When Darkness Falls

“See you when you get back from vacation Stephanie,” I said as I took off walking down the sidewalk. It was 9:30 on a beautiful Sunday night. The sky was clear and all the stars were shining brightly. I was quietly humming as I walked home, looking up at the sky often. When I was only a few blocks away from my house, an arm tightly wrapped around my neck. I tried loosening the stranger’s arm with my hands, but to no effect. This person was strong. The harder I tried to free myself, the tighter the arm wrapped around my neck. I was quickly running out of air. I raised my right leg and stomped as hard as I could on the stranger’s right foot. The arm loosened and I was able to break free. I took off running as fast as I could. I could hear heavy footsteps right behind me. When my house came into view, I began thinking that I was going to make it. I risked sneaking a glance behind me.

I was now sure the stranger was a man, a big man. He didn’t carry one pound of excess fat, he was all muscle. As I turned back around, I tripped and fell. Within seconds, the man was on top of me. He forced my arms out above my head. I kept struggling even though I knew it was pointless. As I was struggling, I noticed his head was back as if he was looking at the stars. All of a sudden, he moved, so his face was inches from my own. I was absolutely terrified! His eyes were bright red and two of his teeth (canine) were extra long. He pushed my head to the right, so my neck was exposed. I closed my eyes tightly as I felt his body moving and his breath getting closer to my neck. What happened next was truly unexpected. When I expected him to bite my neck, I felt all of his weight lift off of me. I opened my eyes just in time to see him land hard in the street. I jumped up, terrified of whomever, or whatever had been able to send that man flying through the air and into the street.

It looked as though my savior was a woman. My mind was ordering me to run, but my body would not cooperate. I stood frozen with fear, while the stranger and the woman fought. I was worried the girl wouldn’t stand a chance because she was much smaller than the man. She was shorter, probably 5’5. The man withdrew something that I wasn’t sure what it was. Whatever it was, it was long and pointy. He leapt forward trying to stab the woman. At the last second, she did a back flip. The man, even angrier now, leapt at her again. This time she held her ground and kicked the weapon away. The woman tried to kick the man, but he got a hold of her foot and threw her backwards. He started looking for his weapon. It was only a few feet away from me, so I started running, hoping I could get a hold of it before him. When the stranger saw me running for it, he let out this shrill hiss and took off after me. Right when I reached the weapon, the stranger’s big hand grabbed the weapon. I only saw a glimpse of it, but I was sure the weapon was a stake.

“What the hell?” I said, wondering why he was carrying a stake, but also wondering what I was going to do. I looked at the stranger’s face, his eyes so red, I was surprised steam wasn’t coming off of them. He smiled at me, so I could see his two long teeth. All I could think was what a bastard. Here I was about to be killed by him and he knew it, so he just had to smile. He took one step towards me to close what little gap was left and then his head snapped to the left and I heard his neck break. As his body fell to the ground, I saw the woman standing there. She was looking at the body, as if making sure he was dead.

“Was that a vampire?” I asked her in a barely audible whisper. She continued to look at the body. I bent down and picked up the stake. When I stood up, she was looking at me. Her eyes were bright blue, brighter than any I had ever seen. She had long blond hair that stopped at her lower back. She had black highlights spread throughout her hair.

“Here you go,” I said handing her the stake. She slowly reached her hand out and when her hand touched the stake, she let it rest there. I couldn’t help but notice how pale her skin was. I felt awkward because she wasn’t talking, or accepting the stake. She then removed her hand and said very quietly, “Keep it.”

I was just about to ask her why, when the stranger’s body jumped up and grabbed me. I let out a scream and forced the stake into his heart. He fell to the ground quickly and I knew he was really dead. The woman bent down and pulled the stake out. This time, she handed me the stake. I quickly accepted it.

“Thanks,” I said

She still stood silent.

“My name’s…”

“I know who you are,” she said still ever so quietly. She looked into my eyes. It felt as though she was reading my every thought, searching my very soul.

“I’ve been watching you for almost a year now.”

“Creepy,” I thought to myself.

“Don’t worry I only watch you when you are out in public, never during your personal time.”

I stared at her, amazed she knew what I was thinking.

“I know you still think it’s creepy, as a matter of fact, you’re thinking this whole thing is rather creepy.”

I gasped. It was as if she was an authentic mind reader.

