Chapter 2

London England 2024

Ren

I ran down the dark hallway, panting. I turned around the footsteps getting closer. I gasped and broke into a sprint, as fast as I could go, almost tripping all the way down the stairs. Tears streamed down my face. He was getting closer, and closer. Cold air rushed past me, sending chills down my spine. A dark shadow appeared in front of me. “Hello, son.” My father said, his voice cold as ice. I backed away and ended up hitting the wall. I swallowed. “Father please.” I begged. “It’s ok son, it will only hurt just a tad.” He said, inching closer. His fangs were creeping out. I closed my eyes, bracing for the inevitable. With a gust of wind, he raced forward and I felt them slide into my neck. I screamed and fell to the floor. Unimaginable pain shot through me as my body convulsed, writhing on the floor, the pain was so bad, it was hitting every nerve. “Make it stop!” I shouted at my father. How could he do this? How could he? The last thing I remember was his face, an evil twisted smile embedded in my mind. I woke up with a gasp. I blinked looking around, remembering where I was. I took a deep breath. Even though it has been months I still remembered it like it was yesterday. I was a vampire and there was nothing I could do to change that. I was stuck as an eighteen year old for forever, or until someone killed me. I’d almost prefer death, almost, living an eternity alone was not something I was looking forward to. I would never forgive my father for doing this to me. I understood why he did it, but he had no right to. It had been a few days after my mother died, I was the only family he had left, he didn’t want to lose me as well, but he lost me when he did this to me. I could never forget the smile on his face after he bit me. As soon as I woke, I took off, taking a bunch of money with me and all his credit cards, I was surprised he hasn't canceled them. I guess he thought I was eventually going to come back, that was never happening. He deserved to live alone for the rest of however long he was going to be alive. Once I ran off I bought a small apartment in London and started to learn about what I could do, and to control my instincts. I was happy to learn I could still eat people food, it didn’t satisfy the thirst but it helped and when I did need blood I just ate animal blood, I had no intentions of ever feeding on humans. About a month ago, my father eventually found me. He wanted me to join him. Apparently, he was the “king” of the vampires and he wanted to take over the world and rule the humans. He was absolutely psychotic, I kicked him out and hoped he would never come back. I climbed out of bed, spreading my feet out on the cold wood. I looked at the clock, it was almost midnight. I walked over to my closet and threw on some sport shorts and a tee shirt, almost always after I remembered that awful night I went for a run. It helped calm me down, and I loved the feeling, especially now since my speed had increased, one of the pros of being a vampire, enhanced abilities. I tied my shoes and rushed down the steps and out the door. I breathed in the fresh spring air. I started my run, a moderate jog at first, but after the first mile or so, I blasted into a full sprit, the first time I tried this, I tried to push myself till I collapse but it didn’t work, apparently vampires never get tired, but at least I could still sleep. I ran through the city, lights flashing by as I raced down the streets. I liked the city, but I missed my home, not the place I lived in with my father but the home my mother, father, and I lived in before my mother died. Those were the good times. We had lived in a small coastal town called Croyde, it had an awesome surfing cove, I missed that, I haven't surfed in about two years. I was about sixteen when my mother died, and that was when we moved. My father had started changing before that though, it started when I was six, when my mom got sick, his exterior hardened and he was strict. He turned into a cold, callous begin. I would have to leave this city eventually, especially since my father knows where I am, I did not like that, I would probably take out a ton of money from the bank then go back to our original home so he can’t trace me, then I could stay there for a while, I couldn’t wait to go back. After about an hour I slowed down a bit, just to take in the surroundings. I noticed broken glass littered on the floor, I slowed down a bit more and halted to a stop when I saw the wrecked car. I stared in horror at the sight. There were four bodies scattered on the ground, the cars were demolished all smushed in, it was a head-on collision. I rushed to the battered bodies. I unusually had a strong restraint for a vampire, even my dad was surprised. Human blood didn’t bother me at all, which I was grateful for. The first body was a man, probably late forties, his eyes were still open, and bloodshot, obviously drunk. I growled, this man was probably responsible for the accident. I check for a pulse, nothing, not that I would help this horrid person anyway. The second was a girl with curly platinum blonde hair streaked with pink around my age, her body was lying in an unnatural position, I pressed my hand to her neck, nothing. The third was a young guy with coppery hair, I checked, nothing. The last was a very beautiful girl, she had a cute heart-shaped face, onyx black hair, and perfect ivory skin. I reached down, I jerked my hand back, her skin was burning, but there was definitely a pulse, she was just unconscious. I laid her out, careful not to hurt her more than she was, I could feel she was dying, she didn’t have much time left. I took a deep breath, I hoped this worked. My dad had told me tales when I was a child, that was in the vampire legends, that some lucky vampire’s had gifts, like telepathy, precognition, healing abilities, and elemental powers. I had recently learned, I had healing abilities when I accidentally healed a hurt pigeon, and I could read people’s and animal’s thoughts when touching them. I also could send them my thoughts, I had learned this when I accidentally did it with one of my friends from my old school before I stopped going. I hoped this worked, it would be nice to use this curse for something good. I placed my hands on her chest and tried to focus. Tingles flowed down my arms, I felt the wounds healing. Once I was sure the worst was fixed, I stepped back, exhausted, healing really took a lot out of me. Soon, sirens came rushing and the ambulances arrived, I saw the girl’s eyes open and she jolted up. I hesitated a moment, her eyes were a gorgeous teal that reminded me of the ocean back at my old house, then I bolted, there was only so much I could do, and I had done my part in saving the girl’s life. As I jogged home there was a little part of me that wished I had stayed with the girl, but she would be taken care of.