?”

“We’re both old.” He watched her reaction; confusion was all that was there.

“You’re not wrinkly like her or my even a ltittle bit like Daddy!” She argued, wincing again as he wiped the wound one more time to make sure it was clean.

It was then the vampire revealed himself; his face shifting to that of the demon inside. Her eyes widened slightly, her heart beating faster as he opened his mouth to reveal deadly fangs. What fear was there didn't last, just like how she didn't reveal her pain any longer than she had to.

“Would you like me to kiss it better Lulu?” The vampire purred, missing the fear that should have joined them by now. The girl only nodded, her mother did that all the time and it was usually followed with a pink band aid. Sometimes even a lolly. 

He lifted her arm, bringing the wound to his lips and licked it. The taste was nearly euphoric, but he didn’t dare go in for another sample. Instead he pricked his finger, the blood from his own cut was then smeared over hers. The magic of healing that followed had the girl captivated, forgetting the monster in front of her. The pain went away, the blood disappeared and all that remained was a faint pink scar.

 “Mummy’s kisses don’t do that! Are you magic?” She gasped, her face lighting up in the dim setting of the yard and the vampire found himself smiling with her.

“No I am not magic.” He hesitated, the niggling feeling in the back of his mind to feed starting to return. “Are you afraid to die little girl?” 

“Gran told me I have a guardian angel watching me. I don’t need to be afraid of going to heaven.”

"Do you really believe that?" He didn't hide the sarcasm to his tone.

"I do!" She said convincingly before getting off her swing. Then something truely heart stopping happened, at least on the vampires behalf. She kissed his deformed cheek. “Thank you guardian angel.”

An angel? Him? If he wasn't so stunned, he would have laughed.

Then again the girl had just managed to escape death, so maybe she did have a guardian angel watching over her, but it sure as hell wasn't him.

“This has to be our secret Lulu, don’t tell anyone about what just happened or about me. Ever.” He made her promise. She nodded enthusiastically and went to run back inside now she had nothing to hide from her parents. Instantly he called out to her.

“Stop running Lulu, next time I might not be able to save you!”

She obdediantly stopped, turning back to look at him one more time and smiled. He didn’t leave the yard until she had finished walking back to the party, to be with the other humans where she belonged.

It may have been her first brush with death, and Dominik was positive it wouldn’t be her last. He just wondered how long she'd be able to survive in this world.