A Full Moon

-Chapter 3- Caleb: The City

Everything should be perfect.

I said as I checked myself out in the mirror. So far, I looked like my normal self. Lilith's makeup concealer was on the vanity table, so I used it to hide the slightly obvious purple veins around my eyes. People might get scared if they would see me. My cell phone beeped with messages as I dressed up in my usual Victorian getup: a red spotted tux and black pants.

Hey Caleb! Party later?

Dude! Where are you?

Various messages just kept on coming from people who I don't remember. Looks like they didn't know that I've been gone. From looking at my phone, I sat up and stared at my room, absentmindedly. Same old plush furniture from eras bygone. Upon familiarizing myself with the interior, I decided to take a walk outside.

I stared in wonder at my home! The exterior of Wolfsbane Manor is of Victorian design. Gray bricks supported with white marble railings. A three storey abode, too big for two vampires. A Plasma Tree is planted at the side of the small step stairs by the main door. Wolfsbane Manor is beautiful inside and out. Truly a Victorian masterpiece!

I stood in the small veranda and stared at the plaza at the center of this cul de sac. Adult vampires playing chess, others duel at the wide center. On the grasses are little sprouts of wild pink Wolfsbane flowers. I moved to the shade of our Plasma Tree by the doorstep. Even though I have sun resistance, I could still feel slight stings when it hit my skin. All vampires do. And the ones I see out there in the plaza are Master Vampires at least. Only high level vampires know how to resist the sun effectively.

We call this town Forgotten Hollow. True to its name, it really is forgotten. Not a lot of humans are aware of this place. Getting here is nearly impossible in the copse of trees with a lush forest surrounding it. This town is a circle of houses and mansions. With a small public square at the center. This place was founded by Count Vladislaus Straud IV. The Grand Master Vampire who lives on top of the hill. No one goes there. Not even vampires. We respect him as he is the oldest among us. He is considered as the mayor of this place, even if my family are not in good terms with him. The root cause being the differences in our diet.

I remember the time Averie told me she wanted to live with me here in my hometown. She said she wouldn't mind moving in together. She was brave enough to risk being in a place full of vampires. However, I disagreed. She might think all vampires are as good as me and my sister. But I know better. Letting her live here is like feeding her to a pack of wolves.

She now lives in an apartment in San Myshuno. My vampiric eyes could see the towering buildings over there from here in my doorstep. With each passing time, the view gets clearer.

And as the sun finally settled down on the horizon, as night unveiled her beauty, I could feel my muscles tense up as if they're feeding from the rising moon. My sight grew clearer as the place gets darker. My mind is unfazed. My smelling and hearing sharper. And for the first time in a long while, I finally felt alive. Ah~ the child of the moon, am I!

I kept my eyes in the towering city of San Myshuno as I crouched and readied my legs. I had doubts earlier if I should sprint towards the city. But with my newfound strength, I could do it!

I started off on the wrong foot, however. It took a while before my muscles could adjust running on Super Speed again. But nevertheless, I could run fast, albeit slower than usual. And I could see the crisp green leaves and insects on it. The ants on the barks and the spider's web at the branches. The rocks beneath and the moist ground marking my tracks. The air smells of clean water and grass. And I heard a flowing lake, at the boundary of San Myshuno, getting louder with my approach.

And at last, I arrived at the lake. Wide, deep, silent, and deadly. There's an old wooden hanging bridge at the far side for humans or young vampires to cross. Super speed might destroy the softening plank steps. And there's no way I'm going on normal pace. Time is of the essence. I just couldn't  risk it. However, I'm a Grand Master Vampire. I have some other useful magic in my arsenal. One such thing is bat transformation.

I shape shifted, with great difficulty, suddenly hating the idea of hibernating ever again! I felt a searing pain in my bones as if splintering into smaller pieces. And as my hands turned to wings, I almost fell, for I forgot how it is to fly. But then, muscle memory took over, and I felt my arms flapping, carrying the wind as I cross the stream. Leaving the lush nature of the forest to the glittering city beyond it, the lights strobing in the distance.

I stopped at the back door alley of Averie's apartment, shifting back to my full vampire form. Jasmine Suites. This is the right place. The trash bin full of filth suddenly hurts my nose. Reeking saps of spoiled food and vermin. I twisted away my body in disgust and super sped towards the lights at the end of the alley.

I stayed just hidden into the alley shadows, letting my eyes adjust to the welcoming lights of the Spice Market. Bright lamp posts connected by a string of red and blue bulbs. It's a festive atmosphere. The basketball court at the right side full of humans and vampires, some sweating it out at the game, while others lost in conversation. I see a lot of young vampires, the night giving them a reprieve.

Food stalls lined the left side. Saffron. Curry. Chili. The savory tang wafts around my nose, filling me with glee. I love food! It's one of the things I miss being human. As a vampire, I can taste better, but there's no more satisfaction to it. Humans should see how their faces light up at good food.

Arf! Arf!

I followed the sound cheerful barks to find a Yorkshire Terrier looking up at me. Longing in its cute black doggy eyes and wagging its fluffy tail.

"Hey there, little girl!" I crouched and extended my hand, letting it sniff my fingers. As soon as she kissed my hand...

"Biscuit." Her name a whisper to my lips. She pulls back, gives me another happy bark, and runs in circles. Glee obvious on her face.

"Come here." I extended my arms and pulled her into a hug. "I missed you." She replied with a whimper in my chest. I carried her and came out into the light.

"Caleb! Caleb!"

"Caleb! Come join us!"

Voices called me. People greeted me and I smiled at them. The least I could do is wave at them, at these friends who are still buried in my memory.

I headed into the red brick walled Jasmine Suites. Averie's room is on the second floor. As I went out of the elevator, I notice a decent wooden flooring reflecting the light of the lone fluorescent light.

Towards my left is Averie's flat. I opened the door, seeing her simple second-hand furnishings. I glanced around and entered. She was standing by the half-wall threshold to the kitchen towards my far left.

Eyes of sapphire blue met mine. A smile tugged on my lips. She grinned, as well. And I found myself getting lost in a flurry of emotions.

"Hello... my Love." I stuttered as I tried to convey my feelings for her.

Her sweet smile broadened, "Welcome home baby, welcome home." And she extended her hand to reach for mine.