BLOODSPORT

Chapter 1: Where It All Began

A hooded figure walked through a dark alley, steam from an old pipe twirling at their feet. The distinct sound of the city could be heard in the background, as well as the sloshing of water as the figure moved through small puddles without care. 

It was late at night, technically early morning, and few were out roaming the streets in Sector 4a. The peculiar person went unnoticed, the lack of prying eyes and use of shadows helping them stay undetected. It was unclear what the figures intent was, but if the long dark hood and gleaming hilt of a blade was anything to go by, they didn't seem to be up to any good.

A few blocks down Tora Tsar was getting ready to head home from her over-night shift at Benny's, a small family establishment with little costumers, and an even littler wait-staff.

"My shifts over Steph. I'll see you tomorrow, or later today I guess. Give Sammy a kiss for me when you get home, yeah? I haven't seen that little bugger in ages, I miss him."

The middle-aged blonde Tora was talking to, Stephanie, tied her hair in a bun and nodded as she watched the younger girl leave.

"I will. You be careful now. There's been a few missing persons reported around this area recently. I can't have my only nanny disappearing on me now!"

The two laughed, despite the seriousness in Stephanie's statement.

"I'll be sure to keep an eye out for any weirdos. Goodnight Steph!"

Without waiting for a reply, the raven-haired woman left the establishment and made her way home.

When she turned the corner, a block from her apartment, she collided with someone.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't see you." As soon as she looked up, a gasp left her lips. Before she had the chance to scream, a gloved hand covered her mouth and she was pulled into the nearest alley.

Her chest was heaving in fear. She had gotten a glimpse of the unmistakable eyes of a Vampire. Deep swirling pools of crimson being a dead give-away, no pun intended.

A low gravelly voice whispered in her ear, "Seems like you won't be seeing that little bugger for a little while longer, or Stephanie for that matter. I sure do hope she'll cover your shift, we don't want you getting fired now do we?" His tone was menacing and sarcastic, intended to drive fear even deeper into her heart.

She stuttered out a pathetic plea for mercy, as she knew what her fate was to be, or at least she thought she did. In all honesty, even though it was true that she was to die, in that moment Tora Tsar knew nothing of what her future would hold.

With a dark chuckle, the man sank his fangs into her neck and consumed all the blood her body had to offer. When he was finished, he let her body fall to the ground with a lifeless thump. He let out a satisfied groan, wiping the blood from his lips and crouching down to her dead body. He knew he didn't have much time to waste, and that his time frame to turn her was already rapidly closing, but he had always liked to admire his meal after he was finished with it.

The buzzing in his pocket reminded him to hurry along, so without a second thought he sank his fangs into his wrist and let his blood flow down her throat. When the wound healed and there was no more blood left to give, he swung her body over his should with an annoyed grunt and slunk off into the darkness.

It had been three days since Stephanie had last seen Tora, except for on the news. She was always on the news.

She was currently sat on the couch with her son Sammy watching the same story that had been broadcast since the morning before.

"Twenty-Six-year-old Tora Tsar is the eighth person to go missing just this week. The lack of patterns in the disappearances, except for that they all seemed to have vanished into the night, gives authorities reason to believe Vampires may be the cause of these recent cases. Police are advising people to stay indoors from sunset to sundown, and to avoid being out alone. Groups of four-to-five are strongly suggested for as many as three people have gone missing at once. If you have seen any of these people, or have any information that may help the investigation, please contact your local police station, or 2-3-3-TIPS."

Stephanie turned off the T.V. and kissed her son. She'd had a feeling something was going to happen on the night of her friend's disappearance, she just didn't know it was going to be this bad: at least, she had hoped it wouldn't have been this bad.

She sent a silent prayer to whoever would hear her, asking for her friend to still be alive. Nobody knew what happened to the people who were taken, just that they never returned.

She prayed with all her might that, that would not be the case for her dear Tora.

Little did Stephanie know that far from any human sector, Tora was in a small room convulsing and foaming at the mouth as her body went through the Changes. Her friend, despite her prayers, was not alive, nor would she ever return home.

When Tsar's body finally came to a stop and her mouth quit fizzing, a doctor who had been watching the girl through one-way glass, went to check whether or not she had completed The Change.

Her body sat motionless, her eyes devoid of any life. The doctor sighed with poorly concealed disappointment and agitation before tutting and walking away. Yet another failed attempt, though it wasn't uncommon; humans were rarely ever able to make The Change, their bodies were too weak.

Before the doctor could step foot outside of the room, a loud screech resonated behind her. Stood in the corner of the room was a shaking Tora, her fangs bared, eyes red. The doctor grinned.

She had Turned.

Word Count: 1027