The Vampire's Cradle

New Born

Someone's POV

I decided to come out and approach that child in their house. I have to; I've been seeing episodes in my mind that involve him. It's been months now. At first, I told myself not to get involved, but I kept seeing my late wife everywhere. I don't know if I'm being haunted by my conscience or if the child is somehow connected to her.

"I can't ignore this anymore," I whispered to myself, clenching my fists. "He needs me. I need to protect him."

Perhaps I realized that the only one who can help him is me. I may have been living in hell for decades, but I refuse to let it happen again—not this time. Not like I did when his family died. I had foreseen the tragedy that day, but I let it slip through my fingers. I didn't do anything to stop it. Maybe I was just scared. The memory of my wife still haunts me.

"I won't let history repeat itself," I muttered, determination flooding my veins. "Not again."

I found myself in the child's room, resting on his bed, when I heard a sudden knock on the door.

"They're here," I mumbled to myself, dread pooling in my stomach.

A loud bang followed, like a door slamming hard against the wall.

"It's time," I said, my heart racing.

I quickly exited through the window near the bed where I had been lying. I needed to wait outside, hidden from view. They must not see me; otherwise, I would only add to my own suffering, rendering myself useless to the child inside. I would patiently wait for them to do their business.

Woo Bin's POV

It was past midnight when I heard knocks on the door. I hesitated for a moment, my heart pounding.

"Who could it be at this hour?" I wondered aloud, glancing at the clock.

I opened the front door, only to be met with a chilling sight. Eight figures stood before me, their faces twisted with malevolence, bloodshot eyes glinting in the dim light. And then they smiled—revealing fangs.

"What do you want?" I stammered, instinctively taking a step back.

One of them pushed the door hard, and it slammed against the wall.

"W-who are you?" I gasped, feeling the pressure constricting my throat as an older man grabbed my neck.

"You'll find out soon enough," he sneered, his breath rancid.

They responded with sinister chuckles. The man threw me inside the house, and my back collided with the wall. I heard a sickening crack as pain shot through me. A hard blow to my head followed, and I felt warm blood pooling beneath me as I hit the floor.

"Weren't you curious about who slew your family?" the man taunted, laughter dripping from his words.

I wanted to respond, but the pain was overwhelming. I could barely open my eyes.

"It was me," he continued, his voice dripping with malice. "I killed your mother, I killed your father... and I played with your sister." His laughter echoed in the room, a sound devoid of humanity.

"W-why?" I managed to croak, struggling for breath.

"Why? Your father didn't tell you?" he sneered, his eyes narrowing.

I managed a slight nod, indicating that my father had kept the truth from me.

"Your father killed my son! He was a vampire slayer," he hissed, rage burning in his eyes. "I cannot drink his blood as much as I wanted to, nor your sister's. There's a drop of his blood in your mother's veins. That's why I broke their bones to pieces," he spat, his anger palpable.

"Damn you!" I whispered, barely able to breathe. "You'll pay for this."

"Don't worry; you'll see them later," he said, a cruel smile spreading across his face. "But before that, I want you to feel the pain before death. I want you to experience what my son felt when he drank your father's blood." He glided closer, moving with an unnatural speed.

In an instant, he lifted me from the floor and hurled me against the ceiling. My ribs shattered upon impact, and another blow to my head sent me crashing back down.

"Please... just kill me," I gasped, tears streaming down my face. "I can't take this anymore."

"Oh, you'll wish for death soon enough," he said, his voice dripping with sadistic pleasure. "But first, let's have some fun."

I couldn't think anymore; I was counting my breaths, each one excruciating. I could barely move my fingers or roll my eyes. Tears streamed down my face as I realized I was powerless to stop this. I had hoped to find the perpetrators one day, but not like this—waiting for my breaths to leave me, praying for death.

"Can't someone help me?" I thought desperately, my mind racing. "Is there anyone out there?"

Could it be possible to die right there, to escape the pain? I had so many questions, but speaking felt like a futile effort. If I could only ask him to kill me quickly, I would welcome it.

As I watched them move, I sensed I was about to face hell at their hands. Each one of them searched for something to prolong my suffering. Their faces were pale, devoid of life; I didn't expect them to grant me any mercy.

"Can I call upon the Deities to take me?" I wondered, my thoughts spiraling. "Is that even an option?"

I had once planned to seek revenge, but how could I? I didn't think I could kill these undead creatures lurking in my home.

"Oh, God! The pain is worsening," I gasped, feeling the weight of despair settle over me. "I just want it to end."

Wait... the man inside the house. I hoped he wouldn't come out to look for me. I hoped he didn't have the courage to show himself while they were still here. I strained to peek at the closed door of my room, praying he had escaped.

"Please, just stay hidden," I thought, my heart racing. "Don't let them find you."

I thought I pulled my last breath before darkness enveloped me, and I slipped into unconsciousness.