I am the first powerful vampire

and i live in a realm that you cannot see

for i am beyond the stars’ reach

my existence is so vast, it is like nothing else

and as we age, our souls change into something

unlike the things they once were

the only thing keeping us alive is the

blood from those who have passed before

we take their lives and drink them dry.

~

“I don’t know about this, Mina! What if they come back?” Ankoku whispered anxiously as he looked around nervously. They had made their way out to a cliff overlooking a forest below them, and while he knew no vampires lived on earth anymore, it didn’t mean there weren’t any more lurking. The trees rustled in the wind and the sky was overcast. It made him feel cold despite his thick jacket, but he couldn’t help but shiver. He was scared for her safety and for his own life. ‘You think I should leave? She asked, cocking her head to the side, not taking her eyes off the forest below them. But she was curious now too. She had never seen a place like this before.

The thought of leaving frightened him more than any danger could do.

“Mina…”

She turned to face him again, waiting patiently for an answer. When he failed to find one, she continued, “I can’t stay here much longer.”

His stomach dropped. So that meant she was going to leave him. Just like everyone else, he supposed. His eyes widened as he saw tears forming. “Wai—“

A scream sounded from somewhere in the forest below. A loud crack rang through the air and Ankoku felt his ears ringing. His breath hitched as another scream came from down below, along with some other noises. They were coming closer. “I gotta go…” he muttered quietly, looking away from Mina’s tearful eyes. This was it, then.

As he turned to leave, she reached up and grabbed his wrist tightly. Her grip sent shock waves down his arm causing goosebumps to rise along his skin. “Stay with me?” she begged softly. He paused. If he left, would he ever see her again? He looked at the tree they were standing next to, hoping someone might be watching. A part of him wanted to say yes. He loved Mina. A lot. She brought light into his life he had long thought he would never experience again. And yet, a small part of him wished that the situation wouldn’t end with her leaving him behind. Would he regret it? After all, what happens if Mina dies?

He wasn’t sure, but he didn’t want to test it. No, he decided. He couldn’t put her or himself in danger. Not when he still had so much to live for.

“Okay,” he said finally, turning back to look at her. “But promise me you won’t go anywhere alone.”

She nodded, smiling brightly. “Promise.”

Ankoku smiled back. “Let’s try this again, okay?”

She nodded again, this time with a more nervous expression. “Okay, let’s go.”

He wrapped an arm gently around her waist and lead her back through the trees until they stood in front of her parents’ house. Before he could say anything, she leaned up and kissed him. The feeling of her soft lips against his made everything feel right.

“See ya later, Ankoku,” she whispered, giving him one last glance before disappearing under the cover of shadows. He watched her disappear before turning to walk home.