Not Safe at Night

"Go home now girl, the streets are not safe at night," Marcus tried to warn her.

"Another blood hunter is gone, Vampires as most know them. Or know the fairy tale television versions, at least. Most don't realize what really waits in the dark, in the deep untouched places of our world.

"Is it better that way? I don't know. That's just how it is. Those that know usually don't last long for one reason or another. And now that I walk the night, I sometimes feel as if I'm nearly as dark as they are. But blood is life, for both our kind, and it's time we took it back.

"I understand, completely," she replied with a mischievous grin.

"What do you mean, you understand? How can you know what it's like to lose your wife, your daughters, to anything as horrible as that? I've spent the last two years slaying them and their kind. I have no home, no life, nothing left but a hatred for those ... things."

"You're lucky then, aren't ya? You ain't dead yet. You ain't even been turned yet. And you're sane, yes? Quit whining, old man!"

With a sickening feeling, I suddenly realized that this child, this girl of no more than 13 or 14 years was one of them. I guess I went pale or something, because her grin widened into a full smile. And yes, the fangs were there.

I try to draw my pistol. The silver bullets weren't deadly to them, but it did hurt them; slowed them down. But before my hand got close to the holster inside my jacket, she was upon me!

Never had one of them fed from me! As the pain ripped through me, I realized she was a trap, sent for me -- how could I not feel sympathy for a child, one near the age of my children!

God help me, make it stop! But...

I don't want it to stop. Even as I fade from consciousness, I want this pain to go on.

...

Darkness, and what I can only describe as the mother of all hangovers. At first I remember nothing, but slowly it comes back to me. First I remember the girl draining me into unconsciousness. Then I slowly recall coming to in a dark room somewhere, long enough for some face to laugh at me. He cut his arm and put it to my face.

Why did I drink? I knew better! Sitting up, I look around. The room I'm in is empty, save for a note and a newspaper. I pick up the paper and see that I've lost four days.

The note though, is worse. "Blood is life, as you said. It's time you go and take it back, huh?" I Drop the note, screaming in rage, but this does nothing. And suddenly I'm aware of a deep, raging hunger. My mouth is dry. I haven't eaten in days; weeks it feels like.

I leave the room, hoping against hope that I'm wrong. I emerge from what must be an abandoned house, stepping out onto the street. Its dark out of course, but the darkness is easier to see through than daylight was before. I start walking, not sure where I am or where I'm going.

Then I hear footsteps ahead of me. It's a woman, by the short, fast steps. She's in a hurry, too. I run forward to catch up, hoping to ask here where I am. Going around a corner, I realize my footsteps are far quieter than they ever were before. For a brief moment, I revel in my new found speed, before guilt slams that door closed.

I catch up to her easily, but she hasn't heard me behind her yet. Now I can hear her heart beating. I can smell something sharp, metallic. Whatever it is, I want it. There's a sharp pain in my mouth, and suddenly I'm so hungry I can't resist it. She never knew what hit her as I grab her neck and bite. It's a sloppy move; I miss her veins completely. So, in a rage of hunger, I bite her again. Blood flows into my mouth, and it's better than anything I've ever tasted. Hell, it's better than sex, food, or even the drugs I tried as a teen.

She's fighting, trying to scream, but her strength is fading. Mine is increasing, though. I can feel the strength flow into my arms. My eyesight is getting sharper as I stare past her. I can hear sounds I never knew existed -- water gurgling through the drainpipes below me, animals in the gutters, cars in the distance.

This feels so good! Then, someone rips her from me! I turn, ready to lash out at the thief, only to see a man dressed all in white, and the girl-vampire! I try to grab my victim from them, but someone is holding me back. They show me the marks on the woman's neck; bleeding still. Then the girl-vampire laughs at me, as she turns to the woman and breaks her neck.

Suddenly, it all crashes in on me. I'm one of them now. The slayer is now that evil thing I've hated for these long years. The others laugh as tears of blood pour down my cheeks.