On February 14, 1823, I was leisurely strolling the streets at night to the tavern I visit every Friday when a shadowed figure seized me in a dark alleyway. Before I could react, it sunk its teeth into my flesh. The searing pain washed across my body so warm and daunting that I thought I would die. I guess I did because I have become a cold-blooded killer prowling after my patients in the dark of Eve.  

I have been notorious for swooning the women in the village, but I never thought I would feast upon their blood. With each encounter, I find myself consumed with an insatiable longing for lust and fresh blood. Mostly blood. I have never felt the tenderness of love before, nor the feeling of affection. Except for my beloved Vidia, who was taken from me in my youth. She captured my heart and was the center of my existence, but life had other plans for her.  

Today, I decided to stay after hours of work because a new anonymous patient requested to see me immediately. She even offered to pay a sum far exceeding what I typically charge which makes me intrigued. I sat in my chair waiting for her arrival at 8:00 pm.  

Before the hour of 8:00 in the night, my patient arrived. I heard the doorbell chime, its eerie echo that brings me utter joy. A fresh meal to feast upon. I tread lightly towards the door, but not too quickly; I must allow myself to be patient with my meal. As I opened the door, a wave of horror flooded over me. There she stood in front of me, her hair gathered hastily knotted above her head, a few coils shaping the sides of her head. Above her was a dark-laced parasol shielding her from the intensity of the full moon I suppose. Her skin glowing and pale as the moon, and in a black gown of elegance, with touches of crimson as bold as the smirk on her face.

“Vidia-” I gasped.  

“Good day, Charles my dear. It has been many years since I have laid eyes on you.” She says in a witty tone.  

I had not felt so shocked since I had been bitten, and I certainly did not anticipate locking eyes with the woman who betrayed me. My feet stuck to the ground, and I felt the saliva evaporate from my mouth with my face turning pale, and a wave of nausea.  

“My god I thought you were dead,” I worked up the courage to whisper.  

“Well, I guess you could say I am Charles. I hope I did not intrude, but we have unfinished business…”  

She must know about my transformation.  

Vidia strolled past me into my home so menacingly and gazed at every inch of my parlor. Her sharp nails grazed against my couch before she so eloquently sat down, crossing her legs.  

  I decided to sit down with her in silence, waiting for her next words. 

“I am not as dead as you think I am. I met this gentleman at the park, and we fell in love. I never knew he was a vampire until we shared a first kiss, and he transformed me. I accepted him for who he was, and the person I became. I decided to fake my death and flee, but during my voyage, I saw you on your stroll. I could not contain myself and bear the thought of a fatality amongst you, so I bit into your flesh, and left before you could identify me.”  

I was utterly speechless once again, but before I could work up the courage to speak, she interjected. 

“I know what business you have been up to, Charles. Those women you kill. I want you to stop before word spreads to the public. This could create a scandal and cost your life.” 

I was torn between two worlds of killing and the love I still had for Vidia even though she forsaken me. I got on my knees in front of her to plead and grabbed her hands gently. 

“Vidia my love, I know you have forsaken me for another, but I can forgive you. You have my heart forever,” Tears welled in my eyes as I maintained the deepest eye contact into her perfectly vibrant irises.  

She gave me the most mesmerizing smile I had not seen since the day I fell for her, but she pulled her hands back.  

“I could never feel infatuated with you the same as before. I feel nothing for you Charles.”

I had never felt so enraged in my lifetime alive or dead. My eyes darkened and encircled with red veins pulsating. My teeth shredded my gums as they bled grievously, and I tugged at the back of her neck luring her in. I sunk my teeth into her vein so intensely that she could not release herself. I tore off her head instantly, and her locks rolled along the rug. I killed the love of my life with no remorse. 

I buried her body in my backyard since it was the most convenient. Never will I love another again. 

I walked towards the tavern at the stroke of midnight with only a few others in sight. Behold my eyes I see an elegant, fair maiden, with gold locks and an innocent stare. We make eye contact, and I must decide whether she will be my next meal or a new romance.