“My name’s Anastasia,” she said, though this time she wasn’t whispering.

“Can you read my mind?”

She smiled. It was a beautiful smile.

“Not every word, but close enough.”

“How do you do it?”

“All it takes is concentration and it really helps when I make eye contact with the person.”

“Is that why you were staring so intently at me?”

“Yes.”

“Oh and here I thought it was because you found me so beautiful,” I said laughing.

Anastasia didn’t laugh, she didn’t even smile.

“It was a joke,” I told her.

“Shhh,” was all she said.

I was silent for a moment. When I looked up at Anastasia I thought she was staring at me again, but I soon realized she was looking at something behind me. I slowly turned around and there was another man behind me. This one wasn’t as big as the other stranger, but this one was a vampire as well. His teeth were long and pointy, ready to feed. His eyes were fiery red. He took a step forward and I heard a loud, furious hiss. At first I thought it came from the man, but I realized it came from Anastasia. I spun around and my mouth dropped open. Anastasia’s beautiful blue eyes were now a deep red, and her teeth were long as well.

“You’re a vampire?” I shouted at her. I know she heard me, but she was focused on the other vampire. I watched them stare at one another for what seemed like an eternity. Finally Anastasia lowered her gaze down to the body of the other vampire. When the live one saw the dead body, I guess he decided not to take Anastasia on because he turned and bolted down the street and around the corner. When I looked back at Anastasia, her eyes were returning to their natural blue color. When her eyes and teeth were normal once again she said, “Everything’s okay now.”

I took off running down the street. I knew something was up with Anastasia otherwise she wouldn’t have been able to kill the one vampire, but I never thought she was a vampire as well. I figured she was going to bite and kill me. I hadn’t even passed two houses, when Anastasia caught me. She put her hand on my shoulder and told me to stop. I turned around and threw a punch. She caught my fist with her hand and pushed me backwards, so I fell on my butt. I jumped up terrified and angry at the same time.

“Are you going to kill me or not?”

Anastasia’s face remained the same.

“No.”

“What the hell is going on?”

Anastasia held out her hand. I was hesitant to accept it.

“It’s okay, I won’t hurt you.”

I reached out and when our hands met, it was as if there was a little spark. We walked silently until we reached her car. She opened the passenger door for me and I got in. She drove for almost a half an hour and stopped in front of an abandoned warehouse.

“Is this where you live?”

“For now.”

We both got out of the car and I followed her inside. Once inside, Anastasia took off her leather coat. She was wearing a black long sleeved shirt. I couldn’t help but notice she had big breasts. She caught me staring, so I quickly looked away and glanced around the room. There was hardly anything in it and there were cobwebs everywhere.

“Nice place,” I said sarcastically.

Anastasia looked at me funny and then slowly said, “No it’s not.”

“I was being sarcastic.”

Anastasia continued to look at me with a funny face.

“I was kidding, lying, whatever you want to say. I was saying the exact opposite of what I was thinking.”

“I don’t understand,” she said.

“Yeah well that makes two of us, except I don’t understand this whole vampire thing.”

“I’m a vampire,” she said.

“Why are you here?” I asked.

“To protect you.”

“Why are they after me? What did I do?”

“You didn’t do anything.”

“Then why…?”

“You’ll find out soon enough,” she said cutting me off. “For now just try to get some sleep.”

“Sleep? How am I supposed to sleep when I’m in a strange place and I’m not even sure I’ll live through the next minute?”

“Nobody knows about this place.”

Anastasia came over to me and ran her hand down my arm.

“I’m not going to hurt you, I’m here to protect you.”

I wanted to ask her once again why they were after me, but I knew it would be useless. I sat down on the mattress which rested on the cold concrete floor. Anastasia must have been reading my mind because she said, “I’ll explain everything tomorrow first thing.”

I lied down on the mattress and after a few seconds said, “Cool.”

“You cold?”

“No,” I answered. “Haven’t you ever heard someone say cool instead of okay or fine?”

Again, Anastasia presented me with that funny expression. I couldn’t help it, but I started thinking about how beautiful her face was when she scrunched it up like that. The way the lines appeared in her forehead. She came over to me and sat down on the edge of the mattress. I began praying she hadn’t read my mind.

“Are you going to lie down?” I asked innocently.

“No.”

