On The Inside

Vampires

I immediately step back, ready to sprint away from the gorgeous monsters. However, the wide double doors abruptly shut before I can leave. The creatures look amused. One particular creature, who has arrived late, catches my eye. He's the one that chased Emma and I down the spooky dirt road. He brought us here.

"What do you want from me! Where are my friends!" I shout accusingly, making it more of a demand than a question. The latecomer supplies my outburst,

"The girl is safe, do not to worry, as are you. We do not wish to harm you dearest" The man softens his gaze, a much different appearance from his threatening aura yesterday.

"That doesn't answer my questions, and I have many more! Who are you... What are you?" Focusing my glare on him, I stand firmly assuring myself I will not run. I will not fall for their charms, at least until I confirmed Emma's safety. A willowy raven-haired woman, relaxing in a grand armchair breaks her silence,

"My, my, very inquisitive. All of your questions will have answers in time. Let us start with your friend, won't you like to see her?" Although the inquiry seems kind, there's a sickly sweet smile on her face, her dark gaze doesn't quite much up with her kind words. I must be careful.

"Yes, take me to her."

She stands up and graciously saunters over to me. She extends a creamy hand with long fingers adorned with darkly painted nails. I cautiously raise my hand to meet hers, slowly making contact with her alabaster skin.

Strange shock waves electrify my body and my mind is plunged into brief darkness. I hear a woman screaming in horror, its the same scream from my dreams. I can't make out what she is saying because the moment comes and goes in seconds. The beautiful "woman" in front of me keeps a firm hold on my hand,

"What did you see?" She implores, looking expectant, no- excited.

"Um.. nothing I just heard screams and it was dark I-"

"Oh, I see. We should get to your friend" Cutting off my mumbling, she looks... disappointed?

We walk to another set of double doors opposite to my entrance, and stroll down a long wide hall, downstairs, making me realize how big this place really is. With no clear exit in sight, we finally make it to a small bedroom on a lower floor. The woman pulls out a set of keys, unlocking Emma's room. It angers me that she is keeping us trapped here, but I stay quiet, not wanting to provoke the monster. Not yet anyway. The door opens and I see my best friend asleep on the bed. I run over and shake her body,

"Emma, wake up! We have to go" I say the second part a bit quieter, hoping the lurker at the door won't notice. Emma does not awaken, she doesn't even stir.

"Oh, I forgot to mention, we gave her something that will keep her unconscious, just until we can get her back home"

"You're letting us go?" I question doubtful

"We are letting her go, my child, now that you see your friend is safe... We need to chat."

The woman looks at me, expecting that I abandon Emma to go have this "chat", but I stay grounded next to my friend. A random red-eyed creature, dressed in completely black butler's attire, enters the room.

"I promise we won't hurt your friend dear, this is Gregory, he will take her home, I promise that as well." She implores me.

If staying here with these creatures really means Emma gets home safe, then that's exactly what I will do. I nod my head to the woman, giving Emma one last quick glance.

She leads me back to the ballroom, where it seems the other creatures have been waiting. The man that kidnapped us comes to stand by her.

"Now, my name is Cordelia Van Noctis, this is my husband Alexander Van Noctis, and as you already presumed no one in this room is human. We are all, as humans refer to in tales, Vampires. My husband and I are considered royalty in this realm. As frightening as this may be for you, we are not a threat to you. For there is much you don't know about yourself."