“Don’t leave me here alone,” I said starting to sit up.

“Lie down and get some sleep, I’m not going to leave you.”

I was amazed at how quickly I was able to fall asleep. The next morning, I awoke to find Anastasia sleeping next to me. I started to get up, when her eyes opened.

“Sorry,” I said.

“I wasn’t really asleep.”

“Did you get any sleep at all last night?”

“Vampires don’t sleep at night.”

“Oh, right.”

“Are you ready to hear the story?”

“I’m afraid to say yes.”

“Then you are indeed, a very smart girl.”

Anastasia got up and went over to a chair a few feet away and sat down. I remained on the mattress, but I sat up.

“A couple of years ago, a group of vampires form our clan turned against us. They had been revealing secrets over to our enemy clan. When my people learned of this, they immediately and unwisely confronted the traders. There was a huge confrontation which turned into an all out war. We were able to kill the traders, but the other clan grew upset and now they are seeking revenge on my clan and I. About a month ago, they got one of my most trusted friends, so now I am the last of my people.”

“How many are left of the clan?”

“About a hundred.”

“And you are the only one left from your family?”

Anastasia slowly nodded her head.

“Isn’t it useless, you being the only one left?”

“Not entirely. Every vampire I kill, makes them angrier. It’s like I’m seeking a little bit of revenge. Besides, I don’t have anything else to do with my life. This way I eliminate some vampires from this world.”

We were both silent for a few minutes. I was grateful for the silence because I needed the time to process this information. Finally, I asked the question I was dying to know the answer to.

“Why are they coming for me?”

Anastasia stared at the floor and remained silent. I knew better than to ask the question again. Finally, her gaze lifted from the floor to me.

“They know you are special to me.”

“Special? What do you mean special?”

“About a year ago, when all this started happening and getting out of hand, I moved to this area. I didn’t travel far, but this area was still new to me. I began walking around at night, reading people’s thoughts for sport and making sure only a few vampires occupied this area. One night, I happened to be behind you and your friends. I read all of your thoughts a well as your friends, but I found your ideas and opinions the most interesting. A couple days went by and I ran into you again. From then on, I kept my eye on you whenever I could. I fell in love with your personality and pretty much your whole being. Somehow a couple of my enemies figured out how special you are to me and now they want to kill you, to take away the first person I care about.”

I couldn’t believe my own ears! I was somewhat freaked out knowing I had been spied on for the past year by this beautiful vampire. There was only one thing I didn’t quite understand.

“What do you mean by special? Do you care for me as a friend or as something more than a friend?”

Anastasia’s reply caught me off guard.

“I know you find me attractive as well.”

That answered my question. I stood up from the mattress. Anastasia stood up as well and walked over to me.

“So now they are after me?”

Anastasia put her arms around me and held me close.

“I’m so sorry,” she whispered.

I placed my hand above her left breast. There wasn’t a single heartbeat. I began wondering when the last time her hear beat.

“I was changed at nineteen.”

She put her hand over my heart and left it there.

“How?”

“A friend.”

I placed my hand on top of hers.

“Why?”

“I had bone cancer in my leg. I struggled for almost two years, but I knew I was about to be beaten. I told Marissa I was giving up because I knew fighting was pointless. Two days later, I was extremely ill and in excruciating pain. I knew I was about to die and I wanted to say goodbye to Marissa. At first, I wasn’t sure Marissa would arrive in time, but she did. Whether for better or worse, she bit me, changing me into a vampire.”

At this point, I was softly crying. Anastasia wiped my tears away.

“Marissa was your trusted friend who was killed a month ago?”

Anastasia just nodded.

“From the time I awoke as a vampire, she called me Anastasia, one who will rise again.”

I hugged Anastasia. I needed the hug just as much as she did. I felt so sorry for her, losing her closest friend especially the way Marissa died. I also couldn’t help but to be grateful she kept Anastasia alive. Granted her heart didn’t beat even once, but she was up and walking. When we were finished hugging, Anastasia surprised me by kissing me. I was only caught off guard for a couple of seconds. I kissed back with an intense amount of passion. The heat arose between us as if we were animals. As we were hungrily kissing, Anastasia pulled me over to the mattress. I lied down and Anastasia climbed on top of me.

At that moment, I felt protected as well as loved. I felt as if I would never be alone again. That afternoon, Anastasia and I made love. At first, it was hard and fast because we wanted each other so badly. Then it was slow and tender. We were beautiful together. We belonged together because it felt as if we were made for each other. Anastasia and I fell sleep and slept until late evening. When I awoke, I was on my side with Anastasia beside me on her side as well. Her breasts were pressed into my back. She was running her hand down my arm, caressing me.

“That was wonderful,” I said.

Anastasia just continued caressing me. After a little while, she said, “I love you.”

I rolled over, so I was facing her. We embraced and began kissing.

“This feels so right,” I whispered.

Anastasia smiled and said, “Thinking that again?”

“You read my mind the whole time?”

“That’s the easiest time because we’re like one person.”

“Makes sense I guess.”

Anastasia said, “Hungary?”

I smiled and said, “Yes,” knowing she was reading my mind.

“Well you better grab something on your way home.”

“Aren’t you eating?”

“I will after you leave.”

“I don’t want to go home. I want to stay with you.”

“You can’t.”

“Well you don’t expect me to go home alone, I might be killed.”

“I won’t walk right beside you because that’s too obvious, but I’ll keep an eye on you.”

“Then what?”

“You’ll be home and safe and I will go feed.”

I stared at Anastasia.

“You feed on people?”

Anastasia looked at the mattress instead of at me. Finally, after some time for her to gather the courage, she locked eyes with me again.

“I need to feed to live. Mostly I feed on immoral people, people who have hurt others. If I’m watching people and one man hits a woman for example, I’ll feed don him later. Usually though, while walking around late at night, I’ll see a crime committed and I’ll kill and drink the blood of the criminal. Last week, I fed on two criminals.”

“What if you don’t encounter a criminal and are forced to feed on an innocent person?”

“Then I have no choice.”

“So no one is safe from being fed on by you?”

“You are. I would die before I fed off you.”

I leaned in and kissed Anastasia.

“You’re already dead,” I said smiling.

We embraced, our tongues fighting and then slowing, as if dancing.

“Yes you are,” Anastasia said and then rolled on top of me.

“Yes I’m what?” I asked.

“Staying with me,” she answered.

I rolled over, so I was on top.

“Do you know how much money you could make from mind reading?”

Anastasia laughed and I ran my fingers across her cheek. I loved being on top, therefore, in control for our next love session. I had a beautiful vampire under me doing whatever I asked of her. Afterwards, I was starving, so we went to a fast food joint. I ordered a turkey sandwich with chips and we talked while I ate.

“Remember that one vampire that showed up after the much bigger vampire?”

“You mean the one who ran?”

“Yes.”

“What about him?” I asked as I ate my last chip and started on my sandwich.

“That was Cadmar, Ambrose’s right hand man.”

“Who is Ambrose?”

“Ambrose is the leader of the enemy clan.”

I stopped chewing and looked at Anastasia.

“He is also the one who killed Marissa.”

After I swallowed I said, “I’m sorry.”

Anastasia took a deep breath and continued.

“I figured Ambrose would send people to capture you, I just didn’t expect him to send Angus and Cadmar.”

“Angus?”

“It means one of strength; exceptional one,” Anastasia answered.

“That big, strong bastard.”

“The one you killed with a stake,” Anastasia replied proudly.

“Oh thank you, thank you.”

“Seriously though,” Anastasia began again, “By sending Angus and Cadmar for you, that tells me Ambrose isn’t fooling around. He just wants you dead and the sooner the better.”

After I finished my dinner, it was 2:00 in the morning. I knew it was late because it was already late evening when we had discussed her eating habits and then we made love again. I was exhausted even though I hadn’t been up that long. Even Anastasia admitted she was tired since she hadn’t had a good days sleep since she had rescued me.

Anastasia fed on an innocent man since we were in a hurry. I felt sorry for him, but I also knew Anastasia needed his blood to remain alive and strong. I watched the entire event. I could tell Anastasia wasn’t happy about killing him by the way she moved so quickly. She changed into a vampire before she even grabbed her victim. When she was finished, we went back to her place. When we both were lying on the mattress waiting to succumb to sleep she said, “I wish you hadn’t watched me kill him.”

“Why?”

“I just don’t want you thinking less of me, or think I enjoyed killing him.”

“Look at me,” I said.

Anastasia rolled over so our eyes met.